World Cup 2010: Day 7 Group A and B

Day 7 Group A and B:

Argentina Vs. South Korea 4:1 :

South Korea played great,but they got screwed over by the evil 5-4-1 formation. You could tell from the start that they planned to play defensive , which a lot of teams seem to be doing this World Cup. Of course Argentina has an awesome attacking force, their defense crap. They are up by 2 and then Lee of South Korea runs with the ball gets to Demichelis beats him, cause he was mimicking a traffic cone and scores. The first goal of the game came off a free kick which was an own goal by South Korea's Park. Argentina had a great first half on the attacking side of things. Jonas is out next game cause he got a yellow the first and yellow in this one, which sucks.

The second half South Korea came out and looked determined to win or equalize, but their formation killed them when Argentina got a break away after all the mid and defense went forward, they left spaces. The defense from Argentina was really lacking and starting to fall apart. The commentators mentioned that during qualifying that Argentina would have the lead, but then their defense would crumble. I think he said that they lost 6-1 to Bolivia. Higuain got a hat trick his, I think, second goal happened cause no one on South Korea was marking him. From watching this game and the last and seeing how Argentina's defense falls apart usually in the middle of the first half and second half, I don't think they will be able to do well against a high caliber team like Brazil, Spain, Germany or Uruguay. But we will see, because I have no doubt that they will beat Greece.

Greece Vs. Nigeria 2:1 :

Wow! What a shity loss for Nigeria. But I suppose it's a great win for Greece, this being their first time winning and scoring in the World Cup. First half Nigeria came out dominating the game. Greece kept giving away free kicks in dangerous areas, which caused Nigeria's only goal by Uche. After that goal the bad luck hit Nigeria pretty quickly. Kaita gets a red card for kicking his leg at Torosidis. After that two defenders went down and out of the game with what looked like the same injury, torn muscle. The first goal for Greece in a world cup match came at the 44 th minute by Saplingidis, with the ball deflecting off of Nigeria's Haruna. The second goal from Greece's Torosidis came about cause of horrible marking by Nigeria. Nigeria definitely wasn't out of the game because they had some chances, but those chances left them too exposed when Greece would gain back the ball. I feel sorry for Nigeria, but the red card was caused by a very idoitic mistake by Kaita.

Mexico Vs. France 2:0 :

The first thing I have to say is , why, why does the coach of Mexico not put on Gudardo? I think France had better possession for the first half. Mexico's defense looked weak for awhile especially because they gave some dangerous free kicks away, but picked it up the second half, as did their possession. The French defense also left the goalie by himself too much. The biggest thing that you notice when watching France play is that they look like they don't want to play with each other. There is no team.

The two goals by Mexico were scored in the second half. The first one was scored by Hernandez, he wasn't marked and slipped through the defense, but on the replay he looked offsides. The Second goal was a penalty off a dangerous tackle from France's Abidal. Blanco took the penalty and scored. I really dislike Blanco and think that he should stop playing for the national team. He is 37 years old and it really shows. He lags on Mexico's attacks and most of the time makes really crappy passes. Hopefully (more likely probably) he will retire from national play after this cup.

Group A Standings:

• Uruguay 4pts
• Mexico 4pts
• France 1pt
• South Africa 1pt

My prediction still stands with Uruguay and Mexico getting out of this group.

Group B Standings:

• Argentina 6pts
• South Korea 3pts
• Greece 3pts
• Nigeria 0pts

I predict Argentina and South Korea get out of this group. Argentina for the obvious and South Korea because in both of their games they looked really strong, whereas Nigeria will be missing a key player.

Predictions:

I am posting this late so I really can't make any :P.

World Cup 2010: Day 6 Group H and A

At first i was gong to go back and write up summaries on what I thought of each game played so far in the World Cup. Till I realized that I couldn't remember what I was thinking or saw in almost half of them <_> So I have decided to start with this day because I actually wrote what I thought during half-time and than wrote down the rest after the game.

Anyways, this is what I am going to do each day for the World Cup. Write what I saw during each game and my thoughts on the game. I also will give a quick summary of the group and predictions for the next games.

