The Big Day Has FINALLY Arrived
Day 2.... South Korea vs Greece, Argentina vs Nigeria AND ENGLAND vs USA!!!
Join us for the Three Lions' debut in South Africa. A nice easy victory and USA still to goes on to qualify for round 2
COME ON ENGLAND!!
UWS and Blue Devil
posted by United We Stand @ 9:09 PM
397 Comments:
Going out to take the temperature of the streets now. Back for the first game in a tick.
Good Morning Everyone .
Hope you are all well .
Come on England !!!
Morning lads! I'm up with the chickens to get the mojo started for the England boys.
Took the C11 from the flat over to the 02 Center and from the bus, I saw the most brilliant England bunting on a house. White background with Red silhouettes of Spitfires inverted so that their wings and body of the plane mimic a St. George cross.
Fantastic! The hype for the match is in overdrive back here. The ESPN coverage has been marvelous. Even FSC - who aren't showing any matches - have had an evening panel show with Andy Gray, Richard Keys, and Warren Barton. Wow!
Apparently the focus on the World Cup is really doing the American right's heads in. Glenn Beck commented yesterday that the there was a left wing plot to force soccer down true Americans' throats. Wow - what a douchebag!
First up today - South Korea v. Greece. And the teams are in:
South Korea: Sung-Ryong Jung, Du-Ri Cha, Yong-Hyung Cho, Jung-Soo Lee, Young-Pyo Lee, Chung-Yong Lee, Sung-Yong Ki, Jung-Woo Kim, Ji-Sung Park, Chu-Young Park, Ki-Hun Yeom
Greece: Alexandros Tzorvas, Vassilis Torosidis, Avraam Papadopoulos, Loukas Vyntra, Giorgos Seitaridis, Georgios Samaras, Alexis Tziolis, Kostas Katsouranis, Giorgos Karagounis, Angelos Charisteas, Theofanis Gekas
Glenn Beck=Tool.
The teams are out and the anthems have been played. Now it's down to the real biz. Marvelous atmosphere in the stadium in Port Elizabeth.
Good morning Blue Devil. Good afternoon Tony and Gooner.
Dad is saying that the Game's started. See you at the half.
Korea get us underway in the first match of Day 2 at the SA 2010 World Cup.
Park Ji-Sung is probably the most talented player participating in this match.
Karagounis took the corner and Torosidis shot wide when he was unmarked in the six yard box.
Samaras is fouled on the left. The free kick is unproductive as the Greeks commit a foul.
GOAL! Lee Jung-soo sticks in a free kick at the back post!
Korea 1-0!
GOAL !!! 1-0 SOUTH KOREA AS LEE JUNG SOO SCORES OFF THE FRRE KICK WITH THE VOLLEY AT THE FAR POST. THEIR FIRST ATTEMPT ON GOAL.
That goal was a bit against the run of play. Greece had made some early running and had one decent chance from a corner.
Morning, MUR! Glad to have you on board today.
The Greeks attack immediately and earn a corner. The South Korean keeper struggles to clear the corner.
Just a check-in on the Predictions Game:
Those who predicted Korea to go through:
AZ Kicker
Blubber Boy
Blue Devil
Gooner71
Jonathan
Thomas
Those who predicted Greece to go through:
Chelskilad
Simon
Matthew
UWS
Yellows
Those who predicted neither would go through:
Kathy
ManUtd Rules
Someone Said
West Ham Rising
The goal was ironic as the Greeks are normally so strong at set pieces. However, the smaller South Koreans scored off of a really clever free kick. That must have been practiced in training.
I find it difficult to take seriously a side that runs Georgy Samaras out up front.
UWS is so thoroughly bored by this match that he's doing the crossword. I find that some of these matches that aren't much on paper end up being high scoring affairs.
That was another chance for South Korea Lee Chung Yong's header creates panic in the Greek defense.
That's interesting you pointed out that irony that the Greeks got punked at a corner.
A big shout for a penalty there. The referee waved it on.
Another corner for Greece well handled by the Koreans. They've done their homework.
