[SCOREBOARD] The 2010 World Cup finished with an average of 2.27 goals a game, the second lowest in history. Spain’s eight goals in seven games were the fewestof any team to win the World Cup. For all the World Cup results and leading scorers …
CHAMPIONS:
1930 — Uruguay
1934 — Italy
1938 — Italy
1950 — Uruguay
1954 — West Germany
1958 — Brazil
1962 — Brazil
1966 — England
1970 — Brazil
1974 — West Germany
1978 –Argentina
1982 — Italy
1986 — Argentina
1990 — West Germany
1994 — Brazil
1998 — France
2002 — Brazil
2006 — Italy
2010 — Spain
5+1 Mueller, Germany
5+1 Forlan, Uruguay
5 Sneijder, Netherlands
5 Villa, Spain
4 Klose, Germany
4 Higuain,Argentina
4 Vittek, Slovakia
3 Suarez, Uruguay
3 Donovan, USA
3 Gyan, Ghana
3 Luis Fabiano, Brazil
FINAL:
Spain 1 Netherlands 0 (OT). Goal: Iniesta 116.
Netherlands — Stekelenburg, van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, van Bronckhorst (Braafheid 105), Kuyt (Elia 71),van Bommel, Sneijder, de Jong (van der Vaart 99), Robben van Persie.
Red card: Netherlands — Heitinga109.
Referee: Howard Webb (England)
Att.: 84,490.
THIRD-PLACEGAME:
July 10 in Port Elizabeth
Germany 3 Uruguay 2. Goals: Mueller 19,Jansen 56, Khedira 82; Cavani 28, Forlan 51.
Germany — Butt,Boateng, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Aogo, Jansen (Kroos 81), Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Mueller, Ozil (Tasci 90+1), Cacau (Kiessling 73).
Uruguay — Muslera,Fucile, Lugano, Godin, Caceres, M.Pereira, Perez (Gargano 77), Arevalo, Cavani (Abreu 88), Suarez, Forlan.
Referee: Benito Archundia (Mexico).
SEMIFINALS:
July 7 in Durban
Spain 1 Germany 0. Goal: Puyol 73.
Germany — Neuer, Lahm, Mertesacker, Friedrich, Boateng (Jansen, 52), Schweinsteiger, Khedira (Gomez,81), Trochowski (Kroos, 62), Ozil, Podolski, Klose.
Spain — Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Puyol, Pique, Capdevila, Busquets, Xabi Alonso (Marchena, 90), Xavi,Iniesta, Pedro (Silva, 86), Villa (Fernando Torres, 81).
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary).
Att.: 60,960.
July 6 in Cape Town
Netherlands 3 Uruguay 2. Goals: van Bronckhorst 18, Sneijder 70, Robben 73; Forlan 41,M.Pereira 90.
Netherlands — Stekelenburg, Boulahrouz, Heitinga, Mathijsen, van Bronckhorst, van Bommel, de Zeeuw (van der Vaart, 46), Robben (Elia, 88),Sneijder, Kuyt, van Persie.
Uruguay — Muslera, M.Pereira, Godin, Victorino, Caceres, Perez, Gargano, Arevalo Rios, A.Pereira (Abreu, 78), Cavani, Forlan(S.Fernandez, 84).
Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan).
Att.: 62,479.
QUARTERFINALS:
July 3 in Johannesburg
Spain 1 Paraguay 0. Goal: Villa 83.
Spain — Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Pique, Puyol (Marchena 84), Capdevila, Xabi Alonso (Pedro 75), Xavi, Iniesta,Busquets, Fernando Torres (Fabregas 56), Villa.
Paraguay — Villar, Veron, Da Silva, Alcaraz, Morel, Barreto (Vera 64), Santana, V.Caceres (Barrios 84),Riveros, Valdez (Santa Cruz 72), Cardozo.
Referee: Carlos Batres (Guatemala).
Att.: 55,359.
July 3 in Cape Town
Germany 4 Argentina0. Goals: Mueller 3, Klose 68, 89, Friedrich 74
Argentina — Romero, Otamendi (Pastore 70), Demichelis, Burdisso, Heinze, Mascherano, Rodriguez, DiMaria (Aguero 75), Messi, Tevez, Higuain.
Germany — Neuer, Lahm, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Boateng (Jansen 72), Mueller (Trochowski 84), Khedira (Kroos77), Schweinsteiger, Podolski, Ozil, Klose.
Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan).
Att.: 64,100.
July 2 in Johannesburg
Uruguay 1 Ghana 1 (Uruguay wins 4-2 on penalties). Goals: Forlan 55; Muntari 45.
Uruguay– Muslera, Lugano (Scotti 38), Victorino, Fucile, M.Pereira, Perez, Arevalo, Cavani (Abreu 76), A.Fernandez (Lodeiro, 46), Suarez, Forlan.
Ghana —Kingson, Pantsil, John Mensah, Vorsah, Sarpei; Annan, Boateng, Inkoom (Appiah 74), Muntari (Adiyiah 88), Asamoah, Gyan.
Referee:Olegario Benquerenca (Portugal).
Red Card: Uruguay — Suarez 120.
Att.: 84,017.
Netherlands 2 Brazil 1. Goals: own goal 53, Sneijder 68; Robinho10.
Netherlands — Stekelenburg, van der Wiel, Heitinga, Ooijer, van Bronckhorst, Kuyt, van Bommel, Sneijder, de Jong, Robben, van Persie (Huntelaar85).
Brazil — Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Juan, Michel Bastos (Gilberto 62), Felipe Melo, Gilberto Silva, Dani Alves, Kaka, Robinho, Luis Fabiano (Nilmar77).
Referee: Yuichi Nishimura (Japan).
Red Card: Brazil — Felipe Melo 73.
Att.: 40,186.
ROUND OF 16:
June 29 in Cape Town
Spain 1 Portugal 0. Goal: Villa 63.
Spain — Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Pique, Puyol, Capdevila, Xabi Alonso (Marchena 90+3), Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Fernando Torres (Llorente 58), Villa (Pedro88).
Portugal — Eduardo, Bruno Alves, Ricardo Costa, Ricardo Carvalho, Fabio Coentrao, Raul Meireles, Pepe (Pedro Mendes 72), Tiago, Cristiano Ronaldo,Simao Sabrosa (Liedson 72), Hugo Almeida (Danny 58).
Red card: Portugal — Ricardo Costa 89.
Referee: HectorBaldassi (Argentina).
Att.: 62,955.
June 29 in Pretoria
Paraguay 0 Japan 0 (Paraguay wins 5-3 onpenalties).
