DAY 19 REVIEW

The penultimate second round tie saw perhaps the most dull game of the tournament so far - but this still didn't warrant the arrogant commentating of Clive Tyldesley and Jim Beglin - after all, as England had already touched down in London, we could hardly talk! Both teams were clearly weighed down by the weight of history, as Paraguay and Japan were bidding to reach the last eight for the first time in their history, and both were more concerned with not losing than winning the game. In a game of few clear cut chances, there was one moment of real quality in the first half - Paraguay forward Lucas Barrios wriggled free of two Japanese defenders with a deft turn, but he saw his shot saved by the legs of keeper Eiji Kawashima. But the Asian team came closest to winning the match in normal time - the impressive Daisuke Matsui crashed a shot against Justo Villar's crossbar from outside the penalty area. Japan's star man Keisuke Honda missed from a similar position minutes later. Chances were still few and far between, despite half-chances for Paraguay's Cristian RIveros and Edgar Benitez, and Yuto Nagatomo for Japan. But penalties seemed inevitable, especially when substitute Keiji Tamada found space in the penalty area, but fired in an awful cross. So there was always going to be a scapegoat, and the penalties, on the whole. were well taken. But the villain of the piece was Yuichi Komano, as the right back fired his penalty against the crossbar. The South Americans scored all their five penalties, and it was left to substitute Oscar Cardozo to send his team into their first quarter-final in their history.

And Paraguay were joined in the quarter-final on Saturday night, by Spain, following an intriguing and topsy-turvy grudge match against Iberian neighbours Portugal. For the first half, Portugal were largely comfortable, apart from the opening six minutes when their keeper Eduardo was tested by three long range shots - once by Fernando Torres (who aside from that, looked completely oout of sorts) and twice by David Villa (who did not). But Spain struggled to play their way through Portugal who defended with discipline and in massed numbers. Spanish keeper Iker Casillas looked particularly shaky, spilling shots from Cristiano Ronaldo and Tiago. On the latter occasion, the Real Madrid stopper had to be alert to beat the battering ram Hugo Almeida to the loose ball, and centre-backs Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol did not enjoy playing against the Werder Bremen man. Tiago and Almeida headed presentable chances wide, and the game continued in similar fashion in the second half. Almeida escaped down the left, and his cross towards Ronaldo was deflected off Puyol, and the ball bounced agonisingly wide of the post. But then we saw something we hadn't seen in the tournament to date - Spain had a Plan B. The increasingly ineffective Torres was withdraw just before the hour mark, to be replaced by Fernando Llorente - an almost English-like target man. Following a brilliant season for Athletic Bilbao, Spain finally had an outlet in the penalty area, and within a minute, Sergio Ramos swung in a cross from the right, and the striker to dived to head and brought a great save out of Eduardo. The tide had turned, Villa then fired a shot narrowly wide from 25 yards, but with their next attack, Spain finally made the breakthrough. An intricate passing move saw Llorente lay the ball off for Andres Iniesta, who slipped the ball in for partner-in-crime Xavi. A brilliant first time backheel saw his new Barcelona teammate onside, and although his first shot was saved by Eduardo, he showed great presence of mind to lift the ball over the keeper from the rebound. From here on in there was only one winner - Ramos and VIlla tested the excellent Eduardo, while Llorent glanced a header wide - Torres might be sweating for his starting berth. Portugal showed they had no Plan B, and found it hard to chase the game. Ronaldo got increasingly frustrated, and these Portuguese frustrations boiled over in the final minutes, as defender Ricardo Costa was sent off for an alleged elbow on Spanish defender Joan Capdevilla. There was no way back into the match for Portugal, while Spain gained revenge for being dumped out of Euro 2004 by their great rivals, as they moved close to a first semi-final since 1950.


STAR PLAYER - Fernando Llorente.

The Atheltic Bilbao striker completely changed the game after coming off the bench, and he will now fancy his chances of starting against Paraguay on Saturday. He added a different dimension to the Spanish attack, and acted as a fulcrum which Fernando Torres had failed to do thus far in the tournament. He almost scored immediately, and rattled the Portuguese defence - which allowed David VIlla to score for Spain, and hand his side the initiative they never relinquished.

GOAL OF THE DAY - David Villa

This wasn''t a hard choice, as it was the only goal of the day. But it was a beautiful goal, both in terms of it's build-up and execution. After near interchanges between Llorente, Iniesta and a back heel from Xavi, Villa was through on goal. Although his first effort was saved, he showed great composure to lift the follow-up over Eduardo, and it brushed the corssbar as the ball found the back of the net.

GAFFE OF THE DAY - Yuichi Komano.

A real head in hands moment for the Japanese defender, as his spot kick, which crashed off the crossbar, was the only one of nine which was missed, denying his team a chance of reaching their first ever World Cup quarter-final.

FANTASY TEAM

Keisuke Honda and Enrique Vera contributed little in their teams drab goalless draw, but David Villa, with his match-winning goal for Spain, added 13 points to my team's total.

DAY 18 REVIEW

Holland produced another efficient if not an impressive performance to book their place in the quarter-finals on Friday. They did just enough to squeeze past a spirited Slovakia side, who's players had already written their names into their nations sporting history after they sensationally dumped world champions Italy out of the tournament last Thursday. Holland look like they are cranking up through the gears, and they will need to, as they face the mighty Brazil in the last eight. There is some discontent because the Orange aren't winning with sufficient style, but with players of the quality and flair of Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Rafael van der Vaart, you wouldn't bet against them. The rest of the team are mainly on the pitch to feed those talented individuals, and against a country such as Slovakia, this was always going to be enough. Both van Perise and Sneijder went close in the first half, before Robben marked his first start of the tournament with a goal of equisite quality. After 18 minutes, the brilliant Sneijder drilled a superb pass into the Bayern Munich winger. From there it was all about Robben - he ran on with the ball, cut inside onto his favoured left foot and curled a brilliant shot into the bottom corner. In the second half, as Slovakia chased the game to a certain degree, chances came a bit more freely. Robben and Sneijder brought superb saves out of Slovakia keeper Jan Mucha, but twice in two second half minutes, the eastern Europeans came close to a surprise equaliser. Chelsea winger Miroslav Stoch cut inside onto his right book and brought a good save out of Holland keeper Maarten Stekelenburg, but the better chance fell to star striker Robert Vittek - after Marek Hamsik played him in, he shot straight at the Ajax stopper. And with six minutes later, Sneijder made the game safe, slotting in a cut back from Dirk Kuyt to slot into the empty net. This was enough to book Holland's passage, but Slovakia's final touch in their first World Cup as an independent nation meant they ended their tournament on a high note. Vittek slotted home a penalty in the final minute of injury time after he had been upended by Stekelenburg.

Brazil continued on their imperious path through the World Cup with a comfortable 3-0 victory over South American neighbours Chile, and on this form, they look like they will be hard to beat. Chile, who have won many admirers for their exciting expansive brand of attacking football, started brightly and tried to take the game to the five times world champions. But with Humberto Suazo unable to recapture the form he showed in qualifying, Marcelo Bielsa's side lacked a cutting edge to go with their enterprising play, and class eventually told in the end. Suazo barely tested Brazil keeper Julio Cesar, and Brazil should have been awarded a penalty after Pablo Contreras brought down Lucio, before the Selecao took the lead just after the half hour mark. Defender Juan powerfully headed home a corner from Maicon, and from there on in, it was practically one-way traffic. With 38 minutes gone, the boys in yellow as good as killed off the game. This time it was all about the movement and passing - and as Dunga's side has been accused of being built too much in the mould of their coach (that is, efficient and dogged), this was a pleasing sight. Robinho, who again looked a completely different player to the one who looked so lethargic in the blue of Manchester City, cut inside before playing a square ball for Kaka. The world's second most expensive player then played in Luis Fabiano with a brilliant first time pass, and the Sevilla striker rounded Chile keeper Claudio Bravo with ease before slotting into the empty net. Fabiano came close to a second, but he glanced a header just wide, but it made little difference. After 59 minutes, the impressive Ramires broke forward, and set up Robinho following a surging run, and he passed the ball into the net for his first goal of the tournament. Bielsa had made all three of his substitutions by half-time as his team chased the game in vain, and Jorge Valdivia fired narrowly over, before Suazo tested Cesar and clipped the crossbar. But Brazil were still a threat going forward, and Robinho brought a good save out of Bravo before having a second goal ruled out for a narrow offside decision. On reflection, a three goal difference was probably about right on the balance of play. And Friday's clash with Holland in Port Elizabeth, in a repeat of the 1994 quarter-final and 1998 semi-final meetings, is a truly mouthwatering prospect. Dunga, who played in both those Brazilian wins, will be hoping to complete a hat-trick of victories against the Dutch.


GOAL OF THE DAY - Arjen Robben.

The Bayern Munich winger showed what Holland had been missing with a sensational goal on his first start of the tournament. Collecting an excellent pass from partner-in-crime Wesley Sneijder, and from there, he cut in from the right touchline onto his favoured left-foot (as is his want) and curled an excellent shot into the bottom corner. Classic Robben, and he will have to produce more of that if they are to get the better of Brazil on Friday.

PLAYER OF THE DAY - Robinho.

With a goal and an assist, Robinho continued his excellent World Cup. And it makes you wonder - why does he never turn up on cold wet nights in the North West of England. That will probably be the question on lips of Roberto Mancini. Linking up with Kaka, Ramires and Luis Fabiano, he looks a completely different player, full of tricks and confidence, with the end product to match.

GAFFE OF THE DAY - Robert Vittek's miss,

After the composure he showed to dump out Italy on Thursday was not replicated today against Holland. With Slovakia trailing 1-0, he wasted a brilliant chance to equalise and give his country the chance of another shock. With just Maarten Stekelenburg to beat, he fired straight at the Dutch keeper, and with it, went the Slovak's best chance.

FANTASY TEAM

On a profitable day for my team, captain Wesley Sneijder led the way with a goal and an assist in Holland's win over Slovakia. Brazil striker Luis Fabiano also contributed points, with his country's second goal to set up a meeting with the Scot. Robin van Persie failed to trouble the scorers despite having some presentable chances. But Mark Gonzalez and Marek Hamsik added little in defeats for their country, as both players find themselves on the plane home.

