Zee Monday, June 21st, 2010

Tomorrow's Fixtures/(PREDICTIONS! - IN BRACKETS! These are NOT final scores yet! hahah):

FRANCE (2)v(1) South Africa - FRANCE & S.A. TO BE ELIMINATED!
Mexico (2)v(2) Uruguay - BOTH TEAMS TO QUALIFY!
*Greece (0)v(2) ARGENTINA* - ARGIES TO FINISH TOP OF B! GREECE OUT!
Nigeria (0)v(2) SOUTH KOREA - S.K. TO GO THROUGH!? NIGERIA OUT!

33 06/22 22:00 勒斯滕堡 墨西哥-烏拉圭
34 06/22 22:00 布隆泉 法國-南非
35 06/23 02:30 德班 奈及利亞-南韓
36 06/23 02:30 波羅克瓦尼 希臘-阿根廷

37 06/23 22:00 伊莉莎白港(曼德拉灣) 斯洛維尼亞-英格蘭
38 06/23 22:00 茨瓦內 美國-阿爾及利亞
39 06/24 02:30 約翰尼斯堡(足球之城) 迦納-德國
40 06/24 02:30 內爾斯普雷特 澳洲-塞爾維亞

41 06/24 22:00 約翰尼斯堡(艾理斯公園) 斯洛伐克-義大利
42 06/24 22:00 波羅克瓦尼 巴拉圭-紐西蘭
43 06/25 02:30 勒斯滕堡 丹麥-日本
44 06/25 02:30 開普敦 喀麥隆-荷蘭

45 06/25 22:00 德班 葡萄牙-巴西
46 06/25 22:00 內爾斯普雷特 北韓-象牙海岸
47 06/26 02:30 茨瓦內 智利-西班牙
48 06/26 02:30 布隆泉 瑞士-宏都拉斯


The scoreboard says it all as Portugal do some 'nuking' for themselves by thrashing N.Korea 7-0, eliminating them from the tournament.

Wow! The 2010 FIFA World Cup threw on its first thrashing today, almost to make up for that slow and scoreless start that it made. A Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired Portugal took the credit by humiliating the stubborn N.Koreans, hitting them for SEVEN. It was made that much more of a surprise because of how well the Asians did in the first half, with a tight defence keeping it down to only 1-0. But yeh, like us all, I don't think anyone fancies anymore upsets, we all just wanted something to feast on. And we got it! Ronaldo should by no means take all the credit, he was unusually subdued at times. It was more of a devastating team-performance by the Portuguese, with a few individuals in particular having World Class games. A game that will live long in the memory. Chile also served up a spicy game in the second match of the day -an end-to-end epic ended in a 1-0 triumph for the South Americans. And a game that could've beaten Portugal's 7 didn't quite do it as Spain strolled past Honduras in a very one-sided 2-0 victory. Man, I Love football!

PORTUGAL 7 (SEVEN!)-0 NORTH KOREA (N.K. ELIMINATED)


Ronaldo inadvertantly controls with his head before tapping in Portugal's 6th in a 7-0 rout, one of the best performances so far.


