Days 9 & 10 - Into The Final Stages!

Firstly, sorry about the delay on the blog. Weekends seem to be busier than week days recently ;) So just quickly, I'll recap on 5 games. A lot has happened! We're into the final stages of the group matches and much has been decided!

Firstly, in Group D, after Serbia's surprise victory had blown the group wide open with a great win over the Germans the previous night, Australia and Ghana both knew that this was a great chance to get some valuable points up on the board.

Playing without Tim Cahill due to suspension, Australia took the lead through stand-in Brett Holman. The goal, somewhat surprising, marked the first ever time Australia had scored first in a World Cup Finals game. But the lead was shorlived as Ghana came back into it as Harry Kewell was sent off for a deliberate handball in the box. Kewell complained like nothing but the stiker can have nothing to complain about after replays clearly showed he handled it on the line and stopped them scoring. Silly sausage!



Ghana scored from the penalty spot and the game then flowed, more Ghana's way but with the Ozzies counting on the counters, there were chances at both ends and either side could have snatched it in a frantic finale to the game. Still, it wasn't to be and both had to settle for a 1-1 draw, so everything is still to be decided.

In Group E, Cameroon - many people's tip to go furthest out of all African teams (including mine) - was the first to fall out. In a game strewn with mistakes, the The Indomitable Lions got the "In" taken out of them by the Dominating Danes (sorry about that one ^^).

Samuel Eto'o, unlike in the previous game, was played up front and it seemed to have worked when he put the Cameroonian side ahead but Denmark fought back valiantly with two good goals from Bendtner in the 33rd and another from Rommedahl in the 61st minute.



In the other game, Wesley Sneijder’s powerful shot gave the Dutch all 3 points in their match, with a Japanese side that showed good fighting spirit but were in effect, ineffectual.

The result meant that The Netherlands were the first team to guarantee qualification through to the next round and leaves Morton Olsen's men to battle it out with the Samurai Blues for the right to go through with them. Should be a good one that.

In Group F, the game between Italy and New Zealand produced the real shock of the past few days with the All Whites claiming an historic draw over the current World Champions.

Shane Smeltz gave the Kiwi's a surprising 7th minute lead and although the Italians clawed one back via a highly debatable Iaquinta penalty, they failed the break down a resilient New Zealand side that held on for what was certainly their proudest ever result. Crazy stuff!

Finally, Paraguay eased past a poor Slovakian side in a relatively dull match, with goals from Vera and Riveros. This means that everything is out in the open for the last match next week. Paraguay are in pole position with 4 points, Italy and New Zealand follow with 2 and Slovakia brings up the rear with 1.

Next Blog is a special one so stay tuned ;) hehehe