Paraguay — Villar, Bonet, Da Silva, Alcaraz, Morel, Vera,
Ortigoza (Barreto 75), Riveros, Benitez (Valdez 60), Santa Cruz (Cardozo 94), 19-Lucas Barrios.
Japan — Kawashima, Nagatomo, Nakazawa,
Tulio, Komano, Endo, Abe (Nakamura 81), Matsui (Okazaki 65), Okubo (Tamada 106), Honda, Hasebe.
Referee: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium).
Att.: 36,742.
June 28 inJohannesburg
Brazil 3 Chile 0. Goals: Juan 34, Luis Fabiano 38, Robinho 59
Brazil– Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Juan, Michel Bastos, Ramires, Gilberto Silva, Dani Alves, Kaka (Kleberson 81), Robinho (Gilberto 85), Luis Fabiano (Nilmar 76).
Chile — Bravo, Isla (Millar 62), Contreras (Tello 46), Fuentes, Vidal, Gonzalez (Valdivia 46), Carmona, Jara, Suazo, Beausejour, Sanchez.
Referee: Howard Webb (England).
Att.: 54,096.
June 28 in Durban
Netherlands — Stekelenburg, van der Wiel,Heitinga, Mathijsen, van Bronckhorst, Kuyt, van Bommel, Sneijder (Afellay, 90+2), de Jong, Robben (Elia, 71), van Persie (Huntelaar, 80)
Slovakia —Mucha, Pekarik, Skrtel, Durica, Zabavnik (Jakubko, 88), Weiss, Stoch, Hamsik (Sapara, 87), Vittek, Kucka, Jendrisek (Kopunek, 71).
Referee: AlbertoUndiano (Spain).
Att.: 61,962.
June 27 in Johannesburg
Argentina 3 Mexico 1. Goals: Tevez 26, 52,Higuain 33; Hernandez 71.
Argentina — Romero, Otamendi, Demichelis, Burdisso, Heinze, Mascherano, M.Rodriguez(Pastore 87), Di Maria (Gutierrez 79), Messi, Tevez (Veron 69), Higuain.
Mexico — Perez, Juarez, Rodriguez, Salcido, Osorio, Marquez, Guardado (Franco61), Torrado, Bautista (Barrera 46), dos Santos, Hernandez.
Yellow Card: Mexico — Marquez 28.
Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy).
Att.: 84,377.
Germany 4 England 1. Goals: Klose 20, Podolski 32, Mueller 67, 70; Upson 37.
Germany —Neuer, Lahm, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Boateng, Mueller (Trochowski 72), Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Podolski, Ozil (Kiessling 83), Klose (Gomez 72).
England– James, Johnson (Wright-Phillips, 87), Upson, Terry, A.Cole, Milner (J.Cole, 64), Gerrard, Lampard, Barry, Defoe (Heskey, 71), Rooney.
Yellow Cards: Germany — Friedrich 47; England — Johnson 81.
Referee: Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay).
Att.: 40,510.
June 27 in Rustenburg
Ghana 2 USA 1 (OT).Goals: Boateng 5, Gyan 93; Donovan pen. 62.
USA — Howard, Cherundolo, DeMerit, Bornstein, Bocanegra, Donovan, Bradley, Clark (Edu, 31),Dempsey, Altidore (Gomez, 91), Findley (Feilhaber, 46).
Ghana — Kingson, Pantsil, Jonathan Mensah, John Mensah, Sarpei (Addy, 73), Annan, Inkoom(Muntari, 113), Boateng (Appiah, 78), Ayew, Asamoah, Gyan.
Yellow Cards: USA — Clark 7, Cherundolo 18, Bocanegra 68; Ghana — Jonathan Mensah 6, Ayew90.
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary).
Att.: 34,976.
June 26 in PortElizabeth
Uruguay 2 South Korea 1. Goals: Suarez 8, 80; Lee Chung-Yong 68.
Uruguay — Muslera,Lugano, Godin (Victorino 46), Fucile, M.Pereira, Perez, Arevalo, Cavani, A.Pereira (Lodeiro 74), Suarez (A.Fernandez 84), Forlan.
South Korea — Jung,Cha, Lee Young-Pyo, Cho Yong-Hyung, Lee Jung-Soo, Kim Jung-Woo, Ki (Yeom 85), Kim Jae-Sung (Lee Dong-Guk 61), Park Ji-Sung, Lee Chung-Yong, Park Chu-Young.
Yellow Cards: South Korea — Kim Jung Woo 38, Cha Du Ri 69, Cho Yong Hyung 83.
Referee: Wolfgang Stark (Germany).
GROUP H:
June 25 in Pretoria
Spain 2 Chile 1. Goals: Villa 24, Iniesta 37; Millar 47.
Spain — Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Pique, Puyol, Capdevila, Xabi Alonso (JaviMartinez 73), Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Fernando Torres (Fabregas 55), Villa.
Chile — Bravo, Isla, Medel, Ponce, Vidal, Gonzalez (Millar 46), Estrada,Jara, Valdivia (Paredes 46), Beausejour, Sanchez (Orellana 65).
Yellow Cards: Chile — Medel 15, Ponce 19, Estrada 21, Estrada 37.
Red Card: Chile — Estrada 37.
Referee: Marco Rodriguez (Mexico).
Att.: 41,958 .
June 25 in Bloemfontein
Switzerland 0 Honduras 0.
Honduras — Valladares, Chavez, Figueroa, Bernardez, Sabillon, Alvarez, W.Palacios, Suazo (Turcios 87), Thomas, J.Palacios (Welcome 78), Nunez (Martinez67).
Yellow Cards: Switzerland — Fernandes 34; Honduras — Thomas 4, Suazo 58, Chavez 64, W.Palacios 89.
Referee:Hector Baldassi (Argentina).
Att.: 28,042
June 21 in Johannesburg
Spain 2 Honduras 0. Goals: Villa 17, 51.
Spain — Casillas, Sergio Ramos (Alvaro Arbeloa, 77), Pique, Puyol, Capdevila, Navas, Xabi Alonso,Xavi (Fabregas, 66), Busquets, Fernando Torres (Mata, 70), Villa.
Honduras — Valladares, Mendoza, Chavez, Figueroa, Izaguirre, Turcios (Nunez 63),W.Palacios, Guevara, Espinoza (Welcome 46), Martinez, Suazo (J.Palacios 84).
Yellow Cards: Honduras — Turcios 8, Izaguirre 38.
Referee: Yuichi Nishimura (Japan).
Att.: 54,386.
June 21 in PortElizabeth
Chile 1 Switzerland 0. Goal: Gonzalez 75.
Chile — Bravo, Isla, Medel, Ponce, Vidal(Gonzalez 46), Carmona, Jara, Fernandez (Paredes 65), Suazo (Valdivia 46), Beausejour, Sanchez.
