Eyes down here we go for Footcall 2010 Part II...
27/06/10 03:08
Time to see who will hold their position and who will drop down like a stone!
The Knockout Stages got underway this afternoon and all but a few casualties have submitted their predictions for their winners and I want to thank everyone for participating. Obviously the top o'tablers will keen to hold their position or leapfrog one or two and really make their mark on Footcall 2010. Those of you hanging about mid-table like a spare part at a wedding might have fancied taking a few risks in their predictions in the hope that their results come in and sneak up the league on the outside lane.
So off we go, 3pm saw Uruguay take on South Korea for the opening KO match. The South Americans are gifted with two class players in Diego Forlan and the formidable Luis Suarez and it was through him that they took an early lead mainly because of a Korean keeper error. They were looking dominant but you just can't fault the Asians for their fitness and determination. They hung in there and one of the players called Lee (heck there are quite a few if you check the team sheet) managed to ping in a header and draw level and well deserved. I'm sure Bolton will grateful for a few of those next season. Soon after Uruguay were denied a stonewall penalty and the game jogged along 1-1 until it started to rain, proper cats and dogs. As the Uruguayans tired a flash of inspiration from Suarez proved decisive as scored one of the goals of the tournament and see them trough to the Quarters.
The evening game was between Ghana (the only African nation left) and the victors of England's group, USA. The Black Stars started unbelievably when Portsmouth midfielder Boateng scored after just 5 minutes, hey Ric... if only he managed to tuck a few of those away last season maybe Pompey wouldn't be playing in the Championship. The Americans managed to level the books in the second half when they won a penalty and it looked almost certain that it was going to extra time. And in the 93rd minute the dynamic Gyan powered in a peach of a goal to retake the lead and they hung on to the lead despite USA really going for it even with their keeper, Tim Howard, almost forcing a very late equaliser.
And so to the Footcall league...
We now have a new look league table showing the players with their carried forward scores from the group stages which are indicated by the yellow square in the CF column. Now we have the top 10 in the list highlighted to show the prize money bracket. At the other end of the table we have the players that will be fighting it out for the mystery prize (sadly for Mark, I can reveal that it's NOT an iPhone). Then we have the holding pen of those that didn't manage to submit their KO entry and they won't score any more points.
Correct predictions here only carry a lowly one point but it's the zeroes that perhaps have more affect on the league standings in later games. Kev managed to predict both winners today and so did Paul Firmston and Martin Arscott. A few other top players have dropped the odd point but poor old Stephen Hills got both teams wrong and he slips down a place. Lot's of double ones sprinkled throughout notably from Rob Pearson (where did he come from?), James Vallender, Neil Jefferis, Darren Arsoctt, Neil White, Adam Billington and David Bourne, so let's see how this all unfolds over the next few days. Syd's Super Soccer Stars managed a double zero to move back to the foot of the table.
Tomorrow is the big one. England take on their old adversary, Germany! Maybe it's better for us to take them on earlier in the comp we all must be positive for a brilliant performance and an emphatic victory... unless of course you are supporting England ;-) I fancy Rooney to knock in a hat trick and if pray it does go to penalties, have no fear, we've been practicing!
COME ON ENGLAND!
Dj