Archive for the ‘FIFA World Cup’ Category

The Sweet Sixteen Bitten Once and Twice Shy.

Friday, June 27th, 2014

It’s June 27th and we are half way through the World Cup. The entertainment and excitement has been relentless with a record number of 136 goals scored and enough thrills and spills to fill a Marvel comic! Unfortunately Suarez‘s impression of Count Dracula could overshadow a wonderful tournament, and that is why I have no intention of mentioning him or the incident again in this blog. The group stage has concluded and we find ourselves in the round of sixteen which I’m sure you all know is the knockout section. There will be no more draws (or ties as the Americans irritatingly call them,) so the losers  pack their bags and go home.  The second round draw is as  follows;

  • Brazil v Chile
  • Columbia v Uruguay
  • France v Nigeria
  • Germany v Algeria
  • Holland v Mexico
  • Costa Rica v Greece
  • Argentina v Switzerland
  • Belgium v USA

The group stage conjured up many surprise results none more so than the elimination of holders Spain. Fellow European giants Italy, Portugal, England and Russia also fell by the wayside. I’m tempted not to refer to England as a giant of the European game because quite frankly they were clueless. Roy Hodgson has been told by his  employers he can continue his ineptness through to the European Championships in 2016. He’s a decent man, but should do the decent thing and resign!!!

FIFA must be quite pleased with the composition of the last sixteen since they represent three continents. Eight teams are from the Americas, six teams from Europe, and for the first time in a World Cup two teams from Africa.

Three teams who have 10 world  cup wins between them, Brazil, Argentina and Germany, predictably made the next round. Holland, Argentina and Columbia are the only.teams with 100% records. Greece squeezed through to the next round thanks to their striker Samaras tripping over his own feet to earn and convert a penalty in the last seconds to defeat the luckless Ivory Coast. USA revealed an abundance of guts and determination to escape from the “group of death” and earned the right to play my dark horses Belgium.

The two African teams, Algeria and Nigeria, have difficult ties against former Cup Winners Germany and France. France have recovered very well following the traumas and diabolical nature of their exit from the World Cup in  2010. Both European teams have shown their strengths and weaknesses in the tournament, but should comfortably take care of their African opponents.

Uruguay will be not be the same force without the suspended Suarez (Oops! I mentioned him again,) but Chile are capable of springing a surprise on host and fellow South Americans Brazil. Mexico acquitted themselves splendidly in finishing runner up to Brazil, but will probably run into  a Dutch oven. Invariably the team  who can be relied on to beat Holland are usually themselves. Never has a team in the history of the World Cup shot themselves more in the foot than the Dutch.

Switzerland recovered from the hammering they received from France and took care of business against a hapless (I love that word as regular readers will know) and ten man Ecuador. Argentina did enough to win their group  with  three wins from three matches, but looked a little vulnerable against Nigeria.

Finally I can’t heap enough praise on little Costa Rica. They have been nothing less than a revelation in this tournament having defeated previous Cup Holders Uruguay and Italy and holding clueless (I make no apologies for repeating the word) England to a goal less draw.

Let us not forget that only EIGHT teams have won the World Cup. Furthermore, no European team has won the tournament when it is held in the Americas. Okay let’s get down to the nitty gritty and put my money where my mouth is (should be keyboard really.)  I’m predicting wins for: Brazil, Columbia, France, Germany, Holland, Costa Rica, Argentina and Belgium.

Opening Salvos in 2014 World Cup

Tuesday, June 17th, 2014
  • Host Brazil won their opening game against worthy opponents Croatia aided and abetted by a naïve Japanese referee.
  • Forty seven goals have been scored in the opening 15 matches, which is the biggest number at this stage since 1958.
  • Eight substitutes have made an impact on proceedings by scoring for their countries.
  • Five teams- Belgium, Ivory Coast, Costa Rica, Switzerland, and Holland achieved comeback wins.
  • England outwitted by a pragmatic Italy
  • Uruguay, semi-finalists in 2010, grabbed the lead against Cost Rica only to succumb to the minnows 1-3.
  • Despite ominously taking the lead holders Spain were thrashed 5-1 by Holland with Van Persie and Robben each scoring twice. Spain’s goal keeper Casillas had a nightmare.
  • European giants Germany and France trounced their opponents 4-0 and 3-0 respectively.
  • USA produced a gutsy performance against technically superior Ghana to win 2-1.

