The ball, as was the talk before, has been a bit shaky. A lot of players are having a tough time figuring out the pace, spin, direction, etc to put on the ball. However, it is making the games have a bit more to them in the "unknown" category. Keepers are making gaffs (Group C) and thus creating moments that will be forever remembered in some areas.
Lets now take a look at each of the games, and given them a rating along with the teams that played in them.
Group A
South Africa 1 - Mexico 1
South Africa Rating: C+
Mexico Rating: C
Game Rating: B-
- It was an intriguing game to start the tournament off. Mexico looked the much better side in the first half, but couldn't score. South Africa came out flying in the second half and scored first. The first goal of the tournament, as is required I believe, was an absolute cracker, as they say. Picking out the top corner and sending the place into a mad party. Sadly, it was short lived as Mexico, via some bad defending, got the equalizer of a miss-hit from Marquez. The game was sloppy, neither side looked great, but it had a great atmosphere to it and was a joy to watch.
Uruguay 0 - France 0
Uruguay Rating: C
France Rating: C-
Game Rating: D+
After a fun and exciting, though not high quality, first match, I was expecting this one to be good. I was, to say the least, let down. France didn't impress me one bit, Uruguay's defense was the only intriguing part of the game as their offense seemed unable to hit the broad side of a barn. A forgetful game, but it sets up the group very well and saved Mexico's butt.
Standings:
South Africa 1 pt, 0 GD, 1 GF, 1 GA
Mexico 1 pt, 0 GD, 1 GF, 1 GA
Uruguay 1 pt, 0 GD, 0 GF, 0 GA
France 1 pt, 0 GD, 0 GF, 0 GA
Group B
South Korea 2 - Greece 0
South Korea Rating: B
Greece Rating: D
Game Rating: B-
South Korea looked very good in this game, Greece looked very bad. For parts Greece would string passes together, but South Korea was composed and deadly on the other end. Watch out for this team
Argentina 1 - Nigeria 0
Argentina Rating: B
Nigeria Rating: C+
Game Rating: B-
This game was intriguing, but the finishing touches were atrocious. If only Nigeria could have found the net later on... this match could have really been interesting.
Standings:
South Korea 3pts, +2 GD, 2 GF, 0 GA
Argentina 3pts, +1 GD, 1 GF, 0 GA
Nigeria 0 pts, -1 GD, 0 GF, 1 GA
Greece 0 pts, -2 GD, 0 GF, 2 GA
Group C
USA 1 - England 1
USA Rating: B-
England Rating: B-
Game Rating: B-
A very tight match that wasn't wonderful but it also wasn't awful. Sure, the US got a gifted goal, but Green more than made up for it with his amazing save against Altidore in the second half. This game really went well, with the result, for the Yanks.
Algeria 0 - Slovenia 1
Algeria Rating: C-
Slovenia Rating: C-
Game Rating: C
Boring game that ended in the worst possible way for the US. A 0-0 draw would have been wonderful, and really was the just result, but a lucky bounce with some bad keeping led to Slovenia taking all 3 points and the lead in the group. The US has to win against them.
Standings:
Slovenia 3pts, +1 GD, 1 GF, 0 GA
USA 1pt, 0 GD, 1 GF, 1 GA
England 1pt, 0 GD, 1 GF, 1 GA
Algeria 0pts, -1 GD, 0 GF, 1 GA
Group D
Ghana 1 - Serbia 0
Ghana Rating: C+
Serbia Rating: C
Game Rating: B-
Ghana got a late penalty to win it, and really were the better side (barely) in the match. A fun one to watch that was just begging for some more goals.
