Showing posts with label FIFA World Cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FIFA World Cup. Show all posts
FIFA World Cup Final: Spain Vs Holland : Adidas Vs Nike
Friday, July 9, 2010
I am telling you straight up, you cannot write the future! Nike tried and let me say this, this has been THE The Nike Curse put onto every star featured in the video. ( see original posting on the Goal Blog posted on NYT: The Curse of the Nike World Cup Commercial? )
Now if you are lazy to click the link, basically the ad features 5 players who were picked by Nike as potential stars of this year World Cup.
- The three-minute-long epic in question, Nike’s “Write the Future” ad, shows five players in the heat of battle in South Africa imagining how the fans back home will react to their performance. The players are some of soccer’s biggest names: Ivory Coast’s Didier Drogba, Italy’s Fabio Cannavaro, England’s Wayne Rooney, Brazil’s Ronadinho, and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo
Yeah, Ronaldinho was not even picked to play for Brazil. The article did not mentioned other players like Frank Ribery and Theo Walcott (LOL! Like Ronaldinho he was not even picked to go to Africa). (Hey, did you see how Roger Federer got his ass kicked by Rooney in table tennis in the ad? LOL! Federer lost badly in the French and Wimbledon! LOL!) Anyway, these players did not just lose but they really had a terrible World Cup. Drogba barely made it and scored only one goal, Cannavaro, Rooney, Ribery were all humiliated. Ronaldo made no justification to him being the world most expensive player. I could ramble on and on but there's one short cameo in the video which featured Spain. In Rooney's sequence of how he wrote the future, the Nike ad showed Andrés Iniesta, Cesc Fà bregas, and Gerard Piqué throwing down newspapers in disgust. Very interesting. Rooney became the star and the obvious reason why the Spanish players would throw down the newspapers in disgust is England won. However, as the future could not be written in advance, in reality, the English lost and got humiliated.
And the Spaniards?
They are NOW in the World Cup Final! And they play they play the Nike team not featured in the ad, Holland!
LOL! Go figure that one out.
They probably figured that since they used Drogba in the opening star player sequence in a bright orange outfit, they probably thought it would be misleading and distracting if they featured the Dutch in the clip!
Anyway, here we are, the Dutch vs the Spaniards and it's Nike vs Adidas.
LOL! If the curse theory is correct, well the obvious winner should be Adidas and Spainards!
No?
Ok, how about from a football perspective. :D
The Dutch is powered by Sneijder and the first thing that comes to mind was Sneijder had a truly wonderful season with Inter Milan and on his way to the Champions League finals, Sneijder and Inter Milan totally outplayed Barcelona in the semis. Now the Barcelona perspective is interesting because more than half of the Spanish team played for Barcelona. So could Sneijder and his Dutch compatriots repeat what Inter did to Barcelona?
And obviously the comparison will be made between Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk and Jose Mourinho. Many would like Bert van Marwijk simply because he's not arrogant, not like Jose and isn't it amazing that the Final would be played tomorrow and nothing much has been written on the Dutch coach. This was until yesterday. On the Telegraph: World Cup final: Bert van Marwijk is the glue that holds Holland together
- His methods are pragmatic and conservative. He is not a tactical risk taker and has quite willing sold the 'soul’ of Dutch football in exchange for the assurance of victory.
I believe that sums it up nicely about Holand and Bert van Marwijk.
However, let me say this, I am impressed with him in Holland's victory over Brazil. As mentioned in the posting FIFA World Cup: The Last Four:
- I thought the first half, Brazil totally murdered Holland. Yes, in my opinion, Brazil owned Holland totally in the first half and the Dutch were extremely lucky to end the half down just 1-0.
But Bert van Marwijk should be given all the credit in the world for changing the outcome of the match. This is where I am so impressed. This is the very hallmark of a great coach. Bert saw and realised that his team was NOT only getting beat but being absolutely outclassed by the Brazilians in the first half. He then was able to rectify the position by making the necessary tactical changes in the team game plan. Not many coaches in the game is able to do this! And for this, again I say that I am impressed with Bert van Marwijk!
