I am so happy France got eliminated from the World Cup.
They contributed naught, brought nothing and are leaving with even less. They cheated to get in. Now they can get out.
By losing their final game the French left without even the slightest ripple and allowed the host nation to enjoy a win. Whereas the French were moribund, Bafana Bafana were vibrant. South Africa may be the first host nation ever to miss out on progression from the group stages, but they fully deserved their win. They can leave with their heads held high.
I will miss their passing, Tshabala's electric running, Pienaar's relentless driving and Mphela's all round energy.
Except for Yoann Gourcuff, who is wasted on Les Blues, I will not miss anything or anyone on the French team. Bacary Sagna, being an Arsenal man, tried hard and gets my sympathy, as does Gael Clichy. William Gallas and Abou Diaby however, despite the same credentials, do not. As for the rest of the team, good riddance to bad rubbish.
This is what happens when Patrice Evra is put in charge. What a tool.
Match Highlights:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/highlights/video/video=1254832/index.html
---
Greece are basically the same as France, in that they offered nothing. They only won their one and only game against Nigeria. That too because of a man advantage and a combination of stupidity and bad luck on the part of the Nigerians. The Greek goalie played well. Everyone else contributed nothing. They will not be missed at all.
Greece may have gotten in fair and square but like many other teams, they had no ideas when it came to attacking.
Otto Rehagel deserves credit for debuting the inspirational 6-3-1 formation to try and keep Argentina out.
Despite parking the bus however, Hellas were not victorious, as eventually, the Argentines barged through. Martin DiMichelis scored the first with namesake Palermo following up with a second.
Argentina have quietly gone from strength to strength and look like outside favourites for the tournament. Captain Lionel Messi was unable to score for the third game running but ran the show overall. He will definitely bag before the tournament is out. Nicolas Otamendi and Juan Seba Veron look a class act in midfield and defence respectively. They have a rematch against Mexico in the round of 16, whom they met at that same stage in 2006.
They will definitely fancy that game.
The team is coming together nicely.
Match Highlights:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/highlights/video/video=1255368/index.html
---
Uruguay finished off a strong performance in Group A with a win over Mexico to top the group. Once again Diego Forlan was in the heart of things, passing off to Edinson Cavani who crossed for Luis Suarez to score the game's only goal. With Mexico coming close on several occasions, the game looked likely to end either way but Albiceleste were composed enough to clinch the win and a third straight clean sheet.
Like Argentina, they topped their group and have looked better with every game.
Mexico had their typical Jekyll and Hyde tournament with sublime football mixed in with the odd nightmare. With South Africa leading 2-0 and looking good for a third goal in their game, their was a chance that Mexico would miss out. In the event, they lost but still progressed. As opposed to their South American opponents, they seem to have regressed with every game.
They will definitely need to sort out their demons in the attacking third. They got into good positions but were unable to apply the finishing touch. Against Argentina, that may well spell their doom. Still, Javier Aguirre is a wily customer and may well pull a rabbit out of the hat.
It's unlikely though.
Match Highlights:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/highlights/video/video=1254843/index.html
---
South Korea fought back from a goal down to take the lead in their game against Nigeria but eventually escaped with a draw that sees them go through to the next round.
They impressed throughout the group stages with an attacking cut and thrust that was displayed on a consistent basis. Lee Chung Yung and Park Ji Sung have been their star performers throughout. If they go full tilt they should be able to give Uruguay a good run for their money in their round of 16 clash.
In this game they scored a couple of usual plucky goals with the ball going in off leg when a header was intended and a sweet shot from inside the box which beat the keeper at close range. Their defending was a shambles though with a clumsy penalty being conceded before Nigeria, through Ayigbeni Yakubu and Obafemi Martins both missing absolute sitters.
Nigeria have been the biggest disappointments in this group for me. Despite missing an engine room with a capable partner for Kalu Uche, who strove manfully throughout, they had the personnel and attacking corps to score more goals against limited opponents. However, they were anemic, in-disciplined and devoid of any attacking spark or passion for which their and West African football is famously renowned.
Both Martins and Yakubu have been rusty duds. Their defence has been terrible and if it weren't for Vincent Enyeama in goal, they would have lost more heavily in both their defeats.
The cycle is done. The team is a collection of limited workmanlike cogs. This generation will never capture the imagination of the Nigerian football fanbase.
