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!
No sleep 'til Jo'burg! We're rounding off Group F, which has become much more intriguing after yesterday's draw between group favorites Italy and Paraguay. Then we start in on Group G (aka, the Group of Death), with Portugal vs. the Ivory Coast and highlighted by the debut of the world's #1 - Brazil - against the unknown North Koreans. Should be fascinating. I look forward to the pleasure of your company.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 6:48 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!
358 Comments:
The news in from FIFA this morning is that the broadcaster's complaints have fallen on deaf ears - the vuvuzela is here to stay in SA 2010.
Team news for this morning's match:
New Zealand: Paston, Winston, Nelsen, Vicelich, Smith, Bertos, Elliott, Lochhead, Fallon, Smeltz, Killen
Slovakia: Mucha, Zabavnik, Durica, Skrtel, Cech, Strba, Weiss, Sestak, Hamsik, Vittek, Jendrisek
My morning blast of news is over and the pre-game show has started on ESPN.
A quick check on our predictions for Group F:
All of us predicted Italy to top the group, with the notable exception of West Ham Rising (bold prediction there!)
Those of us who predicted Paraguay to advance:
Blue Devil
Chelskilad
Gooner71
ManUtd Rules
Matthew
Simon Burke
Someone Said
United We Stand
West Ham Rising
Yellows
Those of us who predicted Slovakia to advance:
AZ Kicker
Blubber Boy
Jonathan
Kathy
Thomas
I agree with Lexi - New Zealand have to prove that they belong in South Africa. They had perhaps the easiest route to the finals, competing with the likes of Fiji, New Caledonia and Vanuatu in their group and then playing off against Bahrain.
Good morning Blue Devil. It is great to join you.
Ian Darke and John Harkes on the commentary today. All eyes on the South African ref, nicknamed "The Smiling Ref."
Morning, MUR! A bit of footie before work?
The key player for each side will be an EPL based central defender. Nelsen for Blackburn and Skrtel for Slovakia. Weiss, the son of the coach, is a promising youngster who can turn a match at any given moment. Your beloved Plymouth Argyle is represented today.
The anthems taken care of, we're ready for kick-off on Day 5 of the tournament.
Yes. The pattern is the same as yesterday. I will watch the remaining two matches in the evening. Japan's victory was a slight upset and Paraguay had a good result against Italy.
Yes - lots of Premiership, Championship and MLS interest in this match on both sides. I saw Slovakia in a warm-up a few weeks ago and found them to be exceedingly well organized, especially at the back, but lacking some flair. I expect quite a bit from Marek Hamsic, the playmaker from Napoli.
The teams kick off . On paper, these are two of the weaker teams in the tournament. We shall see.
Were there any Italians that you enjoyed watching? I had fun watching a couple of youngsters who I don't know well as I don't follow Serie A closely - including Montolivo, Pepe and the left back Criscito.
Boro striker Chris Killen has an early chance but he's put off at the shot.
Chris Killen shoots over as the Kiwis have the first attack of the match. He and Rory Fallon will need plenty of service. The Championship and League One are represented today too.
That's the problem with the way that FIFA have organized the slots now. I know that they want to expand the game, but wouldn't we rather see Guus Hiddink's Russian side than either Bahrain or NZ?
The Kiwis on the attack again with Elliot floating a ball in and Killen getting on the end of it.
Nice open match so far. Slovakia's Weiss with a shot on goal.
New Everton keeper Jan Mucha punching away another cross. The Kiwis have set out their stall straight away. They seem quite direct in their approach, similar to a Championship level side.
Again, this stadium appears to be half full and the vuvuzela level is noticeably quieter today. They've had trouble putting bums in seats in these lesser matches. Why not hand out the tickets for free to schools?
Elliot swings another cross in and Fallon again gets close. In the end the Slovakian center back clears out for a corner.
I am sure that Mucha will be Howard's understudy. If the Kiwi's are a Championship side then they are a better than their '82 counterparts.
Free kick opportunity for the Kiwis now....
Elliot can't beat the first man with it.
Any predictions of the Brazil score today? I'm hoping that Dunga releases the hounds and it's 10-0 but I suspect 3 or 4-0 is more realistic.
I am predicting 4-0.