- And sensing that the Japanese referee was holding back the yellow cards, the Dutch came out more aggressive in the second half and got away with tons of fouls.
Then the Brazil gave away 2 silly goals and their attempt to come back ended with the moment of insanity by the sub on Robben.
Having said all that, hats off the Wesley Sneijder! He was superb. His skills was back up such utter determination and the will to win! That's the hallmark of a true champion.
So could and would Bert van Marwijk employ Jose Mourinho's game plan against the Spaniards? Would he employ the same tactics and press the Spaniards all the way up field? Remember, Mourinho had his Milan players pressing Barcelona full backs and center backs right from the start. Barcelona weren't given the time and space to pass and develop their play. Well the Dutch did exactly in the second half versus Brazil. It was their pressing that forced Brazil to concede two rather silly goals. Would the Dutch do the same? Could the Dutch play some really disciplined football to prevent the Spaniards from playing their quick short passes? Would Bert van Marwijk employ his general, his street gang leader, Van Bommel, to shackle the brilliance of Iniesta and Xavi? Would it work?
But what about the Spaniards. The Spannish team is a whole lot toigher in the very heart of the team because Sergio Busquests has Xavi Alonso playing beside him and not the blundering Seydou Keita. Xavi Alonso for me, is the very, very clog in the Spanish team. He's the one that makes things happen for the Spanish. He's the one that allows and creates for Xavi and Iniesta, the room and the space to play. When Germany lost, folks quickly pointed out Thomas Muller wasn't playing. Well from this similar sort of perspective, for me, Xavi Alonso is so important for the Spanish. And if you ask me, the key focus is on Sneijder and Xavi Alonso. Whoever plays well shall lift the trophy for their country!
Busquets obviously is the hacker and so is Van Bommel. Van Bommel has probably the slight edge because he tends to only give away the constant 'small' fouls. Whereas the young Busquests could make an error. With Horward Webb being the referee, between Busquests and Van Bommel, whoever draws the first card, would be at a disadvantage.
And yes it should be a titanic battle. The Dutch led by the rather conservative and pragmatic coach should probably surrender the bulk of the possession to the Spanish and try to hit the Spanish on the counter attack with lots of pressing. Neither team would want to give away the first goal because they both realise that both teams could keep the ball very well once in the lead. Yeah, I do reckon it's a low scoring final.
And who do I predict to be the winner? Time to pick a stance and not sit on the fence. It's going to be tough. Both teams deserve to be in the finals. Seriously. They are the best 2 teams in the final. No doubt. LOL! Well from the first day, I always maintained that the team with the best defence would lift the trophy and the Spanish do have the best defence. That would be my call and looks like I believe very much in the Nike curse!
LOL!
Btw here's an incredible video showing Queen Sofia meeting the Spanish players in the dressing room after their victory over the Germans and the Spanish hero of the night, Carlos Puyol, showed up with just his towels! LOL!
ps: Howard please do give book Robben if he start his play acting nonsense! I really would hate to see the Final being marred by such nonsense. Comeon, play the game like a man. Not like a sissy! Not like a bloody pondan! Read more...
FIFA World Cup: Dearest Darling, England LOST!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Dearest Darling,
RE: FIFA World Cup: Dear Wife/ Sweetheart/Girl Friend/ Partner/whomever it may concern,
It's now 6 July. Are you back to your senses yet? How many times do you want to read the sports section? The result is still the same, my dearest. Are you still not aware what has happened in the World of Soccer? The English team you supported, got their ass kicked by the team who you claim that was not that good!
Honey, I am seriously bored with your constant complains about how the referee cheated and the good for nothing FIFA chief, Sepp Blatter.
Honey, I don't care.
England were thrash and they got their butt kicked by the Germans.
Honey, I know you want to watch the reply many, many times and I have lost count how times you have watched the replay.
Look honey, England lost. Get over it. You can watch the replays 50 more times. They still lost. The referee still haven't given Lampard the goal.
