retired_asteph4206

Group B
Matchday 2

La France. Wow, they suck. A lucky penalty from Jérémy Toulalan in the sixteenth minute had them ahead, but Nicklas Bendtner equalised, and two further Danish Bacon goals after the break saw France in real trouble. David Trezeguet grabbed a 91st minute consolation, but it was too little, too late, and unless they stick one to the Aussies in Matchday 3, it'll be adieu to Henry & Co.

Elsewhere, the Ivory Coast beat Team Oz. by a single goal to put themselves in pole position for qualification.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Ivory Coast | | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 4 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Denmark | | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Australia | | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | France | | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 1 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|</pre>

shannon2007

Argentina v USA
Group C - Match 2
18th June

Matias Vuoso, the shock call up to the Argentine squad for this World Cup woo-ed the supporters with a flawless showing. Two goals for the Bolton striker, plus a penalty from Javier Mascherano was more than enough to see off a hopeless USA and with Croatia seeing off Saudi Arabia by 4-0, the South Americans had made it to the last sixteen with a match to spare.


<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Argentina | | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | +8 | 6 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Croatia | | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 3 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | U.S.A. | | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 3 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Saudi Arabia | | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | -6 | 0 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | </pre>

retired_w0lfpack1

Hosts South Africa stunned Colombia with two early goals, Nasief Morris and Benni McCarthy giving the 35,000-strong Cape Town crowd something to cheer in the opening 17 minutes, and then held on tenaciously for a 2-0 win despite constant Colombian pressure through the second half.

Germany again had to fight back after Fonseca's first-minute goal for Mexico, and with Fabien Ernst and Torsten Frings suffering injuries, their squad is heavily depleted. Miroslav Klose's 65th-minute header gave them a 1-1 draw, but put Germany on the verge of elimination: they would need a result in the finale!

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | South Africa | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 4 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Colombia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 3 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Germany | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Mexico | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 1 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|</pre>

Israel were reduced to ten men in the first minute, handing Nigeria an easy 1-0 victory, Yakubu scoring in the 8th minute and the African side frankly coasting from there.

The Czech Republic cruised to a 2-0 win over Costa Rica, starting with Kovac's goal just seconds in to the match, and adding an embarassing own goal around the hour.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Nigeria | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 6 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Czech Republic | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 3 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Israel | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Costa Rica | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|</pre>

retired_w0lfpack1

"Forgive me father, for I have sinned.

"I have used foul language again.

"Da Costa, my starting left back, out for a month?

"I've been cursing ever since!

"The rest of the match, I suppose, went well enough; I wasn't nervous, didn't take the Lord's name in vain, or anything. It was hard to be, after Nuno Gomes put us ahead 1-0 in the 66th second.

"Thats when Da Costa got hurt, of course, fifteenth minute or so, and I'm sure my language was foul then. Sprained ankle, and I'm sure it was intentional, the guy just stomped on his foot when the ball was clearly away. Should've been a red.

"After that, Hélder Postiga tucked home a half-cleared cross in the 29th minute, and Tiago made it 3-0 by halftime with a scorching 25-yard effort - brilliant stuff!

"My biggest challenge was what to tell them at half-time, honestly I was Thrilled, but I settled for Pleased, which seemed to work - Ferreira scored immediately after the restart and it was all over.

"I suppose I might be guilty of running up the score, its not my fault, though - I told 'em to defend and counter, but Angola were just so outclassed. Postiga made it 5-0 at the hour, and despite some substitutions, Cristiano Ronaldo capped off a 6-0 win from the spot at the 81st minute.

"That's when their guy Festa picked up a red card for kicking one of my guys - I probably cursed a bit then, too, to be honest, but I quieted down when I saw the red card."

"Minor sins, my son, minor sins. In fact, with a win like that, I think you can get off scot free. Say a hundred Rosaries... and make sure nobody gets hurt against Iran!"

In the other match, Switzerland beat Iran, 2-1, taking a two-goal lead by halftime thanks to Ziegler and Geijo. Since Angola and Switzerland play each other in the third match, we've nothing to do against Iran in the third.


<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | Q | Portugal | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | +9 | 6 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Switzerland | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 3 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Angola | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 3 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Iran | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 0 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|</pre>

retired_bbcarr

Spain vs. Bulgaira
Group G – Matchday 2
21st June, Free State Stadium (Bloemfontein)

After years of free flowing football yielding absolutely bugger all, Spain have decided to bore everyone to tears. And it might just work. Fernando Torres again nabbed an early goal, sneaking in in the seventh minute, and when Dimitar Berbatov got crocked after twenty-five, we were on our way.

Little happened in the second half, we closed the game down, chucked on some subs, and somehow crafted a second, young Bojan Krkic striking with ten minutes left. Just watch out, Spain are going to win this thing.

