World Cup South Africa 2010: Day 6&7.

As predicted, the World Cup in South Africa became more of a competition by the start of the second set of group games. Not before a major upset rocked the theory that Spain would DEFINITELY win the World Cup, a theory devised before Spain had even kicked a ball.

Day 6 saw four teams play their first match of the tournament in the first two games of the day, Chile versus Honduras and Switzerland playing Spain. The final game of the day was the start of the second round of group games starting at the beginning again with host nation South Africa playing against Uruguay.

I will admit to not watching the Chile/Honduras game, mainly because I like life, and respects how precious minutes are at the end of the day. Chile won 1-0. The second game I did plan on watching all the way through, but after almost a whole week of sitting watching football when the weather outside has been so un-Scottish, I decided my time would be better spent outside… So off I went because of all the things I could do with my day, watching the Spanish batter a lesser team isn’t exactly ideal.

Although the Spaniards spent the game, running the Swiss around the park Switzerland did the unthinkable and took the lead… Way to spoil the party, Spain had already won the world cup according to many people, hadn’t anyone told the producers of fine chocolate?

As if that wasn’t enough the Swiss went after a second and came as close as striking the post… Many things could be blamed for Spain’s poor result. First game jitters, lack of finishing quality up front, or geriatric defenders named Puyol. I am guessing the latter, and both the former. Just bad. As always.

The final game of day 6 would be South Africa against Uruguay. Sadly, South Africa rather blew it, and it looks like they will not progress through, but there is still a mathematical chance, it is just very slim. I don’t want to type the names of the scorers in the Uruguay team because they are the worst type of cheat… The type that is no good at it. Their dives were so blatant that the only reason they got away with it was that the ref was quite blatantly some brain-dead winner of a competition where the prize was to ref a match. The dive that led to the South African keeper being sent off was so bad that, for a second, I honestly thought a sniper in the crowd had shot the Uruguay striker. Horrid bunch, terrible players, and absolutely not one iota of class. I can only hope they get humiliated in the next round. They beat the hosts 3-0.

Going into day 7 Argentina had the chance to be the first team through to the knockout stages, their opponents. South Korea. Many have questioned the defence of the Argentina team, and maybe they will suffer for it in the later stages, but when your attack features Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez, it is hard to care. Maradona has 6 attackers in his squad, which should be indication enough that he cares not a jot about defending goals, just scoring them. So far so good, they thumped the South Koreans 4-1. One own goal from the Koreans and a hat-trick for Argentinian number 9 Higuian, with Koreas goal coming from Lee on the stroke of half time.

I still think that Argentina will reach the final. Particularly since Messi has still to find his form.

Greece versus Nigeria was another game I wasn’t too interested in, I saw some of it, but when you know a team has a history of never scoring in World Cup finals, it is hard to be interested in watching them.

Nigeria probably would have won this game, as they were leading 1-0 and dominating, Nigerian defender Kaita for some unknown reason decided to kick a Greek on the thigh once the ball was out of play… Inexplicable. He got sent off and essentially is completely to blame for what happened next. Greece equalized through Salpingidis… He went mental, and rightly so. It was a terribly lucky deflected goal, but they all count.

Although the Nigerians were down to ten men they did have a great chance to take the lead when a nice save from the Greek keeper fell into the path of Obasi who obviously shat it when presented with an easy tap in, he stuck it wide and learned a valuable lesson, don’t celebrate scoring until it hits the net… Even if the celebration is only in your head.

The Greek team got another lucky goal when stand out keeper of the tournament Enyeama blundered an easy save right into the path of Torisidis, who had been the target of the kick by Kaita. A good way to rub it in.

The final game of the day was the French against Mexico. I was cheering on Mexico because I can’t stand the French team, and my distaste for them was justified when the cameras turned to their bench and the subs were all sitting with woolly blankets over their knees like old ladies. I guess it makes sense since they play like a bunch of blue rinsed old hags, with the temperament of 2-year-old children.

Thankfully, once again they played absolutely terribly. Mexico took the lead when the French defence was sleeping like the subs, and Hernandez broke through, rounded the keeper and made it 1-0. The defence was so bad that Hernandez looked to be about 1000 miles offside, he wasn’t. Another Mexican attack resulted in a penalty, up stepped veteran Blanco who took a massive run up and slotted it home. 2-0. As the Scots say, ‘get it up ye!’

Today sees Germany playing Serbia, USA play Slovenia and England play Algeria. Prediction-wise, I’d say Germany, USA and England to win. But that is obvious.

It would seem there is a general feeling of hate towards the England team because of the oil spill. Which is funny when you think of it. The England team do not represent the company BP, but if you think they do you are an idiot. There is plenty of other things to hate about the England team, John Terry for starters. Frank Lampard is another valid reason, as is the fact they think they can win the World Cup, although that is more the media here. If you wish to get into a debate about something then do some reading. Don’t let your emotions pour out… There is just 1% difference in stockholders between UK and USA. I’m glad BP are being forced to pay compensation, the oil business is a disgusting business, but maybe the Yanks should take note of this payout and maybe finally pay some money to the people in Bhopal, or any of the other places America screwed over in the name of big business.

On a lighter note, I got a vuvuzela app on my phone.

Henry Hunter