Unless I’m clearly mistaken the current Brazil team is not as powerful or intimidating as some of its predecessors. They appear to have only one world class player in Neymar. Their goal keeper Caesar was playing in the Championship in England last season for QPR, and could prove to be their undoing. They were very lucky to beat Croatia who must be aggrieved by some of the decisions, not least the penalty award, of the theatrical Japanese referee.

USA are arguably in the “group of death,” but got off to a flying start against technically superior opponents Ghana by scoring after 32 seconds. The fact they held onto the lead until the 60th minute speaks volumes for their grit and determination. Even more impressive was coming back to score the winner late on from substitute defender Johnny “football” Brooks. They could take advantage of a vulnerable Portugal team who were thrashed 4-0 by Germany and secure a place in the last sixteen.

Two of the biggest surprises of the opening games involved holders Spain and Uruguay who were semi-finalists in 2010. Spain grabbed an early lead against Holland and were in cruise mode until they conceded an equalizer just before half time. Spanish goal keeper Casillas had a bewildered look about him for most of the second half, and was culpable for at least two of the four goals that Holland scored in that period. Uruguay also scored first against un fancied Costa Rica, but substandard defending (maybe it was arrogance) allowed their opponents to run away with the game 3-1.

I didn’t quite understand the reaction of the English press to England’s defeat to Italy. Most of the newspapers agreed that England played very well and were optimistic about their remaining two matches. To my mind they showed some potential, but they were weak in so many areas. The two fullbacks are so vulnerable defensively that the wide midfielders spend so much time helping them that they are not much of an attacking force. England allowed 37 year old Pirlo to run the game when it cried out for somebody to stand on his toes and nullify his contribution. Rooney provided the cross for England’s goal, but proved once again on the big stage he is steeped in mediocrity. Nineteen year old Raheem Sterling was one of the few bright sparks for England, but the back four, usually England’s strength, worry me. Balotelli scored with a routine header at the back post with neither central defender close to him.

Dark horses, Belgium, made heavy weather against Algeria, who scored first, but the mussels men came through with two late goals from substitutes Fellaini and Mertens. Belgium were accused of lacking passion and tempo for most of the match by the football pundits, but I thought the lack of width in attack was proving to be an albatross around their neck until the substitutions. They can play a lot better which could be ominous for the other teams.

Opening Day, Dark Horses and taking care of Canaries

Friday, April 4th, 2014

Today, March 31, 2014, represented the first day of the Major League Baseball season. Only 161 games remain after today’s opener and it could be long season for Atlanta Braves fans and players. The Atlanta Braves were playing the Brewers in Milwaukee and unsurprisingly lost 0-2. Much has been said about the loss of two of the starting rotation to season ending Tommy John surgery. Season ending…….the season had not begun when Medlen and Beachy went under the knife soon to be followed by Cory Gearin from the bullpen.

 But huge question marks hang over the offense when you consider it includes two players, BJ Upton and Uggla, who hit under the Mendoza line last season. For the uninitiated the Mendoza line is an undesirable label given to a hitter whose average is less than .200. Uggla and Upton are earning $28 million between them this season and they went for a combined 0 for 8 in the season opener. Okay, we can agree they are consistent in their ineptitude.

They paid out a lot of money in the winter to some of the younger players on the team. Freddie Freeman for example received $138 million for six years. He’s a good player but he doesn’t deserve super star status; not just yet anyway. General Manager Frank Wren’s reward for paying exorbitant salaries to the Mendoza twins was a contract extension. I don’t get it. Why should incompetency be rewarded?

