Hello!
Hello All,
This is your special correspondent from Tampa Bay, Florida. The World Cup fever has taken Tampa Bay by storm. Offices have been neglected, children run unchecked on roads, schools have been closed for the month and professionals have been adviced to take the month of or be ready to work 120 hours a week.
I wish eh!!... sad old place.. theres not much buzz around here.. But, i am taken by the WC.... slow and steady.. its taking me over.. Nothing till yday... You cannot get too excited if everyone else around is dead as seaweed!!
I am here today to provide my synopsis of the games that have taken place over the first two days of the World Cup. First up, the hosts Germany took on Costa Rica. This is, of course the first time that the pride of place has gone to the hosts and not the winners of the previous edition (makes sense now that the defending champs have to qualify). Previous editions have seen some interesting upsets.. france 0-1 senegal, argentina 0-1 cameroon. But, it would have been too much to expect Germany to lose to CR. CR does have some flair players.. but, in the end the Germans were a little too good. Now, this is one team with a lot of pedigree.. they seem to suck en route.. but make it big on the biggest stage of 'em all. 4-2 was a reasonable scoreline considering their domination! loads of crowd backing- the best thing was seeing lehmann being left alone at munich- Nothing gets bigger than the WC eh!!
Prediction: Germany should make it to the QF. (seeing England and Swedens bullshit form and play.. i am willing to bet on it!!) From there on, it depends on their best players.. Ballack, Frings,Podolski, and Klose. (dont expect them to keep a clean sheet..ever!!!!)
Top Players for the game: Lahm- back after injury..played a really good game..and one of the top goals for the tourney (prediction!!) 9/10.
Klose: he is turning out into a world cup special... coming off the back of an impressive season with Werder Bremen, 26 goals in 25 matches..he continued the good form! he looks better than the last WC.. his link play has gotten better.. and so have his predatory skills. two good goals- one a clasical center forward finish, the other a good follow up from his header 8/10
Paulo Wanchope: he formed a good partnership with les sulk at Man City. but seems to save his best for his country... two classical goals.. terrific finishes.. 8/10
The first game pumped me up.. 4-2 wow!! 6 goals..loads of tries.. terrific start.. i was ready with my red bull and with loads of junk food at hand for the next game.. and what a let down it was.. it didnt match the first game in either the technical aspects or the passion or even the goals..for those of u who followed the qualifying campaign in Europe, you will know that poland had a terrific run-up, making up for their lack of talent (supposedly) with excellent formation and team play.. but they were a big let down... two soft goals against ecuador.. one in each half.. proved to be their undoing.. agreed they were given a harsh call for offside..and had a few kicks against the posts ..but then u make ur own luck!
Ratings-not given- owing to poor quality of game.. sub-standard for a WC game!
Prediction- Poland have a tough fight for second place now! watch out for the Germans to do some cheap tricks to avoid England in the next round!!
Day 2: Came too early- games started off at 9am Eastern Time. I woke up at 7 am. flicked some music.. and washed away my early morning blues... Hoped that the England game would get some life into me! England needs a good start- they are like Arsenal..they dont have a Plan B... though Arsenal plays more attractive football... And did they start well.. fast off the blocks.. a freakish goal-which had the commentators screaming as though Beckham had done a Ronnie from the last WC; either way... it was a goal.. Bad Start Paraguay- goal within the first 3 mins.. and keeper substituted within the first 6.... And England had a chance to stamp their class on the game. Did they do it? Hell No- and in the end they looked hurried and puffed. Paraguay had a few decent moves-but nothing to rave about either.
Verdict- England without Rooney are just about average. They need their talisman in there and fast.And Gerrard and Lamps have another average game in the middle together!
Ratings- Sven GE- 3.5/10- for yet another uninspiring performance in the support system. Poor defensive substituions..when will England ever believe and play like champions? Never!!!
