World Cup Between 19 and 26th of June, 2010

Image via Wikipedia

After the brilliant start by Brazil and Argentina, I had to take a break, as my friend said, to be in suspended animation state, alongside some of other equally loyal followers of Jogo Bonito. Four days of revelry, where the matches were seen, assimilated and debated upon in various stages of self induced comatose, made me less confident on saying about them, and far less on writing. I was seeing Brazil win their second match in a brilliant fashion, and suddenly it is all hush for “any team other than Brazil” fans. Luis Fabiano scored twice - a fine first-half strike, then a second goal which Elano slotted in ahead of Didier Drogba's headed consolation. Kaka was sent off. Brazil missed him in the final match with Portugal. France was showing signs of tension, and suddenly all those broke lose, and national pride was put aside for personal prides. Last editions champions, and still looking like that, Italy was forever finding it difficult to score. They were making my predictions go awry. I should have been more confident about my opinions rather than about the opinions of azzuri fans. Well, I was also wrong. Cote D'Ivoire didn't get through, because I didn't want cocky Ronaldo to have the fun. Biased. And the great chokers, Furio Roja – Spanish team, also failed to impress, barely scrapping through. Anyway, rest of the matches were mainly dysfunctional. Brazil versus Portugal was a drab affair, with Brazil not knowing why they were not being allowed to score a goal in the first half, and going all frustrated in the second half. Portugal did not want to win, neither wanted to lose, they just played on. A boring game from Ronaldo as usual. Why is this guy not making his critics eat their words like Messi. Lionel Messi strives hard, and with captains arm band in the final group match, he was trying to make it right for his countrymen. This is where the glory of world cup comes. If shock exits are there, then their absence will be made up by shock presence of Slovakia. Slovaks played brilliantly to reach final 16. Switzerland after shocking Spain went back to their goggle scorelines, which made them see the door. Spain topped the group on goal difference, while Chile finished 2^nd. A fine line up of matches to come.

South Korea and Uruguay at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, June 26, 2010

The first of Knock out match between Uruguay and South Korea was simply outstanding. The Korean conceded a goal in the first half itself, and from then on started putting pressure on a Uruguayan team which was content with playing for 1-0 win. It started to rain too, heavily, making life difficult for the goalies first, and the players later. Koreans made it 1-1 with twenty minutes to go, with a great set piece and poor goal keeping. A long through ball, missed by a weak finish by Lee Dong-Gook(i guess). A chance missed, which might not come again. Koreans are making fun of Uruguayan defense, making outrageous passes, splitting the defense and even making Homer Simpson in Nike ad look better than the Uruguayan defense. Suddenly Uruguay wakes up, starts attacking again, though they take some time to get into an attacking mode. Ten minutes later, a brilliant right foot shot from Suares(who scored the first goal also) curves into the far post, hits the inside of bar and goes in. 2-1. Korea is one goal behind again, and with another ten minutes to go, they start attacks afresh. Another through ball, Terrible football, Lee Dong-gook is one on one after accepting Kim's pass with a cute first touch, but his shot is scuffed and straight at Muslera. The wet ball slips through, Lugano manages to get back and scramble clear. Final minutes with 3 extra minutes for stoppage time. Koreans scramble for an equaliser. Duri tries everything, his impatience seen in each throw taken. There is no imagination, only plain attack. Forlan controls the center while Lugano holds fort. In the end, Uruguay wins even though heart goes out to the way Koreans played.

Uruguay 2(Suares) – South Korea 1(Lee Chungyong)