On this showing, the All Whites 2010 version is better than their 1982 team. The days of hilariously bad teams such as Zaire 1974 or El Salvador 1978 that get rolled 8 or 10-0 are behind us, unfortunately, though I hope North Korea will prove me wrong.
That seems a safe one. Luis Fabiano seems a good shout for Golden Boot given that match.
Hamsic is getting into the match a bit more now.
The Kiwis are sending a message that their opponents will need to work for their victories.
I agree. Slovakia is defensive, but have two wide players. Napoli's Hamsik on the left and Citeh's Weiss on the right.
Right. This is what I was expecting from Australia but they came up against a hungry, young German side.
Does Weiss ever get a game for Citeh or has he just joined them? I don't him at all.
The game has settled down now after a bright opening.
I watched Slovakia win 2-0 in Belfast. Northern Ireland dominated the match, but Slovakia scored with their only attacks. Will we see a similar pattern today?
Oh - Hamsic had a chance with a curler there but just didn't quite get the technique right. Well wide.
Weiss made about five substitute appearances last season.
I can imagine that. Their defense will certainly soak up a lot of pressure and the wide players seem pacy and dangerous.
The Kiwis are matching Slovakia. It is an even match so far.
I disagree with Harkes there. There's nothing to lose and much to gain from a win today for both sides. A point really doesn't do either any good but three points allows either side to imagine nicking a point off Paraguay and possibly going through.
If either side wins today and gets a point off of Paraguay, then that side would probably need a draw against Italy to advance.
My anoraking has turned an interesting factoid that the Kiwis have only ever beaten a European side once before (3-1 against Georgia in 2006).
That true. It's a long road. But certainly a point makes that road steeper. Then they need a win off either Italy or Paraguay. Much tougher.
Sestak nearly in there. Should have worked Paston at least.
That was Slovakia's best chance of the match as Weiss feeds Sestek who shoots just wide. The Kiwis are holding their own.
Slovakia free kick now....
Cleared out for a corner.
Paston missed the corner completely and Sestak had almost a free header. Wide of the mark.
Corner to Slovakia as Fallon clears a Slovakia free kick. Paston misjudges the corner, but gets away with it.
Corner now to Slovakia....dealt with.
Chris Killen shoots well wide with an ambitious shot from long range. Paston with an error, but he blocks Vittek's shot.The Kiwis clear the corner.
I don't know about "The All Whites" as a nickname for this outfit. "The All Blacks" sounds ominous and scary. But "All Whites" sounds as if they're in need of a tanning bed, which is probably true.
Kudos to the Kiwis for giving it a go against Slovakia and not sitting back.
Vittek with another strike on goal. The Kiwis are coughing up the ball too easily right now and they're eventually going to get their shooting boots on. Dangerous time for NZ.
Vittek shoots just wide. Slovakia is now beginning to control this match.
I agree - this has been about as entertaining a scoreless draw as we've seen so far.
Oh - Smeltz got behind the Slovakian defense with a lovely one-two but his shot was into the side netting.
It seems as if New Zealnad is playing a 4-3-3 with Fallon, Killen, and Smeltz in attack. Smeltz shoots into the side netting. A warning to Slovakia that they must concentrate as well.
Vittek earns another corner....
Oh - the header back trickled across the area but no Slovakian attacker took the bait.
Nealry 1-0 to Slovakia as Tommy Smith clears a header off the line.
Lockhead earns a corner after a nice feed from Elliott, who'll take the corner....
Tommy Smith gets a header from Elliott's corner. Another....cleared out.
The Kiwis earn two successive corners. The second corner from Bertos was disappointing.
First card of the day goes to Tony Lochhead, stepped on the lad's toes.
Free kick straight across to Hamsic who pulls a great save out of Paston.
Tony Lochhead receives a yellow for a late tackle. Hamsik's shot form long range is tipped over by Paston. The Kiwis clear the corner.
Another free kick. NZ giving the Slovaks too many opportunities.
Slovakia earns another corner as Paston struggles with the cross. The Slovaks take a short corner and shoot well wide.
Half-time: 0-0
The Kiwis have successfully stymied Slovakia so far but you wonder how long that will last. Off for a shower.
It is halftime and the Kiwis are hanging on for a creditable 0-0 draw.
The teams are out for the second half in Rustenberg. The "Smiling Ref" is out as well. The teams kick off.
