We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
We're being thrown head-long into the third round of matches, beginning with Groups A and B. First up this morning, we've got an all-American clash between Uruguay and Mexico and the happy hosts against the French head-cases. Join me for all the usual LOB fun today.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 9:11 AM
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
300 Comments:
The tricky thing about these third matches is that, since that rigged 1-0 German win over Austria in 1990, the group games are played simultaneously, requiring hard choices and some DVRing.
I'll be watching the match that means something for the group - Uruguay v. Mexico - live on ESPN and then having a tape-delayed giggle at the expense of the riotous French on ESPN2 from noon to 2 pm.
Here's what Group A looks like:
1. Uruguay GF 3 GA 0 GD 3 Pts 4
2. Mexico GF 3 GA 1 GD 2 Pts 4
3. France GF 0 GA 0 GD -2 Pts 1
4. S. Africa GF 1 GA 3 GD -2 Pts 1
Given that table, you can imagine Uruguay and Mexico playing out a draw, thus putting both France and South Africa out, but we've already seen some big surprises during this World Cup.
Yellow card and suspension trouble for Uruguay and Mexico:
Victorino and Lugano are on one yellow card for Uruguay.
Efrain Juarez is suspended today after two yellows for Mexico. Torrado, Franco, and Moreno are on one yellow.
The teams for this first match:
Mexico: Perez, Osorio, Rodriguez, Moreno, Salcido, Torrado, Marquez, Guardado, Dos Santos, Blanco, Franco
France: Muslera, Maxi Pereira, Lugano, Victorino, Fucile, Arevalo Rios, Perez, Pereira, Forlan, Suarez, Cavani
Both sides going out with essentially attacking line-up. I mean, look at Mexico with Guardado, Dos Santos, Franco and Blanco. Blimey! The incentive for the winner today is avoiding a Round of 16 death against Argentina.
The French side is hilarious, with skipper Patrice Evra dropped after leading a player revolt this week. In come the likes of Clichy, Diarra, Squillaci and Cisse. Wow!
Another big question concerns the broadcasters. Of course, I'm not sure that ESPN will be able to avoid the temptation to show or mention the score from the other match but I'm hoping that they won't show the goals. I'll be switching off at half-time to avoid the goal recaps then.
The anthems are finished and the pennants have been exchanged. Blanco seems to have taken over as skipper of El Tri.
We're ready to begin.
So, just to underscore the implications here. Mexico and Argentina will want to play for a win in order to avoid Argentina in the next round. If there is a draw, both sides go through with Uruguay top on goal difference.
Both France and South Africa are still in it, if there is a winner in this match. ESPN have already indicated that they'll be updating the score of the other match. I hope not too often.
Franco is caught offside there. Cagey start so far. Both coaches have assured FIFA and the media that there has been no collusion.
Uruguay have an early free kick opportunity. Forlan over it...Jabulani effort. Some boos from the crowd. There is almost no vuvuzela din here - presumably they're all at the other match.
Oh - a big mistake there from the Mexican central defenders and Suarez is in. Perez did well to narrow the angle and Suarez shot wide.
Dos Santos with a great cross in and Blanco couldn't get there. He might have been impeded by Lugano.
Blanco gets caught from behind by Diego Perez. No card.
Salcido wins Mexico an early corner.
Short and rubbish.
I'm really enjoying the chance to actually hear the crowd today.
Perez makes a mess of a short free kick there. Nearly a cheap goal.
Forlan wins a free kick. He'll no doubt want to have a go at goal from here.
Hi Bob,
I am on break and here for the duration of the first round of matches.
I have the Mexico/Uruguay match on the computer and the other on the TV
Are they going for a draw in the Mex match?
Forlan chips into the danger area and Perez punches out well.
I may be okay for tomorrow. We may be back from the rehearsal by ten
My computer at the school has a program with ESPN available so I will have the USA on the computer and England on the TV
COME ON ENGLAND!!
Morning, Dave! To their credit, both sides are giving it a go. They're both playing three up front!
Uruguay with the slightly brighter start although Blanco had a good headed chance.
Excellent news, mate! My bro is back Stateside and is planning to do a sickie for tomorrow. He's at work today.
Franco is in on goal there but hesitates too long.
Both Victorino and Lugano are definitely risking the second yellow. Franco down on the turf again here.
Btw, I'm trying to avoid the score in the France/SA match, so don't give it away, mate, okay?
Uruguay win another corner here....
Oh - there was a free header there from Victorino. Should have at least put it on target.
Now Guardado wins a corner for Mexico. Nice interplay with Dos Santos.
