New Zealand Wins(hearts) against Slovakia(as the game ends in a draw)

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New Zealand V/s Slovakia, June 15, 2010, Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg.

The first of the three games on 15^th was was a pass over match, while the wait was was for big guns – Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast. 

The game started as expected – dour. I was sleeping hardheartedly because whatever the team, I could not miss the excitement. The view was particularly more exciting – lying down, with the television perpendicular to vision, and the players in South African sun having their shadows on the ground, and my mind wanting to think the shadow being erect player and the white and blue guys as colorful shadows on multicolored background. There was mistimed passes which were taken by other team only to be given away again, but both teams ran their heart off in the first half. There was nothing to display in the score line for all their efforts because game was always beyond the box of either teams. A few moments of lightness, when a Slovak player named Czech was called by commentator as 'Check ov' Slovakia' which will anger at least a few Slovaks, but made the match a bit more enjoyable. Few times, Slovaks who were supposed to be better team, beat Kiwis in speed and made few noises. The second half started and within five minutes, a goal was conceded by Kiwis, Vitek scored. Nothing could stop the Slovaks now. The game was progressing towards full time, with extra time time added and score line still read, Slovaks are ahead. In the final 60 seconds of the game, a goal from Kiwis, from a Winston Reed header equalized the score. 

What an energy it gave to the match. The stands were all up and jumping with blue flags of New Zealand. The referee had to book the winner for his over celebration, but nobody minded, Kiwis, the least. The final whistle blew and the camera gave a close up of Nelson hugging Reid, for a gay long time, which summarized the happiness of Kiwis. In the end, as is always said, Football won.

New Zealand 1(Reid) – Slovakia 1(Vitek)

FIFA WC 2010 Predictions

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All the teams has heard the Vuvuzuelas in action, and taken to field once. There has been lots of predictions, but for fans, they don't care about that, they need their team to win. So predictions by fans was more based on heart rather than mind. Mine is rooting for Brazil. Malayalis support Argentina and Brazil in large numbers. A minority support Netherlands(some because of peculiar hatred towards brilliance of Brazil, and some for their past brilliance), Spain and Italy(because of the wonderful La Liga and Serie A respectively) and England(due to over hyped EPL).

While predictions are normally made before the matches/tournaments, this one is done after one leg of matches already being over. Now that is settled which all teams are better than the rest on papers, the match on stage is altogether different matter. You have these nerves getting better of even the great teams; Dutch stumbled twice, Spain have faltered to deceive over the years, Italy does it occasionally. Only Brazil and Argentina delivers scintillating stuff time and again. Now predictions says Spain, with their unbeaten run in the build up to big stage and Brazil, ranked no. 1, are favorites. Argentina has loads of talent. France and Italy are doubted even by their countrymen and fans. England is not to be said of until they do something.

So all said and done, to the main thing. I am going to predict group winners, quarterfinals and the main play offs. I am sure to be biased; then it is emotions that rule here. So here we go.

(To be read as Group winners and runner up, in the order)

Group A : Uruguay and Mexico

Group B: Argentina and South Korea

Group C: England and USA

Group D: Germany and Ghana

Group E: Netherlands and Japan

Group F: Italy and Paraguay

Group G: Brazil and Cote D'Ivoire

Group H: Spain and Chile

A very biased list but this might just happen. My reservation is only about Group C. Now to the play offs for quarter-finalists.

Uruguay V/s South Korea: Winner South Korea. South Korea has more probability, because of their better fitness and defense. Uruguay is better in center but think Korean defense can hold out.

England V/s Ghana: Winner Ghana. Ghana is more likely. England is superior team on paper, but the center forwards are woefully unimaginative. If Rooney can do some magic, and a run like Owen did in 98 world cup, may just see them through. Till then Ghana is better team.

Germany V/s USA: Winner Germany. Again this match will happen if USA takes second place. They may even take first place, not because of talent but because of their heart. Germany is a superb team. They can take on anyone from Group C and win easily. So that is not a problem for predicting the outcome of this match.

Argentina V/s Mexico: Winner Argentina. Out right winner, because of the need to see them meet my team sometime. They are better team than Mexico on any day. and the way french are playing leaves any one who has bet on them sweating.

Netherlands V/s Paraguay: Winner Netherlands. Netherlands has to pick up their stuff if they are to take on Paraguay. Paraguay has a good defense and goal keeper. Tough game but Dutch might pull it off. Arjen Robben should be fit by then. They will need him in semis.

Brazil V/s Chile: Winner Brazil. Nothing to discuss. We shall win.

Italy V/s Japan: Winner Japan. Japan is a good team. They have superb speed, fitness above any team, and a very ritualistic tradition. Only injury and yellow/red cards may prevent them from further glory.

