Day 31 - WORLD CONQUERORS
Spain fulfills its destiny, taking home the country’s first-ever World Cup Championship.

July 11, 2010
by Dan Krier

Spain 1 - Netherlands 0

And so it happened. With an extremely late goal by midfielder Andres Iniesta in extra time, Spain won the 2010 FIFA World Cup, victorious for the fourth straight match by a result of 1-0.

By anyone’s account, it was a substandard affair Sunday night in Johannesburg, with each team taking dives on fouls in order to elicit yellow cards, which came in hordes as both sides were handed a record number of 13, the previous high being 6. And while it could be said that head referee Howard Webb was too quick to book players, a lot of the challenges were overexuberant and came across as dangerous sloppy play.

For the Netherlands, this day will forever go down as a game of missed opportunities. Twice during the second half - in the 62nd and 83rd minutes - Holland’s Arjen Robben was denied by the diving legs of Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas on clear-path 1-on-1 breakaways. Robben and the rest of the Netherlands will be replaying those moments in nightmares for the remainder of their lives.

Spain, as well, had multiple chances to score, though nothing as wide open as the runs made by Holland’s Robben. In the 70th minute, World Cup leading-scorer David Villa was given a sliver of space to shoot on a mishandled cross through the Dutch box, but he couldn’t solve the tight angle off the left side of the goal, keeper Maarten Stekelenburg making one of several great saves during the match.

Then in the 77th minute, Sergio Ramos was denied glory when he missed a wide-open header on a corner kick that caromed off his forehead before sailing high over the bar. The game stayed tied 0-0 until the 90th-minute whistle, forcing thirty minutes of extra time.

In the overtime period, things went back & forth, with the best chance to score by Spain’s Cesc Fabregas thwarted by the leg of Stekelenburg in the 95th minute to preserve the shutout. But shortly thereafter, things took a major turn for the worse for the Netherlands, because another rough tackle by Holland’s John Heitinga yielded his second yellow card for pulling Spain’s Iniesta down from behind, which translated to a RED CARD and a send-off, putting Spain in the position of having a one-man advantage.

Finally, then, in the 116th minute, the moment came.

With the prospects of another bland penalty-kick shootout just four or five minutes away, Spain was able to cash in on their power play before it was too late.

On the goal, substitute forward Fernando Torres took the ball on a pass up the left side, where he crossed it to the front of the box toward another reserve, teammate Fabregas, who then slid the ball right, where Andres Iniesta controlled the bouncer just enough to fire a right-foot volley into the net off the bottom of Stekelenburg’s right hand, giving Spain the lead 1-0 in the nick of time.

The goal marked the end of the road for Holland, who couldn’t create a last-gasp chance, falling in what is now their third World Cup Final defeat. Utter joy for Spain, who hoist the cup for the first time in history, this team taking its spot in the books as one of the best ever, having won the 2008 UEFA Euro Crown along with the 2010 World Cup.

Though they only won each of their knockout games by the score of 1-0, Spain is undoubtedly the best team in the entire world. Congratulations.

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Day 27 - SPANISH LULL-A-BYE
Spain defeats Germany, punching a ticket to the World Cup Final for the first time in history.

July 7, 2010
by Dan Krier

Spain 1 - Germany 0

Spain’s national football team has made up its mind to systematically win the 2010 FIFA World Cup in the same exact way an explosives expert goes about diffusing a bomb: slow, deliberate, and surgeon-like. Call it a bore, but it’s a successful bore.

In a match that never saw the Spaniards lose their cool, the men of Germany were defeated 1-0 on a 2nd Half goal that propelled the 2008 UEFA Euro Champions to their first-ever World Cup Final, where they will take on the Netherlands.

Spain rather had things in control from the opening kick-off, consuming a large portion of ball possession, probing just outside the German penalty box almost at a constant clip. But the score remained tied 0-0 at the half, despite a great running attempt by Spanish striker David Villa and a missed header on a corner kick by Carles Puyol that flew over the crossbar.

Germany had its share of chances as well, but nothing that could considered a missed opportunity. Really, the Germans found themselves without much offense at all, most likely due to the loss of Thomas Mueller, who was serving a suspension for his second yellow-card of the tournament during the team’s win over Argentina. Without Mueller around to attract attention, Miroslav Klose became the lone focus of the Spanish efforts on the back-end, and consequently he was shut down all game long. I’ll be the first to say I was shocked by how much Klose was kept away from the action.

