World Cup 2010 Day 16, A Brief Recap

Uruguay 2 – 1 South Korea Luis Suarez (8′, 80′) Lee Chung-Yong (68′) The Asians served notice early with a freekick that hit the post and had Uruguay goalie Fernando Muslera very thankful. Uruguay however were their attacking selves and threatened. Only a few short minutes after that incident Diego Forlan crossed low and no… Continue reading World Cup 2010 Day 16, A Brief Recap

World Cup 2010 Day 15, A Brief Recap

North Korea 0 – 3 Ivory Coast Yaya Toure (14′) Romaric (20′) Salomon Kalou (82′) Ivory Coast had to over come a mountain in terms of goal difference to possibly overtake Portugal in the standings and qualify for the second round. The mission seemed impossible and although the Africans dominated it was never really likely… Continue reading World Cup 2010 Day 15, A Brief Recap

World Cup 2010 Day 14, A Brief Recap

Slovakia 3 – 2 Italy Robert Vittek (25′ 73′) Kamil Kopunek (89′) Antonio Di Natale (81′) Fabio Quagliarella (90′) Italy crashed out of the World Cup making it the second time a reigning champion has gone at the group stage after France suffered the same fate in 2002. Slovakia came into the match having disappointed… Continue reading World Cup 2010 Day 14, A Brief Recap

World Cup 2010 Day 13, A Brief Recap

England 1-0 Slovenia Jermain Defoe (23′) The English entered the game needing something out of this last group match, Slovenia were somewhat more comfortable but not at all assured of a place. The English started Jermaine Defoe instead of Emile Heskey and did well. Slovenia were pegged back often and it wasn’t long before the… Continue reading World Cup 2010 Day 13, A Brief Recap

World Cup 2010 Day 12, A Brief Recap

Mexico 0-1 Uruguay Luis Suarez (43′) Fears of a convenient draw, one which would guarantee both teams’ qualification to the first knockout round at the expense of South Africa and France seemed unfounded. Not only the starting 11s seemed offensive but the early exchanges showed intent to play the game. Mexico enjoyed better possession but… Continue reading World Cup 2010 Day 12, A Brief Recap

World Cup 2010 Day 11, A Brief Recap

Portugal 7-0 North Korea Raul Meireles (29′) Simao (53′) Hugo Almeida (56′) Tiago (60′, 89′) Liedson (81′) Cristiano Ronaldo (87′) A Carvalho early header hit the post. Not too long after a Tiago pass opened it for Meireles to score. North Korea were on the brink of losing it in many early exchanges though it… Continue reading World Cup 2010 Day 11, A Brief Recap

World Cup 2010 Day 10, A Brief Recap

Slovakia 0-2 Paraguay Enrique Vera (27′) Cristian Riveros (86′) This game should be most remembered for the tame effort by Slovakia, the disappointment of losing the three points at the last minute in their first game against New Zealand must have weighed heavily on the players. Vladimir Weiss, Marek Hamsik, and Robert Vittek very rarely… Continue reading World Cup 2010 Day 10, A Brief Recap

World Cup 2010 Day 9, A Brief Recap

Holland 1-0 Japan Wesley Sneijder (53′) The first half was fortress Japan as the Asians defended well and didn’t let the Europeans do much at all. The second half necessitated a more open match because Sneijder scored early. He shot hard from the edge of the box, his shot was not properly handled by Japan… Continue reading World Cup 2010 Day 9, A Brief Recap

World Cup 2010 Day 8, A Brief Recap

Germany 0-1 Serbia Milan Jovanovic (38′) The game started with a torrent of yellow cards. Germans and equally the Serbians and there neutrals were entitled to question the consistency if not the legitimacy of some of the cards shown. This soon led to a second yellow for Klose inside 40 minutes and before any player… Continue reading World Cup 2010 Day 8, A Brief Recap

World Cup 2010 Day 7, A Brief Recap

Argentina 4-1 South Korea Park Chu-Young (og 16′) Gonzalo Higuain (33′ 76′ 80′) Lee Chung-Yong (45′) An unfortunate own goal off a freekick and off the foot of Park Chu-Young, who didn’t really know much about it, was an early omen for the Koreans. Argentina controlled and managed the ball better and showed some of… Continue reading World Cup 2010 Day 7, A Brief Recap