Spain V/s Cote D'Ivoire: Winner Cote D'Ivoire. Spain with all their stars will find it tough to be able to get pass the defense of Tourre brothers and brilliance of Drogba. The only game in last 16 with high unpredictability. Still my bet is for Cote D'Ivoire.

Quarterfinals:

First Quarterfinal: Brazil V/s Netherlands. This will be a great match. If Arjen Robben is fit to play, and Van Persie and Van Bronkhorst shows their talents, Brazil will have tough time. Still winner: Brazil.

Second Quarterfinal: South Korea V/s Ghana. Who will win. Why should these teams be here in the first place. They have played and came better against equally good teams. Who will go through is even doubtful for me. I still believe in South Koreans. Tough bet. Still. One team has to be predicted to win.

Third Quarterfinal: Germany V/s Argentina. The second toughest match of the tournament(first one is yet to be played), yet Argentina will win. They will need all the luck, great ball play from Messi and everyone.

Fourth Quarterfinal: Japan V/s Cote D'Ivoire. Cote D'Ivoire. A game which should be in advantage for Ivory Coast. The team looks so good. Only worries are injuries, and bookings because of their tough playing style.

Semifinals:

First Semifinal: Brazil V/s Ghana. Winner - Brazil.

Second Semifinal: Argentina V/s Cote D'Ivoire. Winner - Argentina.

Finals:

Argentina V/s Brazil. 

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• 2010 FIFA World Cup: Predictions After Two Games (bleacherreport.com)

Italy V/s Paraguay; June 14, 2010, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town

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Italy versus Paraguay. World champions Italy came into this world cup with an aged squad with as many as 9 players from last world cup winning squad playing this year also. They don't have a play maker like Totti. Still, they were supposed to win this match easily.

The match started with Italians raiding the Paraguayan goal post again and again. The Paraguayan defense was up to it, taking the ball from Italians and firing it back in counter attack. Both teams played aggressively, all players played great, even the miss timed passes were over looked because the pass was intersected beautifully and counter attack launched immediately. Around 20 minutes into the game, torrential rain started to pour down in cape town, and immediately, the game changed into different mode. Paraguay started making good attacks into Italian defense. One particular ball which was given to Montevilo was lost due to lack of confidence in the player. Pepe played great. And then Italian opera started. The Italian players started to tumble down on imaginary feet. The Paraguayans rather than worrying about this started playing good football. If Italians got ball, they came on the ball like a pack of wolves, and squeezed the ball from the Italians. Paraguay got a free kick at 40 yards and Torres gave a good curling ball into the penalty area, where the Alcarez out jumped an old Cannavaro, who I remember heading off even more dangerous free kicks in last world cup, and the ball went inside the goal post, and Buffon could only stand like Homer Simpson in Nike ad. Italians started to worry but slowly and surely, Paraguay took the game from Italians. Marcello Lippi started to look dejected in the box. The half time whistle came and Italians needed that break. Paraguayan players got together in a team huddle and looked forward for the win.

After the half time, a charged Italian team started their counter attacks, with Lippi changing Buffon with Marchetti, and getting in Cameronesi, to get a more sweeping attacks along with Zambarotta. A set piece 20 minutes into the second half, taken quickly by Pepe found a glaring hole in penalty box which was taken happily by De Rossi, and Italy equalized. Now it was Paraguay's turn. They decided to bring in experienced striker Roque Santa Cruz to try and get one more inside Italy's bars. Paraguayan defenders especially Valdes, Bonet and Morell had tough time checking Zambarotta and Pepe, while Vera tried the famed Italian defense. Caceres was living dangerously while getting a yellow card, and saving one too many potential goals for Italians. Both coaches wanted a win, bringing in their in form strikers – Di Natale for Italy and Cardozo for Paraguay. The final minutes were going to be exciting. Villar, captain and goal keeper of Paraguay, was not going to make anymore mistakes taking in all the balls firmly in both hands, denying Pepe time and again, both with set piece and run ins. Suddenly Italians were looking dangerous. Di Natale and Iaquinta in right and Pepe and Cameronesi in left started making Paraguay look very pedestrian. The slow starters were fully charged and looking for a win, rather than a draw. Paraguay seemed to look for the long whistle to blow. And it blew, along with a sigh of relief from Paraguayan players and supporters.

The best player of the match was Pepe, though Di Natale would have been equally impressive had he been in the starting eleven. Villar was good, except for that one moment, which denied his country of win, instead of this draw.

Italy 1(De Rossi) – Paraguay 1(Alcarez)

June 14, 2010; Netherlands and Japan Wins

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June 14, 2010

The day was supposed to be good with teams involved being Italy, Denmark, Netherlands, Cameroon, Japan and Paraguay. It was more than good by the end of the day. Three games - Netherlands V/s Denmark, Cameroon V/s Japan and Italy V/s Paraguay, each were evenly placed except perhaps the last one, which turned out to be the most wonderful match of the day.

