World Cup Roundup - Day 8

Time for our daily World Cup roundup. Day 8 featured one pulsating draw, one upset, and one snoozefest draw. But, the common theme throughout the day was controversy. So, let's play the Feud!

1) Biggest Winner - Group C Drama

-Well, you would have been taking on some serious odds if you'd bet on Slovenia being two points ahead of Group C with one game remaining, but that's exactly the scenario in play. After a heart-stopping draw with the U.S. and a stale draw between England and Algeria, Slovenia controls its own destiny, which is quite the achievement for the smallest of the 32 nations in this year's World Cup. Meanwhile, the seemingly automatic qualification of England and the U.S. into the next round now rests on both teams winning their final matches against Slovenia and Algeria respectively. While U.S. fans and the English media might be battling stomach ulcers until then, you couldn't ask for much more drama when next Wednesday comes around.

2) Standout Performer - Vladimir Stojkovic

-Stojkovic, the Serbian goalie was facing Lukas Podolski over a penalty kick in the 60th minute. Serbia, with many thanks to a dubious sending off of Miroslav Klose, was clinging to a 1-0 lead. Stojkovic guessed right, saved the penalty, and has Serbia right back in position to advance into the knockout stages. Here's the highlights of the game, including the crucial save.

3)Biggest Loser - England

-Aside from the horrible officiating we saw today (more on that later), the biggest losers by far are the English. Many pundits, not just those usual delirious folks in the British media, thought this could be the year the English go back to the Promised Land. We even thought their array of talent and a wide-open draw might be enough to get England deep into the knockout stages. But, after a disappointing draw with the Americans, things got much worse today with another draw against heavy underdogs Algeria. The sad thing is though, not one player for England looked as if he was their to win the World Cup. Each player seemed to be wandering aimlessly, perhaps carrying the burden of their homeland with each step on the pitch. Now, the burden falls on Fabio Capello, who must bring out the natural talent on the side (players like Rooney, Lampard, and Gerrard especially) against Slovenia in order to advance with a victory.

4) Best Game - USA 2 Slovenia 2

-Finally, a back-and-forth slugfest worthy of World Cup action. All credit to Slovenia for striking quickly and exploiting a rusty Gooch on their first two goals. But, the U.S. fought back with what Landon Donovan called "the American spirit", which saw them get back into the game with a goal first from Donovan, then a late equalizer from Michael Bradley. Perhaps the lack of fear in attack from both sides could do well to inspire other nations in this World Cup to go for the victory and not be afraid to lose.

5) Biggest Regret - Klose's Red Card

-We know the officiating today was horrible, but still German striker Miroslav Klose must be kicking himself for his needless challenges that saw him sent off early on against Serbia. The Germans impressed more than any other team after one game, but after two their qualification in the knockout round is all but secure. And while Serbia could have easily punished 10-men Germany even more than 1-0, the Germans wouldn't be in the position they are if Klose had adapted his game to the card-happy official.

6) Highlight - Edu's Goal that Wasn't

-Nobody, not even Sherlock Holmes can see what the official from Mali, Koman Coulibaly, was looking at when he whistled a foul on what should have been the 3rd U.S. goal. Hopefully, this disallowed goal won't be the difference in the U.S. missing out on advancing to the next round. But, if so, this might go down in the annals of U.S. soccer history as the most infamous moment.

7) Extra Time - FIFA Does What It Knows Best...Terrible Officiating

-For some reason, I feel as if FIFA head honcho Sepp Blatter and Bud Selig are soul mates, because both know how not to handle controversy. Uncle Bud's exploits on issues from steroids to replay have been well documented in this space, but not he has some competition. As if the "Handball of God" that saw France steal qualification away from Ireland, with no reaction from FIFA, was enough, now FIFA is circling the wagons around embattled ref Koman Coulibaly. Not only is Coulibaly staying silent over what, if any foul he saw to disallow Maurice Edu's goal, FIFA is giving him the protection to do so. This doesn't even begin to discuss the horrid referee job done by first-timer Alberto Mallenco in the Serbia/Germany game.

It makes you wonder why an organization so blatantly washes its hands over referee errors that swing the most important games in the world. If FIFA isn't going to do anything to help their officials by installing instant replay or adding officials to the touch lines, the least they could do is have some transparency over what Coulibaly saw. What are they trying to hide exactly? Instead, the world wonders if they can trust the decisions being made on the pitch the rest of the tournament.

Saturday Preview

Group E

Netherlands (3 PTS) v Japan (3 PTS)

-The Japanese victory against Cameroon was one of the shock moments of the early group stages, but they'll find it even harder to take 3 more points against Holland. The Dutch showed their attacking depth and versatility even without Robben, and they won't be slowed down by a weak defensive team here either. Expect the Dutch to seal their place into the knockout stages.

PICK: Netherlands 2 Japan 0

Group D

Ghana (3 PTS) v Australia (0 PTS)

-With the victory today by Serbia, this group has gotten quite interesting. If the Aussies can somehow pull out a victory against Ghana, all 4 teams will be on 3 points going in to the final round of group play. But, we don't see that happening. After getting destroyed by Germany and losing their captain Tim Cahill, the Socceroos will be once again hard-pressed to find any success against what might be Africa's best hope. Expect the young Black Stars to walk to victory.

PICK: Ghana 2 Australia 0

Group E

Cameroon (0 PTS) v Denmark (0 PTS)

-One hope for Africa we thought might perform better was Cameroon, but they fell in a surprise defeat to Japan. Meanwhile, Denmark played well in spurts against the Dutch, but lost 2-0. It's hard to see either team taking much from this game based on their first performances. But, with the pressures of playing on home soil, and the dissension amongst some of the players, we're taking the Danes in a tight one.

PICK: Denmark 1 Cameroon 0