Best and worst of the first "round" of World Cup competition?
BEST
Germany - Australia
Mackenzie Phillips's father couldn't have molested Australia worse than Germany did. Tim Cahill got ejected for not tucking in his shirt.
U.S.A. - England
Can't even pretend impartiality, but wasn't it rich to watch a man's soul be crushed in instant replay? Robert Green for President!
Brazil - North Korea
Disregarding all the geopolitical curiosity of North Korea's participation, this was a relatively competitive match that showcased a baffling goal from Maicon as well as a well-orchestrated attack from the Democratic People's Republic of Football. Pyongyang 2018?
WORST
France - Uruguay
I was already kind of hungover after the opening match, and this tedious display made me want to vomit in my own mouth just to get rid of the taste.
Ivory Coast - Portugal
They kicked it back and forth for a while. Ronaldo won a Tony. I don't know.
BEST
Everybody in America has learned the word "vuvuzela."
WORST
Everybody in America is talking about the "vuvuzela." Nobody gives a damn about football.
BEST
Setting your alarm so you can get up early enough to go to the bar.
WORST
Passing out at 5:00 because you've been up drinking for 8 hours.
Feel free to play at home!
1 comments: on "It was the best of games, it was the worst of games"
Round 2.
BEST:
Portugal vs. North Korea (7-0). Now, ignoring Ronaldo's lucky flick off the head, which he acknowledged with an ear-2-ear smile, this was a masterclass showing. I don't know what happened to North Korea between Game 1 (vs. Brazil) and Game 2 (vs. a weaker Portugal). But this is simply going to rev up the final group game between Brazil and Portugal...has to be the Game of the Group Stages.
Mexico vs. France (2-0). As an Italy fan, all I can do is shout WEEEEEEEEEEEEEE (like a little child jumps with joy)....or OUIIIIIIIIIIIIIII (the french yes). It wasn't men against boys, skill didn't have anything to do with it. Mexico simply wanted it more. They hustled after every loose ball and it was very strange to see a walking French team, even with possession.
Argentna - South Korea (4-0). More accurately, Messi 4 - South Korea 0. Wow. Wondershow. Has there even been a player who didn't score who shined so brightly? Even with Pipita's hattrick, the commentators themselves were waxing lyrical over El Mesiah's man of the match performance.
WORST:
Italy - New Zealand (1-1). Ok. I need to say it again. This is Italy's worst assembled group of players since....well, there you go. To say this is one of New Zealand's best results ever is really doing disservice to their players because this was an awful Italy. No, this was not Italy. This was a group of players resting on their laurels from four years ago. In what is without a doubt the easiest group to qualify from, Italy have yet again surprised the faithful by leaving it till the last round. What goes up, must come down....I've heard.
England - Algeria (0-0). To say England has underperformed in this world cup is giving the players too much credit. England were placed in the second easiest group in this world cup. Rooney who? Harry Redknapp, manager of Tottenham Hotspurs in the EPL, a huge admirer of Rooney absolutely slandered his performance Friday night. A number of players were played out of position and/or did not live up to their billing. Is it fair to say that this England squad is just not that good....?
South Africa - Uruguay (0-3). I want to clarify by saying this was not a bad match in anyway. Forlan's brace was downright clinical while the spraying of the passing brought back memories of Uruguay early last century. It is bad because this effectively knocked out the hosts of the competition. This is the first time it has ever happened. I guess it had to happen sometime, right? Well, the only thing I can see positive from this is that hopefully the vuvuzelas will die down?
Dark Horse: Serbia. Beating Germany is quite a task. In fairness, Germany were reduced to 10 men and still managed to create good chances and possession.
Man of the Match: Mali's Koman Coulibaly, for disallowing USA's Maurice Edu's completely legitimate goal. Winning the Slovenia match would have sent USA into the next round. (I apologize to all US supporters for my anti-USA stance....but as a foreigner, I think u can see where I am coming from).
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