Kickblog

Matchday XII: Adieu, Africa

Group A and Group B have now been decided. This morning, Uruguay deservedly beat Mexico 1-0, while South Africa’s 2-1 victory over France was not enough to overcome their poor goal differential. Therefore, South Africa becomes the first host nation to be eliminated in the group stages, but they can hold their heads high. Bafana Bafana got an impressive win over a French team that has been self-destructing off of the pitch, and will require serious adjustments if they want to make a decent showing at the Euros in 2012. In Group B’s games, Argentina eventually unlocked the Greek defence (which seemed to include every Greek player, save for Georgios Samaras) to win 2-0. Lionel Messi remains goalless, but his performances have still been excellent in every game thus far. South Korea managed to qualify alongside Argentina, holding Nigeria to a 2-2 draw. Nigeria has every right to be disappointed, due to some crucial mistakes, particularly this shocking miss from Yakubu.

Therefore, the four matchups for the Round of 16 are thus: 

Uruguay vs. South Korea (June 26)

Argentina vs. Mexico (June 27)

Three Stars:

1. Lionel Messi: I know he didn’t score. But he still ran the show for Argentina, despite being covered by several Greek players at every opportunity. Plus, he became Argentina’s youngest captain ever, and that’s no small feat.
2. Siphiwe Tshabalala: Played some excellent passes, and showed why he was South Africa’s player of the tournament. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him move from his South African club to something bigger, if he wants.
3. Jorge Fucile: Uruguay’s defence has been surprisingly strong, and Fucile is a big reason why.

Match of the Day: Nigeria vs. South Korea

Goal of the Day: Martin Palermo vs. Greece. Mostly for the reaction from Diego Maradona, to be honest.

Foolish Prognostication: Round I

On this, the eve of the last round of matches in the group stage, I thought I’d take a look at the groups as they stand, and make predictions about who will progress to the next round.

Group A:

As it stands, Uruguay and Mexico are on top of the group, with four points apiece. They are scheduled to square off tomorrow morning, with the imploding French team scheduled to face host nation South Africa. I favour Mexico to beat Uruguay, who remain unconvincing (barring the excellent Diego Forlan) while both nations coast into the next round. However, if France manages to get it together long enough to blow out the South Africans, France could luck their way into the Round of 16. Perhaps more likely, France could have an absolute breakdown and allow the South Africans to put an obscene number of goals on the board and get them through on goal difference.

My picks to progress: 1) Mexico 2) Uruguay

Group B: 

Argentina is virtually assured progression into the Round of 16, with their occasionally dodgy defence under no threat from goal-shy Greece. It’s hard not to favour South Korea to continue through the group with them. If only because they’re just so damn likeable. Seriously, if you don’t like Ji-Sung Park, I don’t want to know you.

My picks to progress: 1) Argentina 2) South Korea

Group C: 

Ah yes, this one. The group responsible for the most wasted column inches since the draw happened. I’d honestly rather not think about it, but such is my commitment to you, dear reader (I’m pretty sure there’s just one of you,) that I will make some attempt at analysis. It’s not hard to see the United States beating Algeria. England’s problem against the North Africans was mainly due to lack of cohesion, which is something that this American team seems to have. Now, if England manages to turn it around, and play well against Slovenia, they will get through. However, I’m having a hard time believing that would happen, especially after John Terry managed to somehow become a more egomaniacal asshole than we ever thought he was. However, I’m an optimist. I think that this England team is genuinely better that their current record shows. So I think they beat Slovenia and go to the next round.

My picks to progress: 1) United States 2) England

Group D: 

Picking this group is a little depressing. Ghana has performed better than any other African nation so far, and I desperately want to believe they’ll go through. However, I have to believe that Germany will beat them. In the other match, Tim Cahill’s return to the Socceroos will be almost completely negated by Harry Kewell’s injury suspension (sorry about that, it’s a habit.) Serbia should beat Australia, but not by enough to take them to the top of the group.

My picks to progress: 1) Germany 2) Serbia

Group E: 

The Netherlands were the first team in the tournament to clinch progression, just as Cameroon were first to be mathematically eliminated. So their match on Thursday could be pretty dour. However, Japan vs. Denmark will decide who accompanies Holland on their trip out of Group E. Japan has been skating by on luck so far, and Denmark put in an impressive attacking performance against Cameroon. I have to believe their defense will shore up as well. It’s too talented to make the same mistakes it did against Cameroon.

