And the last group matches of this year's world cup decided who would go through and who wouldn't...but we all know which teams made it...let's check the highlights.
BEST:
South Africa - France (2-1). The host nation didn't manage to make it through to the next round, but at least they can leave (stay) with their heads held high after managing a victory over an incompetent French side. If it wasn't for goal difference, South Africa would have actually made it through to face...Argentina. To make matters much worse, Domenech refused to shake hands with Parreira at the end of the game...talk about drawing attention to yourself.
USA - Algeria (1-0). For 90 minutes, it looked like 2006 all over again for the United States. But the heartbeat and leader of this team, Landon Donovan, came good in injury time, and scored the rebound goal to put the US not only in the Round of 16, but top of their group so they avoid facing Germany. The match could have gone either way in the first half, but Algeria eventually tired and US were missing golden opportunities in the second half. Another incorrectly disallowed goal seemed like it would deny the US another deserved win, but lady luck finally answered the call.
Denmark - Japan (1-3). I'm going to say it - Keisuke Honda has been the player of the tournament so far. His free kick was out of this world (meaning I have never seen such a well-struck free kick from so far out), his unselfishness allowed Endo to grab a second free kick goal soon after, and finally the icing on top of the cherry on top of the whipped cream on top of the cake. His maneuver inside the box to get past his defender and a simple slide pass to his teammate ensured Japan's passage to the next round. A thoroughly entertaining match and a star is on the rise.
WORST:
Brazil - Portugal (0-0). This was definitely the most anticipated match of the group stages once the draw was made in December. In the so called group of death, Brazil advanced comfortably while Portugal seemed satisfied to take second place (i hope they know who they are facing next....). Ronaldo took long shot after long shot from places where you would normally cross the ball. Brazil lacked the creative spark without Kaka and Robinho, both of whom will be back for the next match against Chile. Pretty much a very boring game.
Switzerland - Honduras (0-0). Switzerland needed two goals from this game in order to displace Chile in second place. Their showing was drastically different to their first game of the tournament, where they downed Spain 1-0. Their lack of goals cost them as they failed to score in their following two matches. They looked clueless for long stretches unable to open up a below-par Honduras team. And they paid for it.
Slovakia - Italy (3-2). This could have been put in the best section depending on whether you hate/love Italy. Personally, it was a tragedy. It should have been 3-3 as Quagliarella was onside for his goal (his second goal...bellissimo). But to be honest, Italy didn't deserve it and they had a horrible showing throughout the tournament. If only they could replicate their last 20 minute performance against Paraguay and New Zealand. But take nothing away from Slovakia. They deserved it. Vittek was clinical, while the coach, Vladimir Weiss, described this as the second best moment in his life (first being the birth of his son). I guess upsets are, in a sense, a beautiful thing.
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BEST:
South Africa - France (2-1). The host nation didn't manage to make it through to the next round, but at least they can leave (stay) with their heads held high after managing a victory over an incompetent French side. If it wasn't for goal difference, South Africa would have actually made it through to face...Argentina. To make matters much worse, Domenech refused to shake hands with Parreira at the end of the game...talk about drawing attention to yourself.
USA - Algeria (1-0). For 90 minutes, it looked like 2006 all over again for the United States. But the heartbeat and leader of this team, Landon Donovan, came good in injury time, and scored the rebound goal to put the US not only in the Round of 16, but top of their group so they avoid facing Germany. The match could have gone either way in the first half, but Algeria eventually tired and US were missing golden opportunities in the second half. Another incorrectly disallowed goal seemed like it would deny the US another deserved win, but lady luck finally answered the call.
Denmark - Japan (1-3). I'm going to say it - Keisuke Honda has been the player of the tournament so far. His free kick was out of this world (meaning I have never seen such a well-struck free kick from so far out), his unselfishness allowed Endo to grab a second free kick goal soon after, and finally the icing on top of the cherry on top of the whipped cream on top of the cake. His maneuver inside the box to get past his defender and a simple slide pass to his teammate ensured Japan's passage to the next round. A thoroughly entertaining match and a star is on the rise.
WORST:
Brazil - Portugal (0-0). This was definitely the most anticipated match of the group stages once the draw was made in December. In the so called group of death, Brazil advanced comfortably while Portugal seemed satisfied to take second place (i hope they know who they are facing next....). Ronaldo took long shot after long shot from places where you would normally cross the ball. Brazil lacked the creative spark without Kaka and Robinho, both of whom will be back for the next match against Chile. Pretty much a very boring game.
Switzerland - Honduras (0-0). Switzerland needed two goals from this game in order to displace Chile in second place. Their showing was drastically different to their first game of the tournament, where they downed Spain 1-0. Their lack of goals cost them as they failed to score in their following two matches. They looked clueless for long stretches unable to open up a below-par Honduras team. And they paid for it.
Slovakia - Italy (3-2). This could have been put in the best section depending on whether you hate/love Italy. Personally, it was a tragedy. It should have been 3-3 as Quagliarella was onside for his goal (his second goal...bellissimo). But to be honest, Italy didn't deserve it and they had a horrible showing throughout the tournament. If only they could replicate their last 20 minute performance against Paraguay and New Zealand. But take nothing away from Slovakia. They deserved it. Vittek was clinical, while the coach, Vladimir Weiss, described this as the second best moment in his life (first being the birth of his son). I guess upsets are, in a sense, a beautiful thing.