DAY 17 REVIEW

England will feel a strong sense of injustice about Frank Lampard's goal that never was. They need not bother, as they were comprehensively outclassed by a talented German team as they were thrashed 4-1 in humiliating fashion. True, if the Uruguayan linesman had seen Lampard's chip went a foot over the line after smacking the underside of the crossbar. But, when your best player is your goalkeeper in such a big defeat, that gives you a sense of how the match went. Many of England's players either failed to perform, or looked woefully out of their depth. Germany's young team, on the other hand, looked like they had better shape and always believed they would come out on top. The disrespect shown them by the BBC studio team was quite disgraceful. England looked shaky from the start, and the brilliant Mesut Ozil could have given his side the lead in the opening minutes, as he sneaked in from Bastian Schweinsteiger's lofted pass, but David James saved with his legs. However, after 20 minutes, the Portsmouth keeper had no chance, as his defence parted like the red sea in schoolboy fashion. A long kick from German keeper Manuel Neuer bounced all the way through, and John Terry and Matthew Upson were hopelessly far apart in the English defence. The predatory Miroslav Klose got the better of Upson, and stabbed the ball past James. By the time Klose finished from eight yards, no player had touched the ball after it left Neuer's boot. Ozil had another great chance after the impressive Thomas Muller played his in, but more amateur defending saw Germany double their lead after 32 minutes. Klose flicked the ball over the top for Muller. Upson and Terry had been dragged towards the ball, meaning Glen Johnson had to cover frantically. This left Muller with all the time in the world to square for Lukas Podolski, who despite poor first touch, had so much space he beat James with ease. But after that, England came roaring back into the match (albeit briefly). James Milner delievered an excellent cross, from which Lampard's effort was smoothered by Neuer, with some help from his defenders. Minutes later, England got a priceless lifeline. Steven Gerrard's cross was met well by Upson, who atoned partially for his terrible defending as he headed into the net. Less than a minute later, it should have been 2-2. England won the ball back right from the kick-off, and as the ball broke to Lampard, his excellent chip had Neuer beaten, but bounced off the underside of the crossbar and clearly over the line. But neither the referee or linesman signalled for a goal, much to the dismay of the English players and fans alike. England came out strongly in the second half, as it seemed for a while that we had a game on our hands. Lampard's unlucky afternoon continued as he smacked the crossbar from 30 yards with a brilliant free-kick. England were pushing forward, but the ball just would not break for them in the penalty area. Germany looked dangerous everytime they countered, and after Schweinsteiger and Muller gave warnings of this danger, the game was pulled out of England's reach in embbarassing fashion. Lampard had another free-kick from a similar range to his close earlier attempt, but it rebounded off the wall. Gareth Barry lost the ball, and Germany race upfield. Muller fed Schweinsteiger, and he took the return in the penalty area before firing the ball inside James' near post. And three minutes later, it was game, set and match. This time a throw in sae Terry scamper forward, and lose the ball on the edge of the area. Despite a ten yard headstart, Barry was skinned by Ozil and he raced forward into the penalty area before squaring for Muller to tap home, and seal it. It was a depressing end to a stuttering World Cup campaign. The inquest starts here. Many of these players will not see action in another World Cup. So the question has to be asked - what happened to our so-called 'golden generation.' It looks like there are bleak times ahead for English football.

Argentina booked their place in the quarter-finals, and will face Germany on Saturday, with the chance to avenge their penalty shoot out defeat at the same stage in 2006. But they were helped by an atrocious piece of officiating, as Germany had been earlier in the day. Their 3-1 victory over Mexico was certainly flattering, and their defence could be a possible weak link against stronger teams. Mexico started brightly, and left back Carlos Salcido fired against the bar from long range after ten minutes. Andres Guardado then shot wide, but the match was turned on its head after 25 minutes with an extremely dubious goal. Carlos Tevez raced through the Mexican defence, and saw his shot saved by keeper Oscar Perez. But Lionel Messi hooked the ball back into the penalty area, and Tevez headed home from close range, despite being yards offside. The Mexican players surrounded the guilty linesman, but their protests fell on deaf ears. But eight minutes later, the Mexicans shot themselves in the foot, and probably gifted the win to Argentina. Defender Ricardo Osorio, under no pressure, scuffed a pass on the edge of his penalty area, allowing Gonzalo Higuain to nip in, round Perez, and slot in to secure his place as the tournaments top scorer on four goals. The Real Madrid striker had the chance to kill the game before half-time, but headed wide from six yards, and there was a melee at half-time as Mexico's players surrounded the officials, clearly feeling their own injustice. There was no debate about the third goal, which left Mexico with no way back. The first effort from Tevez struck a defender, but when the ball rebounded to him, the Manchester City striker fired into the top corner from 25 yards. But to Mexico's credit, they kept pressing, and Manchester Unites-bound Javier Hernandez, and Guillermo Franco, were inches away from reducing the deficit. Hernandez did pull one back with 20 minutes remaining, with a brilliant turn taking him away from the static Martin Demichelis, before lashing into the roof of the net. But Argentina held out comfortably, and with two strong attacks facing two weak defences, expect an entertaining battle in Cape Town next weekend.

PLAYER OF THE DAY - Mesut Ozil.

Why doesn't English football produce this kind of player? Ozil ran the game, and the English defence just couldn't deal with him. He constantly picked up good positions, and almost always picked out the right past. The Werder Bremen seemed to stroll into space at will, and no-one knew who was supposed to pick him up. At just 21, he is only going to get better. When he can finish like Lionel Messi, he'll be some player. He will be sure to attract a huge price tag this summer, as he has been the outstanding player of the finals so far.

GOAL OF THE DAY - Second by Carlos Tevez.

The goal which clinched the victory for Argentina will come as no surprise to Manchester City fans, as they have seen him do this all season at Eastlands. He received the ball just outside the penalty area, and after his first shot hit a defender, he expertly fired the rebound into the top corner, leaving the Mexican keeper with no chance.

GAFFE OF THE DAY - England's defence.

It doesn't matter how good you are going forward (and England weren't especially good in Bloemfontein), if you leave the back door open, you are going to get punished. I was not alone in fearing how the pre-tournament loss of Rio Ferdinand would affect England's defence, and so it proved. Matthew Upson looked completely out of his depth against Germany's pace and movement, but John Terry was equally as bad. The Chelsea defender has certainly seen better days. And Gareth Barry, who was meant to be shielding the defence, was directly culpable for the third and fourth German goals. Collectively, that is as bad as I have ever seen England defend. The first goal? To concede with a long ball from goalkeeper to striker, who needed one touch to poke it into the net, would be careless at Coca Cola Championship level. At international level? Completely unforgiveable.

CONTROVERSY OF THE DAY - Lampard's goal.

Frank Lampard's shot which rebounded off the underside of the bar and clearly over the line, raises the question, once again, off video technology. Sepp Blatter, the FIFA President, was watching on, and hopefully he will finally start being swayed by the arguments for assisting the officials. But it would be wrong to think the outcome of the match would have been any different. If England had equalised, you never know how the match would have turned out. But they were comprehensively outclassed for the most part, and it would be wrong to leave South Africa with a sense of injustice - that will not address the problems in the English game.

FANTASY TEAM

Mesut Ozil gained six points thanks to his assist for the fourth German goal, but in reality, he deserved more than that for his overall performance. Ashley Cole didn't fare so well as he was in the English defence which shipped four goals for the first time in a World Cup match since 1954.

DAY 16 REVIEW

Uruguay was the first country to book their place in the quarter-finals with a barely deserved victory over South Korea. In doing so, they reached the last eight for the first time since 1970, and became the first South American country apart from Argentina or Brazil to reach this stage since Peru in 1978. The difference can be put down to two factors – partly a ghastly error by Korean keeper Jung Sung-Ryong, but mainly, the brilliance of Uruguay’s star striker Luis Suarez. After a slow start against France, Ajax’s highly rated star has been getting steadily better, and he has a big future ahead of him. Expect a big price tag on his head this summer. South Korea showed much of the early promise, with striker Park Chu-Young hitting the post with a curled free-kick after five minutes, so it was a surprise when the South Americans took the lead three minutes later. And it was a glaring mistake from keeper Jung, as he inexplicably left Diego Forlan’s cross from the left which rolled along the six yard box. Suarez was more alert, and tapped in at the back post for his second goal of the tournament. From there on in, Uruguay were on the back foot as South Korea poured forward with wave after wave of attack, save a penalty appeal when Alvaro Pereira’s strike struck the arm of Ki Sung-Yeung. Chu-Young fired wide from 25 yards and blazed over when clear inside the penalty area. But Korean luck was to change with just over 20 minutes remaining, as the Asians grabbed a deserved equaliser. Another Chu-Young free-kick was inadvertently headed up in the air by Uruguay substitute Mauricio Victorino, and keeper Fernando Muslera was caught in two minds. Bolton winger Lee Chung-Yoo didn’t need a second invitation, and nodded the loose ball into the vacant net, despite the attempted clearance of Jorge Fucile. This forced Uruguay to offer more as an attacking entity, but Korea almost completed the turnaround but Lee failed to trouble Muslera. After Suarez missed a simple chance, he settled matters in brilliant fashion with ten minutes remaining. A Forlan corner was half cleared to the edge of the penalty area, and substitute Nicolas Lodeira headed the ball down for Suarez. From there on in, it was all about the Ajax man, as he controlled the ball in the left corner of the box, fashioned a yard of space for himself, and curled a quite brilliant shot into the back of the net, off the inside of the post. This sparked frantic celebrations, in the by now awful weather conditions, but South Korea had one more great chance to take the game into extra-time – former Middlesbrough winger Lee Dong-Gook hit a weak shot at Muslera after being put clean through, and despite the ball slipping under the jersey off the rain sodden pitch, captain Diego Lugano was on hand to mop up the danger. Uruguay saw out the rest of the game in relative ease, and can look forward to a quarter-final with either USA or Ghana, in Soccer City, next Friday.