--

Earlier That Day

Chile 1 – 0 Dastardly Japs. We’re through. Doesn’t matter.


<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | Q | Spain | | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 6 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Chile | | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 4 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Bulgaria | | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 1 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Japan | | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

retired_manragh

Good performance by the lads today, centre backs Richards and Terry were excellent, as well as Carrick who was awarded the assist and man of the match for his efforts in front of the back 4.

I was a bit worried at first we were very wasteful 6 shots at goal with none being on Target, Michael Owen had a pretty bad game so we brought on Defoe and it was his goal in the 54th minute that gave us the lead and eventual 1-0 win. Rooney was pretty useful as well 5 shots with 2 on target and moved around well, but basically you can put the win down to a good team effort.

The Dutch were a little unlucky with Kuyt’s being ruled out as he moved a little early but replays showed the refs decision to be correct, and were still in the tournament which is a good thing!

It’s pretty close at the top so we can’t afford a draw between Holland and Paraguay or were out on our arse’s

England 1 defeated Holland 0 Goals: Defoe (Eng 54) man of the match: M Carrick (Eng)

The tables are certainly interesting in Group H
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Paraguay | | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 6 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Holland | | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 3 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | England | | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | South Korea | | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 0 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

It's going to be a close one thats for sure!

retired_hern1001

Netherlands vs England, World Cup Group H, 21-06-2010, Pretoria

The English had to win. It was as simple as that. After their embarrassing loss against Paraguay, the nation was on their backs to get a result against a seemingly formidable Dutch side. There was one problem for the Dutch though. Their playmaker van der Vaart was unable to play and he’d be replaced by defensive minded midfielder Denny Landzaat.

The English had to win and to do so they had resorted to an intriguing tactic, with ‘the wingers basically licking their striker’s arses”. Whether or not it would work would remain to be seen. It was just five minutes in when Arjen Robben picked up a yellow and the English seemed on top early on. Michael Owen had by far the best chance on nineteen minutes but he dragged his shot wide of the mark. There were plenty of chances either way in the remainder of the half, but the only one to find anywhere near the target was Ruud van Nistelrooij’s effort on 30 minutes, but that effort was easily saved by the England goalkeeper.

At half time, England manager Pan Pardus executed a masterstroke when he brought on Reading’s Jermain Defoe. Eight minutes after the restart, the little striker had the ball in the net, driving home the rebound from Michael Carrick’s effort. The Dutch poured forward in numbers but were unable to find the equaliser, though Dirk Kuyt’s effort was ruled out for off-side, much to the fury of his manager (which later earned him a stern warning from the FA). All in all, the English managed to get their win they desperately needed, while Paraguay gained a narrow 3-2 win over South Korea to put the Asians out of contention. It’ll be down to the last round of games now.

retired_w0lfpack1

Italy had a job to do, and they did it, with goals by Gilardino (13th minute) and Iaquinta (44th) to take a 2-0 victory over group minnows Morocco and score their first win.

It still wouldn't have been enough to book their place in the Round of 16; they needed help from Brazil, who started their second string, and looked like dropping a 0-1 defeat to Ukraine at halftime, which would have see the Azzuri out. Luckily for all of Italy, Lucas scored from a corner kick in the 63rd minute to give the first-place Brazilians a 1-1 draw... and see Italy into the Elimination rounds.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | Q | Brazil | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 7 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | Q | Italy | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 4 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Ukraine | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Morocco | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 1 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|</pre>

retired_asteph4206

Group B
Matchday 3

****ING FIX! France needed a win if they were to get through. And they needed the Ivory Coast to do them a favour against the Bacon. Vieira and Henry had the Frogs two up by half time, with the Cote D'Ivoire leading by a goal as well. Bendtner got Denmark level on forty-eight; Nicolas "Le Sulk" Anelka got France's third after eighty-five. They were already going through on goal difference, but Didier Drogba made sure with a 90th minute strike to send Denmark to defeat.

Brazil up in the quarter finals. They French, they be ****ed.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | Q | Ivory Coast | | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 7 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | Q | France | | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | +2 | 4 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Denmark | | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 3 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Australia | | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 3 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

shannon2007

Argentina v Saudi Arabia
Group c - Match 3
23rd June

With qualification assured, the match with the Saudi's was a mere formality and thats exactly how it turned out. A delightfully arrogant and lazy performance from Argentina as Vuoso, Palacio and Milito all found the target and now it's the Mexicans who stand in the way of glory and all that.

Certainly, Argentina will need to up the pace for that one...

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | Q | Argentina | | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | +11 | 9 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | Q | Croatia | | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 4 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | U.S.A. | | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 4 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Saudi Arabia | | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | -9 | 0 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>