Greetings, I had to take a break writing recaps, as I had no time to
live my life. Watching four games a day, and trying to write them
up became a little too much. I will begin writing them up again.
and will go back at a later date, and complete the series.
Brazil v. Portugal + Ivory Coast v. North Korea play this morning.
WE WIN WIN WIN WIN WE WIN WIN WIN WIN
Landon Donovan [90'+1]
USA 1 : 0 Algeria
[0:0]
man of the match
Landon Donovan
This was a match that Argentina was supposed to win, and they did.
It took them almost eighty minutes to break through.
Martin Demichelis [77'] and Martin Palermo [89'] scored for the
South Americans, though they did not look authoritative.
I look for Mexico to give the Argentines trouble.
Greece 0 : 2 Argentina
[0:0]
man of the match
Lionel Messi
This is a match in which I would have liked to have Nigeria win and
progress to the next stage. I like the South Korean team, and their
style of play, they are very good, and deserve to progress to the next
round. But like most of the people interested in this World Cup; we
would like to see the African teams play well enough to qualify for the
knock-out stage. The Super Eagles have some of the most talented
players in West Africa, and should have competed with more quality
in this tournament. I previously had a great love for the Super Eagles,
but their underachieving performances in past major tournaments has
kinda left me expecting their lack of invention and forward movement.
I am sorry to say that, because I have such a deep affinity for the African
sides, including Enyeama and the Super Eagles. Let’s not get into my
respect and admiration for Nigerians Fela Kuti and Tony Allen.
At any rate, the Super Eagles had the dream start with an early goal
from Kalu Uche [12']. Uche snuck around the final defender to finish
the brilliant work of Chidi Odiah who snapped in a low hovering cross.
The Super Eagles left several chances begging to be finished, but
could not get two goals ahead. The pace favored the Africans, and
the South Koreans looked loose for the first time in the tournament.
During a counter-attack late in the half, the South Koreans earned
a free-kick, and from their first shot on goal Lee Jung Soo [38'] buried
the set piece at the far post, on a textbook training ground goal.
The Nigerians could have defended slightly better, the equalizer
was agonizing. The Nigerians would need more goals. Forward they
went, faster and quicker passing. Where was this style in the first
two group matches? Crazy. The second act began with a surprise
a bang, when Park Chu Young [49'] sent a free kick into the far
upright, that left everyone in disbelief. It was a perfect free kick,
and in a match where the Super Eagles scored early and dominated
most of the tempo, they still found themselves down, two to one.
After several chances and good build up by the Nigerians Yakubu
Ayegbeni missed a chance from atop the six yard box that he
completely tanked. It was a sure goal for Nigeria, as goalkeeper
Jung Sung Ryong was completely down and out. Yakubu one-timed
the Jabulani, and it missed by more than the width of the post. It
was a horrible miss, and certainly the biggest gaff of the tournament
so far. Almost as if the Football Gods decided to rectify the mistake,
Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi was fouled in the area, effectively giving
Yakubu Ayegbeni [69' PEN] another chance. Yakubu took the penalty
with skill and equalized the eventful affair. The match opened up
in the final twenty minutes with each side trying to snatch the victory.
Obafemi Martins missed a finishable chance nearing the final whistle,
and the duel ended with South Korea the side moving forward to the
next round in which they will face the strong Uruguay.
Nigeria 2 : 2 South Korea
[1:1]
man of the match
Park Ji Sung
With so much on the line with this match, it was vital to me that
South Africa win by three goals, for I wanted the host nation through.
The France team is in much turmoil, and very sad to witness in such
public display, World Cup Style. Fact of the matter, the French team
have been in disarray since long before this tournament began, and
its obvious by now the Republic of Ireland should be in South Africa.
I am bummed to say that, because I am a very big fan of France as
a country and their football players and team. Zindine Zidane is
one of the greatest footballers and field wizards ever; his reputation
solidifies the French National Team and legitimizes the international
style of play that they formerly demonstrated. Hopefully new gaffer
Laurent Blanc can steer the ship in the proper direction.
On with the match, which began with an early pace by South Africa,
who should have scored five goals on this day. While France showed
good signs of life in the early and middle of the second half, it was
South Africa’s winning match day, but losing out on the knock-out.
The opening goal was a delightful finish by Bongani Khumalo [20'],
that could have easily been ruled a foul as he batmaned over the
top of Abou Diaby’s back. Khumalo toppled over Diaby just after
he finished the brilliant corner kick. Five minutes later, French
midfielder Yoann Gourcuff elbowed MacBeth Sibaya as the two went
high for a fifty fifty ball. The elbow was unintentional, but careless,
and Gourcuff was shown red. South Africa surged even further when,
seven minutes later, Katlego Mphela [37'] coaxed a hard cross
from Tsepo Masilela into the French net after a poor giveaway in
their own end. Bafana Bafana had so many chances to get a third
and fourth goal, but they could not break through. The French
finally broke through in the seventieth minute when substitute
Florent Malouda [70'] was the beneficiary of the work of midfielder
Franck Ribery, who grinded down the pitch and squared the ball
to Malouda inside the area. It was the first goal of the tournament
for France, who will return home to many questions. The South
Africans miss the knock-out stage, and become the first host
nation to do so. Bafana Bafana showed skill and class today.
France 1 : 2 South Africa
[0:2]
man of the match
Katlego Mphela
Luis Suarez’s [43'] header on the brink of half time was all that Uruguay
needed to advance to the knock-out stage of South Africa 2010.
The goal came as a payoff for another solid Uruguayan push forward,
and the service was eloquently placed by Edinson Cavani who was blazing
down the right flank. It was a picture perfect lob and an equally lovely
finish. As the Jabulani approached him from a perfect arc, Suarez calmly
headed the ball inside the near post, goalkeeper Oscar Perez had no
chance on the amazing placement. It was a beautiful goal, one of the
most graceful of the tournament. The game could have been another
scenario if Andres Guardado’s drive from thirty-one yards went in,
instead of slamming the bottom of the crossbar. It was a shot that
resonated the crossbar so soundly….it is still shaking. The ball
immediately went downwards and hit the goal line and spun into play.
It was not a goal for El Tri, but it certainly deserved to be Mexico’s lead.
Giovani Dos Santos gave the Uruguayans trouble all afternoon, and the
final result could have easily been a different story. Nevertheless,
Uruguay has looked amazing though the group stage, and have not
conceded a goal yet. The loss still advanced Mexico to the next round,
due to goal differential with South Africa. It looks as if Uruguay will
confront South Korea, and Mexico will dual with Argentina in the
round of sixteen.
Mexico 0 : 1 Uruguay
[0:1]
man of the match
Luis Suarez
Ellis Park Stadium
Johannesburg, South Africa
