The Groups are finally decided. Will the knock-out stages prove to be the spectacle we expected?

In the famous words of Frank Sinatra; now the end was near. Round one of the illustrious world cup had been somewhat of a disappointment in comparison to it’s colossal expectations but as we enter what is seemingly ’where it get’s interesting’, it’s debatable as to whether this stage of the tournament is always an irrelevance which is rapidly washed from our minds and converted into fond memories of the knock-out stages.
When Paraguay only managed a goalless draw against the hollow side of New Zealand it’s likely they believed Italy had duly beaten Slovakia which would’ve accelerated the champions into first place. How wrong they were. The ageing Italians at least provided us with a good game from these rather fruitless group stages with their uncharacteristically awful defending which allowed Slovakia to net an amazing three goals. Famous for their defending; this performance would’ve left the Italian back-line as a national disgrace for un-doing the past generation’s good reputation of artistic defence. They did, however, manage to score two goals themselves and it’s debatable as to whether them or New Zealand can be more gracious in elimination. First instinct leads us to believe New Zealand can be proud for going through the entire tournament unbeaten but clearly they never believed they could get through. The entire campaign lacked ambition from their perspective and the tedious displays would’ve knocked the tournament’s integrity. Although much more expectation was placed on the champions in comparison to FIFA‘s engineered Kiwis, Italy at least attempted to win the game, perhaps this was what made them loose focus on their defending. When the manager, Lippi, returned to the helm after having a break between the world cups, he was hailed as somewhat of a saviour, but clearly he did not have the courage or fortitude to restructure the squad appropriately and stuck with his budding pensioners, leaving the unfortunate, troublesome duo of Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli at home, desperately watching their national team wither away into nothingness.
Holland duly gained victory over the pathetic Cameroon, despite the Africans at least managing to score a goal. Arsenal’s Robin Van Persie ingrained his name firmly on the score-sheet with a good finish which opens his world cup account and reboots his fancied chances of golden boot glory. The Dutch look an exciting prospect and with Arjen Robben yet to start a game, the potential best is still to come. In the other, more important, fixture between Japan and Denmark, the Danes succumbed to a 3-1 loss which ends their world cup and puts the Japanese through to the round of 16. They played some fantastic football and the likes of Keisuke Honda will have certainly caught the hungry eye of premiership managers.
Group G then climaxed with the most attractive game of the group stages. Brazil vs. Portugal. But frustratingly, yet again, the old cliché of the two best teams not producing the best games proved correct and a convenient 0-0 meant both teams qualified for the latter stages. However Portugal would have to take on the winner of Group H which would most likely be a glamorous, rival fixture against Spain. Ivory Coast smashed the North Koreans 3-0 in their game but following the astounding 7-0 win by Portugal, they never believed they would be able to qualify with goal difference being their only hope.
Spain emerged victors over Chile which meant they were set up for a tie against Portugal. David Villa continued his scoring run which leaves him chasing the golden boot and the Spanish national record, currently held by Raul. Chile would certainly have been worried that Switzerland would get a convincing win over a, so far insignificant, Honduran team but Wilson Palacios and his side admirably held the Swiss at bay in a game of pride which sends the reasonably impressive Chileans through to the next round.
So now we have some great fixtures on our hands. England vs. Germany and Brazil vs. Portugal are the particular stand-outs, but, as has been proved; it’s not always the best teams that make the best games. Hopefully games such as Uruguay vs. South Korea and USA vs. Ghana will be packed with thrill and excitement, out-flooding some of the dour performances we’ve been subject to in round one.

