Group of Death for Portugal and Ghana.

Group   G

Portugal   2                 Ghana  1

Boyyyyyyyyy  (30 og)              Gyan (57)

Ronaldo (80)

USA   0                  Germany   1

                                       Muller (55)


After Ghana sent home two of their players for a training ground bust up, the African team were quickly joining them on the plane home.  Ronaldo got his world cup goal, but not even he could pull this sorry lot through to the next the round.  Germany ran out 1-0 winners against the States and luckily for Jurgen Klinsmann the two other teams in this group just didn't have enough to displace them as runners up in a group, that most people were calling the group of death.

Group   H

South  Korea  0        Belgium  1

                                           Vertonghan (78)

Algeria     1                 Russia  1

Silimani  (60)                           Kokorin (6)

Harry Redknapp was absolutely ecstatic last night after Algeria and their

"triffic" striker Silimani got the point they needed to make their way to knockout stages of the world cup.

Islam Silmani, he scores when he wants!

I had noticed earlier on in the night that the flat opposite me had an Algerian flag hanging off their balcony.  I can neither confirm or deny that a Range Rover pulled up outside the flats, or that a craggy faced 60 something man entered the flats just before kick off.  Nor can I deny or confirm that at the final whistle an Englishman surrounded by jubilant Algerians were jumping up and down on the balcony shouting "luvverley jubberley " and "triffic".

It was a bit like De Ja Vue for Fabio Crapello though, with 30 minutes to go in the game they would just need a goal to win it what does Fabio do, you guessed it.  Emile get your boots on son.

Go out there and get me a goal, golden boots.

In fact I was watching this game, cheering on the Algerians and he didn't do anything, and I am afraid to say Crapello and his Russians deserved everything they got which ended up being a first round knockout.

Belgium are steadily going along in this tournament and they are doing just enough, and you have got to say with the talent they have in this squad they could go all the way.

Last word on the Suarez ban, is it fair or is it harsh.  For me it was a bit like England's performance in the 2014 world cup.  I was hoping for a little bit more.

Diego Maradonna has had his say on the Saurez ban and he thinks the player has been treated unfairly and he defends the little Uraguyan.  This is why Maradonna will never be seen as the greatest player in the world ever, oh and he was a little fat cheating, horrible, moaning fat bastard.  I'm not bitter!!
And Suarez's own grandmother as spoke out and said that she thinks FIFA have treated her grandson like a dog.  That is probably because HE FUCKING ACTS LIKE A DOG LUV!  I shouted that just in case his Grandmama was a little hard of hearing.  What will he do next take a shit on the football pitch.

I think the boy Lineker might have shit himself Brian!

Jurgen says: People of America, have a day off.

Group    E

Ecuador    0          France    0

Honduras   0            Switzerland  3

                                          Shaqiri (6, 31, 71)


Although Ecuador put up a bit of a fight, and Honduras did most of their fighting on the pitch, there were no real surprises in this group as the 2 favourites topped the group[ and made it easily through to the next stage.  My new favourite team France made a few changes and showed that they really need to play their first eleven to have any chance of success this time round.  Switzerland thumped Ecuador with with  3 goals from Colombian arse shaking singing star Shaqira, her hat trick was the 50th hat trick in the world cup.

Shakira, 50th hat trick in world cup history.  Her hips don't lie.

Group   F

Bosnia   3               Iran    1

Dzeko (23)                      Goochi, Gooooch, Gooochinard.  Reza (82)

Pjanic (59)

Vrsajevic (83)

Nigeria  2              Argentina   3

Musa (4, 47)                   Messi (3, 45)

                                       Rojo (50)

Ok, I admit Messi is starting to look good in this tournament but what is the goalie doing for the free-kick?  

I feel a bit sorry for the Iranians after their last minute defeat to Argentina, but they didn't do enough at the end of the day, and Bosnia rolled them over. 

 Nigeria are the first African team to get through to the second phase and  I wonder if Harry Redknapp's favourite new team Algeria will be joining them, as I can't for the life of me see Ghana getting through, even if they beat Ronaldo.   Germany and USA will surely play out a draw, won't they?  

