World Cup Report - Day 7-9

The second round of group games in the 2010 FIFA World Cup is well and truly underway.  In the past three days, we’ve seen tensions rise in camps; some players show a lack of team unity and the first side to be well and truly eliminated from the competition.  Here is a brief round-up of the past three days, excluding the England match yesterday.

Thursday 17^th June: Argentina 4-1 South Korea

Diego Maradona’s Argentina became firm favourites to land the World Cup, after an impressive 4-1 victory over South Korea in Soccer City that all but virtually booked their place in the last sixteen.  Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain was in fabulous form, hitting a hat-trick, after an own goal from Park Chu-Young.  Despite an error by Martin Demichellis, which allowed Lee Chun-Soo in to score for the Koreans with the last kick of the first half, Argentina weren’t in any major danger and raised the standards for the other favourites in the process.

Thursday 17^th June: Greece 2-1 Nigeria

Sani Kaita’s daft dismissal after 33 minutes left Nigeria on the verge of elimination and helped Greece on the way to a first-ever World Cup win.  Nigeria dominated the early exchanges, took an early lead through Kala Uche’s free-kick.  A deflected strike from Dimitrios Salpingidis drew the Greeks level, before Vasiledios Torosidis capitalised on a spill by Vincent Enyeama to thrash the Euro 2004 winners to an essential victory.

Thursday 17^th June: France 0-2 Mexico

Mexico took full advantage of a French team lacking any spirit and cohesion, to virtually book their place in the knockout stages and send the 2006 finalists packing home.  Javier Rodriguez, Manchester United’s new striker put the North Americans infront, making the most of a horrific French onside trap, to slot the ball past a despairing Hugo Lloris.  A France team that looked lazy, old and lethargic conceded a dreadful penalty by Eric Abidal, converted by 37-year old Cuathmatic Blanco, which sealed an impressive win for the Mexicans.

Friday 18^th June: Germany 0-1 Serbia

Serbia blew Group D wide open, with an unexpected victory over pre-game favourites Germany in Port Elizabeth.  A fussy and poor referee didn’t help the Germans cause, with Miroslav Klose unluckily sent off for two clumsy, if not malicious challenges.  Lukas Podolski had a shocker, and became the first German to miss a penalty at the World Cup in 28 years in the process.  Serbia’s winner came five minutes from half-time from Liverpool bound striker, Milan Jovanovic. 

Friday 18^th June: Slovenia 2-2 USA

In a pulsating encounter at Ellis Park, the United States stormed back from two goals down, to record a hard-fought draw with Slovenia.  The Europeans were coasting at half-time, 2-0 up, through efforts from Valter Birsa and Zlatan Ljubijankic.  However, the US recovered well, helped by an early second half response by Landon Donovan.  Michael Bradley’s dramatic leveller eight minutes from time ensured a share of the spoils and a very dubious refereeing decision saw Maurice Edu and the Americans have a goal wrongly chalked off in the dying stages.

Saturday 19^th June: Holland 1-0 Japan

A hard-fought victory in Durban over a spirited Japan side sealed Holland’s birth in the last sixteen.  The only goal came in the 51^st minute, through a swerving shot from Inter Milan playmaker, Wesley Snejider. 

Saturday 19^th June: Ghana 1-1 Australia

It was a missed opportunity for Ghana, as Australia earned a hard-fought draw in Rustenberg.  Another goalkeeping gaffe, this time from Richard Kingston allowed the Socceroos a 11^th minute lead, through Brett Holman.  However, Galatasaray winger Harry Kewell was dismissed for a deliberate handball on the goal-line, with the resulting penalty converted by Asamoah Gyan.  Despite Ghanaian pressure, the Aussies held on to ensure that all four teams in Group D still have a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages.

Saturday 19^th June: Cameroon 1-2 Denmark

Morten Olsen’s Denmark produced a stirring comeback in Pretoria, which eliminated Cameroon from the 2010 FIFA World Cup.  A horrendous error from Christian Poulsen allowed Samuel Eto’o in to put the Africans infront.  However, two brilliant team goals won the night for the Scandinavians, courtesy of Arsenal misfit Niklas Bendtner and star of the show, Dennis Rommedahl.  As a result, Cameroon becomes the first side to be eliminated from the tournament.  