Portugal and Spain re-emerge as contenders whilst France and England continue to descend into a destiny of disappointment

Paraguay look certain to advance to the next stage of the world cup as a rather comfortable victory over Slovakia and the reintroduction of star players Roque Santa Cruz and Oscar Cardozo evolved Paraguay’s general expectation as outsiders into a potential dark horse of the competition.
The south Americans appear to have prepared well for the tournament which is certainly a manageable task considering the extensive length of four years between each world cup, in which time you have a number of exhibition matches and opportunities to formulate your push for victory. Maybe England could learn from this. Fabio Capello has been paid an astronomical amount to sit at home or English football stadiums for the majority of his time, such is the situation with international management, over a period of two years. In which case; how has he gone into the two week pinnacle of his job without knowing his goalkeeper, his formation, his line-up or how to motivate his players. Capello himself has questioned the players attitude and singled out the likes of Wayne Rooney for individual criticism, this all goes against the fabric of football management. Surely this man has been paid that obscene amount of money to mould the attitude of his squad.
A similar situation has occurred in the French camp. Following the euphemistic dismissal of Nicholas Anelka; the players have staged a successful strike. Surely the French Football Association could identify the problem with Raymond Domenech’s reign and he should’ve been the man dismissed before this unfortunate epidemic. Four years to prepare for this and it’s unravelling after just a week! Incredible.
The world champions, Italy, are another side who’s preparations appear to have been flawed to some extent. Rather than realistically and sensibly admit the sorry fact that the previous world beaters including, captain, Fabio Cannavaro, would have taken at least a few steps too far over the hill for this tournament, they’ve enforced their legends to experience another gruelling campaign rather than moulding a fresh team who are able to compete with the physicality of the competition. The fact they could only take a 1-1 draw against an inexperienced New Zealand side packed with semi-professionals and fraudulent, artificial Kiwis proves that the modern game has advanced so far that genuine athletes can effectively compete with players of any skill if they’re not muscularly prepared.
Brazil are, rather frighteningly, prepared in terms of physicality and an unusually unstylish victory against North Korea proved the Brazilians could now win in beastly fashion. However, ‘the beautiful game’ advertised by legendary, Brazilian teams of old thankfully hasn’t slipped out of the South Americans at the expense of the muscular approach of the likes of Lucio, Juan and Maicon. Luis Fabiano’s lack of confidence was well and truly redeemed when he netted two goals in thunderous fashion against a potentially dangerous Ivory Coast side. Some incredible football also enabled Elano to casually convert a critical third and despite an unjust dismissal to Kaka due to the detestable play-acting of African winger Keita and a late consolation goal for Didier Drogba, Brazil held onto a relaxed victory which will strike fear into the hearts of fellow contenders.
With Portugal’s recent displays of great disappointment despite the inclusion of Cristiano Ronaldo, their match against North Korea wasn’t predicted a push-over. But it was the definition of demolition. Despite a modest one goal lead at half-time, the Portuguese went on to claim a rampaging 7-0 win which leaves Ivory Coast’s hope of goal difference qualification hanging by a fraying thread and reinvigorates Portugal’s hopes of tournament victory.
Later in the day Chile were able to claim a vital three points at the expense of the surprising, Spain-conquering Switzerland which practically qualifies them into the last sixteen. Despite the disastrous start to the tournament, Spain achieved a solid 2-0 win against a Honduras team who looked severely out of their depth. With Spain re-emerging as potential, eventual victors with a quality display from David Villa in particular, can England achieve a similar goal and will Wayne Rooney claim a victorious brace which not only wins the game, but wins back the heart of millions.

The Swiss shock Spain and it's time for redemption as the second set of games begin

