World Cup

A post on the world cup

As I am writing this, the Socceroos of Australia are taking on the much-depleted German team. I have watched every game of this Cup except for the South Africa-Mexico game (even Slovenia-Algeria) and with half of the teams having played one match so far here are a few thoughts on the greatest tournament in world sport.

1. The officiating has been the most impressive part of the tournament. It is rare for there to be much praise piled onto the officials of any sport, especially soccer where emotions run quite high and there are a lot of subjective decisions that have to be made. Nevertheless, I have yet to see a completely blown call. The offside call during the South Africa-Mexico game is the perfect example of what we want to see from the match officials at the World Cup. Not one card has been undeserving and overall they have let the players play. This is a nice departure from what is sometimes seen in highly competitive situations.

2. This is the type of soccer than will make sure Americans will ignore the game for another 4 years. Let’s face it, this Cup has been a snoozer so far. There have been zero games that resulted in more than two goals being scored in total and the one game that everyone looked forward too, USA-England, ended up being a decent, albeit unspectacular game (it also looked like they were playing on a sheet of ice which might have had something to do with that). If this tournament is going to do for soccer what the Olympics did for hockey in America this is going to have to get more exciting (i.e more goals).

3. The most impressive teams have been South Korea, South Africa, and Argentina. Argentina was as entertaining as a team can be while scoring only one goal. I think this is the lowest amount they are held to all tournament long. They get to pick and choose between Carlos Tevez, Diego Milito, and Gonzalo Higuain to pair up with the best player in the world in Lionel Messi. South Korea looked explosive against a slow and uninspired Greece team. I am looking forward to South Korea v. Nigeria with great anticipation. The last team was South Africa, which I think might make it out of their group if they continue to use the emotions of their fellow countrymen to their advantage.

4. The only team that has played so far that will make a run at the title in Argentina. Sorry England, you looked as if you were a grouping of great players who have no chemistry. The USA will most likely play Ghana or Germany in the round of 16 if they advance and those are not terrible options. The Quaterfinals will leave them playing anyone from France or Argentina to South Africa or Mexico. I don’t think it is outrageous to think the USA will make it to the final 8…or maybe beyond if the cards fall right. Back to the original point of this observation, if I was to put money on one team I saw this weekend…it would be Argentina to make at least the semifinals (where they will meet Spain in all likelihood).

Germany won 4-0 with the last two goals being against an Australian side that was down to 10. In all reality they probably put in at least one of those goals against a full strength Socceroos.

What to look forward to this week? If you like goals, Brazil v North Korea will not disappoint. USA v. Slovenia is a huge game for both sides. Netherlands v Denmark on Monday morning is a biggie, especially with the Dutch missing Arjen Robben. However, without a doubt, Portugal v. Ivory Coast is the game of the week (if Drogba plays). If he doesn’t, the game of the week is France v. Mexico.