If only Italy's performance could match the passion and excitement of "Il Canto degli Italiani". That being said; with any Italian team at a major championships you know what you are getting.
Paraguay on the other hand, lack the big names of their rivals, yet this did not stop them taking the lead in the first half through Antolin Alcaraz. A simple set piece was uncharacteristically not dealt with by the Italian defence, leaving the Paraguayan defender to plant his header into the corner.
Italy never looked likely to get back in the game, and lost first-choice 'keeper Gianluigi Buffon at half time. In the end Italy were allowed back into the game through a goalkeeping blunder from Paraguay's Justo Villar, who flailed fruitlessly at a cross from a corner, and Daniele De Rossi slid the ball into the empty net.
The Italian team were understandably buoyed by the goal and a tactical change to a 4-4-2 formation coincided with a much improved display from the likes of Vincenzo Iaquinta and Riccardo Montolivo. Ultimately however neither team could gain a winning goal and a draw was ultimately a fair result, and will have come as some relief to the Paraguayans who were visibly tiring towards the end of the game.
Monday, 14 June 2010
Sunday, 13 June 2010
FIFA World Cup - Germany vs Australia
The convicts were completely outplayed by a fluid German side in this Sunday's final game. Usually going into a World Cup, Germany, who can of course never be written off, are usually referred to as an aging side, but it was in fact the Australians who fit this tag better with the likes of Craig Moore, Jason Culina and Mark Schwarzer pushing up the average age.
In all honesty Germany deserved to win, and it looked an inevitability after first half strikes by Polish born Lukas Podolski and another inevitable tournament goal from Polish born Miroslav Klose. Mexican referee Rodriguez effectively killed off the tie in the second half, sending off the unfortunate Tim Cahill for an innocuous challenge on Bastian Schweinsteiger, and this was followed by further German goals from Thomas Muller and Brazilian-born striker Cacau. Australia perhaps had the better of the chances in the closing stages but only one team looked like scoring.
On this evidence Germany look a team to watch out for, and for the convicts the wooden spoon beckons. Australia's manager Pim Verbeek has a job on his hands to lift his team.
In all honesty Germany deserved to win, and it looked an inevitability after first half strikes by Polish born Lukas Podolski and another inevitable tournament goal from Polish born Miroslav Klose. Mexican referee Rodriguez effectively killed off the tie in the second half, sending off the unfortunate Tim Cahill for an innocuous challenge on Bastian Schweinsteiger, and this was followed by further German goals from Thomas Muller and Brazilian-born striker Cacau. Australia perhaps had the better of the chances in the closing stages but only one team looked like scoring.
On this evidence Germany look a team to watch out for, and for the convicts the wooden spoon beckons. Australia's manager Pim Verbeek has a job on his hands to lift his team.
F1 2010 - Canadian Grand Prix
The Canadian Grand Prix made a welcome return to the Formula One calendar for 2010, returning to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal after a one year hiatus. Lewis Hamilton had put his Mclaren on pole, the first time a Red-Bull car had not been.
The opening laps proved to be a hectic affair. Kamui Kobayashi nearly ending his race in the Champions Wall on the very first race. His subsequent retirement was one of only five, and capped another dismal race for the BMW Sauber team, as team-mate Pedro De La Rosa parked his car with what appeared to be an engine failure later in the race. Even before the first corner Vitaly Petrov's Renault had collected De La Rosa, and Felipe Massa (Ferrari) and Vitantonio Liuzzi (Force India) touched several times.
It was obvious after only several laps that the softer compound tyre that the two Mclarens had started on was going to fall to pieces very early. However the abrasive nature of the track surface caused problems for those starting on the harder rubber. After a multitude of pit-stops, including one side-by-side pit exit for Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, the race shook out with the two Red Bull cars leading. Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber then took different strategies with Vettel opting to get his soft-tyre phase out of the way. This proved to be crucial, as although Webber had a short-term advantage, once the life had seeped out of the tyres he began to be relentlessly caught by Hamilton, Alonso, Jenson Button and Vettel. Webber was eventually forced to pit and would finish a distant fifth. Vettel had an unspecified problem that caused the team to drop back, leaving a straight fight between the two Mclarens and Alonso's Ferrari. This became resolved as Alonso was caught behind Karun Chandhoks Hispania car, and Button was able to power past on the outside. Hamilton was able to keep some of his powder dry and Button was unable to catch him in the closing stages. A Mclaren one two the end result, allowing them to consolidate their position in the constructors championship and allow Hamilton to take the lead of the World Championship.
