Holland 1 - Japan 0. Not the most convincing of displays, but they got the job done. Which is much much more than can be said about Spain, England, Germany, the works. Getting through the group stages has always about doing just what's necessary, not peaking too quickly, and not getting too many people booked and suspended. I think Holland got that done just right.
One other thing I have to say about the Dutch team. Isn't it nice once in a while to see the players run in as the first starting team in numbers 1-11? (Granted, #11 Robben was out, and #23 van der Vaart was on). Don't know about you, but it's a nice throw back to the earlier days, when things were that much simpler!
As for Australia, what can you say? You gotta feel for them. 1-0 up after 10, 11 minutes, and looking solid against an unambitious Ghana. As has happened a few times so far in these World Cups, everything changes with a bit of arse luck. The ball is whacked straight at Harry Kewell, there's little he could do in getting out of the ball's way. Ball makes contact with hand, on the line, preventing the goal, and it's a red card. Penalty converted, 1-1, 10 men, and you start to feel like the worst is yet to come.
To the footballeroos' credit, they hung in there, hung in there, and could even have snatched a victory. As the table is now set up, though, it looks like boys will be headed back down under soon enough. Of course, there is the possibility of them beating Serbia, and then Ghana beating Germany on the final day to get through. On tonight's performance, I don't see how Ghana can get anything. But you never know, I suppose.
The last game of the day - Denmark - Cameroon, was, in all reality, not really meant to be the marquee game. But hell, it turned out to be a real cracker! The first half was all defensive mistakes, great chances, only for the half to end at 1-1 after Bent Nick scored Arsenal's first World Cup goal to equalise after a comical first Eto'o goal. Nice undertones of Arsenal all through that goal, methinks!
The second half was, well, more of the same - chances galore, missed chances, action all over the place (more so for Cameroon), and a peachy goal for Rommedahl which sealed it. Just brilliant, and I'm chuffed for Denmark.
It's a nice little day for Holland, now having qualified, and sets up the final day of Japan-Denmark really nicely. Winner takes all. How nice. As for Holland, while there will surely be the temptation to field the second team, there is still the #1 place to play for. Actually, looking at the goal difference, even losing would probably be enough for top spot. What a nice position to be in! AND, not having really played that well too. Sweet.
As for Cameroon...what can you say? Proper finishing on the day, and they would've done enough. It was incredible the chances they had. All in all, they're now the first team to be eliminated from the World Cup. Who would've thought. Good thing is that: (a) Song's gonna get some rest, and (b) no more having to watch two Spurs players in the same team!
Note to Paul le Guen: work on the bloody finishing, man.
Other things elsewhere as well. I must say. Even if the French were beyond crap, I am rather thankful that the most detestable of the lot did give me the privilege of learning a new French phrase:
"Va te faire enculer, sale fils de pute!"
Mmmmm. Yummy. It's translated by soccernet.com as "go screw yourself, you dirty son of a whore!" But c'mon - who out there will not say that the French version just sounds so poetic. Beautiful even. The English does not do it justice. Doesn't really flow off the tongue, to say the least. I can only think of Chinese/Hokkien being as poetic with such a profanity. But, for lack of anything else, thanks, Nicolas!
Now you can bugger off and go be vaguely happy once again with the other bunch of foul-mouthed cretins at Stamford Bridge. (If he does get an early ticket home - wonder if he pays his own way back?). I can never fathom it - turning up like a foul-mouthed, ill-disciplined brat while playing for your country. Why show up even? He could've done a Wayne Bridge and screwed ole Domenech over without going through the trouble of flying to South Africa.
Finally, a prediction for the winner of the World Cup. No, why not for the four semi-finalists. After having witnessed more tight-shirted types in Cameroon, I'm putting my money down that none of the four semi-finalists will be so attired. These tight shirts are just for the poser wannabes. See: France. Pffft. And now Cameroon.
More tomorrow. A few juicy ties out there. And I'm talking New Zealand!
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