2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa

A dull match with both teams keen to shut out the other than take risks going forward, it made for mostly soporific viewing (though, no comparison to that sleep-inducing, dreadful draw between Uruguay and France on the opening day). The match suddenly came to life when the Algerian substitute Abdelkader Ghezzal suffered from a momentary lapse of reason, stuck his right hand out trying to reach a high cross late in 2nd half and got himself sent off for a second bookable offence, having been booked earlier for a blatant shirt pull. Slovenia smelt blood and their captain, Robert Koren secured 3 points with a low drive which the Algerian goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi made a right hash of and allowed the ball to creep into the right bottom corner. And that is how it stayed till the end, with Slovenia gaining a useful advantage over England and USA who fought an entertaining 1-1 draw late on Saturday. And speaking of that match, I read an interesting news article in Boston Globe, which described a transatlantic couple (an Englishwoman and her American husband) who had to think of drastic measures to safeguard their marriage.

Serbia could count themselves unlucky 4 years ago, when they were placed (as Serbia and Montenegro) in the group of death, featuring Argentina, the Netherlands and Cote D'Ivoire. They suffered the dubious distinction of having arguably the goal of the tournament scored against them (Argentina's mesmerizing 26-pass goal finished by the tireless Esteban Cambiasso). This time too, they are in group D, featuring Germany, Australia and the physical Ghanaians. Incidentally, each team in this group topped their qualification pools for the World Cup and thus, a mouthwatering clash was to be expected and that is exactly what transpired as well. Ghana did all the running and despite the massive hulk of Nicola Zigic (the tallest player in this edition at 2.02m or 6' 7"), Serbia did not really threaten a well-drilled Ghana defence. And just like in the previous match, a deliberate handball by a substitute proved to be the turning point in this match, the only difference is that Zdravko Kuzmanovic was facing his own goal when he stretched out his hand in a flash of blinding stupidity and the ref had no choice but point to the spot. Asamoah Gyan duly obliged with a firm drive, sending his team and the fans into delirious screams and the celebrations were richly deserved, even if their coach Milovan Rajevac, a Serbian opted to hurry into the dressing room rather than be caught between 2 worlds out on the pitch. Ghana earned plaudits in '06 with their enterprising displays and despite captain Stephen Appiah not starting this match (and coming on as a late sub), this win will do their confidence a world of good.

Speaking of confidence, no other word can describe this match better, since Germany slaughtered Australia in a display that oozed class, determination and superb work ethic. Half of the German side were still playing their 3rd or 4th major international, let alone competitive and you would never have guessed this fact if the commentator had not revealed it. Such was their composure and movement off the ball that even seasoned EPL veterans like Tim Cahill and Lucas Neill resorted to crude defensive errors to stop a rampaging German side, with the result that Cahill saw red after a two-footed lunge on Schweinsteiger midway through the 2nd half. Designated captain, Michael Ballack was hardly missed and they were so many chances that a 4-0 scoreline is really flattering. Australia's morale will be down at the moment while Germany will now seriously fancy their chances of booking a slot in the last 16 by winning their next group match. When I saw the highlights this morning, I was struck by the resemblance between Milan Baros, the former Czech Republic striker and Sami Khedira, the young German midfielder who took up the massive mantle of marshalling the midfield from Ballack. Here are their pics so you can notice the uncanny similarity, as well: