Early afternoon fare today was kinda crap. Unlike Denmark and Cameroon, who at least served up some unexpectedly interesting stuff, the likes of Paraguay and Slovakia simply served up a dud. Yes, it was 2-0 to Paraguay, but that just summed up all that happened. Really pedestrian stuff, littered with amateurish stuff.
All was made up for though, with New Zealand. Simply outstanding! Forget the one-worded Portugese names, the Kiwis have got Ryan Nelsen. If it weren't for the fact that he's like semi-geriatric, I'd say sign him up! Of course, there's the little issue of him playing for...of all people...Blackburn Rovers, so that sucks. It wasn't just Nelsen. I kind liked that Winston Reid dude too. An overall remarkable defending job they put it. They put in 101%, and that has been a rare commodity thus far as far as the bigger lights are concerned.
Let's get something straight though. Italy weren't exactly hot stuff, and have laboured though their first two games. But I won't be putting them in the same category as the likes of England. At least the Italians showed some desire, some interest, and provided some general idea of talent. They should get through all in all, and then who knows. They may just do a 1982 on us, and go further than we think.
As for Brazil - Ivory Coast, what can one say? As far as the game was concerned, a rather dull, ponderous first half was barely salvaged by a pretty Luis Fabiano goal. The Ivorians were bad, and Brazil hardly much better apart from the work leading up to the goal. Mercy be to God, the second half was much better.
Funny thing though. We've already seen some weird, crappy refereeing this past week, and the decision (or lack thereof) that led to Fabiano's second goal takes the cake. The man handled to ball twice. TWICE, in the lead up to the goal. So the (French) ref doesn't see both instances. Or so we think. For some reason, TV cameras zoom onto the ref running back to the centre circle, all smiles with Fabiano (who else?), pointing to his arm (yes!), then smiles again, and points to his chest. What the hell was said? Wonder what the Ivorian FA's gonna make of it too. Geez.
So it's 2-0, then three following good work - at last - from Kaka who dishes the goal out for Elano on a plate. Fidier Frogba makes it 3-1, but it's rather academic.
Final point on the game. It brought out the most irritating and sickening of professional football. The niggly tackles, sly elbows, over-the-top theatrics, the works. In short, it was pathetic. Shame on the Brazilians - Kaka no less, in getting sent off, and shame on the Ivorians too. Get on with the damn football, why don't you. (I love it when I get to sound all high and mighty!).
Off the pitch, you just can't get enough of the news from the French team, looks like. I suppose that's going to be one of the few downsides of having them eliminated at the Group Stage. No more bitching, whining, etc etc.
Anelka has been sent back, Captain Patrice is talking about traitors in the dressing room leaking information to the media, purging them from the team, etc, all cloak and dagger stuff, and the team is now refusing to train, coaches resigning on the spot, etc. Really nice.
Is it me or is it all Mean Girls sorta crap? Can't really see a better cast than the current French team for a sequal. You've got them all, Domenech, Gallas, Henry, Evra, Anelka, Gourcuff, Malouda - it's just full of them! Look out for it: Mean Girls II: EURO 2012.
It's all a travesty, I say. I mean, pardonnez moi, but it really is a #$&%! joke! It must be sad enough being French today, and cheering on your national team, so I shan't rub it in. Just wonder what Paddy Vieira thinks, with him sitting in on ITV's studios watching this rubbish. Good for him he didn't make the squad.
Oh yeah, speaking of drama, Invisible Man has since apologised for his remarks to England fans in South Africa. Blame it all on the heat of the moment, disappointment, whatever. All I can say to you poor ole England fans: you reap what you sow, and you've been sowing that Wayne Rooney for the longest time.
"Why do you build me up, Buttercup, baby
Just to let me down, and mess me around..."
It's really funny isn't it? Twilight Zone-ish. One moment, ole Fabio is also the messiah, sent to deliver the World Cup to England (or England to the World Cup), and two weeks later, he's on the verge of resignation following all sorts of pseudo-French talk of dressing room disharmony. I'm sure the Brazilians, and most of all Diego Maradona are sniggering and tittering themselves to sleep every night in South Africa. What perfect way to keep to their little task of really trying to win the damn thing.
I've also been watching some of the England highlights so far, and I must say, this is about as exciting (and entertaining) an England match is ever going to get. That Lego England goalie looks a tad more convincing than Rob Green, in fact. Classic:
So there we have it. More fun to come tomorrow in the form of North Korea, Switzerland and Spain. Woo hoo!
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