World Cup Report - The Semi-Finals

Two more games done, two more left and now, the scene is set, after two mouth-watering and gripping semi-finals.  Whatever happens tomorrow night in Soccer City, we will have a new name on the FIFA World Cup trophy.  Here is a round-up of how Holland and Spain managed to make the final of the greatest show on earth, in midweek.

Tuesday 6^th July: Uruguay 2-3 Holland

Holland reached their first World Cup final in 32 years, after a hard-fought 3-2 win against the surprise package of the tournament, Uruguay in Cape Town.  With the Dutch looking short of ideas infront of goal, they turned to a spectacular long-range effort from Giovanni Van Bronckhorst.  The Dutch skipper, who is retiring from international football after these finals, launched a rasping drive from 30 yards out on 19 minutes, which no goalkeeper in the world would stop.  A resolute Uruguay equalised before half-time, when Maarten Stelkenberg failed to deal with a swerving left-foot shot, by Diego Forlan.  With the game looking set for extra-time, the Dutch scored twice in three minutes, to take the game away from their opponents.  First, Wesley Snejider’s 5^th goal of this tournament, which was allowed to stand, despite Robin Van Persie looking like, he was in an offside position.  Moments afterwards, Arjen Robben’s deft header from a Dirk Kuyt cross looked to have settled the outcome.  Despite the absence of Luis Suarez through suspension, Uruguay continued to fight on, and in time added on, Maxi Pereira pulled one back, to ensure a dramatic and nail-biting finish.  However, the Dutch held on to set up an all-European final.  For five goals, this was a cagey semi-final, with moments of magic and some will argue that Holland hasn’t played their most attractive football ever.  However, you don’t reach a World Cup final, having won 6 matches out of 6 by accident.

Wednesday 7^th July: Germany 0-1 Spain

In an intriguing match in Durban, Spain reached their first ever World Cup final, after recording a narrow and probably, surprising win over the tournament favourites, Germany.  After exposing the frailties of the England and Argentina defences, the German counter-attack was tamed to perfection by the well-organised Spanish defence.  By keeping the likes of Meszut Ozil and Bastian Schweinsteiger quiet, service to Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski was rather limited.  Spain had the better chances, and with fifteen minutes remaining, Xavi’s wonderful corner was met by the Barcelona skipper Carlos Puyol.  Puyol, a centre-back by trade and having only scored twice in his distinguished international career before, powered a bullet of a header past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer before he could even see it.  For Germany, this was a step too far for their youngsters, but they will be back and are bound to only get stronger in the years to come.  For Spain, the opportunity to become European and World champions, and become the first side to win the tournament, having lost their first match of the finals, ironically in Durban to Switzerland back on June 16^th.  The stage is set for a fantastic match-up with the Dutch tomorrow night. 

3^RD PLACE PLAYOFF: Uruguay v Germany               

(Port Elizabeth)                                ITV1       Tonight at 7.30pm

2010 FIFA WORLD CUP FINAL: Holland v Spain    

(Soccer City, Johannesburg)       ITV1/BBC1           Tomorrow night from 6.30pm (Kick-Off at 7.30pm) 

England 0-0 Algeria - Shocking Performance Leaves England On The Brink

England’s over-paid footballers produced a shocking performance in Cape Town tonight that pretty much leaves their 2010 World Cup dreams in tatters.  Their limp display in the 0-0 draw with African outsiders Algeria leaves Fabio Capello’s side needing a win against Slovenia in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday to even escape Group C.

Following Saturday’s average 1-1 performance with the USA, Capello decided to drop Robert Green, following his horrific clanger in Rustenberg and bring in the experienced David James.  Gareth Barry returned from injury, in place of James Milner, which pushed Captain Steven Gerrard onto the left-side of midfield.  This tactic, on Capello 64^th birthday was a massive mistake.  Gerrard produced an error-strewn display, and once the captain produces this, then it will hurt the confidence of the other players.

Capello must take some of the flack from tomorrow’s damming newspaper headlines, especially for taking off the only player who looked like a serious threat, Aaron Lennon for Shaun Wright-Phillips, who failed to get into the game.  His persistence to stick with the ailing Emile Heskey is beyond belief.  Heskey scored only three Premiership goals throughout last season and by the end of it, was in the reserves at Aston Villa.  He is not England material, and Darren Bent must be wondering back at home, what he had to do to get in the squad.  Whenever Heskey gets the ball, he dithers, sloppily gives away possession or falls over like a flat pancake.  Technically, it means we only play with ten players.

It wasn’t even England’s lack of goals that frightens the fans; it was the lack of courage in the final third and even the lack of attempts in goal.  England looked nervous and frightened all over the park, especially in the final third, where are finishing looked more like a Sunday League side.  The players need to take courage and responsibility for their failings, and if they don’t, an early flight back to Luton next Thursday beckons.

Slovenia’s 2-2 stalemate with the USA earlier today leaves the group wide open, but Fabio Capello will be scratching his head and wondering where the qualifying form has gone.  England end up on the brink of a humiliating embarrassment, and an indigenous exit from the FIFA World Cup, if things don’t change ASAP. 

This was a miserable 64^th birthday to forget for Fabio Capello.