So the game moved along, and Spain kept pressing forward in waves when finally, in the 73rd minute, the first goal came at long last. The score occurred on a fantastic out-bending corner kick by Xavi that was hammered home off the head of fullback Puyol, who made the most of his second chance, giving his country the 1-0 lead.

After the goal, the Spanish were able to eat up clock on skilled ball-handling and back & forth passing, displaying a presence that now makes you think this 1-0 trend is exactly what they wanted all along.

Perhaps we’ll have one more of these games to endure on July 11th, or perhaps it will be the Netherlands who score early and force Spain to play with some pizazz. Either way it will be a monumental moment, as both teams get the chance to compete for their first-ever World Cup Championship.

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Uruguay vs. Netherlands

What can you say about this one? Nobody in the world outside of these two countries would have picked either of these teams to reach the 2010 World Cup semifinals, yet here they both are. I’m shocked, but it’s a pleasant surprise since both squads have earned the right to be exactly where they are.

Who has the advantage? Really, I’m not so sure. It could go either way. Or could it?

Advantage-wise, it’s almost comical to bring up the fact that Uruguay is a 2-time Champ, being that their last Cup title came 60 years ago. Netherlands, on the same sad side of the coin, come in off very little recent success as well, having made the finals in both 1974 and 1978, losing both in pretty ugly fashion.

And truthfully, with full rosters on both sides, I would be predicting a 1-1 regulation tie with PKs to decide things. But this match will be far from even due to the two monumental losses that Uruguay will be forced to endure.

One huge void will be star striker Luis Suarez, whose hand ball on the goal line versus Ghana is the reason they’re still alive, but the RED CARD assessed for the do-or-die infraction is accompanied by a mandatory suspension for Tuesday’s game, so no Suarez, who has scored 3 goals in the 2010 World Cup. The other loss is on the opposite side of the field, where anchoring defensive back Diego Lugano is out with a knee injury. As those two go, so go Uruguay, even with rock star Diego Forlan around to cause havoc for Holland.

Therefore, on the back of newly-minted world superstar Wesley Sneijder (who scored both goals in the 2-1 win over Brazil), I look for Netherlands to roll to a victory and their 3rd ever finals appearance on July 11th. Uruguay will still be pleased to reach the third-place game on July 10th.

DK Pick: Netherlands 2 - Uruguay 0

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Germany vs. Spain

Frankly, Spain have been a bore all tournament.

They began things by losing to Switzerland, went on to get a rather narrow 2-goal victory over a massively overmatched Honduras, then finished group play with a sleepwalking 2-1 win over a Chile team that didn’t need a victory to move on out of group play.

Then the Spaniards knocked off the perennially-anemic Portuguese by the thrilling (no!) tally of 1-0, a riotous score that was recreated four days later against puttering Paraguay. ZZZzzzzzzzz!!!

Germany has been the polar opposite of this in every way. Creative, inventive, exhilarating team play has rocketed the young side to the semifinals in the most dominant way possible. Consider this: The Germans’ combined scores in their last wins over England & Argentina add up to 8-1. Immmmmpressive.

Yes, Germany will be without young gun Thomas Mueller, who will be prohibited from playing in Wednesday’s match due to a 1-game suspension for two tournament-accrued yellow cards, but that doesn’t mean Miroslav Klose won’t be racking up more goals in his absence. Look for Klose to break the all-time goals scored record with two against Spain, then watch him add even more in the 2010 World Cup Final, pitting Netherlands vs. Germany on July 11th.

DK Pick: Germany 3 - Spain 1

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Day 23 - CONTINENTAL DRIFT
Europe’s best are rising to the top as Germany & Spain defeat their South American foes on Saturday.

July 3, 2010
by Dan Krier


Germany 4 - Argentina 0

Please cry for me, Argentina. This game was as close as the score indicates.

Call it “The Beat Down in Cape Town”, because at no point in the entire 90-minute span of play were Argentina in control against their well-known German opponents, with whom they’d shared more than a few memorable World Cup matches. In fact, this game could be classified as a total washout, a 100% house-cleaning that solidly puts the young German team down as a force to be reckoned with for years to come.