Switzerland — Benaglio, Lichtsteiner, Grichting, VonBergen, Ziegler, Behrami, Inler, Huggel, Fernandes (Bunjako 77), Frei (Barnetta 42), Nkufo (Derdiyok 68).
Yellow Cards: Chile — Suazo 2, Carmona22, Ponce 25, Fernandez 60, Medel 61, Valdivia 90; Switzerland — Nkufo 18, Barnetta 48, Inler 60
Red Card: Switzerland — Behrami 31.
Referee: Khalil Al-Ghamdi (Saudi Arabia)
Att.: 34,872.
June 16 inDurban
Switzerland 1 Spain 0. Goal: Fernandes 52.
Switzerland — Benaglio, Lichtsteiner, Grichting,Senderos (Von Bergen 36), Ziegler, Barnetta (Eggimann 90), Inler, Huggel, Fernandes, Derdiyok (Yakin 79), Nkufo.
Spain — Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Pique,Puyol, Capdevila, Silva (Navas 62), Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Busquets (Fernando Torres 62), Iniesta (Pedro 77), Villa.
YellowCards: Switzerland — Grichting 30, Ziegler 73, Benaglio 90, Yakan 90.
Referee: Howard Webb (England).
Att.:62,453.
June 16 in Nelspruit
Chile 1 Honduras 0. Goal: Beausejour 34.
Chile — Bravo,Ponce, Isla, Medel, Carmona, Vidal (Contreras, 81), Valdivia (Gonzalez, 87), Fernandez, Rodrigo Millar (Jara, 52), Sanchez, Beausejour.
Honduras —Valladares, Chavez, Figueroa, Izaguirre, Mendoza, Nunez (Martinez, 78), W.Palacios, Espinoza, Alvarez, Guevara (Thomas, 65), Pavon (Welcome, 60).
YellowCards: Chile — Carmona 4, Fernandez 19; Honduras — W.Palacios 33.
Referee: Eddy Maillet (Seychelles).
Att.: 32,664
P TEAM W-T-L (+/-)
6 Spain 2-0-1 (4/2)
6 Chile 2-0-1 (3/2)
———————–
4 Switzerland 1-1-1(1/1)
1 Honduras 0-1-2 (0/3)
GROUP G:
June 25 in Durban
Portugal0 Brazil 0.
Portugal — Eduardo, Ricardo Costa, Bruno Alves, Ricardo Carvalho, Duda (Simao Sabrosa 54), Raul Meireles (Miguel Veloso 84), Pepe(Pedro Mendes 64), Fabio Coentrao, Tiago, Danny, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Brazil — Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Juan, Michel Bastos, Felipe Melo (Josue 44),Gilberto Silva, Dani Alves; Nilmar, Julio Baptista (Ramires 82), Luis Fabiano (Grafite 85).
Yellow Cards: Portugal — Duda 25, Tiago 31, Pepe 40, FabioCoentrao 45; Brazil — Luis Fabiano 15, Juan 25, Felipe Melo 43.
Referee: Benito Archundia (Mexico).
June 25 in Nelspruit
Ivory Coast 3 North Korea 0. Goals:Y.Toure 14, Romaric 20, Kalou 82.
Ivory Coast — Barry, Arthur Boka, K.Toure, Zokora, Eboue; Romaric (Doumbia 79), Y.Toure, Tiote, Gervinho (Dindane 64),Drogba, Keita (Kalou 64).
North Korea — Ri Myong-guk, Ri Kwang-chon, Cha Jong-hyok, Pak Chol-jin, Ri Jun-il, Ji Yun-nam, Mun In-Guk (Choe Kum-Chol 67),An Yong-Hak, Pak Nam-Chol, Hong Yong-Jo, Jong Tae-Se.
Yellow Cards: none.
Referee: Alberto Undiano (Spain).
Att.: 34,763.
June 21 in Cape Town
Portugal 7North Korea 0. Goal: Raul Meireles 29, Simao Sabrosa 53, Hugo Almeida 56, Tiago 60, 89, Liedson 81, Cristiano Ronaldo 87.
Portugal — Eduardo,Miguel, Bruno Alves, Ricardo Carvalho, Fabio Coentrao, Raul Meireles (Miguel Veloso 70), Pedro Mendes, Tiago, Cristiano Ronaldo, Simao Sabrosa (Duda 74), Hugo Almeida (Liedson 77).
North Korea — Ri Myong-Guk, Ri Kwang-Chon, Cha Jong-Hyok (Nam Song-Chol 75), Pak Chol-Jin, Ri Jun-Il, Ji Yun-nam, Mun In-Guk (Kim Yong-Jun 58), An Yong-Hak,Pak Nam-Chol (Kim Kum-Il 58), Hong Yong-jo, Jong Tae-Se.
Yellow Cards: Portugal — Pedro Mendes 38, Hugo Almeida 70; North Korea — Pak Choi Jin 32, HongYong Jo 47.
Referee: Pablo Pozo (Chile).
Att.: 63,644.
June 20in Johannesburg
Brazil 3 Ivory Coast 1. Goal: Luis Fabiano 25, 50, Elano 62; Drogba 79.
Brazil —Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Juan, Michel Bastos, Elano (Dani Alves 67), Gilberto Silva, Felipe Melo, Kaka; Luis Fabiano, Robinho (Ramires 90+3).
IvoryCoast — Barry, Demel, K.Toure, Zokora, Tiene, Eboue (Romaric 72), Y.Toure, Tiote, Dindane (Gervinho, 54), Drogba, Kalou (Keita 68).
Red Card: Brazil — Kaka 88.
Referee: Stephane Lannoy (France).
Att.: 84,455.
June 15 inJohannesburg
Brazil 2 North Korea 1. Goals: Maicon 55, Elano 72; Ji Yun-Nam 89.
Brazil — Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Juan, Felipe Melo(Ramires, 84), Michel Bastos, Elano (Dani Alves, 72), Gilberto Silva, Luis Fabiano, Kaka (Nilmar, 78), Robinho.
North Korea — Ri Myong-Guk, ChaJong-Hyok, Ri Jun-Il, Pak Nam-Chol, Ri Kwang-Chon, Pak Chol-Jin, An Yong-Hak, Ji Yun-Nam, Mun In-Guk (Kim Kum-Il, , 80), Hong Yong-Jo, Jong Tae-Se.
YellowCard: Brazil — Ramires 88.
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary).
Att.: 54,331.
Portugal 0 Ivory Coast 0.