The FIFA World Cup is a mere two months away and the favorites to win are the usual suspects: Spain, Germany, Brazil and possibly Argentina only for the fact it’s being staged in South America. Throw Uruguay into the mix for that matter. But if you want to place a bet on an outsider look no further than Belgium. The nucleus of the squad plies their trade in the Premiership.

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany and Vertonghen from Spurs provide a solid defensive partnership, and they could play a back three if you include Arsenal’s Virmaelen. Mignolet of Liverpool has a safe pair hands between the sticks. A midfield comprising Hazard (Chelsea,) Dembele (Spurs,) Mirallas (Everton) and Fellaini (Man Utd,) offers various options in creativity and goal scoring possibilities. Lukaku (Everton) and Benteke (Aston Villa) are two strikers who could take any defense to task. Their Achilles heel could possibly be a lack of experience at the highest level, but nevertheless they will give you a run for your money.

Swansea City took the unprecedented step in firing manager Michael Laudrup with nearly a third season remaining. Equally surprising was the appointment club Captain Gary Monk as head coach for the foreseeable future. Monk is studying for his FIFA coaching badges but has no experience of managing a football club let alone in the cauldron of the Premiership.

His management began well with a win over arch rivals Cardiff City. However that represented his only win in 10 matches despite playing well against Man Utd, Everton, Liverpool and Napoli in the Europa League. A meager one point return from fellow strugglers Crystal Palace and WBA at home had left them precariously close to the relegation zone. However a point against Arsenal away in midweek revealed there was still fight left in the team, but Norwich’s visit last Saturday had a Cup Final feel to it. Norwich were one place above the Swans with two more points and a win was critical to take some pressure of the fans and the players.

The Swans duly delivered by winning 3-0 in the style that has drawn admirers from home and abroad. A 33 point haul looks far more attractive than the 29 points that the team had become becalmed on. Hull City away tomorrow is another important game against another team in the same zone of the table as the Swans. But they go there with confidence and hopefully keep the ball rolling towards safety.

 

One Hundred Not Out

Friday, August 10th, 2012

There were several reasons for wanting to write a blog, none of which included making money. Just as well because I haven’t made one cent from ninety nine posts.

I was rather naive when I began this adventure into blogging. I assumed if I attracted any comments they would formulate some entertaining and constructive discussion. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Most of the comments are spam related with one important exception. Consequently I am grateful to my brother for taking the time to read the posts and responding from time to time with entertaining and critical comments.

He has a far better command of the English language than I, and has an open invitation to be a guest blogger on my site. Come on Bro, step up to the plate. Ironically one of the most popular posts was written by a friend who is a keen motor cycle enthusiast and his post “Motor Cycle Diaries Too” (June 2010) received hundreds of comments.

I was contemplating something special for my 100th post when my son suggested I should do a review of my favorite posts. So here goes:

Most of my posts are stimulated by something topical at the time of writing and St Patrick’s Day prompted me to post “If it weren’t for the Sheep and Welsh there wouldn’t be any Irish.” (March 2010) St. Patrick’s Day is a big party day in America which I totally support, but St David’s Day (March 1st) is totally ignored.

Some of the few genuine comments have asked where do I find the topics to write about. Usually it is from personal experiences and a case in point is “The Wailing Banshee and Peanut Lady.” (May 2010) Air travel and” people watching” at airports are wonderful sources for blogs.

“New Beginnings” (May 2010) chronicled two major events which occurred almost simultaneously, but one much important than the other. The first was the birth of my granddaughter over in England, and the lesser event was the first coalition government elected in Britain for over 80 years.

“Antique or Classic” (July 2010) was one of my favorites. It recalls the day when I inherited a 1983 Buick Park Avenue from my mother-in-law, and I drove it to an interview on a hot steamy day in Atlanta traffic with no air conditioning. The car is an antique while the story is a classic!