Additionally I want to add right now that the teams that I am for are 1. Germany 2. USA and 3. Argentina. So if I seem hard or biased in those posts and their game predictions, you will know why ;)

Day 6 Group H and A:

Chile Vs. Houndras 1:0 :

I didn't get to see this game. By most people are saying Chile looked really good and are one of the predictions to get through to the next round. I seem to keep missing all the really good games that come on. Its really making me mad : /

Switzerland Vs. Spain 1:0 :

What an upset. Not really surprised they lost. Their defense was crap and they really weren't many good attacks. Spent more time passing the ball around then finishing. It also seemed like they didn't move enough numbers forward. There was couple times where a ball was fed in and no one was there. I gotta commend the Swiss goal keeper for the save in the first half, Pique came looked like he was going to score but the keeper did really well stopping that one. Next time he should look up and chip it over the goalkeepers head. Also there was a lot of attacks from Spain where they were offsides, like the one above, and I think another one in the second half after Torres came on.

Spain's finishing was horrendous. Swiss's defense were brick walls and Spain's defense looked like Swiss cheese. There were so many gaps for the Swiss to attack through. The best example is Swiss's Derdiyok who just slipped through the defense faked out Puyol and Pique took a shot which hit the post. That was Swiss second shot on goal for the game. Also the goal was another great example of crappy defense from Spain. The Swiss's goal by Fernandes at first looked like an own goal by Iker, but was actually just a defensive blunder with no one getting that ball out there and marking Fernandes. There was only two defender's back and the rest were all still running. Spain had 24 shots on goal and most of them missed cause of shitty finishing. So far in this world cup the team with the most possession (Spain 63% and Swiss 37%) isn't necessarily the team that has won. It was defiantly an exciting game.

Uruguay Vs. South Africa 3:0 :

S.A. had great possession during the first half until Uruguay scored off a great shot out of the box by Floran. The problem with S.A. is that they aren't moving forward but mainly keeping the possession in the middle of the pitch. Tshabalala had two shots on goal the first one having really no chance. The second one was selfish, one of the players was out wide in a perfect position to score or give a cross, he wasn't being marked so he had the advantage. Tshabalala didn't give him the ball instead he choose to try kicking the ball from outside the box.

Uruguay scored and after that seemed to be using the whole pitch and passing up the field to attack S.A.'s goal. Second half Uruguay came out and looked very strong. They had great possession and some really good chances. The biggest thing that happened in the second half, the bullshit red card given to S.A.'s goalie for "tripping" Suarez. A red card was redonkulous. I could see a yellow for the theatrics he was displaying and the PK, but a red, WTF. And Suarez that was fucking low. Anyways, during extra time Suarez, who was offsides, crossed a ball in allowing for a goal by Pereira. I also wanted to add that the line up with one striker on top costed S.A. this game. I really really hate that line up, it just doesn't work. If the striker somehow gets the ball on a breakaway more than likely he won't get enough support cause everyone is still running. Anyways shitty game by the ref, but S.A. didn't play any better for a team that needed the win. Also WTH for S.A. fans to leave after the red, way to support your team.

Group H standings:

• Chile 3pts.
• Switzerland 3pts.
• Honduras 0pts.
• Spain 0pts.

In this group I honestly see Chile getting out of it. But, I also don't think Spain is going to do bad in there next two games. I think Spain will tie Chile, Chile will beat Switzerland. Switzerland will beat Honduras and Spain will beat them.

Group A standings:

• Uruguay 4 pts.
• Mexico 1 pt
• France 1pt
• South Africa 1pt

I see Uruguay getting out of this group. Mexico also might but I don't see them beating Uruguay. France and South Africa are done I don't see them winning their next games and with France I think there might be a tie when they play Mexico.

Predictions:

• Mexico beats France
• Argentina beats South Korea
• Nigeria beats Greece

Revival

So obviously I have really lacked on updates. This World Cup has reminded me that I had this blog. Which is great because my boyfriend hates sports and I don't know anyone else who will bare through my soccer rants.

