An exciting game to decide the 3rd/4th place play-off with a few incidents that deserve mention - apologies for the lack of detail but it's too hot here in muggy Yorkshire!
The first is the decision by the referee only to caution for an horrendous challenge by a German player in the 4th minute. It looked like casebook serious foul play but the referee, who for my money was too close to the action, went with a caution.
The goals went as follows, Germany scored after a shot was spilled by the Uruguayan goalkeeper, Uruguay equalised before taking the lead. Germany struck back shortly afterwards and then, when I'd wandered off into the kitchen, scored what was to be the winner. The goal scorers tonight took the number of players who have scored five goals during the tournament to four.
Diego Forlan had the opportunity to take the game to extra time but his free kick from around 27 yards struck the crossbar. So Germany finish 3rd, Uruguay 4th and tomorrow it's the big one ... Netherlands vs Spain!
Showing posts with label Germany. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Germany. Show all posts
Saturday, 10 July 2010
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
A tale of two halves
Well I'm hoping it's going to be.
The first half of the second semi-final of the World Cup has just finished. There's only been one incident of note and that involved Ozil being challenged as he entered the Spanish penalty area and he went to ground. This took place in the last minute of the half and the referee, who was only 12 yards behind play when the incident occurred, waved away the claims.
So let's hope for a better half ...
We're now 7 minutes in and Germany have made a defensive change to try and counter the attacks by Xabi Alonso who has had two long range shots, the second of which has whizzed past the right hand post of the German goal.
The Spanish seem to be putting more pressure on the German defence and I've switched to the commentary by Chris Moyles and Comedy Dave of Radio One. It's making the game more interesting. Villa has just followed up by trying to pass the ball into the goal, but it bypassed the post. This was quickly followed by and backheeled pass creating a chance for a low cross only 3 yards out but was missed by Villa. The latest action was Ramos missing a low pass into the German goal area. Germany are struggling with 25 minutes to play.
Fantastic save by Casillas from a volley by Kroos after a cross from the left. I'm not sure this one will finish 0-0! And more excitement, Moyles pizza has arrived :-)
At last the deadlock is broken. A corner from the left saw a group of players rise and Carles Puyol headed the ball past Manuel Neuer. Germany try to strike back almost immediately but a long high free kick was gathered by Casillas. Things have livened up dramatically. Let's hope it stays that way for the last 11 minutes.
I lost a post there but David Villa has been replaced by Fernando Torres for the last 9 minutes to run at the German defence. Villa has just tired after a long run into the German penalty area. Pedro made things worse by losing possession after having a 2 on 1 situation with Torres standing with an open goal at his mercy. Germany now have a free kick inside the Spanish penalty arc but waste it.
The Germans are now leaving gaps at the back as they press for the equaliser but Torres has just been tackled to concede a corner. Spain scored from their previous one but this one and the next are played short and no progress made.
The board's gone up for added time and Germany have 3 minutes to draw level. In added time on top of the added time and Germany still can't find a way through ... it's all over - Spain win 1-0.
Netherlands vs Spain on Sunday ... will Howard Webb be in with a shout of that one???
The first half of the second semi-final of the World Cup has just finished. There's only been one incident of note and that involved Ozil being challenged as he entered the Spanish penalty area and he went to ground. This took place in the last minute of the half and the referee, who was only 12 yards behind play when the incident occurred, waved away the claims.
So let's hope for a better half ...
We're now 7 minutes in and Germany have made a defensive change to try and counter the attacks by Xabi Alonso who has had two long range shots, the second of which has whizzed past the right hand post of the German goal.
The Spanish seem to be putting more pressure on the German defence and I've switched to the commentary by Chris Moyles and Comedy Dave of Radio One. It's making the game more interesting. Villa has just followed up by trying to pass the ball into the goal, but it bypassed the post. This was quickly followed by and backheeled pass creating a chance for a low cross only 3 yards out but was missed by Villa. The latest action was Ramos missing a low pass into the German goal area. Germany are struggling with 25 minutes to play.
Fantastic save by Casillas from a volley by Kroos after a cross from the left. I'm not sure this one will finish 0-0! And more excitement, Moyles pizza has arrived :-)
At last the deadlock is broken. A corner from the left saw a group of players rise and Carles Puyol headed the ball past Manuel Neuer. Germany try to strike back almost immediately but a long high free kick was gathered by Casillas. Things have livened up dramatically. Let's hope it stays that way for the last 11 minutes.
