Day 19 - IBERIAN KNIGHTS
Tuesday, the 2010 FIFA World Cup was privy to its first penalty-kick shootout, as well as an intriguing affair from two world-class European neighbors.

June 29, 2010
by Dan Krier


Spain 1 - Portugal 0

Spain defeated Iberian Peninsula-mates Portugal in a border-war that saw stingy defense and some uneven but quality action, the game ending 1-0 Tuesday night in Cape Town.

Things were back & forth all match long, with Spain controlling much of the possession, their domination dotted with several moments of offensive creativity from Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portuguese teammates.

The game’s only score came in the 63rd minute, when Spain’s left forward David Villa notched his World Cup-leading fourth goal on a crafty one-touch back-pass from Xavi which led Villa straight to the net. Villa’s first shot, a left-footer, smacked right into sliding Portuguese goaltender Eduardo. But the rebound fell softly and Villa was able to lift a right-footed shot just over Eduardo’s arms for the 1-0 lead and the first conceded goal of the tournament by Portugal.

The final twenty-plus minutes saw various scoring chances for both sides, but nothing really that close for the Portuguese, who were clearly outclassed by the Spanish offense, which was potent enough to be their best defense.

Not quite Red Fury for Spain, but they do move on to the quarterfinals, where they’ll face Paraguay Saturday as heavy favorites to make the final four. Portugal bow out of yet another world football tournament without a championship, left to wonder if it will ever happen for them. I kind of doubt it.

—-


Paraguay 0 - Japan 0
(Paraguay wins 5-3 on extra-time Penalty Kicks)

Goal-scoring opportunities were at such a premium Tuesday afternoon in Pretoria, there might as well have been cardboard cutouts standing in goal.

This was the result of both sides playing it safe, coalescing on a strategy centered around defensive sturdiness and offensive reluctance. For Japan, this was to be expected, their goal incursions based on counterattacks and curving free kicks. It was more of a surprise to see the same from Paraguay, who won their group with a mix of both defensive and offensive proficiency, scoring three times but only allowing one goal.

Today had the feel of a 0-0 tie from the opening kickoff, and indeed full time AND extra time played out in this manner (yes, 120 minutes was not enough). Therefore, the game had to be decided by penalty kicks, something no one likes but everyone enjoys.

So to PK’s it went, where both teams made their first two shots. Unfortunately for the Japanese, things took a terminal downturn when defensive-back Yuichi Komano, a player who had never scored a goal for his country, punched his kick too high, cracking it off the crossbar for a miss that will haunt him and the team for a long while.

Seconds after this, Paraguay saw Nelson Valdez slot the team’s fourth PK, and then Oscar Cardozo took his time and calmly finished things off in perfect 5-for-5 fashion for the men in striped socks, taking his team from the Round of 16 to the quarterfinals for the first time in history.

With the win, Paraguay become the fourth South American team to make it to the 2010 World Cup quarterfinals, an astounding feat based on how many teams began this tournament when qualifications started more than two years ago.

Next, Paraguay take on World #2 Spain, whosit ready to pounce in the next round to determine which team gets a shot at either Argentina or Germany. You’re not going to see a bad matchup from here on out. Enjoy!

—————————

Day 15 - FULLY LOADED SWEET SIXTEEN
The final puzzle pieces fall into place on Friday, setting up a wildly wide-open knockout bracket filled with intrigue and expectation.

June 25, 2010
by Dan Krier

GROUP H:


Spain 2 - Chile 1

The country of Spain can finally breathe a sigh of relief tonight, their team of ultra superstars completing the draining task of rising out of the ashes of Group H to finish in first place with a 2-1 win over Chile Friday night.

Recoveries like this aren’t the Spanish way. In recent years, it was clear blue skies, seeing smooth sailing from start to finish. But this year’s World Cup involved a trip to the ICU after a game-one loss against a feeble Switzerland, with the very real prospect of being bested by what some had labeled the easiest group of all.

Today’s match was a nerve-racking affair for the first twenty minutes, both sides coming close on several scoring chances. But it was the foot of David Villa that played savior once again for Spain with the game’s first goal coming on a reflexive 45-yard left-foot putback into a empty net that should never have been vacated.

The play began with a run up the left sideline by Spanish striker Fernando Torres, who was about to chase down the ball when, to everyone’s surprise, Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo charged out to meet him, sweeping the ball away…but not into safety.