Outside the battles of the frontrunners, the new car of Heikki Kovalainen in the Lotus was able to finish ahead of Petrov, who took two drive through penalties in the race. Hulkenberg was also penalised in this manner for pit-lane speeding. Michael Schumacher had a race to forget, having incidents with (among others) Robert Kubica's Renault, Massa and Liuzzi, eventually finishing outside the points in 11th, with probable action to come from the stewards.
The F1 circus moves on next to Valencia, which will do well to achieve the same level of excitement as this race
The opening laps proved to be a hectic affair. Kamui Kobayashi nearly ending his race in the Champions Wall on the very first race. His subsequent retirement was one of only five, and capped another dismal race for the BMW Sauber team, as team-mate Pedro De La Rosa parked his car with what appeared to be an engine failure later in the race. Even before the first corner Vitaly Petrov's Renault had collected De La Rosa, and Felipe Massa (Ferrari) and Vitantonio Liuzzi (Force India) touched several times.
It was obvious after only several laps that the softer compound tyre that the two Mclarens had started on was going to fall to pieces very early. However the abrasive nature of the track surface caused problems for those starting on the harder rubber. After a multitude of pit-stops, including one side-by-side pit exit for Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, the race shook out with the two Red Bull cars leading. Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber then took different strategies with Vettel opting to get his soft-tyre phase out of the way. This proved to be crucial, as although Webber had a short-term advantage, once the life had seeped out of the tyres he began to be relentlessly caught by Hamilton, Alonso, Jenson Button and Vettel. Webber was eventually forced to pit and would finish a distant fifth. Vettel had an unspecified problem that caused the team to drop back, leaving a straight fight between the two Mclarens and Alonso's Ferrari. This became resolved as Alonso was caught behind Karun Chandhoks Hispania car, and Button was able to power past on the outside. Hamilton was able to keep some of his powder dry and Button was unable to catch him in the closing stages. A Mclaren one two the end result, allowing them to consolidate their position in the constructors championship and allow Hamilton to take the lead of the World Championship.
Outside the battles of the frontrunners, the new car of Heikki Kovalainen in the Lotus was able to finish ahead of Petrov, who took two drive through penalties in the race. Hulkenberg was also penalised in this manner for pit-lane speeding. Michael Schumacher had a race to forget, having incidents with (among others) Robert Kubica's Renault, Massa and Liuzzi, eventually finishing outside the points in 11th, with probable action to come from the stewards.
The F1 circus moves on next to Valencia, which will do well to achieve the same level of excitement as this race
FIFA World Cup - Serbia vs Ghana
This game promised a lot, between two well fancied teams. Ghana are arguably the strongest of the African teams, even without injured stars Michael Essien and the wonderfully named Junior Agogo. Serbia are fancied as a dark horse, lining up with a very English system, relying on creativity from their wingers and with a large target man in Birmingham-bound Nikola Zigic.
The first half took a while to get going, with both team understandably cagey with every result likely to count in a strong group that also contains Germany and Australia. Nemanja Vidic making an early impact with a typically robust challenge in the first fifteen minutes. Ghana were looking to break on the counter-attack through Andre Ayew and the impressive Prince Tagoe and probably shaded the ultimately goalless first half.
Ghana created probably the first clear-cut chance of the second half, Ayew heading miserably wide from a cross that begged to be converted and on sixty minutes Asamoah Gyan hit the upright from a John Pantsil throw. As the game began to stretch their were also chances for Serbia through Zigic despite Ghana dominating the possession.
