Don't Pjanic or this is going to get Messi...
16/06/14 02:11
Day 4 in the Footcall house...
Following the low of England losing out to Italy, we've had to pick ourselves up because the show goes on and so does Footcall. Whilst I was knocking up the last report Ivory Coast were taking on Japan on the nightshift for all you truckers out there. Japan are always an entertaining side and had scored plenty of goals in the qualifiers and it was Honda (that's his name, not product placement) who blasted it full power into the top left corner - he must have a foot like a Fireblade two-stroke engine! But the Elephants never forget how to turn on the style and it was the inspired substitution to bring Drogba on that invoked the comeback. It was a headed double in the 64th and 66th minutes from Bony and Gervinho that propelled them into the lead and eventually the win. It was gone 4am when this finished and I was struggling to stay awake but I was determined to get the score on the sheet for you all.
Next up we saw Switzerland versus Ecuador and a great header Valencia who headed the South Americans into the lead. The team in red were under pressure and they knew they had to block the holes in the Swiss defence and just after half time they equalised with a great header of their own from Mehmedi. And this is how it looked like staying as maybe both teams were settling for the first draw of the World Cup so far. Many a Footcaller were thinking they had three points in the back pocket only to see Seferovic pop up in the six yard area to catch the Ecuadorians napping. Switzerland won 2-1 denying all the one all predictors but gifting a ton of others.
Game three saw the World Champions of 1998 (pre-Footcall days) France tackle Honduras. The word tackle being the watch word of this game as the Hondurans were set to take no prisoners and the French were all set to make the most of it. In a fairly nasty first half as Honduras had a plan to kick lumps out of the French it looked like being a goalless first half we saw Wilson's name go on ze liszt for a terrible challenge only to get himself sent off. Mr Benzema didn't panic as he stepped up and converted the penalty in the last minute of the half.
In the second half we saw the FIFA directive to introduce goal line technology pay off as Benzema had back across the keeper to hit the post, run across the line only for the Honduarn keeper fumble it over the line. The technology review initially said No Goal and then seconds later GOAL! The first attempt that hit the post didn't cross the line but the second one did, the technology worked perfectly. Although we all could understand this it sent commentator Jonathan Pearce into total meltdown! It took the enlightenment of Martin Keown to explain what had happened much like Father Ted talking to Father Dougal comparing the small toy cows to the ones outside being far away! From now on it was all France and that man Benzema popped up again to power home a third for the French but it was only his second as the earlier goal was awarded an own goal.
Finally we had the tournament favourites, Argentina, enter stage left as the faced WC new boys Bosnia-Herze-goal-vina. The general Footcall consensus was overwhelmingly in favour of the Argies as they have so much talent all over the field and a unique talisman of Lionel Messi. It only took three minutes for the blue and white stripes to go topside courtesy of a Kolasinac own goal. We've had more OGs in this tournament so far than the whole of WC 2010. With a goal tucked under their belt they would no doubt turn on the style? Well no actually, they really didn't do much at all and Bosnia-Herz did a steady job to snuff out Di Maria, deny Rodriguez and leave Lionel Messi looking more like Lionel Blair! This game was slowly becoming duller than Phil Neville's commentary!
The second half however was a different affair and no doubt they had the proverbial rocket put up them in the dressing room as they did look a better side and a moment of Messi inspiration that we've come to expect from "La Pulga Atomica" (the atomic flea) as he danced much like the aforementioned Lionel Blair around the gaping jaws of the Bosnian defence and without even looking he pinged it in off the inside of the post - no need for any goal-line tech this time, this was pure class! Even though the Argentinians were looking rampant B&H didn't drop their heads and they did manage to score an Ibisevic consolation goal - their first ever in a World Cup. Although there was time for an equaliser, it didn't come and the final whistle blew at 2-1. The Argies will need to look sharper than this in future games.
And so to the Footcall league...
The Japan game saw a host of 3s as 2-1 is a popular score in any game. Let's give creed to John McCann, me ol mucker Neil Jefferis, Bryan Relf and Les (Footcaller Fan Extraordinaire) Herbert, Peter Breitenbach and Peter Nilsen all picking valuable red squares. As too did Nigel Mirza, James (yes you really got three this time) Parker, Yasmin Coupland, Adam Jones, Melvyn Stringer and Steve Capp... phew this is a big list!
Many of you were denied (David Frost) a full three points in the Swiss game as they got their late winner. Andy Booth entered the Footcall Facebook page to show his delight at his three pointer. Simon Dyson, Craig Amos, Andy Green, Paresh Tailor, Stephen Hills all showing great form. Even Mrs J picked up three points for this one.
Once again the French result proved a popular score as Dan Wilks, Sean Ellis, Mark Pedler, David (back to back reds) Wootton, Christopher Lane and Alastair (I think I might win this) Pullen, Kane (look at me Sean) Vanns, Dean Baker, Rachel Rowland, Thomas Baus all scored a nice three pointer to enhance their social standing.
The Argentina result showed less threes but a few notables include Mike Davies, Chloe Norris, Will Relf, Gavin (watch me go) Day, Finley (thanks Dad) Cowland and Elizabeth (this one's for you Angus) Mailey. Even David (about time too) Frost and Simon (this isn't to plan) Jenner collected maximum points for this game to lift them off the bottom of the table leaving poor old Lauren Morris stranded; but not for long no doubt.
We have several players of the day to congratulate. Let's start with Jo (who knows where Dan is?) Mackenzie who picked up an impressive 8 points in the last four games. Next up has to be the 9 pointer boys who are now doing very well up top; Stuart (Stu Are Ya) Acott up into 2nd and Nick (I won't be too smug about it) Rowland is leader of the pack for today, let's see how long it lasts.
My final accolade goes to Iain (Twinkletoes) Baker who wrote to Footcall last night to say he was considering retiring from the game due to a lack of motivation on the pitch and a disgruntled back room team as he was left floundering in the relegation zone. Well the Footcall Chairman showed his support for the Twinkletoes Manager and they were handsomely repaid with a seven point haul to lift Iain out of the doldrums up onto the first page. Just when you are thinking of throwing in the towel Footcall always finds a way of pulling you back in.
Keep the faith folks...
David