Netherlands V/s Denmark; June 14, 2010, Soccer City, Johannesburg

The first match was Denmark vs Netherlands, from Johannesburg. Both teams were good on paper, and historically played good football. Dutch players of last world cup who played really well, but still missed out were still there in the team. Captain Van Bronkhorst was playing his 100^th match and got his win. The match was a very mediocre display of football. Both teams lacked the fire to enthrall the crowd. They just played on and on. First half had nothing to say about, both in terms of score as well as play. Rommedahl who was full of energy and made fast runs in the wings was very slow this time. No other player was good enough too in Danish side. Sneijder made some good touches. The initial minutes of second half saw Danes concede an own goal by Paulson, who could only smile at what happened. He worked hard to deny Dutch a second goal, by Affeley. The only player worth watching was Elia, who played like a true striker, always on feet and moving towards the circle. His play made some sparks in the Dutch side, which sorely missed Van Persie, even though he was on field, and Arjen Robben, who was on the bench. Van Persie was a shadow of his self, which might be because of the fact that he was playing a more central role rather than in the wings. Last world cup saw great runs by both these players in the wings. Kuyt scored second goal for the Dutch, which all started with a pass from a swiveling Sneijder, to Elia who was agile enough to get himself to strike to the far left corner of post, the ball struck the outside of bar and rebounded to find Kuyt's feet who struck it cleanly inside. Kuyt is a complete striker, who has improved a lot, and find targets always. Elia was the star of the match. Danish keeper Sorensen was good, but not good enough to work all alone without any support from his defense.

Netherlands 2(S. Paulson[o.g.], Kuyt) – Denmark 0

Japan V/s Cameroon; June 14, 2010, Free state stadium, Bloemfontein

Next game was between Japan and Cameroon, two teams who work hard to prove that they are not a small team in every world cup. This game was better, with both teams attacking a lot, and when one team attacks, the whole of other team gets back. Japan in particular was defensive to boot, but counter attacking very fast. Eto'o was never allowed to move near 30 yards without at least three men escort, and Cameroon had to rely on Webo and Weia for attacks. The Cameroonian defense was shoddy at times, and this led to first goal by Honda, in the last 6 minutes of first half. Matsui gave a cross from left to right side of post, a ball which was to be headed off by defenders, but instead found feet of a calm Honda who chipped it in. This shook Cameroon who found it difficult to attack and defend at the same time. The second half saw Cameroon attacking with the last fifteen minutes of regular time showing the urgency in its full. Even the goal keeper came out of his territory to give a few extra yards to the attacking formations. The most definite chance came when Eto'o beat two Japanese players in Cameroons own half and gave a pass to another player but in the end the end, that move fizzled out before it could have been said as a brilliant one. Another chance came when Weia bent a ball from 35 yards, only to be denied by bar. Japanese worked hard, and defended resolutely. A comment by my brother in the start of the game came good, he said the Japanese plays like they work in companies. A good 90 minutes later and still looking for an equalizer, Cameroon got 4 minutes extra to try. Assou still ran in with ball, tried and tried, Eto'o tried, Webo tried, everyone tried but either Wakashima denied, or providence denied them the equalizer. In the end, the team that won was not better, and neither worse than other. The game was between two different styles, played equally to perfection.

Japan 1(Honda) – Cameroon 0

Wavin' Flag

If I could understand Spanish, then it would have been great because of all the songs which I have heard for a football game, the song by K'Naan and David Bisbal is superior to everything. It evokes all the emotions which only WC can give.

The video starts with last years winning moment, but the real images that gives vent to all emotions pent up inside are the yellow, blue, red, white and green painted fans. The big drums which beat to your hearts beat just brings those old matches to life, you see Pele being taken on shoulders of his team mates, wrapped in Brazilian flag after 1970 victory, the image of Maradona, kissing the cup, and the the great man crying after the loss in 1990, the crest fallen Baggio standing with his hands on his hip, the image of Cryuff playing the 1974 final, marshaling his troops without luck, and still trying, the desperation in each moment as the clock ticks away, and the resolute Germans defending, all the memories flood and you are left groping for words. As the song says, see the champions take the field now,you are the fighters, make us proud now.

Each person, irrespective of the nation they support, no matter if their country has qualified a light year back, and still couldn't play because they could play only barefoot, is a winner in this beautiful game. As we lose our inhibitions, celebrations' are around us, lets rejoice in the beautiful game.

Another transcript; looks like the way "command" is passed among "troop"

Chandrakant Nair England embarass themselves , yet again . Ha !

Yesterday at 01:55 · Comment ·

You, Hrishikesh Varma, Deepu JS and 6 others like this.

Ahmad Mustafa Mateen

aint it expected??

