Goals – It does make one happy

(Guest blogger Roshan Jason lists the goals that impressed him most so far in the World Cup)

Eleven games played so far and many goals produced. WC 2006 looks set for not only a high-scoring tournament but also one with some technically good goals and some outrageously wonderful strikes. The new game ball may have something to do with it but that’s not yet conclusive.

Here’s a list of my favorites:

Tim Cahill (Australia vs Japan) – The socceroos’ second goal was a show of sheer confidence in one’s ability. The Everton man smartly step on the ball for a second and positioned it just right for him to swing a shot into the corner of the post. The Japanese defenders contributed by backing off just enough to give Cahill an extra second or two to pick his spot.

Tomas Rosicky (Czech Republic vs USA) – Another hammer of a shot with enough swerve to beat even the best keeper in the world (read - Buffon or Cech would have not made the save either). With his first tournament goal, the new Arsenal man had less time than Cahill did but shot just as well. His second goal was equally as good more so because the midfielder took it like a striker. Ran the ball fast past the defenders and coolly slotted it in the top corner of the net. Look out for more from him. He had another very good powerful strike, from distance, in the same game that hit the bar.

Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast vs Argentina) – A man of the match performance was topped off with a superb finish by the Chelsea front man. It was a lot harder to put that ball in the back of the net than it looked. It takes good balance and an instinctive positioning of the body – and feet – to redirect a cross at that pace while under pressure from a defender.

Jan Koller (Czech Republic vs USA) – I like this goal simply because the cross was inch perfect and a man of his stature did exactly what he had to do. Head the ball with power and accuracy. Peter Crouch could certainly take a lesson or two from this giant of a striker.

Torsten Frings (Germany vs Costa Rica) - A goal that now seems a distant memory, was the second good goal of the tournament for me – after Philip Lahm’s strike. Frings’ powerful drive, from 35-yards out, was a classic German midfielder goal.

There were a few other good goals but these are my pick of the lot. I’m sure I’ll be soon replacing these with impending goals from the likes of the Brazilians and France’s Henry.

Having said that, my hats off to some of the goalkeepers on display whom have produced some equally fine saves. That’s a story for another day.

(Roshan Jason is sure he’s never going to stop loving the game. He’s keeping his fingers crossed for a good South Korean performance.)