So are you over it now? England have lost AGAIN in another World Cup and you just have to accept this fact.
ps: Honey it's now 9 days. I know you are STILL upset. And if you still refuse to get over it, you sure are not getting any sex from me for the rest of the year! And you can go sleep outside with the dog.
ps/ps: It's now the SEMI-FINALS. England have lost!
ps/ps/ps: Do you mind if I support Germany when they play against Spain in the semis? Ozil looks really cute!
Read more...FIFA World Cup: The Last Four
Sunday, July 4, 2010
bonny b said...
- With hindsight, the South Americans were not playing their usual game. Perhaps too much betting money going around? I suspect so cos only part of their respective teams are really trying hard.
Methinks it'll be Holland/Germany final. What say?
Brazil vs Holland.
I thought the first half, Brazil totally murdered Holland. Yes, in my opinion, Brazil owned Holland totally in the first half and the Dutch were extremely lucky to end the half down just 1-0.
It was street wise soccer played with loads of fouls and needless play acting on couple of occasion by Robben. It was totally disgusting to see a player rolling from his opponent half back to his own half! The play acting in this World Cup is simply shocking and sickening! The slightest touch, the player starts their drama performance. It was so, so sisst! Goodness me! Drama queen or what?
And sensing that the Japanese referee was holding back the yellow cards, the Dutch came out more aggressive in the second half and got away with tons of fouls.
Then the Brazil gave away 2 silly goals and their attempt to come back ended with the moment of insanity by the sub on Robben.
Having said all that, hats off the Wesley Sneijder! He was superb. His skills was back up such utter determination and the will to win! That's the hallmark of a true champion.
Germany? I still hold my reservations. LOL! Sorry I do.
I am NOT going to jump the ship and support this team simply because they have been scoring tons of goals.
IMO, I still think they got more help from their opponents. Wait I am not saying they are lousy but they certainly were made to look so good.
Against England, Capello played 442 against the Germans. That was suicidal as there was no cover for the back and they were not helped by the performance from John Terry. JT mis-judged the air ball for the first goal, making Upson look absolutely like a smuck!
The second? Not mention by most, JT came rushing out against the German player (forgot who) like a headless chicken. That was almost closed to half away line. Did JT needed to make that rash attempt to press the opponent so high up in the field? What was he? A center back, the last I recall. So because JT charged out like a headless chicken, he left a huge, huge hole in the middle, and wham bang thank you maam, Germany were up 2-0. Now if Capello had played a more modern 451 or some prefer calling it a 4-2-3-1, the back four could have gotten more cover.
The last 2 goals? Comical. England had the free-kicks but Germany scored!
Against Argentina, Maradona is not a coach. A good team motivator, yes. And yes, the team would probably die playing for him, but he was not a coach. His was hardly a football tactician who knows which is the best Argentian team. A pity simply because his country had so much talent.
How did Argentia lined up against Germany? He had Higuain up front flanked by the two wingers Di Maria and Maxi. Messi and Teves played behind Higuan. And this fantasy attacking line up was held by one Mascherano. Against lesser teams, like North Koreans, such a line-up would simply blow away the opponents. Against a lesser rigid teams like Germany, such a line-up was simply a luxury!
Germany got their deserved lead early. It was a superb free kick and Muller finished it superbly.
For the next hour or so, I thought Argentina was the slightly better team. And no, at that moment Argentina did not look like a team who was going to lose 4-0 at all. Germany got the second from counter attacking football after the hour, when Argentina chasing the game, Maradona got impatient. He urged for the equaliser. He wanted the equaliser. He wanted to show to the world, he's the football coach of a great Argentina team. And as he pushed his team more forward, he ultimately exposed his team at the back. And as seen in the England match previously, this Germany can play good counter attack football and they did just when Klose scored of the counter attack to put Gemany 2-0! Maradona then brought on more attackers and needless to say, the rest was history!
Yes, Germany deserved the win but I thought Maradona got his tactics wrong.
Bastian Schweinsteiger was clearly Germany best player.
So the final 4. Uruguay versus Holland and Spain versus Germany.
