World Cup Update

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Firstly, congratulations to the USA who won their first group game against Ghana.

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Clint Dempsey scored the opening goal whilst Ghana were still tying their bootlaces up, Ayew – what a strange name, perhaps he farted at birth and his mother said ‘AYEW!’ – equalised leaving Ghana with the mistaken belief they were about to get a draw and 1 point only for Anthony Brooks to disillusion them of this belief by adding a ‘J’ in front of his name and scoring the winner with only 4 minutes remaining.

The tournament started swimmingly well with Brazil dozing gently against Croatia until suddenly remembering they had kicked off and obliterating Croatia in the second half after manager ‘Big Phil’ Scholari had pointed out to them that the games were afoot.

Chile beat Australia into the outback, The Netherlands taught Spain what ‘Ole!’ actually means, Mexico bored Cameroon into defeat, England lost to Italy – again – Costa Rica lit up the world against an abysmal Uruguay, Columbia ignored Greece completely as if they weren’t there and, frankly, might as well not have been, Argentina finally remembered the whistle had gone and beat Bosnia and Herzigovina who deserve to lose if only to save the commentators from having to keep saying such a long name beyond the group stage.

France discovered life after Zidane and made Honduras feel like little kids still learning the game, Switzerland dropped a mountain on Ecuador, Ivory Coast sunk Japan, Iran and Nigeria decided to play some alien game rather than football, Germany demolished Portugal, Russia and Korea settled for a draw neither having the wit to win, Belgium beat Algeria because they just had to really and Brazil forgot their beautiful game, became diminished and had to settle for draw with Mexico.

All in all, not a bad tournament at all up to now. True, there have been boring games but not many. Most have been entertaining – if not necessarily for the right reasons. Iran and Nigeria being a case in point. I suspect many observers were tempted to run out onto the pitch and say to the players “Now look. This round thing is a football. The aim is to get this round football into the goal of your opponents. Your opponents incidentally are the chaps wearing a different coloured kit to you. NO! Not those three! They’re the referee and linesmen! – Oh Good grief!”

Today – which might be yesterday or the day before by the time you read this – is very interesting. Australia, knowing The Netherlands (who used to be called Holland which is much easier and quicker to say incidentally) stuck 5 past Spain, the reigning World Champions, are probably pooping kangaroo doo into their shorts right now – or where when I wrote this. Actually, Australia might as well chill out and enjoy the game as they’ll only have one more to play before the long flight home.

Spain, despite winning the thing four years ago, are in very deep doo-doo indeed. They lost their first group game four years ago but went onto win the tournament. However, they didn’t lose it 5 – 1. Chile know Spain have to win and, having 3 points in the bag against Australia can afford to play expressive football and entertain as even a defeat wouldn’t end their adventure in Brazil whilst a defeat for Spain and the reigning World Champions would be out. Shame. Adios amigo’s.

Cameroon are also playing Croatia but, frankly, unless you are Croatian or Cameroonian – Cameroonian? Surely not – whatever – unless you are from their nations nobody really cares about them. After three. One, two three – AWWWWWWWW

So, what does the immediate future hold for the teams that count? England and the USA.

England have to beat Uruguay and Costa Rica. Uruguay were not very good against Costa Rica which may bode well for us. However, Louis Suarez, Uruguay’s star man will be back from injury so we can only hope, given his reputation in the English Premier League where he plies his trade, that he doesn’t come back too hungry.

The USA merely have to negotiate their way past Portugal and Germany. Simples!

Portugal will not be as poor as they were against Germany so beware the wrath of Ronaldo America but, I believe, a performance as good as you showed against Ghana could see you through against Portugal. You do need to win that one though as you face Germany next.

The thing is with Germany, give them a war and they’ll lose it. Give them a football game and they’ll beat the crap out of you. They are very very very good indeed so good luck America!

This is MMA’s World Cup Reporter reporting – not from Brazil sadly. I did ask Mike for an expenses paid trip out there so I could report more accurately but he preferred to stock up his beer fridge with my expense funds. Oh well. His loss 😉

About Post Author

Neil Bamforth

I am English first, British second and never ever European. I have supported Oldham Athletic FC for 50 years which has made me immune from depression. My taste buds have died due to too many red hot curries so I drink Kronenburg beer and milk - sometimes in the same glass. I have a wife, daughter, 9 cats and I like toast.
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9 years ago

New update : The Lightning Seeds scored a huge hit with ‘Footballs Coming Home’ for Euro 96 held in England. After losing to Uruguay it should now be ‘England’s Coming Home’ 😉

Still. We played well and tried hard which, for England, is a step in the right direction.

I will now have to cheer on the USA. Germany will win it you know. They always do….bloody Germans 😉

Bill Formby
Reply to  Norman Rampart
9 years ago

Norman, I hate to say this but the last goal scored against the English leaves a lot to be desired by England’s defense. I realize that this was a quirky play but someone have to think about, as we call it in American, “the long ball”. This was similar to the way Alabama lost to Auburn in the closing seconds of their last game of the season. I thought England play well but Uruguay seemed to be just a bit quicker. But, jolly good effort old bean. Sorry, that is my best English saying.

9 years ago

You could have come on your own quid and stayed with us.

A friend asked me if I wanted to go to the USA vs Germany in Recife on the 26th. I really care nothing for a game that’s basically designed for children, but I don’t care about any professional sport that much.

I thought is IS the World Cup and Recife is only two hours away by car. Francisco would drive so, WTF?

I checked on tickets and the cheapest price I say was $435 with no guarantee any were available. Then the parking if, anywhere within ten miles of the stadium, would be at least $50 USD. Further away might be less, but you’d need a taxi to the match. Buy a souvenir and a little food and you’re down $1,000 or more.

We decided we didn’t want to see the USA get their asses kicked by Germany that much. For that cost, we could buy a large screen TV, several pizzas, and a case of beer and watch it from home. We both already have the TVs so we’d save that expense.

Alternatively, we could go to any bar in town and have a selection of huge TVs to watch. It would be as loud as the real game with just as many drunken fans, too. The “live game” experience at a fraction of the price.

Reply to  James Smith
9 years ago

I can’t get over that price. How can all those thousands of people afford that?

Bill Formby
Reply to  Professor Mike
9 years ago

Mike that’s not too bad. A ticket for an Alabama – LSU, or Alabama – Auburn game will set you back more than that. Not me of course, or you either if you get donate enough to the alumni fund. Also, consider the World Cup Games are 90 minutes versus American football is only 60 minutes. But, then again, we do have a great band and majorettes at half time. Plus that I would venture to say that after game partying is safer in Tuscaloosa than in Recife, Brasil.

Reply to  Bill Formby
9 years ago

I imagine you’re right Bill!

Reply to  James Smith
9 years ago

If you beat Germany you will absolutely delight this Englishman!

They’re bloody good you know those Germans. I do admire them and enjoy their play. I’ll have to be careful or I’ll end up cheering them on and that really won’t do at all 😉

Reply to  Norman Rampart
9 years ago

I have to watch that game if not too late.

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