Evening everyone.
I suspect it'll be a short one today, as I'm dead on my feet following my last exam. Good news is, it's all finally over and normal service will resume.
Quite a few things happened since Saturday. Argentine did manage to beat Iran thanks to an injury-time wonder-strike from Messi, thus ensuring qualification. Though the Argentines got through to the last sixteen, I sill don't like the way they play. They've been basically saved by Messi twice and any half-decent team will bury them in the play-off. Switzerland, for instance. Despite losing 2-5 to France, they look a likable team.
In another game in Group E, Nigeria has beaten Bosnia and have almost made it out of the group. Even in case they lose to Agentine, four points will likely suffice to go through.
The tedious Argentine game was followed up by probably the best cup match thus far. Both Germany and Ghana started slowly, but the second 45 minutes were flat-out brilliant. The Bundesteam quick passing and unrivalled technique on the ball saw them go ahead, only for Ayew to equalise with a headed effort minutes later.
The africans quickly followed it up with another goal, Gyan making no mistake when clean through and for quite some time it seemed we were in for a shocking result. Especially as the Germans looked dead on their feet, with Ghana making the most of it by creating several more clear-cut chances.
Then Lowe threw on Schweinsteiger and Klose and this changed the dynamic of the match. In the 71st minute, the former won a corner, Kroos crossed (no pun intended) and Klose put it away from close (seriously, no pun) range. The German celebrated the goal which brought him level with all-time leading World Cup goalscorer Ronaldo with a trademark somersault.
The last 20 minutes was fun and open-ended stuff all around. I thought Germany looked a bit sharper and could have probably nicked a win in the dying episodes, but that would also have meant a great injustice towards a hard-working and talented Ghana side, so a draw it was.
I would also like to say a couple of words on Ozil. Though our playmaker hasn't scored, his contribution was telling. I cannot remember one pass he misplaced and his link-up play with Schweinsteiger was what could have cost Ghana a valuable point. Well done, Mesut.
Sunday saw Belgium play Russia and had I not supported my home team, I would have found some other way to while away my time. The game was mind-boggingly tedious, the Belgians only just nicking a win against a rather toothless Fabio Capello's team and so Hazard and Co are through Argentine-style. I don't like the way they played at all and, like it's the case with Argentine, any self-respecting team should make easy work of the Belgians in the play-off.
The loss leaves Russia's hopes hanging in the balance. They will now have to beat Algeria (who dispatched off South Korea with ease) and hope Belgium won't go down to Korea. The latter scenario is highly unlikely to play out, but first we have to get the better of Algeria and it won't be easy. They know a draw should see them though and will fight tooth and nail for it. That being said, they won't have to battle that hard, should our level of performances remain the same. Bottom line is, we have nothing to do in the last sixteen against Germany or USA with a playstyle like that.
Speaking of USA, they nearly pulled off a shocker against Portugal. I didn't see the game, but I know Jurgen Klinsmann's side was mere seconds away from snatching the three points following a wonderful comeback. Porugal was clearly shell-shocked and now they are nearly out. They'll have to defeat Ghana in the last game (no mean feat, since Ghana will themselves be fighting to qualify) and hope like hell that Germany defeats USA. Personally, I think these two will just play out a draw. Germany and USA, I mean. A draw will see both teams qualify, so they may well decide it's best for all parties concerned. Again, I don't think Portugal is capable of anything interesting in the play-off, so just let them go home. We don't want Ronaldo to mess up his haircut, after all.
Finally for today, Chile and the Netherlands have both made it out of the Group B from second and first places respectively. I've seen the game and I wish I didn't. It was as boring as Belgium vs Russia, with Chile hitting the target only once with the first place riding on their win. Holland made the most of their chances and so 2-0 it finished.
It was Spain vs Australia that should have been much more interesting, but I didn't get the chance to see it, as no one cared to broadcast it. Spain have won 3-0, with Villa, Torres and Mata all on the scoresheet. It's a bit of a pity La Furia Roja flies home after this game, especially since Xabi Alonso, Xavi and Villa are all leaving the national team after the tournament.
I also want to give credit to Australia for the way the played. The first two matches were brilliant and it's a shame they haven't got anything out of these. Put your hands together for them anyway. It's the least they deserve.
That's it for today. Don't think I'll watch Brazil vs Cameroon, but I will see Croatia vs Mexico if I can get my hands on a broadcast.
