Another Fine Mess(i)

Second game of the day features Argentina versus Nigeria. The question has been whether Lionel Messi will finally duplicate the glory he accumulates playing with Barcelona into his play on the international stage. For whatever reason--and there have been many suggested, most prominently and dramatically being that Diego Maradona, Argentina's coach, is consciously or subconsciously subverting Messi by not making the best use of him, tactically, in order to prevent any player from matching or surpassing Maradona's own stature in the annals of Argentine soccer legend.

Nigeria is always considered a contender, but this is not their strongest side.

ORIGINAL PREDICTION: ARGENTINA 3-1

FANTASY UPDATE: CARLOS TEVEZ starts up top for Argentina.

Argentina is starting Messi, Tevez, and Higuain upfront. Definitely has the potential for many goals. The first attack in the 4th minute features a great surging run by Messi into the heart of the defense, but Higuain misses badly off of a simple layoff pass.

WITHIN 6 MINUTES, ARGENTINA IS UP 1-0. After Messi leads three straight blistering attacks, the last forcing a great save, Gabriel Heinze converts the ensuing corner kick with a diving header. Nigeria is in serious trouble, as Messi has chewed their defense up already.

Nigeria survives further flurries, and earns a corner kick in the 11th minute, which is easily cleared. They are showing life, and enough talent and speed to be able to avoid a rout, but they aren't showing enough yet to make me reconsider my original pick.

Messi makes another brilliant run and nearly gets on the end of a great long ball from Veron. The keeper comes out well to collect. I've liked what I've seen from Messi so far.

Another great shot by Messi draws a strong parry by the Nigerian keeper Enyeama, who will be hoping his defenders stop letting Messi get the ball near the 18.

In the 21st minute, a Tevez-Higuain pass sets up the Madrid man for another shot, and Enyeama comes through again with the save. Nigeria is allowing way too much possession to Argentina in the final third. And it looks like Enyeama is now shaken up.

Nigeria has a great chance to score against the run of play, but the cross is not good enough across the face of goal.

In the 35th minute, Romero, the Argentinian goalie, needs to come off his line strongly to collect a lofted ball. Nigeria has made a couple more chances here and there, and Argentina has lost a little momentum, perhaps.

Messi orchestrates a great give and go off a free kick, rips a great shot that forces a corner kick. He is very entertaining to watch, and you feel that more goals are inevitable.

The longer Nigeria can go without conceding a second goal, the more they will grow in confidence, and Argentina will start to get frustrated. Yellow card to Jonas Gutierrez for a bad challenge.

Another run by Messi draws a free kick at the left corner of the penalty area. He has been everywhere.

HALFTIME arrives with Nigeria having staved off further punishment. Changes to their defending will be needed for the second half.

Messi never seems to stop running. Great give and go almost sees him tuck the ball away, but it just goes wide.

There have been moments, here and there, where Nigeria has snuck into a scoring opportunity. Argentina must not get complacent in looking for a second goal.

Nigeria wastes a free kick in a dangerous spot in the 63rd minute, but they are still only a goal down. They have time to steal a point.

Tevez leads a breakaway, and Messi misses again, and is frustrated, rightly so. That could have killed the game off.

Right after that, Argentina threatens again, and once more, Enyeama makes a big save. So far he is man of the match. Nevertheless, I'm starting to feel that Argentina's finishing is leaving something to be desired. That something, just to be clear, is a handful of additional goals.

Messi almost scores again. That is shaping up to the be the headline of the game: "Messi Almost Scores."

Diego Milito, on as a sub, does not execute well on a breakaway. Argentina seems a little unfocused at this point, and I could see Nigeria finding an equalizing goal. That would be devastating for Argentina, who seem to be tiring, and seem to be telegraphing some passes now.

Argentina was looking dominant in the first ten minutes, but I am not convinced by their performance today. Against weak defending, they have lacked the killer instinct. They have such exciting potential in that starting trio of attackers, but they need sharper finishing.