Holland will undoubtedly be the firm favourites. The Dutch is more organised, with less flair. Uruguay has this raw potential which I liked. And Diego Forlan is one the players who shone in this year's World Cup. I reckon, Forlan represents the Uruguayan team spirit and I am rooting for him to beat the Dutch.
Spain versus Germany would be a much better match. Yeah it should be more exciting. Xavi Alonso verus Bastian Schweinsteiger! That would be the key battle where the game is won or lost.
2 matches to win the World Cup!
Who will it be?
I dunno but I am rooting for Uruguay and Diego Forlan!
:D
ps: The Nike's Write The Future curse. Didn't all that was featured failed this summer? Co-incidence? Or a curse? :P
ps/ps: Spains were sort-of-featured in it... but... they were featured as losers... hmmmmmm....hmmmmmmm Read more...
FIFA World Cup: The Nike Curse
Friday, July 2, 2010
LOL! This is a superb compilation!
Remember the posting 2010 FIFA World Cup Star Player Prediction!? I highlighted NIKE's Write the Future Clip.
Let me paste it here again...
Now have a look at this clip....
ps: tonight's matches. I reckon both S.American teams should win! Read more...
FIFA World Cup: So far...
Friday, June 25, 2010
Phew! The group stages was awful! This was supposed to be the World Cup? Best teams in the world?
48 matches played. 101 goals scored and if you insist, that's 2.1 goals per match. Stats looked not bad but has the World Cup been exciting for you?
Has it been one that made you go..... fuyoooooooooohhhhh?!!
The closest and most exciting match was the second half between Slovakia and Italy.
The rest? Pretty poor.
Time for Africa? Wakakaka? Yeah right on.
I hope things do get better but judging from the Brazil/Portugal match, it is apparent that we could see teams playing in the knockout stages play not too lose. Yes, don't lose, don't get beaten. That's the key! That's the objective!
Which is why, I believe that the dreaded penalty kicks could play a decisive role in this year's World Cup.
Best player so far? Messi by miles.
Most attractive team to watch (lol.. I guess this means the most attack minded teams) is Argentina and Spain.
Most organised and disciplined? Brazil. (Portugal comes close. )
Flair versus team work and discipline? It has to be .... team work.
Yeah Brazil should win it.
But hey... I have not jump ship. Still ... trying... to find a reason to cheer for ........ England.
LOL!
FIFA World Cup: Poetic Justice
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Both the 2006 World Cup Finalist are out! France is out and Italy is out!
So the French got toasted and went home utterly disgraced but wasn't it poetic justice after Theirry Henry's utter handball cheat? Yup, for me, they clearly did not deserve to be in the final. They cheated to get to South Africe. Now they go home all disgraced.
Last night game between Slovakia and Italy was one of the most exciting matches of the World Cup and what was incredible was that I was flipping the channels like mad! At the very same time, when Italy looked all out at 2-0, they pulled one back, which meant all they needed was a goal. Then Slovakia scored another one. I thought the Italians were surely out. At very time, the epic tennis match was on the other channel! How could I not watch that tennis match when the score was 65-all? That feat would never, ever be repeated again. Trust me.
So here I was, flipping the channels like mad. Then incredibly, the Italians pulled another goal back. Down 3-2. There was still time to score another one and they actually did but unfortunately the goal was ruled offside!
But let me say this, as nail biting exciting as it was, the play acting from Slovakia was at its worst. It was really, really a pain to watch! Come on FIFA do something about all these play acting nonsense! This is not soccer!
Then I thought about the French toast again.
Hmm... what did the Italians do to the French in that final? remember the head butt from Zidane?
Ahaaa.... last night, Slovakia had obviously learned from the Italians! They dived and they feinted injuries but this time, the Italians, the masters, was at the receiving end!
Poetic justice.
That's all I would say.
FIFA World Cup: How Did He Miss?
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Did you see it? Did you?
Finally found the replay...
ps. if Yakuba scored.. Nigeria would have made it 2-2. Ironically Nigeria won a penalty kick and Yakuba scored from it.
ps/ps: it wasn't a good penalty at all, was it?