The Portuguese displayed share class, individual brilliance, cunning skills and best of all, finally gelled like clock-work as a team to hit a stunning seven goals passed a hapless North Korean team today. It didn't start off that way, 6 of the 7 were scored as N.K. fell apart in the second-half. They actually had some legitamate chances and were a threat all over the field in the first half. Their share cameraderie hustled the Europeans and kept the score down at a respectable 1-0, with people wondering whether even that was deserved. In the end though, style overcame substance. The Portuguese made a few changes to the side that frustratingly began with a draw against Ivory Coast. Miguel, Tiago Mendes, Simao Sabrosa and Huga Almeida all started today and the notable absentee was DECO, who spoke out in the week about poor decisions made by coach Quieroz. His non-involvment was put down to an 'injury'. Sure. In a tight-ish beginning, the outstading RICARDO CARVALHO had the first real chance in the game, heading a corner right against the post. He had an amazing game today. I know he wasn't really playing against high-class opposition but the pure swagger and calm in his play made him shine. It's a shame he doesn't do this well for Chelsea when he plays stiffer opposition. Similarly, one of N.K's best players today was Right-Back CHA JONG-HYOK who got forward with pace, strength and determination alot in this first half. He was instrumental in his teams first opportunity as well - hitting a stinging shot just wide of Eduardo's lefthand post. Defenders the best in the game so far? Man, how the tale would turn. Portugal still inevitably had all the posession and their slow, energy-sapping style finally broke N.K. in the 29th minute. Tiago rolled through a world-class through ball into the path of RAUL MEIRELES who did the rest by tucking it away neatly. Finally the rain had stopped, but the N.Korean floodgates were about to open up pretty soon. The just about kept them shut for the remainder of the 1st half, but they were dead and buried only 8 minutes into the second. Good build up play by Almeida and the active Meireles allowed them to open up a shot for SIMAO who blasted home a low shot, and it was game set and match with 5 goals to go! With North Korean heads going down, it was 3-0 just 3 minutes later. And here, im going to put in a shout out for a very special player who was my Man-of-the-Match today - FABIO COENTRAO. Not only did he put in a superb cross for HUGO ALMEIDA to score, but all day he was up and down that left flank like a racehorse, using power, pace and pure agility while linking up well with talismanic Ronaldo. Don't be surpised if he's snapped up by someone big after this. Four minutes later, it was 4-0. Portugal were rampant and gave me nothing else to write about but goals. Literally 2 minutes after kick off, Ronaldo, helped by Coentrao made a terrific dart down the left-channel were he patiently bidded by his time to find the perfectly-placed TIAGO who rolled in a 4th. Unreal. You didn't have time to blink.
I can't remember NK having a touch after this, so I'll hit up the fifth goal now, scored after Ronaldo thrashed a thunderous shot against the bar. His moment would come later but LIEDSON scored the 5th, a defensive mistake allowed him in to crash home. Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for. He ran the show in the second half and after yet another NK slip-up allowing him through, CRISTIANO RONALDO twice controlled the ball on his head and tapped home. Jubilation! There was even time for a 7th - a glossy finish. Sub' Veloso's cross was headed home by Tiago for his 2nd, NK were again like most of the second half were no where. What a performance. Coentrao, Ronaldo, Tiago, Carvalho - you won't get any easier games and I think you'll head home after the last 16, but thanks for the memories! It's goodbye to North Korea, no one will forget them either, while Portugal are pretty much there. Damn, 7 takes alot outta you!



CHILE 1-0 SWITZERLAND


Mark Gonzales celebrates breaking the deadlock in Chile's tight-as-hell 1-0 victory over Switzerland today.





From a one-sided game, to one that couldn't be more open, as two teams sizzling from last week's wins in Group H went head to head. With the pitch lit with fine individuals on either side again, this had all the hall marks of an end to end, great game. It always is when Switzerland are in town anyway! This game was brilliant for the neutrals as it was basically a strong-ass attack (Chile) against surprisingly, one of the best defences in the world - Switzerland. The Swiss, after the 67th minute mark in this game, broke a record for the longest amount of time without conceding a World Cup goal..which they could only stretch by 8 minutes. The last time they conceded before today was in the 1994 World Cup! Unfortunately, another source of influence in this game was HOMO UAE REFEREE KHALIL AL-GHAMDI, who dished out an astonishing 9 Yellow cards and 1 Red! Toolbag. Humberto Suazo who came with a big reputation for scoring most goals for Chile, disappointed today, and he was booked within 60 seconds. Talk about setting the tone! With goal chances few and far between in the first half hour, the only thing of note to report was these ridiculous bookings. 2 or 3 avoidable ones took place before the inevitable red was popped out by Ghamdi. West Ham's VALON BEHRAMI was adjudged to have slapped away Arturo Vidal as he tackled from behind. The Swiss were annoyed, and to be honest it did look soft. Ghamdi just had to do it. As a result of this, the Swiss became even more defencive, taking of main-striker Alex Frei. Chile wanted to take advantage of their one extra man, and Vidal and Carlos Carmona were both denied by brillaint saves from Swiss goalie Diego Benaglio. Suazo was subbed in the second half, and without a doubt, Chile's main man now was ALEXIS SANCHEZ who continues to be linked with Real Madrid. The pacy winger caused unrest all day for the Swiss and thought he'd scored but was offside in the opening moments of the second-half. MARK GONZALES who I told you to look out for from last time, also came on for the second half and eventually broke the dead-lock after a couple of good chances. It was inevitable, Chile's attack livened this match and the Swiss at times couldn't cope with only 10 men. The lively ESTEBAN PAREDES bore down on goal but was forced wide by Benaglio who was now out of goal. Paredes's cross managed to find the head of Gonzales who's header bounced in off the bar. A deserved lead. Paredes could've killed the game off with 2 good chances of his own but this miss of the match goes to ERIN DERDIYOK who missed with an open-shot with the goal at his mercy just 12 yards out. Damn. That would'a been harsh on Chile though. They're nearly there, and so they should be! I told you my player predictions were good...now watch out for JEAN BEAUSEJOUR - supplier of awesome crosses!