Because Bravo had ventured a good 10 yards outside the penalty area, Villa had a split-second chance to react, and that he did, cranking the ball with accuracy and skill, curling it like only a pro could into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.

It was a mistake by Chile, but it was fully earned by Spain and especially Villa, who was now tied for most goals scored in the tournament with three.

Just moments later in the 37th minute, Chile’s defense let them down again when they misplayed a bouncer in their own zone, allowing Villa to receive a pass along the left wing. Villa drew two defenders to him before shuttling the ball back to Andres Iniesta, who delivered a precision strike into the back of the net, whipping a grounder that moved away from goalie Ravio’s fingers and across the line for the 2-0 lead.

Spain had basically punched their tickets at this point, especially when Chilean defender Marco Estrade was handed a RED CARD (his second yellow of the match) after accidentally tripping Fernando Torres on the goal run.

A 10-men Chilean side did score a 47th minute deflected chip shot by substitute Rodrigo Millar, but once the 2-1 tally took hold, neither was interested in yielding anything else, and the last half hour was played at a near-literal dilatory standstill.

So the Spanish win Group H, and move on to the Round of 16 where they’ll face an immediate test against World #3-ranked Portugal. Chile also move on to the next stage, their 6 points enough to make it through thanks to Switzerland’s scoreless draw against Honduras. Sadly for Chile, they’ll square off against a familiar but daunting Brazil team in their next game on Monday.

Good luck, Chile. You’ll need it.

—-

Switzerland 0 - Honduras 0

In order to move out of the first round, Switzerland was going to have to do something against Honduras that they hadn’t done in the last two games combined: score more than one goal.

Yes, being that Spain had secured a two-goal lead in their simultaneous match against Chile, the Swiss were faced with the onerous task of mounting an offensive charge which, to them, amounted to epic proportions.

Unfortunately, even one goal was too much to ask, as both sides blundered their way to a scoreless draw, which would have go down as some sort of moral victory for the punchless Hondurans.

Neither team will be advancing in the World Cup, and truly this is a fitting conclusion. The Swiss set a defensive record in 2010 and sprung an upset victory over one of the planet’s best soccer teams. But today’s match will leave a bittersweet taste in their mouths the likes of sugarless Swiss baking chocolate, which is a foulness one never forgets.

—-

GROUP G:


Brazil 0 - Portugal 0

In a game that saw Brazil controlling the ball for much more than half the time, Portugal was content to watch the clock tick up to 90 minutes on Friday, knowing the only way they were doomed was with a massive defeat coupled with an Ivorian onslaught of the North Koreans in the other Group G match of the day.

Being that Ivory Coast led by just 2-0 deep into their match, the Portuguese and Brazilians lit up the field with the firepower of a pilot light, the only real excitement coming in stoppage time when Portugal goalkeeper Eduardo made a stretching save of a Ramires shot that nearly found the promised land.

Even if that goal had gone in, both sides would have still been safe, so really the only thing to say is that Brazil will be playing Chile and Portugal will get Spain in their next matches. You will not be seeing a replay of this match on any “Best Of…” tapes for the rest of eternity.

—-

Ivory Coast 3 - North Korea 0

All Ivory Coast had to do in their final preliminary game was hope Brazil could beat Portugal on top of winning their match against North Korea by eight goals to move out of Group G. They should have bought a Powerball ticket instead. They would have had better odds.

The Ivorians did show some offensive skill on Friday afternoon in Nelspruit, netting two quick goals right off the bat, one by Yaya Toure in the 14th minute, and one on a headed Romaric rebound off a blistered Didier Drogba shot that hit the crossbar 20 minutes in.

In the 82nd minute, Cote d’Ivoire put the North Koreans in a deeper hole on a beautiful goal by Saloman Kalou off a perfect 35-yard pass from Arthur Boka up the middle. A wonderful aerial display making the final score 3-0.

North Korea played hard once again, nearly scoring in the 81st minute on a shot by Jong Tae-Se, but in the end it was a third straight loss for the lowest ranked team in the entire field. They were given no breaks with such a tough group of opponents, but I’m sure just being part of the World Cup was good enough for them and their country.

—-

ROUND OF 16 MATCHUPS:

BRAZIL VS. CHILE - Mon June 28th
SPAIN VS. PORTUGAL - Tues June 29th

—————————

Day 11 - CHILE CONDITIONS
Chile benefits from questionable red card against Switzerland; Portugal enjoys its target practice session vs. N. Korea; Spain conquers for first win of World Cup.