FIFA World Cup: Berkshire Won Big Bet On French Toast!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
It was not a shocker as the French team got toasted last night!
It was utter shambolical to say the least.
However did you know the following... Warren Buffet actually won a bet on the French!!!!
Yes... omigawd!
Here's the story...
- Buffett Wins World Cup Bet as France Falls to Host (Update2)
By Andrew Frye and Hugh Son
June 22 (Bloomberg) -- Warren Buffett won his bet against France in the World Cup when the 1998 champion was eliminated by South Africa.
France fell 2-1 to the host nation today, after drawing Uruguay and dropping 2-0 to Mexico. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. had sold insurance requiring the Omaha-based company to pay a client if France won the tournament, Buffett told CNBC in March.
“I think we’re going to lose 30 million bucks or something like that” if France wins, Buffett, Berkshire’s 79-year-old chief executive officer, said at the time. He didn’t say who purchased the coverage. An assistant to Buffett had no comment.
Ajit Jain, who runs one of Berkshire’s insurance units, sold the contract, Buffett told the business news channel in March. Berkshire has previously guaranteed against the potential cancellation of a college basketball tournament and a possible payout of $1 billion in a contest sponsored by PepsiCo Inc. The firm also sells coverage on natural disasters.
Jain “is known as the man to call when something both very large and unusual needs to be insured,” Buffett said in his annual letter to shareholders released Feb. 27.
“The odds of any one team out of 32 winning is very small, so you could determine the odds and see what the payoff would be,” said Gerald Martin, a finance professor at American University’s Kogod School of Business in Washington. “From a numerical standpoint, it was probably in his favor to take this bet. I’m sure he’ll smile when he sees the results.”
Consumer Refunds
Martin said Berkshire’s client could be any company that wanted to hedge against costs that would have been tied to a French victory.
Carrefour SA, Europe’s biggest retailer, had a promotion in which customers buying flat-screen televisions would have been reimbursed if France won the tournament, according to its website. Customers would have gotten half of the purchase refunded if the team made the final without winning the tournament. A spokeswoman for the Paris-based retailer declined to comment.
Jordan’s Furniture, a Massachusetts-based chain owned by Berkshire, repaid about 30,000 customers for purchases after the Boston Red Sox won baseball’s World Series in 2007. The firm had an insurance policy to cover costs of the promotion, CEO Eliot Tatelman said at the time.
Lloyd’s of London is also among insurers with coverage tied to soccer, CEO Richard Ward said today in an interview at Bloomberg headquarters in New York. Lloyd’s, the three century- old insurance market, has insured “a lot of the players” including former England soccer captain David Beckham, he said.
The World Cup is an international soccer competition that takes place every four years and is the most-watched sporting event.
Damn! Damn! Triple damn!
Uncle Buffy is now the oracle of soccer too! Read more...
FIFA World Cup: That French Mutiny!
Monday, June 21, 2010
Here is the French clip where French captain Patrice Evra clashed with Duverne :
On RoM: BREAKING NEWS: Evra Has Found His Traitor?
- Whilst France captain Patrice Evra found it unacceptable for Nicolas Anelka to brand the manager Domenech’s mother a whore, he was more frustrated about which person in the camp had sold the story to L’Equipe.
“We must eliminate the traitor from the group, because he wants to hurt the team,” said Evra. “There is no little mouse in the locker room, this comes from someone who is on the team and wants to hurt the team.”
Fitness coach Robert Duverne is rumoured to be the traitor Evra was on the hunt for. After arriving at training today, Evra and Duverne had a row and Domenech had to pull them apart, before the coach threw his accreditation badge to the ground and stormed off.
The players then boarded the bus and drove away from the training ground back to the hotel.
France team director Jean-Louis Valentin has now resigned, so embarrassed is he by the current state of affairs.
“It’s a scandal for the French, for the young people here. It’s a scandal for the federation and the French team,” Valentin said. “They don’t want to train. It’s unacceptable. As for me, it’s over. I’m leaving the federation. I’m sickened and disgusted.”