Ghana became only the third African side to reach a World Cup quarter-final, following a hard fought and topsy-turvy encounter with USA in Rustenburg. In doing so, the Black Stars emulated Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002 in reaching the last eight. The Africans were undoubtedly the better team in the first half, and deservedly went into the break with a one goal lead. The game started in cagey fashion, but exploded into life in the fifth minute, as USA again found themselves having to come from behind, as they did in their opening game in the same Rustenburg venue. Michael Bradley found Ricardo Clark with a square ball, and the midfielder tried to beat his man. He failed to do this, and the loose ball broke for Kevin Prince-Boateng. The Portsmouth player burst forward, and as Jay DeMerit backed off, he fired in an early left-footed shot which flashed into the bottom corner. American keeper Tim Howard will have been disappointed to have been beaten on his near post, but it was a fabulous finish. Clark’s evening got worse two minutes later, as he was booked as Prince-Boateng again got the better of him. Ghana was easily on top at this point, as USA struggled to make any impression on the game. Prince-Boateng fired another shot over the bar, Asamoah Gyan tested Howard with a free-kick, and young Samuel Inkoom wasted an excellent chance to cross to an unmarked Prince-Boateng after Gyan started a quick move. Clark’s evening went from bad to much worse as he was hauled off by coach Bob Bradley, who had clearly seen enough. Rangers’ Edu replaced him, but Clark looked utterly dejected, and will know how James Milner felt two weeks ago. The States had a brilliant chance to equalise before half-time, as a mistake in Ghana’s defence gave the ball to the previously quiet Landon Donovan, and he slipped the ball through for Robbie Findley. But one-on-one with keeper Richard Kingson, the Wigan player came out on top, saving with his legs. In an open match, Ghana could have extended their lead just a minute later, as another mistake from DeMerit (perhaps showing why he is playing in the Championship) allowed Kwadwo Asamoah a clean run on goal, but Howard came to his country’s rescue. Bradley, aware of his teams capacity to come back from the dead, made a second substitution at half-time, with former Derby midfielder Benny Feilhaber came on for the disappointing Findley. And they started the second half with real purpose, as Ghana, perhaps aware of the history awaiting them, dropped deeper and deeper as they invited American pressure. Feilhaber almost made an instant impact. Steve Cherundolo’s cross evaded Jonathon Mensah, and Jozy Altidore knocked the ball into the path of Feilhaber. But, eight yards from goal, Kingson made a fabulous one-handed save as the substitute poked the ball towards goal. Ghana was offering almost nothing as an attacking force, Donavon was becoming more of a presence and Bradley was starting to break forward from midfield. Donavon swung in an excellent cross that just evaded Dempsey, and John Mensah produced a brilliant last ditch tackle on Feilhaber on the edge of the penalty area. But USA got the equaliser their second half pressure had deserved just after the hour mark, and it came from a likely source. Feilhaber’s nutmeg fed Dempsey, and the Fulham winger scampered into the box only to be upended by Jonathon Mensah, for a stonewall penalty. With the hopes of a nation on his back, captain fantastic Donavon stepped up to slot the penalty into the net, off the inside off the post, to level the scores. That penalty made Dempsey America’s all time leading World Cup scorer, and his team was now in complete control. Kingson produced some more great goalkeeping minutes later, as Altidore raced towards goal down the inside left, and he slid to dispossess the former Hull loanee on the edge of the penalty area. In a rare Ghana attack, Gyan headed a difficult chance over the bar, but USA had a brilliant chance to take the lead with 15 minutes remaining. A poor defensive line saw Altidore find Bradley onside, but the manager’s son, unaware of how much time and space he had at his disposal, shot across Kingson, but without the power needed to seriously trouble the keeper. An even better chance fell to Altidore four minutes later. He tussled with John Mensah for a long ball, and showing great honesty, he stayed on his feet before they both tumbled, and he could only jab the ball wide of Kingson’s post. Ghana were leaving Gyan completely isolated in the American half, but to his credit, the Rennes forward kept plugging away and trying to take up good positions. By this stage, both teams seemed to have settled for extra-time after an entertaining, and at times breathless, 90 minutes. And that is exactly what both teams got. Three minutes into the extra period, and just as Ghana looked like they were tiring and USA looked the only likely winners, a moment of brilliance from the tireless Gyan put their noses back in front again, and delighted the whole of Africa. A long ball from Andre Ayew gave him something to chase, and as he split DeMerit and Bocanegra, and as the latter tried to barge him over, and the striker showed tremendous balance to stay on his feet and regain his composure, before smashing a shot into Howard's top corner. USA had to come from behind again, and having brought on Herculez Gomez for Altidore for their final substitution, Bradley had played his last card in terms of player changes. Not surprisingly, though, the States came back fighting, as Feilhaber saw a shot blocked before Edu glanced a Cherundolo cross wide after Kingson flapped at the ball. But as the first half of extra time meandered along, Bradley had another huge job at hand to lift his players in the interval. Ghana's defence stood resolute, though, and American desperation was portrayed by Jonathon Bornstein, who was cleared fouled outside the penalty area by Ayew but waited until he had crossed the line before throwing himself to ground. The referee was not fooled. Meanwhile, Ghana made their final change, bringing on the experienced (but highly controversial) figure of Sulley Muntari, to help shore up the slender advantage. But having come back from the dead so many times already in South Africa this summer, the USA had no energy reserves left in the tank. For Bob Bradley and his men, it will be a case of what might have been. For Ghana, and Africa as a whole, they move on to a quarter-final date with Uruguay on Friday, with the chance to enter the history books by becoming the first African side to reach the last four of football's biggest stage.


GOAL OF THE DAY – Second by Luis Suarez.
There was strong competition from Kevin Prince Boateng’s quality opener against USA,and Gyan's goal in extra time which regained the lead for Ghana, but a moment of magic from Suarez dragged his team towards a barely deserved quarter-final berth. It was especially impressive given the adverse weather conditions and high stakes. Receiving the ball in the left corner of the penalty area following a Diego Forlan corner, a cross back into the box seemed the best option available. But befitting the confidence of a player who scored almost 50 goals last season for Ajax, he manufactured a yard of space before curling a quite brilliant effort into the far corner off the inside of the post. Simply stunning.

PLAYER OF THE DAY – Luis Suarez.
What a difference a great striker makes. And that is exactly what Suarez has the ability to be. He comes alive when the ball is in and around the penalty area, and that is something that cannot be taught. He was the difference today, and expect him to draw a big transfer fee this summer. Certainly more Ruud van Nistlerooy than Mateja Kezman, in terms of prolific strikers in the Dutch top flight.

GAFFE OF THE DAY – Jung Sung-Ryong.
The South Korean keeper gave his team a mountain to climb with this shocking error in the eight minute. His defence is partly culpable too, as everyone left a Forlan cross, except for Suarez at the back post, who gleefully tapped the ball in.

DEJECTED LOOK OF THE DAY – Ricardo Clark.
After a disastrous half an hour, midfielder Clark will nonetheless be gutted to have been hauled off by coach Bob Bradley. He was culpable for the goal by Kevin Prince-Boateng, he was booked just two minutes later and failed to help USA gain a foothold in the midfield. But he cut a dejected figure as he trudged off the pitch, and despite some words of consolation from Bradley, one can only imagine what must have been going through his mind, sat on the bench.

FANTASY TEAM
Luis Suarez was the undoubted star, as his two match-winning goals enabled Uruguay to qualify for the last eight, and he was joined Robert Vittek, David Villa and Gonzalo Higuain at the top of the scorers chart. At the other end of the pitch for the South Americans, keeper Fernando Muslera and defender Maxi Pereira were unable to keep Uruguay’s fourth clean sheet of this World Cup. And finally, Steve Cherundolo, Jay DeMerit and Michael Bradley contributed veey little as their USA team was surprisingly knocked out, 2-1 after extra-time by Ghana.

DAY 15 REVIEW

A low key draw between Brazil and their former colonial masters Portugal saw both teams qualify comfortably for the last 16, but both will know tougher tests lie ahead, especially for Carlos Quieroz's men - European champions and Iberian neighbours Spain await on Tuesday. Even a defeat would have seen Portugal easily qualify, as Ivory Coast could only defeat North Korea 3-0, but Portugal's desire to gain the point that would make 100% sure of their progress restricted any free-flowing football from taking place. Brazil were the more adventurous team, as Portugal too often left Cristiano Ronaldo isolated up front, and Lucio dealt with him with comparative ease. Brazil looked like they had much more firepower at the other end, as the in-form Luis Fabiano was partnered by Nilmar, and they combined just after the half hour for the game's best chance. Fabiano crossed from the right, and the Villarreal striker seemed certain to score, only for Portugal keeper Eduardo to produce a stunning reflex save onto the crossbar from inside the six yard box. Fabiano headed another good opportunity wide, but that was as good as it got in terms of chances until injury time, when Brazil substitute Ramires broke from midfield and fired in a shot which was deflected towards the goal, only for Eduardo to adjust his body and execute another good save. This ensured Portugal progress as one of only two teams not to have conceded a goal in South Africa so far (the other being Uruguay). You get the feeling David Villa and Fernando Torres will have something to say about that record. For Brazil, they have a meeting with South American rivals Chile to look forward to on Monday in what looks like an intriguing contest.

Ivory Coast ended their tournament on a high with a comfortable 3-0 win over North Korea, but despite two early goals, they never looked like scoring the avalanche of goals which were needed for them to progress, and Sven Goran Eriksson's team will again rue being drawn in a devilishly difficult group, as they were in 2006. The Ivorians set the tone from the first minute, when Kader Keita brought a good save out of Korean keeper Ri Myong-Guk, and the Asians appeared to still be shell-shocked from their second-half demolition at the hands of Portugal on Monday. Didier Drogba had a header ruled out for a marginal offside decision in the first ten minutes as the Africans cranked up the pressure, but they didn't have to wait long to take the lead, as Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure sidefooted home from the edge of the penalty area. Just six minutes later, and it was 2-0. Drogba controlled a long ball expertly, before smashing a fierce volley against the underside of the crossbar, and the alert Romaric headed into the empty net from the rebound. It was still one way traffic, but the goals just did not flow, as the Ivorians spurned chance after chance after chance. Surprisingly Drogba was one of the most culpable as he missed a couple of gilt-edged chances, but Gervinho and substitute Salomon Kalou were also not without blame. North Korea failed to really threaten, but after Jong Tae-Se saw their best effort blocked by Kolo Toure, Arthur Boka raced up the left, and his cross was easily dispatced by Kalou with seven minutes remaining. There was still time for fellow substitute Aruna DIndane to have a goal ruled out for offside, but by then, it was too little, far too late. The Elephants may regret not taking the game to a struggling Portugal side more in their opening game.

The final games in Group H brought the group stages to an end, and gives us the opportunity to look forward to what will be some exhilarating knock out football. And it was a triumph for football, as both Spain and Chile went through following an absorbing contest in which the European champions were given a scare by an impressive Chile, who played for over half the match with ten men. The indiscipline of the South Americans got the better of them, and Gary Medel and Marco Estrada will now miss their second round meeting with Brazil. Both sides started brightly, with Fernando Torres spurning two presentable chances for Spain, suggesting he is still not fully recovered from injury, before a clever one-two between Jean Beausejour and Jorge Valdivia almost set Mark Gonzalez away for Chile. Chile were on the front foot, so when Spain took the lead, it was firmly against the run of play. Gerard Pique overhit a through ball intended for Torres, but Chile's keeper and captain Claudio Bravo beat him to the ball and slid the ball clear. However, David Villa, waiting near the left touchline, didn't even hesitate in taking aim and firing the ball into the net from about 45 yards with his weaker left foot. That strike moved him level with Gonzalo Higuain and Robert Vittek as the tournament's joint top scorer. The impressive Jean Beasejour tested Iker Casillas before Spain doubled their lead with a quite brilliant goal. Andres Iniesta won possession just over the halfway, and played a quick one-two with Torres, another one with Villa, before stroking the ball past Bravo from the edge of the area. The biggest flashpoint of the match happened in the build up to the goal - Chile midfielder Estrada was giving an extremely harsh second yellow card for running across the back of Torres and clipping the heels of the Liverpool man.

Switzerland only have themselves to blame for failing to qualify, after a goalless draw with Honduras, and it seems more than nine days ago that they sensationally defeated European champions Spain in their opening match. But their brand of football is not pretty, and it was the same old story - stoic in defence, inept in attack, and this was to prove their downfall. Despite their need to win the game, there was no attempt to commit bodies forward, and attacking moves often ended with ambitious long range strikes or broke down outside the penalty area. All the Swiss had to show for their first half efforts was a half chance for Blaise N'Kufo and a tame long range effort from Tanquillo Barnetta. With news that Spain were winning 2-0 and a win was needed, coach Ottmar Hitzveld finally made an attacking substitution, withdrawing defensive midfielder Gelson Fernanades to be replaced by playmaker Hakan Yakin. There was no discernible difference, however, and if anything, it seemed more likely that Honduras would snatch an unlikely win as Switzerland committed more men to the attack. David Suazo headed wide when well placed, before Edgar Alvarez brought an excellent save out of Swiss keeper Diego Benaglio. At the other end, Noel Valladares, but his saves from Yakin, Barnetta and Eren Derdiyok were saves he would expect to make. In a mirror of Italy's desperation yesterday, a barely fit Alexander Frei was brought on for the final 20 minutes, but for all their bluster, there was no breakthrough, and Switzerland were left to rue a campaign which had started in such spectacular fashion, but ended so disappointingly. This seemed to spur Chile on further, and Bielsa made a double substitution at half-time to try and drag his team back into the match. One of those changes, Rodrgio Millar, pulled one back two minutes into the second half, with a deflected shot off Pique which looped over Casillas, but chances were at a premium from there on in, as news of Switzerland's tame draw with Honduras ensured both teams could celebrate at the end.