2010 World Cup Preview - Part 2

In this second segment, me (Simon Wright) has taken time out of  my busy schedule to preview four of the eight groups in the 2010 World Cup.  Here, I will give his predictions for these teams, and their strengths and weaknesses.  With the big kick-off tomorrow, the anticipation is nearly over.

GROUP B

ARGENTINA

FIFA ranking: 8

Coach: Diego Maradona 

Best: Winners (1978, 1986)

Key player: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Diego Maradona is a coach who is probably just as confused as the rest of us.  He used over 80 players in qualification and they only just scraped to South Africa.  If Argentina deliver, then it will be down to Lionel Messi.  The Barcelona wonderkid has been amazing for his club, less so for his country, largely because he has been played out of position by Maradona.  Esteban Cambiasso's absence is a shock, but with talent like Tevez, Aguero and Mascherano around and if Maradona can get the best out of his players, then expect the South Americans to be in the final reckoning.

PREDICTION: Semi-Finalists (Losing the 3rd placed playoff)


NIGERIA

FIFA ranking: 15

Coach: Lars Lagerback 

Best: Second Round (1994, 1998)

Key player: Obafemi Martins (VFL Wolfsburg)

This is Lars Lagerback's first solo coaching job and he will have a job to produce miracles for the Super Eagles.  However, despite the bitter blow of losing John Obi Mikel before the finals, Nigeria have quality all around the park, especially in the starting eleven.  They should have the potential to escape the group.

PREDICTION: Second Round


SOUTH KOREA

FIFA ranking: 49

Coach: Huh Jung-Moo 

Best: Semi-Finalists (2002)

Key player: Ji-Sung Park (Manchester United)

Eight years ago, South Korea stunned the world, to reach the last four on home soil.  However, they have failed to develop since then, and are still relying on the 2002 crop, who are past their peak.  Experience is their main drawback.

PREDICTION: Group Stages



GREECE

FIFA ranking: 12

Coach: Otto Rehengel

Best: Group Stages (1994)

Key player: Angelos Charisteas (FC Nurnberg)

Greece's previous World Cup experience was a disaster, with no goals and no points to show for their 1994 effort.  However, they are better equipped this time around.  Otto Rehengel has kept the majority of the squad that won Euro 2004 against the odds, so they are in a similar boat to South Korea.  However, a strong team unit is the vital ingredient to their success.  Their group match with Nigeria could well be the deciding factor for the Greeks.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

GROUP D

GERMANY

FIFA ranking: 6

Coach: Joachim Low

Best: Winners (1954, 1974, 1990)

Key player: Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich)

The Germans should never be underestimated or discounted.  They are typically around in the final stage,s despite never playing the most attractive football.  The goals of Miroslav Klose and the talent that Bastian Schweinsteiger has to be the main element to any success in South Africa, but injuries have ruined Germany's build-up, which could prove to be the deciding factor.

PREDICTION: Second Round

AUSTRALIA

FIFA ranking: 23

Coach: Pim Veerbeek

Best: Second Round (2006)

Key player: Tim Cahill (Everton)

The Socceroos eased through qualifying in their new region, Asia.  However, they don't look so strong on paper, as they did in 2006.  The form of Tim Cahill will be the main proving point for any Australian success in the finals.  A tough group doesn't help matters, so it could well be a tournament of little joy.

PREDICTION: Group Stage


SERBIA

FIFA ranking: 19

Coach: Raddy Antic

Best: Quarter-Finals (1990) (AS YUGOSLAVIA)

Key player: Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United)

Serbia impressed in qualification, beating France and consequently avoiding a difficult playoff in the process.  Raddy Antic has come out of retirement to coach Serbia for a second time, and if it wasn't for the group they were drawn in, I'd expect them to play a major force in 2010.  Sadly, Group D looks very tough to advance out of, and I generally think that two teams are better than Serbia.

PREDICTION: Group Stages

GHANA

FIFA ranking: 27

Coach: Milvoan Rajevac

Best: Second Round (2006)

Key player: Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan)

The Ghana team were the only African side to reach the last 16 in 2006, and cruised through qualifying.  The loss of Michael Essien is a blow to their preparations, but was expected.  Ghana's attacking intent, combined with a lot of physical prowless and strength, could leave them to be the biggest surprise of World Cup 2010.