June 21, 2010
by Dan Krier


Chile 1 - Switzerland 0

There was a raucous atmosphere in Port Elizabeth Monday afternoon, with tens of thousands of Chilean fans packed into stadium rows, beating drums and singing so loud you could barely hear the vuvuzelas.

The field itself had the look of South American football, with confetti, balloons, and streamers blowing every which way in the swirling and gusty wind.

The game was a rare treat of World Cup 2010 in terms of being only the second opening-round matchup pitting two 1-wins teams against one another (Netherlands vs. Japan being the other). Chile had previously knocked off Honduras, with Switzerland springing the enormous upset of Spain last Wednesday.

Today’s game didn’t disappoint.

Right from the start, play was fierce, the hand-to-hand combat inducing several hard fouls and yellow cards in the first 30 minutes of play. Soon, though, it went a bit too far.

In minute 31, Swiss midfielder Valon Behrami was whistled for a series of high hands and elbows that struck two separate Chilean defenders, the last of which bought him a RED CARD off the face of Arturo Vidal.

Though his actions were not malicious in any way, they were reckless, and Behrami paid the price. Switzerland, who was bunkered in to begin with, now had to go the remainder of the game one man down.

Coming into the match on a historic defensive roll, Switzerland had not allowed a World Cup goal in over five contests, so accordingly, the game entered halftime scoreless at 0-0, despite an onslaught of Chilean crosses.

Then, in the 68th minute, the Swiss Guard set an all-time World Cup record by making it through their 551st consecutive scoreless minute, something very much worth noting. Sadly for them, it was about to give.

For in the 75th minute, Chile struck. Esteban Paredes received a pass up the right wing and darted towards the corner, where he tracked down the ball and sent a wonderful cross parallel to the goal line. Sailing over star Swiss goalie Diego Benaglio, the ball found the forehead of South African-born Mark Gonzalez, who bounced in the header for the game’s first goal and a very important 1-0 Chilean lead.

Switzerland battled hard on defense, but proved again that offense isn’t their strong suit, confirmed by a heartbreaking dead-eye miss in the 90th minute by 22 year-old substitute Eren Derdiyok, who pushed the equalizer past the left post to his country’s disbelief.

Chile look solid for the next round, even with a matchup against Spain looming. Switzerland I’m not so sure about. They must defeat Honduras and hope that Spain doesn’t win big versus Chile.

I have absolutely no idea what’s going to happen and I love it.

—-

Portugal 7 - North Korea 0

In a drenching downpour in Capetown Monday afternoon, Portugal needed a half hour to get adjusted before raining in multiple goals against North Korea for a 7-0 win.

While the North Koreans, ranked #105 in FIFA standings, held their own against Brazil in their opening match, losing just 2-1, today was just too much for them to handle.

Portugal got to work right away, with defenseman Ricardo Carvalho hitting the post in just the 7th minute. Then, in the 29th minute, Tiago sliced a pass into Raul Meireles, who laced home the goal for a 1-0 lead. Shockingly, that’s how the game took to halftime, with Portugal still unsure of their outcome.

Needing a big win after a tie versus Ivory Coast in their opener (and with Brazil awaiting them in their finale), the Portuguese had to win and win by a large margin if they were going to move on to the knockout stage.

That they did.

With a 53rd-minute goal by Simao off a great pass from Miereles, the floodgates opened, and goals began to drain in against the porous North Korean defense. In the 56th minute, it was a Hugo Almeida header, in the 60th, a smash by Tiago off a nice pass from Cristiano Ronaldo. Just like that…4-0.

But Portugal had to keep scoring for insurance, so that they did as well. In the 81st minute, it was Liedson, in the 87th, Cristiano Ronaldo got his first goal for his country since February of 2009, then for good measure, Tiago added his second goal of the match in the 89th minute.

When all was said and done, Portugal had the 7-0 victory, and appear to be moving on to the Round of 16…unless they lose to Brazil by three or four goals. I doubt it.

—-

Spain 2 - Honduras 0

Spain had no excuse Monday night. They had to get 3 points.

Good thing they were taking on an overmatched Honduras.

The Spanish used a daunting, relentless attack to pin the Hondurans down for most of the match, failing to capitalize as much as they would have liked, but still coming away with a 2-0 victory.

The pressure was enormous for Spain after a tragic loss to Switzerland last Wednesday. Thankfully, they were given a great, albeit unsatisfying performance from uberstriker David Villa.