I lost a post there but David Villa has been replaced by Fernando Torres for the last 9 minutes to run at the German defence. Villa has just tired after a long run into the German penalty area. Pedro made things worse by losing possession after having a 2 on 1 situation with Torres standing with an open goal at his mercy. Germany now have a free kick inside the Spanish penalty arc but waste it.
The Germans are now leaving gaps at the back as they press for the equaliser but Torres has just been tackled to concede a corner. Spain scored from their previous one but this one and the next are played short and no progress made.
The board's gone up for added time and Germany have 3 minutes to draw level. In added time on top of the added time and Germany still can't find a way through ... it's all over - Spain win 1-0.
Netherlands vs Spain on Sunday ... will Howard Webb be in with a shout of that one???
Saturday, 3 July 2010
Europe Marching On
With the World Cup Quarter Finals drawing to a close this evening, Holland have beaten Brazil, Germany have cruised past Argentina, winning 4-0 this afternoon and Spain have just beaten Paraguay 1-0. This leaves just Uruguay who defeated Ghana last night on kicks from the mark to decide the outcome, to attempt to retain the trophy in South America for another 4 years.
This evening's game between Spain and Paraguay had a few interesting incidents. The first was a long ball played forward towards two Paraguayan attackers, one who was in an offside position and the other was in an onside position. The ball fell to the onside player who controlled the ball and scored. The assistant however had adjudged that the action of the other attacker, in jumping to challenge for the ball, was sufficient to meet the criteria of interfering with an opponent.
Then in an amazing two minutes of play, two kicks from the penalty mark were awarded. The first was for Paraguay who had an attacker held by Pique of Spain. The kick was saved, but at least 3 defenders were encroaching as the ball was kicked. Within 1 minute at the other end of the field Alcaraz fouled Villa of Spain and a kick was awarded to them. The challenge took place 10 yards from goal with only the goalkeeper between the attacker and goal ... so why wasn't the offender dismissed?
The goal was scored but Carlos Batres adjudged that players had encroached and asked for the kick to be re-taken. The re-take was saved but in the ensuing melee another foul was committed on an attacker but was missed by the referee and his assistant.
With 8 minutes to play Spain had a shot at goal which hit the left hand post and rebounded to Villa who again took a shot at goal. The ball hit the right hand post, bounced along the goal line to the left hand post, bounced off that before resting in the back of the net - amazing!
So the second semi final, which will take place on Wednesday will be between Germany and Spain.
This evening's game between Spain and Paraguay had a few interesting incidents. The first was a long ball played forward towards two Paraguayan attackers, one who was in an offside position and the other was in an onside position. The ball fell to the onside player who controlled the ball and scored. The assistant however had adjudged that the action of the other attacker, in jumping to challenge for the ball, was sufficient to meet the criteria of interfering with an opponent.
Then in an amazing two minutes of play, two kicks from the penalty mark were awarded. The first was for Paraguay who had an attacker held by Pique of Spain. The kick was saved, but at least 3 defenders were encroaching as the ball was kicked. Within 1 minute at the other end of the field Alcaraz fouled Villa of Spain and a kick was awarded to them. The challenge took place 10 yards from goal with only the goalkeeper between the attacker and goal ... so why wasn't the offender dismissed?
The goal was scored but Carlos Batres adjudged that players had encroached and asked for the kick to be re-taken. The re-take was saved but in the ensuing melee another foul was committed on an attacker but was missed by the referee and his assistant.
With 8 minutes to play Spain had a shot at goal which hit the left hand post and rebounded to Villa who again took a shot at goal. The ball hit the right hand post, bounced along the goal line to the left hand post, bounced off that before resting in the back of the net - amazing!
So the second semi final, which will take place on Wednesday will be between Germany and Spain.
Friday, 2 July 2010
Return to civilisation
I spent 5 days last week at the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset England. The beard continued to be cultivated ...
While I was there England sneaked into the Round of 16 before being humiliated by Germany at the World Cup. I also managed to see quite a few bands and caught a couple of halves of other games at various venues around the site.
As the quarter finals have kicked off today, there's been a couple of shocks. The first came as Brazil were knocked out by Holland. As things stand at the moment (one hour played), Ghana are taking the game to Uruguay with the score at 1-1 after Muntari put Ghana ahead on the stroke of half time with a wonder strike from 35 yards, before Diego Forlan equalised with a sublime free kick.
My new season is shaping up nicely with a spot booked for me to deliver some training at the 7-6 promotion seminar at County HQ on July 22 followed by the RA-FA Meeting on August 9 at the same venue. Some of my friends have completed their PGMO fitness tests today, so well done to Bob, Andy, Ricky and Ross.