Domenech read a statement to the press which claimed “All players without exception want to declare their opposition to FFF decision to exclude Nicolas Anelka.” Although, they are forgetting that Anelka was given the opportunity to apologise the day after the incident, but refused, leaving the FFF with no other option. They have also vowed to give a “positive performance” in their final group stage match against South Africa, and will do everything they can to ensure that “France regains its honour.” Oh dear.
edit: Evra has since claimed his argument with Duverne was unrelated to the issue of the traitor amongst them
FIFA World Cup: Cheating Scumbag Keita Spoils Brazilian Samba
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Fabiiiiiiiiiiiiiano!
1st Goal
2nd Goal
* That was not one handball but two handball.. yes? *
And Keita? Bloody hell... he had disgraced the Ivory Coast in front of millions and millions of sporting fans. This was utterly shambolic!
He barges into Kaka and then falls like a bloody sissy or pondan! WTF!
Sportsmanship at its ugliest!
And if FIFA has any integrity left, it should ban Keita from football indefinately!
Comeon.. wtf... 3-1... 88th minute... game's lost... why on earth does he want to do that? Especially to a player like Kaka?
Felt so disgusted!
Keita act of shame!
Read more...
FIFA World Cup: England Were Rubbish!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Oh gawd! Yet another typical horrific performance by England and here's the good news for France.... here's another team as bad as you.
Seriously? It was a torture watching them last night. Absolute torture. If you thought the USA match was poor, this one beats it hands down.
So where should I start?
Rooney was pathetic last night. Yes, he was! And to think I thought he could be one of the possible star of the World Cup. Perhaps he has not been the player since he was injured but his touches were so poor. Goodness me. He was absolutely terrible.
Was Rooney the only player that was poor last night?
Sadly no.
The whole English team were shambolic!
They could not even make simple passes. That was how bad England was.
At this rate, it would need a miracle just to even qualify for the round of 16!
FIFA World Cup: The Tale Of Two Dopey Coaches
Thursday, June 17, 2010
First the French got well beaten by the Mexicans 2-0.
Tthe absolute clueless French team managed by Raymond Domenech was outrageously poor and was humiliated. It will become the future soccer classroom example to highlight the fact that a team with a couple of good players can look really, really poor if managed by a dumb coach who knows absolutely nothing about what he was doing. ( Some would push Liverpool, managed by the dopey Rafa Benitez with the likes of Torres and Gerrard finishing a dismal 7th last season as the perfect example)
The Mexicans were clearly better and they should been ahead by half time and they needed the introduction of Man United's new signing, Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez, to open the scoring. Chicharito did not start but soon after coming on as a sub, he beat the offside trap and skipped round the French keeper to put Mexico ahead. Blanco finished off the French with a well taken penalty in the 80th minute.
2-0!
See ya Roger!
ps: some called it Karma that the French was humiliated by a team wearing green. Ya.. do you remember what you did Theiry?
In the earlier match, Juan Sebastian Veron became the main reason why Maradona got it right and why Argentina strolled to an easy 4-1 victory over the South Koreans.
No it wasn't no canny decision or a stroke of master class. Veron wasn't fully fit and so Maradona was forced to make changes, so in came, Maxi Rodriguez.
This change made Argentina more fluid and the team have finally found a heart beat!
And in the center of the heart was Messi and Tevez, backed by Mascherano. This is way more solid than a Veron/Mascherano combination we saw against Nigeria.
Angel Di Maria looked much better on the left and Maxi was on the right, and hatrick hero, Gonzalo Higuan played lone striker with Messi surging into the box at every possible opportunity.
I am impressed.
This team looks way too awesome when they attack. Even Sergio Aguero was such a threat when he come on for Tevez!
The Argentina team looks more solid now and Messi is certainly the star of the World Cup at the moment. Pity he no goals to the name but I am sure Messi would not mind it at all if Argentina does well and win the tournament!
But there will be some sceptics. Will Maradona continue to get his team selection right? And it's clear that Argentina defense is shaky and unreliable.
Can a team with no defense win the World Cup?
