About M.E. myself and I

Eastbourne, East Sussex, United Kingdom
I have been an M.E. sufferer for a long time now, but sports replay gaming is an easy hobby for me to enjoy. Originally from Canvey Island, Essex, I was introduced to replay gaming a few years ago, leading to my first purchase: Cricket World. Most sports I share will be common, but there are some more obscure replays thrown in. Thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoy your stay. Feel free to say hello! - Chris

Tuesday 31 July 2012

Final Score - WC2010 Group D, Ghana vs Germany

Wednesday 23rd June 2010 - Soccer City, Johannesburg - Att. 83,391
Referee: Carlos Simon (Brazil)

LINEUPS:
Ghana (451): Kingson, Pantsil, Sarpei (Vorsah 73'), John Mensah, Johnathon Mensah, Annan (D Boateng 83'), Asamoah, Tagoe, Gyan, Prince-Boateng, Ayew (Amoah 57')
Germany (451): Neuer, Lahm, J Boateng, Freidrich, Mertesacher, Schweinsteiger (Marin 79'), Oezil (Jansen 45'), Khedira, Klose, Podolski (Cacau 68'), Mueller

This battle between the top two sides in Group D had it's moments but both teams were more than content to play out the draw and look ahead to the second round. Podolski and Sarpei had their first of several close encounters early on with the German picking up a yellow card after a rough tackle and Ghana wasting their free kick opportunity. They came together in the 23rd minute, this time Podolski got the better of Sarpei in one of many faltering attacks.

The rest of the first half passed without incident prompting Germany to make a substitution at halftime. This, and a slight shift in tactics, led to Germany taking a firmer hand in the game but were still not quite at the races with a lot of attacks breaking up. They had one great chance in the 82nd minute when Jerome Boateng flicked on a free kick for Klose outside of the Ghanian box, but Kingson was equal to it in his goal. A final chance in the dying seconds, again off the foot of Miroslav Klose, deflected and was saved.

Ghana 0 - 0 Germany
Goalscorers:
None

Discipline:
GER Podolski 2'
GER Friedrich 2'
GHA Annan 17'
GER Schweinsteiger 66' (sus)

Man of the Match:
GHA Prince Tagoe
 
GROUP D
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Ghana 3 2 1 0 3 0 +3 7
Germany 3 1 2 0 6 2 +4 5
Serbia 2 0 1 1 2 4 -2 1
Australia 2 0 0 2 0 5 -5 0

Monday 30 July 2012

Final Score - WC2010 Group C, USA vs Algeria

Wednesday 23rd June 2010 - Loftus Versfield Stadium, Pretoria - Att. 35,827
Referee: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium)

LINEUPS:
USA (442): Howard, Cherundolo, Spector, Demerit, Onyewu, Bradley (Holden 65'), Edu, Donovan, Altidore, Findley (Fellhaber 82'), Dempsey (Torres 82')
Algeria (433): Bohli, Yahia, Bougherra, Halliche (Abdoun 72'), Lacen, Yebda, Kadir, Belhadj, Djebbour (Boudebouz 58'), Ziani (Ghezzal 79'), Matmour

Jozy Altidore scored his second goal of the World Cup late in the first half to carry the United States through to the second round. It was Algeria who started the brightest but a chance in the second minute was headed onto the roof of the net by Karim Matmour. The Americans probed and prodded around the area but were sent back time and again by Algeria until Johnathon Spector, standing in for the suspended Bocanegra, whipped in a early cross for Clint Dempsey to send goalwards. His effort was turned away but straight to a waiting Altidore who roofed it with aplomb.

The second half was an exercise in futility as the USA formed an impenetrable brick wall, only breaking if they had the numbers going forward, and stopping the Algerians at every turn.