The South Koreans were creative off the throw-in. They are the more creative team. The Greeks are playing are a direct,predictable style.
Agreed. Rehhagel has only one game plan.
Otto Rehagel (is that the correct spelling?) must believe that the players available to him are not talented enough to play a short passing game like the South Koreans.I have predicted that the Greeks will finish bottom of the group with ZERO points.They might score a goal or two.
Korea break out nicely from defending a corner.
I just made UWS laugh by commenting that, "there's too many Parks on this Park." I'll be here all week.
The South Koreans break , but Park Ji Yung shoots wide. A fantastic counterattack.
Park was nearly in there but was called back for an imaginary foul.
Enjoy your stay at Chateau Nocito. Will UWS be joining us for the next match?
I agree I did not see any problems with the challenge.
Great ball from Park to Park. He was in on goal but the keeper did well.
Nearly 2-0 as Park Ji Sung plays a beautiful through ball to Park Ji Yung, but he shoots against the keeper. The corner is cleared. Park to Park.
UWS's response is: "I might do. You're (BDB) my secretary." Lazy sod!
The Greeks are really confused. They don't know which Park to mark. They are wondering at which park will the match take place?
Nice one, MUR - we could go on all day mocking the Korean names.
Blue Devil, that is one of your responsibilities as a visitor :)
The Greeks are resembling a lower division English team rather than a World Cup side. I am surprised it is only 1-0.
I agree - the Greeks are strictly Accrington Stanley.
Hello again .
Where is UWS ???
Welcome back, Tony! UWS says that he'll Skype you at half-time.
The south Koreans had another great counter Cha Du- Ri had a great run down the middle. The Greeks have had numerous and corners and free kicks without really working the keeper. I can remember only save from the South Korean keeper.
Hello Tony.
Park Ji Yung shoots well about 25 yards from goal.
Near the end of the first half. The Greeks are showing no enterprise at all. I'll be glad to see the back of them in a week's time.
Long ball forward and it catches the wind. Total Jabulani factor. And Gekas was nearly on to it.
It is scary to imagine how the Greeks will fare against Argentina. The South Korean keeper catches the cross under pressure and looking into the sun.
Half-time: Korea 1-0 up and deservedly so.
It is halftime. The Greeks need to try a different strategy in the second half.
Have a look at the Daily Show clip that I posted on top of this thread at half-time. It's bloody brilliant.
I agree Blue Devil. The South Koreans Could have been 3-0 up.
Should be 3-up. Anything to liven this up would be good however.
The Greeks look really boring and the Koreans though they've tried to liven it up, look just OK.
That one long through ball for the Korean that plays for Monaco was my highlight. What a shame he didn't tuck that away.
I've just noticed that there were no players booked in that half.
Enough of the abuse heading my way!
I was sitting on my comfy couch doing the crossword and having Bob type in my comments! I deserve it. I had to work all day yesterday while he was at home stealing the family silver!
I agree with Gooner - I can't see this Korean side to go further than the Round of 16. That said, they will get the winner of the less than impressive Group A, so maybe not.
The teams are back out and Rehhagel has made the bold choice of pulling Karagounis off. That's a surprise - he was the hero of Euro 2004.
Greece get us underway in the second period.
Rehhagel had to make a change. This Greek team really needs a spark.
My highlight from the tournament so far was the lovely dance that Bishop Desmond Tutu did after the Tshabalala goal yesterday. Lovely stuff. I was doing my own version for the amusement of the Nocito clan last night.
I am sure the Nocitos appreciate the free entertainment.
The Greeks are ranked 13th by FIFA. I am amazed.
GOAL! Park Ji Sung breaks through and slots home nicely.
He's earned his St. Bernard stew now. What a player!
GOAL 2-0!!! A HORRIBLE BLUNDER IN THE GREEK DEFENSE AND PARK JI SUNG SHOOTS EASILY PAST THE KEEPER.
I will be in a state of shock if the Greeks get anything out of this match.
Me too!
I noticed that five people predicted that the Greeks would advance from this group.Very interesting.