Update on my life since the last posting. I got on the varsity team for my high school and proceeded to play like shit, but then again we lost almost every game except 2. My dog also died right before the last game so I kind of went into a depression for about a year. I also seemed to have gained a boyfriend during all this, who I am still together with.

After all that crap and high school graduation, I tried out at the local semi pro women's soccer team, The Denver Diamonds. I was just getting off a horrible flu so I wasn't playing at my best. I also happened to break my arm in a freak accident. I stood in front of a girl about to send in a cross. The ball hit my arm and broke it. The doctor told me not to play sports until they figured out if there was something wrong with my bones. Turns out I was perfectly fine, it was just a freak accident.

Then I had to get a job which lets just say was hard with a broken arm in a cast that wouldn't allow for a lot of movement. I hate talking about the job I got so lets just say I worked at McDonalds quit then worked at another McDonalds. Quit again and am unemployed.

I also went to college and realized that I wanted to become a Veterinarian. I always wanted to since I was a kid, but after watching this documentary I freaked out and changed my mind.

In between all this I somehow kept getting animals in need. First it was a dog, then a rabbit, then another rabbit, then hamsters, then rats, then mice, and then just in March a cat.

In soccer I stopped watching games on T.V., except the US mens and the Rapids. I stopped following all my teams, except the Mens and the Rapids. And I stopped listening to The Daily Soccer Show. But I did keep going to Rapids games.

In the end this World cup brought me back to reality, I miss soccer. I may not be able to play, but I have the time in between studying and internships to watch games. I just need to get over this stupid World of Warcraft crap, that came with the boyfriend. Don't get me wrong I'll still play just not all fucking day lol.

So I will be trying to update this as much as I can. I'll leave with a picture of one of my pets, which will also help in understanding why I am so busy and sometimes can't watch whole games.

Because the face that you see above won't stop getting into trouble.

K.C. Wiz 2, Rapids 2

Rapids badly needed a win, but instead of a win they manage a tie. They're lucky they even managed to pull that off.

The Rapids played a 3-5-2:
------------Bouna------------
Pirdeaux----Ugo-----Erpen
------------Pablo------------
Nico--Ballouchy--Cancela--Cooke
--------Gomez----Useless----

Horrible, horrible formation choice. Why in the world would the troll think this is a good formation, is beyond me? The Rapids can't even defend with four people in the back, what would make them play better with only three. And yes, I understand that Petke is out with injury, but we have plenty of guys sitting on the bench who are capable of playing. I just think this was a horrible choice for a defense that gives too much room to the wingers when they a playing four in the back. Of course this would work in Cooke and Nico would go back and play defense. Cooke has been getting a lot better at that but Nico isn't even attempting to go back and play defense; then again you can't blame him, because he is a striker not a left mid. Now you would think that the five midfielders would be a great choice but once again the Rapids couldn't pull it off. Another problem with this line up is pairing Gomez with Krivoski, who isn't too good at winning balls. I would have been a lot happier if Jacob, Casey, or Cummings were paired up top with him instead of Kirovski, who needs some help, major help.

Ballocuchy's first game with the Rapids. Did he win me over, hell no. In fact I think he is going to turn into another card hungry player on the Rapids. He did have sparks here and there, but all in all he's performance didn't strike me as someone who is going to save this team or get goals or make goals. Now I am not just saying this because I am "butt hurt" over losing Kyle, I am saying this because I watched the game and he personally didn't do that much to impress me. Oh and he really should of got a red card for that cheap shot at Victorine at the end of the first half.

This game was the first game I got to see Erpen play. He isn't too bad. The only complaint I have is that he dived into soon which helped K.C. get Johnson the first goal of the match. But it wasn't all his fault because Ugo couldn't stop the other guy. and no one was watching Johnson. Other then that he was playing good and he made a wonderful goal on the run of play, which is amazing because not even the people who are suppose to be the one scoring those, can. Other than that I am happy to have him on the team.

