Australia vs. Ghana

19/6/10

Australia 1-1 Ghana

Goal Scorers: Brett Holman [A] & Asamoah Gyan [penalty]

RED CARD: Harry Kewell

This world cup is weird. The red card has been the only consistent member of the team that has continued to prove itself. Otherwise Australia who were annihilated by the Germans; suddenly decided that they would put up a tough fight and beat the Ghanaians. Asamoah Gyan is the only reason their up onto four points, and that is because somebody keeps getting a handball near the penalty area. Ghana might be a better team then their African counterparts, but if they don't start getting goals of their own, they might as well be going home.

Brett Holman scored because the goalkeeper could not hold onto the ball. I'm just tired of it. What is wrong with them? Their gloves, brains, or the ball? Maybe it is some sort of match fixing scandal like those we get when the Pakistani cricket team is playing. Then, Harry Kewell was sent off to be punished in the dungeons because of a handball, [of course, everybody agrees that FIFA needs to replace its referees immediately], and so, Ghana gets a draw.

Oh yes, my main concern is Germany. Seeing as Group D is sizzling with wins, [unlike Group C, where everybody is happy with a draw]  all we can do is hope. If Allah wills! 

Netherlands vs Japan

19/6/10

Netherlands 1-0 Japan

Goal Scorer: Wesley Sneijder

So far, Netherlands have not played entertaining soccer, in fact, their two matches have been rather boring. The goals too, were not at all exemplary, this one hit the hands of the goalie. If only goalies made fewer mistakes, at least we would have more losses where they were deserved. They have won though, and with six straight points on board, they are going to the super 16. They do have one of the easiest groups, and I'm actually impressed that they won both matches, seeing how awfully the other teams have done.

Hup Holland Hup!

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.

Germany vs Serbia

Serbia vs. Germany

18/16/10

Weather: Sunny. 12’ degrees

Serbia 1-0 Germany

Goal Scorer: Milan Jovanovic

RED CARD: Miroslav Klose

Podolski missed a penalty. That is a fault but for a German it is a mighty offence. He should have had hat-ricks, the amount of times he got the ball sighing over either side of that horrible net. His knees were cracking with old age and then his legs turned to jelly. More than that, he could not get through the smog somewhere in his frontal lobe. It was tough, and it was torturous. The poor guy.

Then there is the felony of the match, of the day, Miroslav Klose’s red card. I wasn’t watching, turned around and there, Klose commanded off. If it were anyone else I would have believed it, but I’ve never thought of him as a wild wicked player. The referees should be shipped off to the gulag, a simple tackle does not deserve a yellow, and nobody needs to get a red card because the referee is insecure. The thing I most detest is when they flash that card they act like their doing the fans a favour.

After that they were like cats unravelling a ball of wool, and no matter where they ran and chewed, they could not coordinate. Serbia scored, and Germany remained defeated. Yes, the Serbs played well but Ghana beat them, judging by that the Klose-less team, need to play the way they did against Australia. I know they deserve a chance, but I don’t want to see Slovenia, Slovakia, Serbia and Greece in the semi-finals.

Check out the hopeless defending by the Germans and Klose's two yellow cards:

Mexico vs. France

17/6/10 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Weather: The French wrapped themselves up in blankets, jackets, warm hats and gloves. I don't blame Henry for not coming on to play, it was freezing, and he looked rather content sitting there.

Mexico 2-0 France

Goal Scorers: Rafael Marquez, Cuauhtemoc Blanco [penalty]

Can you believe the French?! Alright, they really don't want to go through but they could have scored a goal for our benefit, that is so miserly of them. Its ironic that Bafana scored a goal against Mexico and kept the match to a draw, while the French have not yet scored a single goal and Mexico teased them into a win. I like Mexico, they deserve to go through. So, my eyes are a gorgeous red from too much TV and tears for Wednesday's loss, but bye-bye Bafana. We will still wear yellow.

The first half was clean, if only they had continued to not score goals we could have had a chance. France opened the second-half looking rather threatening, but it lasted only the 63rd minute, when a run leaving the rest of the players years behind him, captain Rafael Marquez beat the goalkeeper and scored so very easily. Why haven't the French learnt the offside rule? Is it Raymond? I'm sure glad I won't see him anymore.

When Eric Abidal knocked down some Mexican dude, there, another penalty. South Africa should accept defeat. Cuauhtemoc Blanco, one of the oldest players in the world cup, smacked the ball in, but he almost missed. Kind off.

The Mexican fans went into celebration mode at full scale. Their Inca headgear, screaming feather flew off, and thus begins Mexico's path to next stage.

Greece vs. Nigeria

17/6/10 Bloemfontain Stadium

Weather 5* [The glove is in fashion at the moment]

Greece 2-1 Nigeria 

Goal Scorers: Salpigidis,Torosidis [G] & Uche [N]

RED CARD: Keita. 

When the Greeks scored for the very first time in the history of the world cup, Aristotle screamed ‘Eureka!’ The team was now studying science, delving into formations, set pieces, the offside puzzle and the heroic goal. The Greek spirit so long at sleep, sighed awake and they began to run, confidence soaring to the clouds. As the tales goes, the Greeks won their battles, and so they conquered Nigeria.

Alright, it was not quite as emphatic as that, but I could not believe the Greek transformation, this team had barely managed past S.Korea and now they were now they were ready to show their poor bankrupt home that they actually had some fire. 

. 

Nigeria did get the first goal through Uche, but they also had the first red card. Keita was angry, where he wanted to kick that Greek and not tackle him, which was a deserved card. Not like the others their flashing around, like Khune's, which everybody's still miffed about. I tried to get a video on here, but Fifa's blocked so many because of copyright. Which is unfair. 


In the 43rd minute Salpigidis scored, with a defelction of Haruna, which seems to be the pattern of quite a few goals. Even though the Nigerian Goalkeeper made some phenomenal saves, he fails to hold onto a ball and  Torosidis finishes it off. Nigeria kick the field up in an effort for a draw, but alas, they lose, and are the first team to have two loses in the cup. Ah, poor Nigeria and poor Africa. 


I don't think the Greeks should go to the next round, their not great to watch at all. I would rather have Nigeria but although S,Korea got hammered in that Argentinian game, their better.