by TSS
8:31 pm in England, Posts, World Cup 2010 by TSS
So, another World Cup ends with dreams of ‘what could have been’ as England fail once more. This time however, it hasn’t ended quite as it should have.
Usually in World Cup’s we go out to the ill-fated penalty shoot-out, or the controversial decision that should have won us the game. And this World Cup looked like it was gearing up to end in the usual way for England.
by TSS
And then it gets worse!
An average display against the Yanks, followed up by a dismal display against Algeria sums up England’s World Cup so far. The Three Lions cowered under the pressure last night, and a nervous, below-par England never looked like beating a poor Algerian side.
The tongue-in-cheek headline of the New York Post following our draw with the USA instantly sprung to mind as the Algerian’s celebrated like they’d won the World Cup. The front page of the New York Post last week read ‘USA wins 1-1′ and to England fans, it felt like a defeat. Even the embarrassment of failing to beat the Yanks can’t contend with that of drawing to the Algerians.
by TSS
7:40 pm in England, Posts, World Cup 2010 by TSS
TSS, flying the flag for England
After America held us to a lucky draw, courtesy of one of the all-time greatest goalkeeping blunders from Rob Green, England can’t afford any more slip-ups as they go head-to-head with Algeria tomorrow night.
Whether Rob Green will be selected again remains an area of uncertainty, but personally, I’d give him another go as he’ll be desperate to make up for his costly error.
by TSS
4:52 pm in Posts, World Cup 2010 by TSS
The Spanish defence
Perhaps the South African World Cup is destined to be the year of the underdog? Current World Champions Italy got off to a faltering start when they drew their opening tie with Paraguay. The USA got a fortuitous point against England after Robert Green’s slip up, and even the North Koreans gave the mighty Brazil a run for their money, despite ultimately losing the tie.
But even the shock results for England, Italy and Brazil can’t contend with today’s history making victory for Switzerland. A nation of just 7.7 million people fought bravely against the favourites, and current European champions Spain, to cause the biggest upset in of the 2010 World Cup so far.
Spain’s problems were at both end of the pitch. A defence made of Swiss cheese (couldn’t resist) and a multi-millionaire pound strike-force that simply ran out of ideas. Liverpool striker, Fernando Torres came on put only showed the touch of a rapist as his control let him down numerous times.
by TSS
5:32 pm in Posts, World Cup 2010 by TSS
World Cup 2010
Round two of our predictions league got under way with a 2-0 win for the Netherlands. I finally lifted myself from the relegation places with an exact prediction of 2-0, but since seven others also correctly predicted 2-0, the available bonus points were split meaning we all earnt 2.25 points each. Only one member went for anything other than a win to Holland, but five also didn’t predict in time and scored absolutely nothing.
Our runaway leader in the first round was the only person to correctly predict a 1-0 win to Japan, so Madferret picks up another maximum haul of three points. Nobody else fancied the Japanese so there were no other points scorers and three people didn’t make their predictions in time.
by TSS
7:18 am in Posts, World Cup 2010 by TSS
Day three of the 2010 FIFA World Cup saw the introduction of a German side that many pundits were once again writing off. Do they never learn? No matter how bad the German side appear to be, they usually come good just in time for the World Cup. It’s their most irritating quality, and this year was to be no exception.
by TSS
12:53 pm in England, Posts, World Cup 2010 by TSS
A nation expects!
After months of hype and speculation, England’s first game of the 2010 South African World Cup finally arrived. The masses were out in force across the country, with painted faces, England shirts and irritating fog-horns that seem to be everywhere at the moment. Millions of flags hang from the windows of houses, flats and cars across our great nation, and it seems almost impossible to walk anywhere without being reminded of the World Cup. England fever has most definitely arrived.
by TSS
Day one of the 2010 FIFA World Cup ended without any of the four teams competing managing to win their game. The hosts, South Africa drew 1-1 with Mexico, whilst France and Uruguay played a dismal 90 minutes in a game that eventually finished goalless.
Aside from a stunning goal by South Africa and a colourful, vibrant and noisy opening ceremony, the opening day provided very few talking points, but today is the big one for England fans, as we get our campaign under way with a match against the Yanks.
Man for the job!
The USA, who for some unknown reason, prefer to watch men in pads close-line one another, or a more tedious (yes it’s possible!) game of cricket played with a round bat, aren’t a team that should have England particularly worried. The only problem with that statement however, is that when a team ‘shouldn’t have England particularly worried,’ we usually should be.
Not only do we have a tendency to get a little carried away with our own abilities but we also tend to underestimate the competition. However irrelevant the professional game of “soccer” may be in the US, it’s still played by millions upon millions of people at grass-roots level. From all those millions, it stands to reason that eleven above average players must have emerged.
Now, I aren’t saying we should afford our American friends too much respect, but to underestimate them could be disastrous. America is a team high in confidence, convinced they’ll make it through what many are describing as their ‘easiest group stage’ in decades. The casual American observers do rate England, but with confidence so high in Camp USA, there’s more than the odd deranged blogger claiming they could cause an upset.