PREDICTION: Quarter-Finalists

GROUP E

HOLLAND

FIFA ranking: 3

Coach: Bert Van Marwijk

Best: Runners-Up (1974, 1978)

Key player: Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich)

Holland are the perennial underachievers of World Cup football, having finished runners-up twice in the 70's.  Despite the talent of Neeskens, Cruyff, Guillt, Van Basten and Bergkamp down the years, there has been no world trophy to show for their efforts.  Once again, this could be a similar story for the beginners of 'Total Football.'  Arjen Robben's battle to return to full fitness could have a big bearing on their final efforts.

PREDICTION: Quarter-Finalists

DENMARK

FIFA ranking: 26

Coach: Morten Olsen

Best: Quarter-Finals (1998)

Key player: Christian Poulsen (Juventus)

It is nice to see Denmark back at the main football party, six years since their quarter-final appearance in Euro 2004.  Morten Olsen is still the coach, and will need goals from Niklas Bendtner and the ageing Jon Dahl Tomasson for a successful tournament.  Scandinavia's only hope this time around will be pleased to meet their minimum expectation, escaping the group stages.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

JAPAN

FIFA ranking: 40

Coach: Takeshi Okada

Best: Round 2 (2002)

Key player: Keisuke Honda (CSKA Moscow)

Japan are in woeful form arriving into the competition, so this could be a very difficult tournament for them.  On their day, the Japanese have been known to give teams a fright for sustained periods, without transforming it into a decent result.  Sadly, with such a tough group, I can only see this popular side taking one of the first aeroplanes out of South Africa.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

CAMEROON

FIFA ranking: 20

Coach: Paul Le Guen

Best: Quarter-Finals (1990)

Key player: Samuel Eto'o (Inter Milan)

The Indomindable Lions of Italia 90 must feel they have underachieved of late.  However, with the well-respected, if temperamental Paul Le Guen in charge, things are finally looking up for Cameroon.  Making Samuel Eto'o captain was a move of genius, and although there has been some unrest in the camp in the build-up to the finals, I'm convinced they will survive a tricky test against Denmark and progress from Group E.

PREDICTION: Second Round

GROUP H

SPAIN

FIFA ranking: 2

Coach: Vicente del Bosque

Best: 4th Place (1950), Quarter-Finals (1986, 1994, 2002)

Key player: Fernando Torres (Liverpool)

Spain have always failed to deliver at the World Cup, when it matters.  Whether that's an inspired Belgian goalkeeper (1986), Baggio's last-gasp heartbreak (1994) or dodgy linesman decisions (2002), the result has always been the same.  However, they come into the tournament as red-hot favourites, and their 6-0 warm-up triumph over Poland on Tuesday is some indication.  Xavi, Iniesta, Villa, Casillas, Torres, Fabregas, Villa, there's quality all over the pitch and on the bench too, I think this will be the year when the Spanish finally rest their demons for good.

PREDICTION: WINNERS

SWITZERLAND

FIFA ranking: 18

Coach: Omar Hitzfeld

Best: Second Round (1994, 2006)

Key player: Tranquillo Barnetta (Bayer Leverkusen)

Otmar Hitzfeld's side recovered from an embarassing loss to Luxembourg in qualifying, to overcome stern challenges from Greece and Israel, to book their place in South Africa.  They haven't conceded at the World Cup since 1994 (ironically against Spain), who are their opponents in Wednesday's opener.  Switzerland are a dangerous side on their day, but lack the cutting edge when it requires to firepower at the right end of goal.  Matching their 1994 and 2006 feat of the knockout stage, will be seen as a positive tournament.

PREDICTION: Second Round

HONDURAS

FIFA ranking: 34

Coach: Reinaldo Rueda 

Best: Group Stages (1982)

Key player: Wilson Palacios (Tottenham Hotspur)

OK, they may be major outsiders in Group H, but Honduras should never be discounted.  They did extremeyl well to edge out traditional qualifiers, Costa Rica in making the finals, and play some very attractive, gung-ho football, which could result in some of the most exciting games to come in the finals.  Winning a game will be their target, and that is an achievable goal.