Some of the other lads have had their Supply Leagues confirmed for them and I have to admit, I'm beginning to miss being out on the green bit again. I'm sure pre-season training (starting on July 12) will knock that out of me!
While I was there England sneaked into the Round of 16 before being humiliated by Germany at the World Cup. I also managed to see quite a few bands and caught a couple of halves of other games at various venues around the site.As the quarter finals have kicked off today, there's been a couple of shocks. The first came as Brazil were knocked out by Holland. As things stand at the moment (one hour played), Ghana are taking the game to Uruguay with the score at 1-1 after Muntari put Ghana ahead on the stroke of half time with a wonder strike from 35 yards, before Diego Forlan equalised with a sublime free kick.
My new season is shaping up nicely with a spot booked for me to deliver some training at the 7-6 promotion seminar at County HQ on July 22 followed by the RA-FA Meeting on August 9 at the same venue. Some of my friends have completed their PGMO fitness tests today, so well done to Bob, Andy, Ricky and Ross.
Some of the other lads have had their Supply Leagues confirmed for them and I have to admit, I'm beginning to miss being out on the green bit again. I'm sure pre-season training (starting on July 12) will knock that out of me!
Sunday, 20 June 2010
Spoke too soon
It's taken me a couple of days to recover from the abject performance by England against Algeria on Friday. It was truly one of the worst team performances I have seen. Things need to change if they are to beat Slovenia on Wednesday and progress to the next stage of the competition.
Other games have been more exciting, whether it was the defeat of Germany by Serbia after Klose was sent off, the battling display by USA to gain a draw after being 2-0 down against Slovenia or the strong defence by Australia against Ghana after Kewell was sent off, it seems that the competition has finally come alive.
We also have the first team to be eliminated from the competition as Cameroon's defeat against Denmark, after they took an early lead as well, means they cannot qualify for the Round of 16.
I'm now signing off for a few days as I prepare for a trip to the 40th anniversary of Glastonbury. I've not been before, although I have attended other festivals. So it's mud, music, beer and baby wipes from Wednesday onwards ... they also have a 40ft screen on which to show the England game on Wednesday afternoon :-)
Other games have been more exciting, whether it was the defeat of Germany by Serbia after Klose was sent off, the battling display by USA to gain a draw after being 2-0 down against Slovenia or the strong defence by Australia against Ghana after Kewell was sent off, it seems that the competition has finally come alive.
We also have the first team to be eliminated from the competition as Cameroon's defeat against Denmark, after they took an early lead as well, means they cannot qualify for the Round of 16.
I'm now signing off for a few days as I prepare for a trip to the 40th anniversary of Glastonbury. I've not been before, although I have attended other festivals. So it's mud, music, beer and baby wipes from Wednesday onwards ... they also have a 40ft screen on which to show the England game on Wednesday afternoon :-)
Sunday, 13 June 2010
Hmmm
Tim Cahill (Aus) who plays his league football in the English Premier League was dismissed tonight for serious foul play when Australia played Germany and the general consensus (and I agree) was that it was a harsh decision.
In truth the game was already lost by the time he got his marching orders. Two Polish born players, Podolski and Klose opened the scoring and made it 2-0 by half time. In the second half Brazilian born Cacau added a third before Muller added a fourth.
The tv commentator made much of the previous disciplinary action taken by Marco Rodriguez of Mexico who issued 2 red cards on three occasions in his domestic season. He also noted that the German team were young (by comparison to previous German tournament teams) and relatively untried. It seems that doesn't matter and the worrying thing for England is that they will meet the winners of this group.
On this showing, it will be Germany who win Group D and that the winners of England's Group (hopefully England) will be happier to meet Ghana, if they manage to progress as Group winners and Ghana finish runners up to Germany.
In truth the game was already lost by the time he got his marching orders. Two Polish born players, Podolski and Klose opened the scoring and made it 2-0 by half time. In the second half Brazilian born Cacau added a third before Muller added a fourth.
The tv commentator made much of the previous disciplinary action taken by Marco Rodriguez of Mexico who issued 2 red cards on three occasions in his domestic season. He also noted that the German team were young (by comparison to previous German tournament teams) and relatively untried. It seems that doesn't matter and the worrying thing for England is that they will meet the winners of this group.
On this showing, it will be Germany who win Group D and that the winners of England's Group (hopefully England) will be happier to meet Ghana, if they manage to progress as Group winners and Ghana finish runners up to Germany.
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