Villa began his work right off the bat, smacking the crossbar with a right-foot shotgun shell in the 7th minute, before setting things right with a nice individual effort and a slip-sliding goal that gave his team a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute.

Then, in the 59th minute, after more pressure against Honduras’ defense, Villa slotted a deflected liner up the middle that made the game 2-0. Relaxation at last for the men in red.

The only disconcerting moment for Spain came in the 61st minute after a Honduran foul inside the penalty area, when Villa, going for a hat trick, took aim but missed on his penalty kick pushing it just outside the right post. Oops! A little embarrassing, being that the goalie dove the other direction.

Other than that mistake, Spain looked spotless and now must surely defeat Chile on Friday if they hope to move on past Round One. They might be in too deep since Switzerland gets to play the now-winless Hondurans.

But you never know. You can’t predict these things!

—————————

Day 5 - SLEEPING GIANT OR SLOPPY GIANT?
Brazil snaps out of first half stupor but surrenders late goal for narrow 2-1 win over North Korea; day’s other two games end in draws.

June 15, 2010
by Dan Krier

Brazil 2 - North Korea 1

Although Brazil won the game Tuesday night to receive 3 points in World Cup Group G standings, the 2-1 result versus a surprisingly stubborn North Korean team was very much a shocker.

Early jitters be damned, Brazil did not look to be on the same page with one another during a messy first half that saw a very limited number of scoring opportunities for the world’s #1 ranked team. At the end of 45 minutes, both squads took to the locker room tied 0-0, a sense of urgency quickly permeating the field of play.

Ten minutes of 2nd-half action is all it took for Selecao to gain some confidence, when in the 55th minute a right-foot blast from back defender Maicon miraculously traveled parallel to the right-side goal line before slicing into the inner side of the net near-post behind the shellshocked North Korean goalkeeper.

Perhaps it was a failed cross attempt for the Brazilian who plays professionally for UEFA Champs Inter Milan, perhaps it was a magical shot worthy of countryman Pele. Either way, the score defied physics and counted for a 1-0 Brazil lead.

Instantly play was then dominated by the 5-time champions, and not long after the first goal, in the 74th minute, a wonderful exhibition of triangulation from Robinhno to Elano went left side to right side into the left-back-corner of the net, making the score what seemed to be an insurmountable 2-0.

But the North Koreans, to their credit, never gave up on the outcome, showing offensive urgency as the game neared its close. And in the 89th minute, defender Ji Yun-Nam combined several nice touches to gain entry into the penalty box before rocketing a well-struck right-footer past Brazilian goalie Julio Cesar, pulling the game to a momentarily nerve-racking 2-1.

The Koreans showed fire as the match churned through stoppage time, taking two more shots that came close but missed their mark. So with the final whistle, Brazil gained the victory; their 8th consecutive opening-match win. But don’t tell North Korea that they lost, because staying within one goal of such a daunting force is something they will remember with pride for years to come.

—-

Ivory Coast 0 - Portugal 0

In what many felt was the best paring of the 2010 World Cup Opening Round, fans were handed a feisty but ultimately torpid affair between Cote D’Ivoire and Portugal Tuesday afternoon, the game ending in a scoreless draw.

All match long, it appeared that Portugal was afraid to push forward. Perhaps that was due to strong defensive play from Ivory Coast, but most likely it was over trepidation about yielding a goal. How this strategy is a winning tactic is anyone’s guess. And why Portugal was content to play for a tie no one will know.

Superstar midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo was kept mostly in check throughout the match. His best moment came early on a 35-yard blast in the 11th minute that corkscrewed center to left, denting the left post before sailing out of bounds.

The rest of the match found Ronaldo taking multiple dives in order to elicit hopeful foul calls against his opponent, something the men in orange found a tad bit less than sportsmanlike, causing tensions to rise on several occasions.

On the other side of the coin, the Ivorians were impressive, playing the game in
constant attack-mode throughout both halves, garnering especially solid play by forward Gervinho. Unfortunately for them, no connections were profitable, so the game ended 0-0, giving both teams one point in the Group G standings.

As a final note, Ivory Coast star striker Didier Drogba began the game on the bench before coming in as a substitute in the 66th minute, just as the rain began to fall. He was given a chance to score one minute into final stoppage time, but his left footed shot from 10 feet hooked wide right, preventing a moment of glory for his country and fans across the globe.