On this form, Nigeria will have trouble getting past South Korea to advance to the knockout stages.

Argentina holds on for a 1-0 win.

4:30 A.M. Really?

At 4:37 a.m., while preparing to watch Greece versus South Korea, I realized I had a problem; namely, that I am up at 4:37 a.m. to watch Greece versus South Korea. Then I realized that this isn't a problem, but an opportunity. Granted, it is an opportunity to be cranky about Greece and South Korea in blog form, but an opportunity nonetheless.

All this to say that I might be cranky in this blog until I get some coffee.

ORIGINAL PREDICTION: South Korea win, either 2-1 or 1-0.

FANTASY UPDATE: Park Ji-Sung is in the starting lineup for South Korea.

The red of the Koreans versus the blue of Greece. It's very bright for this early in the morning.

Greece wins an early corner, but do nothing with it. Boo, Greece. Boo.

Some nice passing down the left wing by the South Koreans, who look lively, results in a free kick when a Greek defender knocks down the smaller Korean.

GOAL FOR SOUTH KOREA, LEE JUNG SOO IN THE 7TH MINUTE! He cut in to the back post to bury the cross in the net.

A Korean defender cannons an attempted clearance off the face of a teammate to concede a corner kick to Greece. Not the best tactic, surely.

My first impression is that South Korea is faster and more athletic, and Greece is bigger and stronger and commits more fouls. Go South Korea!

Greece gets away with a foul in the penalty area that should have been a penalty kick for South Korea. Going down 2-0 would surely have left Greece eating humble spanakopita.

My crankiness is quickly dissipating. Partly this is because I am mesmerized by soccer in general; partly it is because I now have coffee.

There looks to be some possible cracks in South Korea's defense, particularly on set pieces or long balls down the middle, but they are countering well and playing some great football. Greece just got lucky again, with Park Ji-Sung whistled for a non-existent foul as he broke into the Greek penalty area with a defender slipping.

South Korea makes another brilliant break on the counter-attack, great passing and running, and Tzorvas has to make a fantastic save! Great football, very attractive stuff so far. Through thirty minutes, South Korea is the better side.

On this form, I would have to like South Korea's chances to advance from the group, but I haven't seen Nigeria play yet. And there is still much time left in this game for things to go wrong for them. I love World Cup Saturdays!

HALFTIME!

Greece has to stay physical with South Korea to disrupt their attacking runs. They also need to figure out a way to keep possession of the ball more and create some chances, because so far, they don't look dangerous. But South Korea needs to remain alert on defense and beware of Greeks bearing the soccer ball in the final third of the field.

Greece to kick off to start the second half, having substituted their main playmaker, Karagounis, who must have some sort of injury or some loss of form.

South Korea's speed and precision of passing on the counter-attack is what I hope to see from the US today against England. Very fun soccer, good rhythm, very creative and positive play. I'm now a fan of South Korea.

PARK JI-SUNG TAKES THE BALL AWAY FROM GREECE AND SCORES A SECOND GOAL FOR SOUTH KOREA! FANTASY POINTS FOR ME, AND THAT SHOULD BURY GREECE!

What a great game. Greece now has to open up and try to attack more, which will expose them even more to the counter-attack.

Vasilis Torosidis picks up the first yellow card for a reckless, frustrated lunge through a Korean player. It's been that way all day; Greece just is not quick enough on the tackles and challenges.

Greece makes another attacking substition, taking off Samaras who plays for Celtic but has been non-existent today.

It is 5:46 a.m., and light is starting to break here in San Francisco, unlike the circumstances for Greece, for whom night is beginning to fall. I'm talking metaphorically, not literally, of course.

And oh so nearly a third goal for South Korea on a fine cross. Korea kept the ball nicely there on a build-up, and Greece looked nowhere on defense. And South Korea is right back on the attack, and earns a corner.