SPAIN 2-0 HONDURAS


David Villa and Fernando Torres celebrate in relief more than joy as the former's brace helped secure a 2-0 Spanish victory, vital in a tightly locked Group H!




Spain owned this game better than Portugal owned N.Korea today. They definitely had much more of the ball, didn't have to deal with a tight first half, had chances galore yet it only remained 2-0. As the commentator suggested, it was 'class, without execution'. Spot on, man. The ball just didn't want to go in sometimes, and it was played so much in the Honduras half that you got more familiar with defensive names such as Chavez & Izaguirre than the attacking 'prowess' of David Suazo & Martinez. Goal difference could well count with the tightness of points in this Group. Lets just hope that Spain won't be kicking themselves in a few days! Jesus Navas was rewarded for a good promising display in last weeks Swiss defeat by starting tonight, alongside the out-of-form FERNANDO TORRES. Barcelona new-boy DAVID VILLA would be the main danger man to begin with. He first hit a stupendous 25-yard effort against the crossbar, before finally having his moment of magic to dazzle the world, just 2 minutes later on 17. Trapped in between two defenders, he managed to ghost past them using quick feet, strength and pure desire to get it right for Spain, eventually getting into the box and curling in an unstoppable effort past Valladares in goal. Easily my 'Goal of the Day', heck, it was a Goal of the Tournament contender, despite Portugal's 7. €40 Million well spent, Barca!
Honduras were without reply to this barrage of attacks. SERGIO RAMOS did fantastically again for Spain, running the show down the right and always putting in crosses, first missed by Xavi, then 2 decent chances missed by Fernando Torres. He needs to find his scoring touch to help Spain go far. The pressure is on, and he won't get it as easy as Honduras every week.
The second-half was probably even more conclusive than the first. Just 6 minutes in, XAVI fed Villa again just outside the box, his shot defelcted off of Chavez and into the roof of the net. Game over, so was the goalscoring, which was a pity. Ramos fired just wide after this, and seconds later, Villa had the perfect chance to bag a hatrick. The abysmal Izaguirre blatently fouled the impressive Navas on the edge of the area, and you have to say, Villa didn't look confident depsire scoring 2. He fired jus wide of the right hand post and struck it low. Close but no cigar, he was pissed. Del Bosque' reignited some fire into the game by introducing, FINALLY...my star-man - CESC FABREGAS off the bench, to huge applause. Just seconds in he could've scored, he rounded Valladares only to see his effort blocked off the line. Man, that would'a been fairytail shit! Villa had another couple chances, but Spain looked okay with 2 in the end. So they're not through yet, but incredibly, Honduras aren't out yet either (they will be on Friday!), and Chile need only a point against Spain to qualify. Locked group! Switzerland will probably beat Honduras next week which means that Spain have to win that key game against Chile - and take their opportunities well. Goal difference will count, as all teams look likely to finish on 6 points. It promises to be an awesome end to Group H. Stay tuned! Oh and if you're asking me, Spain will finish first, and Chile second. But then again...my predictions are as good as Villa's penalties!

---------------------16強淘汰賽----------------
49 06/26 22:00 伊莉莎白港(曼德拉灣) A1-B2
50 06/27 02:30 勒斯滕堡 C1-D2
51 06/27 22:00 布隆泉 D1-C2
52 06/28 02:30 約翰尼斯堡(足球之城) B1-A2
53 06/28 22:00 德班 E1-F2
54 06/29 02:30 約翰尼斯堡(艾理斯公園) G1-H2
55 06/29 22:00 茨瓦內 F1-E2
56 06/30 02:30 開普敦 H1-G2
--------------------8強淘汰賽-------------------
57 07/02 22:00 伊莉莎白港(曼德拉灣) 53W-54W
58 07/03 02:30 約翰尼斯堡(足球之城) 49W-50W
59 07/03 22:00 開普敦 52W-51W
60 07/04 02:30 約翰尼斯堡(艾理斯公園) 55W-56W
-------------------------Final Four-----------------------------------------
61 07/07 02:30 開普敦          58W-57W
62 07/08 02:30 德班 59W-60W
63 07/11 02:30 伊莉莎白港(曼德拉灣) 61L-62L
64 07/12 02:30 約翰尼斯堡(足球之城) 61W-62W
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