Based on today’s match, I expect more success from Ivory Coast than Portugal. It should be a great finale over the next two weeks to see how Group G settles out.

—-

New Zealand 1 - Slovakia 1

In the day’s first matchup, both Group F underdogs went at it in a windy cold winter day in Rustenburg, temps lingering somewhere in the low 40’s. The first half, fittingly, was played deep freeze style, with neither side mounting much of a surge, New Zealand and Slovakia going to halftime tied 0-0.

But the second half brought about an early score on a beautiful hook-up between Slovakian forwards Stanislav Sestak and Robert Vittek. In the 50th minute, Sestak gained control of the ball up the right wing, maneuvered towards the box a few steps, and centered a perfect in-swinger that Vittek calmly headed into the back left of the net just inside the post. It was his 20th career goal for his country.

And so the game clock ticked away with a 1-0 Slovak lead, moving well into final stoppage time and what would be the last chance for the Kiwis. Luckily for them, in what would be the game’s 93rd minute, 21 year-old defender Winston Reid was the recipient of a wonderful crossing pass from forward Shane Smeltz.

Curling from left to right, Smeltz’ pass was lobbed with pinpoint accuracy over the defender’s reach, skillfully finding the forehead of a ready-and-waiting Reid, who deposited the ball into the goal just inside the right post. What a miracle!!! Life snatched from the jaws of defeat.

Both sides gained one point for the tie, binding Group F into a 4-way deadlock as the teams wait for next week to settle things further. Pretty good stuff!

———————

World Cup Group G Breakdown
by
Dan Krier
June 10, 2010

Group G:
Brazil – World Rank #1 – Odds to Win: 5-1
North Korea – World Rank #106 – Odds to Win: 1500-1
Ivory Coast – World Rank #27 – Odds to Win: 30-1
Portugal – World Rank #3 – Odds to Win: 25-1

2 teams from this group move on to the knockout stage of the World Cup.

DK’s Picks: Brazil & Portugal

Brazil will move on to the next round, period. Why? Because Brazil is #1 and always has been and always makes it past the prelims and it’s not worthy of much analysis. All that needs to be said is the famous quote, “The English invented football, the Brazilians perfected it.” True statement. Very true.

Led by stars Kaka and Robinho (who have scored (27 and 23 goals, respectively, in international play), Brazil will cause big problems for anyone they face. Expect them to roll through the competition, ending up in the Championship Game on July 11th.

Now moving on to the big question of Group G: Who else joins Brazil in the knockout stage?

Surely it won’t be North Korea, who enters the World Cup as the lowest ranked team in the field. I’m not even sure the team will net one goal. The only thing I’m concerned about with them is how badly they lose Brazil. 12-0? 15-0? It’s going to be ugly, like watching LeBron James play me in 1-on-1.

So that leaves us with two teams led by two world superstars. On one hand you have perennial chokers Portugal, fronted by pretty boy Cristiano Ronaldo (currently playing professionally for Real Madrid, previously Manchester United).

C-Ron is arguably the “best” player in the world based on his 110 league goals and 22 international goals since 2003, and he has the ability to carry a team on his back. But modesty does not come natural to this Ronaldo, and in my opinion, a me-first player like this can never lead his team to greatness. But we’ll see. I doubt he’s got what it takes.

Now on the other side of this superstar coin, you have Ivory Coast and their injured Time Magazine cover boy, Didier Drogba. This man is a scoring machine, having tallied a total of 135 career goals in league play since 1999, most recently scoring a English Premier League-best 29 goals in the 2009-10 campaign while leading Chelsea to yet another Championship (their third since 2005).

To put it simply, Drogba has what it takes to make a huge difference on the world stage. but will we see him? The man has netted 43 goals for Ivory Coast since 2002 (in 66 games), so his broken elbow might be a tragic loss for his country, and for soccer fans around the globe. The sport is called “football”…so I say bandage him up in a sling and send him out on the field. The man is 32 years old so this might very well be his last shot at international glory. Give him a chance, Ivory Coast!

So therefore, Group G’s consolation prize will go to the team that wins that first match played on June 15th. Ivory Coast vs. Portugal is my pick as best game overall of any preliminary group.

Best Game of Round 1 Group G: Ivory Coast vs. Portugal – June 15th

Cristiano Ronaldo

—————————————

#world cup #fifa #ronaldo #cristiano ronaldo #soccer #south africa #us soccer