Portugal — Eduardo,Bruno Alves, Ferreira, Carvalho, Fabio Coentrao, Mendes, Danny (Simao, 55), Raul Meireles (Ruben Amorim, 85), Deco (Tiago, 62), Cristiano Ronaldo, Liedson
IvoryCoast — Barry, K.Toure, Tiene, Demel, Zokora, Eboue (Romaric, 88), Tiote, Y.Toure, Kalou (Drogba, 65), Gervinho (Keita, 82), Dindane.
Yellow Cards:Portugal — Cristiano Ronaldo 21; Ivory Coast — Zokora 7, Demel 21.
Referee: Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay).
Att.: 37,074.
P TEAM W-T-L (+/-)
7 Brazil 2-1-0 (5/2)
5 Portugal 1-2-0 (7/0)
——————————-
4Ivory Coast 1-1-1 (4/3)
0 North Korea 0-0-3 (1/12)
GROUP E:
June 24 in Rustenburg
Japan — Kawashima, Abe, Nakazawa, Tulio, Komano,Nagatomo, Okubo (Konno 88), Endo (Inamoto 90+1), Hasebe, Matsui (Okazaki 74), Honda.
Denmark — Sorensen, Poulsen, Agger, Kroldrup (Larsen 56), Jacobsen,Rommedahl, C.Poulsen, Jorgensen (J.Poulsen 34), Kahlenberg (Eriksen 63), Tomasson, Bendtner.
Yellow Cards: Japan — Endo 12, Nagatomo 26, Denmark –Kroldrup 29, C.Poulsen 48, Bendtner 66.
Referee: Jerome Damon (South Africa).
Att.: 27,967.
Netherlands 2 Cameroon 1. Goal: van Persie 36, Huntelaar 84; Eto’o 65 pen.
Cameroon — Souleymanou, Mbia, Nguemo, Nkoulou (R.Song 73), Assou-Ekotto, Geremi, Makoun, Chedjou, Eto’o, Choupo-Moting (Idrissou72), Bong (Aboubakar 53).
Yellow Cards: Netherlands — Kuyt 17, van der Vaart 65, van Bronckhorst 70; Cameroon — Nkoulou 65, Mbia 81.
Referee: Pablo Pozo (Chile).
Att.: 63,093.
June 19 in Pretoria
Denmark 2 Cameroon 1. Goals: Bendtner 33, Rommedahl 61; Eto’o 10.
Denmark — Sorensen, S.Poulsen,Agger, Kjaer, Jacobsen, Rommedahl, C.Poulsen, Jorgensen (Jensen 46), Gronkjaer (Kahlenberg 67), Tomasson (J.Poulsen 86), Bendtner.
Referee: Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay).
Att.: 38,074.
June 19 in Durban
Netherlands 1 Japan 0. Goal:Sneijder 53.
Netherlands — Stekelenburg, van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, van Bronckhorst, van Bommel, de Jong, Sneijder (Afellay, 83), van der Vaart(Elia, 72), Kuyt, Van Persie (Huntelaar, 88).
Japan — Kawashima, Nagatomo, Nakazawa, Tanaka, Komano, Hasebe (Okazaki, 77), Matsui (Nakamura, 64), Abe,Endo, Honda, Okubo (Tamada, 77).
Yellow Card: Netherlands — van der Wiel 36.
Referee: Hector Baldassi(Argentina).
Att.: 62,010.
June 14 in Bloemfontein
Japan 1 Cameroon 0.
Japan — Kawashima, Abe, Nakazawa, Tulio, Komano, Nagatomo,Okubo (Yano 82), Endo, Hasebe (Inamoto 88), Matsui (Okazaki 69), Honda.
Cameroon — Souleymanou,Mbia, Bassong, Nkoulou, Assou-Ekotto, Makoun (Geremi 75), Eyong, Webo, Matip (Emana 63), Eto’o, Choupo-Moting (Idrissou 75).
Yellow Cards: Japan — Abe90; Cameroon — Nkoulou 72.
Referee: Olegario Benquerenca (Portugal).
June 14 in Johannesburg
Netherlands 2 Denmark 0. Goals: own goal (Poulsen) 46, Kuyt 85.
Netherlands — Stekelenburg, van der Wiel,Heitinga, Mathijsen, van Bronckhorst, van Bommel, Sneijder, de Jong (de Zeeuw 88), van der Vaart (Elia 67), Kuyt, van Persie (Afellay 77).
Denmark —Sorensen, Agger, Kjaer, Jacobsen, Poulsen, Jorgensen, Poulsen, Enevoldsen (Gronkjaer 56), Kahlenberg (Eriksen 73), Rommedahl, Bendtner (Beckmann 62).
Yellow Cards: Netherlands — de Jong 44, van Persie 49; Denmark — Kjaer 63.
Referee: Stephane Lannoy (France)
P TEAM W-T-L (+/-)
9 Netherlands 3-0-0 (5/1)
6 Japan 2-0-1 (4/2)
—————————-
3 Denmark 1-0-2 (3/6)
0 Cameroon 0-0-3 (2/5)
GROUP F:
Junein 24 in Polokwane
Paraguay 0 New Zealand 0.
Paraguay — Villar, Caniza, J.C. Caceres, Da Silva, Morel, Vera, V.Caceres, Riveros, Santa Cruz,Valdez (Benitez 67), Cardozo (Barrios 66).
New Zealand — Paston, Reid, Nelsen, Vicelich, Smith, Lochhead, Bertos, Elliot, Killen (Brockie 79), Fallon(Wood 69), Smeltz.
Yellow Cards: Paraguay — V.Caceres 10, Santa Cruz 41; New Zealand — Nelsen 56.
Referee:Yuichi Nishimura (Japan).
Att.: 34,850.
June 24 in Johannesburg
Slovakia 3 Italy 2. Goals: Vittek 25, 73, Kopunek 89; Di Natale 81, Quagliarella 90+2.
Slovakia — Mucha, Pekarik,Skrtel, Durica, Zabavnik, Strba (Kopunek 87), Stoch, Hamsik, Vittek (Sestak 90+2), Kucka, Jendrisek (Petras 90+4).
Italy — Marchetti, Zambrotta,Cannavaro, Chiellini, Criscito (Maggio 46), Montolivo (Pirlo 56), De Rossi, Gattuso (Quagliarella 46), Iaquinta, Pepe, Di Natale.
Yellow Cards: Slovakia– Strba 16, Vittek 40, Pekarik 50, Mucha 82; Italy — Cannavaro 31, Chiellini 67, Pepe 76, Quagliarella 83.
Referee: Howard Webb (England).
June 20 in Bloemfontein
Paraguay 2 Slovakia 0. Goals: Vera27, Riveros 86.
Slovakia — Mucha, Pekarik, Skrtel, Durica, Strba, Weiss, Kozak, Salata (Stoch 83), Hamsik, Vittek, Sestak (Holosko 70).