After a terrible run of injuries, it was good to see Stephen Appiah's introduction arounf the seventieth minute, and shortly afterwards Serbia were reduced to ten men, Aleksander Lukovic pulling down Asamoah Gyan to earn his second yellow card and receive his marching orders. Despite this it was Serbia who had the better chances in the following minutes, Richard Kingson in the Ghanaian goal saving well from Milos Krasic, with Vidic heading over a subsequent corner.
On 82 minutes came the key moment, Zdravko Kuzmanovic inexplicably handling in the box and gifting Ghana a penalty. Asamoah Gyan sent Vladimir Stojkovic the wrong way to set off extended Ghanaian celebrations. Despite increased urgency there was no way back for Serbia, and Gyan even had time to strike the upright again before the final whistle. Ultimately Ghana deserved their victory and should now maintain their form to take them into the second round.
The first half took a while to get going, with both team understandably cagey with every result likely to count in a strong group that also contains Germany and Australia. Nemanja Vidic making an early impact with a typically robust challenge in the first fifteen minutes. Ghana were looking to break on the counter-attack through Andre Ayew and the impressive Prince Tagoe and probably shaded the ultimately goalless first half.
Ghana created probably the first clear-cut chance of the second half, Ayew heading miserably wide from a cross that begged to be converted and on sixty minutes Asamoah Gyan hit the upright from a John Pantsil throw. As the game began to stretch their were also chances for Serbia through Zigic despite Ghana dominating the possession.
After a terrible run of injuries, it was good to see Stephen Appiah's introduction arounf the seventieth minute, and shortly afterwards Serbia were reduced to ten men, Aleksander Lukovic pulling down Asamoah Gyan to earn his second yellow card and receive his marching orders. Despite this it was Serbia who had the better chances in the following minutes, Richard Kingson in the Ghanaian goal saving well from Milos Krasic, with Vidic heading over a subsequent corner.
On 82 minutes came the key moment, Zdravko Kuzmanovic inexplicably handling in the box and gifting Ghana a penalty. Asamoah Gyan sent Vladimir Stojkovic the wrong way to set off extended Ghanaian celebrations. Despite increased urgency there was no way back for Serbia, and Gyan even had time to strike the upright again before the final whistle. Ultimately Ghana deserved their victory and should now maintain their form to take them into the second round.
FIFA World Cup - Algeria vs Slovenia
This match, particularly the first half - was like watching paint dry. Despite a real incentive after last nights draw between England and the United States, there was a transparent lack of quality on both sides, with only the occasional flash of brilliance from one or two players on display. Nadir Belhadj particularly showed why he will have frustrated and delighted Portsmouth fans in equal measure this season, with some good runs from full back and some lovely deliveries, yet lacking the overall consistency to make a major impact.
Algeria lost all threat upon the ridiculous sending off of substitute Abdelkader Gezzhal, the striker picking up his second yellow card for an impetuous Maradona moment in the Slovenian box. His match lasted a mere fourteen minutes, eclipsing Uruguay's Lodeiro who picked up two yellows in twenty minutes.
After approaching eighty minutes of purgatory, Robert Koren, just released by West Bromwich Albion - provided Faouzi Chaouchi with his opportunity to join the Useless International Goalkeepers Club, and the Algerian stopper duly obliged, letting a routine save slip through his grasp for the only goal of the game.
Ironically this came virtually straight after Algeria had just spurned the best chance of the match, poor communication by Marko Suler and Samir Handanovic let in Karim Ziani, but the goalkeeper redeemed himself expertly sprawling at the feet of the Algerian wide forward.
Defeat leaves Algeria on the brink of elimination with Slovenia realistically one good result against the two group favourites away from progression.
Algeria lost all threat upon the ridiculous sending off of substitute Abdelkader Gezzhal, the striker picking up his second yellow card for an impetuous Maradona moment in the Slovenian box. His match lasted a mere fourteen minutes, eclipsing Uruguay's Lodeiro who picked up two yellows in twenty minutes.
After approaching eighty minutes of purgatory, Robert Koren, just released by West Bromwich Albion - provided Faouzi Chaouchi with his opportunity to join the Useless International Goalkeepers Club, and the Algerian stopper duly obliged, letting a routine save slip through his grasp for the only goal of the game.