Terry-solid as a rock.. terrific form for Chelsea-captain in waiting for England.. uncomplicatted 8/10
Joe Cole- Tried his best to get something going but nothing ever happened.. its upto him to get the spark till rooney gets back! 7/10
Nelson Valdez- Paraguay's best player... has a chance to attaract potential suitors.. solid game.. with a bit of flair... Paraguay need him to come up with the goods along with R.Santa Cruz. 7/10
Result- slept for 25 mins through the first half..woke up in the 60th minute and didnt feel like i had missed much!!(Engl)1-(Par)0
Game 4: I was a little worried.. Sweden against the Carribean boys..T&T..didnt want a Saudi vs Germany debacle from last time... but i hoped it would be a blast... another keeper debacle meant that Shaka Hislop came into the team at the last minute..thats the third keeper down (including issakson) and Lehmann is heavily strapped. And what a game Shaka had! a few decent saves in the first half.. which was in my view.. as i thght it would be minus the goals.. T&T took their chances..but mostly were pegged back.. Everytime i see Henrik Larsson play.. he seems to roll back the years..he had another terrific game...and then tragedy struck..right after half-time.. T&T had their left back sent off..it just seemed a matter of time before sweden struck.. but Shaka Hislop made save after save..and carlos edwards made block after block.. till sweden ran out of ideas... in between they almost won the game themselves...whitley striking the crossbar from the most improbable of angles... while roni shabaan looked on helplelssly.. (this guy is a national keeper now??!!!!!:O) ..
This is what the WC is all about..passion.. luck... skill.technique..pace..enthusiasm..and never-say-die attitude.. 0-0 in the end.. but for me one of the games of the tournament!!!
Verdict-I love T&T..but i think Sweden and England will progress from the group!! I would pay a million bucks for T&T to whip England's ass though :)
Ratings: T&T- 10/10 for the entire team...players making up the lower leagues of the England set-up put up a fascinating display.. and deserve the same respect as the cricketing heroes of their islands!! (including a mr.B.C Lara).. coincidentally... the hour after hte result.. W.Indies had their best moments against India in the Test Match...
Zlatan-6/10... a little less showboating and more discipline..and this guy can be taken in the same breath as one Mr. Thierry Henry..he has it all..but chooses to let it go..!!
Larsson-8/10 along with freddie..was the best player that Sweden had to offer...
Mellberg-8/10 took a pounding from Stern John..but wore the captain's band and showed why!
Game 5: Everyone will agree this has been the best game so far!! i do not want to talk about it cos I love both teams...Ivory Coast are hte best African team in the WC..and make up the proverbial Group of Death..they showed what they were all about today.. but Argentina were a little too classy for me!! Will leave the commenting of this game to my other colleagues!!
Terrific game..this is how football should be played...one team all silk..and grace..and technique and lethal in front of goal... the other bullish..young..enthusiastic..and wasteful in front of goal.. CIV's poor showing in front of goal hurt them..though they had a bit of luck with a disallowed goal from ayala...
Verdict- Group C is too tough to predict...after tomorrow's game it should be clearer!! If anyone is going to shine at the WC..then its going to be riquelme... finally argentina have a performing No. 10 since Diego Maradona left the field.
Ratings: Ayala-8/10.tough uncompromising.. rolling back the years..he was superb..mopped up everything!!
Riqulme... 9/10.. his waltzing on the football field..have been unseen since zidane graced the world with his displays a few years back.. his languid brilliance..was finally harnesed well in Villareal..and he continues it with the national team... he and he alone can match ronnie for individualistic brilliance on the field... can he take them all the way?? time alone can tell!! if only he did a bit of defending.. but then i guess u cant have it all !! :)
ARGENTINA are here..and ready to be counted...safe punt to go all the way..if u dont like brazil!
Sorin-8.5/10... terrific display..his energy has no limit.. terrific terrier display.. is a proud captain.. and a nice guy to be lifting the WC in a month's time!
Drogba- 9/10 ...awesome fight...led his team admirably..scored a goal..and made a few chances.. they need more of him!!
Special Mentions: Didier Zakora( buy him..buy him..hes a steal!! at whatever price!!), both Toures, Saviola,Cambiasso,Mascherano,and the two kone substitutions.. all had amazing games!
Thats it from Tampa Bay.. Anurag signing off for today
Tomorrow Must Watch:
Brit Grand Prix- Silverstone- Alonso has pole!
French Open Men's Final- Federer vs Nadal.. yummy game!!
The Oranje vs Serbia (Montenegro is now independent!! *i think*)
Also Watch:
India vs West Indies...Test Match *yawn*
Iran vs Mexico
Angola vs Portugal..
