shannon2007

Argentina v Mexico
World Cup Round of the Last Sixteen
27th June

A hugely anticipated match that lived up very much to all the prematch hype. An 11th minute injury to Mascherano seemed to upset the Argentine rythym and Mexico certainly started the brighter side. On 24 minutes though, man of the tournament so far Matias Vuoso sent Argentina into the lead. The Mexicans though were up for this match big time and five minutes from the break, Castillo levelled things.

On the stroke of half time, Vuoso again struck to send Argentina into the break with a lead after a pulsating first forty five minutes. The Bolton striker completed his hattrick five minutes after half time, yet by no mean were Mexico out of match that was full of exciting football. Argentina survived though, a brave Mexican effort and now its the might of Italy standing in the way in the last eight, and after that - assuming we get past that - Brazil. If Argentina are going to win this, they are going to do it the hard way!

retired_w0lfpack1

"Forgive me father, for I have sinned.

"I don't think we won by enough for the fans; is it pride again, that that bothers me?

"At least I watched my language this time!

"Israel weren't expected to put up much of a fight, and with the first team rested, I told them I thought they should win this.

"That may have been a bit rough on the lads, because they struggled a bit - especially the forwards. Hélder Postiga I'd told I expected a performance from, and he wasn't putting up much of one.

"Nuno Gomez, too, God.. I'm sorry, father.. missed a sitter from ten yards, really should've done better. I probably did curse a bit then, I guess.

"Luckily, Cristiano Ronaldo saved our blushes, taking an excellent half-volley on Deco's corner in the 66th minute - honestly, Davidovitch had done well to deny Tiago on the preceding shot, so it was just about due.

"We shut up shop from there, defend-and-counter all the way, and ran out deserved 1-0 victors.

"I suppose that's pride, too, that 'deserved', isn't it?"

"You must work to eradicate the pride, son, for it will be your downfall in the end. But for now, I think you've learned your lesson from the Israel match. A hundred Rosaries... and just make sure you reach the Semi-Finals!"

Portugal 1, Israel 0
Cristiano Ronaldo 66; - - - ;
MoM: Pepe (Portugal DC)

retired_w0lfpack1

Switzerland took an early lead against Nigeria, with Alex Geijo netting in just the fourth minute, but the African side were determined to win on "home soil" as it were. Obafemi Martins erased the deficit in the 12th minute, Yakubu netted just before the hour, and Peter Odemwingie made the final score Nigeria 3, Switzerland 1 with a stoppage-time goal that put the match beyond a doubt.

Nigeria would await the winners of the crucial Spain-Holland match...

retired_hern1001

Netherlands vs Spain, World Cup 2nd Round, 29-06-2010, Cape Town

Spain. Spain could be tricky. They may be the perennial chokers, but they do have some very handy players. Then again they were managed by a Hearts fan. How good could they be?

Dispensing with the Spaniards would hardly be a piece of cake, but I kept faith with the same XI that beat Paraguay. After all, they speak Spanish too.

The game itself was a tight affair, with the Spaniards having the better of the play in the opening minutes. The Dutch found their feet soon enough, but Iker Casillas kept Spain in the game with numerous saves as the Dutch looked to swamp their opponents late in the first half. Huntelaar in particular looked threatening, but he was unable to find the net. The first half definitely belonged to the Dutch, but the Spaniards started to push back in the second. Mind you, there were still plenty of chances for both van Persie, Huntelaar and Ryan Babel, but none managed to hit the back of the net. The game went to extra time and in the first period, the Spaniards were definitely stronger and nearly forced victory there and then, but the excellent Tim Krul kept the Dutch in the game.

Chances kept coming, but none could be converted so it went to the thing the Dutch dreaded the most. A penalty shoot-out.

Maduro was first up for the Dutch and he coolly slotted home. Fabregas responded in kind for Spain.

Dirk Kuyt was up next, but he directed his effort straight at Casillas. Xavi made no such mistake and put Spain ahead.

Up next was Dutch specialist Denny Landzaat, but he too found Casillas in his way. Cani coolly converted to put the Dutch all but out of the tournament.

It was down to Robin van Persie to keep the title holders in the game, but his effort was weak and poorly directed and found the Spanish goalkeeper as well. It was all over. The reign was no more. Someone else would take over the hallowed title.

For the Dutch all that remained was the fury of their manager and their continuing ineptness at taking spot-kicks. Won’t they ever learn????

retired_bbcarr

Spain vs. Holland
World Cup 2nd Round
29th June, Athlone Stadium (Cape Town)

Dude. I’m scared about this one. We’ve been useless in three games and only got through thanks to the ineptitude of our opponents. This orange lot looked mighty against Korea and Paraguay. Mind you, they lost to Engerlund. Can’t be all that good.

The big guns came back out. Torres, Villa, Fabregas. We weren’t going to be beaten (well, OK, we probably were, but positive mental attitude and all that). Iker Casillas came in for Pepe Reina, the cocky twat Pablo got his marching orders and wasn’t even picked on the bench as punishment. OK, he was picked on the bench, but only because Sergio Ramos was suspended.