PLAYER OF THE DAY - David Villa.

Another sumptuous performance from a player bang in form. Barcelona's new signing scored an equisite opportunists goal, and helped lay on the second for Andres Iniesta. He will be difficult to stop in this form, and if his strike partner Fernando Torres can recover his form, then they will be an awesome proposition up front. Portugal in the second round, whose defence is yet to be breached, should be a harder prospect on the other hand.

GOAL OF THE DAY - Andres Iniesta.

A classic Spain goal. When they are on song, they pass the ball better than any other country on the planet, and this was displayed in the build up to their winning goal. Lovely interchanges between Iniesta and Torres, and then the Barcelona schemer with his new teammate Villa, resulted in Iniesta doing what Chile have often failed to do with their enterprising football in this World Cup - putting a lovely finishing touch to the move, stroking the ball into the bottom corner.

GAFFE OF THE DAY - Switzerland.

A win by two goals over a poor Honduran side would have said Switzerland through, but this never looked like happen as Ottmar Hitzeld's side, bereft of ideas and invention, slunk meekly out of the tournament. This was always going to be their downfall, as it proved in the 2006 World Cup, but the second round encounters of Brazil against Chile and Spain against Portugal are definintely better for the tournament as a spectacle.

FANTASY TEAM

Fernando Torres again failed to find the net, playing second fiddle to striker partner David Villa, while David Silva and Mark Gonzalez also added limited contributions.

DAY 14 REVIEW

The biggest shock of World Cup history? It can’t be far off. Slovakia, in their first ever international tournament as an individual nation, sensationally knocked out World champions Italy in a pulsating contest in Johannesburg. It is certainly one of the greatest results in Slovakia’s sporting history, and ranks alongside the embarrassment by North Korea in 1966 as the worst moments in Italy’s football history. It will be even more painful for Marcelo Lippi and his players, as Paraguay and New Zealand’s 0-0 draw meant just a draw would have been good enough for the Azzurri. Slovakia was unrecognisable from the team who struggled against New Zealand and Paraguay, and Italy can have no complaints about the result. Italy-based playmaker Marek Hamsik mis-cued an early volley from the edge of the area, but the Eastern Europeans were deserving of their lead when it came after 25 minutes. An awful pass from Daniele de Rossi was easily intercepted by striker Juraj Kucak slipped an excellent ball through for talisman and captain Robert Vittek, and he finished with an excellent strike past Federico Marchetti into the bottom corner. The World champions reply was muted at best, with Vincenzo Iaquinta and Riccardo Montolivo missing the target. Captain Fabio Cannavaro, in an ignominious end to a glorious international career, was lucky not to finish his Azzurri career in even more shameful fashion as he escaped a yellow card for a needless foul on Hamsik when he had already been booked. Lippi had seen enough at half-time, and dragged off Domenico Criscito and Gennaro Gattuso to be replaced by Christian Maggio and Fabio Quagliarella. And without a quick reposte, the World Cup winning coach played his final card ten minutes into the second half, giving the great (but barely fit) Andrea Pirlo, such was his desperation. Italy were effectively playing with four up front, but still they could not break through the stubborn Slovakian defence, with the excellent Martin Skrtel sensationally clearing off the line from Quagliarella. This was to prove a key turning point, as Slovakia doubled their lead with 17 minutes remaining. Hamsik’s corner was half cleared by Giorgio Chiellini, but as he adjusted his position, Hamsik’s return ball allowed Vittek to nip in front of the Juventus defender and poke in at the near post. This left Italy with a mountain to climb, but they started that climb with nine minutes left. The impressive Quagliarella burst in from the right, and when his quick one-two with Iaquinta saw his resultant shot saved by Slovakian keeper Jan Mucha, Antonio di Natale tapped in the rebound. Ugly scenes followed as di Natale tried to retrieve the ball, with Mucha holding him up to waste as much time as was legally possible. Italy thought they had a priceless equaliser minutes later, as Quagliarella turned home di Natale’s left-wing cross, but he was denied by the linesman’s flag. It was not to be their day, as in the final minute, as substitute Kamil Kopunek sealed the win. A long throw caused yet more confusion between Cannavaro and Chiellini, and Kopunek raced throw to exquisitely lob Marchetti. But Italy was not going to give up their crown without a fight. In the second minute of stoppage time, we saw the best goal of a quite extraordinary game. A weak shot from Iaquinta rebounded to Quagliarella, and as he shaped to fire it towards goal, he adjusted and executed a brilliant chip which floated over Mucha and dipped in. And with the final seconds ticking away, Simone Pepe had a brilliant chance to save the World champions, but fired wide at the far post following a long throw. The best match of the tournament so far ended with wild Slovakian celebrations when confirmation of Paraguay’s draw with New Zealand had sent them through, and the debate will rage on about whether we have witnessed the worst defending champions in history. The French class of 2002 deserve an honorary mention here. And who said this World Cup was boring?!

The simultaneous match in Group F, Paraguay against New Zealand, was something of a non event in comparison. You could count the number of decent goalscoring chances on one hand, and New Zealand and their coach Ricki Herbert may be ruing not giving it a real go as they failed to seriously test Paraguay’s keeper Justo Villar. But three draws represents a decent performance for a country which still does not have its own professional league. The South Americans, on the other hand, can look forward to a second round meeting with either Denmark or Japan following an impressive group stage performance. Paraguay created their best opportunities in the second half, as they tested keeper Mark Paston with shots from Roque Santa Cruz and Edgar Benitez, and with a header from Cristian Riveros. But overall, both teams will probably be satisfied in the outcome, and Paraguay will fancy their chances of a first quarter-final appearance on the evidence so far.

The action in Group E was not quite so exhilarating, although Japan caused a minor upset by knocking out a highly-fancied Denmark team. It was a story of two first half free-kicks, as Japan thoroughly deserved their win to join neighbours South Korea in the second round. It will be the end of the road for a number of Denmark’s major players, including Jon Dahl Tomasson, Martin Jorgensen, Dennis Rommedahl and Jesper Gronkjaer, as far as major tournaments are concerned. Although Denmark started brightly, Japan took the lead with a sensational free-kick after 17 minutes, and Cristiano Ronaldo may have been green with envy. With the ball placed down by Keisuke Honda 35 yards out towards the right touchline, no-one in the ground thought the CSKA Moscow playmaker was going to shoot. But shoot he did, and he proceeded to get some outrageous dip and swerve on the ball as it nestled in the far corner of Thomas Sorensen’s goal. The Stoke keeper moved late, and will be unhappy with his role in the goal. Denmark was struggling to make any real impact on the game, and they were shocked on the half hour mark with another fabulous free-kick. This time, it was a big surprise that Honda stepped forward – but Japanese fans need not have worried. Yasuhito Endo stepped forward, and curled a sensationally shot around the wall and into the corner of the net. This sprung Danish coach Morten Olsen into action, with Jakob Poulsen replacing the ageing Martin Jorgensen after 35 minutes, but there was no noticeable improvement. Nicklas Bendtner, the Arsenal striker, certainly was not living up to his own personal billing of being ‘the best striker in the world’, as he enjoyed (if that’s the right word) an anonymous match. It was all Japan, and Yuichi Komano tested Sorensen from the edge of the area, as Japan’s hard work and harrying reduced them the Danes to hopeful long range efforts. Denmark came out early for the second half, but still they could not make an impression. Endo almost embarrassed Sorensen with a tame free-kick, but the veteran spilled his effort onto the post rather than into the net. Minutes later, the 1992 European champions had their best chance of the night – Nicklas Bendtner flicked on Lars Jacobsen’s long ball, but Japanese keeper Eiji Kawashima saved bravely at the feet of Tomasson. Olsen had seen enough, and made two attacking substitutions - Soren Larsen for Per Koldrup, and the highly-rated 18 year old Christian Eriksen for Thomas Kahlenburg. The youngster volleyed over, before Tomasson missed another good chance, as time was running out. Denmark probably knew it was not their day when a brilliant effort from Larsen cracked off the crossbar, but a minute later, a penalty gave them a glimmer of hope. Daniel Agger was pushed off in the penalty area, and although Tomasson’s initial effort was saved by Kawashima, the veteran followed in to scuff in his 52nd international goal. But there was to be no late rally, and Japan clinched their place in the second round three minutes from time, with a goal of real quality. Honda danced into the penalty area, bamboozled Agger with an outrageous Cruyff-turn, and unselfishly squared the ball for substitute Shinji Okazaki to tap into the empty net. Japan’s win sets up an intriguing second round encounter with Paraguay, and the certainty of having a first-time World Cup quarter finalist.

The other match in Group E was an entertaining encounter, without a great deal riding on the game – Cameroon knew it would be their final game of the tournament, while Holland were almost assured of topping the group. Robin van Persie, still waiting for his first goal of the tournament, fired straight at Cameroon keeper Hamidou Souleymanou, while Wesley Sneijder had a shot blocked and Dirk Kuyt fired wide when well placed. Jean Makoun went close for Cameroon, who was playing for pride, but Holland took the lead after 36 minutes. Van Persie played a lovely one-two, and evaded teammate Kuyt before slipping the ball through the legs of Hamidou. But Cameroon was keen to end their tournament on a high, with the experienced duo of Geremi and Samuel Eto’o trying to spur their team on. After the interval, van Persie continued his excellent game by stinging the palms of Hamidou after being sent through by Mark van Bommel, but the Arsenal striker was given a rest on the hour mark as he was replaced by Klaas Jan Huntelaar. After another chance for Eto’o, the Indomitable Lions saw their best chance of the night come and go. A glorious reverse pass from 18-year-old substitute Vincent Aboubakar, making a real impact, saw Makoun bring the best out of Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenburg, but they got the equaliser they deserved a minute later. A free-kick from Geremi struck the raised arm of van der Vaart in the wall, and Eto’o thumped home the resultant penalty. But the game was won by a moment of magic from Arjen Robben, who came on as a substitute for his first appearance of the World Cup following an ankle injury with 17 minutes remaining. Ten minutes, the Bayern Munich winger danced in from the right touchline, and although his curled effort smacked the inside of the post, fellow substitute Huntelaar tapped into the empty net. Holland joined Argentina in being the only nation to qualify with a 100% record so far, but you expect there is more to come from Bert van Marwijk’s side – they have been functional rather than sensationally, but the return of a fully fit Robben will be an undoubted plus.

PLAYER OF THE DAY – Robert Vittek.
The Slovakian captain is the most obvious choice, after his two goals helped his country cause a spectacular upset, and also made him the joint top scorer so far, with Gonzalo Higuain. Following a trying season, at Lille then Turkish side Ankaragucu, there was some debate over whether Vittek would even make the squad. But make it he did, and his two fabulous goals against Italy were his just rewards. But he also led by example and led from the front, dragging his team over the finishing line. In reality, any one of the Slovakian players could have won this accolade, likewise their Japanese counterparts.

GOAL OF THE DAY – Fabio Quagliarella.

There were plenty of candidates here too – either of the Japanese free-kicks, by Keisuke Honda and Yasuhito Endo; the brilliant clinching chip by Kamil Kopunek for Slovakia; but none was better than Italy’s consolation, through Quagliarella. It could all have been so different if Simone Pepe had not wasted a glorious chance in the dying embers of the match. But the Napoli striker had given Pepe that opportunity to save the game minutes later, when the ball reached him 30 yards out. As he shaped to shoot, he adjusted his body to launch a glorious chip over keeper Jan Mucha. But it was too little, too late.