This is your special correspondent from Tampa Bay, Florida. The World Cup fever has taken Tampa Bay by storm. Offices have been neglected, children run unchecked on roads, schools have been closed for the month and professionals have been adviced to take the month of or be ready to work 120 hours a week.
I wish eh!!... sad old place.. theres not much buzz around here.. But, i am taken by the WC.... slow and steady.. its taking me over.. Nothing till yday... You cannot get too excited if everyone else around is dead as seaweed!!
I am here today to provide my synopsis of the games that have taken place over the first two days of the World Cup. First up, the hosts Germany took on Costa Rica. This is, of course the first time that the pride of place has gone to the hosts and not the winners of the previous edition (makes sense now that the defending champs have to qualify). Previous editions have seen some interesting upsets.. france 0-1 senegal, argentina 0-1 cameroon. But, it would have been too much to expect Germany to lose to CR. CR does have some flair players.. but, in the end the Germans were a little too good. Now, this is one team with a lot of pedigree.. they seem to suck en route.. but make it big on the biggest stage of 'em all. 4-2 was a reasonable scoreline considering their domination! loads of crowd backing- the best thing was seeing lehmann being left alone at munich- Nothing gets bigger than the WC eh!!
Prediction: Germany should make it to the QF. (seeing England and Swedens bullshit form and play.. i am willing to bet on it!!) From there on, it depends on their best players.. Ballack, Frings,Podolski, and Klose. (dont expect them to keep a clean sheet..ever!!!!)
Top Players for the game: Lahm- back after injury..played a really good game..and one of the top goals for the tourney (prediction!!) 9/10.
Klose: he is turning out into a world cup special... coming off the back of an impressive season with Werder Bremen, 26 goals in 25 matches..he continued the good form! he looks better than the last WC.. his link play has gotten better.. and so have his predatory skills. two good goals- one a clasical center forward finish, the other a good follow up from his header 8/10
Paulo Wanchope: he formed a good partnership with les sulk at Man City. but seems to save his best for his country... two classical goals.. terrific finishes.. 8/10
The first game pumped me up.. 4-2 wow!! 6 goals..loads of tries.. terrific start.. i was ready with my red bull and with loads of junk food at hand for the next game.. and what a let down it was.. it didnt match the first game in either the technical aspects or the passion or even the goals..for those of u who followed the qualifying campaign in Europe, you will know that poland had a terrific run-up, making up for their lack of talent (supposedly) with excellent formation and team play.. but they were a big let down... two soft goals against ecuador.. one in each half.. proved to be their undoing.. agreed they were given a harsh call for offside..and had a few kicks against the posts ..but then u make ur own luck!
Ratings-not given- owing to poor quality of game.. sub-standard for a WC game!
Prediction- Poland have a tough fight for second place now! watch out for the Germans to do some cheap tricks to avoid England in the next round!!
Day 2: Came too early- games started off at 9am Eastern Time. I woke up at 7 am. flicked some music.. and washed away my early morning blues... Hoped that the England game would get some life into me! England needs a good start- they are like Arsenal..they dont have a Plan B... though Arsenal plays more attractive football... And did they start well.. fast off the blocks.. a freakish goal-which had the commentators screaming as though Beckham had done a Ronnie from the last WC; either way... it was a goal.. Bad Start Paraguay- goal within the first 3 mins.. and keeper substituted within the first 6.... And England had a chance to stamp their class on the game. Did they do it? Hell No- and in the end they looked hurried and puffed. Paraguay had a few decent moves-but nothing to rave about either.
Verdict- England without Rooney are just about average. They need their talisman in there and fast.And Gerrard and Lamps have another average game in the middle together!
Ratings- Sven GE- 3.5/10- for yet another uninspiring performance in the support system. Poor defensive substituions..when will England ever believe and play like champions? Never!!!