What happened, you ask? Well…do you like early goals? Germany does. Just three minutes after kick off, the score was 1-0 on a fantastic in-swinging free kick by Bastian Schweinsteiger that was calmly headed in by 20 year-old sensation Thomas Mueller, his fourth goal of the World Cup in just his seventh ever game for his country.

After the first score, things did not change in the least. Germany maintained most of the possession, were able to keep Argentina out of anything resembling a valid scoring opportunity, and most importantly of all, shackled Lionel Messi with a blanketing team defense which made you wonder why he wasn’t doing more to help him team. Because he couldn’t. The Germans were too much to handle.

But the score remained just 1-0 at the half, so the Argentinians and coach Diego Maradona had to have hope. Unfortunately, the action after the break was the same as before, with Germany showing the ability to push forward as a full unit with blind speed whenever they desired.

Then more goals came and all hope for Argentina was extinguished.

First it was Lukas Podolski up the left wing cutting into the box in the 68th minute. A fake and a mini-cross to Miroslav Klose, and the score was 2-0, Klose netting his 13th career World Cup goal, surpassing Pele for third-most all-time. Then it was Schweinsteiger again in the 74th minute, copying Podolski with another run in from the left, his cross finding the foot of a falling Arne Freidrich for his first-ever international goal for Germany in 77 career games, and a 3-0 insurmountable lead. Not a bad way to put the nail in the coffin.

Just for icing on the German chocolate cake, in the 89th minute with the Argentinians ready to hit Cape Town International Airport, midfielder Mesut Oezil made another dashing run up the field, dropping a nifty pass over to Klose, who kicked in his 14th-career World Cup goal, and second of the match, for a 4-0 lead.

Klose is now tied for 2nd-most World Cup goals all-time with the great German striker Gerd Mueller.

So goodbye, Argentina…and hello to a new & improved German machine that will face Spain for the right to play in the 2010 World Cup Final. Who wins that game is anyone’s guess, but being that the German performance on Saturday was just as dominating as the display against England last Sunday, I fully expect the men in red, yellow, & black to be playing for their 4th Championship Trophy on July 11th. Sehr gut!

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Spain 1 - Paraguay 0

Spain did what its fans were waiting so long for on Saturday night, moving for the first time ever into the semi-final stage of the World Cup with an extremely tense 1-0 win over Paraguay in Johannesburg.

Call it jitters, or call it pressure, but the second half is where the action got crazy, leaving two players to wonder if they were going to be the scapegoat for the next four year. Luckily for the now-off-the-hook Xabi Alonso, the poison memories are going to Paraguay’s Oscar Cardozo.

In the 58th minute, with the game tied 0-0 and goals clearly hard to come by, a Paraguay counterattack led them up the field to where a looping corner kick sailed into a melee of congestion in the box. Two separate Paraguayan players were pulled down by their jerseys, and to the horror of the Spanish, the team in striped red & white was awarded a penalty kick that would surely give them the decisive lead.

So up stepped Cardozo, hero of the PK shootout versus Japan last Tuesday, when he ended things by calmly sending home the fifth and final penalty shot for his team. Today it was nerves galore for Cardozo, because his left-foot kick failed to move much to the right and was smothered by Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas. Shock for Paraguay.

In fact, the shock was so great, Paraguay’s defense somehow forgot to mark superstar David Villa, who was allowed to make a clear run down the field just seconds later, only to be tripped up at the last moment inside the opposing penalty box for YET ANOTHER penalty kick…this time for Spain.

Up stepped Xabi Alonso to give Spain the lead, most likely because Villa had missed his PK when he had the chance for a hat-trick against Honduras. Good strategy too, because Alonso’s shot rang out with conviction, banging into the left side of the net for the 1-0 Spanish lead. NO WAIT…HOLD ON! Head referee Carlos Batres blew his whistle for a re-kick, saying Spain’s other players had crossed into the box too early before the kick was taken. Replays showed this to be true. Wow.

No problem, though…right? Wrong. On the second Alonoso kick, nerves struck the Spanard and his shot was weak and to the right, easily saved by Paraguay keeper Justo Villar, keeping the score tied 0-0. It was the first time a game had seen two missed penalty kicks in World Cup play since 1930. Probably’ll be another 80 years before it happens again.

