WORLD CUP 2010 (TV Schedules and brackets also)

SPOILER!


We're approaching the final 15 minutes of regulation and still no score between Uruguay and France. Just as with the first half, the French have held the ball the most, but neither side has scene a genuine goal-scoring opportunity.

I hope the U.S. back line is watching this match and taking notes.
 
SPOILER!


Potential game-changing play at the 81st minute as Uruguay's Lodeiro--who has only been on the pitch for about 10 minutes--deservedly receives a second yellow for a ghastly, studs-up challenge that gets nothing but a Frenchman's ankle.

Can Uruguay's defense keep the door shut down a man?
 
SPOILER!


Uruguay exhibits negative football at its finest (worst?) and holds off France to earn a 0-0 draw. On one level, it was not a very attractive game as there were few quality chances. On another, watching Uruguay bend and never break as it stymied attack after attack became very entertaining.

The opening day of the 2010 World Cup is complete and Group A, aka the real Group of Death, lives up to its billing as all four teams earn a point and keep their advancement hopes alive.
 
SPOILER!


Early in the second half of South Korea vs. Greece. The Greeks gave up an early goal (6th minute) and are lucky to not trail by more as the Koreans have dominated.

Can't say I mind the Greeks suffering--they play the worst sort of football, in my opinion, and their reluctance (or inexperience) going forward is obvious even down a goal. There is no precision, no creativity, and they have no answer for South Korea's high pressure.

As I type this, a turnover gifts the Koreans with a breakaway and ManU's Park Jisoong capitalizes in the 52nd minute. It's South Korea 2, Greece 0.
 
SPOILER!


The first match of Day 2 is final--South Korea 2, Greece 0. That margin actually flatters the Greeks, who unquestionably looked the least prepared of all sides to play thus far.
 
SPOILER!


Well, that didn't take Argentina very long. Heinze puts the Albiceleste in front inside of seven minutes with a beautifully placed header.
 
SPOILER!


At the break, Argentina leads Nigeria, 1-0. Man of the man so far is the Nigerian keeper, who has stonewalled several well-placed shots, including robbing Lionel Messi of a goal about 10 minutes before halftime.

The Nigerians have enjoyed a few chances, as well, but their linking in the final third hasn't been quite as precise.
 
there will be some African keepers with new contracts next year in top leagues around Europe.

Props to GSJ for his use of SPOILER.

2 1/2 to go till our game. Do you guys think we win this or HOPE we win this. I guess I am being a doubting Thomas but I hope we win. I won't be shocked if we win or lose, however. I am sort of numb. I don't expect the best out of our team and am thrilled when we see glimpses of it.
 
SPOILER!


Nearly 78 minutes in, and the Super Eagles finally notch their first shot on goal courtesy of Obafemi Martins. Meanwhile, the score remains 1-0 as Argentina can't get a second shot past Vincent Enyeama--still the Man of the Match, in my book.
 
SPOILER!


Final in Johannesburg as Argentina retains its 1-0 margin to the final whistle. Messi could've been sharper, but he's still the most exciting man on the pitch. As noted previously, the game ball should go to the Nigerian keeper, Victor Enyeama.

Have to admit it was a disappointing match in terms of entertainment value. The pace really lagged between the 35th and 65th minutes, and the Super Eagles made virtually no effort to equalize in the final 15 minutes.

FIFA can't be too pleased with the results so far, either--just five goals through four matches. Good thing for the sport, then, that we have the U.S. backline.
frown.gif
 
SPOILER:


Lackluster first-half showing from Algeria and Slovenia. Not many quality chances from either side, and neither seems capable of stringing together consecutive passes. One can only hope that the teams will get ambitious and make a sincere effort to break the 0-0 deadlock.
 
SPOILER!


Another incredibly soft goal allowed in this Cup, this one at the expense of Algeria in the 78th minute. The North Africans had gone down a man a few minutes before but nevertheless enjoyed the run of play until Slovenia's Robert Koren takes a speculative shot from about 23 meters out. The keeper was well positioned to make the stop but misjudges the bounce and lunges awkwardly late.

Still the worst match to date, in my opinion. Absolutely no precision or flare; it's as if both sides were content with a draw before the match even started.
 
SPOILER!