Yes - the following rogue's gallery of participants are looking like right mugs about now for predicting that the Greeks would get out of this group: Chelskilad, Simon, Matthew, UWS, Yellows
Samaras comes off. He was really poor today. Back to the SPL with you, Georgy!
Salpingidis replaces the disappointing Samaras, who joins Govou in the hall of shame.Salpingidis scored the decisive goal against Ukraine. He should have started.
Kapetanos replaces Charisteas. Like for like. Both strikers have been replaced.
Charisteas coming off now. So all of the stars of the Greek side are being pulled by Rehhagel. He's obviously not happy with the way the side is playing.
That was 3-0 as Park Ji Yung headed wide. We have mentioned his name numerous times today.
Park should have had his nachos there. A big miss.
I meant should have been 3-0. What was I thinking?
Gekas with a comical bicycle kick effort. The Greeks have never scored at this level and you really can't see them breaking their duck with this kind of performance.
That was better from Greece as Gekas traps the ball on his chest and volleys over.That was their first chance of the half.
Correct.As we speak, the Greeks have been outscored 12-0 in four matches. Kapitanas shoots well over.
The Greeks are finally putting the South Koreans under pressure. This is their best spell of the match.
Absolutely. Argentina are going murder this lot if they can be bothered in the third match.
That is two consecutive corners that have ended up near midfield instead of the penalty area.The cross is well past the target as well. The Greeks are beginning to show their frustration.
The Greeks are resolute but also resolutely rubbish.
Big shout for handball but the ref is not having any of it.
The Greeks appeal for hand ball, but three Greek players are offside.
I feel like we've been watching this match for four hours. It's absolutely endless and we've still got more than ten minutes left.
UWS and I just had a heated dispute over the handball rule. I argue that an infraction must be deliberate in that a player moves his arm or hand toward the ball. UWS thinks that if a player raises his arms, as the Korean player just did, even in a natural movement, it should be called against him.
I agree. This match could use another goal. Will Slovenia vs Algeria top this for entertainment. Gekas forces a great save from the keeper.
Great save from a shot from Gekas.
I am not sure as some referees interpret the handball rule one way and some the other. The majority of referees, especially in the EPL, call for handball when the act is deliberate. The rule was not a factor minutes ago as offside was called before the handball was even committed.
OH - that should have been #3 for the Koreans, but we've been saying that all day long.
And just wide again!
That was nearly 3-0. First, last ditch effort, then a near post save by the keeper, then Kim Jung Woo shoots wide from the corner.
This match is over for all intents and purposes.
Yes, indeed.
I agree with UWS about the handball
rule .
Greece's next two opponents are Nigeria and Argentina. I believe they played those same opponents in USA '94 where they lost without scoring a single goal. I can see history repeating itself.
This match is finally over and South Korea finish with a deserved 2-0 win. It should have been so much more.
Full-time: And now it is mercifully!
2-0 to the South Koreans and it should have been even easier for them if they weren't kind in front of goal.
We're off for a bite to eat before the Argie-Nigeria match.
Your dispute about handball is moot. Replays clearly showed that the ball came off the players side rib cage.
2-0 is not near embarrassing enough a scoreline. The Greeks were really rubbish and only came to life for about 5 minutes when some of the Koreans that had been pressing in the midfield were exhausted. JiSung was terrific today, and DoRi from the right was too. That Bolton guy was lively, but not effective. I think the Koreans have enough to get by Nigeria in much the same fashion as they did the Greeks, pressure every ball and hit them on the break, and punish mistakes.
I was not impressed by any of the Greeks today. Rubbish from 1-11.
Dad's looking at every keeper so far and says, "he's better than Almunia."
Thanks Tony!!
Your skype isn't on!
The sides are in for the second match:
Argentina: Sergio Romero, Jonas Gutierrez, Martin Demichelis, Walter Samuel, Gabriel Heinze, Juan Veron, Javier Mascherano, Angel Di Maria, Carlos Tevez, Leo Messi, Gonzalo Higuain
Nigeria: Vincent Enyeama, Chidi Odiah, Joseph Yobo, Danny Shittu (yes!), Taye Taiwo, Sani Kaita, Dickson Etuhu, Lukman Haruna, Chinedu Obasi Ogbukem, Ayegbeni Yakubu, Victor Obinna
The teams are in the tunnel. It's Adrian Healey and Efan "You don't know what you're talking about" Ekoku on the commentary.