PREDICTION: Group Stages


CHILE

FIFA ranking: 16                                                    

Coach: Marcelo Bielsa

Best: 3rd (1962)

Key player: Alexis Sanchez (Udinese)

Like Honduras, Chile can not be discounted come the final reckoning, in what is a well-matched group behind the runaway group favourites, Spain.  Alexis Sanchez has had an injury-hit season for Udinese, and when he played in Serie A, he looked hopelessly off the pace.  Perhaps he is saving his best form for the World Cup, certainly more Chileans will be hoping so, as they will be relying on his dominance of the midfield, if they are to avoid an unanimous early exit.                                           

PREDICTION: Group Stages

World Cup Memories - Part 2

The countdown is getting ever closer to that first kick-off between the hosts and Mexico, which will open up the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals.  For the first time, Africa will stage the world’s biggest show and over four weeks and sixty-four matches, we really will find out who is the best in the world. 

It also gives me the opportunity to lookback at some classic FIFA World Cup moments from down the years, a mixture of romance, drama, controversy, disgusting foul play, heartbreak and joy.  Every picture, every match tells its different type of story.  In this five-part series, I will be looking back at my top 50 FIFA World Cup memories, starting, ranging from 1958 to the most recent tournament in Germany four years ago.  Coming up is Part two, and in the no particular order.  Here are the next ten memories:

The Battle of ‘Santiago’ – 1962

On June 2^nd 1962, World Cup hosts Chile and Europeans Italy took part in the most violent and bruising match in FIFA World Cup history.  Chile won the game 2-0, but that was only half of the story, in a ridiculous match, full of shocking fouls and arrogant punch-ups that made it turn into a rugby brawl at Twickenham, not a football contest.  The catalyst for the trouble was the crude comments that two Italian journalists made about Santiago, the capital of the South American country.  They had to flee for safety when spotted in the country, and the game was soon no longer about football.  Within of 12 minutes, Giorgio Ferrini was sent off and had to be dragged off by the police, as the temperamental Italian refused to leave the pitch.  Later on, Mario David was punched by Chile’s Leonel Sanchez, but this incident was missed by referee Ken Aston.  Seconds later, David retaliated by kicking Sanchez in the head!  Quite rightly, he was dismissed.  Sanchez’s hard man attitude continued when he produced a boxing punch on Humberto Maschio, smashing up his nose and the police had to come on three more times, as the two teams lost total control of their discipline, spitting and scuffling with one another on frequent occasions.  This was the darkest moment in FIFA World Cup history, agreed with by the BBC’s David Coleman.  “This is the most stupid, appalling, disgusting and disgraceful exhibition of football, possibly in the history of the game.    

French Fairytale Comes True – 1998

The 1998 FIFA World Cup final in France will be remembered for the saga of whether Brazil’s Ronaldo would play or not.  The world’s best footballer at the time was in the side, out of it, then in again, having suffered a series of epileptic fits in the build-up to the big kick-off in Paris.  Brazil’s preparation was thrown in chaos and they were no match for the hosts, despite Marcel Desailly’s red card in the second half.  Two goals from the mercurial Zinedine Zidane and a late effort from the consistent Emmanuel Petit saw France complete the fairytale on home soil.  For Brazil, it was a devastating way to lose their grip on the trophy and for Ronaldo, a damaged mark on what had so far been a blossoming career.

Gordon Banks Stunner Save – 1970

This was Brazil v England, the showdown between the best sides in the world.  In the heat of Mexico, this was always going to be a spectacle no-one could forget and the most iconic moment, was Gordon Banks fantastic save to somehow deny Pele a certain goal.  Pele met Gerson’s cross in the first half, with a powerful header that looked certain to burst the net.  Yet, Banks athleticism shone through in this epic counter.  He was beaten later by Jarzinho, as Brazil won the group match 1-0, in a game where sportsmanship was the true winner.

