Uruguay Dodge a Bullet whilst Dutch Burn Brightly!
03/07/10 00:50
Black Stars and Brazilian dreams comes to an end!
Today saw the start of the Quarter Finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and first up was Holland taking on number one seed, Brazil. This would be a big test for the team in tangerine and black and an early goal from Robinho didn't rock them too much, even though Brazil took their one goal lead into half time. One thing you can say about the Dutch is they do work hard with the likes of Kuyt, Van Bommel and Robben desperately trying to get their team back in the game but it was the number 10, Wesley Sneijder who was instrumental in turning things around. A sweetly struck free kick right into the heart of the defence caused more commotion than the thought of Kevin Appleton winning Footcall for the first time! The Brazilian keeper came to punch the ball away just as the big number 5 Felipe Melo thought he'd deal with it himself. I'm not sure what his intentions were but the faint touch he put on it with his head was just enough to see the ball whizz past the outstretched Julio Cesar and into his own net, 1-1. The Netherlands pushed on and just a quarter of an hour later a brilliant free kick was swung into Brazil's box and whilst the statuesque defence looked on, that man Sneijder again popped up to divert the ball goalwards with his head. Unbelievably Holland were in the lead and they managed to keep it that way until the final whistle. The players went mad, the stadium erupted and our official Footcall correspondent (the GLW) based in the Dutch town of Alkmaar, confirmed the wild celebratory mood for their home nation.
This evening's game saw Uruguay take on the only African nation left in, Ghana also known as the "Black Stars". A fairly open game made exciting by some haphazard defending and unorthodox technique. The first half was looking goalless until with almost the last kick before the whistle, Muntari decided to take a pot shot from about 35 yards. The ball flew over the head of one of his own players and the unsighted Muslera was wrong footed and couldn't stop the ball flying in the bottom right corner. After the break, Uruguay were determined to make amends and Atletico Madrid's main man stepped up to break the Ghanaians hearts just as he did to Fulham. He took one of the very few well struck free kicks of this tournament and put the ball in the net for the equaliser. As the game progressed a few chances occurred but always snuffed out as each team were reluctant to push too many men forward and it final bell went with the scores level. Into extra time and much of the same in fact there was a distinct air of penalties particularly from the South Americans. BUT.... on the 120th minute of the game Ghana were awarded a free kick with what must be considered their last chance to win it normal time. The ball was delivered beautifully into the middle of the box and then the comedy of errors ensued! The ball pinged about the six yard area like popcorn in a microwave. Ghana were frantically trying to get it over the line whilst their opponents trying to keep it out. Finally the ball did get past the keeper and was heading for the winner with absolute certainty and Suarez standing on his own goal line felt he had no other choice than to stick out has hand to prevent it from going in. For this he gave away a penalty, got himself a red card but he did stop the goal. So superstar striker Gyan stepped up for the penalty and promptly whacked it against the top of the bar and over! As he fell to his knees the final whistle went! Penalty shootout time again. Uruguay started well and Gyan took another one but this time he bravely stuck it in the roof of the net. A couple more decent pens scored before Uruguay missed one and Ghana missed two. This led Abreu to score the goal that would take them through and he did it with the most audacious chip of the keeper you're ever likely to see, even better than the Paraguay goal the other day! So Uruguay are through to the semis and the Black Stars are on their way home (via Nelson Mandela's house tomorrow apparently).
And so to the Footcall league...Kevin is still top as he had one correct score today and these predictions are worth 2 points but Paul Firmston and Martin Arscott move in closer to the top as they both picked up four points for two correct predictions. Sadly Pornista FC is heading the wrong way and Stephen Hills looks like he's running for them as well. Big time movers today include EastFife4Forfar5 with two right answers along with How'ard? Gerrard! (where did Nick come from?), Paul's brother Keith and his Warlords have done well and so did Ace men Dave & Adam Billington, even I got them both correct today! David Blakeman and Leigh Boardman showing some refound form and after all those one pointers Dave Hope can't stop scoring he also got two 2s today. As did Christopher Crouch who's also showing some signs of improvement. My player of the day will go to Mr Patrick Fergus Ferguson, head of the East Peckham GDG as he has rocketed up the table during the KO Stages and his patience has been rewarded with a lovely little "Desmond" today (2-2), well done sir!
Until the next games.
Dj