Surely this game was slated for it’s own run into extra time and then more penalty kicks. It’s really the only way to decide things.

Except that David Villa was still on the field. The man with the magic touch connected for the game’s only goal in the 83rd minute after a dazzling run up the middle of the field by Spain’s Andres Iniesta, who shuttled a pass right to new substitute Pedro, whose right-footer plowed into the left post, the carom bouncing directly to Villa, who decided to knock his shot off the RIGHT post, the ball taking a bounce into the back of the net for the real 1-0 lead, Villa’s Cup-leading fifth goal of the tournament. T’was all over at that point.

Great run for Paraguay, who were determined to win the World Cup on the hopes of four straight scoreless penalty kick wins. Thankfully that won’t be the case.

Spain crawls forward by the slimmest of margins yet again, feeling relieved more than elated I’m sure. No Red Fury to be found on Saturday, so clearly some sort of spark will be necessary when they take on Germany July 7th in order to get to their first-ever Final. Efforts like this today won’t cut it if they’re going to go for glory.

What a World Cup!

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Brazil vs. Netherlands

This game has the potential to be a classic, and there is some extra spice involved due to the deep history between the two teams.

The Netherlands were knocked out of the 1994 & 1998 World Cup Tournaments by Brazil, and this year will be no different. Brazil has too many weapons to choose from, most notably Luis Fabiano and Kaka. Most importantly, the Brazilians have a mental advantage over everyone they go up against, and in this case it’s only multiplied being that the Dutch are so familiar with playing second-fiddle to the 5-time Champs.

For Holland, expect a good game from stars like Wesley Sneijder, Dirk Kuyt, and Robin Van Persie, each of whom have scored a goal in the 2010 World Cup. I think Netherlands are a great team, but even if they score first, look for Brazil to strike back as necessary to get the victory.

DK Pick: Brazil 3 - Netherlands 1

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Uruguay vs. Ghana

This game is a treat in that neither squad could have been predicted in the quarterfinals, so it makes it even better to know one of them will be making it into the semi-finals.

If that team happens to be Ghana, it will mark the farthest an African team has ever gone in any World Cup. Players like Asamoah Gyan and Kevin-Prince Boateng both have the capacity to move the Ghanaians to the next stage, both having netted a goal in the team’s victory over the United States last week.

Unfortunately for the Black Stars, this Cup appears to be the year of the South American continent, with 4 teams still alive. Uruguay has provided rugged and skillful play in each of its games thus far, and one more win is surely to be expected. Players like Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez are having magnificent tournaments, and they perhaps seem to be a team of destiny. We’ll find out soon enough.

DK Pick: Uruguay 2 - Ghana 0

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Argentina vs. Germany

Along with Brazil vs. Netherlands, this is the other marquee match of the 2010 World Cup quarterfinals, a splendid pairing that just so happens to be a rematch of the 1986 World Cup Final.

Germany is coming off a 4-1 destruction of England in their last match, and Argentina has faced tougher competition in team scrimmages than in their 3-1 win over Mexico last Saturday.

What this adds up to is a fight for the ages, and I am expecting a back and forth affair all game long. Look for goals from the Germans’ best marksmen, players like Miroslav Klose and Mesut Oezil. Argentina, as well, will most likely see a goal or two from either Gonzalo Higuain or Carlos Tevez, who have both registered multiple-scoring games thus far. Also, don’t forget about Diego Milito, who has yet to put his stamp on things in the 2010 World Cup, but is always ready to score when his team needs him most.

All other players aside, the biggest difference is going to come from the littlest man on the field, none other than “Maradona: The Next Generation”, a.k.a. Lionel Messi. He has yet to score in the tournament as well, but all that changes on Saturday. This will be Messi’s signature moment of the World Cup…that is, until he takes his team all the way to the Finals. Buckle up!

DK Pick: Argentina 3 - Germany 2

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Spain vs. Paraguay

Is this the stage at which Spain falls in line with history and sees its way out of the World Cup like so many times before?

Not this year.

