Mindless passing and dour play
Poor South Korea! Semi-finalist in the last World Cup, this year they are out of the tournament in the first round itself. They did have the chance to proceed further. All they had to do was win their final game against Switzerland. They failed to do this, losing 2-0 and the result in the other group match meant it’s an early flight home for the Koreans.
Switzerland topped the group and will now play Ukraine in the second round match. They will be joined in the second round by France, who managed to win their final match against Togo in a totally uninspiring manner.
The French went into the game knowing that they had to win by two goals or more. They laboured hard in the first half, missing so many chances and then suddenly found the net twice in the second half. They had luck with them too as Koreans were doing them a favour by playing poorly to lose to the Swiss.
At the end, a French team which had no flair, no imagination and just 90 minutes away from being kicked out of the World Cup managed to sneak into the second round to meet the impressive Spain.
Earlier in the day, we witnessed one of the most boring matches of the tournament – Ukraine v Tunisia. Entering into the game, Ukraine needed a draw while the Africans a win to proceed further. This should, by right, offer an entertaining game. Sadly not. We had mindless passing and dour play and Ukraine won the game on a dubious penalty. I clearly thought Shevchenko tripped on his feet to fall in the Tunisian D-box, the referee thought he was pushed. Anyway, he scored from the spot and out went Tunisia.
At the same time, Spain was entertaining Saudi Arabia to cement their top spot in the group. A confident Spain fielded an entirely different team to the one which won the first two matches comfortably and in style. This ‘reserve’ team did not rout the Saudis but still managed to win 1-0.
Their price is a second round tie against France. Looking at the French game, the Spaniards must be confident of further progression.
Poor South Korea! Semi-finalist in the last World Cup, this year they are out of the tournament in the first round itself. They did have the chance to proceed further. All they had to do was win their final game against Switzerland. They failed to do this, losing 2-0 and the result in the other group match meant it’s an early flight home for the Koreans.
Switzerland topped the group and will now play Ukraine in the second round match. They will be joined in the second round by France, who managed to win their final match against Togo in a totally uninspiring manner.
The French went into the game knowing that they had to win by two goals or more. They laboured hard in the first half, missing so many chances and then suddenly found the net twice in the second half. They had luck with them too as Koreans were doing them a favour by playing poorly to lose to the Swiss.
At the end, a French team which had no flair, no imagination and just 90 minutes away from being kicked out of the World Cup managed to sneak into the second round to meet the impressive Spain.
Earlier in the day, we witnessed one of the most boring matches of the tournament – Ukraine v Tunisia. Entering into the game, Ukraine needed a draw while the Africans a win to proceed further. This should, by right, offer an entertaining game. Sadly not. We had mindless passing and dour play and Ukraine won the game on a dubious penalty. I clearly thought Shevchenko tripped on his feet to fall in the Tunisian D-box, the referee thought he was pushed. Anyway, he scored from the spot and out went Tunisia.
At the same time, Spain was entertaining Saudi Arabia to cement their top spot in the group. A confident Spain fielded an entirely different team to the one which won the first two matches comfortably and in style. This ‘reserve’ team did not rout the Saudis but still managed to win 1-0.
Their price is a second round tie against France. Looking at the French game, the Spaniards must be confident of further progression.
posted by Kabilan K at
11:39 PM
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