Nothing Else Better To Do

World Cup 2006 is a flop

I haven't been here for awhile. Wanted to update on the World Cup everyday but work has been a hassle. This World Cup has really been crap. It started out really well. Most of the giants and favourites were showing potential. Some of the teams I expected to have a hard time really did. Unlike the previous World Cups, this time, most of the giants won big time.

Germany. As predicted host, started off with a 4-2 win, top the group with a 100% record. Klinsmann showed us a different German team, who attacked instead of sitting back waiting for opportunities. Klose has proven to be a wonder striker in the World Cups. 6 wonderful header goals in the last World Cup. Another 3 more goals this time. Players like Philip Lahm, Torsten Frings and Bastian Schweinsteigger have been outstanding. In the 2nd round, they met Sweden. Sweden was really dissapointing. I expected the Sweden from 2002, but they looked like the France of 2002. Then, Germany met Argentina in probably the juiciest quarter final this year. I was standing in a mamak stall watching this game. Full house. To be very honest, Argentina deserved to win, but Germany was the host nation. A few dubious decisions went their way and of course they had to make it into the semi finals at least. From there, everyone thought Germany would go on and win it. Who would have thought that they would lose to Italy? A few years ago, people would dread the game between Germany and Italy. B-O-R-I-N-G game. However, it was a fast paced game with Italy pushing the Germans. Surprise. Surprise. Well, Germany did lose to experience.

Argentina. My fav to reach the final this year. People were saying the cup was Brazil's to lose. I was thinking they forgot Argentina. True enough, Argentina came with an attacking team after the horrendous campaign in 2002. And what a performance by the Argies. Dubbed the Group of Death, the Argies proved them wrong. A 6-0 drubbing of Serbia. But an unprecedented end in a loss to the Germans. To be honest, I don't think the game was fair. And Argentina could have finished off the game early. But from the looks of things, Argentina will be the force to look out for in the next World Cup with the likes of Messi, Tevez and Saviola reaching their peak. Perhaps a Brazil-Argentina final in 2010.

France. The one team I dislike so much. The team is based on a bunch of worn out so-called superstars but rely on one man, Zinedine Zidane. Without Zizou, they would not be in the World Cup. As predicted, they crawled into the knockout stage, even against lightweights like Togo, Korea and Swiss. Frankly, I think Henry begged his Togo friend to let them score. Then they made it past Spain, only due to Spain's inexperienced team. Spain could have sat back after the 1st goal and work on the counter. Soak up the pressure and Spain will win 3-0 instead. Next Brazil, the Brazilians made their mistake of sitting back in the 1st half, otherwise it would be Brazil 3-0. Next Portugal, only a penalty by Zizou saved them. Riding on luck instead of skills. The most undeserving finalist of the World Cup. When Zizou retires, France would probably not be in the next World Cup.

Spain. A bunch of inexperienced youngster. As expected, Spain never makes it far. But kudos to them for their performance. A 4-0 opening win. And great performances from the likes of Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres and David Villa. Only their inexperience cost them a meet up with Brazil.

Enough for now. Another I talk again.

posted by PJ Boy @ 3:25 PM