England vs Slovenia

23/6/10 16:00 Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth

England 1-0 Slovenia

Goal Scorer: Jermain Defoe

I'm miffed because South Africa got one of the most difficult groups and England one of the easiest ones. They said it themselves. Still, they can't play proper soccer. It's ridiculously unfair really. The other match going on at the exact time was USA and Algeria. US beat Algeria, if they had lost, Slovenia would have gone through, and if Algeria beat the Yanks by some goals, then somehow they would have advanced. US won, so yeah.

I would have preferred Algeria to go through, Muslim and African. Alright, their haircuts are entirely silly, but still. Anyway, England got through, everybody is happy and the illusion that England have the dream team still continues.

Algeria vs. England

18/6/10

Algeria 0-0 England

Goal Scorers: There weren’t even genuine attacks on goal.

The English fans are furious. The Algerians say it’s payback for the lack of respect from the English media. And for that I’m glad that the Algerians, a country who could barely qualify and couldn’t play proper soccer with Slovenia just a few days ago, held the English team to a draw.

When the group was announced, the English media had a headline proclaiming "EASY: England, Algeria, Slovenia, Yanks." The English media are always being condescending of other teams, especially those that don’t have players in the Premier League, so they should learn their lesson.

It was not a match, it was not even an attempt by the number eight ranked team in the world. I didn’t see Rooney, Terry or Lampard play like the world class talents they are supposed to be. I don’t understand how people can judge the English football side, based on how the players performances in their respective clubs. All around John Terry there is a force of different players from diverse places in the world, and so with each other player, whether it be Rooney or Gerrard.  

So, the English tried to score and the Algerians defended excellently. Nobody got a proper chance at goal; the Algerians were not even trying for it. I was surprised at how both Algeria and Slovenia, who could barely play soccer last week, were now making these big teams run after them. Perhaps, like the French, it is the great names are playing mediocre soccer. Let’s blame it on, well, life. It’s much more understandable that way. Allah Knows.

Rooney said:  "Nice to see your own fans booing you, that's what loyal support is".

Gerrard said: ‘The goals are missing’

Capello said: ‘Can I go back home?’

Team mascot, David Beckham said: ‘huh?’

USA vs SLOVENIA

Slovenia vs. USA

18/6/10 Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Slovenia 2-2 USA [The US are saying it should have been 3]

Goal Scorers: Valter Birsa, Zlatan Ljubijankic [S] & Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley (coach’s son) and Maurice Edu’s denied goal [USA]

In the first half, Slovenia scored two goals. They could have been the second team with set of 6 points, but the USA got in their way, unfortunately. In the second half, they scored two. According to them, they scored three. It all happened when the referee stated that a foul had been committed before the goal. The players were still raging with anger after the match.

Apparently referee Koman Coulibaly from Mali disallowed Maurice Edu’s 86th-minute goal that would have given the USA a 3-2 victory over Slovenia. Coulibaly apparently ruled that American midfielder Michael Bradley had hindered a Slovenian defender, even though video replays showed no infringement. The referee will go through an advanced performance review, according to some FA source. Well, pressure from the mighty Americans, we will see who will yield now.

Algeria vs Slovenia

13/6/10 Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane

Slovenia 1-0 Algeria

Goal Scorer: Robert Koren

RED CARD:  Ghezzal

This was a ridiculously laughable match. Both teams began as if they had not much of a concept about soccer, and they basically ambled about. Algeria boasted punk hairstyles and committed fouls. I thought Algeria might have had a few reasonable chances, but it didn't seem to carry, and then the goalkeeper sort of elbowed in a goal for the Slovenians. They took a moment, and then realized that it had happened. They had scored an actual goal, a point up, a world cup started.

It also proves with all this controversy surrounding the poor Jabulani ball, that it might be rather slippery. Or is it just some of the goalies that are having trouble with slippery confidence?

England vs. USA

12/6/10 Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg 

England 1-1 USA

A DRAW!

England, with millions of supporters draped all over them, money and sophisticated technology, should be able to play soccer by now. I think all this needs to be dropped, and then maybe they won't have all the pressure. I don't know what is their problem, they don't have confidence and can't even play a midfield. I mean really! They need to get over themselves any how, they won one world cup and have not recovered since. Besides, the media should stop extolling them, giving them qualities they don't have.

Steven Gerrard is a talented player, but I don't think he should be captain. He mumbles too much; how is he going to shout out commands when nobody can hear him? Besides, he speaks a very odd English, it adds to the confusion. Now, he scored a wonderful goal in the first few minutes of the game. 'Victory is ours' they seemed to cry. I don't know what happened after that.

It was not a good match, awful rather. Heskey should be kicked some where far away, Gerrard and Rooney should not play in defense, else they might just stay at home. The poor Goalie let the ball sweetly slip away for a goal, while the Americans looked on in shocked disbelief. Alright, the goalkeeper made a mistake, but it wouldn't have helped England play soccer. They ran around crazily, the Americans ran with them and those helicopter shadows ringed around each player added to the effect.

David Beckham should not be anywhere near there, he is old and out of it. He looks very fine, but there isn't a pedestal for him anymore. There are other good players who have been injured, but no one talks about them like their going to help save the team.

Bye Bye.