Match Highlights:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/highlights/video/video=1255325/index.html
---
They contributed naught, brought nothing and are leaving with even less. They cheated to get in. Now they can get out.
By losing their final game the French left without even the slightest ripple and allowed the host nation to enjoy a win. Whereas the French were moribund, Bafana Bafana were vibrant. South Africa may be the first host nation ever to miss out on progression from the group stages, but they fully deserved their win. They can leave with their heads held high.
I will miss their passing, Tshabala's electric running, Pienaar's relentless driving and Mphela's all round energy.
Except for Yoann Gourcuff, who is wasted on Les Blues, I will not miss anything or anyone on the French team. Bacary Sagna, being an Arsenal man, tried hard and gets my sympathy, as does Gael Clichy. William Gallas and Abou Diaby however, despite the same credentials, do not. As for the rest of the team, good riddance to bad rubbish.
This is what happens when Patrice Evra is put in charge. What a tool.
Match Highlights:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/highlights/video/video=1254832/index.html
---
Greece are basically the same as France, in that they offered nothing. They only won their one and only game against Nigeria. That too because of a man advantage and a combination of stupidity and bad luck on the part of the Nigerians. The Greek goalie played well. Everyone else contributed nothing. They will not be missed at all.
Greece may have gotten in fair and square but like many other teams, they had no ideas when it came to attacking.
Otto Rehagel deserves credit for debuting the inspirational 6-3-1 formation to try and keep Argentina out.
Despite parking the bus however, Hellas were not victorious, as eventually, the Argentines barged through. Martin DiMichelis scored the first with namesake Palermo following up with a second.
Argentina have quietly gone from strength to strength and look like outside favourites for the tournament. Captain Lionel Messi was unable to score for the third game running but ran the show overall. He will definitely bag before the tournament is out. Nicolas Otamendi and Juan Seba Veron look a class act in midfield and defence respectively. They have a rematch against Mexico in the round of 16, whom they met at that same stage in 2006.
They will definitely fancy that game.
The team is coming together nicely.
Match Highlights:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/highlights/video/video=1255368/index.html
---
Uruguay finished off a strong performance in Group A with a win over Mexico to top the group. Once again Diego Forlan was in the heart of things, passing off to Edinson Cavani who crossed for Luis Suarez to score the game's only goal. With Mexico coming close on several occasions, the game looked likely to end either way but Albiceleste were composed enough to clinch the win and a third straight clean sheet.
Like Argentina, they topped their group and have looked better with every game.
Mexico had their typical Jekyll and Hyde tournament with sublime football mixed in with the odd nightmare. With South Africa leading 2-0 and looking good for a third goal in their game, their was a chance that Mexico would miss out. In the event, they lost but still progressed. As opposed to their South American opponents, they seem to have regressed with every game.
They will definitely need to sort out their demons in the attacking third. They got into good positions but were unable to apply the finishing touch. Against Argentina, that may well spell their doom. Still, Javier Aguirre is a wily customer and may well pull a rabbit out of the hat.
It's unlikely though.
Match Highlights:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/highlights/video/video=1254843/index.html
---
South Korea fought back from a goal down to take the lead in their game against Nigeria but eventually escaped with a draw that sees them go through to the next round.
They impressed throughout the group stages with an attacking cut and thrust that was displayed on a consistent basis. Lee Chung Yung and Park Ji Sung have been their star performers throughout. If they go full tilt they should be able to give Uruguay a good run for their money in their round of 16 clash.
In this game they scored a couple of usual plucky goals with the ball going in off leg when a header was intended and a sweet shot from inside the box which beat the keeper at close range. Their defending was a shambles though with a clumsy penalty being conceded before Nigeria, through Ayigbeni Yakubu and Obafemi Martins both missing absolute sitters.
Nigeria have been the biggest disappointments in this group for me. Despite missing an engine room with a capable partner for Kalu Uche, who strove manfully throughout, they had the personnel and attacking corps to score more goals against limited opponents. However, they were anemic, in-disciplined and devoid of any attacking spark or passion for which their and West African football is famously renowned.
Both Martins and Yakubu have been rusty duds. Their defence has been terrible and if it weren't for Vincent Enyeama in goal, they would have lost more heavily in both their defeats.
The cycle is done. The team is a collection of limited workmanlike cogs. This generation will never capture the imagination of the Nigerian football fanbase.
Match Highlights:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/highlights/video/video=1255325/index.html
---
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