USA 1 - 0 Algeria
Goalscorers:
USA Altidore 43' (2)

Discipline:
No Cards

Man of the Match:
ALG Mehdi Lacen

GROUP C
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
England 3 3 0 0 6 2 +4 9
United States 3 2 0 1 3 2 +1 6
Algeria 3 1 0 2 1 2 -2 3
Slovenia 3 0 0 3 1 5 -4 0

Sunday 29 July 2012

Final Score - WC2010 Group C, Slovenia vs England

Wednesday 23rd June 2010 - Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth - Att. 36,893
Referee: Wolfgang Stark (Germany)

LINEUPS:
Slovenia (442): Handanovic, Brecko, Jokic, Suler (Dzinic 45'), Cesar, Stevanovic, Koren (Krhin 71'), Birsa, Ljubijankic, Novakovic, Kirm
England (442): James, Johnson (Carragher 62'), Cole, Terry (King 51'), Upson, Barry, Lampard, Milner, Rooney (Carrick 79'), Defoe, Gerrard

England started out well in a very eventful opening half when Steven Gerrard, on his way to a second Man of the Match performance in the tournament, opened the scoring in the third minute of play when he got on the end of a Defoe cross. Jermaine Defoe was a constant bother for Slovenia, who started without the suspended Radosavijevic with Stevanovic taking his place, without getting on the scoresheet himself.

The second goal came from an unlikely source in an even more unlikely fashion. Matthew Upson collected the ball well outside of the area and sent a rocket into the back of the net from distance at an angle in the 17th minute. Five minutes later and the mood of the match changed when Millvoje Novakovic beat one man before a bad challenge put him on the ground and Ashley Cole heading for an early bath. But while Slovenia were seeking to break down the ten men of England a thunderous free kick by Frank Lampard made it 3-0 before the leaders stifled the remaining half.

The second half was all Slovenian pressure and this led to an early penalty to get them back into the game. Lampard fouled Andraz Kirm just inside the box, earning both a booking for some afters, and Kirm held his nerve to pull one back. The heat was still on the shorthanded England team, especially when John Terry was subbed from the game with a slight knock, but their opponents wasted chance after chance. Kirm shot over and Ljubijankic had two bites at the cherry; his first was bravely blocked and the rebound deflected to the waiting arms of David James.

Slovenia 1 - 3 England
Goalscorers:
ENG Gerrard 3'
ENG Upson 17'
ENG Lampard 34'
SVN Kirm 48'

Discipline:
ENG Johnson 15'
ENG Cole 22' (off)
SVN Jokic 34'
ENG Lampard 47'
SVN Kirm 47'
SVN Stevanovic 60'

Man of the Match:
ENG Steven Gerrard

GROUP C
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
England 3 3 0 0 6 2 +4 9
United States 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3
Algeria 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 3
Slovenia 3 0 0 3 1 5 -4 0

Saturday 28 July 2012

Final Score - WC2010 Group B, Greece vs Argentina

Tuesday 22nd June 2010 - Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane - Att. 38,891
Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)

LINEUPS:
Greece (442): Tzorvas, Vyntra, Torosidis, Papadopolous, Kygriakos, Papastathopoulos, Tziolis (Prittas 63'), Katsouranis, Gekas, Samaras (Salpigidis 63'), Karagounis
Argentina (442): Romero, Otamendi, Heinze, Demichalis (Samuel 82'), Burdisso (Pastore 9'), Mascherano, Rodriguez, Di Maria, Higuain, Tevez, Messi (Milito 70')

Argentina held their nerve in a rather uneventful match but Greece were not completely non-threatening when they manafactured a pair of good chances. The first came in the 8th minute when Karagounis climbed highest in a crowded penalty area to head the ball at Romero, and the second great Greek opportunity came late in the game when they were 2-0 down. Katsouranis wasted no time after receiving a pass from Prittas in crossing the ball for Gekas to shoot wide.

For their part Argentina did enough to secure victory and a place in the second round, but it was not until after a very dull first half that they truly threatened the Greek goal. A quick rush began when Pastore provided a great flick behind the defence for Gabriel Heinze to run onto. His shot was saved but the rebound went straight to Carlos Tevez for an easy finish five minutes into the second half. The insurance goal came twelve minutes from time, Tevez turning provider for Gonzalo Higuain to become the fifth different Argentine to score in the group stage.

