The World Cup finally turned up and teams apart from Argentina finally got going. Where as week 1 saw a paltry 38 goals in 22 matches for a pathetic goal rate of 1.73 per game, the past week saw 63 goals in 26 games for a much more respectable 2.4 goals per game. The groups were finally decided and after starting off cagily to avoid defeat, the teams went for goals to secure their spot in the knockout stages. Argentina finished off their impressive run with a perfect 9 points and Messi turned in another great performance, while Landon Donovan proved to be the American hero yet again, not only helping the US qualify, but top the group and consign England to a very tough draw. The week capped off a near-perfect start to the World Cup for Sudamerica, as all but Chile topped their groups, with the latter finishing 2nd to Spain in Group H. For Africa, the week capped off a very disappointing campaign, with only Ghana making the next round. As for Europe, some big teams that screwed up in the previous round (England, Germany, Spain) made it through, Netherlands won all their games, and Portugal dazzled the North Koreans. On a personal note, it was the perfect week. My two favorite teams topped their respective groups in style, and my two most hated got fucked to the core!!
Group A
URU 1-0 MEX
A very entertaining first half saw Uruguay take the lead and a more sedate second half saw them successfully defend wave after wave of Mexican attacks. Both these teams qualify.
RSA 2-1 FRA
Oh yes! Karma completes its fucking up of Les Bleargh for the latter's screwing Ireland out of the World Cup! That's what you get you rooster-sucking, blue-blistering sons of bitches! On a sadder note, South Africa becomes 1st host nation to be eliminated at the first hurdle. :(
Group B
ARG 2-0 GRE
If it hadn't been for Greek goalie Tzorvas, Argentina could have easily beaten Hungary's 10-1 record of 1982. Greeks were very solid defensively, but Argentina completely dominated the midfield and their passing was very good considering it was a second string side. Messi dazzled again and had a part in both goals. Story of the game? Martin Palermo capping off his return from obscurity by scoring in the 89th minute!
NGA 2-2 KOR
A decently entertaining match, though Nigeria have only themselves to blame. Yakubu wasted a sitter and in the end, failure to score one goal sealed Nigeria's fate. Korea Republic become 2nd Asians to qualify from Group Stages on non-Asian soil (after North Korea in 1966)
Group C
SVN 2-2 USA
The ultimate game of 2 halves. I had to try hard not to vomit all over my bed after seeing the Americans at their sloppiest. Passing waywardly, shooting into the stands, losing possession... Slovenia deserved the 2 goals, but then... what a comeback! Donovan as always stirred the Americans to a great showing in the 2nd half and if it wasn't for that black Malian son of a bitch Coulibaly's canceling of Maurice Edu's legit winner, USA would have got all 3 points. Ah well...
ENG 0-0 ALG
A very dour, defensive game. I didn't even watch the highlights of this one after reading about it...
ENG 1-0 SVN
A slightly better performance from England. They dominated the game but only 1 goal to show for it means they really have to step up the attack. Defoe proved much more efficient than Heskey but Rooney's poor form continued. Thankfully, Slovenia got eliminated and I hopefully never have to see their uber-spastic goal celebrations again.
USA 1-0 ALG
One of the most exciting 1-0 games I've ever seen. The referees were again intent on screwing the Americans out of the Cup after the linesman ruled out another legit goal, this time from Dempsey. The Algerians played well in the first half (Djebbour hit the bar) but the 2nd half was completely dominated by USA. With only injury time left, it looked like USA would be out, but then, cometh the hour, cometh the man, Landon Donovan turned up to slot home the loose ball in front of goal after Dempsey's shot had been saved, to ensure that Old Glory would be gallantly streaming for another night!
That goal by the way, not only ensured US qualification, it helped them top the group! Meaning that with 1 goal, Landon Donovan gave the Americans a very decent draw and consigned England to Germany & Argentina! :D :D
Group D
GER 0-1 SRB
Serbia followed in Switzerland's footsteps by shocking another 'world power', though unlike the Swiss, the Serbs did actually play well. German strikeforce disappointed. Klose was unjustly sent off and Podolski missed a penalty.
GHA 1-1 AUS
Australia were the better side in this game but a controversial red-card for Kewell and the ensuing penalty helped Ghana take one step into the round of 16.
GER 1-0 GHA
Germany flattered to deceive again, turning in another sub-standard performance, except for one moment of magic from wunderkind Mesut Ozil, who's brilliant goal ensured Germany topped the group.
AUS 2-1 SRB
A game dominated by the Serbs but won by the Ozzies, thus ensuring Ghana go through.