Greece is finally starting to look a little bit alive, in the 74th minute. It is possible they could still make things interesting, but they need to score soon. The Greeks must rush, one might say.

Excellent save by Lee Woon Jae off a strong shot by Gekas. If this score stands, this is such a well-deserved result for South Korea. I love their work rate, creativity, and speed.

Almost a third goal for Korea. Greece's defenders are not helping the keeper today.

You know a team has performed poorly when the announcer on TV says you have to play a hell of a lot better. I love having former players as announcers. Robbie Mustoe, well done.

And that is it. 2-0 South Korea! Apparently I gave Greece too much credit when I thought it would be a one goal game. Great stuff! Up next, Argentina versus Nigeria!

It Begins, Part 2

France versus Uruguay. Such an interesting game, mostly because of the scandal of the Thierry Henry handball that led to the winning goal for France in the playoff against Ireland. Many people predict France to fail to make it through this group. However, it is always possible that they will exceed expectations. I kind of don't want them to do so, though. I'm rooting for Uruguay today, even though I predicted France would get through the group stages.

MY ORIGINAL PREDICTION

A 1-1 draw.

FANTASY TEAM UPDATE

Nicolas Lodeiro of Uruguay is the only player for either team I have on my fantasy roster, but I do not have him starting today. Nor is he starting in real life.

GAME ON!

France in white will kick off. Uruguay in light blue.

And France just boots the ball down the left flank from the kickoff. I hate that. It leads to a foul and a free kick for Uruguay.

Not much rhythm or consistency yet. Both teams are starting fairly cautiously. A lot of high clearances, ball being sent long down the field. Also, I'm seeing a lot of players slipping and stumbling, which makes me wonder about the condition of the pitch.

And a moment of brilliance by Franck Ribery comes to naught as Sidney Govou fails to turn it into the net.

Uruguay seems to be forming a blockade in front of their goal, keeping five at the back. France is beginning to dominate possession, and they look the stronger side in these first ten minutes.

Patrice Evra picks up the first yellow card of the game for a needless takedown of a Uruguayan winger.

The assistant blows a call where the French keeper, after bungling an attempt to grab the ball, carried the ball over the end line for what should have been a corner kick. The French benefit again from a referee missing something blatant.

Diego Forlan makes a sudden burst and really tests Lloris with a strong shot that is parried away well. The hope for Uruguay seems to lie on the counter-attack.

Gourcuff fools everyone with a free kick from the left flank that curls directly towards goal instead of into the center, and it forces the keeper to scramble into a great save. Shortly after that, Ribery gets a yellow.

France has shown some flair and creativity, and I especially like watching Ribery and Gourcuff.

The problem with Uruguay's counter attack is that it leaves them open. Diaby and Anelka are getting a lot of room to run through the middle of the pitch.

40 minutes in and Uruguay are hanging tough, but one of their defenders, Pereira, was a bit shaken up.

They say that somethings you don't like at first will eventually grow on you. Not the case with the vuvuzelas.

HALFTIME! 0-0 at the break. I love it.

Uruguay kicks off, going from right to left.

I like what I've seen of Diego Forlan. He hasn't scored yet, but he has looked dangerous.

France has occasionally tried one pass too many when they could have taken a shot from the top of the 18. And players are continuing to slip, which means the field could do some crazy things to the ball--but the announcers are not mentioning the slipperiness.

Mauricio Victorino gets a yellow card for Uruguay.

Sagna gives away a free kick in a dangerous spot. Nicolas Lodeiro enters the game, which will earn me fantasy points if another of my midfielders does not play this round. And promptly gets a yellow card, which might lose me points. Damn him for his lack of discipline.

Jeremy Toulalan now gets a yellow card for France. More cards in this game than the last. France is starting to get frustrated.

Thierry Henry replaces Anelka. Will that make a difference?

Lodeiro gets his second yellow card and therefore a red for a nasty tackle. Wow. Ten minutes to go and Uruguay are down a man, trying to hold on for a draw, and my fantasy team is weakened. He owes me an apology.