Back for the start of the second half. I haven't seen much smiling from the referee so far.
Weiss is on loan to Bolton.
I can understand why - it's got to be brutally hard to get into the Citeh side these days with the amount of money that they're splashing about.
Slovakia earns an early corner. The ref blows for a foul. That was a wasted opportunity.
Slovakia will need to make sure that Weiss and Hamsik receive plenty of service.
GOAL! Slovakia take the lead through Robert Vittek. The cross came over from Sestak and Vittek finished efficiently in the corner with a header. That was coming.
1-0 Slovaks!
GOAL 1-0 Slovakia!!! Vittek places his header in the corner after great combo play between Weiss and Sestek with Sestek supplying the cross.
NZ have a chance for a response through a free kick but Elliott's inswinger is cleared out.
Replay shows that Vittek was a shoulder offside.
John Harkes is claiming offside. That was a really close decision. Vittek appeared to be level with the last defender. The benefit of the doubt goes to the attacker in this case.
Elliott taking a while to get up after a collision. Late challenge there from the Slovak. Ricki Herbert might consider removing him soon.
I agree with you - we need some goals in this tournament, in which only the Germans showed some flair in front of goal.
Sestak is much more involved than he was in the first half. This seems to be the keys for the Slovaks.
The announce made note of a player that is currently playing with Ipswich. which player is he describing?
Weiss nearly in again but broken up by Paston. Handbags between Nelson and Sestak in midfield.
I've just received the Guardian World Cup guide in the mail from my Dad, so I can inform that New Zealand's Tommy Smith plays for the Tractor Boys.
Thank you. The Championship has some representation in this match.
Certainly does.
Not quite sure what has the South African fans so excited right now. Perhaps they're always excited?
Sestak does well to set up Hamsik, but the Napoli man blazes over Jabulani style.
Vittek supplies a poor cross from the right. The Slovaks will need another goal or two as goal difference may determine who advances. Sestak shields the ball well,but Hamsik blasts well over.
Sestak is currently "The Man of the Match."
Agreed. With Weiss a close second. Hamsik has been slightly disappointing to me.
The Slovaks should have realized that the Kiwis are not exactly San Marino.
The break is on for Slovakia, nice move and Winston Reid saves the day as Vittek burst through. Corner.
The Slovaks break, but Winston Reid prevents a goal with a timely tackle.
The Kiwis head the corner clear.
Not quite, but strictly journeyman footballers nonetheless.
Slovakia take a short corner, but the Kiwis have it covered.
Nasty there from Killen after the ball had gone. Should have been a card.
I give Ian Darke the award for the best use of the thesaurus - "fulcrum." Great word!
Chris Wood is on for Chris Killen. Can the young WBA player make a difference?
The cross from the right catches Smeltz by surprise.
I don't really rate Chris Wood. WBA will obviously struggle in the Prem next year. They're the definition of a yo-yo team.
Ian keeps complaining about the cold weather. It looks bright and beautiful. He obviously forgot to pack the sweater today.
Fifteen minutes left in this one....
Jendrisek tries a pop from wide left but he got it all wrong. Scuffed it.
The Slovaks attack,but shoot well wide.
Wow - Drogs on the bench for the Elephants! I wondered if he could start. FIFA approved the cast but...
Oh - Sestak should have hit the volley when he had the chance. Once he waited for it to bounce, the chance was gone. Harkes agrees with me.
It is not cold. The ESPN graphic stated that it is 66 degrees.That is hardly winter weather.
Another attacking option - Jeremy Christie. Ricki Herbert rolling the dice here.
I agree with Kicki Herbert. The Kiwis must gamble. They have nothing to lose.
Are you going to be able to watch either the US or England game live on Friday?
The Kiwis should be commended for a courageous performance. We predicted a thrashing for the Kiwis who have been competitive.
Yes. Thursday is my last day of work. I will be available for the three matches on Friday.
I agree - but a loss here today virtually assures them going home next week. Have they ever scored a goal at a WC final? That might be a more realistic goal now.
Fantastic! Friday looks to be epic. Germany v. Serbia up first and then the two Group C matches. Can't wait!
The Slovaks earn a corner. The corner is wasted in true Jabulani fashion.