My son usually visits for a week in the fall, and in 2010 we embarked on a road trip to Nashville and Memphis which is documented in “Road Trip: In search of Freddy Fender.” (December 2010) We were lucky to catch Vince Gill jamming with The Time Jumpers in a moth eaten watering hole in Nashville, and even luckier to survive a shooting at our motel in Memphis. No, it wasn’t the same motel in which Martin Luther King was assassinated back in 1968.

“Surviving Wrestlemania” (April 2011) has a special place in my list of favorites as it was instrumental in bringing all our family together for the first time since 1993 with the welcome addition of a son-in-law, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren.

Many of my posts were devoted to politics and I enjoyed writing “The World is riddled with Wieners.” (June 2011)America on the Brink” (March 2012) also offered an opportunity for an entertaining exchange of views between my brother and me.

In the summer of 2011 I was caught up in the trial of Caylee Anthony who was accused of murdering her little daughter. My interest covered two posts entitled “American Justice” (July 2011) because I felt personally involved having two little granddaughters of a similar age to the victim.

On a lighter note many of my posts extended to sports. In insight I overdid my coverage of the FIFA World Cup, Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Falcons, but it is difficult to write without passion and I have a deep passion for sports. “Jimmy, Samantha and Me” (April 2012) was an account of our experience on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama. I would recommend it to fellow golfers and I can’t wait to return.

“Elvis is Alive and Kicking at The Liberty” (May 2012) chronicles Swansea City’s final match of their first season in the Premiership. Read the post if you want to know the link between Elvis and the Swans.

My two favorite posts are very personal to me. I discovered some information about my dad which I was unaware of via “RAF Bomber Command and my Dad.” (June 2012) I knew he served in the Air Force during the war but thanks to my brother learned that he was attached to the 2nd Tactical Air force.

Finally “1972: A Season to Remember” (February 2011) is my son’s favorite post and probably mine too. I only have to close my eyes and I have an image of trotting onto a bumpy,  grassless, (well almost) muddy pitch under an overcast gray sky in a claret and blue strip at Underhill Park in Mumbles, Swansea. Great memories!

 

Shooting Oneself in the Foot

Tuesday, October 18th, 2011

Can somebody tell me why most of the teams I’ve supported during my lifetime invariably shoot themselves in the foot sending a dagger through my heart. The latest disappointment was Wales losing to France in the rugby World Cup semi-final by the slender margin of 8-9.

The previous day I discovered the game was being televised on some obscure cable channel (channel 245) tucked away in the outer reaches of home shopping and Jerry Springer re-runs. I elected to pre-record the game to avoid having to get up at the unearthly hour of 4.00am, and I was sitting in front of my screen at approximately 7.30am proudly wearing my Welsh rugby shirt eagerly awaiting the referee’s whistle to start proceedings.

The game began promisingly for Wales and they quickly gained an early lead from a penalty by James Hook. The team was growing in confidence as the match progressed, and looked likely to make another score until the game was turned on its head quite literally.

In the 16th minute, the Welsh captain, Sam Warburton, performed a spear tackle on a French wing three-quarter which a Zulu warrior would envy, and was shown the red card reducing Wales to 14 men for the remainder of the game. It wasn’t malicious but it was a dangerous tackle all the same. I stared open mouthed at the TV screen completely stunned watching Warburton trudge dejectedly off the field taking a nation’s dreams and aspirations with him.

 It is to Walescredit that they nearly won. France didn’t offer much in terms of attacking options and were content to win the game with penalty kicks. James Hook missed two kickable penalties and Leigh Halfpenny went agonizingly close with a long range attempt in the final minutes. Mike Phillips should have attempted to get closer to the posts when scoring the game’s only try but was too busy celebrating crossing the line.

It reminded me of the day Swansea Town reached the semi-final of the FA Cup in 1964; long before the dark side invaded our comfort zone. On the way they had knocked out three first division teams: Sheffield United, Stoke City and the mighty Liverpool on their own turf at Anfield. Their opponents in the semi-final were a fellow second division team Preston North End who they had defeated 5-1 in the league a few weeks earlier.

