Portuguese pummelled into a Muller Corner...
17/06/14 02:24
Day 5 in the Footcall house...
Today's early match saw the one man team of Portugal take on the might of the world football stage, Germany. Because of Ronaldo's popularity in the UK it seemed plenty of Footcallers were tipping them to nick a result against Germany. It didn't take long for the Germans to put the hammer down as they won a penalty in the twelfth minute and the 2010 Golden Boot winner stepped to carry on where he left off and slot the ball in from the spot. Twenty minutes they had a second from a Hummels header. Germany had skill, guile and dynamism all over the park, sadly Portugal's game plan was 1. Pass it to Ronaldo 2. Did Ronaldo score? 3. No. 4. Concede 5. Kick off again from the centre spot! Soon enough the pressure started to show as Pepe went gaga and decided to poke the eyes out of the German frontman. The ref saw enough and Pepe saw red. Soon after hit man Muller made it three zip on the stroke of half time. After the break it was pretty much one way traffic and finally Tommy Boy (who apparently plays a mean pinball) secured his hat-trick and they finished the game four nil. Time will tell for the Portuguese as to whether they adopt a new plan.
Game two matched up Iran v Nigeria. It was goalless, it was s**t. Not even Moves Like Dejagah could save this dour game. That is all. Now, you don't get insight like that in Four Four Two magazine!
Finally the late match was the Black Stars of Ghana take on the Stars and Stripes of the US. I'm not going to wonder how many of the Americans could point to Ghana on a map, I might even struggle myself (*quick check in my big book of Asian countries ;-) as I have to remember that we have more than a few friends stateside enjoying Footcall. All that matters is that they know where the goal is and it certainly didn't take long as former Fulham and Spurs striker Clint Dempsey managed to trip the light fantastic through the Ghanian defence and tuck the ball in with his left foot within the first 30 seconds! What an explosive start, the American fans were going nuts and no doubt Bryan Robson was up out of his chair at home checking his watch to see if he beat his goal from Spain '82. Well Robbo could exhale he was safe (apparently there are four other goal scorers faster than that but who could name them?) Sadly Sunderland striker Altidore pulled up with a hamstring injury like he'd been snipe red, it took so long to get him off the field I thought the ref was going mark vanishing spray around the stretcher and let the game carry on. As the match wore on and it really looked as this early marker was going to decide the game, Howard did a great job between the US sticks but late into the second half Ghana forced an equaliser with Andre (not Jordan) Ayew with a lovely strike. But the joy was short lived as just two minutes later John Brooks headed home the winner in the 86th. The Americans went mad, Jurgen Klinsmann went mad, heck, even Robbie Savage went mad... "Brooksie can't quite believe it, he's got the winner!" he screamed. I'm sure one or two of us can't quite believe how Robbie got such a cushy little job working for the BBC.
And so to the Footcall league...
We have a new leader, all bow to the new leader. She is a mother of twins and wife to Dan (who's doing really well in 61st), she's one of Footcall's greatest fans, it's none other than Jo Mackenzie! She picked up an impressive double three pointer to jump above Darryl Farmer and Nick Rowland who is now being pursued by his Dad, James!
Other movers and shakers include Robert Leon, John (time for a burger, I was owed this after the Swiss result) Trent, Alastair (not again) Pullen, Rob Pearson, Jonnies Lewis and Hill, Stuart Ives, Simon Dudson, Kelly (now where is Matt?) Sains, Andy (Neil can you see me up here?) Brunt, Adam Jones, Dan (I'm letting Jo take the limelight this time) Mackenzie, Gemma (Ian, I'm so glad you introduced me to Footcall) Simms, Andy (it's been a while since my blistering start) Kirchell, Teresa (can you see me Chris?) Elliott, John McCann and David Frost. Even Nick D'Avanzo scored his first red square as too did Leigh Boardman, Danny Thompson and Louis Norris. For a moment I though Hannah Wakefield was on for three points but then another goal went in and she was back to zero, sorry Han, don't give up.
However player of the day goes to me old mate Sean (I should stick to sign making not gambling) Broad, as he wrote to me by electronic means to say that time and again he had been denied a full points quota because of refereeing decisions or FIFA directives but today he was rewarded with his first red square. Once again Footcall knows how to feed the gaping mouths of the lowly players in the depths of the league table. Surely it must be my time soon?
Please join our Facebook group, we've got a lively bunch of Footcallers living and dying by the goals going in (or not in the Iran Nigeria case). We shall see you there...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/107419635970662/
Until tomorrow, same time, same place...
David
PS. A few people have asked how can they see their predictions, I'd like to think it was just Footcall newbies but a few more seasoned campaigners have also wanted to be reminded. Just login to your account and click the VIEW PREDICTIONS and you will see them all right there. Or you could just check back through your inbox for the confirmation email that you were sent when you entered. BTW, thanks to Mrs J as her eagle-eyes noticed we had four games listed for play tomorrow when there is in fact only three. All fixed now.