Referee: Eddy Maillet (Seychelles)
Att.: 26,643.
June 20 in Nelspruit
Italy 1 New Zealand 1.Goals: Iaquinta pen. 29; Smeltz 7.
Italy — Marchetti, Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Criscito, Montolivo, De Rossi, Marchisio (Pazzini 61), Iaquinta,Pepe (Camoranesi 46), Gilardino (Di Natale 46).
New Zealand — Paston, Reid, Nelsen, Vicelich (Christie 81), Smith, Lochhead, Bertos, Elliot, Killen(Barron 90+3), Fallon (Wood 63), Smeltz.
Yellow Cards: New Zealand — Fallon 14, Smith 28, Nelsen 87.
Referee:Carlos Batres (Guatemala).
Att.: 38,299.
June 15 in Rustenburg
New Zealand 1 Slovakia 1.Goal: Reid 90; Vittek 50.
New Zealand — Paston, Reid, Nelsen, Smith, Bertos, Elliott, Vicelich (Christie, 78) Lochhead, Fallon, Smeltz, Killen(Wood, 72)
Slovakia — Mucha, Zabavnik, Durica, Skrtel, Cech, Strba, Weiss (Kucka, 90), Sestak (Holosko, 81), Hamsik, Vittek (Stoch, 84), Jendrisek.
Yellow Cards: New Zealand — Lochhead 42, Reid 90; Slovakia — Strba 55.
Referee: Jerome Damon (South Africa).
Att.: 23,871.
June 14 in Cape Town
Italy 1 Paraguay 1.Goals: De Rossi 63; Alcaraz 39.
Italy — Buffon (Marchetti, 46), Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Criscito, De Rossi, Marchisio (Camoranesi, 59),Montolivo, Pepe, Gilardino (Di Natale, 72), Iaquinta.
Paraguay — Villar, Bonet, Alcaraz, Da Silva, Morel, Vera, V.Caceres, Riveros, Torres (Santana, 60),Haedo Valdez (Santa Cruz, 68), Barrios (Cardozo, 76).
Yellow Cards: Italy — Camoranesi 70; Paraguay — V.Caceres 62.
Referee: Benito Archundia (Mexico).
Att.: 62,869.
P TEAM W-T-L (+/-)
5 Paraguay 1-2-0(3/1)
4 Slovakia 1-1-1 (4/5)
—————————-
3 New Zealand 0-3-0 (2/2)
2 Italy 0-2-1 (4/5)
GROUPD:
June 23 in Johannesburg
Germany 1 Ghana 0. Goal: Ozil 60.
Germany — Neuer,Lahm, Friedrich, Mertesacker, J.Boateng (Jansen 73), Mueller (Trochowski 67), Khedira, Schweinsteiger (Kroos 81), Podolski, Ozil, Cacau.
Ghana — Kingson,Pantsil, Jonathan Mensah, John Mensah, Sarpei, Annan, K.-P.Boateng, Ayew (Adiyiah 90+2), Tagoe (Muntari 64), Asamoah, Gyan (Amoah 82).
Yellow Cards:Germany — Mueller 43; Ghana — Ayew 40.
Referee: Carlos Simon (Brazil).
Att.: 83,391.
June 23 in Nelspruit
Australia 2 Serbia 1. Goals: Cahill 69, Holman 73; Pantelic84.
Australia — Schwarzer, Wilkshire (Garcia, 82), Neill, Beauchamp, Carney, Emerton, Valeri(Holman, 66), Culina, Bresciano (Chipperfield 66), Cahill, Kennedy.
Serbia — Stojkovic, Ivanovic,Vidic, Lukovic, Obradovic, Kuzmanovic (Lazovic 77), Krasic (Tosic, 62), Ninkovic, Stankovic, Jovanovic, Zigic (Pantelic, 67).
Yellow Cards:
Referee:
Att.: 37,836.
June 19 inRustenburg
Ghana 1 Australia 1. Goals: Gyan pen. 25; Holman 11.
Australia — Schwarzer,Neill, Moore, Holman (Kennedy 68), Wilkshire (Rukavytsya 84), Bresciano (Chipperfield 66), Culina, Valeri, Emerton, Kewell, Carney.
Ghana — Kingson,Pantsil, Jonathan Mensah, Addy, Sarpei, Annan, Asamoah (Muntari 77), Ayew, Boateng (Amoah 87), Gyan, Tagoe (Owusu-Abeyie 56).
Yellow Cards: Ghana — Addy40, Jonathan Mensah 79, Annan 84; Australia — Moore 85.
Red Card: Australia — Kewell 24.
Referee: RobertoRosetti (Italy).
Att.: 34,812.
June 18 in Port Elizabeth
Serbia 1
Serbia — Stojkovic, Ivanovic, Vidic, Subotic,Kolarov, Krasic, Stankovic, Kuzmanovic (Petrovic 75), Ninkovic (Kacar 70), Jovanovic (Lazovic 79). Zigic.
Germany — Neuer, Lahm, Mertesacker, Friedrich,Badstuber (Gomez, 77), Khedira, Schweinsteiger; Muller (Marin, 70), Ozil (Cacau, 70), Podolski, Klose.
Yellow Cards: Serbia — Ivanovic 18, Kolarov 19,Subotic 57, Vidic 59; Germany — Klose 12, Khedira 22, Lahm 32, Klose 37, Schweinsteiger 73.
Red Card: Germany — Klose 37.
Att.: 38,294.
June 13 in Durban
Germany4 Australia 0. Goals: Podolski 8, Klose 27, Mueller 68, Cacau 70.
Germany — Neuer, Friedrich, Badstuber, Lahm, Mertesacker, Khedira,Schweinsteiger, Ozil (Gomez, 73), Podolski (Marin, 81), Klose (Cacau, 69), Mueller.
Australia — Schwarzer, Neill, Moore, Emerton (Jedinak, 74),Chipperfield, Cahill, Culina, Wilkshire, Grella (Holman, 46), Valeri, Garcia (Rukavytsya, 64).
Yellow Cards: Germany — Ozil 12, Cacau 90; Australia –Moore 24, Neill 46, Valeri 58.
Red Card: Australia — Cahill 56.
Referee: Marco Rodriguez (Mexico).
Att.: 62,660.
June 13 in Pretoria
Ghana 1 Serbia 0. Goal: Gyan pen. 85.
Ghana — Kingson, Sarpei, Mensah, Vorsah, Pantsil, Ayew, Boateng (Addy, 90), Annan, Tagoe, Asamoah (Appiah, 73), Gyan (Owusu-Abeyie,90).
