England thankfully through but Germany and Argentina wait as potential heart-breakers

The romantic tendencies of the world cup were almost resurfaced as South Africa gained a 2-1 victory over a French team who find themselves in utter turmoil. Following the South Africans taking a proud lead, Yohann Gourcuff was unjustly dismissed for what appeared to be a very slight, accidental elbow into the upper body of an African defender. Although France received little sympathy following the disgusting antics of the egotistic squad’s strike. And, when South Africa bundled their second over the line, the majority of the world would’ve been cheering. However; despite the possibility of an unlikely qualification for South Africa when Uruguay’s Luis Suarez scored his first of the tournament to ascend the South Americans into first place and leave Mexico’s place in the last 16 in a vulnerable state, South Africa were incapable of converting the flurry of goals they required, and as France escaped the tournament in disgrace, South Africa are able to hold their heads high and enjoy what remains of their prestigious competition, despite their own omission.
In the evening, Diego Maradona’s Argentina sported what was considered a second string side, however still included the illustrious names of first-time starters Sergio Aguero and Diego Milito, as well as the consistent inclusion of Lionel Messi. Greece continues to approach the game with a lack of ambition and appeared happy to depart the tournament on the back of a dour 0-0 draw with the South Americans. However, despite containing the virtues of Messi for the entire evening with a specific marker, the Greeks began to tire and the Argentineans eventually made the breakthrough via Demicheles blasting a shot into the roof of the net from a scrappy corner. Argentina went on to net a second when a Messi rebound poetically dropped to the feet of veteran, Martin Palermo who solidified Argentina’s position at the pinnacle of their group and left Greece with little positives to take from this tournament. At least we won’t have to face another hour and a half of their negative tactics this year. In the parallel fixture South Korea and Nigeria produced an exciting 2-2 draw which sends the Koreans through to the next round and leaves the Nigerians in despair, Yakubu in particular contributed one for next Christmas’ “Own Goals & Gaffs” DVD when he missed an easy chance which could’ve seen his side in the last 16.
It was then the nationally awaited turn of England as they engaged with Slovenia in a crucial fixture requiring a necessary win. The omission of Emile Heskey put many English fans in good spirits before the game had even begun and with a fellow goal scorer, Jermain Defoe, beside a rather depleted Wayne Rooney, the approach to the game was a lot more positive. James Milner particularly impressed as he consistently whipped efficient crosses into the box, eventually Defoe pounced on one of these in typical fashion, sending England into a one goal lead and the country into hysterics. A few scares were in store but despite a magnificent challenge from fringe defender Matthew Upson, solidifying his position in the squad, and an unusual miss from Rooney, England claimed a vital victory sending them into the next round. Despite this situation resulting in England topping the group for the majority of the day, Landon Donovan, incredibly, scored in injury-time sending the Americans into first place and leaving England with the likely scenario of a tense game against Germany against Sunday afternoon. If that doesn’t woo the Americans into falling in love with football, it’s questionable as to whether they ever will.
Sure enough, it was the impressive, Mesut Ozil who scored an astounding volley from the edge of the area for Germany, a worthy match-winner over Ghana, and setting up a charming tie between Germany and England packed with emotion, heritage and rivalry. The perfect match. The Germans have been impressive at times in this tournament but the defeat to Serbia will unveil loopholes in their brilliance to Fabio Capello and as they struggled to gain the win over the Africans, England certainly can win this match. However, the likelihood is that Argentina will be waiting for them in the quarter-finals and this would be an even tougher ask, however, again it would be a historical fixture which, with a victory, would capture the hearts of the globe.
Serbia couldn’t manage the win they required over Australia as the ‘Socceroos’ gave themselves a chance of a place in the last 16. However, with the two victories being as narrow as they were; Ghana sneaked through on goal difference to be a rare representative of Africa in the advanced stages of the competition. The tournament is beginning to heat up as it began with rather modest displays and as the knock-out stages close in, could this be our year? At the moment I’m still too afraid to say it.

Germany lose! And USA produce fight-back which leaves England in safe but vulnerable position

The second big shock of the tournament occurred this morning when Germany crashed to an astonishing defeat at the hands of Serbia. With the Serbs displaying a disappointing showing of themselves in their first game of the world cup and Germany smashing Australia in a rampant victory, which was arguably the most impressive performance of the tournament yet, a German loss was almost inconceivable. But the early games of this particular Friday featured many refereeing errors in comparison to exactly a week ago when the tournament begun, when the officials were receiving magnanimous praise, and this went some way to corrupting the purity of two unexpectedly, marvellous football matches.
With the colossal figures of the likes of Nemanja Vidic and Nikolai Zigic in the Serbian line-up, it was sure that they could match the Germans in terms of physicality but with a fresh, young, skilful spine including the likes of Mezut Ozil in the German side it was thought that there was no real contest. Until the referee got involved. From the moment he blew his whistle, Mr. Mallenco had his hand in his pocket threatening disciplinary action against any player who as even looked him in the eye for an extended period of time. A meaningless yellow card dished out early on set the ridiculous consistency Mallenco retained and in no time, Miroslav Klose was off the pitch following two minor trips in honest attempts to win the ball. Immediately after this demented decision, Serbia managed to take advantage of German sorrow by predictably pumping the ball onto the head of Zigic who fumbled it down to Jovanovic, who acrobatically flung himself in aid of the Jabulani’s advancement and left the keeper with no choice but to lift the ball from the back of the net and bellow words of disheartened encouragement.
The Germans were handed a lifeline when Vidic needlessly handled in the area, which is becoming somewhat of a bizarre, common occurrence for the Serbs. However; Lucas Podolski unusually missed from the spot and Germany failed to net the equaliser they desired, resulting in an a blow to Germany’s confidence and an increasingly exciting group D.
An important game for England followed as the USA took on Slovenia. The Slovenians were promptly in a surprising two goal lead against the favourites as half-time quickly emerged and appeared good value for their lead. A stunning strike, a neat finish and the half-time whistle was superb for Slovenia’s predicted, slim chances of qualification but America battled in traditional, patriotic spirit and emerged from the tunnel fighting as Landon Donovan reduced the lead early on with a cannon into the roof of the goal. The double change from American coach Bob Bradley clearly worked wonders and then, like a cheap Hollywood movie, his son, Michael Bradley lunged at a floating opportunity. The ball thumped past the helpless Slovenian goalkeeper and produced sighs of relief from England fans and uncontrollable, hysterical, yet predictable tears from American followers.
Yet another loathsome decision from a referee marred what would’ve concluded an astounding, emotional fight-back from the Americans when substitute, Edu’s volley rocketed into the back of net and was unjustly disallowed. Replays reveal at least two or three fouls during the scramble for a winning goal but all appeared to be to the detriment of the USA as Slovenians recklessly, attempted to wrestle them to the ground.
The fight-back should still be hailed by the American media and it’s likely the “New York Post” may even perceive it as they ‘won 2-2’ but the awful decision from Mr. Coulibaly would’ve left a sour taste in the back of American throats. However; a draw was perhaps the perfect result for England as they can encounter a weak Algerian side tonight with the potential to top the group. Anticipation is continually building with team selection speculation rife but one thing is for sure. If England don’t pull off an expected victory tonight they’ll have a tough battle on to even escape their group and the rather impressive USA and Slovenia will not hesitate to knock us out.