Another match is in the books: Slovenia 1, Algeria 0.

Group C now looks like this:

Team ---------------- W/L/T ----- GS -- GA -- GD ---- PTS
Slovenia ____________ 1 0 0 ______ 1 ___ 0 ___ +1 _____ 3
England _____________ 0 0 1 ______ 1 ___ 1 ____ 0 _____ 1
United States ________ 0 0 1 ______ 1 ___ 1 ____ 0 _____ 1
Algeria ______________ 0 1 0 ______ 0 ___ 1 ___ -1 _____ 0

The group returns to action Friday. The U.S. will take on Slovenia at 9 a.m. and the English and Algerians will tangle at 1:30 p.m.
 
SPOILER!


Another scoreless half of World Cup action. This is now officially a trend. All that talk about the new "Jabulani" ball being difficult for keepers to read, and yet I wonder if it's affecting the accuracy and control of the attackers more. Case in point: we're 6.5 matches into this Cup and we've still not seen a scoring strike from a forward.

But back to the game ...

Ghana has been the far more threatening side, but both sides are struggling with that final pass as neither goalkeeper has been tested.

On the bright side, the pace and effort in this match is far superior to the Slovenia-Algeria snoozefest from earlier this morning.
 
SPOILER!


Ghana breaks the deadlock in the 83rd minute with a penalty kick from Asamoah Gyan. The call was deserved, though unfortunate, as the Serbian defender recklessly handled a cross inside the 18-meter box. Serbia was already down a man at the time.

The pace and effort from both sides has been genuine, but neither team has showed any crispness in fnishing (Serbia) or final passing (Ghana).
 
spoiler





The red on Cahill was very soft. If anyone deserved red it was both Ozil and Cacau for blatant diving nonsense.
 
SPOILER!


Another match, another ... first-half blank sheet. Big surprise, right?

Holland dominated possession, but Denmark saw the better chances in counterattack. Only a couple of saves, however, as neither side could place their shots on frame. Maybe the next 45 minutes will bring some excitement.

Overall, it's been a very underwhelming Cup so far. Not much polish or creativity in attack. I realize teams tend to err on the side of conservative for these initial group matches, but I can't recall such a tepid beginning with previous Cups.
 
SPOILER!


The deadlock is broken by another bad goal--this one being an unfortunate own goal against Denmark in the 47th minute after Simon Poulsen tried to head a corner out of the box only to see it deflect off teammate Daniel Agger's back and bound just inside the far post.

Netherlands 1, Denmark 0.
 
SPOILER!


The Dutch salt the match away with an 86th minute goal from Dirk Kuyt, who tapped in a rebound after substittute Eljero Elia's slow roller deflected off the woodwork.

Despite trailing virtually the full 45, the Danes were toothless this half. Credit Holland's possession and pressure for denying Denmark any chance of an equalizer.

Man of the match has to be Elia, who energized the Dutch attack despite not coming on to the pitch until the 67th minute. His quick feet and deft dribbling changed the complexion of the game.
 
SPOILER!


What a shock--a first-half goal. Japan gets on the board in the 38th minute after Daisuke Matsui's cross finds an unmarked Keisuke Honda at far post. Honda settled the ball at his feet and cooly chipped it in over the onrushing keeper from just a few meters out.

Japan 1, Cameroon 0.
 
SPOILER!


Japan earns its first World Cup victory outside of Japan with a 1-0 victory over Cameroon. I must say it was deserved; Japan had the better chances early despite only taking five shots during the match and then withheld a late second-half surge from Cameroon.

For all their hype, the Indomitable Lions were rather tame; they didn't exhibit any sense of urgency until about 15 minutes remained.

Later today--il Floparazzi vs. Paraguay. I'll be rooting for the South Americans for obvious reasons.
 
Is there any question who I will be rooting for?

Besides, I have a few friends from Paraguay and happen to really like Roque Santa Cruz.
 
son of a *****, the Italians are ALREADY diving. de Rossi, "took himself out", as announced by the tv guys. He was in writhing pain as he tripped himself or just laid down. Imagine that. Douchebags.
 
SPOILER!


Paraguay was lucky to avoid a red card in that first half. Aside from that, very happy to see the South Americans on top at the half. What a lovely header that was!
 
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