WC Diary of a Football Rookie – Day 11

 
Commentator Diego Maradona's expressions say it all. A dull day at the world cup.

Switzerland beat Togo 2-0, Ukraine beat Saudi Arabia 4-0 and Speain beat Tunisia 3-1. The day was as dull as the description of the day above. 2 of the 3 matches played yesterday were one sided. The final match, Spain Vs Tunisia did provide some drama and entertianment for Football fans. Tunisia took an unexpected lead in the 8th minute which Spain took 64 more minutes to neutralise. Torres then scored in 76th minute and injury time to take the match beyond Tunisia.

Spain's Torres is now the leading goal scorer at the 2006 World Cup with 3 goals.

Day 11 summary: 

Scores:: Togo 0-2 Switzerland, Saudi Arabia 0-4 Ukraine, Spain 3-1 Tunisia

WC Diary of a Football Rookie – Day 10

 
Adriano opens account for Brazil

Brazil fans looked forward to their match with Australia with hope and expectations of the revival of samba magic. And like their last match against Croatia, Brazil did produce some magical moments but the rythm and orchesrtation is not completely back yet. In the first half no team scored a goal. Ronaldo moved very slow on the field. On occassions he couldn’t even connect with the ball. It was embarrassing. But the glory came in the 49th minute when 3 of the 4 star performers of the Brazilian frontline collaborated to score an excellent team goal. In the closing minutes of the game, Brazil scored one more goal through Fred to seal the fate of Asutralia. Australia, in the true Austrlian spirit fough hard and defended well. Contrary to my earlier predictions, I now feel that they appear to be the most likely team along with Brazil to make it to the next round from Group F.

 
Japanese fans will have to hope for a miracle in their next match with Brazil.

Japan and Croatia would have both hoped for the victory when they started their match. Both the teams missed atleast one simple opportunity to score the goal. Contrary to the expectations of both the teams and their fans, the match ended in a tame 0-0 draw. The next match for Japan is with Brazil and for Croatia is with Australia; without some miracle, I do not think either Japan or Croatia making to the next round.

South Korea players acknowledge the support of their fans

A much better performance from France this time around. However despite this, they could just draw their game with South Korean team. Sadly, since their 1998 vicory over Brazil, France have not won a single match in the World Cup finals. And now they are on the brink of getting eliminated.

Day 10 Summary:

Scores:: Japan 0-0 Croatia, Brazil 2-0 Australia, France 1-1 South Korea
Goal of the day:: Adriano for Brazil in the 49th minute 

WC Diary of a Football Rookie – Day 9

Day 9 turned out to be the day of upsets and surprises. 2 matches produced unexpected results.

Exasperated & helpless Rosicky symblozing the desparation of whole of Czech Republic

First Czech Republic Vs Ghana. I had expected Czech Republic to beat Ghana 4-0. Fortunately for Czechs, they were not recipient of such a scoreline. Had Ghana managed to convert all their chances that could have been the reality. Czechs had a complete off-day. They lacked speed, power, rythm, co-ordination – all those things associated with Football which are must haves if one wants to be the winner. On the other had Ghana dispalyed superb Football skills. They showed agression and had strong desire to win. Gyan gave Ghana the lead in 70the second of the match. And Muntari increased that lead to 2-0 in the 82nd mimute when Czechs had just 10 men the ground. In summary this was one of the best matches of the world cup so far.

Italy Vs USA prodcued a disappointing result for Italy, although Italy did all the scoring. They scored 2 goals – one for themsleves and one for USA as well. The match was full of action literally. Theree red cards and one injury. 1-1 scoreline meant almost all the teams – Czech Republic, Ghana, Italy and USA – from Group E can be hopeful of entering into the 2nd round.

Portugal defeated 2-0 in a one sided match. Having said that Iran played well in the first half and Portugal had to wait 63 minutes to score their first goal. Deco sscored a fantastic goal in the 63rd minute to give Portugal the lead. Cristiano Ronaldo then converted a penalty in 80th minute to register unbeatable 2-0 lead.

