A Little Bit Of Everything: June 2010

ROUND OF 16 :: SPAIN VS PORTUGAL 1-0

This was one of those matches which makes us glued in front of the TV.Both teams are evenly matched,it could be anybody's game.But in the end,Spain beat Portugal by one goal to nil.They are back in their top form and can definitely advance all the way to the finals.The Spaniards played flawlessly,every move was spot on.The Portuguese side did looked dangerous at some point but overall,they had lost their sparkle.One lovely goal by David Villa was enough to take Spain to the quarter-finals where they will meet Paraguay.

Great job,Spain! We love you!!

ROUND OF 16 :: USA VS GHANA 1-2

USA did all they could but in the end,they were eliminated.Like Landon Donovan said, "Soccer is a cruel game sometimes.One minute you are on top of the world,the next minute you are at the bottom of the mountain."

They played well in this World Cup.Bob Bradley and his players showed tremendous heart and determination.We should be proud of them.USA,I salute you!!

After 2 weeks of intense battle,only 16 teams are left...

Uruguay
Mexico
Argentina
Korea Republic
USA
England
Germany
Ghana
Netherlands
Japan
Paraguay
Slovakia
Brazil
Portugal
Spain
Chile

It hasn't been an easy ride for the Americans in this World Cup.But they fought and fought... until finally,their dreams come true! They won Group C and manage to avoid Germany in the Round of 16.Landon Donovan is hailed as the American hero,for scoring a stunning goal in the first minute of injury time.

Well done,guys!! GO USA!!

Happy 23rd Birthday To Lionel Messi!!

SHOWDOWN 2010 ROADSHOW
(Special appearance by Prem & Jules from Fly FM Rush Hour)
@ Sungei Wang Plaza
12 June 2010, 2.30 PM

GROUP G :: PORTUGAL VS NORTH KOREA 7-0

It was pouring in the stadium and the players were soaking wet.After a poor showing in the first match,Portugal finally unleashed their power.This was the goal feast we've all been waiting for! Seven goals for the Portuguese side.Yes,seven! And Cristiano Ronaldo ended his international goal drought in the 87th minute.He is a great captain,the playmaker.

With a football game like that,what's not to love? Cheers :)

GROUP D :: GHANA VS AUSTRALIA 1-1

Both teams were very competitive and had their chances on goals.I must say that I cheered for Australia when they scored the first goal in the 11th minute.Well done to Brett Holman!! They have a bigger chance in advancing since Germany lost their second group match to Serbia.

However,in the 24th minute,Harry Kewell was shown a red card for handball.Ghana was awarded with a penalty kick which was converted by Asamoah Gyan.Again,I think that the referee made a wrong call.

Australia was down to 10-man but they managed to keep their spirits up till the final whistle.It was a draw and I'm now keeping my fingers crossed,hoping Australia will win the next match.

A job well done!! Serbia goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic saving a 60th-minute penalty by Lukas Podolski.

TV Hotties!!!

Christoph Sanders - Ned Banks (Ghost Whisperer)

Cory Monteith - Finn Hudson (Glee)

Matthew Morrison - Will Schuester (Glee)

Beau Mirchoff - Danny Bolen (Desperate Housewives)

GROUP D :: GERMANY VS AUSTRALIA 4-0

The Australia team was simply overpowered by their opponent.All four goals were scored by the Germans (Lukas Podoski,Miroslav Klose,Thomas Müller & Cacau).Philipp Lahm played really well and has proved himself as a worthy captain.Brilliant footwork displayed by the players, Germany's still as strong and classy as ever.

Personally,I think that the referee's decision to give Tim Cahill a red card was too harsh.He will now miss the game against Ghana.Anyhow,there's still hope for the Socceroos to advance to the next round.

GROUP C :: ENGLAND VS USA 1-1

Don't count the USA team out just yet! They might not be one of the favourites but they are still a strong contender.They have improved tremendously since the last World Cup.When England captain Steven Gerrard scored the first goal in the fourth minute (fastest of the tournament so far),everyone thought it was over for the USA.But no,they kept on fighting.The shot by Clint Dempsey in the 40th minute which spun off the gloves of Robert Green and into the net saved the day!!

This was really an exciting match with many heart stopping moments.The two goalkeepers at each end were busy saving every single shot.

Both teams wanted to win but they ended up with 1 point each.My guess,USA is the happier lot :)

GROUP A :: SOUTH AFRICA VS MEXICO 1-1

Finally,the wait is over! We had been looking forward to the opening match for months,host nation South Africa vs Mexico.And it was definitely a good show!

Mexico has a pool of young talent and South Africa,superb defenders.Siphiwe Tshabalala scored the first goal of the tournament in the 54th minute.Mexico's Efraín Juárez got the first yellow card.Both goalkeepers went all out,making miraculous saves.Mexico had many great chances at goal but remember,it's never easy playing the host nation in the first game.Finally in the 78th minute,Rafael Márquez scored for Mexico!

Let's us give both teams a big round of applause!!!

The Team Captains

GROUP A
South Africa - Aaron Mokoena
Mexico - Gerardo Torrado
Uruguay - Diego Lugano
France - Thierry Henry

GROUP B
Argentina - Javier Mascherano
Nigeria - Nwankwo Kanu
Korea Republic - Park Ji-sung
Greece - Giorgos Karaounis

GROUP C
England - Steven Gerrard
USA - Carlos Bocanegra
Algeria - Yazid Mansouri
Slovenia - Robert Koren

GROUP D
Germany - Philipp Lahm
Australia - Lucas Neill
Serbia - Nemanja Vidic
Ghana - Stephen Appiah

GROUP E
Netherlands - Giovanni van Bronckhorst
Denmark - Jon Dahl Tomasson
Japan - Yuji Nakazawa
Cameroon - Samuel Eto'o

GROUP F
Italy - Fabio Cannavaro
Paraguay - Denis Caniza
New Zealand - Ryan Nelsen
Slovakia - Marek Hamsik

GROUP G
Brazil - Lúcio
Korea DPR - Hong Yon-Jo
Côte d'Ivoire - Didier Drogba
Portugal - Cristiano Ronaldo

GROUP H
Spain - Iker Casillas
Switzerland - Alexander Frei
Honduras - Amado Guevara
Chile - Claudio Bravo

FIFA World Cup - Previous Winners

1930 - Uruguay
1934 - Italy
1938 - Italy
1950 - Uruguay
1954 - West Germany
1958 - Brazil
1962 - Brazil
1966 - England
1970 - Brazil
1974 - West Germany
1978 - Argentina
1982 - Italy
1986 - Argentina
1990 - West Germany
1994 - Brazil
1998 - France
2002 - Brazil
2006 - Italy