Total dominance of Argentina fans in the stands today at Ellis Park.
I'm fed up with the commentators mentioning the rugby world cup. Nobody cares about rugger.
My prediction is that Joseph Yobo will be seeing red today. I don't think that the Nigerian defense can live with Argentina's front three.
Efan Ekoku and Danny Shittu are two LOB favorites. We are in for a real treat!! I am surprised that Diego Melitto is not starting this match. Danny Shittu could be in for a long match against Messi and Tevez.
The Argies get us underway in Match 4 here at the 2010 WC.
Argentina straight on the attack through Tevez. Love him.
The match kicks off. This match should be more entertaining than the previous two matches. I sure hope that is the case.
Obasi completely burned Gutierrez there. The Newcastle man isn't really a true defender.
Oh - must be. Messi danced through the defense and Higuain should have scored. Put it wide. Wow!
Ogbukem goes past a defender and shoots wide. Tevez is tackled by a Nigerian defender moments later.
Shocking finish there from the Real man. I'd have had Milito in from the start.
Oh - Messi pulls a great save out of the Nigerian keeper. Wonderful stuff from Lio.
GOAL! Well, well, well. It's ManYoo old boy Heinze who sticks in a header from a corner. Fabulous header.
1-0 Argies!
It seems as if both teams intend to attack. This is the third World Cup meeting between these teams. Argentina won the previous two meetings : 2-1 in '94 and 1-0 in '02.
GOAL !!! 1-0 ARGENTINA AS GABRIEL HEINZE SCORES A ROCKET HEADER OFF A CORNER!!!
And Diego's happy with it. What a start. Only 7 minutes gone.
Free kick now for the Super Eagles. Straight to the keeper.
Sorry I haven't been about . My
internet connection was out for some
reason .
Tevez commits a clumsy foul on Harouna. The free kick is easily gathered by Romero.
Nice cross from Gutierrez but Tevez just can't find the angle.
Argies looking a bit nervy at the back here. Great up front, but I don't know about their backline.
Nigeria earns a corner as as Samuel nearly deflects the cross into his own goal. The poor corner is easily cleared.
Three former Man Yoo players are starting for Argentina: Tevez, Veron, and Heinze the goal scorer.
Yeah - good representation from ManYoo in this one.
Nigeria has advanced into the Argentinian penalty area, but Romero has not been forced to make a save.
Gutierrez crosses into the penalty area, but the cross lands on the roof of the net.
Gutierrez isn't much of a defender but he is dynamic romping up the right wing.
Nice curling effort from Messi after cutting inside. It was going wide but the keeper tipped it behind anyway.
Messi forces the keeper into another great save with a left footed shot .
Argentina sure have made a lively start to this match. Nigeria's main problem has been a lack of accuracy on the final pass.
Oh - lovely ball from Tevez to Higuain and the Real man misses a second sitter. UWS thinks that he took one too many touches.
Tevez with a great through ball to Higuain and the keeper makes another great save.
I agree with UWS.
Oh - Samuel had a free header there and he nodded it straight into the ground. He's livid with himself.
Walter Samuel should have scored off the corner as he heads the ball in to the ground and it bounces over the bar. The Nigerians need to work on defending those corners.
Some skills from Diego in the technical area there.
The Yak with a nice run into the penalty area before he is tackled. Kaita shoots wide off the throw in
The Yak is starving - no one's been feeding him yet.
Free kick for Nigeria here....
Straight into the wall.
Oh - Obasi was in again but he scuffed his shot well wide. Shame.
That was an opportunity for Nigeria. Obassi shoots well wide.What does UWS think of that attempt.
Half an hour gone - the Argies really should be three up by now.
I agree. They have taken their foot off the pedal.
Obasi's down and in pain now. Masch of course was the villain there. He starts on a yellow for me.
What's Diego complaining about now. He's lucky that Masch wasn't booked there.