Schumacher’s Moment of Madness – 1982

The 1982 World Cup semi-final between France and West Germany was another picturesque memory, but this, for all the wrong reasons.  With the game tied at 1-1, through strikes from Pierre Littbarski and Michel Platini, French substitute Patrick Battiston charged clear in Seville, only to be taken clean out by the mad goalkeeper Harald Schumacher.  Schumacher had missed the ball in the 1-on-1 confrontation and smashed straight into Battiston, knocking him unconscious in the process. The game was stopped for seven minutes and amazingly, the Dutch referee only gave Germany a goal-kick.  Schumacher then saved two spot-kicks in the first ever penalty-shoot out in World Cup history, as West Germany advanced to the final, following a 3-3 draw.  However, the game will always be totally thought of for Schumacher’s moment of madness.   

Beckham’s Redemption – 2002

He had been vilified and crucified by the English press four years earlier, for that kick-out on Diego Simone in St. Etienne.  Four years on and David Beckham’s moment of redemption came in the closing stages of the first half in Sapporo.  Michael Owen, Argentina’s previous tormentor won a penalty, and Beckham kept his cool to smash the ball past Cavallero and give England their first win since 1966 over Argentina.  The emotion in his celebration said it all, as it laid to rest the ghosts of Mexico 86 and France 98 for the Three Lions army. 

North Korea Stun Italy – 1966

Ayresome Park may not be around anymore, but the former home of Middlesbrough FC played host to one of those best moments in football, when the underdog bites the favourite.  The unfancied North Korea stunned Italy, beating them 1-0 and consequently, qualifying for the quarter-finals at the Italians expense.  It was and still is one of the greatest upsets in the game’s history.  Ironically, North Korea is back at the World Cup in 2010, could they do the same to Brazil or Portugal in the group stages.

The Reggae Boys Party In France- 1998

Jamaica’s colourful atmosphere and presence was one of the distinct highlights of the 1998 World Cup finals.  Players such as Derby’s Deon Burton and Wimbledon’s Robbie Earle had the distinct privilege of playing top-quality opposition at football’s greatest showpiece.  Win, lose or draw, the Reggae Boys were determined to have an exceptional party and they didn’t disgrace themselves either.  They pushed Croatia all the way in their first Group H game, losing bravely 3-1.  Although Argentina dismantled the Jamaicans 5-0 in the next match, Theodore Witmore’s brace was enough to beat fellow debutants Japan and mean, they wouldn’t earn the wooden spoon.  The end-of-journey party was going to be a wild occasion. 

The Own Goal That Caused Death -1994

Distinct tragedy dogged the 1994 finals, when the Colombian defender Andres Escobar scored an unfortunate own goal against the USA in the South American’s second game of the tournament.  Having been up amongst the bookies favourites, a 3-1 loss in their opener to Romania wasn’t in the game plan and this cruel moment from Escobar set the pathway for the Americans to advance to the knock-out stage.  The goal put Colombia out of the tournament and a few days later, Escobar was shot dead by crazed gunman outside a petrol station in Medellin.  Sometimes, there is more to football than just a game….

Cambiasso’s Class -2006

Quite simply, one of the best ever team goals scored in the competition’s history.  Argentina’s second match of the 2006 World Cup saw them produce a stunning 24-pass move, which led to an unstoppable finish from Esteban Cambiasso against hopeless Europeans Serbia & Montenegro.  Argentina played some sumptuous football, on their way to a highly impressive 6-0 success.  I don’t need to explain anymore to this match, just watch this, this is special!

Denmark Meet Their Match, 1986

Denmark had been one of the stars of the early stages in the 1986 FIFA World Cup.  They cruised through Group E with a 100 per cent record, including a 6-1 battering of Uruguay (see video for stunning Michael Laudrup individual moment) and an impressive 2-0 success over the bookies favourites, West Germany.  They were expected to overturn an ageing Spanish side in the last sixteen, and when Jesper Olsen converted an early penalty, were well on the way.  However, a spectacular collapse followed, as Real Madrid’s Butragueno bagged four goals and the dark horses met their match.  A 5-1 loss was the final outcome, as one of the dark horses made their exit in one of the most undignified manners ever seen.

PART 3 next week

For PART 1, visit http://happydude88.blogspot.com/2010/04/world-cup-memories-part-1.html