shawThings.net : a collection of shaw things ...

Overview

We expect a bit more openness now. Teams that lost their first game (or even drew it) need to be more adventurous as they really need a win. And the matches basically followed this script. More attack and more goals than round 1. Setting up a fascinating round 3 is the fact that only one team is eliminated. There's a couple of others who look basically gone, but at least have a mathematical chance, eg. Australia. We played much better in round 2, but the 0-4 scoreline from round 1 will probably come back to haunt us in terms of goal difference.

Day 11

Spain vs Honduras: Another solid hit-out from Spain. A 2-0 win to boost their campaign (and they probably should have scored more). Torres played a full 90 minutes, but still looks out of touch.

Chile vs Switzerland: Another attacking performance from Chile and they eventually broke down a resolute Switzerland. 1-0. Great for Chile as they're on 6 points and face Spain in their next game.

Portugal vs Korea DPR: oh man, you have to feel sorry for Korea here. Down 0-1 at half-time, they were ripped to shreds by Portugal in the second half. It finished 7-0. At least Australia's loss to Germany won't be the worst result now :)

Day 10

Brazil vs Cote d'Ivoire: Brazil were ominously good. Drogba started the match and scored a late consolation goal. Brazil got three for a pretty comfortable win. Kaka was sent off for a second yellow card! Will this make a difference to Brazil?

Italy vs New Zealand: C'mon the Kiwis - everybody's second favourite team now. NZ scored first after just 7 minutes, before the Italians equalised through a penalty (typical) 1-1 at half-time and it finished that way. Italy really struggled to break down NZ, which doesn't bode well for their title defence.

Slovakia vs Paraguay: no real surprises here. A goal in each half for a 2-0 win for Paraguay.

Day 9

Cameroon vs Denmark: Cameroon, desperate for a win, took the lead in the first half. But Denmark fought back to be level at half-time and then win it 1-2. Cameroon are gone.

Australia vs Ghana: an entertaining, pulsating match with both sides keen to win. Australia got off to dream start with a goal to Holman. Then disaster (again)! Kewell sent off for a hand-ball on the line. Ghana equalised from the penalty. We battled bravely and well for the rest of the match. We kept Ghana to long range shots, but couldn't find the winner. 1-1. Mathematically not out of it, but the round of 16 is probably beyond us. Full report.

Netherlands vs Japan: The Dutch eventually wore down a very disciplined Japanese side. 1-0.

Day 8

England vs Algeria: 0-0. I have been warned not to watch this tepid display from England. Why is it they struggle at the finals? Their form coming in was quite good.

Slovenia vs USA: A fascinating, entertaining match. USA were favourites, but found themselves down one, then two goals in the first half. The USA scored early in the second half and then battled on for an equaliser. It finished 2-2, but a third USA goal was denied.

Germany vs Serbia: what a change of fortunes for the Germans. Klose was sent off for two yellow cards after about 36 minutes. Serbia scored in the following minute. And Germany, for all their industry, could not get back into it. Podolski, who scored against us after just 8 minutes, couldn't buy a goal. He missed three sitters and a penalty (what is it with Serbia and absurd hand-balls?). 0-1. This throws our group wide open. If we beat Ghana, everyone's on 3 points.

Day 7

France vs Mexico: another dull first half from last time's runners-up. Then Mexico got a goal and France didn't seem to have a clue as to how to score. Seven minutes later Mexico earnt a penalty and it was all over for France. 2-0 to Mexico and France need a miracle to avoid missing the round of 16. Could be the end of the Domenech era.

Greece vs Nigeria: Nigeria scored first and things were looking a little grim for Greece. However they rallied and equalised with their first ever finals goal. Nigeria had a golden chance to score a second and missed it. They then had a player sent off for a foolish reaction. Greece then scored a second for their first ever win. 2-1.

Argentina vs South Korea: Korea got off to a great start by beating Greece in their first game, but were given a footballing lesson by Argentina. Maradona's team shortened their odds to win the tournament with a dominant performance. Up 2-0, a poor lapse at the back gave Korea a tiny bit of hope with a goal just before half-time. But Argentina simply went on with the job and won 4-1. Still no goals for Messi, but Higuain got the tournament's first hat-trick.

Day 6

Uruguay vs South Africa: the host's tournament now hangs by a thread after being comprehensively beaten by Uruguay. Having their goalkeeper sent off didn't help, but Uruguay were simply too good. 3-0.