WORLD CUP 2010 (TV Schedules and brackets also)

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Goalkeeping blunder on a corner kick awards Italy an equalizer. Daniele de Rossi was the man fortunate enough to stick in the empty-netter after the keeper had come off his line to deflect a corner but could only wave at it after badly misjudging it.
 
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The 1-1 score stands as Italy and Paraguay draw. The Azzurri created pressure throughout the second frame and deserved the point; they won't be happy with it, however.
 
I am not really sure why the games have been so tense. My guess is that the talent gap has narrowed somewhat over the past 2-3 world cups, and not even the big teams can afford to take that many risks. It has taken a lot of the spark out of the games so far. The games have been lackluster at best. The only group to shine so far have been the refs.

I don't agree with teams playing for ties expecting to win future group games, like Uruguay did. In fact, I think it will bite them in the *** on Wednesday with South Africa taking the first chunk.
 
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Another insipid half of World Cup soccer sees New Zealand and Slovakia fail to score. The All Whites are outmatched at virtually every position (two of their starters aren't even on professional clubs at the moment), yet the match has been fairly even--a testament to the benefits of good energy and attitude.

The New Zealand keeper is without a doubt the worst I've seen. Dude has been out of position on multiple occasions, yet the Slovaks can't capitalize.

Incidentally, word is Drogba will play against Portugal. Wonder if that cast will hold up as often as he goes to ground ...
 
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Slovakia breaks the stalemate with a fine goal in the 50th minute. Right winger Vladimir Weiss crosses a ball into the box, where it finds the waiting head of striker Robert Vittek. Vittek nods it down expertly just inside the left post.

There is some controversy, however, as replays show Vittek was leaning just a hair offside before the service.
 
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Stunning. Out of nowhere, the toothless Kiwis strike an equalizer just seconds from the final whistle. Centerback Winston Reid is the hero, taking a well-aimed chip and heading it inside the right post--an absolute shocker given that New Zealand had made very little effort to get a result until that moment.

The Slovaks, who were literally 30 or so seconds from their first-ever World Cup triumph, have got to be reeling from the sight of this: Slovakia 1, New Zealand 1.

Up next is one of the more anticipated first-round matches: Ivory Coast versus Portugal as the falsely advertised "Group of Death" gets underway.
 
SPOILER!


Eleven minutes into the Ivory Coast-Portugal match and we've already seen the best and worst from Cristiano Ronaldo. His seventh-minute flop nets centerback Didier Zokora an undeserved yellow. Minutes later, Ronaldo lets fly a whistling shot from 25 meters that gives the keeper no chance but bounces off the woodwork.

Portugal enjoying the run of play so far. Looks like Ivory Coast will be happy to sit back and counterattack. Drogba starts the match on the bench.
 
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Ivory Coast 0, Portugal 0--half

Despite the scoreline, this match has been more entertaining than others. Both sides have been active and creative, but neither has been able to muster that final pass.

Talented though he is, Ronaldo is a deplorable *****. The guy goes to ground with the slightest contact, and this too often results in a free kick or caution from match officials who should know better.

If FIFA really cared about bringing an end to simulation, it would suspend Ronaldo for a match. He's a superstar, so of course FIFA wouldn't dare it, but it'd sure be nice to see.

Random opinion: Ivory Coast has the best kits in the Cup. I'd call the color "Highlighter Orange."
 
SPOILER!


Ivory Coast 0, Portugal 0, 65th minute.

The drone of vuvuzelas increases as Drogba steps onto the pitch. Will Sven Goran-Erickson's gamble pay dividends?
 
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Ivory Coast 0, Portugal 0--final.

The first "Group of Death" match ends in a scoreless draw. It began promisingly, but the defenses ultimately proved to be far sharper than the offenses. What a dreary Cup this has been.

Drogba saw two good chances in the second half, but both came to the wrong foot and he reacted with uncharacteristic hesitation. Can't help but wonder if he would've converted one of them had he been 100 percent.
 
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Brazil 0, North Korea 0--halftime.

Shocker of the tournament so far. The Selecao has held the ball virtually the entire half (74 percent possession to North Korea's 26 percent) but can't crack the defense of Kim Jong Il's denizens.

The match has been remarkably fluid--just seven fouls called during the first 45 minutes--and there have been plenty of shots (nine for Brazil, six for North Korea). But everytime Brazil has a quality chance developing, there's a red shirt exactly where it needs to be. Simply amazing tactical positioning and discipline on the part of the North Koreans, who have also threatened on the counter.

The rest of Group G better beware--North Korea won't be an easy out if it plays this way against Ivory Coast and Portugal. And to think--FIFA has the PRK rated as 105 in the world.

Overall, Brazil is playing fairly well. Robinho has been especially menacing. On the flipside, Kaka is having a miserable outing and should be taken off the pitch, in my opinion.
 
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Brazil 1, North Korea 0--55th minute.

Folks, you might not see a better goal than that all tournament. Incredible. Absolutely incredible.
 
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So, yeah, on that goal, Maicon--Brazil's right back, mind you--takes the ball on the overlap and catches up to it about three feet from the backline. Instead of crossing it, however, he unleashes a right-footed shot that beats the keeper to the near post, bends right, and bulges the far side of the net.