You are watching the top of the group clash? You are saying there aren't any vuvas
Twenty minutes gone now and it's been a really lively and entertaining match so far. No goals, though.
From a corner and headed in
Oi, mate - I told you not to update the other match!!!
I want to watch it later!
Mexico nearly in there. Corner.
Sorry, I didn't see that post!!
Guardado with a rocket there. Didn't cross the line after hitting the cross bar. Combined with a SA goal, that would have really changed the picture in the group.
No worries. Martin gave it away. I suppose it's hopeless. I'm glad that they didn't show the goal at least.
I shall not make the same mistake again
The score is 8-2 right now
You're right, Martin will updated it the whole match.
Can I beat him to the punch?
The French are hopeless. I want to be able to watch later just to see the look on all of their favorites. Imagine dropping the skipper for the last match!
What does SA need to happen?
Something else has happened in this match
Given the goal difference situation, South Africa are going to need a lot of goals in both matches. I can't really see it. They're at -1 now and these two sides are at +3 and +2.
Wow! You beat Martin to the punch again.
Can I beat him?
A red card for their striker. At first I thought it was Cisse.
It was elbow going up for a header. Not sure about a red.
I reckon the best scenario for SA is for Uruguay to start pinging the goals in. The head-to-head between SA and Uruguay isn't favorable.
Bloody hell! Gourcuff is off! Hilarious!
The goal difference between Mexico and SA is still 3. It's going to take a lot. But if SA are facing ten men, you never know.
The pace of the match has dropped off noticeably here since the SA goal went in, particularly on the Uruguayan side.
I said Mexico and SA, hey it might happen!!!
Long throw in from Fucile but cleared out.
What about England wearing all Red?
Not sure if you replied to my email
That would take a whole lot. The goal difference between SA and Uruguay is 4 and if even the head to head would put Uruguay through. SA would need to make up five goals.
Did you see Wimpleton yesterday?
They had a match end at ELEVEN O'CLOCK on Centre Court last night
I did - I said I'd be wearing my lucky red shirt tomorrow. May even sleep in it to get the mojo working.
Wow - no I was too focused on this stuff. Although, I did hear that Federer had a scare.
Fed's opponent was two sets up and serving for the match in the fourh set
TWO NIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Diego Perez is trying to head the blood stanched from a wound. The fourth official is being picky with him.
Ball in the net again!! But called offside.. the South African was offside
Well - that is interesting. The GD is down to 2. But they need a Uruguay goal at the very least.
Bloody hell - are the French even trying?
Doesn't look like it
Great save by the SA keeper. A free kick cross eludes everyone and bounces dangerously
I would love to see South Africa continue on until at least the Round of 16 stage, although it would completely blow my predictions. I had France and Mexico!
Lesson learned... you won't be able to keep away from the other match for these last round of matches
Salcido tries a pop from distance. Jabulani!
True enough, but I'm trying.
"relegation fodder' Isn't that what you said about me and my predictions?
Again, I predicted Mexico and SA in that order
They even had bad camera work focusing on celebrating SA fans in this stadium. Why not let the telly audience enjoy as many games as possible?
Uruaguay take the lead... good news for SA?
Yeah - but we've got a lot of footie to play before that happens. It's still Uruguay and Mexico right now. That gives you one point.
GOAL! Suarez nips in at the backpost with a header that stabs a knife into Mexico....and SA!
1-0!
I bet you the crowd will explode at the other game!!
So, now that does make things interesting. It's down to 1 goal difference between SA and Mexico here. All square on points. You could see SA pinging in a couple more goals now if the French are capitulating.
Not a stab in SA!
It helps SA
One more goal for SA and they'd draw lots for the second spot, I think!
Yes - that's what I meant.
Half-time: 1-0 Uruguay in the lead, helping out the SA efforts as well. A lot to play for.
Half time
Mexico 0 Uruguay 1
Still going in the other match
Second match has gone to half
Wonder what fighting is going to go on in the French dressing room?
I wonder if they will sync up both channels for half time?
I'm back for the second half now having successfully avoided the highlights of SA v. France in the shower.
Here we go for the second half
Has any World Cup side ever forfeited?
Mexico have sacrificed Andres Guardado, who I thought was pretty good.
Blanco with an early free kick that is essentially a backpass to the keeper after an elaborate run-up.
At least no one was killed in the French dressing room at half time
Do they have to fly on the same plane home... TOMORROW!
I was thinking the French might forfeit. If they did, sureley they would be banned from qualifying for the next Cup
If my reading of the tie-breakers is right it's:
1. Goal difference
2. Goals scored
3. Head to head
That would mean that if Uruguay scored again, Mexico would still go through having scored one more goal than SA, despite both having "0" as a goal difference.