GAFFE OF THE DAY – Thomas Sorensen.

In a day awash with mistakes, there were plenty of potential winners here also – any of the Italian defence (notably Giorgio Chiellini and Fabio Cannavaro) or Daniele de Rossi for his ‘hospital’ pass which led to Slovakia’s first goal. But after a catalogue of errors which ultimately led to his teams’ elimination, Danish keeper Thomas Sorensen gets the nod. He was woefully out of position for Honda’s admittedly brilliant free-kick, while for Endo’s effort, his wall was badly positioned. And the Stoke keeper’s evening almost went from bad to worse, as he allowed a tame free-kick from Endo to slip through his fingers, but he was saved by the post.

FANTASY TEAM

Wesley Sneijder contributed ten points, but mainly due to his role as captain. Marek Hamsik, the talented Slovakia playmaker, finally kick-started his World Cup in the country where he plays his football. After missing a couple of good opportunities, his excellent cross was turned in by Robert Vittek for their second goal. And Robin van Persie completed a good day for my team, scoring his first goal of the tournament.

DAY 13 REVIEW

So England has done it. We can all breathe easy for a little while at least, and forget talk of Fabio Capello resigning. The silver lining of this most relieved of clouds, is after all England’s missed chances, USA’s 92nd minute winner relegates England to second place in Group C, and a potential run to the semi-finals of Germany and Argentina as opposed to Ghana and Uruguay. But that should be seen as a challenge to the players, and hopefully, the pressure will finally be released – England will not be the favourites in either of those games. And Capello himself will feel vindicated, as the two players he brought into the starting line-up combined for the only goal. After a steady start, England broke down the right hand side. The ball was worked for James Milner, and his delicious cross allowed Jermain Defoe to get in front of his marker, Marko Suler, and the contact he made on the ball was enough to take it past the keeper Samir Handanovic. From here on in, it was almost all England, but the boys in red could not get the crucial second goal. Another Milner cross was aimed towards Defoe, and Handanovic could only parry the ball out to the edge of the area, where Frank Lampard fired over with his weaker left foot. Defoe had another site of goal from just outside the area, but Handanovic saved well, and then the Udinese keeper had to be alert to keep out a sharp effort from captain Steven Gerrard after a neat one-two with the much-improved Wayne Rooney. The game continued in similar fashion after the break, and Defoe really should have made it 2-0 within seconds of the restart. Gareth Barry headed the ball back into the penalty area after the ball was half cleared, and the Spurs striker’s flick went just the wrong side of the post. There was no flag. England were completely on top, and Handanovic saved superbly from a John Terry header, and Rooney hit the post when clean through on goal, and the crucial second goal would not come. This was giving courage to Slovenia, who were finally starting to come out of their shell, and have a spell of sustained pressure. In a frantic spell, Terry blocked from Milvoje Novakovic, Glen Johnson did likewise from Zlatko Dedic, before Walter Birsa fired the ball wide. Rooney was then replaced as it looked like he was carrying an injury. But the most important moment of the closing stages was delivered by Matthew Upson. Another long ball into the England box broke Slovenia’s way, and just as substitute Tim Matavz was lining up to shoot, the West Ham defender made a quite brilliant block, and it was England’s final scare. And now on to a date with the auld enemy, Germany, in Bloemfontein on Sunday.

As I said, USA certainly left it late to win the game, and consequently top the group. For long periods of the game, it seemed like England would ‘do an England’, or even worse, as Algeria had some presentable chances of their own. And the North Africans should have led after just five minutes, as a long ball was missed by Jay DeMerit, and Rafik Djebbour chested it down before smashing the ball against the bar with Tim Howard beaten. From here, USA took command, and striker Herculez Gomez saw a shot well saved by Algerian keeper Rais M’Boli who would become a thorn in their side. After 20 minutes, they really should have been ahead. Landon Donovan’s shot was brilliant saved, but he quickly squared the rebound for Clint Dempsey to tap home, only for the linesman to have raised his flag. Replays have showed this was the incorrect decision. Before half-time, Jozy Altidore, America’s answer to Emile Heskey, blazed wastefully over from five yards, and the game continued in this fashion into the second half. Dempsey was again at the fore, crashing a shot against the post from the edge of the area before slashing the rebound wide. Bob Bradley was getting desperate on the American bench, and sent on attackers Edson Buddle and Benny Feilhaber to try and make the difference. The latter saw a shot saved by the legs of M’Boli, but as USA were almost totally committed to attack, Algeria started to look dangerous on the break. Karim Ziani flashed a sot wide when well placed, and it looked like the breakthrough would never come for USA. But in the final minute of stoppage time, Altidore escaped down the right, and his low cross was met by Dempsey, but M’Boli produced another excellent save. But who should the rebound fall to? Donovan, racing in, slammed the ball into the bottom corner to spark wild celebrations from the relieved Americans. There was still time for Algerian captain Antar Yahia to be sent off for a second bookable offence, but the USA won’t care, as they go forward to face Ghana on Saturday in Rustenburg.


In Group D, Germany beat Ghana in an absorbing match, which was enough to send both countries through to the last 16 due to Australia’s win over Serbia. We also saw World Cup history, as for the first time ever, two brothers lined up against each other in a World Cup match. Well, half-brothers anyway, Jerome Boateng for Germany and Kevin Prince-Boateng for Ghana being the candidates. With Germany needing a win to be sure of a place in the second round, and Africa’s last hope needing a draw, the match started at a good pace, with both teams creating some good chances. Cacau and Lukas Podolski went close for the three times World champions, while Asamoah Gyan wasted a hatful of chances for Ghana. Prince-Boateng also went close for Ghana, while the game’s outstanding player, German playmaker Mesut Ozil, shot straight at keeper Richard Kingson when clean through on goal. Germany raced out of the blocks after half-time, aware that Australia and Serbia were drawing, and a Serbian goal could send them out. The game’s first moment of real quality arrived just before the hour mark, and it secured Germany’s safe passage as group winners. Thomas Muller fed Ozil just outside the area, and as his control cushioned the ball, he fired a brilliant left foot half-volley into the top corner. Now it was Ghana’s chance to come forward, as they knew a Serbia goal could knock them out. Some brilliant last ditch defending from Boateng and captain Philip Lahm denied Prince Tagoe and Andre Ayew, but in the end, both teams could celebrate at the end. There were some nervous moments after the final whistle, but when news came through of Australia’s narrow win in Nelspruit, Africa finally had confirmed representation in the second round.

Following Ghana’s defeat to Germany, Serbia will see their 2-1 defeat to Australia as a missed opportunity, by a talented team. In the event, one more goal would have taken them through in second place, but Raddy Antic’s side could not find that crucial strike. It was also a case of missed opportunities, as Serbia dominated the majority of the game but were made to pay for missing some glaring chances. The match began in unsavoury fashion, as the talented Serbian winger Milos Krasic dived in a blatant attempt to win a penalty, which was not forthcoming but neither was a yellow card. Mark Schwarzer was their nemesis in the Australia goal, as he made superb saves to deny Krasic and Branislav Ivanovic. Krasic had an even better chance to give his side the lead, when he collected a through ball through Zdravko Kuzmanovic, rounded Schwarzer, but shot wastefully over. Australia offered little going the other way, as they knew it would take a miracle to progress – only a Ghana win over Germany, or a German win and a huge win for themselves, would have seen them progress. In the second half, Australia came into the game more, as Jason Culina and Mark Bresciano both tested Wigan keeper Vladimir Stojkovic, but the whole complexion of the game was changed after 69 minutes, as Tim Cahill fired in a trademark bullet header from Lucas Neill’s right wing cross. And they doubled their lead four minutes later, as substitute Brett Holman scored a stunning goal from outside the penalty area. In a twist of fate, Australia now needed two more goals to go through. But it was Serbia who finished the stronger. Substitute Marko Pantelic pulled one back with six minutes remaining, as Schwarzer made an uncharacteristic error when he spilled a shot from Zoran Tosic. Serbia wanted a penalty for a handball by Cahill, but they have only themselves to blame for failing to progress, as Pantelic missed a sitter in injury time.



PLAYER OF THE DAY – Landon Donovan.

Talk about leading by example. With his team staring elimination in the face, he popped up with the vital winner a minute from time. Just as in the game with Slovenia, he pulled his team back from the dead when it really mattered. After missing a catalogue of chances, USA never gave up, and the pile-on after Donovan slammed the ball home shows just what it meant to them. And with Ghana, and possibly Uruguay, awaiting them, who knows how far this team can go?

GOAL OF THE DAY – Mesut Ozil.

The young Werder Bremen playmaker has shown he is a special talent since Germany’s first game of this World Cup, and he proved it by scoring the goal which took his country through to the next round as group winners. Thomas Muller found him on the edge of the area, but with very few options he fired in a beautiful half-volley from the edge of the area after the ball sat up for him.

GAFFE OF THE DAY – Marko Pantelic.

With seconds remaining, Serbia’s goalscorer turned from hero to villain, as is so often the want of the World Cup. One more goal would have taken his country through, but when Danko Lazovic’s cross from the right found him unmarked in front of goal, he could only blaze harmlessly over the bar.

MOMENT OF THE DAY – USAs winner.

After so many near misses, the United States must have thought they’d wasted their chance, and they’d be heading out of the tournament with three draws. But in the last minute of stoppage time, Jozy Altidore broke down the right, Clint Dempsey’s shot from his cross was brilliant saved by Rais M’Boli, but captain fantastic Landon Donovan was following in to turn heartbreak into elation. Cue an old fashioned pile-on, with the hero Donovan at the bottom.

FANTASY TEAM

Igor Kolarov got not points for Serbia as his country conceded two goals, but Ashley Cole earned himself eight points for England as he helped his country get the clean sheet which helped seal their progression. But German keeper Manuel Neuer scored the most points for his team, as his clean sheet earned him 12 points.