Yesterday at 02:06

Safal Muhammed

yes, very much!

Yesterday at 07:23

Markose Paret

aahhaha down with england..

Yesterday at 11:06

Ahmad Mustafa Mateen

hehehehheeh..english losers!!

Yesterday at 12:42

Nitin Kumar

It was just a fluke. We'll see next game and then talk................

10 hours ago

Nitin Kumar

Thanx to r goalkeeper Green who almost did n own goal...........

10 hours ago

Chandrakant Nair

Except for tat moment of brilliance from Gerrard , I cudnt really see anything at all from the entire English side . They deserve to lose n so shall they ! :P

7 hours ago

Rajasekhar Kanathezhath

Captain, you said it right(about Gerrard as well as English side) :D

7 hours ago ·

Chandrakant Nair

Nothing wud please me more than seeing Brazil n England packing their bags after the first round

7 hours ago

Ahmad Mustafa Mateen

amen to that..the english r pompous farts..n dunga has destroyed the beautiful game with his emulation of European physical tactics

7 hours ago

Rajasekhar Kanathezhath

You may be half pleased but I am sure Argentines will know that they were lucky with an inexperienced Nigerians.. You better ask Maradona to ask Messi to be at least as good as he was, or eles they will be playing La Liga only... :)

7 hours ago ·

Ahmad Mustafa Mateen

messi was fantastic..higauin was pathetic..dimaria was overawed..jonas shud b shot..tevez tried ahrd..milito was good too..

but the nigerian goalie was gr8..odawise the score line wud have read 4-0

7 hours ago

Chandrakant Nair

Lucky ? Were u watching d match in ur senses ? Or did u watch it in d first place ? Twas d brilliance of Enyeama who denied the Argentines a lanslide win . Messi was as gud as ever , n shall be in d days to come . N yeah , I agree , the only team which cud probably match upto ( or be better than ) Argentina is Barcelona :)

7 hours ago

Rajasekhar Kanathezhath

Bull crap, Barca has its own share of Brazilians.. Only Teves was good. Where are the finsihes? I am not seeing score line as 4-0. But i will say one thing, a win is a win, whether it is by an inch or by a mile. They won. End of it. Still, why this kind of rhetoric on messi. IF you were in your senses, you would have seen the frustration in his...See more

7 hours ago ·

Chandrakant Nair

Now that is an oxymoron . Ppl rant on Brazil playin a beautiful game . But then , am sad to say , I dun remember seeing em play a single beautiful game . The teams of 94 n 02 , to quote a friend o mine ( :D ) were cup winning teams n not champion teams . So , please , there is no point sayin tat Brazil play a gud game in the first place . They were shown their place by France in 98 n 06 , n tats wat exactly they r .

7 hours ago

Rajasekhar Kanathezhath

Ah... where are the argentines playing great... they were good only in patches.. 2006 was pathetic even with all the hulobulloo, and that is true about Brazil, but they still won in 2006. That is enough;)

6 hours ago ·

Chandrakant Nair

You obviously didnt see the Cambiasso goal in particular n the match vs Serbia n Montenegro in general . Go watch it dude :P . Comment after watching :P

6 hours ago

Ahmad Mustafa Mateen

la jogo bonito...or the beautiful game was ivnevted by teh brazilians..bout dour,dingy,staid dunga has made brazil a caricature of itself..tehy jsu want to win now..no more free flowing passes..no more ingenious dribbling..jus a brutal,bloody physical game wid long passes n emphasis on headers...
ronaldinhio has been discarded...kaka,fabio,robinhio,luciano have been told to b wrk horses rather than gazelles...

barca n messi r still old school..thats y v luv em!!

6 hours ago

Rajasekhar Kanathezhath

Well, that is a classic stuff.. I have seen it, but if couple of balls which were given to higuain in this last match which is subject f discussion, were given to 'overweight' ronaldo, he still would have scored.. there is still finishers in Brazil, and playmakers, it is not eccentric dribbling by denilson whic wins the match, it is silent stuff by cafu and likes which wins it..

6 hours ago ·

Chandrakant Nair

N support from 'Rajasekhar' to add to it :P

6 hours ago

Ahmad Mustafa Mateen

overweight ronaldo...mysteriously denied brazil WC glory in 98...but he still was famous fer his awesome 1-2....
cafu n dunga n the likes aboudn in every team..but teh brazilian fwds r rare gifts to us football fanatics..tehy shud b treasured n told to flourish...

i dont want brazil to becum another italy or germany...
...See more

6 hours ago

Chandrakant Nair

@ Ahmad - Well said , the last line . Btr to go out early playin d way Argentina did vs Serbia- Montenegro than win d cup d way Brazil did in 2002

6 hours ago

Ahmad Mustafa Mateen

touche...