Goalscorer Robert Vittek coming off and Chelski youngster Stoch coming on.
My bad - Chelski have just sold him to Fener.
The Slovaks will need to show an improvement of epic proportions in their remaining group games or else they will be heading home early. Italy and Paraguay should defeat the Slovaks
I am looking forward to a fabulous Friday!
I reckon that the word "Jabulani" is destined to be used to refer to a shot ballooned over the bar. As in, "Oh dear, Dirk Kuyt with a right Jabulani into the Kop."
I agree with your reference. The Kop have been accustomed Jabulani shots since their last championship in 1990.
Oh - Shane Smeltz with NZ's best chance of the match. Free header from Lochhead's cross. Should have been 1-1.
Shane Smeltz heads wide as he shakes off Skrtl.
I thought you'd appreciate that dig at Liverpool.
A 1-0 victory over the Kiwis is hardly emphatic.
Three minutes of stoppage time remain for the Kiwis to tie the match.
Kucka replaces Weiss .
Vladimir Weiss coming off after a good shift. Some big bloke named Kucka coming on.
That Smeltz chance looks more and more like a sitter with every replay. Should have hit the target.
GOAL! The Kiwis have scored in stoppage time! They live to fight another day. Coach Weiss not pleased on the bench. Winston Reid with the header at the back post.
1-1!
GOAL 1-1. I can't believe it. Winston Reid heads the equalizer after a great cross.Skrtl is bemused.
The Smiling Ref unfortunately adhering to FIFA protocol and booking Reid for taking his shirt off to display his Maori tats. What a stupid rule.
That is it. An unexpected draw for the brave Kiwis. Shane Smeltz crossed for the equalizer as the Slovaks switched off. A fantastic result for the Kiwis and a nightmare for Slovakia who should be heading home early
Full-time: 1-1
New Zealand earn their first point at the World Cup finals with that late, late show. And they deserved it. The Slovaks went to sleep at the end.
Do we have our first legitimate upset of the tournament as the Kiwis earn their first point in the final stages of a World Cup tournament?
I am off to work. I look forward to joining LOB tomorrow. Cheers.
Cheerio, MUR!
Right, so on to the second morsel on offer today and the start of the Group of Death - Ivory Coast v. Portugal. A quick check on the predictions for Group G:
All of us predicted that Brazil would top the group and that North Korea would go out in the first round:
Those who predicted that Portugal would advance:
Chelskilad
Gooner71
Kathy
Matthew
Simon Burke
Someone Said
Thomas
West Ham Rising
Yellows
Those who predicted that Cote D'Ivoire would advance:
AZ Kicker
Blubber Boy
Blue Devil
Jonathan
ManUtd Rules
United We Stand
In other words, this match means everything.
And the teams are in:
Ivory Coast: Barry, Demel, Kolo Toure, Zokora, Tiene, Eboue, Yaya Toure, Tiote, Gervinho, Dindane, Kalou
Portugal: # Eduardo, Ferreira, Alves, Carvalho, Coentrao, Deco, Mendes, Raul Meireles, Ronaldo, Liedson, Danny
The surprise news from the Ivory Coast is that Drogba starts on the bench with that air cast that FIFA approved this morning.
On the Portuguese side, Nani released a statement this morning that his exclusion from the squad was down to a training pitch bust-up and not the injury as the team had claimed.
Ian Darke and Efan Ekoku on the microphone for this one. I hope that means that Martin Tyler is commentating on Brazil.
England v. US aside, this is probably the best match of the group stage. All on the line today. One of these two sides presumably goes through with Brazil and one goes home to instant rebuke.
Bit of a surprise with Simao replaced by Danny wide left. Lots of pressure on Ronaldo then. Big profile of the boy before the match. This is the stage where he can move from flashy pants to legendary status.
And Portugal get us underway.
The always negative Efan Ekoku predicting a 0-0 draw here today as neither side will want to lose.
Ronaldo nearly played Danny in there. First flash of Skippy.
Drogba's replacement today is Aruna Dindane who played with Pompey last season. He's moved on to Lekhwiya, whereever the hell that is.
Most of the early running by Ivory Coast, through Dindane on the right.
Lots of Chelski interest today, with Ferreira, Carvalho and Deco on one side and Kalou and Drogs on the other.