Masch vs Mikkel would have been an interesting battle in midfield.
Great save from Messi... why let him go left?
Veron standing over a free kick here. Could be Messi. Square to Masch who plays him back in. Messi tries another curler and it's another great save.
Messi palys a one-two off a short free kick. The keeper tips his effort around the post.
Agreed. Nigeria are really missing Obi Mikel.
Walter Samuel is one guy I wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley. What a hard man!
Mikel sucks... he plays for Chelski!!
The short corner is eventually cleared. Argentina creates another opportunity after a brief rest.
You're letting your Chelski hatred get the better of your impartiality, UWS. What would big brother say?
I agree. Masch sucks as well since he plays for Costa. It would have been a physical battle in midfield.
Finally Gutierrez goes into the book. He's been struggling with Obasi all game.
Gutierrez is booked for a foul on Obasi. He is definitely not a defender. More talented teams will exploit that weakness.
ENGURLUND ENGLURLUND ENGULUND
ENGURLUND ENGURLUND ENGURLUND
ENGURLUND ENGURLUND ENGURLUND
ENGURLUND EN GUR LUND
Agreed. That's why I think England have a chance in the latter stages. I don't fancy either Brazil or Argentina's backline. They are weak.
Coming to the end of the first half. I'm surprised that there's only been one goal in this after that brisk start. And the irony is that it was the left back who scored.
Messi is upended once again.
Maradonna is involved in a dispute with the fourth official. I am not sure why he is complaining. Messi is fouled just outside the penalty area.
Veron goes for goal but sticks it over. The players still haven't got the feel for the Jabulani ball.
Veron shoots well over. The move began with a foul throw by Nigeria.
Diego's been jabbering away all game. I don't get it. Send him off!
It is halftime and only 1-0 despite numerous scoring opportunities.
Half-time: Total Argentina dominance so far. For once, I agree with Efan Ekoku - sticking Obafemi Martins on alongside Yakubu might just open up some chances.
I agree as well. It seems as if the Yak is alone up front without adequate support.
The way these matches are scheduled is just brilliant. The boring match was first thing and then along comes Argentina to keep us awake and interested in midday so that we're all hitting a peak by the England vs. USA match.
Teams coming out again. I don't see Martins coming out with the Nigerian side yet. Shame.
The teams are coming out of the tunnel as the second half is about to begin. Two former Man Yoo players combined for the goal.
Was it Veron who took the corner?
Here we go with the second half then...
Nigeria kicks off. Lars Lagerback must be thinking that the score is 1-0 and Nigeria can get a goal on the break.
Yes. Veron took the corner.
This match needs another goal
Argentina inviting Nigeria onto them at the start of the half. I reckon that they're pacing themselves this time out. I can remember them hitting Serbia and Montenegro for six in the first match in 2006 and then they crashed out in the quarters to Germany on pens.
By the way Dave I caught that comment
10:39 .
Agreed, UWS.
Messi shoots just wide after a great pass from Veron.
Oh - Lio nearly in there for Argie's second. A little too delicate. More of a contact, maybe with the left peg, and they would have been 2-0 up.
Higuain has been completely toothless. I'd love to see either Aguerro or Milito come on soon.
Tony.. that is not what was meant
I said thank you to you for agreeing with me about the handball
I then said that I tried to skype you
Two different conversations
Again Messi plays in Higuain and he didn't attack it. Corner.
Have Danny Shittu and Dickson Etuhu touched the ball ni this match. I have not heard their names being mentioned.
Samuel again gets free in the box but the header was at an awkward low angle.
Martins finally on
About time - Martins makes his entrance for Obinna.
Samulel heads over from the corner. The Nigerians have not been defending the corners today. Martins is on for Obinna.
Carnival atmosphere in Cape Town
More skills from Diego in the technical area. You know he'd like to be out there.
Lovely ball there but DiMaria couldn't control it.
Obasi has been the danger man for Nigeria.
Good tackle Yobo. He could have easily hacked Higuain there.
Messi with a great through ball to Higuain prior to the tackle.
Looks like Lagerbeck is going to make another change soon.
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