Ironically this came virtually straight after Algeria had just spurned the best chance of the match, poor communication by Marko Suler and Samir Handanovic let in Karim Ziani, but the goalkeeper redeemed himself expertly sprawling at the feet of the Algerian wide forward.
Defeat leaves Algeria on the brink of elimination with Slovenia realistically one good result against the two group favourites away from progression.
FIFA World Cup - First Two Days
The FIFA World Cup started on Friday following a lavish opening ceremony in the Rainbow Nation. The opening game for me was a good open contest, and to be honest i expected Mexico to walk it. However, as was demonstrated in Japan and Korea 2002, the hosts often experience a boost from playing in front of their own fans. Siphiwe Tshabalala's opening goal could easily be the best first goal of any major tournament, but there was an inevitability to Mexico's equaliser, as i think they demonstrated the greater quality over the whole ninety minutes. I think a draw was probably the fairest result.
Sadly due to a prior commitment i missed the France, Uruguay game. I honestly don't think i missed anything. An aging French team will do well to reach the latter stages of the tournament, and congratulations to Uruguay's Nicolas Lodeiro, who managed two bookings in twenty minutes, to become the first player red-carded in this years tournament. A move to Leeds United surely beckons.
Saturday saw a fun opening game between South Korea and Greece. Fun that is, if you happen to be Korean. The Greek team were woeful, and that is really being nice to them. I described France as an aging team, but you could call the Hellenic players the Ancient Greeks. Their entire team creaked through the whole game, and the younger, more lively Koreans ran rings round their midfield and were unlucky not to win by a greater than 2-0 margin. It was difficult to pick out a stand out performer for the Koreans, but it is notable that for the second goal, the finishing of Park Ji-Sung (complete with inevitable commentary regarding Champions League finals, Patrice Evra etc..) showed more poise than he usually exhibits in the Premiership.
Again, i missed the second game of the day, and frankly the third game of the day i don't really want to talk about. Sufficeth to say that England should have won. Heskey was excellent, linking the play as a big target man should, with Steven Gerrard playing a rare good game for England. Rob Green's world cup on the other hand has, within forty minutes joined a long list of English goalkeeping disasters. Had he laid down full length on the line for Clint Dempsey's speculative drive it would have stayed out. Instead he took his eye off the ball, literally and metaphorically and now shall forever be mentioned over pints of lager, alongside Scott Carson's howler, Paul Robinson's fresh air kick, David Seaman's blunder against Ronaldinho and many others.
From what i have seen England should still have the quality to advance. Given what i have seen from the other groups, Group A is wide open for all four teams and in Group B Maradona's Argentina could be joined by the Koreans if they can overcome the Nigerian Super Eagles. Greece have already won my "Thanks for Coming" award, even up against some of the weaker teams yet to play. The Peoples Republic of Korea may push them close, though of course state media will probably inform the people that they crushed all from the evil capitalist West.
Alongside the onfield action i feel that the officials so far have been outstanding. Very often they are figures of blame but i think all the representatives i have seen have done exceptionally well under extreme pressure to be correct. I am fairly sure that Howard Webb will do his best to dispel this come his first appearance in this years finals.
The only other minor complaint i have is the damn vuvuzelas. They sound like a swarm of angry wasps. I hate wasps.
Sadly due to a prior commitment i missed the France, Uruguay game. I honestly don't think i missed anything. An aging French team will do well to reach the latter stages of the tournament, and congratulations to Uruguay's Nicolas Lodeiro, who managed two bookings in twenty minutes, to become the first player red-carded in this years tournament. A move to Leeds United surely beckons.
Saturday saw a fun opening game between South Korea and Greece. Fun that is, if you happen to be Korean. The Greek team were woeful, and that is really being nice to them. I described France as an aging team, but you could call the Hellenic players the Ancient Greeks. Their entire team creaked through the whole game, and the younger, more lively Koreans ran rings round their midfield and were unlucky not to win by a greater than 2-0 margin. It was difficult to pick out a stand out performer for the Koreans, but it is notable that for the second goal, the finishing of Park Ji-Sung (complete with inevitable commentary regarding Champions League finals, Patrice Evra etc..) showed more poise than he usually exhibits in the Premiership.
