Kiss Me Like You Mean It – Magnetic Fields
Today featured the first truly last-second goal (exciting), the most anticipated group-stage game between the two teams competing for escape from the ‘group of death’ (bleak and depressing), the almost-unknown North Korea (surprisingly fun to watch despite their defensive attitude), and the biggest power in global football.
New Zealand 1 – 1 Paraguay
I only watched the second half of this one, and more out of the corner of my eye than anything else. It certainly looked like Slovakia was going to eke out a slender victory. Their goal was offside, but they probably deserved a lead. New Zealand played reasonably well, but never really looked like equalizing. And then, well into extra time, a cross comes in and is thumped into the back of the net! Very exciting, even if it does make my prediction for a Slovakia win, and second-place finish in the group, pretty unlikely. Italy and Paraguay have to have loved that result. You’d have to favor those two for qualification now.
Ivory Coast 0 – 0 Portugal
A drab affair. Both teams seemed to have set out to play for a 0-0 and they got what they were looking for. The quality of play was fairly high, but that didn’t translate into anything exciting. On both sides, it seems like they were counting on a moment of brilliance to create a goal and were not willing to commit the reserves necessary to pose a real threat.
Other assorted tidbits. Yes, Ronaldo takes a dive now and then, but he also was getting hacked to pieces. You can understand why he simulates even if you don’t want to approve of it. The only real threat on goal the entire game came from that magical Ronaldo strike. It had some crazy swerve on it, and the keeper seemed to have no clue. He was only saved by the post. It’s a major shame it didn’t go in, both because it would have been a stupendous goal, and also because it would have changed the outlook of the rest of the game. Deco is done. He looks like a pale shadow of the player he once was. Drogba looked like the injury won’t be a major problem. That’s definitely encouraging for their chances.
The big game for Ivory Coast is the next one. If they can get a point from Brazil, they’ll likely qualify. If they can’t, then Brazil will go into the final day assured of qualification and in a situation where a draw with Portugal could put them both through.
Brazil 2 – 1 North Korea
The best game of the tournament so far. It had a number of exciting themes. How long can North Korea hold onto the scoreless draw? Was it possible that they could actually take a lead? How would Brazil respond as they got further and further into the match without scoring? And then, once they did score, would the dam burst, with them putting in three or four in rapid succession? And at the very end, North Korea contrived a goal and for the final couple minutes they were pushing forward to challenge for a draw and Brazil looked at least a bit concerned.
North Korea’s 5-3-2 was fun to watch. Sure, it’s extremely defensive, but it’s defensive in an interesting way. It relies on them running like crazy to double and triple up on whoever has the ball. And it leaves the fullbacks totally unmarked which means things are constantly moving. I’m curious to see if they can sustain this level of performance in the other games. I still think they probably get zero points, but I wouldn’t be shocked if they got draws or even a victory in one of those games.
Okay, so the Maicon goal. Let me first say: wow. That’s the goal of the tournament so far for me. The physics of it were just preposterous. The amount of slice he put on the ball, the tight angle, the way it absolutely flummoxed everyone–including me watching at home. As for the controversies, yes he meant it as a shot on goal, and while it was certainly a goalkeeping ‘error’ in some sense, it was a pretty understandable one. The idea that someone would try a shot (and succeed) from that position was extremely unlikely, so it makes sense that the keeper was cheating forward to try and block off a cross. This is especially likely when you realize that he would have had almost no chance to stop a header from that close. So yes, in retrospect, he shouldn’t have cheated forward, but that’s what makes Maicon’s effort so amazing–that he recognized the slight opportunity and jumped on it.
Brazil’s other goal was pretty awesome, too. Vintage Brazil. A beautifully weighted pass from Robinho (man of the match in my book) and a clinical finish.
Predictions for tomorrow:
- Honduras 0 – 1 Chile
- Spain 3 – 0 Switzerland
- South Africa 1 – 1 Uruguay
I wish the first game was on later. I’d like to watch it since I like both those teams, but the 4:30 thing is really killing me. I think Switzerland are good, but I think Spain is just that much better. I’m all about predicting draws for South Africa.
UPDATE: Forgot to mention, my prediction of Kaka for the Golden Ball is not looking so good. He was pretty terrible today.