DAY 12 REVIEW

As we entered the second half of this tournament, things really started to get interesting. Teams started needing to win, goal difference came in to play – in essence, the fear factor had gone! And none more so than in Group A, where both South Africa and France knew they had to win to have any chance of qualifying for the knockout stage of the tournament. France, who were in absolute disarray, ended their World Cup with yet another defeat. For awhile, it looked like South Africa might pull off a magnificent escape, but in the end, the hosts had left themselves with too much to do. In doing so, they became the first host nation in history to fail to progress past the group phase. France’s tournament however, continued in shambolic fashion. Although a player boycott did not materialise, the fallout from the weekend’s events saw captain Patrice Evra dropped. It always seemed likely both these sides would be eliminated, but at half-time, South Africa had given themselves a real chance of making the impossible happen. After 20 minutes they took the lead, when the highly rated Lyon keeper Hugo Lloris completely missed a corner Siphiwe Tshabalala, and Bongani Khumalo bundled it into the net off his shoulder. Things got worse five minutes later, as French midfielder Yoann Gorcuff was harshly sent off for raising his arm in an aerial challenge with Macbeth Sibaya. Just as it looked like France were getting to grips with the man deficit, the hosts doubled their lead, as Katlego Mphela bundled in Tsepo Masilela’s cross, despite the best efforts of Gael Clichy. The French were offering little, and were heading out of the tournament in limp fashion. And there was real hope for South Africa when Uruguay took the lead against Mexico, but they still needed more goals in both games, or at least one of the games. The Bafana Bafana really pressed in the second half, and Mphela hit the outside of the post with a first time shot, and the striker brought the best out of Lloris with a long range shot. But the inexperienced hosts were tiring, and France exploited the space left as they poured forward. The ineffectual Franck Ribery set up Florent Malouda to tap home from Clichy’s through ball, effectively ensuring the hosts would be exiting the World Cup with the 1998 World Champions. To their credit, South Africa continued to pour forward, and one of their stars of the tournament, Tshabalala, brought the best out of Lloris in injury time, but it was a forlorn cause. South Africa have some great memories from the first African World Cup they hosted – France, on the other hand, will hope to wake up tomorrow and find out the last couple of weeks have been a bad dream. Unfortunately for the departing Raymond Domenech and his players, they have not. As if to further add to the sense of farce surrounding France's World Cup campaing, Domenech refused to shake the hand of Carlos Alberto Parreira, after the Brazilian apparently said France did not deserve to be at the World Cup, presumably referring to Thierry Henry's infamous handball against Republic of Ireland in the play-off. I think I am not alone in wishing Laurent Blanc the best of luck. He will probably need it.

In the simultaneous game in Rustenberg between Mexico and Uruguay, there was no hint of carve-up – both of these teams wanted to win the game, to avoid the dubious honour of a second round tie against the supreme Lionel Messi and co. The impressive Uruguay started brightly, and Luis Suarez missed a good chance early on when one-on-one with Mexican keeper Oscar Perez. But Mexico clearly wanted to avoid a repeat of their 2006 encounter with Argentina, and winger Andres Guardado hit the underside of the bar with an awesome strike from fully 30 yards, with Fernando Muslera well beaten. But the South Americans took the lead on the stroke of half-time, to give brief hope to the whole of Africa. The impressive Diego Forlan picked up the ball on the halfway line, and fed winger Edison Caveni on the right. His delightful cross was headed in at the back post by Suarez, who finally brought his club form onto the biggest stage of all. Mexico started the second half in positive fashion, and Muslera was tested by 37-yead-old Cuauhtemoc Blanco from a free-kick. But Uruguay looked dangerous on the break, and Forlan again provided an excellent chance, as Perez made a brilliant save from Diego Lugano’s header from Forlan’s free-kick. Mexico did most of the pressing from there on in, but news of France’s goal in Bloemfontein settled nerves. Both teams were able to celebrate at the final whistle, although Uruguay will happy about avoiding Argentina, and have a second round tie against either Greece, Nigeria, or South Korea to look forward to. But as the Argentines found out in 2006, Mexico are no mugs.


In the final round of games in Group B, Argentina won comfortably again against a dour Greece side, despite making seven changes from the side who had won their opening two games. Otto Rehhagel was clearly intent on sending his side out for a draw, and hoping Nigeria did them a favour in their corresponding game with South Korea – in the event, neither of these happened. Sotirios Papastathopoulos almost marked the great Lionel Messis, skippering the side in the absence of Javier Mascherano, out of the game. But it is one thing do it for 80 minutes, and a whole not harder doing it for 90 plus minutes. Greece set their stall out with the tireless Georgios Samaras up front on his own with very little support, and to his credit, the Celtic striker made the best of a bad hand. Argentina, with Messi’s subdued by his close attention, struggled to break down the massed Greek defence, although coach Diego Maradona’s son-in-law, Sergio Aguero went close with a fine run and shot after 18 minutes. He was looking as likely as anyone to break the deadlock. Messi and Juan Sebastisan Veron, who was becoming increasingly influential at the ripe age of 35, tested keeper Alexandros Tzorvas from range, but Maxi Rodriguez had the best chance of the half – the Liverpool midfielder brought a good save out of Tzorvas after a cross from namesake Clemente found him unmarked ten yards from goal. Greece had barely registered a shot, although Argentina defender Martin Demichelis looked uncomfortable against the long ball, and Samaras was causing him problems. Early in the second half, the Celtic striker got the glorious chance he had craved. A long ball from Kostantinos Katsouranis saw him again get the better of Demichelis, and while his first shot hit the legs of Nicolas Burdisso, when the ball rebounded back to him, he fired wide from a presentable position. After that, the match reverted to type, even though the result in the other game meant Greece had to win to progress. Messi was still struggling to get into the game, but Greece fell away after Argentina opened the scoring with 13 minutes remaining. And for all their attacking talent, it was from a ricochet from a corner that the breakthrough came. The initial header from Demichelis rebounded into striker Diego Milito, and from the rebound, the Bayern Munich defender smashed the ball into the roof of the net. As Greece had to go for it, the shackles on Messi were released, and he looked a relieved man. Almost immediately, he went on a dazzling run up the left touchline, which culminated in him smashing the ball against the post. And he had a hand in the second goal which clinched the win in the last minute. Receiving the ball on the right this time, he moved inside on a jinking run, played a quick one-two with substitute Angel di Maria, and his rasping shot from the edge of the area was only parried into the path of another substitute, Martin Palermo, who coolly sidefooted into the bottom corner. This probably brought the biggest cheer of the night, especially from Maradona, and Greece got exactly what they deserved for their lack of ambition – an early flight home.

The corresponding fixture in Group B, however, was pulsating right up until the final whistle – and the identity of the country who would be joining Argentina in the last 16 wasn’t confirmed until the final whistle. That country will be South Korea, but not without a few scares from Nigeria. After South Korea missed a presentable early chance, Nigeria took the lead out of nothing after 12 minutes. Right back Chidi Odiah got much further than he should have done down the touchline, and his low cross was turned in by Kalu Uche, who had meandered past the daydreaming right back Cha Du-Ri. Nigeria kept on creating the chances, as Chinesu Obasi fired wide while Uche drilled a shot against he post from 25 yards. However, as the Asians started to come back into the game, it was yet more defensive frailty that cost the Africans. Ki Sung-Yeong’s free-kick found Lee Jung-Soo unmarked at the back post, behind a deep Nigerian defence, and he bundled the ball in after appearing unsure whether to use his foot or head. And five minutes after half-time, Nigeria gave themselves a mountain to climb. Another free-kick on the left caused the damage, but this time Park Chu-Young’s effort flew straight in – the keeper, Vincent Enyeama, appeared to be at fault. As Nigeria started to look tired, they somehow found a second wind to drag themselves back into the contest. But Yakubu Aiyegbeni had a head in hands moment, as he wasted the chance to get his team back into the game. Uche fed Yussuf Ayila on the overlap, and his cross across the face of goal found the Everton striker unmarked, four yards out, with an open goal. He somehow contrived to put the ball the wrong side of the post. But he had partial redemption just two minutes later. Korean substitute Kim Nam-Il failed to deal with a long ball, allowing Obasi to nick the ball away from him, and the Korean brought him home clumsily. Yakubu showed great courage in stepping forward, and coolly wrong-footed the keeper Jung Sung-Ryong. This was his last action of the game, as he was replaced by Victor Obinna, but fellow substitute Obafemi Martins was to have his own horror moment minutes later. Uche played him in, but, one-on-one with the goalkeeper, he got the height but not the accuracy in his attempted chip. After two close long range attempts from Obinna were as close as Nigeria came after that, and it was a case of what have been from them and their Swedish coach Lars Lagerback. For South Korea, they qualified from the group stage for the first time away from home – a magnificent achievement.



PLAYER OF THE DAY – Luis Suarez.

The Ajax striker finally showed the world what everyone was talking about, and what brought him almost 50 goals last season. He led the frontline brilliantly, ably helped by the excellent Diego Forlan and Edison Caveni, in a menacing front three, and capped off his performance with a brilliant header. You would expect him to score from that range given the opportunity, but the goal was made by his superb movement as the cross came in from Caveni, completely flummoxing his marker. The rest of the world has been warned.

GOAL OF THE DAY – Martin Palermo.

It was by no means the most important goal of this World Cup. And it certainly wasn’t the best. But you could see by the reaction of the bench (and Diego Maradona especially) how much it meant to them. The 36-yead-old striker, who scored a crucial goal in Argentina’s almost disastrous qualifying campaign having been recalled after an absence of almost ten years, sidefooted into the bottom corner after Lionel Messi’s rasping shot was parried to him. A quite remarkable story.

GAFFE OF THE DAY – Yakubu Aiyegbeni.

This was probably miss of the tournament as well. With the goal gaping following a cross from Yussuf Ayila, the Everton striker somehow proceeded to let the ball hit his heel and bobble wide, when any kind of proper contact would have resulted in a goal. Although he did score a penalty two minutes later, Nigeria still fell one goal short of qualifying for the second round.

FANTASY TEAM

My fantasy team put in a half decent performance yesterday. Well the one player who played did anyway, as Luis Suarez scored his first goal of the tournament to give himself eight points.

DAY 11 REVIEW

Portugal belatedly started their World Cup campaign, and in doing so, virtually qualified for the second round, barring a huge goal swing in the final set of games in Group G. They made football look easy in their 7-0 demolition of North Korea, who had looked so impressive in narrowly losing 2-1 to Brazil. But the Asians paid the price for a more positive approach in Cape Town, and despite a decent start, were eventually blown away by a rampant Portugal. In a repeat of one of the most famous World Cup matches in history, when Portugal came from 3-0 down to win 5-3 in a quarter-final in 1966, there was no comeback needed this time. Ricardo Carvalho hit the post early on, but North Korea had some chances of their own – right-back Cha Jong-Hyok fired just wide after a neat build up, and Hong Yong-Jo brought a good save out of keeper Eduardo from a cross shot, but Mun In-Guk headed the rebound over from a good position. But that was as good as it got, and they took the lead just before the half hour mark. Tiago stepped infield from the right touchline, and played an excellent through ball to meet a brilliantly-timed run from Raul Meireles, and the Porto midfielder fired the ball under Ri Myong-Guk, no doubt hoped by the slippery surface. Although North Korea held out until half-time, as they chased the game gaps started to appear, and Portugal exploited this space to maximum effect in a devastating second half display. On 53 minutes, Miguel launched a long ball forward. Meireles chested the ball down for striker Hugo Almeida, who flicked the ball back into his path. He bided his time, before playing in Simao on the right of the penalty area. The winger made no mistake, slipping the ball through the keeper’s legs. Minutes later, it was 3-0. Cristiano Ronaldo set the excellent left-back Fabio Coentrao free, and his excellent cross left Almeida with the simple task of heading into the top corner. By the hour mark, the impressive Tiago was celebrating a goal. Ronaldo was becoming increasingly influential, and his pull back found the former Chelsea midfielder, and he sidefooted home from the edge of the area. For the next 20 minutes or so, Portugal took their foot off the gas to an extent, although Ronaldo fired the ball against the crossbar from 30 yards – the goal he so craved was still eluding him. With ten minutes remaining, it was 5-0, although this time it was solely down to a mistake from the tiring Korean defence, than Portuguese brilliance. Ri Kwang-Chon slashed at an easy ball, and Liedson smashed the ball home with virtually his first touch after coming on as a substitute. With three minutes remaining, Ronaldo finally got his reward. After another defensive mistake, he just about skipped around the keeper, but the ball bounced up, rolled off his head and down his neck, but the £80 million man showed immense coolness to stroke the ball in when it dropped out of the sky. They were not done yet, and Tiago had his second in the last minute, heading in a cross from substitute Miguel Veloso. It may ‘only be North Korea, but Portugal have sent out a statement of intent. Chile, Spain or Switzerland should beware.