If France can't get the winner here, they have a lot of thinking to do.

Thierry Henry appealed in vain for a handball in the box, which was very ironic, given that you would think Henry would know exactly what is a handball and what isn't.

A controversial free kick in injury time, very soft foul to give in this situation. France's last chance.

The wall holds.

Uruguay holds on for a 0-0 draw, playing with ten men!! Amazing! I predicted a goal each, but otherwise, I was right!

I picked Lodeiro for my fantasy team because I liked what I read about him in World Soccer. I thought he might be an impact player. I just didn't foresee that the impact would be his cleat on Sagna's ankle.

It Begins . . .

The sun broke early this morning, and I was up with it. Coffee has been brewed.

Mexico is playing South Africa, and with this, I commence in-game blogging.

Javier Hernandez is not starting up front for Mexico, which disappoints me, as he is on my fantasy team, but it makes sense, as he is young, and the pressure on the opening game would be high-pressure..

First yellow card to Mexico, for delaying a free kick.

Mexico looks the better team, with more of a cutting edge, and they have come closer to scoring, but so far, South Africa is keeping enough defense back that there were no clear cut chances.

Oh, there's a yellow card on South Africa.

31 minutes in, no goal, but South Africa has put together some nice passing sequences.

Guillermo Franco makes a great run, and almost sneaks it past the keeper, but the goalie makes a great save.

In 38 minutes, a narrow offside call cancels a Carlos Vela goal.

Vaughn and I have coined a new phrase: "a snowball's chance in Iceland." Interpret it as you will.

Mexico is starting to collect more dangerous chances. They will score at least one goal today.

Vaughn is very excited. Only two more years until Euro 2012.

Inches away from a goal for South Africa! What a change that would make.

Before the game, Vaughn and I both predicted Mexico as victors, but wanted South Africa to win. Then we heard the vuvuzelas. South Africa must never succeed at anything ever again.

HALFTIME! Time for scrambled eggs and bagels.

Second half starts just as I serve up, and South Africa serves up the best chance they have had so far, a dangerous looking cross.

AND ON THE COUNTER, SOUTH AFRICA TAKES THE LEAD, AND BREAKS OUT INTO AN ORGANIZED CELEBRATION! Amazing pass, quick run, clinical finish!

South Africa seems to be growing in confidence. They are passing well, and staying organized on defense.

A chance to make it 2-0 goes begging, which could have wrapped it up. South Africa is having the better chances now.

Javier Hernandez enters in the 73rd minute. Mexico needs better finishing, as they wasted the chances they had. I need fantasy soccer points, so our needs match nicely here.

On this form, Mexico will not be going through. Blanco makes a bad first touch, sending South Africa off on another run.

A dubious offside call stops a chance for Mexico in the final third.

13 minutes to go, and Mexico must find an equalizer. On this rate, the honking to be heard in the Mission later will not be honks of joy for Mexicans.

AND JUST LIKE THAT, RAFAEL MARQUEZ LEVELS IT!

Will South Africa collapse? Or will they hold on? Will Mexico be energized to find a winner?

Mexico gets a free kick in a dangerous spot with five to go. south Africa clears the danger.

Osorio of Mexico tries a little gamesmanship. Was caught with the ball in an isolated area, had no help, so he fell to ground and grabbed the ball, trying to force the referee to call a foul. A foul was called: hand ball. I love it.

South Africa should have just won it; a breakaway shot bounces off the post.

A 1-1 DRAW! That seems to be the right result. Neither team played quite well enough to win, although they both had chances that should have been taken.

MY ORIGINAL PICK

Mexico with a 2-1 win.

Going For Goal

Just tomorrow to get through, and then, glory be, the World Cup is here!

Right down to business: time to finish up the last picks of the game, to set the stage.

Last injury notes: Arjen Robben and Andres Iniesta, of Holland and Spain respectively, seem to have picked up knocks and may miss at least some action. Their teams should be able to cope, however.