Serbia — Stojkovic, Kolarov, Lukovic, Vidic, Ivanovic, Jovanovic (Subotic, 76), Milijas (Kuzmanovic, 62), Stankovic, Krasic, Zigic (Lazovic, 69),Pantelic.
Yellow Cards: Ghana — Vorsah 26, Tagoe 89; Serbia — Zigic 19, Lukovic 54, Lukovic 74, Kuzmanovic 83.
Red Card: Serbia — Lukovic 74.
Referee: Hector Baldassi (Argentina).
Att.: 38,833.
P TEAM W-T-L (+/-)
6 Germany 2-0-1 (5/1)
4 Ghana 1-1-1 (2/2)
—————————-
4Australia 1-1-1 (3/6)
3 Serbia 1-0-2 (2/3)
GROUP C:
June 23 in Pretoria
USA 1 Algeria 0.Goal: Donovan 91+.
USA — Howard, Cherundolo, DeMerit, Bocanegra, Bornstein (Beasley, 80), Donovan, Bradley, Edu (Buddle, 64), Dempsey, Gomez(Feilhaber, 46), Altidore.
Algeria — Bolhi, Bougherra, Belhadj, Yahia, Halliche, Lacen, Matmour (Saifi, 85), Ziani (Guedioura, 69), Yebda, Kadir,Djebbour (Ghezzal, 65).
Yellow Cards: USA — Altidore 62, Beasley 90; Algeria — Yebda 12, Yahia 76, Lacen 83, Yahia 90+3.
Red Card: Algeria — Yahia 90+3.
Referee: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium).
Att.: 35,827.
June 23 in Port Elizabeth
England 1 Slovenia 0. Goal: Defoe 23.
England — James, Johnson, Upson, Terry, A.Cole, Milner, Gerrard, Lampard, Barry, Defoe (Heskey 85), Rooney (J.Cole 72).
Slovenia —S.Handanovic, Brecko, Suler, Cesar, Jokic, Birsa, Koren, Radosavljevic, Kirm (Matavz 79), Ljubijankic (Dedic 62), Novakovic.
Referee: Wolfgang Stark (Germany).
Att.: 36,893.
June 18 in Cape Town
England 0 Algeria 0.
England — James, Johnson, Carragher, Terry, Cole, Lennon (Wright-Phillips 63), Gerrard, Lampard, Barry (Crouch 84), Heskey (Defoe 74), Rooney.
Algeria —Mbouli, Bougherra, Halliche, Yahia, Belhadj, Kadir, Yebda (Mesbah 88), Lacen, Ziani (Guedioura 80), Boudebouz (Abdoun 74), Matmour.
Yellow Cards: England — Carragher 58; Algeria — Lacen 85.
Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan).
Att.: 64,100.
June 18 in Johannesburg
United States 2 Slovenia 2. Goals: Donovan 48, Bradley 82; Birsa 13,Ljubijankic 42.
United States — Howard, Cherundolo, DeMerit, Onyewu (Gomez, 80), Bocanegra, Dempsey, Bradley, Torres (Feilhaber, 46), Donovan, Altidore,Findley (Edu, 46).
Slovenia — S.Handanovic, Brecko, Suler, Cesar, Koren, Ljubijankic (Pecnik, 74; Komac 90), Birsa (Dedic, 87), Novakovic, Jokic, Kirm,Radosavljevic.
Yellow Card: USA — Findley 40; Slovenia — Cesar 35, Suler 69, Kirm 72, Jokic 75.
Referee:Koman Coulibaly (Mali).
Att.: 45,573.
June 13 in Polokwane
Slovenia 1 Algeria 0.Goal: Koren pen. 79.
Slovenia — Handanovic, Brecko, Suler, Cesar, Jokic, Birsa (Pecnik, 84), Koren, Radosavljevic (Komac, 87), Kirm, Dedic (Ljubijankic, 53), Novakovic.
Algeria — Chaouchi, Bougherra, Halliche, Yahia, Belhadj, Matmour(Saifi, 81), Yebda, Lacen, Ziani, Kadir (Guedioura, 82), Djebbour (Ghezzal, 58).
Yellow cards: Slovenia — Radosavljevic 35, Komac 90; Algeria — Ghezzal59, Ghezzal 73, Yebda 90.
Red card: Algeria — Ghezzal 73.
Referee:Carlos Batres (Guatemala).
Att.: 30,325.
June 12 inRustenburg
USA 1 England 1. Goal: Dempsey 40; Gerrard 4.
USA — Howard, Cherundolo, Onyewu, DeMerit, Bocanegra, Donovan, Clark, Bradley,Dempsey, Altidore (Holden, 86), Findley (Buddle, 77).
England — Green, Johnson, Terry, King (Carragher, 46), A.Cole, Lennon, Gerrard, Lampard, Milner(Wright-Phillips, 31), Rooney, Heskey (Crouch, 79).
Yellow Card: USA — Cherundolo 39, DeMerit 47, Findley 74; England — Milner 26, Carragher 59, Gerrard61.
Referee: Carlos Simon (Brazil).
Att.: 38,646.
P TEAM W-T-L(+/-)
5 USA 1-2-0 (4/3)
5 England 1-2-0 (2/1)
—————————-
4 Slovenia 1-1-1 (3/3)
1 Algeria 0-1-2 (0/2)
GROUPB:
June 22 in Polokwane
Argentina 2 Greece 0. Goals: Demichelis 77, Palermo 89.
Greece — Tzorvas, Vyntra, Moras, Kyrgiakos, Torosidis (Patsatzoglou, 55), Tziolis, Papadopoulos, Papastathopoulos, Samaras, Karagounis (Spyropoulos, 46),Katsouranis (Ninis, 54).
Yellow Card: Argentina — Bolatti 76; Greece — Katsouranis 30.
Referee: RavshanIrmatov (Uzbekistan).
Att.: 38,891.
June 22 in Durban
Nigeria 2 South Korea 2. Goals: Uche 12,Aiyegbeni 69 pen.; Lee Jung-Soo 38, Park Chu-Young 49.
Nigeria — Enyeama, Odiah, Shittu, Yobo (Echiejile, 46), Afolabi, Uche, Etuhu, Ayila, Aiyegbeni(Obinna, 70), Obasi, Kanu (Martins, 57).
South Korea — Jung, Cha, Lee Young-Pyo, Cho Yong-Hyung, Lee Jung-Soo, Kim Jung-Woo, Ki (Kim Jae-Sung, 87), ParkJi-Sung, Lee Chung-Yong, Park Chu-Young (Kim Dong-Jin, 90), Yeom (Kim Nam-Il, 64).
Yellow Cards:South Korea — Kim Nam Il 68; Nigeria — Enyeama 31, Obasi 37, Ayila 42.