In Group H, Chile took a huge step towards the second round with a narrow victory over Switzerland, in a game constantly interrupted by the pedantic referee from Saudi Arabia, Khalil Al Ghamdi. The Swiss held out for the 67 minutes they needed to break the World Cup record for the longest time without conceding a goal, going back to their second round defeat to Spain in 1994. But coach Ottmar Hitzfeld will b disappointed they could not see out the game for a valuable point, after playing for an hour with ten men. And they had Mr Al Ghamdi to thank for that, although West Ham midfielder Valon Behrami hardly helped himself. The tone was set from the first minute, when Chile’s stocky striker Humberto Suazo was harshly booked for a high tackle on a Swiss defender, and the referee continued to be picky throughout the match, resulted in nine yellow cards and the one red. The match was perfectly set up as Chile’s flamboyant attacking philosophy against Switzerland’s stoic attitude, but it turned into the massed Swiss defence versus Chile pouring forward until the goal arrived with 15 minutes left. Chile brought two decent saves from keeper Diego Benaglio, from long range efforts from Arturo Vidal and Carlos Carmona, but Switzerland were their usually conservative self until the main flashpoint after half an hour. Behrami was shielding the ball on the right touchline. First he held off Jean Beausejour, slightly raising his hands but doing the job. But when he was challenged by Vidal, he looked round, and raised his hands to his opponents face. Vidal went down, albeit dramatically, but Behrami can have few complaints – if you raise your hands to an opponents’ face, you’re in trouble. Switzerland’s commitment to solidity became total, symbolised by sacrificing captain and record scorer Alexander Frei for an extra midfield player, Tranquilo Barnetta. The gifted youngster Alexis Sanchez seemed the most likely source of a breakthrough, but Benaglio was equal to the best he had to offer. The same could not be said of the much heralded Suazo, who was sacrificed at half-time after a disappointing showing. He was one of two substitutions during the interval, with South African-born Mark Gonzalez and Jorge Valdivia entering the fray, with Vidal also exiting. Sanchez thought he had broken the deadlock, when a cleverly-worked free-kick saw Beausejour square the ball to him, but his deflected effort off Valdivia was ruled out for a clear offside. He had an even better chance a minute later, as a mistake from Steve von Bergen let him in, but Benaglio made a fantastic save with the Udinese playmaker bearing down on him. It seemed like there was only going to be one winner, and Marcelo Bielsa had clearly instructed his side to go for it. The third and final substitution came just after the hour mark, with striker Estaban Paredes coming on for Matias Fernandez, and the sub was to prove vital to the winning goal. After the landmark had been passed, the Swiss held out for another eight minutes. As if to advocate Bielsa’s attacking stance, the three substitutes combined to send the South American’s into delirium. They finally picked a way through and broke the solid offside trap when Valdivia slipped the ball through for Paredes. The sub rounded Benaglio, and showing great composure, clipped the ball to the back post for Gonzalez to head into the ground and into the net, past the defender on the line. This provided an entertaining last 15 minutes, as Switzerland had to commit players forward, but a succession of set pieces came to nothing. Chile were lightning quick on the break, trying to get the second goal which would have clinched the victory, but Paredes wasted two glorious chances when one-on-one with Benaglio. And the South Americans were almost made to pay for their naivety and profligacy – Switzerland got the great chance they had waited for in the final minute, but when the ball broke for Eren Derdiyok, the substitute somehow sidefooted the ball wide from the penalty spot. That was the final chance of the game, and Chile are on the brink of setting up a last 16 minute, probably with either Brazil or Portugal. A draw will be good enough in the final game against European champions Spain, but even a defeat may not be terminal. And this would definitely be a win for football.

In the final game of the day, the World Cup reached the halfway mark. And with it, Spain got their campaign back on track with a win which was far more comfortable than the 2-0 win suggested against Honduras. David Villa, Barcelona’s new £35 million signing scored both, but Spain should have been 3-0 up by the time he broke the deadlock in devastating fashion after 17 minutes. Sergio Ramos and the out of sorts Fernando Torres missed sitters, before Villa smashed the crossbar from long range. But he was not to be denied when he picked up the ball near the left touchline. He seemed short of options, but he showed a devastating turn of speed to go in between two defenders, and with Xavi waiting for the pass, he somehow bent it around keeper Noel Valladares and into the top corner from a tight angle. Torres missed two more simple chances, and at half-time it was still only 1-0. Early in the second half, Villa was perhaps lucky to stay on the pitch in light of the earlier match in Group H, after aiming a slap in the direction of defender, Emilipo Izaguirre, but minutes later he made it 2-0. A quick break saw Xavi set him up on the edge of the box, and he touched it out of his feet before firing over Valladares via a deflection off Osman Chavez. The onslaught continued, and there was no respite for Honduras. Right back Sergio Ramos broke forward and fired just wide, before Villa had a glorious opportunity to complete the second hat-trick of this World Cup. Winger Jesus Navas was tripped in the penalty area, by Izaguirre, and Villa stepped up. There was no hint of giving strike partner Torres some confidence, but Villa sent Valladares the wrong way only to see the ball go inches past the post. Cesc Fabregas got his first taste of World Cup action off the bench, and almost scored within 16 seconds, only to see Chavez hack his shot off the line after he had rounded the keeper. Villa saw another hat-trick opportunity pass him by after a brilliant last ditch challenge from Sergio Mendoza, but Vicente del Bosque’s team had taken their foot off the gas. His team will probably have to be more clinical than this though, to secure their qualification of Friday against an in-form Chile.


PLAYER OF THE DAY – David Villa.

In stark contrast to his strike partner Fernando Torres, here is a striker bang in form. The rest of the teams in South Africa (and Zlatan Ibrahimovic) should be very worried. He leads the line superbly, an international goals record of 40 goals in 60 caps can’t be argued with. But he is such a perfectionist, he will be devastated he did not clinch his hat-trick.

GOAL OF THE DAY – David Villa’s first.

There seemed few options for Barcelona’s newest big name when the ball found him towards the left touchline. The sensible thing would have been to work the ball inside to start another attack. But instead, Villa sprinted between two defenders, and instead of passing, engineered some space to bend the ball around another defender and into the top corner. The goalkeeper had no chance.

GAFFE OF THE DAY – Khalil Al Ghamdi.

The Saudi official went a long way to ruining in part what had the potential to be an intriguing contest. He probably got the sending off of Valon Behrami just about right. But of the nine yellow cards, many of them were debatable, and he made no attempt to let the game flow. And he booked the Chile defender Gary Medel in the second half for raising his arms in the penalty area – so clearly consistency was also lacking, as judging by the example he had set, that should have been a red card. He should probably not expect a call from FIFA to referee further games in this World Cup.

FANTASY TEAM
There was a quite dismal performance from my team on Day 11 of this World Cup. David Silva, the Spanish winger, was surprisingly dropped and didn’t even make it on to the pitch off the bench, and Fernando Torres, his teammate, missed a hatful of chances and was taken off without troubling the scorers.

A forthright airing of views or player power and indiscipline?

The last few days at this World Cup have raised an interesting question about what happens behind the scenes, not just at international level but when players return to their clubs to. That is, when do players expressing their opinions descend into player power, unrest and anarchy? Or should the best coaches in the world be able to take the opinions of their senior professionals on board, if there are clearly problems in the camp and things aren’t working?
This weekend, two of world football’s biggest nations have been the subject of such questions having started their World Cup’s in disappointing fashion. Let’s start with France – and it is clear their World Cup campaign has descended into disarray. Despite failing to qualify for the 1994 World Cup after losing at home to Israel and Bulgaria and being knocked out of the 2002 Wold Cup, as holders, without winning a game or scoring a goal, French football journalist Phillipe Auclair described these last few days as ‘the most shameful episode in the history of our football.’ Following Thursday’s limp defeat against Mexico which almost confirmed France’s elimination, it is fair to say things have spiralled. Striker Nicolas Anelka let his feelings be known to coach Raymond Domenech (that is the diplomatic way to put it) after being substituted during the Mexico game. After a leak to the media, then French Football Federation felt it had no option but to send him home. Which begs the question – are footballers just glorified machines if they cannot air their views, especially the experienced professionals? Of course Anelka didn’t earn the nickname ‘The Incredible Sulk’ for nothing, and could have dealt with the situation better. And if there had not been a leak to the media, the incident would have been dealt with in-house and we wouldn’t have heard anything else about it, which probably says a lot about the disharmony in the French camp at the moment.
But when a whole squad is upset at the treatment of an individual player, when there are already grievances in the camp and in the rarefied atmosphere of a World Cup, the consequences can be dire. And Sunday’s scenes were the most shameful I have ever seen in any sporting context. The final match tomorrow is not a dead rubber, but it may as well be. A live ‘training’ session, in front of the world’s media, was anything but that. After the expulsion of Anelka, the squad refused to train in front of the cameras. This sparked a furious row between captain Patrice Evra and fitness coach Robert Duverne. Duverne denied he was the source of the dressing room leak, and simply stated, ‘we play an important match in two days, and when Evra came to me and told me the players weren’t going to train, I was furious because we have no right to destroy our last chance.’
Domenech had to intervene, and Duverne was seen walking away, throwing away his FIFA accreditation badge. Which presumably was him quitting his post. Which is precisely what Jean-Louis Valentin, the FFF’s Managing Director, did, such was his disgust at the incident. Following the Evra-Duverne incident, the players made their way to the team bus, where a meeting behind closed curtains led to a statement from Domenech detailing that the players were not going to train. It is unclear whether they are going to reverse their stance today, on the eve of what will probably be Domenech’s last match in charge (Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc has already been installed for after the World Cup). What is also unclear, is whether these ramifications are a show of solidarity behind Nicolas Anelka, or whether it was just the final straw for the players in a country who’s football is littered with unprofessional behaviour and in-fighting. Domenech has been a controversial figure since being appointed in 2005 – from omitting the in-form Robert Pires as he ‘distrusted scorpio’s, refusing to explain his team selections, picking Claude Makelele despite the Chelsea midfielder having retired from international football, and a dismal Euro 2008 suggesting their World Cup final appearance in 2006 was a flash in the pan, it is a surprise Domenech has lasted this long. But if this decision taken by the squad was just a show of solidarity behind the Chelsea striker, then that really is player power getting out of hand.