Although Paraguay come into this match filled with confidence after winning Group F - which everyone, including yours truly, picked to be a cakewalk for Italy…oops - I’m afraid the candy-stripers will be sugar-free saccharin aftertaste against the Red Fury of Spain’s attacking line: all-stars like Xavi, David Villa, and Fernando Torres, who I fully expect to break out of his slump to provide some of the magic fans are used to seeing from the proficient point-man.

Look for Spain to score early and then hold on, knocking in a late goal to seal the deal when Paraguay is forced to go for broke. Cheers!

DK Pick: Spain 2 - Paraguay 0

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With a tournament-leading 4 goals going into the start of quarterfinal play, my pick for World Cup MVP thus far is Spain’s David Villa.

Villa is simply the single-biggest reason Spain is still in this tournament. With two goals in a must-win situation versus Honduras and then a 45-yard masterpiece of a score against Chile, he topped things off by getting the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win against Portugal.

If this continues, Villa will lead Spain all the way to a World Cup Championship for the first time in the country’s history. I’m sure Argentina and/or Brazil will have something to say about that.

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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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ROUND OF 16 MATCHUPS:

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

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Day 6 - SWISS BULLFIGHTERS, SPANISH BULL
Switzerland springs monumental upset of reigning European Champs; Chile books 1-0 win; host South Africa on the ropes after 3-0 loss.

June 16, 2010
by Dan Krier

Switzerland 1 - Spain 0

This wasn’t supposed to happen. It wasn’t even a consideration.

Switzerland cashed in on a rare scoring opportunity Wednesday evening, thwarting a sterile Spanish side for a 1-0 stunner in front of over 62,000 fans.

Let’s get started with some statistics. Spain came into the match on a majestic roll, finishing European World Cup qualifying 10-0 (that’s 10 games, 10 wins), and had won (WON…not tied) 45 of their previous 48 international matches. More importantly, Switzerland, as a nation, had NEVER notched a victory over the Spanish in the history of its football-playing life. Never. In 18 previous matches not once.

Today, all that changed.

The Swiss played as an organized unit all game long, concentrating their efforts on the defensive end of the field, knowing Spain was very well going to control the ball for 75 to 80% of the match. And that they did, passing back and forth and back and forth, around and around for most of the game.

Unfortunately for the Spaniards, there was no venom in their bite, and the men of La Furia Roja spent the entire first half shelling Swiss goalkeeper Diego Benaglio to no avail, the score remaining tied 0-0 at the break.

2nd half play began very much on the same path, with Spain passing in and out, out and in, winning balls back at will, keeping the Swiss back on their heels, outshooting them at one point 14-1.

But only one statistic matters in the end, and in the 52nd minute, a long goal kick took a fortunate deflection off a Spanish defender, landing right at the toe of sprinting Swiss striker Eren Derdiyok.

Derdiyok carried the ball directly at Spain’s goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, who collided with the forward, sending him head over heels, leaving a car-wreck of Spanish defenders to tumble along with the ball.

Thankfully for Switzerland, African-born left midfielder Gelson Fernandes stayed on his feet and was able to touch the ball ever so slightly into the back of the net, a miraculous goal that gave the Swiss an unbelievable 1-0 lead. Fernandes couldn’t believe his good fortune.

Even a late substitution by world star Fernando Torres couldn’t save his side. Spain’s best chance was a 20-yard rocket off the boot of Xabi Alonso that hit the crossbar and bounded back out of danger in the games 70th minute.

Great play from Spain, but the spoils go to the team that earned it, Switzerland now leading the way in Group H. A well-deserved win for a team that played with resolve and capitalized on the one mistake their opponents couldn’t afford to make.

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Chile 1 - Honduras 0

Chile displayed a calm, aggressive demeanor throughout the entire 90-minute match Wednesday morning, outclassing an overmatched Honduran side that was fortunate to be in South Africa in the first place.

Utilizing swift passes and agile ball-control, the Chileans mounted a first-half charge down the right sideline which started after a Honduran giveaway on an unguarded throw-in.

On the play, in the game’s 34th-minute, the ball was tossed right to the feet of Chilean midfielder Carlos Carmona about 40 yards out. He soon worked it front and center before tapping it to teammate Matias Fernandez, who placed it at the foot of helping defender Mauricio Isla as he charged towards the right goal line. Then it was a bit of luck, albeit deservedly handed out by the soccer gods.