QUARTERFINALS!

MEXICO VERSUS ENGLAND

This would be a fascinating match, a repeat of a recent friendly where England won, 3-1, but by all accounts were outplayed by the Mexicans. There is a healthy dose of skepticism about the Three Lions among the English media, and there seems to be oceans of confidence on the part of Mexico, so I could see a stunner here.

But I don't think it will happen. England by a duplicate 3-1 scoreline, and a red card will be issued to Marquez.


ARGENTINA VERSUS GHANA

People will be very happy for Ghana. But happiness will be their only consolation prize, as Argentina overwhelms them 4-1.

NETHERLANDS VERSUS BRAZIL

So many times, the Netherlands have promised the world everything, their talent seeming to promise a championship run. It won't happen this time. Brazil will be too organized, and their devastating counter-attack will make the difference, leading to a 2-0 win. Orange crushed again.

DENMARK VERSUS SPAIN

Come on. There's a reason why Barcelona--who provided six of the starting eleven in Spain's friendly versus Poland yesterday--is one of the best teams in the world, and FC Copenhagen is not.

Spain wins 3-1.


SEMIFINALS!!

ENGLAND VERSUS BRAZIL.

Much as in 1950, when the English lost to the US in Belo Horizonte, Fabio Capello's squad will be left with unpleasant associations with the capital of Portuguese language in South America, as they cannot get past Brazil. Brazil wins 2-1.

SPAIN VERSUS ARGENTINA

If England must lose, at least the Hand of God will not intervene on behalf of their Argentinian nemesis, Diego Maradona. It should be one of the best matches of the tournament, but Spain will prevail 3-2. Which will spare the residents of Buenos Aires the sight of Maradona running naked around a city landmark, as he apparently pledged to do if his team were to win the Cup.

THE FINALLLL !!!!!

BRAZIL VERSUS SPAIN

This game would be outstanding. I think, however, that Spain will be too strong, and Brazil will not be able to rely on the devastating counter-attack at their command. Spain takes it, 3-1.


So there it is. I doubt that things will turn out terribly close to my predictions, but that is part of the fun. I'll post live commentary as I watch each game, even the recorded games--which wouldn't really be live, I guess, but we'll just pretend.

Round Of 16, Part Two

I'm already planning the morning of Friday, June 11th. The first game kicks off around 7 a.m. I will have coffee brewing by the time Vaughn shows up, which will be needed, because I will have the sleepless night little kids used to have when they dreamed of Santa Claus. There may well also be scrambled eggs, and conceivably turkey bacon. If something is worth doing, it is worth doing well. I should get some Irish Whiskey somewhere, to drink a toast to those who should be playing in the Cup, and to get angry at the French who kept them from it.

If you want to join my World Cup bracket or fantasy league, go to www.soccernet.com. The bracket group is under San Fran To Montana, and the password is Hamilton. The fantasy league is called San Francisco Rain, and the password is sanfranfog.

JUNE 28, 2010

WINNER OF GROUP E VERSUS RUNNER-UP OF GROUP F (NETHERLANDS VERSUS SLOVAKIA)

Having just set up a World Cup Fantasy team, and league, on soccernet.com, I hope Wesley Sneijder will be at the center of the offensive flow for the Netherlands. Slovakia, having exceeded expectations by advancing at the expense of Italy, will have nothing to lose and should throw everything forward to play attacking soccer. The Netherlands should be able to cope with it and get past Slovakia, making its World Cup debut. I see a 3-1 win for the men in orange.

WINNER OF GROUP G VERSUS RUNNER-UP OF GROUP H (BRAZIL VERSUS CHILE)

Another South American clash, it should be an entertaining and energetic game. Chile should be capable of making a great fight of it, but I don't foresee the upset. A late goal will make it appear closer than it really was, but Brazil walks away with a 3-2 win.