Which brings us on to another of football’s leading lights, England, where the situation is not quite as catastrophic, but only just. At least all the talk is being kept in-house. But first of all, let’s have a history lesson. In both of England’s World Cup campaigns under Bobby Robson, in 1986 and 1990, the starts were as bad, or worse, than the current generation have experienced. But both of those World Cup’s turned into successful tournaments, where with a bit more luck, England could have gone all the way to erase the memory of 1966. But neither of these occurrences were coincidences. In the former, having lost to a poor Portugal in the opening game, then drawing 0-0 with minnows Morocco (sound familiar), Robson realized changes had to be made. Some of these decisions were made for him – captain Bryan Robson was again injured in a major tournament, and Ray Wilkins was sent-off, so was suspended. But Chris Waddle was also withdrawn from that midfield, and the trio was replaced by Steve Hodge, Peter Reid and Trevor Steven. However, the most important change was replacing the ineffectual Mark Hateley with Peter Beardsley. The tiny Geordie helped Gary Lineker to a hat-trick against Poland, and they went on to thrash Paraguay 3-0 before being defeated by the hand and foot of Diego Maradona.
The 1990 World Cup, however, shows remarkable similarities to the 2010 version. After a 1-1 draw in their opening match against the Republic of Ireland, Robson was once again being vilified by the British press. This led to clear the air talks, although Robson insists the players didn’t persuade him to change formation. He ditched the stale 4-4-2 for a 3-5-2 system with a sweeper, to cope with the sapping Italian heat. After a containing 0-0 draw with the talented Holland, the man brought in to the system, Mark Wright, scored the only goal against Egypt, and England ended up being only a penalty shoot out from the World Cup final.
So despite Robson’s protestations, there was a team meeting and the system and the personnel were changed. Sound familiar? So England have held clear-the-air talks, amidst rumours of dressing room unrest and that coach Fabio Capello will quit should England not progress on Wednesday. Although the talks have been described as ‘positive’, it seems unlikely the Italian will back down to player power. There are a number of grievances which are likely to have been aired – including boredom in the camp, Capello’s tactical system – with many advocating Gerrard supporting Rooney as a lone striker, player selection – John Terry candidly backed Joe Cole for a starting berth in his press conference, and aspects of the Italian’s man management – such as naming the starting line-up only two minutes before kick-off and his apparent aloofness with the players.
But this is a far different situation to the one engulfing the French national team. Capello invited the players to air their views, and senior players such as Terry and David James have stated the squad is still universally behind the coach with measured press conferences. The idea was not to spark panic, and concentrate on the job in hand – that is, beating Slovenia on Wednesday or experiencing one of the most embarrassing episodes in England’s sporting histories. From now on the, players should have the mind frame that the knockout stages start on Wednesday. Every match is a must win, or the players will be on the next plane home. With games coming so thick and fast, only in a World Cup would so much attention be drawn to a team meeting. We will find out in two days times how much influence the players have had on the coach. But my view is that Capello is a fiercely strong and independent personality. He is unlikely to change the team and/or system unless he deems it the right thing to do – if he doesn’t, he will staunchly stick to his guns, and then any potential repercussions are squarely on his shoulders.
So what has been learnt from the events of the last weekend? In short, probably not a great deal, other than how to handle a perceived crisis and how not to. Sometimes, in a high pressured sporting environment, things need to be said when the team isn’t performing to expectations. If this is kept behind closed doors, the team can move forward, and the man in charge can make whatever changes he deems necessary. This may or may not help the English cause on Wednesday. If these confrontations aren’t kept behind closed doors – well, you only have to look at how France have imploded in the last couple of days to see the potential dangers.

DAY 10 REVIEW

Day 10 of the World Cup saw one of the biggest shocks of World Cup history, as 2000/1 outsiders New Zealand sensationally held world champions Italy to a 1-1 draw. And with a little more luck, it could have been even worse for Marcello Lippi’s men. This means victory in their final game against Paraguay will take the All Whites into the second round. They could not have got off to a better start, taking the lead inside seven minutes. Simone Pepe gave away a free-kick towards the halfway line. Former Fulham midfielder Simon Elliott whipped the ball in, and the hero from the opening game Winston Reid flicked it on. World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro could only help it into the path of former Mansfield, FC Wimbledon and Halifax striker Shane Smeltz, who was nerveless in prodding the ball past Gianluigi Buffon’s understudy Federico Marcehtti. The Italians slowly but surely came back into the match, with first Gianluca Zambrotta going close from long range, and then Ricardo Montolivo rattling the post from 30 yards with a swerving shot. The almost inevitable equaliser came just before the half hour mark, but in controversial circumstances. A cross from the left saw Daniele de Rossi tumble rather easily under a challenge from Ipswich defender Tommy Smith. Vincenzo Iaquinta easily stroked home the penalty, and it was game on. Italy finished the first half in the ascendancy, but Marcello Lippi was still proactive at the break, bringing on Antonio di Natale and Mauro Camoranesi for Alberto Gilardino and Pepe. After there wasn’t a marked improvement, on the hour, the talented young striker Giampaolo Pazzini replaced the ineffective Claudio Marschisio. Italy were being reduced to long-range pot shots, which suited New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert down to the ground. Montolivio and Camoranesi stung the palms of goalkeeper Mark Paston, but the underdogs twice came close to winning. Midfielder Ivan Vicelich struck a fierce volley just wide, before 18 year old striker Chris Wood, on as a substitute, turned Cannavaro inside out before firing just wide with the keeper beaten. But despite late pressure, the imperious Ryan Nelsen and his men held on for a famous point that keeps New Zealand’s World Cup dream alive.

The earlier game in Group F gave one of these teams the opportunity to take control of the group – and this opportunity was taking by Paraguay, who beat a lacklustre Slovakia. The Eastern Europeans had no answer to the incisive passing and quick interchange of Paraguay’s front three of Roque Santa Cruz, Lucas Barrios and Nelson Haedo Valdez. Santa Cruz, Cristian Riveros and Valdez all went close, before fine interplay between Barrios and Enrique Vera saw the former shoot just over the bar. After 27 minutes however, the same combination was not to be denied. Slovakia gave away the ball towards the left touchline, and the ball was worked back in-field to Barrios. The skilful forward bided his time, before releasing Vera who had made an excellent run from deep. The midfielder curled the ball into the corner, first time, with the outside of his right foot for an excellent goal. This brought a bit more life into the Slovakians, but despite Kornel Salata heading over unmarked, Santa Cruz almost doubled the lead after more sloppy defending, only to be denied by keeper Jan Mucha. Paraguay were strolling through the second half, a dangerous policy when the lead was only a goal. But the Slovakians had neither the flair or invention to punish the South Americans, with the much vaunted Napoli playmaker Marek Hamsik particularly disappointing. They were finally put out of their misery with four minutes remaining, when Riveros smashed in a fierce drive from the edge of the box – leaving the winners needing a point in their final game against New Zealand to progress, and the losers staring elimination in the face.

The final game of the weekend gave us something we had wanted to see ever since the first ball was kicked in anger – Brazil finally arrived at this World Cup, after an unconvincing opening win over North Korea. The Boys from Brazil beat Sven Goran Eriksson’s Ivory Coast more easily than the 3-1 scoreline suggests, and the Africans will have their work cut out to qualify now. They were by no means the finished article, but there were enough flashes of brilliance to suggest the South Americans are finding their stride. Didier Drogba returned to the starting line-up for the Ivorians, just 16 days after breaking his arm, surprisingly replacing the impressive Gervinho. But too often he was isolated as his teammates defended in vast numbers, and struggled to get into the game. After a stodgy opening period, Brazil took the lead after 25 minutes. Kaka, showing flashes of his brilliance which have been so lacking at Real Madrid this season, slipped in Luis Fabiano, who took it round the last defender before smashing a fabulous shot from a tight angle into the roof of the net. Just after half-time, the striker scored his second, in both brilliant and controversial circumstances. He flicked the ball over one defender, before brilliantly jinked around another before finishing clinically left-footed. But despite looking like there was at least one, if not two handballs, there was barely a protest from the Ivorians. Minutes later, Drogba got his first sniff of goal, heading Aruna Dindane’s cross just wide, but after Kaka had brought the best out of keeper Boubacar Barry following a flowing move, the same player escaped down the left to cut the ball back for the onrushing Elano to sidefoot into the net and kill the match. But minutes later, the smiles of the former Manchester City midfielder turned to despair, as he was involved in a nasty tangle with Didier Zokora and was stretchered off. Brazil got slightly careless, and a long ball from Yaya Toure exposed a shocking offside trap, allowing Drogba to meander into the penalty area and glance the ball into the corner of the net. But it was too little too late, and tetchy scenes towards the end culminated in Kaka being sent-off in controversial circumstances – first being booked for pushing Yaya Toure, then receiving a second yellow a minute later following an innocuous collision with Ivorian substitute Kader Keita, who went down holding his face despite their being no contact with that part of the body. This was an unsavoury end to an entertaining game.


PLAYER OF THE DAY – Ryan Nelsen

In a game which is usually dominated by attackers and flair players, the Blackburn Rovers defender and New Zealand captain deserves a more than honourable mention here, His Premier League experience was crucial as he helped his country withstand a barrage of attacks from the world champions with a courageous display. He is the star turn in a limited squad, but he made sure they were more than the sum of their parts. On the few occasions the ball did make its way past him, his keeper Mark Paston was also superb. Nelsen’s outstanding moment came as the match was drawing to a close – right-back Gianluca Zambrotta cut inside and unleashed a left-footed shot that seemed destined for the top corner. But who flew himself in front of the ball for an outstanding block – that’s right, the head of Ryan Nelsen.

GOAL OF THE DAY – Enrique Vera.

It would have been easy to choose either of the goals scored by the outstanding Luis Fabiano. But I think Paraguay’s first was better, because it was so incisive in build up and execution, and we have now seen all the South American teams turn on the style. One minute Slovakia had the ball towards the left touchline. They lost possession, the ball was worked in-field to Lucas Barrios, and he waited for the run from deep from Vera, who finished beautifully with the outside of his boot when the ball was played into his path. You’re rarely likely to see two better consecutive touches.
MOMENT OF THE DAY – New Zealand.

The unheralded antipodeans showed there is more to football than talent – hard work, teamwork and a collective identity are also pretty important too. Their goal was scored by a former AFC Wimbledon, Mansfield and Halifax striker, and their country doesn’t have a professional league – the country’s top team, Wellington Phoenix (also managed by coach Ricki Herbert) play in Australia’s A-league, and apart from Ryan Nelsen, there are few recognisable names. However, with a bit more luck, the All Whites could have completed a sensational win, as West Brom’s teenage striker Chris Wood turned World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannvaro inside out before firing inches wide. What a day this was for New Zealand football.

COMEDY MOMENT OF THE DAY – Luis Fabiano and referee.

As Fabiano is trotting back to his half having doubled his tally with a controversial goal, the referee asks him if he controlled the ball with his hand. It seems quite curious that if the referee thought this was a possibility, he didn’t disallow the goal. Anyway, the Sevilla striker claimed adamantly, and not unsurprisingly, that the ball struck his chest. I think the jury’s still out on that one!

COTROVERSY OF THE DAY – Kaka’s red card.

A match sprinkled with some outstanding quality ended in disgrace, as a number of confrontations between the Ivorians and Brazilians in the last few minutes culminated with Kaka receiving a needless red card which rules him out of Brazil’s academic final group game, and maybe more. He need not have got involved with first Yaya Toure, and then Kader Keita, but in fairness, he definitely did not touch Keita’s face to warrant that reaction from the Galatasaray player. But, after Rivaldo’s shenanigans in 2002, maybe it’s a case of what goes around comes around?

FANTASY TEAM

There were yet more nondescript performances by my players. Zambrotta went close with a couple of efforts to earn himself an attacking bonus, but he could not keep out the mighty Kiwis at the other end to earn a clean sheet. And Marek Hamsik, the Slovakia playmaker, again failed to live up to his reputation as one of the most inspiring young players in European football.