Day 9 Summary:

Scores:: Portugal 2-0 Iran, Czech Republic 0-2 Ghana, Italy 1-1 USA
Goal of the day:: Deco for Portugal in 63rd minute

WC Diary of a Football Rookie – Day 8

Strike ftom Kone (2nd from left) deceives Dutch goalkeeper

Beyond description! No other words are good enough to describe the match between Holland and Ivory Coast. The final scoreline reads 2-1 in favour of Holland, however, a draw would have done justice to the efforts of Ivory Coast. Take any statistics and you’ll find Ivory Coast had either upper hand or matched Holland. Persie’s brilliant free kick gave Holland the lead in 23rd minute, and 3 minutes later Nistelrooy scored 2nd goal for Holland. But the match changed its course dramatically after 26th minute, as Ivory Coast took control of the game and in 38th minute, Kone scored arguably the best individual goal of the tournament so far. Holland who are one of the leading contenders for the world cup 2006 have to raise their game further up if they want to deliver what their fans want to see.

Maxi Rodriguez after scoring 2nd goal

Argentina delivered bliss to their fans. A scoreline of 6-0 means total dominance. Its almost difficult to believe that Serbia and Montenegro had 50% ball possession. But that is why statistics could be deceiptful. Argentina made most of their chances and sounded an alert to the other contenders of the world cup including Brazil.

Mexico - 4th ranked in the world, had a disappointing game. Mexico were the hot favourites for their game against Angola. But Angloa like their other African counterparts put up a brave fight and restricted Mexicans. Mexicans had their share of chances too but it was simply not their day.

Day 8 Summary:

Argentina 6-0 Serbia & Mont, Holland 2-1 Ivory Coast, Mexico 0-0 Angola
Goal of the day:: Kone for Ivory Coast in 38th minute

WC Diary of a Football Rookie – Day 7

It was just 30 minutes to go for the final whistle, and England was still tied 0-0 with Trinidad & Tobago (T&T), the team England was supposed to run over. Sven-Goran Eriksson, the England coach, then turned to the last hope of England – jersey No. 9 Wayne Rooney, the prolific striker from Manchester United. Rooney made his world cup 2006 debut to the loud cheer from the English fans. Rooney didn’t get much opportunity to display the skills he is known for. But his presence on the Football field brought good luck for England. In the 84th minute, Crouch who so far played pathetic football managed to head the pass from Beckham into T&T goal post and the whole of England took a sigh of relief. On the TV atleast I didn’t witness commotion / mayhem from the fans that is associated with a world cup goal. In the injury time, Gerrard managed to score probably the best goal of the day. England beat T&T 2-0. But if they are to present themselves as the possible contender for the World Cup, lot more is desired from them. The front line till the 84th minute was lackluster.

What else could be worth noting on the day the God reappeared on the earth? Sewden did manage to beat Paraguay 1-0 and Ecuador secured 3-0 victory over Costa Rica. The 2nd round picture is now getting clearer. From Group A and B – Germany, Ecuador, England and Sweden have qualified for round 2.

Day 7 Summary:

Scores:: Ecuador 3-0 Costa Rica, England 2-0 Trin & Tob, Sweden 1-0 Paraguay
Goal of the day:: Gerrard for England in Injury time 2nd half 

WC Diary of a Football Rookie – Predictions for 2nd round

Every team has played 1 game. So its a good time to make predictions. Now no one gets them right, not even the experts. So, whats the harm in making predictions. Here are mine for the 2nd rounders:

Group A: Germany, Ecuador
Group B: England, Paraguay
Group C: Argentina, Holland
Group D: Portugal, Mexico
Group E: Czech Republic, Italy
Group F: Brazil, Croatia
Gtoup G: South Korea, Togo
Group H: Spain, Tunisia

I will revist them after every team has played its 2nd game.

What are your predictions?

WC Diary of a Football Rookie – Day 6

Yasser Al Khatani open account for Saudi Arabia

Almost an insignificant match of the world cup 2006 between two not so star studded sides turned out to be one of the most closely fought games of the world cup so far. Both the sides displayed good football skills and produced 4 quality goals. Tunisia took the lead when Jaziri scored the 1st goal in 24th minute. The equalizer from Saudi Arabia came from Yasser Al Khatani in the 57th minute, which in my opinion was the best goal of the day. It appeared as if Saudis would start their world cup campaign in style with 2-1 victory, Tunisia equalized in the closing moments of the match in the injury time. Looks like one of these two sides along with Spain would qualify for the next round from this group.