Greece 0 - 2 Argentina
Goalscorers:
ARG Tevez 50'
ARG Higuain 78'

Discipline:
ARG Demichalis 55'

Man of the Match:
ARG Carlos Tevez
 
GROUP B
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
South Korea 3 3 0 0 4 0 +4 9
Argentina 3 2 0 1 5 1 +4 6
Greece 3 1 0 2 1 4 -3 3
Nigeria 3 0 0 3 0 5 -5 0

Friday 27 July 2012

Final Score - WC2010 Group B, Nigeria vs South Korea

Tuesday 22nd June 2010 - Durban Stadium, Durban - Att. 61,874
Referee: Olegário Benquerença (Portugal)

LINEUPS:
Nigeria (451): Enyeama, Odiah, Taiwo, Yobo (Afolabi 74'), Shittu, Etuhu, Haruna, Kalta (Ayila 39'), Ayegbeni, Uche (Ejide 53'), Obasi
South Korea (451): Ryong, Ri, Pyo (KM Soo 77'), Hyung, LJ Soo, Yueng, Woo, Hun (Kyung 63'), Young, PJ Sung (Yeoul 86'), Yong

Park Ji Sung scored his second from the penalty spot in as many games to lock up Group B for the South Koreans as they march on into the second round. The big incident occurred five minutes after the restart when Woo put in Lee Chung Yong only for him to be brought down by the keeper. Vincent Enyeama was quickly given the red card before Sung dispatched his kick past the substitute Austin Ejide.

The first half was quite even with both teams threatening the goal without really testing the goalies. Nigeria clipped the crossbar through Kalta in the 6th minute and South Korea's best chance came off the head of Yong who got under the ball and sent it high. After the penalty the game petered out a little and South Korea could not finish off their opponents. Ejide did his part for Nigeria in stopping both Young with his shoulder and Yong with fingertips, but the shorthanded team in front of him could not generate much interest around the Korean box.

Nigeria 0 - 1 South Korea
Goalscorers:
KOR PJ Sung 51'

Discipline:
NGA Enyeama 50' (Off)

Man of the Match:
NGA Taye Taiwo

GROUP B
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
South Korea 3 3 0 0 4 0 +4 9
Argentina 2 1 0 1 3 1 +2 3
Greece 2 1 0 1 1 2 -1 3
Nigeria 3 0 0 3 0 5 -5 0

Thursday 26 July 2012

Final Score - WC2010 Group A, France vs South Africa

Tuesday 22nd June 2010 - Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein - Att. 39,415
Referee: Óscar Ruiz (Colombia)

LINEUPS:
France (451): Lloris, Sagna, Evra, Gallas, Abidal, Toulalon (Malouda 64'), Diaby, Gourcuff, Anelka (Valbuena 89'), Ribery (Clichy 47'), Govou
South Africa (451): Josephs, Gaxa, Musilela, Khumalo, Mokoena, Letshalonyane, Pienaar (Khuboni 62'), Dikgacol (Davids 77'), Mphela, Tshabalala (Booth 69'), Modise

France were rough and ready in this match, desperate as they were to hammer the host nation in order to have a chance of progressing into the second round, but Patrice Evra crossed the line when he picked up two yellow cards just seconds after the start of each half. His red card came after a scoreless first half despite South Africa pushing the attack. Mokoena shot wide and Tshabalala was robbed by a flying Hugo Lloris.

France became resistant with ten men but the dull period ended in the 57th minute on an interception by Kagiego Dikgacol. His clever ball to Gaxa streaking down the wing created some panic at the back for their opponents allowing Tshbalala to score his second of the tournament. Another lean period in the match that was only interrupted by substitutes and another Lloris save, this time on Mphela eventually ended on another South African goal. Dikgacol again getting himself involved, this time his chip across goal was headed down by Mphela for Aaron Mokoena to take his second chance.

France tried to press late in the match and were rewarded too late on a corner kick. Gallas flicked on the delivery at the near post and Yoann Gourcuff powered it past Moneeb Josephs who was installed in this match instead of Khune.