Apparently USA, USA, USA, GET IN THE HOLE manager Jurgen "the German" Klinsmann has told the American public to have a day off  to support and get behind their team as they aim to beat Germany and top the group.  I would be very surprised  if anybody in America even know's there is a world cup in soccer even going on.   Anyone who does take a day off though will use the excuse that Jurgen Klinsmann told them to, and will no doubt sue the German if they end up getting the sack from their job for not bothering to show up.   I really can't believe Jurgen is going to try and beat Germany, if it all goes tits up and USA end up losing this and Ghana end up winning against Portugal by a good few goals, then Klinsmann is going to look a right prick.  

Germany and USA to go through for me.  

So bye, bye Ronaldo.

Falcao who? Colombia march on.

Group   C

Greece   2          Ivory Coast   1

Samaris (42)               Bony (74)

Samaras (90 pen)

Japan   1              Colombia  4

Okazaki (45)                 Cuadrado (17 pen)

                                      Martinez (55,82)

                                       Rodriguez (89)

Not many would have had Greece and Colombia as winners and runners up in this group, but Colombia have been brilliant in this world cup so far scoring 9 goals in the process.  As for Greece their over defensive football saw them through against an Ivory Coast side who just didn't turn up on the night.  The Greek SAS, Samaris and Samaras scored the goals that booked the Greeks place in the second round.  Pele, the greatest player ever to kick a football, once stated that an African nation would win the world cup by the year 2000, obviously that hasn't happened and with only Cameroon in 1990 reaching the quarter final stage, and four years ago when Ghana were denied a semi final place by the hand of rabid dog, it doesn't look as if that will happen anytime soon.

Hey Bobby, an African team will win the world cup by the year 2000.

Group  D

Costa  Rica   0       England   0

Italy       0                   Uruguay   1

                                             Godin (81)

Uruguay booked their place in the second round for a showdown with fellow South American rivals Colombia.  There is no point going into the biggest talking point of this game, only to say if any person in any other walk of life bites someone else once, they would get sacked and or arrested, but for someone to do it 3 times is just truly unbelievable.  Saurez and the Uruguayan team should be embarrassed by their actions, and I for one hope Colombia absolutely batter them in the last 16.

As for England they came out of their last game with an emphatic 0-0 draw with the mighty Costa Rica.  I now know what it must be like to be Scottish fan.  For the first time ever since I have been watching England we have finished bottom of the group and not qualified for the second round.

Italy for me have been a poor team and even leading up to this tournament I thought they would not get out of this group, and I was proven right,  I did however think England would do much better, but unfortunately we are coming home with one point and 2 goals, and bottom of the table.  Disappointing.

.

24/6/1990

Knockout round last 16

West  Germany  2             Holland   1

Klinsmann  (51)                             R Koeman (89 pen)

Brehme  (82)

24 years ago today a game took place in Italia 90 that won't be remembered for a fantastic goal or by a match winning save.  It will long be remembered as the day that Holland's Frank Rijkaard sniffed as hard as he could and summoned up a massive greenie which he finally propelled into the German striker Ruddi Voeller's 1980's curly mullett.  

It is one of those moments in football, that you never forget, no matter how much you try to.

The Dutch lost this game and the German's went on to lift the trophy after they had beaten England in the semi finals on penalties.

The thing that I most remember about this incident though was the interview after the game that ITV had with the Then Ireland manager Jack Charlton.  I think it might have been Elton Welsby who asked Big Jack "what did you make of the spitting incident, Big Jack?" to which he replied.  "Absolutely disgusting Jim,  I tell you one thing though, if he hadder dunnit to me, I woulda chinned him.

Big Jack woulda chinned him.

Mexico and Chile look forward as England prepare for friendly

Group   A

Cameroon   1              Brazil    4

Matip (26)                             Neymar (17, 34)

                                              Fred (49)

                                              Fernandinho (84)

Croatia        1              Mexico    3

Persic  (87)                             Marquez (73)

                                               Guardado (75)

                                               Hernandez (82)

Brazil and Mexico finish Group A as winners and runners up respectively, as Count Kovac's Croatia and the hapless Cameroon are off this morning to catch the plane home.  Kovac will obviously be shipped out encased in an air tight box as not to be exposed to direct sunlight, either that or he will just take a later flight undercover of darkness. MOOWHAAHAHAHA!