Again, i missed the second game of the day, and frankly the third game of the day i don't really want to talk about. Sufficeth to say that England should have won. Heskey was excellent, linking the play as a big target man should, with Steven Gerrard playing a rare good game for England. Rob Green's world cup on the other hand has, within forty minutes joined a long list of English goalkeeping disasters. Had he laid down full length on the line for Clint Dempsey's speculative drive it would have stayed out. Instead he took his eye off the ball, literally and metaphorically and now shall forever be mentioned over pints of lager, alongside Scott Carson's howler, Paul Robinson's fresh air kick, David Seaman's blunder against Ronaldinho and many others.
From what i have seen England should still have the quality to advance. Given what i have seen from the other groups, Group A is wide open for all four teams and in Group B Maradona's Argentina could be joined by the Koreans if they can overcome the Nigerian Super Eagles. Greece have already won my "Thanks for Coming" award, even up against some of the weaker teams yet to play. The Peoples Republic of Korea may push them close, though of course state media will probably inform the people that they crushed all from the evil capitalist West.
Alongside the onfield action i feel that the officials so far have been outstanding. Very often they are figures of blame but i think all the representatives i have seen have done exceptionally well under extreme pressure to be correct. I am fairly sure that Howard Webb will do his best to dispel this come his first appearance in this years finals.
The only other minor complaint i have is the damn vuvuzelas. They sound like a swarm of angry wasps. I hate wasps.
Match of the Day Syndrome
As alluded to in my previous post Match of the Day Syndrome is a major hindrance to the sports recorder/viewer. In short, it refers to the line on the preceding BBC News, where they tell you to look away now if you do not wish to see the results.
I first experienced it when i was advised as a child not to discuss the day's results with my grandfather, which as a football-obsessed youngster, was a deeply strange phenomena. Why would anyone not want to discuss football all the time? However as an adult these days i think it is much harder to avoid the results of any game. The cause being the internet. Information is everywhere, even with smaller scale events such as the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), which i have been known to "tape" an entire days racing.
I guess this syndrome is one of the reasons i insist on watching as much sport live as i possibly can
I first experienced it when i was advised as a child not to discuss the day's results with my grandfather, which as a football-obsessed youngster, was a deeply strange phenomena. Why would anyone not want to discuss football all the time? However as an adult these days i think it is much harder to avoid the results of any game. The cause being the internet. Information is everywhere, even with smaller scale events such as the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), which i have been known to "tape" an entire days racing.
I guess this syndrome is one of the reasons i insist on watching as much sport live as i possibly can
First Post
Welcome to my Sports Watcher blog.
I get accused at times of watching sport just for the sake of it, as there is usually sport being on television. But I love sports. Fact. It inspires, it entertains, it teaches. And there is just so much of it.
This weekend alone, through the magic of television I have watched rugby, cricket, motorsport, tennis, and inevitably football. Sadly though not all of them live, but on the other hand Sky Plus is a magical invention and it has allowed me to do "important things", like shopping or weeding the garden and then come back to it. It has however caused an extension of what i call Match of the Day syndrome. (see separate post)
But enough of this boring preamble. In my blog i hope to give insights on not only the obvious sports and matches but also some of the less well known examples.
I get accused at times of watching sport just for the sake of it, as there is usually sport being on television. But I love sports. Fact. It inspires, it entertains, it teaches. And there is just so much of it.
This weekend alone, through the magic of television I have watched rugby, cricket, motorsport, tennis, and inevitably football. Sadly though not all of them live, but on the other hand Sky Plus is a magical invention and it has allowed me to do "important things", like shopping or weeding the garden and then come back to it. It has however caused an extension of what i call Match of the Day syndrome. (see separate post)
But enough of this boring preamble. In my blog i hope to give insights on not only the obvious sports and matches but also some of the less well known examples.
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