Round 2: Italy v Australia

June 27, 2006

Round 2: (Day 18) ITALY v Australia  Gianluca Vialli represented Italy, Juventus, Chelsea, Sampdoria and other glamourous clubs as a player, and also managed Chelsea for a short period a few years back…He is/was a true Pro. A gentleman on and off the pitch. I will allow his words to be mine for this part […]

Round 2: (Day Seventeen)….

June 27, 2006

The big One:: ENGLAND V ECUADOR England take on south American opposition with the hope of the bucking the annoying trend of the past two world cups that shows England going out to south American opposition…  Rooney is playing on his in attack…Hargreaves, who has played this position for his club, is in at right […]

(day 16)ROUND 2…last man standing

June 25, 2006

And so it begins. The group games have separated the rough from the smooth, the calm from the angry, the pathetic from the capable…It is the do or die aspect of the knockout phases of the world cup finals that makes the competition so special. This is when one mistake becomes potentially a ticket home […]

Day FifteeN….running out of green….

June 24, 2006

Tunisia v Ukraine.. The Ukrainians went mad in their last game, totally demolishing the sub-standard Saudis with a delightful display of attacking football…Shevchenko was showing signs of match sharpness returning to his lethal boots. Tunisia have been largely disappointing..Prediction: Shevchenko double 2-0.Ukraine need only a draw, and even then the sorrowful Saudis will need to […]

Day 14…my latin brothers

June 24, 2006

Day fourteen  Italy v Czech Lippi has gone crazy and selected a 4-4-1-1 formation for a game which Italy may well need to win if they are to progress to the second round. This group is wide open with every team still capable of qualifying. The prolific (30 goals in serie A last season) Luca […]

Day Thirteen…

June 22, 2006

 DAY 13 Portugal v Mexico What is the history of the unique mexican anthem salute?? The hand held horizontal across the chest…… Portugal are resting every player with a yellow card!5 of the  dirty hacks. Slovakian ref Rodruiguez….and Fonseca are in Mexico starting xi…Salcido and Pineda on yellows. Prediction: I am firmly hoping for the […]

Day Twelve…the ruthless expression on the face of Luis Suarez

June 21, 2006

Germany V Ecuador  The Ecuadorians have been one of the most surprisingly impressive teams in the first two rounds of matches, scoring some lovely goals and managing to avoid conceding …  ECA-DelGado and Tenorio are injured…Kaviedes is in…  These teams have never played each other. Warm embrace for Ecaudorians…close huddle…  Espinoza and Hurtado have been […]

Day Eleven…21C- possible storms…

June 20, 2006

  Togo v Swiss  TOGO:The Togan team almost didn’t make it to this game after problems over payments erupted into the threat of a player-strike…FIFA stepped in,  and have ‘persuaded’ the African squad to maintain their group match commitments.SAUDI: Kader was lively in the first game…he knows where the goal is.  1T  2- Togans going […]

Day Ten…Frightfully flaccid….

June 19, 2006

Jap V Croats Nakata calls for solidarity from both team and supporters..  japan Manager,Zico looks worried, haggard and drawn as he entered the stadium..Kovac brothers are both cleared to play after injury scares…Croatia go from underdogs, which they were against Brazil, to favourites for this one.. Croat defence of Kovac and Tudor was very sturdy against the […]

Day Nine…

June 18, 2006

Day nine  Iran v Portugal  this one is like a cup final ….If Iran lose they are OUT, if Portugal win they are THROUGH….Play maker Deco is back for Portugal..   Iran did well at 1-1 with the Mexicans but then a terrible defensive mistake gave away a goal and the Mexicans took control…. Ali Daye […]