The first week of the World Cup is over and boy was it such a letdown. There was a serious lack of goals, a lot of sloppy midfield play and many so-called favorites not really turning up. On the plus side, Argentina look to be the best team in the tournament right now, but to put matters in perspective of how fucked up this cup has been, the current goal count is 43 in 22 matches, the 1990 World Cup in Italy which ended up with the worst goals per game average of all time (2.21 per game), had 51 goals after 22 matches. So unless things take a drastic turn for the better, we may have ourselves the most dull, defensive world cup ever.
Group A
RSA 1-1 MEX
Went down almost exactly like I expected it would. First half was very sloppy, but second half was oodles of fun especially when Tshabalala scored a great goal. I was pulling for the Africans but Marquez banged out the equalizer in the end. Fair result I suppose.
URU 0-0 FRA
I was half expecting this. Sucky hasbeen European team playing a sub-standard South American team. I regret staying up for this match.
RSA 0-3 URU
Must say I wasnt expecting this. Hosts generally dont fuck up this bad. I didnt see the match but highlights showed URU deserved the win. Khune shouldn't have been sent off I think.
FRA 0-2 MEX
That's what you get you lousy good for nothing boring blue bastards. I'm so glad Mexico won and couldn't be bothered my prediction was wrong.
Group B
ARG 1-0 NGA
Bit disappointed with ARG, specially Messi's finishing, but ARG did dominate NGA and it was fun to watch. Enyeama was brilliant in goal.
KOR 2-0 GRE
I was surprised that Korea were so good and Greece so bad. Was expecting a dull draw but Korea dominated throughout
ARG 4-1 KOR
Hell yes! The Albiceleste finally arrived in style! Apart from a Demichelis fuck up which led to the Korean goal and some nervy moments in the 2nd half, Argentina dominated throughout and Higuain scored the 1st World Cup hat-trick since Pauleta's one against Poland way back in 2002. Great game.
GRE 2-1 NGA
It was shocking how different Greece was. From being dominated by Korea, to dominating the Nigerians. Enyeama was great again and if Nigeria advance, he might just get the Yashin Award. Sad for the Nigerians.
Group C
ENG 1-1 USA
A lame match considering the fact it could have been so much better. A lot of wasted opportunities from both teams. I'm just glad USA didn't lose.
SVN 1-0 ALG
A VERY dull game. It was just really really boring.
Group D
GER 4-0 AUS
This was the first great good game of the cup even though it was overly one-sided. I want the Germans to fuck up but must admit they were very good in this game.
SRB 1-1 GHA
A dull match which I didn't bother watching. Bleh.
Group E
NED 2-0 DEN
Gosh, the boring matches didn't stop. Even Holland who entertained in Euro '08 were so dull and dreary. The goals, an own goal, and a very scrappy one, bear testament.
JPN 1-0 CMR
Didn't watch this either. Couldn't take another boring dull game after the previous one. Though Cameroon were unlucky in the end not to get a point. (Saw highlights. :))
Group F
SVK 1-1 NZL
ANOTHER boring game. Made exciting because NZL stole a point with the last touch of the game.
ITA 1-1 PAR
Didn't watch after what happened in the previous game. Got pissed when I learnt that De Rossi equalized...but Italy continue like this they'll get fucked before they can say Arrivaderci
Group G
POR 0-0 CIV
Damn what have the football fans done to deserve this? I predicted a 5-goal thriller (justified!) but a goalless draw from these two?? I mean, what the FUCK?!
BRA 2-1 PRK
Decent match. High point being Maicon's mercurial goal. Without doubt one of the 50 greatest goals EVER. Fun to see North Korea get their first WC goal in 44 years. Funner to see that Brazil are not playing as good as Argentina. :)
Group H
ESP 0-1 SUI
Shock of the first week. Switzerland certainly didn't deserve the win but Benaglio was brilliant and the Spain front line was disappointing. Again, I'm glad because another favorite fucked up.
CHL 1-0 HON
Surprisingly one-sided. Expected Honduras to put up a much better fight. Chile got lucky with the goal, but deserved the win.
So there you have it. The first week of the World Cup saw some of the most boring, dull matches I've ever seen in the contest. I really hope things take a turn for the better and we get atleast a respectable goal-rate. Like above 2? Is that asking for a lot? Sheesh...
Final call for the week 11th - 17th June...
Match Of The Week : Argentina 4-1 Korea Republic (slightly better than the Germany-Australia game)
Team Of The Week : Argentina (for 2 great wins and for becoming the 1st team to qualify for the RO16)
Player Of The Week : Lionel Messi (finishing could be better, but christ, is his dribbling class...)
Goalie Of The Week : Vincent Enyeama (brilliant displays against both Argentina & Greece, shame the rest of his team couldn't get the job done)
Defender Of The Week : Antolin Alcaraz (i'm not a great judge of defenders plus this World Cup has seen an embarrassment of overly-defensive displays... so this guy gets the nod for scoring against those blue Italian mofos)
Medio Of The Week : Lionel Messi
Striker Of The Week : Gonzalo Higuain (for scoring the 1st WC hat-trick in 8 years)
Goal Of The Week : Maicon vs DPR Korea
Shock Of The Week : Switzerland upsetting favorites Spain 1-0
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