Referee:
Att.: 61,874.
June 17 in Bloemfontein
Greece 2 Nigeria 1. Goals: Salpingidis 44, Torosidis 71; Uche 16.
Greece — Tzorvas, Vyntra, Kyrgiakos,Torosidis, Tziolis, Papadopoulos, Papastathopoulos (Samaras 37), Karagounis, Katsouranis, Salpingidis, Gekas (Ninis 79).
Nigeria — Enyeama, Odiah,Shittu,Yobo,Taiwo (Echiejile 55; Afolabi 77), Uche, Etuhu, Lukman, Kaita, Aiyegbeni, Odemwingie (Obasi 46).
Yellow Cards: Greece — Papastathoulos 15,Tziolis 59, Samaras 86; Nigeria — Obasi 89.
Red Card: Nigeria — Kaita 33.
Referee: Oscar Ruiz(Colombia).
Att.: 31,593.
June 17 in Johannesburg
Argentina 4 SouthKorea 1. Goals: own goal (Park Chu-young 17), Higuain 33, 76, 80; Lee Chung-Yong 45.
Argentina — Romero, Demichelis, Samuel (Burdisso 23), Heinze,Gutierrez, Mascherano, Rodriguez, Di Maria, Messi, Tevez (Aguero 75), Higuain (Bolatti 82).
South Korea — Jung, Oh Beom-Seok, Lee Young-Pyo, Cho, LeeJung-Soo, Kim Jung-Woo, Ki Sung-Yong (Kim Nam-Il 46), Park Ji-Sung, Lee Chung-Yong, Park Chu-Young (Lee Dong-Guk 81), Yeom.
Yellow Cards: Argentina –Gutierrez 54, Mascherano 55, Heinze 74; South Korea — Yeom Ki Hun 10, Lee Chung Yong 34.
Referee: Frank de Bleeckere (Belgium).
June 12 in Port Elizabeth
South Korea 2 Greece 0. LeeJung-Soo 7, Park Ji-Sung 52.
South Korea — Jung, Cha, Cho, Lee Jung-Soo, Lee Young-Pyo, Kim Jung-Woo, Ki Sung-Yong (Kim Nam-Il, 74), Lee Chung-Yong (KimJae-Sung, 90), Park Ji-Sung, Yeom, Park Chu-Young (Lee Seung-Ryul, 87).
Greece — Tzorvas, Papadopoulos, Seitaridis, Torosidis, Vyntra, Karagounis(Patsatzoglou, 46), Katsouranis, Tziolis, Charisteas (Kapetanos, 61), Gekas, Samaras (Salpingidis, 59).
Yellow Card: Greece — Torosidis 56.
Att.: 31,513.
June 12 inJohannesburg
Argentina 1 Nigeria 0. Goal Heinze 6.
Argentina — Romero, Gutierrez, Demichelis,Samuel, Heinze, Veron (Rodriguez, 74), Mascherano, Di Maria (Burdisso, 85), Tevez, Messi, Higuain (Milito, 79)
Nigeria — Enyeama, Odiah, Yobo, Shittu,Taiwo (Uche, 74), Kaita, Etuhu, Haruna, Obasi (Odemwingie, 60), Yakubu, Obinna (Martins, 52).
Yellow Cards: Argentina — Gutierrez 41; Nigeria — Haruna77.
Referee: Wolfgang Stark (Germany).
Att.: 55,686.
P TEAMW-T-L (+/-)
9 Argentina 3-0-0 (7/1)
4 South Korea 1-1-1 (5/6)
—————————-
3 Greece 1-0-2 (2/5)
1 Nigeria 0-1-2 (3/5)
GROUP A:
June 22 in Rustenburg
Uruguay 1 Mexico 0. Goal: Suarez 43.
Uruguay — Muslera, Lugano, Victorino, Fucile, M.Pereira, Perez, Arevalo, Cavani, A.Pereira (Scotti, 77), Suarez (A.Fernandez, 85), Forlan.
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary).
June 22 in Bloemfontein
South Africa 2 France 1. Goals: Khumalo 20, Mphela 37; Malouda 70.
South Africa — Josephs, Ngcongoa (Gaxa 55), Khumalo, Mokoena, Masilela, Sibaya, Khuboni (Modise 78), Pienaar,Tshabalala, Mphela, Parker (Nomvethe 68).
France — Lloris, Sagna, Gallas, Squillaci, Clichy, Diarra (Govou 82), Diaby, Gourcuff, Ribery, Gignac (Malouda46), Cisse (Henry 55).
Referee: Oscar Ruiz (Colombia).
Yellow Card:France — Diaby 71.
Red Card: France — Gourcuff 25.
Att.: 39,415.
June 17 in Polokwane
Mexico 2 France 0. Goals: Hernandez 64, Blanco pen. 79.
Mexico — Perez,Osorio, Moreno, Rodriguez, Salcido, Juarez (Hernandez 55), Marquez, Torrado, Dos Santos, Franco (Blanco 62), Vela (Barrera, 31).
France — Lloris, Sagna,Abidal, Gallas, Evra, Toulalan, Diaby, Malouda, Ribery, Govou (Valbuena 69), Anelka (Gignac 46).
Yellow Cards: Mexico — Franco 4, Juarez 48, Moreno 49,Rodriguez 82; France — Toulalan 45, Abidal 78.
Referee: Khalil Al-Ghamdi (Saudi Arabia)
Att.: 35,370.
June 16 in Pretoria
South Africa 0 Uruguay 3. Goals: Forlan 24, 80 pen., A.Pereira 90.
South Africa —Khune, Gaxa, Masilela, Khumalo, Mokoena, Letsholonyane (Moriri 57), Dikgacoi, Pienaar (Josephs 79), Modise, Tshabalala, Mphela.
Uruguay — Muslera,Lugano, Godin, Fucile (A.Fernandez 71), M. Pereira, Perez (Gargano 90), Arevalo, Cavani (S.Fernandez 89), A.Pereira, Suarez, Forlan.
Yellow Cards: SouthAfrica — Pienaar 6, Dikgacoi 42.
Red Card: South Africa — Khune 76.
Referee: Massimo Busacca(Switzerland).
Att.: 42,658.
June 11 in Cape Town
France 0 Uruguay 0.
France — Lloris, Sagna,Gallas, Abidal, Evra, Toulalan, Gourcoff (Malouda, 75), Diaby, Govou (Gignac, 85), Anelka (Henry, 72), Ribery.
Uruguay — Muslera, Lugano, Godin,Victorino, Arevalo, Perez (Eguren, 88), Gonzalez (Lodeiro, 63), A.Pereira, M.Pereira, Suarez (Abreu, 74), Forlan.
