All five South American teams that entered the tournament advanced to the Round of 16, with four of the five winning their respective group – Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil. Only Chile came in second in Group H. It is…
Tag: Perspective
Commentary, analysis, viewpoint on the captivating stories in the world of soccer.
Gracias Honduras: Spain and Chile Advance, While Ivory Coast Bows Out
Despite playing its poorest match of the tournament, Spain ended up winning Group H by edging out a 10-man Chile who continued to play with great determination and winning neutral fans in the process. Both teams advanced as projected, largely…
Arrivederci! Italy Knocked Out After Lackluster World Cup Performance
Four-time World Cup winner Italy was knocked out of the tournament by a resilient Slovakian team yesterday, but perhaps more than anything Italy failed due to its own inability to put together any kind of coherent performance on the big…
South Korea Survives, Nigeria Gutted, Mexico to Meet Argentina Next
Nigeria had the opportunities for a miracle finish that would have seen them claim the second spot in the group despite forgettable performances in their two previous games, but it was not to be. Obafemi Martins missed Nigeria’s last great…
The New Brazil: Spain’s Jogo Bonito
Spain’s World Cup became complicated after its unthinkable loss to Switzerland in the first group game, possibly setting up an earlier than anticipated meeting with Brazil next week. It was a match that demonstrated once again that anything can really…
Italy and England Look Within
If France has provided the biggest scandal at the World Cup thus far, Italy and England are on the threshold of either disaster or a new beginning, depending on their performances in the final group match. Italy has a serious…
French Indignation Reaches New Low: Players Rebellion at the World Cup
In an unprecedented episode perhaps not only in the history of the World Cup but in all memorable international competition, the French national team players have revolted against team trainers and officials at today’s training session. Lead by team captain…
Refereeing Determinant Factor
Controversial officiating that started during South Africa’s match against Uruguay has spread around over the past few days. After the referees were complimented for fairly good work at the start of the tournament, the sentiment has turned definitively bitter. Several…
Bravo USA
The rising American national team performed admirably yesterday, not only for coming back from a 2-0 deficit and apparently winning the match, but for the attractive game the players put together in doing so. Surely the Americans gained supporters and…
Mexico Celebrates, France Crumbles
A day of opposite extremes, one that Mexicans around the world will remember for a long time, one the French will mark as one of the darkest moments of their sporting history. The match itself was not spectacular. France failed…
Argentina Rolls, Delivers Spectacle
On one of the best day of the World Cup thus far, the annoying buzzing of the vuvuzelas finally gave way to the marvelous chorus of chanting and the booming beat of the drums. Who else – Argentina, of course,…
Catch-a-Fire
Six days into the World Cup, every team has now appeared at least once and it is fair to say that, until today, the tournament has fallen short of the dazzling display anticipated. With the exception of Argentina – Nigeria,…
Argentina and Germany Impressive, England Swagger Deflated, Ghana Up
Amidst the incessant buzzing of the vuvuzelas, the first three days of the tournament are in the history books with a mixed batch of impressions and a couple of mild surprises. Concerns continue to float on and off the pitch,…
World Cup Predictions
The first ever World Cup to be hosted by an African nation, South Africa 2010, is on the verge of kick-off. In less than 24 hours, the home country’s Bafana Bafana will take on Mexico in the competition’s inaugural match.…
BarraBravas in Africa
A fascinating story has emerged during the past week concerning the arrival of Argentine supporters in South Africa, among them many leaders of supporter groups from various clubs in Argentina, effectively gangsters, referred to as Barrabravas at home. Incredibly, about…