Until later
I suspect it'll be a short one today, as I'm dead on my feet following my last exam. Good news is, it's all finally over and normal service will resume.
Quite a few things happened since Saturday. Argentine did manage to beat Iran thanks to an injury-time wonder-strike from Messi, thus ensuring qualification. Though the Argentines got through to the last sixteen, I sill don't like the way they play. They've been basically saved by Messi twice and any half-decent team will bury them in the play-off. Switzerland, for instance. Despite losing 2-5 to France, they look a likable team.
In another game in Group E, Nigeria has beaten Bosnia and have almost made it out of the group. Even in case they lose to Agentine, four points will likely suffice to go through.
The tedious Argentine game was followed up by probably the best cup match thus far. Both Germany and Ghana started slowly, but the second 45 minutes were flat-out brilliant. The Bundesteam quick passing and unrivalled technique on the ball saw them go ahead, only for Ayew to equalise with a headed effort minutes later.
The africans quickly followed it up with another goal, Gyan making no mistake when clean through and for quite some time it seemed we were in for a shocking result. Especially as the Germans looked dead on their feet, with Ghana making the most of it by creating several more clear-cut chances.
Then Lowe threw on Schweinsteiger and Klose and this changed the dynamic of the match. In the 71st minute, the former won a corner, Kroos crossed (no pun intended) and Klose put it away from close (seriously, no pun) range. The German celebrated the goal which brought him level with all-time leading World Cup goalscorer Ronaldo with a trademark somersault.
The last 20 minutes was fun and open-ended stuff all around. I thought Germany looked a bit sharper and could have probably nicked a win in the dying episodes, but that would also have meant a great injustice towards a hard-working and talented Ghana side, so a draw it was.
I would also like to say a couple of words on Ozil. Though our playmaker hasn't scored, his contribution was telling. I cannot remember one pass he misplaced and his link-up play with Schweinsteiger was what could have cost Ghana a valuable point. Well done, Mesut.
Sunday saw Belgium play Russia and had I not supported my home team, I would have found some other way to while away my time. The game was mind-boggingly tedious, the Belgians only just nicking a win against a rather toothless Fabio Capello's team and so Hazard and Co are through Argentine-style. I don't like the way they played at all and, like it's the case with Argentine, any self-respecting team should make easy work of the Belgians in the play-off.
The loss leaves Russia's hopes hanging in the balance. They will now have to beat Algeria (who dispatched off South Korea with ease) and hope Belgium won't go down to Korea. The latter scenario is highly unlikely to play out, but first we have to get the better of Algeria and it won't be easy. They know a draw should see them though and will fight tooth and nail for it. That being said, they won't have to battle that hard, should our level of performances remain the same. Bottom line is, we have nothing to do in the last sixteen against Germany or USA with a playstyle like that.
Speaking of USA, they nearly pulled off a shocker against Portugal. I didn't see the game, but I know Jurgen Klinsmann's side was mere seconds away from snatching the three points following a wonderful comeback. Porugal was clearly shell-shocked and now they are nearly out. They'll have to defeat Ghana in the last game (no mean feat, since Ghana will themselves be fighting to qualify) and hope like hell that Germany defeats USA. Personally, I think these two will just play out a draw. Germany and USA, I mean. A draw will see both teams qualify, so they may well decide it's best for all parties concerned. Again, I don't think Portugal is capable of anything interesting in the play-off, so just let them go home. We don't want Ronaldo to mess up his haircut, after all.
Finally for today, Chile and the Netherlands have both made it out of the Group B from second and first places respectively. I've seen the game and I wish I didn't. It was as boring as Belgium vs Russia, with Chile hitting the target only once with the first place riding on their win. Holland made the most of their chances and so 2-0 it finished.
It was Spain vs Australia that should have been much more interesting, but I didn't get the chance to see it, as no one cared to broadcast it. Spain have won 3-0, with Villa, Torres and Mata all on the scoresheet. It's a bit of a pity La Furia Roja flies home after this game, especially since Xabi Alonso, Xavi and Villa are all leaving the national team after the tournament.
I also want to give credit to Australia for the way the played. The first two matches were brilliant and it's a shame they haven't got anything out of these. Put your hands together for them anyway. It's the least they deserve.
That's it for today. Don't think I'll watch Brazil vs Cameroon, but I will see Croatia vs Mexico if I can get my hands on a broadcast.
Until later