Oliver Neuville scores for Germany

Another match where the result of the match was decided in the injury time. When it looked as if Germany would have to settle for a disappointing draw aginst Poland, Olliver Neuville pushed a pass from Odonkor into the goal during the stoppage time giving a big blow to Polish hopes. Germany showed good aggression as well as defense. Although the match statistics suggests Poland had 51% ball possession, they never looked threatening and in control of the game. Does this 2nd consecutive deafeat mean early exit for Poland from the world cup? Even if that is the case, no one really will miss them.

In the opening match of the day, Spain destroyed Ukraine 4-0. As the scoreline suggests, it was a one sided show.

Day 6 Summary

Scores:: Spain 4-0 Ukraine, Tunisia 2-2 Saudi Arabia, Germany 1-0 Poland
Goal of the day:: Yasser Al Khatani for Saudi Arabia in 57th minute

WC Diary of a Football Rookie – Day 5

Togo’s Abalo being shown the red card

Finally an Asian side sparkled. South Korea managed to beat Togo – the debutants in the world cup finals. Togo surprised Korean fans who were looking for an easy win when Mohammad Kader scored a superb goal in 17th minute. Togo were reduced to 10 men when Jean Paul Abalo was shown the red card. This turned out to be the turning point of the match as after this Koreans scored 2 golas to register their victory. Koreas’s 2nd goal, which came as breathtaking strike from outside the penalty area from Ahn Jung Hwan sealed the fate for Tongo.

Thierry Henry after a failed attempt

 France Vs Switzerland was a shocker. French side appeared dull and powerless presented a pathetic display of football skills to their match. Thierry Henry attempted atleast 5 shots to the goal but each and every one of them was feeble and weak. If teh same performance contrinues, I do not think they will go into the 2nd round. In fact I won’t be surprised if they suffer defeat from Togo.

Ecstatic Kaka after scoring the goal

1-0 victory  over Croatia was not enough. Brazilian fans must have expcted more. But credit goes to Croatians for putting up a brave fight. Having said so, the sole goal from Kaka just reminded the world what Samba magic is all about.

Day 5 Summary

Scores:: South Korea 2-1 Togo, France 0-0 Switzerland, Brazil 1-0 Croatia
Goal of the day:: Kaka for Brazil in 44th minute

WC Diary of a Football Rookie – Day 4

A disappointing day for another Asian side. Japan suffered 0-3 defeat at the hands of Australia who incidently are making their appearance at the WC finals after 36 years. Japan led 1-0 till 84th minute and lost the game when Aussies scored 3 consecutive goals in the last 6 minutes. A shocking defeat indeed.

Thomas Rosicky’s brilliant strike in 76th minute for Czech Republic

Czech Republic Vs USA was a one sided game. Czech Republic demonstrated excellent skill and treated USA disdainfully. 6ft 8in tall Czech striker Koller headed the ball into USA goal post to score the first goal. The next two goals came from Tomas Rosicky. The second Rosicky goal which came in the form of direct strike from outside of the penalty area was probabaly the best goal of the day.

Although it is early days, Italy showed that they will be in the contention to challenge the champions. They had a easy win over Ghana 2-0.

Day 4 Summary

Scores:: Australia 3-1 Japan, USA 0-3 Czech Republic, Italy 2-0 Ghana
Goal of the day:: Tomas Rosicky for Czech Republic in 76th minute

WC Diary of a Football Rookie – Day 3

 
Bravo for Mexico

The match that I was looking forward to today was between Mexico and Iran; primarily because 1 of the 4 Asian sides was going to make its appearance in the world cup. But it turned out to be a sad day for Iran. In the first half the match was well balanced. But Mexico displayed much better performance and skill and took away the game from Iran in the second half.

I expected Holland and Portugal to have a better scoreline against Serbia and Angola repsctively. None the less they managed to secure their 3 points.

Day 3 Summary

Scores:: Serbia & M 0-1 Holland, Mexico 3-1 Iran, Angola 0-1 Portugal
Goal of the day:: Bravo for Mexico in 76 minutes