Terrible dive from Ronaldo and he's earned Zokora an early yellow kick. Free kick.
Ronaldo tries his luck from 45 yards. I wonder what he'll make of the Jabulani. Straight into the wall this time.
Portuguese corner now....
Comes to nothing.
OH - Ronaldo hits one from 35 yards and it rockets against the post. Nearly a wonder goal for Skippy. Marvelous effort!
Portugal starting to impose themselves on this match.
I wouldn't mind seeing Gervinho score today. Apparently the Lille man's celebrations are a mixture of Flashdance and MC Hammer. That sounds fun.
Ronaldo seeing a lot of the ball now. He's trying to take the match by the scruff of the neck.
Bruno Alves gives away a cheap free kick. And Siaka Tiene hits one. Not too far wide. Fewer issues with the Jabulani in this match, thankfully.
Now it's Ian Darke complaining about the chilly weather. The graphic brings up 55 degrees. Is that really so cold - bloody hell!
Tiote tries one from range and it's well over. But the orders are certainly to shoot on sight today.
There's a good cut and thrust to this one so far.
Nice move up the left but a poor cross in the end from Tiene.
Ronaldo goes down again and this time the ref waves him off. And some handbags between Demel and Ronaldo in the aftermath. Yellow cards for both! Wow!
To be honest, that was a foul as opposed to the earlier effort which was a blatant dive. Ronaldo a bit unlucky to get a yellow there although he could have been booked earlier for simulation.
Tiene straight into the back of Danny there. They certainly have set out to muscle the Portuguese.
Gervinho now out wide left and does well to wriggle into the box before earning a corner.
This one has swung back and forth. Ivory Coast now on top.
Mereilles pulls back Dindane. That should have been a yellow. But it's a free kick chance. Tiene again...
Tame chip to the keeper. Not sure what that was about.
Not a sniff yet for the naturalized-Portuguese striker Liedson.
Gervinho's starting to give the Portuguese backfour some headaches. Earns a corner again.
Eboue with a rubbish corner cleared out by the first man.
That was a nasty one from Pedro Mendes on Eboue and the Arsenal man is down. That was another yellow card worthy effort. The ref's missing a lot out there.
Great shot of Drogba crossing himself after that Ronaldo shot hit the post.
So half an hour gone and no goals as yet. I blame Efan Ekoku.
Ronaldo bursts out of defense and feeds Deco. Move is broken up.
Everything for Ivory Coast is going through Yaya Toure. He'd be an excellent pick-up for the Arsenal.
Ronaldo on the turf once again.
The pitch seems heavy and is starting to cut up a bit.
Raul Moreilles nearly fed Liedson there. But the striker really hasn't got the legs yet.
Ronaldo has drifted out of the match somewhat.
Danny hasn't really done the job - I expect Simao in the second half. What is Queiroz thinking?
Just got to a TV.... morning Bob
Again, useless crossing so far
What is up with everyone???
There has been one decent cross in this tournament. The free kick by Paraguay... they scored!
A bit of good pressure for the Ivorians. Corner.
Morning, Dave! Great to have you on board. You'll enjoy the one long shot from your boy Cristiano. Hit the post!
No longer my boy!
He wears white now!.... traitor
One minute of stoppage time then....
There are a lot of "Ronaldo...you beauty!" comments on this blog from a certain UWS.
The pitch is starting to look like Wembley!
The ball is hopping up from the divots.
Half time... another nil niller!
Half-time: Scoreless. It really needs to get better. That one shot from Ronaldo was as good as it got. Cagey. Neither side wants to lose.
Wearing RED!!
There was no reason for him to leave!
Champions... Champions League Final twice in a row.. bugger off to Real... idiot
He occasionally wore white....
Second half starting up....this match is crying out for Didier Drogba. Hope to see the big man before long. Still there, Dave?
I'm hoping for an Ivory Coast win here. They wear orange, I predicted their going through, and Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't play for them. Nuff said.
Gervinho jinks his way to the by-line but then rifles his cross over. No chance for anyone to get on the end of it. He's been the liveliest though.
Tiote had a free header there but just couldn't get up.
Oh - Kalou was nearly on the end of Dindane's cross. Ivory Coast off to a good start here.
I am here. My lunch has just started.
I am here for the duration of the match
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