Germany 4 - Australia 0
Germany Rating: B+
Australia Rating: D+
Game Rating: B
Standings:
Germany 3pts, +4 GD, 4 GF, 0 GA
Ghana 3pts, +1 GD, 1 GF, 0 GA
Serbia 0pts, -1 GD, 0 GF, 1 GA
Australia 0pts, -4 GD, 0 GF, 4 GA
Group E
Holland 2 - Denmark 0
Holland Rating: B-
Denmark Rating: C
Game Rating: C+
Holland was always the better side but couldn't find the net until Denmark did for them. After that, it was smooth sailing and the goals should have been poured on. A win is a win though
Japan 1 - Cameroon 0
Japan Rating: C+
Cameroon Rating: C
Game Rating: C
Standings:
Holland 3pts, +2 GD, 2 GF, 0 GA
Japan 3pts, +1 GD, 1 GF, 0 GA
Cameroon 0pts, -1 GD, 0 GF, 1 GA
Denmark 0pts, -2 GD, 0 GF, 2 GA
Group F
Italy 1 - Paraguay 1
Italy Rating: C+
Paraguay Rating: C
Game Rating: C-
Paraguay got a HUGE point in this, but really should have pushed more to try and get all 3. Italy looked shaky, and losing Buffon is a real scare to the side. They should still advance, but now they lose a lot.
New Zealand 1 - Slovakia 1
New Zealand Rating: C
Slovakia Rating: C
Game Rating: D
The first point for New Zealand at the world cup came in a very dramatic fashion. The late equalizer really ruined Slovakia's chance to mess up the group and take the lead.
Standings:
Paraguay 1pt, 0 GD, 1 GF, 1 GA
Italy 1pt, 0 GD, 1 GF, 1 GA
New Zealand 1pt, 0 GD, 1 GF, 1 GA
Slovakia 1pt, 0 GD, 1 GF, 1 GA
Group G
Portugal 0 - Ivory Coast 0
Portugal Rating: C
Ivory Coast Rating: C+
Game Rating: B-
Brazil had some shaky moments, but got the full 3 points. The big talk of the game, however, was the very impressive North Korean D. They wont, in my opinion, be getting out of the group. However, they could easily steal a point in the next two games and decide who advances between Portugal and the Ivory Coast
Brazil 2 - North Korea 1
Brazil Rating: B-
North Korea Rating: C
Game Rating: B-
Standings:
Brazil 3pts, +1 GD, 2 GF, 1 GA
Portugal 1pt, 0 GD, 0 GF, 0 GA
Ivory Coast 1pt, 0 GD, 0 GF, 0 GA
North Korea 0pts, -1 GD, 1 GF, 2 GA
Group H
Honduras 0 - Chile 1
Honduras Rating: C
Chile Rating: B-
Game Rating: B
This was one of the most, if not the most, exciting games of the first round. Chile was, as advertised, an attacking side that liked to push the opposing defense. They were down the Honduran's throat almost the entire game. The lone goal was practically an own goal, but well deserved.
Spain 0 - Switzerland 1
Spain Rating: C+
Switzerland Rating: C+
Game Rating: B-
What could possibly be the upset of the tournament was a real fun game to watch. It was much like USA v Spain just a year ago. Spain the better side, but awful at the offensive end. Switzerland, on the other hand, was very deadly and unlucky not to have another goal.
Standings:
Chile 3pts, +1 GD, 1 GF, 0 GA
Switzerland 3pts, +1 GD, 1 GF, 0 GA
Spain 0pts, -1 GD, 0 GF, 1 GA
Honduras 0pts, -1 GD, 0 GF, 1 GA
Best game of the first round: Switzerland over Spain
- While it wasnt the highest quality, it did give us that david v golaith feeling... david winning of course.
- Honorable mention to Chile v Honduras for opening up for much of the game.
Surprise (good) team of the first round: Again, has to go to Switzerland. Beating Spain was massive.
- Honorable mention to both the Korean sides
Best goal of first round: Siphiwe Tshabalala (South Africa) against Mexico.
- An absolute cracker and a wonderful way to open up the cup.
Worst game of the first round: Slovenia v Algeria
- An awful game won by a stupid keeper mistake. Really quite a boring game
- Honorable mention to France v Uruguay
Surprise (bad) team of the first round: Greece
- Their "great d" looked like swiss cheese against South Korea.
- Honorable mention to Australia. Getting hammered by a talented Germany wasnt as bad as South Korea though.
I think the second round of the group stage (which is already underway) will be much better with more goals and more open play. Teams were understandably cautious coming out of the gates. This sets up the next two rounds to be much more entertaining... I hope.
Cheers,
15 to 32
No comments:
Post a Comment