FIFA World Cup: Omar Hitzfeld and Switzerland Shows The World That Spain Is Beatable!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
The World Cup finally came alive... for me.
The Hondorus vs Chile match was quite a bore... but thank goodness for Chilean attacking midfielder, Alexis Sanchez, who plays for Udinese.
Here is a clip of him.
Then game the match everyone was waiting for. As you know, the World Cup has been rather awful and everyone was waiting for Spain to play and show the World Cup why they are strong favourites. As stated in the posting 2010 FIFA World Cup Star Player Prediction!, I had a strange feeling Spain would disappoint, and they did just that.
With coach Vicente del Bosque electing not to start Torres, Spain lacked that something special to win. Yes, they created countless openings in the match but they had no finishing. The Spanish movement was slick, especially Iniesta. A joy to watch but they just could not score. Once Switzerland scrambled in their goal, a goal which was bizarrely comical to say the least, del Bosque finally brought in Torres.
Spain was missing Torres but Torres was missing his form!!
Torres looked so out of sort, and I would dare say many thanks to Rafa Benetiz's last horrific management of Liverpool. I felt Torres had a worn out and horrible season, a season plagued with injuries, saddled with Liverpool's poor form. And sadly, it appeared to me, Torres came on as an out-of-sorts Liverpool player and not as a Spanish warrior!
Torres had one great chance, he slickly turned a defender right at the penalty spot, magically giving him that space in the penalty spot. Right at the penalty box and one would have bet the house that Torres would score but sadly his shot was .... lame, straight at the keeper!! At his peak, Torres would have buried that opportunity without a shadow of a doubt.
Then there was a headed cross from David Villa to Torres. And Torres, who was right in front of goal was shockingly slow to react to the chance, a chance he would have buried yet again when he was on form. The cameras then caught David Villa reaction. Villa simply looked bewildered. Torres did not even move!
Oh yeah, Alonso did hit a cracker against the post but so did Switzerland.
And Switz coach, Omar Hitzfeld, showed the world why he's still one of the top coach. Bravo!
Yeah, Diego Forlan scored a brace as Uruguay beat South Africa. I fell asleep! LOL!
But it's good to see that happen. I did not like how South Africe played. They chose to play on the counter attack. Very negative. Glad to see them lose! Read more...
FIFA World Cup: England Wasn't Good Enough To Beat USA
Saturday, June 12, 2010
South Korea 2 Greece 0
South Korean were the first match winner in this year's World Cup. They won because they were fitter and more organised or they won because Greece was really poor? Me think both!
Argentina 1 Nigeria 0
Argentina scored early. Juan Sebastian Veron send a corner across the penalty box. Heinz went in unchallenged and send a diving header in. ( Where's the defender marking Heinz? )
Lionel Messi is back! What magic!
At this rate, he could be the star of this year's World Cup.
Hats of to Enyeama! He was superb at goal for Nigeria. He was the only reason Messi did not score!
But Messi biggest obstacle is surely Maradona.
This Argentina team is gonna play some fantasy football but the team has a very weak engine room. Veron had a poor match. His passes were generally poor and with such an engine room, a well organised team, like the current Brazil team, could easily thrash the daylights of Argentina if Argentina continued playing like how they played against Nigeria. Yes, I do not think this team has the steel to win it. If Argentina had a real coach, this World Cup is theirs for the taking.
Angel Di Maria was a disappointment. I was hoping that he would show why he's so highly rated!
England 1 United States 1
Green monster. I had hoped for Hart to play in goal but apparently Capello had more confidence in Green.
I did not like the team selection for England.
I would have played Cole and Rooney.
Rooney had no service last night and was forced to search for the ball from a much deeper position. Rooney should be up higher to be more effective. Milner was poor and thank goodness Capello took him off after 30 mins! But then SWP was a joke on the left wing. Lampard was largely missing and Gerrard looks uncomfortable sitting back.
England needs Gareth Barry back badly!
Tonight's matches...
Ok. That sounds too exciting. LOL!
My call?
Algeria and Slovenia to draw. Germany and Australia to draw too! And Serbia to beat Ghana.
