World Cup FIFA 2010: Final round kicks off today with Uruguay taking on South Korea, USA faces Ghana
Finally, the first round of the FIFA World Cup 2010 came to an end yesterday after having its share of upsets. Many teams who were favoured to be playing the last 16 find themselves sitting back in their home countries feeling sad and disappointed about their performances in South Africa.
Yesterday was the last day of the qualifiers as Groups G and H went head to head inside their respective groups to decide the final 4 out of the 8 teams representing the groups.
In a much hyped Portugal versus Brazil match the fans did not have a lot to cheer about as after the well fought 90 minutes the final score line remained 0-0.
In terms of ball possession however, Brazil, who had already qualified for the last 16, dominated the proceedings of the match.
However to the credit of the Portuguese, in a match where they just needed a draw to qualify for the next round, they displayed some good defence and technique throughout the game. Much more importantly they held the mighty Brazilians from scoring in a match where the Brazilians looked dangerous on many occasions.
From Group E Japan and Holland qualified for the last 16 of the World Cup as they beat their match rivals Denmark and Cameroon respectively.
Now in the last 16 stage, the Dutch will play Slovakia and Japan will face Paraguay in Pretoria.
In the Group G match the Ivory Coast despite their excellent performance fell short on their goal chase despite beating North Korea 3-0. They were seen packing up and going home as Portugal qualified with Brazil due to their higher goals and robbed the spot from the Ivory Coast to inch through.
Moving on, the much awaited super 16 stage of the tournament is set to kick off today with South Korea taking on Uruguay.
The match is expected to be very entertaining as the only surviving Asian team of the tournament takes on Uruguay. The latter side have a rock solid defence as they are yet to concede a goal.
Uruguay, who crashed out of the 2002 World Cup, will be looking to put the past behind them and fight their way to reach the last four as a performance target for themselves.
Also in today’s South African features is the big game between USA and Ghana which will be played right after the South Korea- Uruguay match.
What makes this match so big is the fact that the African nation will be expecting a big fan-following. Especially, considering the fact it was them who sent USA out in the 2006 edition of the World cup. Now four years later, Ghana again find themselves blocking the American’s path.
However, the Americans are still riding on the high of their last match where a stoppage time goal got them into the last 16. They have the confidence of finishing on the top of their group. The Americans remain hopeful of a miracle.
USA’s run so far in South Africa has been nothing less than heart stopping for their fans as they got themselves to draw against a much stronger English team 1-1. Then being down 2 goals they came back to draw against Slovenia 2-2 after they were disallowed a winning goal. Most recently, that miraculous stoppage time goal against Algeria.
But one cannot count the stars of Ghana out as they seem to be ready to change USA’s destiny today and thus re-live 2006.
Players of the African nation, say that since the beginning of this year’s tournament they have had a dream and that dream is to go into the semi-finals. Thus be it USA or any other team they play at their level best and try to win every game.
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