Personally, I’m more confident about England’s chances than I have been in a long time. Capello has brought with him a much needed iron-fist and the players now respect and appreciate their roles in the team. There are no superstars in Capello’s England. Instead, what we have for the first time since Euro 96, is a team playing for one another. No one player is bigger than the one standing next to him. It’s that kind of team-ethic and unity that should see us prevail where we have previously failed.
For yours truly, yesterday was an unmitigating disaster. I predicted a 1-0 win to South Africa in the opening game by convincing myself the hosts always win and in the France v Uruguay game, I decided that Uruguay should be that little bit worse than France, again going for 1-0.
So, no points so far for me, but we do have an outright leader as Wally became the first predictor to get the exact result with his 0-0 prediction for France v Uruguay. Wally leads the table with 3.0 points, followed by NickMetcalfe and MadFerret with 2.0 each.
The only other points scorers for yesterday were Elperronegro, Matt BB and TheReaper08 who all scored 1.5 points for correctly predicting France and Uruguay would finish level.
New entrants – Anyone wishing to join TSS’ World Cup prediction league can sign-up at SportGuru.co.uk now. During registration, the form asks for a Pool ID; Here you should enter ‘harmboxy‘ to join TSS’ league.
by TSS
7:42 pm in LUFC, Posts, World Cup 2010 by TSS
Former Leeds United player and all-time legend, Lucas Radebe has given the biggest indication yet that he is set to return to the club he loves as a coach, revealing that he has already spoke to Leeds’ current chairman, Ken Bates about the possibility of a homecoming that will have the Elland Road fans mouths watering.
The Chief in action
Lucas, who still has a home in Leeds and has attended games since his retirement spoke on the opening day of the World Cup, where he told journalists that;
“After the appreciation that I got from that club, I’ll always be a Leeds United fan,”
“That’s where I think I’ll go in terms of enhancing my knowledge of football and to give something back.”
“They’re willing to give me a position. For me it’d be a learning curve, moving forward in terms of giving back to the game. We’ll see after the World Cup.”
The Chief remains a big fans favourite at Elland Road, and would undoubtedly be welcomed back with opened arms. The Leeds United faithful still chant Radebe’s song to this day, but have been misled by rumours of a return before. This time however, it’s come directly from the man himself, so it seems fair to assume he’ll be making his triumphant return pretty soon.
We look forward to welcoming you home, Lucas!
by TSS
7:00 pm in England, Posts, World Cup 2010 by TSS
South Africa awakens!
So much anticipation, expectation and hype preceded the World Cup, and the host nation, South Africa were determined to put on a show. Whilst their efforts at the opening ceremony were commendable, the more hardened football fans such as myself were probably a little bored and eagerly awaiting the moment the tournament got under way with South Africa v Mexico.
When the opening game finally kicked off, the stadium was alive with the sounds of thousands of South Africans and their horns. Known to be a country of vibrant colour, with a passion and zest for life not matched by many, the South Africans have been relishing this opportunity and wanted to show the world what it meant to them.
Meanwhile, their team were visibly weighed down by the pressure and struggling. Mexico were the dominant team early doors, but as the nerves calmed and the South African’s lightened up, it was clear they’d be no push-overs for the Mexicans.
It was South Africa that broke the deadlock ten minutes into the second half when a spectacular volley from Tshabalala sent the Bafana-Bafana fans into ecstasy. The hosts couldn’t hold on though and some dismal defending gifted an equaliser to Barcelona’s Marquez with just eleven minutes remaining.
Undoubtedly disappointing for the South African’s, but a point they’d have definitely taken before the game kicked off. The team showed what they’re capable of, and with a little more organisation and concentration at the back, they would have run out winners. Game One over though, and job done for the hosts.
Milner 16 in Wortley
Fellow Leeds resident and blogger Deano spotted the new Umbro viral advert passing his local chippy on the way home from work. Although the significance of the red sixteen on a white background originally evaded him, after some Googling, he found that this was Umbro’s clever publicity stunt for the World Cup.
The number sixteen represents James Milner’s number in the England squad. Underneath the number, it reads ‘tailored in Wortley’ – the birth place of our former star. Not quite sure what the significance of the chippy was, but Milner has always looked a little on the chubby side?
There’s another of these viral Umbro ads in Beeston for another Leeds-born England star, and former Leeds United player, Aaron Lennon.
Two Leeds-born, former Leeds United players in the England team. Makes you proud doesn’t it? And a little envious as to what they’ve achieved, whilst Leeds continue to struggle in the lower leagues! Still, I wish them both well. “Leeds made England!”
Only two points scorers in the first round. NickMetcalfe and MadFerret are joint leaders after both predicting the opening game would end in a draw. MadFerret seemed to apply the same logic as yours truly, by adding ‘the hosts never lose the opening game.’ Unfortunately for yours truly, my 1-0 prediction was cancelled out with just eleven minutes remaining!
Anyone wishing to join TSS’ World Cup prediction league can sign-up at SportGuru.co.uk now. During registration, the form asks for a Pool ID; Here you should enter ‘harmboxy‘ to join TSS’ league.
To start connecting please log in first. You can also create an account.
Recent Comments