JUNE 29, 2010

WINNER OF GROUP F VERSUS RUNNER-UP OF GROUP E (PARAGUAY VERSUS DENMARK)

I think that Nicklas Bendtner could have a big tournament for the Danes. With their organization on defense, one or two goals could be enough to put them through, but this game is a bit of a toss-up for me. But I'm saying here that Denmark makes it through to the quarter-finals with a 1-0 squeaker.

WINNER OF GROUP H VERSUS RUNNER-UP OF GROUP G (SPAIN VERSUS IVORY COAST)

Ivory Coast has plenty of talent, but there is still a disparity between Spain and most other teams in the world. This will be evident in this game, particularly if Didier Drogba really is injured for the entire tournament. Spain will overwhelm the opposition with a 2-0 win that has Ivory Coast chasing the ball most of the day.

Tomorrow: on to the quarter-finals!

Countdown To Heaven On Earth

Six days until I rise at 6 to watch Mexico and South Africa kick off the 2010 World Cup, and I am brimming with excitement, even as some frailties on the part of the US defense make themselves evident, leaving me with a bad case of jitters about Wayne Rooney and the rest of the Three Lions.

Speaking of jitters, injuries to big-name players continue to mount, which has to add jitters to the stomachs of national team coaches. Rio Ferdinand, England captain and defensive anchor, down with an injury. Didier Drogba, for the Ivory Coast, broke his arm, and is most likely done for the tournament, although the federation hasn't yet confirmed. Andrea Pirlo for Italy is resting at home, although reports do not indicate that injury is severe enough to preclude his participation.

I think England will miss Ferdinand, although they should still win the group, much as I would love to see the US stage an upset. The Ivory Coast will surely miss Drogba, but I'm not going to change my picks at this point, and I think that they will find the goals to make up for his absence, but it could be that the loss will be insurmountable against Brazil and Portugal--not so much against North Korea, who lost the use of a striker for the tournament because they listed him as a goalkeeper on the official roster they submitted to FIFA.

And so I have completed my picks for the Group Stages, and it is on to the Round of 16!

ROUND OF 16

JUNE 26, 2010

WINNER OF GROUP A VERSUS RUNNER-UP OF GROUP B (MEXICO VERSUS NIGERIA)

There will be immense expectations on the shoulders of Nigeria to do well, and they should receive tremendous support. I would like to see them win. However, Mexico seems to be in fine form at the moment, with strong results in their recent friendlies (including being rated by many as the better side in their loss to England). Mexico is young and talented, and I think they get a 2-1 victory to advance to the quarterfinals and set off a heck of a lot of honking down the hill from my apartment on Mission Street.


WINNER OF GROUP C VERSUS RUNNER-UP OF GROUP D (ENGLAND VERSUS GERMANY)

Not where these two teams would have expected to meet, and the attention paid to this match will be high. The loss of Rio Ferdinand will be hard, and England will have to play at their sharpest against a German team that is consistently strong. But if the US is not going to win the World Cup, and I don't think it is quite our time yet, then I want England to win, so sentiment will shape this prediction of a 3-2 victory for England.


JUNE 27, 2010

WINNER OF GROUP D VERSUS RUNNER-UP OF GROUP C (GHANA VERSUS UNITED STATES)

The loss of Michael Essien for Ghana will make a difference in their battle with Germany for victory in the group, but Germany lost a corresponding midfielder named Michael (Ballack), so they cancel each other out, and I am sticking with Ghana as the surprise pick. And I see them taking the next step to the quarterfinals, as the US has shown too many flaws on defense. So I am afraid this would be the end of the road for the Americans. 1-0 for Ghana.

WINNER OF GROUP B VERSUS RUNNER-UP OF GROUP A (ARGENTINA VERSUS FRANCE)

Not the team for France to run into if they wanted to make a run to the quarterfinals. Leo Messi serves as an avenging angel for the Irish and puts France to the sword with a hat trick of spectacular goals. 3-0 Argentina.


To be continued tomorrow. . .