Now this game was just dirty. The Rapids should of ended this game with 9 people on the field. Ballouchy should of been off in the first half, and Bouna in the second. Ballouchy for what I stated above and Bouna for kicking Burciaga , but that guy deserved a red too, so they both should of been sent of instead of just Burciaga.

La La this game sucked the end.

Their next game is Aug. 4th against FC Dallas @6:30 PM. And well they will lose the end.

DC United 4, Rapids 1

Once again the cRapids loose. But this was one of their better loosing games...............wait is that even possible? No it is not.

Okay, I didn't watch this game, because I was at practice scoring goals and playing real soccer. But I did see the highlights and I got to just say Peterson's goal was a perfect header, strength and speed. And that's pretty much it. Every other part in the highlights was of the Rapids defense playing like 5 year olds running around in a circle trying to get out.

As most know Petke fractured his ankle in this game. In the highlights that looked pretty fridging painful. Also Vanney, who was traded to D.C., did the stupidest thing in the box touched the ball with his hand. Kind of looked like he wasn't even trying to hide because maybe he knew he was getting traded to D.C. blah blah.......enough of the stupid conspiracy theory. Anyways his stupid antic caused a penalty, which then turned into a goal. It was not Bouna Time on that one folks.

The highlights then proceed to show a corner for D.C. which also wound up being a goal. But I really don't see any fault with the Rapids because well they guy got lucky, because Pearduex can't win fights worth shit; and he did make a really good header. The next goal...........you know what they just fucked this game up and obviously D.C. was the better team.

Next game is at Chicago, I won't see it because well I will be traveling through Chicago to New York. But I will post about the video highlights on the Rapids page.

Thierry Henry to Barcelona

As all now know in the soccer world, Henry has left Arsenal to join Barcelona. My thoughts on it are that Arsenal fans are sure as hell going to miss him, I know I do, but the fact of the matter is that he gave 8 good seasons to Arsenal and now it's time to move on. Sure last year he didn't play much because of injuries, but it's a physical sport your gonna get hurt, deal with it.

Now where does his departure leave Arsenal? Who the hell really knows. We do know that Barcelona sure got the better deal. Only 16.5 million Euros for Henry. Seriously I would of held out for more. Especially since this will make Barcelona's line up pretty wicked, which brings me to the real question I have been wondering is: what is the line up going to look like for Barcelona?

Barcelona has a ton of really good offense to start: Ronaldhino, Messi, Eto'o,and Henry. Now I doubt they would buy Henry then just have him sit on the bench, so where will he fit in the lineup? Can't wait to see.

Also does anyone remember when Real Madrid also did the same thing with Zidane, Figo, Rual, and Ronaldo? Yesh that didn't do to well. But that was just shitty organization and as always they couldn't keep a coach. But I don't think the same thing will happen with Barcelona.

Bye Henry.

MLS standings

The Rapids just keep going down and down in the standings. First they were at the top, then the second, then the third, now their at fourth. Now the questions is will they go up or just keep going down? And if they do, should Clavijo be fired?


My answers:
1. I think at the rate the Rapids are going down right now, they are just going to keep going down and down and down. I don't think they have a chance to go to the playoffs and I am not really surprised. They looked great in the opening game, but who doesn't on their home field. The Rapids have a new home and they have only won twice on. That isn't good. If anything people should fear the Rapids when they have to play in "our house", but instead they probably just laugh.

2. Colorado Rapids under Fernando Clavijo (Credit this site: http://www.fireclavijo.com/FireClavijo/index.htm)

Year GP W L T Pts GF GA GD
2007 13 4 6 3 15 13 17 -4
2006 32 11 13 8 41 36 49 -13
2005 32 13 13 6 45 40 37 3

Now this is just pathetic, the Rapids haven't improved at all. If anything they just keep getting worse and worse and worse. I say fire him, he hasn't done anything in the three years they have had him as a coach. Sure the third year isn't over yet, but it sure as hell seems like it when they haven't won a game in a month. It's time to move on, fire the troll. I am going to make a poster that says that and bring it to the next game, on second thought why waste a good poster.