Only thing that makes sense is he must have struck the ball toward the outside of his foot. Otherwise, it would've bent left and flashed wide (or gone directly to the keeper).

If you missed it, be sure to look for a clip on Youtube. Sincerely doubt you'll witness a better shot during this competition.
 
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Brazil 2, North Korea 0--72nd minute.

Another superb score for the Selecao--a clinic in passing and finishing. Credit goes to Robinho for his superb diagonal ball that travels some 30 meters past four or five defenders until it finds the feet of an onrushing Elano, whose first touch is to calmly slot the ball to far post.

Bless Brazil. Just when this tournament was bogging down in the worst sort of way, the Selecao have come through with two moments of brilliance.
 
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Brazil 2, North Korea 1--89th minute.

Ji Yun-Nam puts PRK on the board with an inspired run into the box and past a couple of defenders before chipping the ball over the shoulder of a diving Julio Cesar.

Three extraordinary goals today.
 
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Brazil 2, North Korea 1--final.

Best match of the tournament so far ends after a mere two minutes of stoppage time. Stunning result--many expected a cakewalk for the Selecao this afternoon, but the North Koreans thought differently. Despite the loss, that was nothing short of a heroic effort because I don't think Brazil played that poorly.
 
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Chile 1, Honduras 0--Final.

Chile's first World Cup victory in 48 years came at the expense of CONCACAF's first loss in this tournament. Even so, the one-goal margin certainly flattered Honduras, which was outshot 22-7 and saw only 36 percent of possession.

Man of the match for me has to be Chile's attacking right winger, Alexis Sanchez, who created chance after chance with his deft dribbling and passing.

Overall, not a bad game, but disappointing in that Chile could not convert more of its chances.
 
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Spain 0, Switzerland 0--Halftime.

Another scoreless first frame in South Africa. Spain saw 72 percent of the ball and took nine shots (to Switzerland's 1) but couldn't convert their dominance into points.

The Swiss are exhibiting negative football at its finest--there are usually eight to nine of them behind the ball the moment Spain wins possession. The Spanish began to get frustrated toward the end of the half, begging for undeserved fouls and PKs.

Still, Spain seems to be its worst enemy. Its broken through Switzerland's backline on a couple of occasions, only to squander the opportunity with excessive dribbling, passing, or hesitation.
 
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Switzerland 1, Spain 0--52nd minute.

The Spanish get caught pushing forward on a goal kick (seriously?) and a lucky touch puts Eren Derdiyok into the box unmarked. Iker Casillas takes him out (and could've drawn a penalty), but the loose ball ultimately winds up on the foot of left winger Gelson Fernandes, who can do no wrong in front of an empty goal.
 
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Switzerland 1, Spain 0--Final.

The largest upset of the tournament so far. As well as the Swiss defended, the real story of the match was Spain's total lack of quality inside the 18-meter box. Whether a shot at goal or a cross from the wings, La Furia Roja's last effort was always wanting.
 
Uruguay's Luis Suarez is a piece of ****. Seriously, he's the worst sort of soccer player--short on ability, and long on acting. He's been diving all over the pitch today, and his latest effort got the South African keeper sent off for the touch of a toe.

Absolutely wouldn't mind seeing this douchebag's career end. And I'm dead serious. Players like he deserve nothing good.
 
There was a yellow card for diving in one of the games earlier in the week, but I can't remember which one. Japan v. Cameron maybe?
 
I don't see how that was a dive. The keeper made no play on the ball, he hit both of Suarez' feet, it was a pretty clear penalty. Did Suarez embellish a little? Sure he did. But he didn't need to. It was going to be a penalty, and there was going to be a red card.

And the replay clearly showed him to be onside as well.
 
The first round of group play is in the books, and perhaps the biggest story to date is the general lack of scoring. In addition to most corners and crosses behaving benignly, not a single direct free kick has gone for goal.

That causes one to wonder if FIFA's primary concern is helping Adidas sell soccer balls and not ensuring the best-quality product for soccer fans.

I say that because the much-maligned "Jabulani" ball seems to have had a greater impact on free kicks and crosses than it has on goalkeeping.

We were told that the new ball was developed to boost scoring, as it is lighter, faster, and more prone to knuckling than the previous official ball--attributes that would put more pressure on goalkeepers.

In practice, however, it seems the ball has been a greater challenge to attackers due to a loss of control and predictability. And that makes sense, really, since there is such a fine line between bending a free kick over a wall then down inside the top bar and seeing it sky 10 meters above it.
 
SPOILER!


Argentina 2, South Korea 0--33rd minute.

An own goal and a casual header from Gonzalo Higuain have the Albiceleste in control of Group B. Lots of time left to play, however, and the Koreans compete with a lot of heart. Still, it will take a stroke of luck to bring them back.
 
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Argentina 2, South Korea 1--Halftime.

A careless giveaway from Argentina's backline gifts South Korea's Lee Chung-Yong with a one-on-one against the keeper. His side-footed chip doesn't waste the chance.

Very entertaining first half, perhaps the best of the Cup so far.
 
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