The Swans led 1-0 at half time following a Jimmy McLaughlin goal, but Preston scored an equalizer early in the second half and the match was drifting towards extra time until disaster struck. Swansea’s goal keeper Noel Dwyer was on a walkabout in his penalty area when Preston’s center half Tony Singleton latched onto the ball around the halfway line. He took a few steps before unleashing a shot from nearly 40 yards which flew over Dwyer’s head into an empty net. Game over and the dreams (maybe the Welsh are a bunch of daydreamers) of thousands of rain sodden fans from South Wales were shattered at Villa Park.

Long suffering Welsh fans have nightmares (dreams/nightmares; it has a touch of Harry Potter) over failing to qualify for the FIFA world cup finals in 1978 and 1986. Each time they were pipped at the post by Scotland as a result of two dubious penalty decisions which were created by the naivety of Welsh defenders. Joe Jordan was the original “hand of God” merchant.

Who can forget the Atlanta Braves’ attempt to retain the World Series in 1996? They won the first two games of a best of seven series in New York and were leading 6-3 in the first home game. Braves closer Mark Wohlers entered the fray in the 8th inning and needed to strike out a pinch hitter to move into the final innings and take a virtually unassailable 3-0 lead.

Jim Leyritz was little more than a journey man back up catcher with very little pedigree. Unfortunately nobody had shown him the script and he unceremoniously blasted Wohlers’ fast ball out of the park for a three run homer to tie the score. The Yankees went on to win the game and never trailed again winning the series 4-2.

In 1999 the Atlanta Falcons were in the Super Bowl for the first time in their history facing the Denver Broncos in Miami. In the early hours of the morning on game day, Eugene Robinson, self-appointed spiritual leader of the team, was arrested for propositioning a hooker who just happened to be an under cover police officer. Robinson and several other players spent several hours at the police station which was not an ideal way to prepare for the biggest game of your sporting life. Needless to say Robinson was torched a couple of times for touchdowns and Denver were comfortable winners.

 Staying with the oval ball, underwhelming France plays New Zealand next Sunday for the ultimate prize in international rugby. The All Blacks demolished Australia in the other semi-final and are hot favorites to win the cup for the second time. However not so fast my friends, as they have experienced moments in previous world cup tournaments when the team imploded. I would be wary of the French if I was a Kiwi because on their day they can beat anyone including New Zealand.

Quote of the week: My friend Nick recently had his car serviced and when he arrived to pick his car up the mechanic asked him: “Do you want me to grease your rear end, Sir?” Without batting an eyelid Nick replied: “Shall I drop my trousers and bend over?”

Back to my Roots

Sunday, July 17th, 2011

The last few posts have been a little off my radar if I’m being honest. I’ve lurched from weiners to a criminal trial via foreign accent syndrome which is quite bizarre really. Consequently (a word I used regularly in my town planning career) I want to catch up with some sports issues which naturally are my favorite subject to write about.

I’m not a great fan of women’s soccer. Most of the women’s matches I’ve witnessed, and admittedly there were not many, remind me of non league soccer, so why settle for lava bread when you can have caviar? I happen to love lava bread but the analogy is appropriate so grant me a little poetic license here folks.

The USA women’s soccer team has reached the World Cup Final to be played on Sunday against “land of the rising sun,” Japan. Remember Pearl Harbor girls. I’m just kidding. Anyway USA defeated an arrogant Brazil in the quarter finals by overcoming them in a penalty shoot out.

What impressed me was the equalizer by Abby Wambach two minutes from the end of extra time. It came from an old fashioned cross from a winger and finished off with a classical header at the far post. It’s not often you see women heading a football and I take my hat off to the goal scorer. She looks and plays like she has more male testosterone flowing through her veins than I do right now, but then again she’s not competing in a beauty pageant.

Three days later the USA were pitting their wits against a very skilful French team who were technically far superior to the Americans. Technical ability is a great attribute but what matters at the end of the game is the scoreboard. USA scored early in the 9th minute and didn’t have another shot on target for 60 minutes. France equalized early into the second half and were so dominant for twenty minutes that they should have scored a hatful.