Yeah - because it would make a complete nonsense of the race for second spot. What would FIFA do about that? It's completely unprecedented I think.
I really don't want any of these groups decided by drawing lots!
I feel if there is no way to separate them then they should count corners, shots or something attacking
Presumably so. I'd heard that Gourcuff was behaving like a hermit, spending all his time alone in his hotel room. Now he's been sent off - what a shambles!
I still think it's highly unlikely for any of these groups to be decided that way. The stars have to line up just so.
I guess this tie breaker has been in affect forever but never has been used
oooh... SA hit the post!!!
Wow!
Great move and nice shot
Ian Darke said if Brazil had made that move we would be purring
TH14 about to come on
If Mexico do score it will take away any complete ties, right?
I'm assuming that Domenech wins the sack race, right?
Oh - Lugano with a powerful header. Perez saved well but someone should have been following up!
Great save by the Mexican keeper
Tyler didn't seem too excited.. who is he becoming JP De la Camera(sp?)
Yeah - a draw here would have both sides on five points.
Just over the top by Cisse
The quality has been a bit better today
I've noticed that Martin hasn't been that excited, even when goals go in. Is he getting jaded or is there a delay in his monitor?
I'm glad that you approve.
So what's your England team for tomorrow?
That was last contribution.. he is replaced by TH14
Cisse shakes Dom's hand as he came off
Castro on for Moreno now. They're sacrificing a defender for an attacking midfielder.
Interesting - that won't go down well with the rest of the French squad, will it? And how about the French public, who hate Domenech? Is Cisse the "Deep Throat" in the squad who narced on Anelka?
I think Mexico have to push for the equalizer. Blanco should come off. He hasn't kept up with the pace.
Okay
I would have
Keeper
Hart
Defenders
Johnson
Dawson
Upson
A. Cole
Midfield
J. Cole left
Lennon Right
Gerrard Center
Rooney (behind the front two)
Forward
Defoe
Crouch
What do you think??
Aguirre looking impassive on the touchline despite his team's fortunes hanging in the balance.
I'd have:
James
Johnson, Upson, Terry, A. Cole
Barry, Gerrard, Cole, Lennon in a midfield diamond with Barry at the bottom and Gerrard at the top.
Crouch and Defoe up front.
Side netting by SA
Oh - a big miss from Rodriguez there. Free header. Should have scored.
A free header missed by Mexico!!
The bottom line is that any 11 from the 23 man England squad should handily beat Slovenia.
You are really down on Waz
He has to come good.
I would just have him start in a deeper role. He has come back too far anyway! Have him start there
I don't think he's fully fit. Unfortunately, he hasn't been honest enough with the England camp about it. And we don't have the luxury of a Premiership campaign to allow him to play himself into form. We need a win tomorrow. I might have him on for the last half hour under certain circumstances. But only with the instructions that he needs to stay up front - no drifting back into midfield at all!
SA are really going for it
Let me get this straight
If SA score again, will they be tied or will someone have a tie breaker?
ESPN's coverage freezes for a couple secs... get it sorted out ESPN... don't want any of that tomorrow
England... three up by half!
Goal... THE FRENCH HAVE SCORED!!
Malouda with a well made goal
Advantage Mexico
If I've got it right, if SA score a third goal, they would draw lots.
If Uruguay score a second here but SA don't score, Mexico would still go through having scored one more.
Scratch that, then. SA now back down to -1 GD and Mexico and 1 GD.
They can't be completely tied now!
Good
All Mexican pressure now.
Could you imagine if the US tie 0-0and England draw 2-2 and the two are tied complete!
This country would just HAMMER soccer even more
You'll remember that Mexico also drew Argentina in the Round of 16 in 2006. A great match that went to extra time and was settled by a Maxi Rodriguez golden goal.
I can't imagine there being two draws tomorrow, especially not that scenario. Just two easy wins for England and the US. We still don't know what's happening with Group D either.
About fifteen minutes left. The hosts will need to score a couple of times to go through. Come on, the Bafana Bafana!
I know what you mean about Group D and Group H!
Is it true is Spain come second then they would play Brazil?
If so, that would mean that England would be in that half of the draw if they win the group
Yeah - it looks very likely that Spain will meet Brazil. We could also very likely have a Italy v. Holland.
I really hope we don't get an England v. Germany!!!
Let Germany come second and they would be in the other half too
Yeah - if England were to slip up and finish second and Germany finished first, it would start to get really tough for us. Germany in the Round of 16 and then Brazil or Spain in the quarters. Argentina in the semis!!! Ugh!