Isla crossed the sharp pass directly in front of the goal mouth, where it took several blink-of-the-eye deflections, pinballing off the left hip of midfielder Jean Beausejour into the goal for a 1-0 Chilean lead.

Respect to Beausejour, who waved off teammate praise after the score, grinning coyly, knowing it was more “right place at the right time” than beautiful craftsmanship. But it was in the books, and Beausejour will surely carry the accomplishment with him for a lifetime.

The game’s second half was a tad bit boring, Honduras never mounting much of anything other than long clearance balls. In the 64th minute, Honduran goalkeeper Noel Valladares made the play of the match for his team, saving a crossed header that went off the forehead of Chilean defender Waldo Ponce, who watched the save with utter disbelief. That was his moment. No sir, said Villadarez.

All in all it was a dominating win for Chile, who now sit atop Group H with 3 points, tied with Switzerland of all people. What a shock! What a World Cup.

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Uruguay 3 - South Africa 0

Wednesday’s action concluded with host nation South Africa taking the field against Uruguay in a continuation of Group A exploits that began last Friday.

Both teams entered with 1 point apiece in the standings thanks to previous ties versus Mexico & France. Therefore, a winner here would surely propel that team towards the knockout stage of the World Cup.

Fortunately for Uruguay, they are equipped with one of the world’s top scorers, and soon-to-be worldwide sensation Diego Forlan. The crafty striker netted two goals, one in each half, the first coming off a fortuitous deflection, the second via an 80th-minute penalty kick after a bit of controversy.

In the 74th minute, with Bafana Bafana working hard to tie the match, Uruguay benefited from an unexpected ricochet that sent the ball directly into the goal box just when the South African defense was pushing forward. Goalie Itumeleng Khune was forced to trip the attacker, an instant red card that will cost Khune his team’s final preliminary match versus France next week. Bad luck, and a sad way to go out.

Uruguay added a meaningless goal in final stoppage time for the 3-0 victory, and they now look to take first place overall in this group with a win against Mexico next Tuesday.

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World Cup Group H Breakdown
by
Dan Krier
June 11, 2010

Group H:
Spain – World Rank #2 – Odds to Win: 4-1
Switzerland – World Rank #26 – Odds to Win: 200-1
Honduras – World Rank #40 – Odds to Win: 750-1
Chile – World Rank #15 – Odds to Win: 50-1

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

DK’s Picks: Spain & Chile

Once again, we have a group where one team is definitely going to make it to the next stage of this competition, and then you’re not so sure.

The obvious choice is Spain, who have been winning internationally at a consistent pace for the last several years, most notably garnering the UEFA Euro Cup crown in 2008 (a 1-0 victory over Germany).

The Spanish squad is led by a bevy of marksmen, such as David Villa (who plays professionally for Barcelona and has 36 international goals in 55 career games) and Fernando Torres (who plays for Liverpool and has 23 goals in 72 career international games). Also giving them strength are midfielders Xavi (Barcelona; 8 international goals) and Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid; 7 international goals). Add in young stars like 24 year-old David Silva (Valencia; 6 international goals) and you have almost too many weapons at your disposal. Expect a lot of goals and three wins for Spain in the preliminary round.

After Spain, the second choice from this group isn’t so clear cut.

I am picking Chile due to their solid run in South American qualifying. Chile, like Paraguay, finished tied for second place in that continent’s standings, only one point behind Brazil. Humberto Suazo (who plays for Real Zaragoza in the Spanish League) is the team’s top scorer with 17 international goals, and should help add strength as well as a daunting presence to the physical Chilean side.

Switzerland could also very well move on past the first three matches, due to their respectable showing in European qualifying. The Swiss won their group (finishing one point ahead of Greece) and are appearing in their second consecutive World Cup, having won preliminary Group G in 2006 before being ousted by the Ukraine via penalty kicks in the first round of the knockout stage.

Honduras most likely won’t be moving on. They are only in South Africa thanks to a Costa Rican meltdown versus the USA on October 14, 2009, when America’s Jonathan Bornstein tied the game at the very end of stoppage time (thus allowing Honduras to take the final North American automatic bid). Have a good time, Honduras…and hold on to that Golden Ticket.

Best Game of Group H: Spain vs. Chile – June 25th

Fernando Torres

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