Portuguese Casa: 0 v Spanish Villa: 1
30/06/10 03:18
Resolute Spaniards send their Iberian neighbours packing!
The final second round matches in the Knockout Stages were completed this evening with a quality exhibition. Not necessarily in fine attacking football but some first class defending. Both Spain and Portugal had experienced highs and lows in the build up to this match and this was certainly their sternest test. Who would triumph? Would it be the vivacious Ronaldo and his twinkle toes or the defiant David Villa the Spanish goal machine? Both star players had chances with David taking his opportunities from close range whilst Cristiano tended to opt for the more speculative long range effort. Torres looked out of sorts at one end whilst his keeper had to defend his goal on a few occasions from Almeida. Both teams appeared to cancel each out but eventually it was the reigning Euro champions that won the day as Mr Villa latched on to a through ball to chip the keeper at the second attempt. The Spaniards dug in ready to ride it out and finally Capdevila went down like he'd been shot by a sniper when Costa had barely touched him. Whilst Sepp is pushing through a new rule about goal line technology he can add sterner rulings about cheeky players looking for a cheap red card.
Earlier in the day nothing happened! Except the mighty Paraguay beating Japan to get through to the Quarter finals! Possibly the game of the tournament so far packed with goals, it ended 5-3, crikey what more do you want? Well if you haven't seen the highlights, don't bother, they're weren't any. Paraguay were given a couple of opportunities which they squandered and at the other end Matsui clattered the bar. Lots of huff and puff but alas no goals in 120 minutes. But then we had an 8 goal feast within the next 10 minutes. Admittedly it was from the penalty spot but it certainly made a dull game a little more exciting especially as it wasn't the English taking them. Komano was the first to miss for Japan, and finally Cardozo stepped up with the pressure of putting his nation through to the last eight of the cup for the first time ever. Well the Paraguayan was as cool as Matt Le Tissier from 12 yards but rather than opt for power he just trotted up and slotted it perfectly in the corner almost dead weight like the perfect putt. Fortunately the Japanese keeper went the wrong way and Paraguay were through... Hoorah! Oops my favouritism for the South Americans coming to the fore there.
And so to the Footcall league...Well Paraguay broke the run of all the clean sweepers to date. None of those with all the correct results so far predicted them win but then pretty much they had Spain to be victorious. I should mention teams Baby Steven and Porky Parry's Peaches who have had 7 out of 8 predictions since the second game are doing pretty well. Also David Ginger has achieved a creditable 7 from 8. I'd like to mention a few unsung Footcallers, Julia Virco, Darryl Abbott, Tim Jennings, Sharon Hills, Keith Reynolds, Bryan Relf, John Dawson, Simon Dudson and Paul Harrison all of whom show a glimpse of what they could do with the right motivation and management behind them. Hopefully you haven't lost faith now that England have gone on holiday and you are still bothered enough to read this nonsense. My belief in Paraguay seeing me rocket up the charts is still alive and I am totally convinced they will thrash Spain 9-8 in penalties on the next round.
That'll do for now.
Dj