Easy peasy, Japaneasy. The first ten minutes were all Spain, only two smart saves from Tim Krul kept Villa and Torres out. Then the Dutch waves hit us. Time after time they burst upfield, only to find Iker Casillas in Superman form. The recalled ‘keeper worked wonders between the sticks and took the match to extra time.

With all three subs on, striker Arizmendi forced to fill in at wing back, we dominated the extra half hour. Twice Fabregas came close, and whilst Casillas had to pull off one save, if anyone was going to prevent it going to penalties, it would be us.

Unfortunately we couldn’t. Penalties it was. Maduro stepped up first, neatly slotted away. Fabregas followed suit. Dirka Dirka Kuyt was next, but his shot was straight at Casillas. Xavi made him pay with a lovely finish into the corner, and when Landzaat couldn’t beat Casillas, we were moments away. Cani put us three-one ahead, all the pressure on van Persil. The pretty boy couldn’t take it. Casillas saved. Spain in the quarter finals. Nigeria up next.

retired_w0lfpack1

Nelson Haedo Valdez went from hero to goat for Paraguay in the last match of the Round of 16. Alexis Sánchez had scored in the 40th minute to give Chile a 1-0 halftime lead. Valdez netted the dramatic equalizer in the 85th minute, a brilliant headed goal to make it 1-1. However, he missed a golden opportunity in extra-time, allowing the match to run out to penalties.

The first eight spot-kicks scored, and Sánchez converted the ninth, giving Chile a 5-4 lead. Valdez had to score to keep Paraguay alive, but he struck it straight at Johnny Herrera, who made the save!

Chile drew Portugal, who had beaten them a shocking 6-0 in a March friendly, for the Quarter-Finals.

retired_w0lfpack1

The Quarter-Final field was set.

Brazil would face the hosts, South Africa.

Argentina had their first true test, against Italy, though the Azzuri had struggled thus far.

Spain would face Nigeria, who should be a sight easier than the Dutch.

On paper, Portugal had the easiest draw, Chile, and expectations were high in Lisbon!

Brazil vs South Africa
Italy vs ARGENTINA
Nigeria vs SPAIN
PORTUGAL vs Chile

retired_w0lfpack1

Brazil enjoyed a comfortable 2-0 win over South Africa, with the stellar centre-back Lúcio coming up to score a second-minute header on a corner kick. Fred scored the second just after the intermission, and it was smooth sailing for the South Americans despite the urgings of a 95,000-strong partisan crowd.

The hosts received a warm round of applause from their supporters afterwards - the home fans were warmly appreciative of their work to this stage, their best-ever World Cup performance, if not quite as stirring as South Korea's run in '02.

shannon2007

Italy v Argentina
FIFA Cup Quarter Final
27th July

These matches are typically hard nosed affairs with much passion, much hatred and damned little football. Well there was passion and hatred on show, but also a fair amount of football too. With the Italians injuring competition top scorer Vuoso early on to try and gain an advantage, this was always a match that was going to end in tears for someone and with no goals - despite many opportunities for both sides - after normal and extra time, it was down to spot kicks.

When the injured Palacio missed his spot kick, it looked all over for Argentina. Amauri though also contrived to miss as did Luca Toni and to send his side into a Semi Final meeting with Brazil, up stepped Argentine legend Juan Pablo Sorin, playing his 96th match for his country and cool as a cucumber in heat, blasted the ball home. The Italians, like the Dutch, knew the pain and misery of yet another penalty shoot out defeat.

retired_w0lfpack1

"Forgive me father, for I have sinned.

"Language, again, and I'm afraid I overindulged a bit in the post-match celebration.

"We looked in complete control against Chile, and if it wasn't 6-0, it could well have been had Deco done a little better on the free kicks. I'm going to have to name a new dead-ball taker; frankly, he stunk, starting with an early free kick saved.

"No matter, though, Hélder Postiga tucked away a fine cross in the 13th minute, and nearly had another two minutes later.

"I asked the Lord for help - I know, its just football - when Chamagol broke clear, but Ricardo made an excellent save.

"In the 32nd minute, Cristiano Ronaldo found Postiga in the box, a cheeky little pass after his right-back had overlapped up the sideline, and we were in good shape.

"I took the Lord's name in vain on __'s effort, oh so close, in the 43rd minute, Ricardo was brilliant yet again, and it was 2-0 at halftime.

"I warned the lads not to let their performance drop, and switched to a more defensive outlook. It seemed to work, though I was thanking the Lord for Ricardo's play after his save from Piniella in the 70th minute, and again on Vidal's header from the resulting corner.

"Almeida could have made it 3-0 in the 85th minute, but it turned out not to matter. Nani was tripped in the box, Cristiano Ronaldo buried it, and I knew we were through!

"Language - and asking the Lord for help I shouldn't need - was my sin again when I saw the Semi-Final draw:

"Brazil!"

"'Tis no sin to ask for assistance, my son, but you must ask yourself why you need it. If it is for your country, 'tis nothing, but if for your personal pride, then it is a great sin."

"Its for the country, father."

"Then I think a hundred Rosaries should do it... as long as you beat Brazil!"

Portugal 3, Chile 0
Postiga 13, 32, Ronaldo pen 87; - - - -
MoM: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal AMR)