Group E
NED 1-0 JPN
Netherlands haven't been up to par in this cup. Against Japan, they turned in another shaky performance and scored only through a goalkeeping error. Japan played very well and were unlucky not to get a point.
CMR 1-2 DEN
A surprisingly entertaining game. Paul Le Guen finally reverted to what should have been the starting 11 for Cameroon's 1st game, but lady luck would go to screw the Indomitable Lions from the cup. Cameroon had the lion's share of the chances, but Denmark were better at converting the few that they had. Cameroon thus became the 1st team to be eliminated from the tournament. :(
NED 2-1 CMR
Nothing special about this one except for the 2 Dutch goals which were very well worked. First glimpse of Arjen Robben at South Africa.
DEN 1-3 JPN
To everyone's surprise, Japan completely dominated the Danes, and Keisuke Honda and Endo both curled in free-kicks, doing to the Jabulani what the likes of Messi and Ronaldo have so far failed to do. Japan emulate the Koreans and become the 3rd Asians to do what they did.
Group F
PAR 2-0 SVK
The draw against the Kiwis seemed to have crushed the Slovak spirit as Paraguay completely dominated this game. Slovaks were happy to sit back and defend, even when they were a goal down.
ITA 1-1 NZL
A major shock. Italy were very unimpressive again and failed to score from open play, Iaquinta's penalty being their saving grace. Historic result for the All Whites.
PAR 0-0 NZL
Paraguay dominated the match again but having been pretty much assured qualification, lacked the killer instinct. New Zealand couldn't do much either but exited the World Cup unbeaten.
SVK 3-2 ITA
Who'd a thunk it?! Who'd have thought that Slovakia and Italy would produce one of the games of the tournament?! A completely changed team, Slovakia took the game to the Italians, knowing that only a win would get them through, and boy, did they succeed. Italy were caught napping again and after Robert Vittek scored a brace, the match got very exciting. Italy came back to make it 2-1 but then Kopunek with his first touch of the game, lobbed Marchetti from a throw-in and ensured a Slovak win. Quagliarella made it interesting again with an intelligent goal in injury time, but it was too little too late, and the Fighting Jondas had eliminated the world champions!! Yes! :D
Group G
BRA 3-1 CIV
The match wasn't as exciting as the result suggests. The goals from Brazil were pretty scrappy (save the third one) and Cote D'Ivoire were reminiscent of the Cameroonians of 1990 when they were hell bent on injuring Claudio Caniggia. Some histrionics from Abdel Kader Kaita towards the end of the game got Kaka unjustly sent off and ensured he miss the Portugal game.
POR 7-0 PRK
What a game! Another game of the week contender with Svk-Ita. A pseudo-interesting first half which saw Portugal take a 1-0 lead turned into an all-out goal fest which saw Ronaldo score his first international goal in 16 months! The Portuguese passing and movement off the ball were just joys to watch! :)
BRA 0-0 POR
Much ado about nothing. Ensured qualification, Brazil decided to rest their main team and the fans were witness to probably, the most boring match of the cup. Pathetic stuff.
CIV 3-0 PRK
Cote D'Ivoire were never gonna get the 9 goals they needed, but atleast they tried, dominating a North Korean team clearly just content after holding Brazil to only 2-1 in the first round.
GROUP H
ESP 2-0 HON
Spain bounced back after their shock defeat with another dominating performance only this time with goals to show for it. David Villa scored one of the best solo goals of the tournament but missed a hat-trick when he blazed his penalty wide. Honduras all but eliminated.
CHL 1-0 SUI
Didn't really see this match... Chile were the better team so I guess the win's deserved.
ESP 2-1 CHL
Villa scored a great goal again and Spain dominated the first half. Chile got a freak goal in a very dull second half and both teams were through.
SUI 0-0 HON
Another dull performance. Swiss failed to convert opportunities and were made to pay for it.
Final call for the week 18th - 25th June...
Match Of The Week: Tied - Slovakia 3-2 Italy and Portugal 7-0 North Korea
Team Of The Week: Portugal (for a 7-goal masterclass and for finishing the group stages with a perfect defensive record)
Player Of The Week: Cristiano Ronaldo (ended his goal drought and was the lynchpin of the Portuguese side)
Goalie Of The Week: A. Tzorvas (one man army in front of a blazing Argentine attack)
Medio Of The Week: Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker Of The Week: David Villa (3 goals in his last 2 games... and 2 of them were scorchers)
Goal Of The Week: David Villa's 1st goal against Honduras
Shock Of The Week: Italy eliminated at the group stages after drawing New Zealand and losing to Slovakia!
Moment Of The Week: Landon Donovan's last gasp goal that sent USA top of the group and now gives them a golden chance of making the semis!
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