Time for our daily World Cup roundup. Today we'll take a look at what we missed over the second weekend of the tournament which included a couple shocking results, our first knockout round qualifiers, African sorrow, and umm, some pleasantries exchanged between the French coach and Le Sulk. If you're curious as to what the L'Equipe cover says, it's not pretty.
1) Biggest Winner - South America
-South American teams are still undefeated at the World Cup through 9 games. The quintet of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay are a combined 7-2-0 in the tournament thus far. Amazingly, each country finds itself in great position to advance to the knockout round - it's akin to Big East dominance of the NCAA tournament. Take a look at the results thus far:
*Brazil - 6 points, 2-0, already qualified for KO round
*Argentina - 6 points, 2-0, qualification a near certainty
*Uruguay - 4 points, 1-1-0, likely in already
*Paraguay - 4 points, 1-1-0, need draw against NZ
*Chile - 3 points, currently 0-0 against Swiss but are a man up
All of these teams are also currently in first place in their groups as well. South America is dominating the African World Cup. Just imagine what can happen in 2014 when the tournament travels to Brazil!
2) Standout Performer - Mark Paston
-The New Zealand goalkeeper was outstanding against Italy in preserving a 1-1 draw against the Azurri. The All Whites pulled off perhaps the most surprising result of the tournament in getting a point against the defending world champs. In truth, all of New Zealand were standout performers as they didn't try to sink in and play too negatively against Italy. Now, they have a real chance of progressing into the knockout round with a result against Paraguay.
3)Biggest Loser - Africa
-As much as everyone is rooting for the African teams to do well, it's not happening. Take a look at how each nation has fared...
*Cameroon - first team officially eliminated with 0-0-2 record
*South Africa - face elimination with 0-1-1 record
*Nigeria - 0 points from 2 games, but still an outside chance of advancing
*Algeria - 1 point from 2 games with 0 goals scored
*Cote D'Ivoire - 1 point from 2 games and .006% chance of advancing due to 7-0 Portugal win this morning
*Ghana - 4 points and Group D leaders, but must tie or beat Germany to secure advancing
Cameroon and Cote D'Ivoire have been the most disappointing of the African nations. Cameroon should have probably won both of their games thus far and lost to both Denmark and Japan. Ivory Coast were uninspiring against Portugal and were ran over by Brazil. Also, there was the embarrassing act of Kader Kaita, which got Kaka sent off. I think Ghana and Nigeria both face an uphill struggle trying to qualify for the next round, hopefully one of them makes it.
4) Best Game - Denmark 2 Cameroon 1
-It was one of the most open and dramatic games of the World Cup. Denmark became one of the few teams to reverse a deficit into a victory, but Cameroon will rue the several blown chances against not just Denmark, but in their first game against Japan as well. Cameroon is out while Denmark will still need to beat Japan to advance.
5) Biggest Douchebags - French National Team
-When you have to defend Raymond Domenech, you know that somebody has screwed up big time. Yes, the coach is an idiot, clueless, inept, or whatever word you want to use to describe the lack of ability from the French manager. But, that gives no excuse for what the French players have done. First, Nicolas Anelka was justly sent home after speaking out against Domenech, and then the entire team refused to practice yesterday! Now, officials from the FFF are resigning and the nation is ashamed of the petulant behavior. It's one thing to play poorly on the field, but this sort of childish behavior makes a mockery of the sport, the World Cup, and embarrasses a nation - yes, even France.
6) Highlight - Rommedahl Match Winner
-Dennis Rommedahl's goal for Denmark was one of the better individual efforts of the World Cup. He takes the ball on the wing, cuts back inside, and slots it perfectly to the far post to give Denmark the win.
7) Extra Time - Group Scenarios
*Group C - Slovenia (4 pts) will advance with a win or draw against England. The USA (2 pts) advance with a win or a draw & England draw as long as they stay ahead on goals scored (currently +2). England (2 pts) must win to advance. Algeria (1 pts) is still alive and must beat the USA and have England draw or lose.
*Group D - Ghana (4 pts) will advance with a win, draw, or even a loss and a narrow Australia victory over Serbia. Germany (3 pts) are assured of advancing with a win, or a draw and Serbia loss or tie. Serbia (3 pts) advances with a win, draw & Ghana win, or a draw and a Germany win by more than 1 goal. Australia (1 pts) must win and have Ghana defeat Germany.
*Group E - Holland (6 pts) is in. Cameroon (o pts) is out. So, it comes down to Denmark and Japan, both on 3 points. Currently, Japan has a +0 goal difference while Denmark is -1. Therefore, Japan advances with a win or draw against the Danes, while Denmark must beat Japan to advance.
*Group F - Paraguay (4 pts) is in the drivers seat and needs a win, draw, or a narrow loss and Italy loss to get in. New Zealand (2 pts) must either beat Paraguay, or hope for a draw & Italian draw while scoring more goals than the Azurri or a draw & Italy defeat. Italy (2 pts) will advance with a win against Slovakia, or a draw and NZ loss/tie with less goals. ***Italy and NZ have the same number of goals scored and allowed, and if that remains the same after the final phase of group matches we could be drawing lots to see who goes on!*** Slovakia (1 pts) must beat Italy and hope for a New Zealand loss or tie.
*Group G - Brazil (6 pts) is in. North Korea (0 pts) is out. Based on their 7-0 victory today, Portugal (4 pts) is almost assured of advancing unless Cote D'Ivoire (1 pts) beats North Korea by 8 or 9 goals.
Tuesday Preview
Group A - 10:00 ET
France (1 PTS) v South Africa (1 PTS)
-One of these teams must win by at least 3 or 4 goals to begin to think about advancing. With all of the turmoil in the French team, I can't see them playing well. South Africa will look to at least give the home fans something positive to remember from the 2010 World Cup.
PICK: RSA 1 France 0
Uruguay (4 PTS) v Mexico (4 PTS)
-Uruguay is in pole position due to their superior goal differential. The draw that both teams seek will see Uruguay get 1st in the group and avoid Argentina in the next round. Will Mexico sacrifice sure qualification to push for a win and avoid Argentina? I doubt it. I would expect both teams to play defensive and we'll see a wink wink 0-0 draw that sends them both through.
PICK: Uruguay 0 Mexico 0
Moving On - 1) Uruguay 2) Mexico
Group B - 2:30 ET
Argentina (6 PTS) v Greece (3 PTS)
-Only a shock defeat here would see Argentina not secure first in the group. Greece was fortunate to get a sending off from Nigeria to get their win - otherwise, they were on their way out. Argentina should continue to roll on comfortably, which means Greece will exit the competition.
PICK: Argentina 2 Greece 0
South Korea (3 PTS) v Nigeria (0 PTS)
-Even on 0 pts, Nigeria still has a chance to go on with an Argentina victory and a win over South Korea. If those necessary results play out, Nigeria will advance on goal difference. They just need a little bit of luck against South Korea that they didn't get in the first 2 games. My head tells me that South Korea will at least get a draw that will likely see them advance, but my heart tells me that one African team has to find a way to advance.
PICK: Nigeria 2 South Korea 1
Moving On - 1) Argentina 2) Nigeria
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