Terry-solid as a rock.. terrific form for Chelsea-captain in waiting for England.. uncomplicatted 8/10
Joe Cole- Tried his best to get something going but nothing ever happened.. its upto him to get the spark till rooney gets back! 7/10
Nelson Valdez- Paraguay's best player... has a chance to attaract potential suitors.. solid game.. with a bit of flair... Paraguay need him to come up with the goods along with R.Santa Cruz. 7/10
Result- slept for 25 mins through the first half..woke up in the 60th minute and didnt feel like i had missed much!!(Engl)1-(Par)0
Game 4: I was a little worried.. Sweden against the Carribean boys..T&T..didnt want a Saudi vs Germany debacle from last time... but i hoped it would be a blast... another keeper debacle meant that Shaka Hislop came into the team at the last minute..thats the third keeper down (including issakson) and Lehmann is heavily strapped. And what a game Shaka had! a few decent saves in the first half.. which was in my view.. as i thght it would be minus the goals.. T&T took their chances..but mostly were pegged back.. Everytime i see Henrik Larsson play.. he seems to roll back the years..he had another terrific game...and then tragedy struck..right after half-time.. T&T had their left back sent off..it just seemed a matter of time before sweden struck.. but Shaka Hislop made save after save..and carlos edwards made block after block.. till sweden ran out of ideas... in between they almost won the game themselves...whitley striking the crossbar from the most improbable of angles... while roni shabaan looked on helplelssly.. (this guy is a national keeper now??!!!!!:O) ..
This is what the WC is all about..passion.. luck... skill.technique..pace..enthusiasm..and never-say-die attitude.. 0-0 in the end.. but for me one of the games of the tournament!!!
Verdict-I love T&T..but i think Sweden and England will progress from the group!! I would pay a million bucks for T&T to whip England's ass though :)
Ratings: T&T- 10/10 for the entire team...players making up the lower leagues of the England set-up put up a fascinating display.. and deserve the same respect as the cricketing heroes of their islands!! (including a mr.B.C Lara).. coincidentally... the hour after hte result.. W.Indies had their best moments against India in the Test Match...
Zlatan-6/10... a little less showboating and more discipline..and this guy can be taken in the same breath as one Mr. Thierry Henry..he has it all..but chooses to let it go..!!
Larsson-8/10 along with freddie..was the best player that Sweden had to offer...
Mellberg-8/10 took a pounding from Stern John..but wore the captain's band and showed why!
Game 5: Everyone will agree this has been the best game so far!! i do not want to talk about it cos I love both teams...Ivory Coast are hte best African team in the WC..and make up the proverbial Group of Death..they showed what they were all about today.. but Argentina were a little too classy for me!! Will leave the commenting of this game to my other colleagues!!
Terrific game..this is how football should be played...one team all silk..and grace..and technique and lethal in front of goal... the other bullish..young..enthusiastic..and wasteful in front of goal.. CIV's poor showing in front of goal hurt them..though they had a bit of luck with a disallowed goal from ayala...
Verdict- Group C is too tough to predict...after tomorrow's game it should be clearer!! If anyone is going to shine at the WC..then its going to be riquelme... finally argentina have a performing No. 10 since Diego Maradona left the field.
Ratings: Ayala-8/10.tough uncompromising.. rolling back the years..he was superb..mopped up everything!!
Riqulme... 9/10.. his waltzing on the football field..have been unseen since zidane graced the world with his displays a few years back.. his languid brilliance..was finally harnesed well in Villareal..and he continues it with the national team... he and he alone can match ronnie for individualistic brilliance on the field... can he take them all the way?? time alone can tell!! if only he did a bit of defending.. but then i guess u cant have it all !! :)
ARGENTINA are here..and ready to be counted...safe punt to go all the way..if u dont like brazil!
Sorin-8.5/10... terrific display..his energy has no limit.. terrific terrier display.. is a proud captain.. and a nice guy to be lifting the WC in a month's time!
Drogba- 9/10 ...awesome fight...led his team admirably..scored a goal..and made a few chances.. they need more of him!!
Special Mentions: Didier Zakora( buy him..buy him..hes a steal!! at whatever price!!), both Toures, Saviola,Cambiasso,Mascherano,and the two kone substitutions.. all had amazing games!
Thats it from Tampa Bay.. Anurag signing off for today
Tomorrow Must Watch:
Brit Grand Prix- Silverstone- Alonso has pole!
French Open Men's Final- Federer vs Nadal.. yummy game!!
The Oranje vs Serbia (Montenegro is now independent!! *i think*)
Also Watch:
India vs West Indies...Test Match *yawn*
Iran vs Mexico
Angola vs Portugal..
posted by Hitchcock at 2:08 PM
1 Comments:
good sum-up so far... :) and yes, riquelme r god only! and i seriously love T&T now...
btw, looks like i am almost always the first one to comment wherever u post! :P
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