World Cup Update and Predictions

Full disclosure: I was way too ambitious in my plans to cover the World Cup. Analysis will be significantly less wordy from now on. It just takes too long, and frankly, there are better writers who are giving better insights than I can offer. That being said, I intend to finish what I started, so...

Topic 1: The World Cup

Results

Mexico 0-1 Uruguay

France 1-2 South Africa

Uruguay wins group A, Mexico advances.

Nigeria 2-2 South Korea

Greece 0-2 Argentina

Argentina wins Group B, South Korea advances.

ANALYSIS

Group C

Slovenia (1-1-0, 4 pts, +1 gd) The Slovenians are fortunate to be leading the group heading into a decisive match with pre-tournament favorite England after a referee-assisted tie with the United States. They need only a draw to advance, and with the way they can clamp down on defence combined with a listless and disorganized opponent, a 0-0 result seems quite possible. it would be the upset of the tournament thus far if Slovenia were to advance.

U.S.A. (0-0-2, 2 pts, 0 gd) The United States was robbed of victory by a phantom foul on a set piece that would have netted the winning goal vs. Slovenia, and now must beat Algeria to clinch advancement into the knockout round for the first time since 2002. They have a bad habit of falling behind early, but pick up momentum as the game goes along. If they score first against Algeria, they should go on to victory tomorrow.

England (0-0-2, 2 pts, 0 gd) Along with France and Italy, one of three massively underperforming traditional powers. Wayne Rooney, one of the games premier goal-scorers, has been conspicuously silent on the field, and distressingly verbose off it. If he and the rest of The Three Lions can pull their act together in time to knock off Slovenia and secure advancement, all will be forgiven, at least until their next match. Lose, and Franc-level national shame awaits.

Algeria (0-1-1, 1 pt, -1 gd) Algeria have yet to show anything offensively, but have compensated somewhat for their punchless offense by being extremely pesky on defense. They will need to score tomorrow if they hope to advance, which remains a distinct possibility with a victory.

Predictions

Slovenia 1-3 England

U.S.A. 2-1 Algeria

U.S.A. wins Group C, England advances.

Group D

Ghana (1-1-0, 4 pts, +1 gd) The Black Stars have been the most impressive African team thus far, though that's damning them with faint praise. They have yet to score a goal within the normal flow of the game, finding both of their scores thus far on penalty kicks. They wasted a golden opportunity to all but lock up advancement, drawing with a clearly inferior Australian side which was missing its best player. They now find themselves needing a result against a desperate German team with superior talent at almost every position.

Germany (1-0-1, 3 pts, +3 gd) The Germans need a win to assure themselves of advancing. They will win. They are the best team in the group, and must be looked upon as one of the favorites to win the Cup.

Serbia (1-0-1, 3 pts, 0 gd) The most boring team in the tournament. I hope they don't advance. Next.

Australia (0-1-1, 1 pt, -4 gd) The Socceroos (Really. That's their name.) are old, tired, and ready to be put away, but they will go down fighting. They have a sliver of a chance to advance to the knockout phase, but must beat defense-first Serbia and hope Germany blows out the Ghanaians to make up their massive goal differential deficit. Multiple goals are not likely, so a clean sheet from their stud goaltender Mark Schwarzer is vital to their hopes of advancement.

Predictions

Ghana 0-2 Germany

Australia 1-1 Serbia

Germany wins Group D, Serbia advances.

In other World Cup news, my vuvuzela arrived this afternoon. I plan on putting it to much use throughout the rest of the tournament.