The Russian keeper should have gone to "Goalsavers" and got a pair of laser proof specs!
27/06/14 02:42
Day 15 in the Footcall house...
So the Group Stages were concluded today with the final games in Groups G and H. We've got a lot to cover this evening, errr I mean this morning, to be honest, I've got no idea what time it is now - ever! With no further ado, let's get on with it...
First up was Germany vs USA whilst Portugal played Ghana on the other side. This was Jurgen's chance to overturn his homeland in a rain soaked match in Recife. In an exciting match the US underdogs gave it fair old go despite both teams know that a draw would see them both through. With Germany v Algeria '82 in the back of the minds of those that can remember that far back, we could only hope they didn't start tapping it about like miniature Penguins on a table fussball table! Fortunately for us we were treated to an entertaining match the highlight of which was Thomas Muller side-footing the ball into the bottom right corner with great skill as the German fans applauded with more than just a Ripple of applause. USA went ver close on occasions but it finished 1-0.
Jump on the red spot to get the result for the Portugal Ghana game. Now Ghana had two of their players sent home for an undisclosed misconduct but the rumours were they caught having a cheeky little Creme Egg behind the changing rooms. Idiots! Don't they know Easter was months ago! So Ghana had to make do but they let themselves down as Boye gave away an own goal and put the Portuguese one up. In the second half Gyan did manage to draw level on the 57th minute heading the ball in from one of the best crosses of the tournament. Finally Portugal capped it off with a Ronaldo goal from eight yards out. He really did rule the roost in this match but he came up against the star of this show in between the sticks of the Ghanian goal. Fatawu Dauda had the game of his life saving shots left right and centre and pulling off some Aero-batic saves from point blank range. On one occasion after a great save from a Ronaldo header he celebrated like he had just found a bag of Maltesers in his coat pocket! He reminded me of a school match I had in 1981 when we were thrashed 10-1 but our goalkeeper, Jon Gibbons, got man of the match, heaven knows what the score would have been if he wasn't playing. Ghana ultimately lost just like we did and although Portugal won, they had not done enough to impress the judges so they would be catching the next flight back to Lisbon in the morning.
The evening games saw Algeria take on Russia in Group H which was still wide open. Aleksandr Kokorin started the scoring early for Russia with a brilliant header to put them one up in the 6th. Some more chances were blown and it finished one nil at the break. In the second half Algeria had a free kick and as the players jostled in the box the Russian keeper was having a laser pointed directly at him like some sniper scene straight out of Leon! He tried to draw the attention of the ref but the whistle went and the ball was lobbed in for Slimani to head into the net leaving the blinded keeper going mad with disgust! There was still time for a winner but it didn't come and a draw was good enough for Algeria to march into the KO Stages where they will meet Germany.
Meanwhile South Korea played Belgium in the other Group H decider. Martens blazed one over the bar and the ball is expected to land somewhere just outside Bournville some time tomorrow! Soon after at the other end the ball was dramatically saved off the line. As in previous games the hotly tipped Belgians just didn't flatter themselves and they made the job all the more difficult as Steven Defour, who looks much like a Drifter from one of those American road movies, went in with both feet up on Kim Shin-wook and earned himself a one way ticket to the showers! Now the Korean is known as Kim Shin-fooked! In the second half the South Koreans pushed for a goal but it was Jan Vertonghen who followed up on a smother shot and he slotted it in the bottom left corner. Belgium held off any further advances to finish the game one nil. Despite being one sandwich short of a Picnic, Belgium did actually win all their games so let's see how they get on in the next stage.
And so to the Footcall league...
The Group Stages are all over and we have a new leader! Richard (in line for a...) Goodwin has managed to leapfrog all the others and take the £100 first prize for his efforts so far! Well done Richard, I'm sure you are delighted (let me know if you like) and he has some careful decisions to make to remain there for the duration. Richard is on 44 points and just a single point behind we have a three way tie for Robert (gutted) Pritchard, Matt (thanks for your help tonight) Clark and Thomas (where did he come from?) Baus, all of whom pick up £43.33 for their achievements so far. In joint fifth also on 43 points but with only 7 three pointers not 8, we have Stuart (Stu Are Ya?) Acott and Dan (this could be the best day of my whole life!) Schroeck, both bagging £15 each, nice one fellas. Sadly Amaia, Kane and Andy just miss out on the money spots for the Group Stages but they are all still right there for the remainder of the competition.
There were plenty of red squares across the day, I'm not going to list them as I really want to go to bed! Several people picked up six or seven points today but I'm going to give the player of the day award today to Mr Neil Jefferis who picked up an astonishing eight points and Boost him right up into 16th and not only that he heads the Tricolore division. If he can make a few good decisions in the next phase who knows where he'll end up. I know he has a little side bet running with Andy Brunt and they are only three points apart now!
So that's the Group Stages all done the Knockout Stages are beckoning us in, it's make or break time. Do you go with the favourites on paper or do you gamble, the choice is yours, just don't Mess-it up!
All this chat and I didn't even mention naughty boy Suarez's ban. Four pathetic months and nine games, ridiculous if you ask me! I think they should have made him do care in the community at a Scouse residential home for three years, he could have compared dentures with the old folk! Oh don't forget he was fined £65,000 for his misdemeanour but he wasn't too worried as by the time they had finished reading his sentence he'd earned it back anyway! Apparently he is said to be worth over £100m... well that's the estimate from the tooth fairy!
A new email will be sent out later this morning to let you know that the Knockout Stages are ready to roll. In the words of Shaw Taylor... "Keep 'em peeled!"
Until then...
David