Yellow Cards: France — Evra 12, Ribery19, Toulalan 68; Uruguay — Victorino 59, Lodeiro 65, Lodeiro 81, Lugano 90.
Red Card: Uruguay — Lodeiro 81.
Referee: Yuichi Nishimura (Japan).
Att.: 64,100.
June 11 in Johannesburg
South Africa — Khune, Gaxa,Khumalo, Mokoena, Thwala, Dikgacoi (Masilela, 46), Letsholonyane, Modise, Pienaar (Parker, 83), Tshabalala, Mphela.
Mexico — Perez, Aguilar(Guardado, 55), Osorio, Rodriguez, Salcido, Marquez, Juarez, Torrado, Vela (Blanco, 69), dos Santos, Franco (Hernandez, 73).
Yellow Cards: South Africa –Dikgacoi 27, Masilela 70; Mexico — Juarez 18, Torrado 57.
Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan).
Att.:83,548.
P TEAM W-T-L (+/-)
7 Uruguay 2-1-0 (4/0)
4 Mexico 1-1-1 (4/3)
—————————-
4 South Africa 1-1-1(3/5)
1 France 0-1-1 (1/4)
Generally, I subscribe to the theory that referees allowing goons to run free and their reluctance to call penalties and fouls leads to low scoring. However, so far in this World Cup, the play has been very clean and I don’t have any complaints about the refs. It looks like teams are just playing very conservatively. The theory seems to be – don’t take a loss in the first match.
Generally, I subscribe to the theory that referees allowing goons to run free and their reluctance to call penalties and fouls leads to low scoring. However, so far in this World Cup, the play has been very clean and I don’t have any complaints about the refs. It looks like teams are just playing very conservatively. The theory seems to be – don’t take a loss in the first match.
Generally, I subscribe to the theory that referees allowing goons to run free and their reluctance to call penalties and fouls leads to low scoring. However, so far in this World Cup, the play has been very clean and I don’t have any complaints about the refs. It looks like teams are just playing very conservatively. The theory seems to be – don’t take a loss in the first match.
The play has been rather – if not thuggish, then brutish? But born of what reason? Overall we’ve had only glimpses of skillful team play (South Africa’s goal!).Blemished not only by the total eclipse of atmosphere by those incessant & noxious horns (some call culture, I credit Africa with having more to offer than the noise that obliterates all others – a mockery of the game’s highest stage, to say the least: unlistenable, if not unwatchable), in these opening games we are reaping what addidas has sown in the form of the new design of the ball, Jubalani.The referees have done well – with few exceptions: Hesky’s risky assault of Howard, normally a clear caution for reckless endangerment, stands out. Alot has to be pinned on the unpredictable ball, with clearly skilled players struggling. Whether in propel mode, or in reception, lack of anticipation has caught field players and goalkeepers alike off-guard.This, I think, explains the mostly conservative style of play. (Irony is that the presentation of each World Cup with a new ball design comes with claims to aid in attractive offensive football. Yet each 4-years, the tournament suffers increasingly with lower scoring averages.)Unpredictability causes coaches & players to step back to more conservative, withdrawn approaches.The game turns out to be more-&-more a game of chance and less of tactics and skill, unfortunately. Less attractive, to new & establish fans.Only a few scores thus far come from truly creative play – even the blast from Tshabalala for South Africa was a bit lucky, if you look at the bounce of the ball in close-up, slo-mo replay.
The play has been rather – if not thuggish, then brutish? But born of what reason? Overall we’ve had only glimpses of skillful team play (South Africa’s goal!).Blemished not only by the total eclipse of atmosphere by those incessant & noxious horns (some call culture, I credit Africa with having more to offer than the noise that obliterates all others – a mockery of the game’s highest stage, to say the least: unlistenable, if not unwatchable), in these opening games we are reaping what addidas has sown in the form of the new design of the ball, Jubalani.The referees have done well – with few exceptions: Hesky’s risky assault of Howard, normally a clear caution for reckless endangerment, stands out. Alot has to be pinned on the unpredictable ball, with clearly skilled players struggling. Whether in propel mode, or in reception, lack of anticipation has caught field players and goalkeepers alike off-guard.This, I think, explains the mostly conservative style of play. (Irony is that the presentation of each World Cup with a new ball design comes with claims to aid in attractive offensive football. Yet each 4-years, the tournament suffers increasingly with lower scoring averages.)Unpredictability causes coaches & players to step back to more conservative, withdrawn approaches.The game turns out to be more-&-more a game of chance and less of tactics and skill, unfortunately. Less attractive, to new & establish fans.Only a few scores thus far come from truly creative play – even the blast from Tshabalala for South Africa was a bit lucky, if you look at the bounce of the ball in close-up, slo-mo replay.
The play has been rather – if not thuggish, then brutish? But born of what reason? Overall we’ve had only glimpses of skillful team play (South Africa’s goal!).Blemished not only by the total eclipse of atmosphere by those incessant & noxious horns (some call culture, I credit Africa with having more to offer than the noise that obliterates all others – a mockery of the game’s highest stage, to say the least: unlistenable, if not unwatchable), in these opening games we are reaping what addidas has sown in the form of the new design of the ball, Jubalani.The referees have done well – with few exceptions: Hesky’s risky assault of Howard, normally a clear caution for reckless endangerment, stands out. Alot has to be pinned on the unpredictable ball, with clearly skilled players struggling. Whether in propel mode, or in reception, lack of anticipation has caught field players and goalkeepers alike off-guard.This, I think, explains the mostly conservative style of play. (Irony is that the presentation of each World Cup with a new ball design comes with claims to aid in attractive offensive football. Yet each 4-years, the tournament suffers increasingly with lower scoring averages.)Unpredictability causes coaches & players to step back to more conservative, withdrawn approaches.The game turns out to be more-&-more a game of chance and less of tactics and skill, unfortunately. Less attractive, to new & establish fans.Only a few scores thus far come from truly creative play – even the blast from Tshabalala for South Africa was a bit lucky, if you look at the bounce of the ball in close-up, slo-mo replay.
DOn’t forget Uche NGA 2 goals also. Thanks.
DOn’t forget Uche NGA 2 goals also. Thanks.
I would have to agree that there is a lack of goals scored but in the knockout stage all teams have to be careful not to lose players because of recklessness. As far as refs,Karl O must not have watched any of the games this weekend and this past week. THE REF’S STINK ALONG WITH FIFA!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would have to agree that there is a lack of goals scored but in the knockout stage all teams have to be careful not to lose players because of recklessness. As far as refs,Karl O must not have watched any of the games this weekend and this past week. THE REF’S STINK ALONG WITH FIFA!!!!!!!!!!!!