Oh - Franco nearly in there but he hasn't looked sharp all game, maybe even all tournament.
It's certainly going to get lively tomorrow. Seven sides are still in with a slim hope.
Are you sure
If it was going the way I thought it was going to go
We would only have Brazil in our half. Now, if only Brazil and Argenting follow the form book then it would only be the Argies and not Germany, Spain and Brazil
I reckon that Uruguay can feel fairly confident about a match-up with the Group B second placers, likely either South Korea or Greece.
Time running out here and presumably for South Africa as well.
I'd have to have a look again, but I think I'm right about that. If we come second, we're a world of hurt.
3 minutes of added time
For the first time ever... the hosts will not make the second round
It is a shame... they really gave it a go today
We would be if everyone else held form...they haven't
Struth!!
SA almost score... they should have!
Uruguay have won the group and Mexico have joined them in the second round(in seconds)
That's it - Uruguay win and celebrate. They qualify top and presumably avoid Argentina. Mexico are also all smiles here knowing that they'll qualify second unless SA score twice in the closing seconds.
ESPN have switched over!! Bollocks to that. I'm switching over to the beginning of the match.
That's it... they are chearing in Mexico City right now
In Paris, not so much
Dom is having some problem with the other manager... he was yelling at him!
That sounds like good quality. That's why I taped this one so I can have a good giggle at the French while I'm having my lunch. Then I'll be all ready for Group B. After that, it's a swim in the pool at campus, perhaps a moment or two to check work in the office and then "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" at the Opera House. Loverly.
Domenech and Parreira are looking reasonably happy about things at the beginning of this match. I'm going to comment a bit while I'm watching the tape of this one.
Patrice Evra and TH-14 sitting together on the bench. Will either ever play for Les Bleus again?
In one of my favorite gags from this World Cup, Barry Glendenning was commenting on the Guardian podcast that he was really disappointed that Jeremie Toulanlan was suspended today as it robbed us of some commentary about the Tshabalala vs. Toulanlan battle that would sound like an old Dexy's Midnight Runners hit.
"Tshabalala....Toulanlan - la la la"
South Africa score - Dr. Khumalo with a header from a corner at the backpost. The French defenders were ball watching. Lloris should have come for the ball. Diaby lost his man.
1-0 SA.
Mpela whistles one past the post. That could easily have been 2-0 SA in the 24th minute.
Here's that Gourcuff red card. What happened there? Cisse was involved as well. Gourcuff went up for a header leading with the elbow. Perhaps a bit harsh. We saw several of those from Chris Killen of NZ the other day. Gourcuff comes off looking like thunder. Domenech has his head in his hands.
Mpela scores. A tap in after some dreadful French defending. Lots of inquiries at the back there for France as the cross comes over from Tshabalala and there are several French attempts to clear before Mpela bundles it over the line.
The crowd go potty as the ball hits the back of the net again. Shame - just offside there. That really would have made things interesting.
Fantastic save from the SA keeper from a Ribery free kick. Cisse put him off a bit.
Lloris makes a terrific save from Mpela there.
The volume of the vuvuzelas goes up as people start to hear about that Uruguay goal going in. This was the high point of SA's dreams of making the second round.
I've reached half-time in the SA vs. France match.
Teams back out for the second half. Domenech stuck Florent Malouda on at the half.
Oh - Mpela hit the outside of the frame there. What a miss!
Could have been 3-0!
TH-14 being readied for action now at the 51st minute mark.
Decent hit there from Cisse. And now he's off for Henry.
It sounded like there were some boos there from the French crowd when Cisse was substituted. Hard to tell because of the bloody mosquito buzz.
Great effort from Mpela there and well saved by Lloris. The lad could have had a hat-trick today.
Mpela now finds the side netting in the 61st minute. This is exactly the kind of performance that the fans deserved.
TH-14 grabs one down on his hand. Some boos from the crowd, not surprisingly. You can hear the boos from Dublin after that.
Pienaar strikes one straight at Lloris. He's been livelier today but it's been a disappointing tournament for the Everton man.
The French goal goes in. Nice move from Ribery down the right, finds Malouda in the middle for a tap in.
2-1 in the 69th minute.
Something happened to the broadcast there. It went dark for a moment and I'd swear we've got a different commentator now. We had Ian Darke and Roberto Martinez there. It doesn't sound like Ian anymore and Roberto has disappeared altogether. Odd?
We've also lost the clock and scoreline up at the top right - it just says "Live" now.
