Monday, June 21, 2010

This is it...

This is the last 13.30 kick off of the World Cup. The World Cup reaches the peak of its volume in conjunction with the summer equinox. The longest day and the most games will have been played so far.

I would get you some news from North Korea about today's game against Portugal. A rematch of the classic Eusebio starring 1966 Quarter Final which ended 5 - 3 to Portugal after the Koreans jumped to a 3 nil lead.

A Bola, Portuguese sports newspaper issues a rallying cry to their own "dear, great leader" - so they mock North Korea...pin that up on the dressing room Kim Nam Il.


Additionally, the same paper reports that Cameroon manager, Paul Le Guen, who said he wasn't going to resign has been appointed Australian coach. Pim Verbeek will leave his role after the tournament so they were on the look-out anyway.

A word on the Africans. Its so disappointing that none of the African teams seem secure for the last 16. Ghana have the best opportunity but have to face Germany. The Ivory Coast dominated possession in key areas at times but really waited (Sven influence) until it was too late to have a crack.

The goal that killed them off was Luis Fabiano's second, which by all standards was handled twice by the striker before he finished. The referee even had the gall to ask the player if he had handled it! Why ask if you are in doubt? That is your decision right there. Anyway, Abidjan Post is fairly transfixed on that incident rather than Kaka's unfair dismissal.


23 minutes in, North Korea are giving the Portuguese a run for their money. Nil nil.

And the England camp seem a little more in sync than their French counterparts. Lampard, Terry and Capello all engaging with the media in the last two days to issue rallying cries and point out there is no rebel faction as per the media's insistence.


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