Group   B

Australia   0             Spain     3

                                          Villa (36)

                                           Torres (69)

                                           Mata (82)

Holland     2               Chile    0

Fer (77)

Memphis (90)

Spain finally won a game in a major tournament for the first time in what 3 games?  A 3-0 victory meant plucky Australia finished bottom of the pile in Group B.  Holland top the group and Chile will now play Brazil in the next round after a very creditable second place finish.  The scorer of the Dutch 2nd goal is actually Depay, but he has the nickname Memphis because of his love of the character in the film Happy Feet of the same name.  

If you have never seen the film Happy Feet, don't bother it's crap.

Tonight England play in one of their favourite type of games, a meaningless friendly against Costa Rica.  Roy has decided that it is time to blood some of the youngsters and drop some of the old guard, and give Frank Lampard the captains armband for what will almost certainly be his last ever England game.   With the defence he is playing tonight I can see us losing about 3-0 and Roy Hodgeson will be the only English manager whose team has come out pointless at a world cup.  I will obviously watch it though because I couldn't give a shit who wins between Italy and Uruguay.

Tim's not mad

Group   G

USA   2                Portugal   2

Jones J (64)                   Nani (5)

Dempsey (81)                Varela (90)

A last minute pinpoint cross from Ronaldo set up a Varela  header, that kept Portugal in this world cup by the skin of their teeth.  This means that Germany will have to play USA in the final game.  That is USA managed by Jurgen Klinnsman, Jurgen the German both teams need a draw to progress, I wonder if we will see these two play out a stalemate.  It would be totally unprofessional by both teams and extremely hard on Ghana in particular, if they manage to beat Portugal, but we all know the Germans have previous.  As for the game it was quite exciting, but Tim "tourettes" Howard must have been effing and Jeffing like a sailor at his defence when that last minute header went in.  The cameras did turn to Howard as he trudged off the pitch but quickly turned off him when he started muttering to himself, rumours that Howard was sitting in the dressing room after the game howling and calling all his team mates big nose are as yet unconfirmed.

Group   H  

Belgium    1                Russia   0

Origi (88)

Two below average performances for Belgium and two victories, everybody's dark horses are doing a job, at times they are riding their luck but the are now guaranteed a place in the knockout stages.  Who know's how far they can go but surely they will improve as the tournament moves along, if that is the case then they may proove to be a tough team to beat.  The commentator shouted "its the 19 year old, Divock Origi" when Belgium scored.  It reminded me of when Northern Ireland played in the world cup in 1982 and every time Norman Whiteside got the ball John Motson would shout "it's the seventeen year old, Whiteside".  To be fair this didn't just happen in the world cup it happened in every game Norman Whiteside played for Manchester United when he was 17.

South Korea   2                      Algeria   4

Son (50)                                              Silmani (26)

Koo (72)                                              Halliche (28)

                                                            Djabou (37)

                                                            Brahimi (62)

Probably the best game of the world cup so far, it had goals, skill and lots of passion, especially from the 

Algerians.  Algeria's 4th goal was a great team move, great passing and fine finish.  I can imagine Premier league managers looking at this Algerian team and thinking their a bit of alright.  Obviously I'm talking about Harry Redknapp, I reckon Harry was watching that last night and will be sending Joe Jordan on the first plane possible to Brazil.  Don't be surprised if QPR bring in a few Algerians this season.  Silimani is what Harry would call a "triffic player".  Watch this space.

Yes Jeff, I'm driving to Brazil to buy some Algerians.

 

English pride!!!

A lot has been said about England and their lack of passion and pride when they pull on an England shirt.  It seems to a lot of people that the current crop of England stars work harder, play better and seem to give a lot more for their respected clubs than they ever do for their country.  As an outsider looking in this could be seen to be the case.  However I just don't think we are good enough, although I do think that unfortunately these days your club does come first, mainly because of the high wages these players are paid.  The thing is years ago it was seen as a privilege to play for you country, maybe nowadays for some it is more of a necessary job that comes with being a professional footballer.  I hope this is not the case, but will we ever really know one way or another.