The USA’s coach made a couple of substitutions and a tactical change to the team’s formation which proved to be pivotal. From one of their rare forages up the field in the second half my new pal Ms.Wambach scored with yet another header from a corner kick, and it was good night Irene. The French resembled an over inflated balloon which was suddenly pricked, and they could not respond.

The Americans scored a well deserved third goal which was well taken by their young striker, Alex Morgan. She fastened onto a great through ball from midfield, and faced by a quickly advancing goalkeeper, coolly and skillfully chipped the ball over her opponent into the empty net. Basically USA defended better than their French opponents.

Later, it was reported that Harry Redknapp had sent representatives to Germany to sign Alex Morgan until they discovered she was a woman. Typically, Harry was not lost for words, and determined she would probably do a better job than the jokers he currently has in the squad.

Staying with association football, my home team, Swansea City, will be making their debut in the English Premiership in just little over a month’s time. I was a little concerned that they hadn’t signed a quality goalkeeper for the challenge ahead, but my fears were allayed (sort of) over the weekend when they announced the signing of 29 year old Jose Moreira from Benfica.

 During his career at the famous club, he played 148 times over an 11 year period with them but was relegated to 3rd choice last season. Yes, he has big game experience but the Premiership is a seething cauldron of intensity and drama played at a break neck pace which no other league in the world can match. Therefore I am reserving judgment until a few games into the season.

On the domestic front, we have arrived at the halfway point of the baseball season and the Atlanta Braves are lying second to the Phillies in the Eastern Division of the National League. If the season finished today, they were would qualify for the post season on the basis of winning the wild card. They remain 31/2 games back of the Phillies and one wonders if they have the tools to catch them in the second half the season rather than rely on the wild card. They have the 3rd best record in major league baseball thanks primarily to their pitching. Just look at their starting rotation stats:

  • Jurrjens 12-3 with and ERA 1.87
  • Hanson 10-5 with an ERA 2.44
  • Hudson 9-6 with an ERA 3.57
  • Beachy 3-1 with an ERA 3.21

Then there is Derek Lowe, the highest paid pitcher on the staff with a 5-7 record and a worrying 4.30 ERA. The bullpen has proved to be stellar in game winning situations providing O’Flaherty, Venters and Kimbrel   pitch in the 7th, 8th and 9th innings. The 14-1 loss to the Phillies before the All Star break was a not so gentle reminder that the bullpen is far from strength in depth, and there is the risk that the aforementioned three guys could be over pitched before 162 regular games are completed.

The Braves’ offense is a work in progress. They are 18th in runs scored, 26th in batting average, 27th in on base percentage and 19th slugging percentage. Run production is coming from the infield in the shape of McCann, Freeman, Chipper, and Prado and surreptitiously from Dan Uggla. At the break Uggla, recently signed to a big contract had recorded 15 home runs but was hitting for a .183 average.

Traditionally teams can usually rely on run production from one of their outfielders whether it is from right or left field but neither McLouth nor Heyward is cutting for me. McLouth has a batting average .229 with 3 home runs, and Heyward has a batting average .224 with 9 home runs. When the Braves won the World Series in 1995, right fielder David Justice had a .253 season batting average with 24 home runs and Ryan Klesko playing in left field had 23 home runs with a batting average .310.

There is an old adage in baseball that claims good pitching beats good hitting. The Braves pitching is very good but the Phillies rotation is better. The Braves offense is mediocre while the Phillies batting lineup has improved with the return of Chase Uttley from injury. Trading for a seasoned hitter with good run production could help the Braves down the stretch, but not at the expense of selling the farm.

Postscript: Japan defeated USA in a penalty shoot-out and the Americans have only themselves to blame. They were the dominant team, took the lead twice, but opted to protect their lead rather than go for the jugular.

Darren Clarke won the 140th The Open at his twentieth attempt proving there’s life in the old dog, and good guys sometimes win.