My picks to progress: 1) Holland 2) Denmark

Group F: 

Now this is interesting. Paraguay is coming up against New Zealand, who have had a couple of surprises so far. I have to admit, I’d love to see them pip Italy for the second spot in the group. However, Italy has a history of pulling out performances when they need them, and should be good for a victory against the unimpressive Slovaks. Since New Zealand likely doesn’t have a win in them, the best they can hope for is another shocking draw, which still sends them home. Unfortunately, I don’t think they have much of a shot at that either.

My picks to progress: 1) Paraguay 2) Italy

Group G: 

It stands to reason that the group pundits proclaimed as this tournament’s “Group of Death” is the easiest to pick. While I hope Drogba and his countrymen beat North Korea handily, it’ll likely be a blaze of glory while Portugal will do enough to maintain their strong advantage on goal difference without being able to defeat Brazil, who are looking every bit the favourites to win it all. Plus, their star player will get a nice day off to have a bit of a lie-down.

My picks to progress: 1) Brazil 2) Portugal

Group H:

Switzerland will not lose to Honduras. Let’s get that out of the way now. However, if you’re like me, and you want to see two of the most talented attacking teams in this competition remain in this competition, you have to hope that Honduras can hold them to a draw. If Switzerland beats Honduras, then things get difficult. I think Spain has far more attacking talent than Chile, and it’s not difficult to see Spain putting a lot in the net against Chile. Fortunately, Honduras is good at the back, and Switzerland doesn’t have a lot of attacking talent. I think Chile loses to Spain, but manages to stay ahead of Switzerland to go through.

My picks to progress: 1) Spain 2) Chile

How it all shakes out:

If I’m right, this is how the Round of 16 looks.

• Mexico vs. South Korea
• United States vs. Serbia
• Germany vs. England
• Argentina vs. Uruguay
• Holland vs. Italy
• Brazil vs. Chile
• Paraguay vs. Denmark
• Spain vs. Portugal

Pretty exciting, isn’t it? Germany vs. England, which went to penalties in the semifinals of the 1990 World Cup and Holland vs. Italy, which did the exact same in the 2000 European Championships. Chile’s beautiful attacking football comes up against the Brazil, the country that patented “beautiful attacking football.” Spain takes on Portugal in an Iberian battle, and Argentina vs. Uruguay in what will hopefully be an absolute goalfest. Now, where do I submit this to Sepp Blatter for consideration?

Thanks to The Guardian for the group standings.

Matchday XI: Red Fury

Here’s a true story for you. On the first weekend of the World Cup, I moved a television into my bedroom, so it would be easier for me to watch the early match (which is at 5:30 in the morning where I am.) Even still, it is difficult to stay awake during matches, and so I’ve taken to turning up the commentary and closing my eyes. If the play-by-play gets urgent, I’ll put on my glasses and catch the replay. So, this morning, I turned on Portugal’s match with North Korea and “watched” the first half, which ended with Portugal leading 1-0. At halftime, I decided to nap through the CBC’s mediocre analysis. When I woke up, the second half had started and Portugal had scored another four goals. 

About a week ago, Cristiano Ronaldo compared scoring goals to pouring ketchup. “You keep on forcing it, then it all comes at once.” It all came out in the second half against North Korea. The goals were spread among the Portugal squad, but the craziest was saved for Ronaldo himself. The ball seemed to bounce off of the back of Ronaldo’s neck before he slotted it home. In the other matches, Chile beat Switzerland in a promising match marred by a card-happy referee. Switzerland went down to ten men due to Valon Behrami’s sending off, and Chile finally converted one of their many chances in the 75th minute. European favourites Spain managed to shake off their defeat against Switzerland in a strong victory over Honduras. However, many of Spain’s players (especially Fernando Torres) struggled to find the back of the net. David Villa found it twice, however, which was enough for a 2-0 win.

Three Stars:

1. David Villa: He was absolutely immense for the balance of play, buzzing around Honduras’ penalty area all game, and causing Sergio Mendoza no end of trouble on the left side of the pitch. Hopefully the missed penalty that caused a hat trick to slip through Villa’s fingers won’t prey on his mind, because on this form, he is a contender for player of the tournament.
2. Raul Meireles: Scored Portugal’s first goal and performed well in the position usually occupied by Deco, who was heretofore Portugal’s most important player. However, if Meireles and Tiago can keep playing this well, the Brazilian-born Deco might find himself lacking for a place in the starting lineup.
3. Maynor Figueroa: Practically the only Honduran on the pitch today. He kept Fernando Torres at bay up the middle, and is a big reason why Spain was held to two goals.

Match of the Day: Portugal vs. North Korea. After some embarrassing performances, Portugal finally got it together to show why they are so highly rated.

Goal of the Day: Without question, David Villa vs. Honduras. It’s an early contender for Goal of the Tournament.