Wow - it just popped back. Ian and Roberto are back, the heading is back. And the action jumped a bit forward. What happened there?
The stuffing was knocked out of the SA effort with that Malouda goal even with twenty minutes left.
I've run the tape forward to the end now, just to enjoy the last few moments of agony for the French.
They'll finish dead last in the group with only a point to their name. Shocking stuff from a team I expected to make it to the quarterfinals. Domenech is on his way already with Laurent Blanc to replace him for the Euro 12 campaign. But how many of these players would you keep around for that campaign?
A bit sad to see the South Africans go home this early. The first host nation not to qualify for the Round of 16. However, if they take their vuvuzelas with them, I'm reasonably satisfied.
It is a second win for SA in the World Cup finals. And a historic win for them against the French.
Here's the argybargy between Domenech and Parreira. Goodness knows what that was about. No handshakes there.
Right - I've just got enough time for a quick bite before the Group B matches start up.
I am a happy camper
I just found out that the rehearsal is going to be here and not at the High School tomorrow. I will see the whole match!!!
Fantastic news, mate! Fantastic!
I'm getting set up for the afternoon's festivities. I'll be watching Argentina v. Greece live. I'm not going to tape the South Korea v. Nigeria match. They'll be giving away the score anyway and I can't be bothered. The first match I'll miss this World Cup.
You'll still see it!
It doesn't count. You're not missing it!
I still have one more class to go. I will probably have the tv on and off.
I'll be home again for half time
Why don't you open up atdhe, Justin or p2p for one of the matches on the computer?
Here's where Group B stands right now:
1. Argentina GF 5 GA 1 GD 4 Pts 6
2. S. Korea GF 3 GA 4 GD -1 Pts 3
3. Greece GF 2 GA 3 GD -1 Pts 3
4. Nigeria GF 1 GA 3 -2 Pts 0
As you can see, the Argies are in pole position and you can imagine them beating Greece easily today. But what if Nigeria beat South Korea? Well, then we're into the tie-breaker situation. Nigeria obviously lose out on the head to head with both Greece and South Korea but goal difference and goals scored are the first tie-breakers.
The team news for this afternoon:
Argentina: Romero, Burdisso, Demichelis, Otamendi, Rodriguez, Veron, Bolatti, Rodriguez Maxi, Aguero, Messi, Milito
Greece: Tzorvas, Kyrgiakos, Vyntra, Papadopoulos, Torosidis, Tziolis, Papastathopoulos, Moras, Karagounis, Katsouranis, Samaras
Looks like Diego is resting Tevez and hat-trick hero Gonzalo Higuain today.
The Greeks start with three up front in Karagounis, Katsouranis and Samaras. I'm surprised not to see the handy Salpingidis, who did so well against Nigeria.
The suspension and yellow card situation:
Jonas Gutierrez is suspended after two yellows for Argentina and probably for the best. Javier Mascherano and Gabby Heinze picked up yellows in the last match and are rested.
For Greece, Torosidis and Papastathopoulos carry yellows into today.
Adrian Healey and Ally McCoist on the commentary duty tonight. Nice one!
Lionel Messi leads out his country's side for the first time tonight.
The Greeks fans are making a good fist of it at the anthem. I'm not sure that they'll be so happy after the match. I still expect the Koreans to see off Nigeria and for Argentina to breeze past Greece here.
Diego's resting policy gives us all a chance to enjoy a bit of Aguero/Milito magic tonight. Both really looked tasty off the bench in the last match.
This is the first tournament in which I don't remember seeing the Argie fans doing the traditional ticker tape celebration before the match. I wonder why? Are FIFA banning scraps of paper now?
I've got the Korea v. Nigeria match going now on the lap-top.
Noticeably few vuvus blowing tonight.
Oh - Korea go close after a Nigerian cock-up in midfield. Side netting.
Argentina not looking terribly fussed with attacking as of yet.
Well done with both matches. The streak continues
Why would Argentina change their shirt color to the Greek color!
A Jabulani blast from A Korean bloke.
Thanks for the suggestion, mate!
What coverage is on the laptop
ESPN? BBC? ITV?
The Greeks are mad to think that they can rely on a Nigerian upset. The Super Eagles have looked anything but super in this tournament. I expect the Koreans to be in cruise control tonight.
Argentina look far too much like Chelsea
Hard to say - maybe Al Jazeera? I've got the volume turned down on it.
GOAL! The Nigerians have scored. And it's the Yak!
1-0 Super Eagles!
Now that is interesting. South Korea now drop to -2 on goal difference, with both Greece and Nigeria on -1. Both also have 2 goals scored. Greece with the advantage on head to head.
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