With this argument in mind I have decided to pick an England 11 based on players since 1990 who have played for their country and have been literally dripping with pride.

1:  Peter Shilton  GK
Although from another era Shilts is the only choice as the number 1.
He still to this day loses sleep over Maradonna's hand of god goal in 1986.  Played in 3 world cups and didn't disgrace himself in any of them, as long as you don't count his moment of madness in the 3rd/4th place play off in 1990 against Italy.

2:   Gary Neville  RB
A man who has never been afraid to show his passion for either his club or his country.  Some people may not like him because of who he is, but even now in his role in the modern England set up as part of the coaching staff, you can see him kicking every ball on the sidelines, wishing he was still in the thick of it on the pitch.

6:  Terry Butcher  CB
Just look at the picture on the left and tell me this man has no pride.
This man is not just full of passion and pride he is an absolute maniac.
A man that doesn't let a little thing like having half your head falling off stop you completing 90 minutes for your country.  Just look at his eyes, he probably loved it.

5:  Tony Adams   CB
Adams had his critics over the years, but what England would give for a defender like him nowadays.  Not just a stopper but this bloke could play a bit as well.  Oh and another thing if you ever get a chance to see any games in Euro 96, just have a look at how loud this man is belting out the national anthem.

3:  Stuart Pearce  LB
Psycho.  The nickname says it all.  The way Pearce came back from the pain of the penalty miss against Germany in 1990 and the disappointment of not qualifying for the world cup in 1994, to step up and bang home a penalty versus Spain at Euro 96 shows the character of this man.  Seeing him shouting and screaming after that converted penalty still gives me goose bumps.

4:  Paul Ince   CDM
Here is a type player we haven't had for many a year now, a player that does all the dirty stuff in midfield but also instinctively knows when it's time to go forward.  Love him or hate him there can be no question that when the Gov'ner put on the three lions he would only ever give 100%.

8:  Bryan Robson  CM
Captain marvel or captain fantastic, call him what you will but you knew what you would get from this box to box midfielder when he wore that England shirt.  My memories of  always seemed to be of him being walked of the pitch with his arm in a sling.  Injuries aside he was a real leader and he lead by example.  A real battler who would always nick a goal or two.

10: Paul Gascoigne  CAM
What can you say about Gazza that hasn't already been said a million times over.  This bloke would give his left bollock to play for England, and if that weren't good enough he would give you someone elses too.
His tears were there for all to see, as was his passion every time he played football, whether it was for England or just a kick about in his back garden.  The most gifted and exciting player England have produced in my lifetime.  Just Gazza.

7:  David Beckham  RW
After France in 1998 David Beckham would have been the last name considered for this team, but as we all know after the 2-2 draw with Greece in 2001 where |Beckham took on the Greeks seemingly all by himself and dragged us through to the world cup finals in 2002, how can he not be in it.

11:  Chris Waddle  LW
This was the hardest position to pick for on the pitch, not only have we never really been gifted with great wide players, but a wide player with passion?  Waddle was heartbroken after that penalty, and unfortunately for him he never had the chance to redeem himself as Stuart Pearce did in 1996.  If he had of had the chance I am sure his celebration would have been just as powerful as Psycho's.

9:  Gary Lineker  ST
Gary Lineker got his debut for England as a player who played for an unfashionable team Leicester City.  I don't think anyone can dispute his passion whenever he turned out for England.  Even now as a presenter he still shows the same passion as a supporter and you can see his disappointment every tournament when England fail to deliver yet again.
Maybe in the future we will get another prolific striker from another unfashionable club, who plays football just because he loves scoring goals.





That's my eleven and I am sure you will agree that if that team took the field in this tournament, there wouldn't be any question about pride or passion.

I would like to mention as well David Platt and Peter Beardsley who I also believe would get into this team.

Shearer and Scholes in my book retired to young from international football, and although they obviously had pride and passion, there decision to choose club over country means they don't get in.