Player focus tonight is Milos Krasic of Serbia.
:D
Read more...FIFA World Cup: Predictions: England vs USA, Argentina vs Nigeria and S.Korea vs Greece
Friday, June 11, 2010
Tonight's triple headers.
Previews from skysports.
I know too little on the first match but since Park Ji Sung playes for Man United, heck, I will be biased on tip for South Korea to win! LOL! It's still better than flipping coins.
Yeah, my biased prediction calls for South Korean to kick ass. :P
Did you see Ji Sung's scissors kick in training?
Yeah, it's all so easy in training. There's no rush in the ball at all and there's no onw trying to knock you off the stride. :P
Argentina vs Nigeria. This is one match I be very interested in. Without a shadow of a doubt, the Argentina team is probably the most skillful squad in the World Cup but as mentioned many times before, they got Maradona, the unqualified coach who's looking more like a joker of the World Cup. ( Did you watch the clip: FIFA World Cup: Maradonna Says Bend Over If You Lose!! )
Having said that, they have Messi and they have Tevez. Oh I missed out Gonzalo Higuain and Inter's Champions League hero, Diego Milito. What awesome firepower. And did I missed out Sergio Aguero?
And like many, I am shocked to see Juan Sebastian Veron back for Argentina. No doubt he had the skills but does Veron still have it? At 35, can Veron conjure the magic for Maradona? I would have loved to see Riquelme or Cambiasso but apparently Maradona reckons not.
For me, the key for Maradona is can Mascherano be the perfect water carrier for Veron to conjure the magic to allow the best player in the world, Lionel Messi to shine in this year's world cup?
Or simply put, can a talented team overcome the handicap of a clueless coach?
We shall see.
My call? I think Argentina should win.
England vs USA.
3 words. England will win. :D
LOL! LOL! What else do you want to see me write?
Having said that, I would love to see Hart start. I hope Gareth Barry is fully fit and I hope to see a Joe Cole/Wayne Rooney partnership.
And I do hope Rooney scores.
Many have said many times before that football is a game of confidence and the more you win, the better you get. And I believe Rooney needs to score tonight. It will really kick start Rooney's tournament and England's chances in the World Cup.
Comeon Rooney, net a brace.... show the world that you really are the best player, this year!
You deserved it.
There you have it... the predictions... for tonight's matches. Think I am wrong? Comeon.. let's hear it from you! :D
Read more...FIFA World Cup: Opening Draws
That first goal scored is gonna be one of the best in a World Cup!
What a way to start the 2010 FIFA World Cup!
Tshabalala!!! Tshabalala !!! My heart goes shalala... shalala....
Having said that, I though Mexico should have done much better. If the finishing was anything world class, Mexico should have won by at least 2 clear goals but let's not take anything from Tshabalala! What a superb shot. He just hit it as hard as he could. Top corner!
Uruguay held France to a scoreless draw. It was a disappointing match. Clearly without a shadow of a doubt, the French had the skills but with their coach, the draw was expected. They had the ball, they had the skills but they were absolutely clueless on how to beat an average but well organised Uruguayan team. Totally inept and managed by the absolute clueless Raymond Domenech!
So after the first night of World Cup, I am now 1 for 1. Got the call correct on Mexico but lost out on the French. Perhaps I should have stated that the French (the match favourite) would not beat Uruguay. :P ( Wanna challenge? Stay tuned. :P
Match reports:
Read more...
FIFA World Cup: Maradonna Says Bend Over If You Lose!!
Clearly without a shadow of a doubt that Argentina's biggest problem is Maradona. What a pity!
Saw this article: Ready. Aim. Fire! Diego lines up his Argentina squad
- We are expecting fireworks on the touchline on South Africa and the inexperienced coach has already introduced a training technique that is unlikely to be copied by the likes of Fabio Capello, Marcelo Lippi or Vicente del Bosque.
In Argentina’s latest training session the Napoli legend pulled half of his squad into one of the goals and ordered the other players to shoot footballs at himself and a host of other players including Javier Mascherano, Martin Palermo and Jonas Gutierrez.
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