When Brazil’s first fixture’s opponents were identified as a team of semi-professionals in the form of North Korea, everyone expected an unquestionable demolition. But the underdogs showed they were no pushovers in this game and made the “group of death” appear an even more difficult prospect for the highly-fancied Ivory Coast, Portugal, and of course, the Brazilians.
The amazing spirit of the Koreans was infallible as the defence managed to shield the majority of attack bombarded in their direction. Brazil weren’t particuarly convincing despite their incredible squad featuring brilliant attacking options as well as an unusual array of defensive quality. The likes of Ronaldinho and Adriano were omitted from the squad with a strong message being sent out from manager, Dunga, that this years Samba stars will very much be a hard-working ‘team’, and not a bunch of ‘Galacticos’ attempting individual brilliance.
Robinho’s performance would’ve left Roberto Mancini scrambling for his mobile phone in order to persuade the high-maintenance star to return to Eastlands for another season at Manchester City as he pulled all the creative strings in tense conditions. However, it was Inter Milan’s Maicon who opened the scoring with an outlandish attempt from an incredibly difficult angle, resulting in an extravagant swerve from the ‘Jabulani’ ball as it nestled in the back of the net. Whether this was intended as a shot is ambiguous but with Brazil, anything is possible. The Koreans’ organised approach was slashed open with a killer pass from Robinho which resulted in another former City player, Elano, passing the ball casually in the bottom corner of the net.
It was all over from here and despite the admirable heroics of North Korea it was too big of an ask for them to equalise the match. But, incredibly, a burst of pace from the forward late on resulted in a fantastic consolation goal and a spirit-raising statistic which will worry Sven Goran-Erikson and Carlos Queiroz as they gear up for their ‘easy’ game.
Honduras then faced Chile in the opener of the final group of the world cup. As the Honduran star, Wilson Palacios was unjustly booked early on, his urgency and aggression was severely reduced in order to avoid further indiscipline and Honduras reluctantly accepted defeat. Chile looked like a very good side and performed possibly the most expansive, attacking display seen is this modest tournament (with the omission of Germany). Alexis Sanchez’s pace and skill would’ve caught the eye of premiership hawks, circling over the talented prey of this world cup, ready to snap them up for their club team. But it was a lucky goal which proved decisive as a Honduran defender slid the ball onto the side of a Chilean forward only to see it crash into the back of the net and ascend Chile into first place.
It was then the European champions and favourites for this world cup, Spain who finally took on a Switzerland side missing key-man Valon Behrami. With such an extended wait for their first game it was assumed that the Spanish would be totally prepared and have the added bonus of a fit Fernando Torres available from their selection roster, but a shock was on the cards. Despite capable, dexterous attempts from the unquestionably skilled Xabi Alonso, David Villa and Torres, Spain, incredibly, failed to hit the back of the net. However, to Spanish detriment, the Swiss did manage to score an invaluable goal as a combative goal-mouth scramble resulted in another former City man, Gelson Fernandes, nudging the ball over the line after a strenuous race with the defenders for the opportunity. Despite the obvious, evident attacking virtues of Spain, they failed to gain the equaliser and Switzerland held out for an astonishing win. It’s results like this that make you realise you’re not alone in the manner that your national team is continually an unexpected disappointment.
It was then time for the second branch of games to begin as the hosts, South Africa took on a Uruguay side who stole a point from France in the earlier game and at times, flirted with brilliance with the impressive front two of Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan. It was Forlan who really shone on this occasion as the South Africans were stunned by his extravagant effort which cannoned into the back of the net with the aid of a slight deflection. However, like many who have had the benefit of taking a goal lead in this tournament, the Uruguayans did not plan to stop, as Suarez attempted to round the keeper an outstretching leg sent him crashing down to earth, resulting in a red card. The intimidating, focused face of Forlan was converted into one of a joy when he blasted a penalty into the back of the net. As the South Africans dwelled on their performance in dismay and disappointment, the Uruguayans went on to net a third meaning the romantic prospect of the hosts advancing to the next round were slimmer than ever.
Clearly the first round of games in this tournament didn’t live up to the hype of the tornado of brilliance, excitement and individual genius we were hoping for and maybe expecting, but a firm implication of each team is now ingrained within our brains and the best is yet to come. With Diego Forlan’s outstanding display against South Africa well publicised, perhaps this will provide the intent for all players in South Africa to really display their inventive, inspirational, imaginative powers on the biggest stage.