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 17th 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 17th 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 17th 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 18th 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 18th 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 19th 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 51st minute, through a swerving shot from Inter Milan playmaker, Wesley Snejider.
Saturday 19th 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 11th 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 19th 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.
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