France 1 - 2 South Africa
Goalscorers:
RSA Tshbalala 57'
RSA Mokoena 70'
FRA Gourcuff 88'

Discipline:
FRA Evra 1'
FRA Abidal 39'
RSA Dikgacol 43'
FRA Evra 47' (off)
RSA Tshbalala 68'

Man of the Match:
RSA Katlego Mphela

GROUP A
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Uruguay 3 3 0 0 6 1 +5 9
Mexico 3 1 1 1 3 2 +1 4
South Africa 3 1 0 2 3 6 -3 3
France 3 0 1 2 1 4 -3 1

Wednesday 25 July 2012

Final Score - WC2010 Group A, Mexico vs Uruguay

Tuesday 22nd June 2010 - Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg - Att. 33,425
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)

LINEUPS:
Mexico (442): O Perez, Osorio (Aguillar 65'), Salcido, Rodriguez, Moreno (Castro 45'), Marquez, Juarez, Torrado, Franco, Dos Santos (Hernandez 56'), Guardado
Uruguay (442): Muslera, M Pereira, Scotti, Lugano, Gonzalez, Arevalo (Gorgano 76'), A Pereira, D Perez, Suarez, Forlan, Cavani (Abreu 68')

While Uruguay had both Fucile and Victorino suspended, it was not until this final group game that Mexico had any kind of disciplinary problems picking up four bookings in their 2-0 loss. It was Mexico who generated the first chance when Guillermo Franco shot from a tight angle forcing a save out of Muslera. The rest of the match was largely dictated by Uruguay with their trickery leading to some mistimed tackles and set piece opportunities. After Guardado scythed down an all but clear Arevalo the deadlock was broken by Luis Suarez ripping the ball up and over the wall.

Suarez had a second free kick eight minutes later that he thundered through a poor defensive wall leaving Oscar Perez no chance in his goal. The first half ended on a sour note when Egidio Arevalo was again brought down hard leading to a booking for Salcido but also the victim for retaliation.

Uruguay continued to control the pace of the game in the second half but were in no hurry to press the attack. Mexico were wasteful when they did gain possession, Hernandez coming closest by shooting wide in the final ten minutes.

Mexico 0 - 2 Uruguay
Goalscorers:
URU Suarez 29'
URU Suarez 37'


Discipline:
URU Cavani 26'
MEX Guardado 28'
MEX Marquez 28'
MEX Salcido 45'
URU Arevalo 45'
MEX Osorio 57'

Man of the Match:
URU Luis Suarez

GROUP A
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Uruguay 3 3 0 0 6 1 +5 9
Mexico 3 1 1 1 3 2 +1 4
France 2 0 1 1 0 2 -2 1
South Africa 2 0 0 2 1 5 -4 0

Tuesday 24 July 2012

Final Score - WC2010 Group H, Spain vs Honduras

Monday 21st June 2010 - Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg - Att. 54,386
Referee: Yuichi Nishimura (Japan)

LINEUPS:
Spain (442): Casillas, Ramos, Capdevila, Puyol, Pique, Busquets, Alonso, Xavi, Villa (Mata 75'), Torres (Pedro 59'), Iniesta
Honduras (451): Valladares, Mendoza, Izaguirre, Chavez, Figueroa (Thomas 71'), W. Palacios, Guevara (Je. Palacios 45'), Nunez, Suazo, Espinoza, Alvarez (Pavon 45')

Spain enjoyed a simple outing against Honduras and join Chile in the second round. The first half was neatly controlled by the Spanish, creating chances in the opening twenty minutes for Alonso, Villa and Torres with the latter coming closest, only denied by the legs of Valladares. Honduras then started to hinder the play of their opponents, earning themselves almost ten minutes of respite before Spain once again hit the target and this time it would count for something.

A poor clearance by the Hondurans was intercepted by Alonso who, after a fine run, looped in a cross for David Villa to head home like a bullet. Two minutes later and up popped Villa again to score with the head, Pique providing the long ball on this occasion. He could have made it a hat trick before half time when Torres sat the ball up perfectly for him but this time his header lacked real sting.

Honduras made a desperation move with a double substitution at halftime and, while they enjoyed more possession, they were unable to really generate much offence. When the final ball was not lacking and they did have a sight at goal the closest they came to scoring was when Ramon Nunez hit the post with his 75th minute free kick.

Spain 2 - 0 Honduras
Goalscorers:
ESP Villa 29'
ESP Villa 31'

Discipline:
ESP Capdevila 65'

Man of the Match:
ESP David Villa

GROUP H
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Chile 2 2 0 0 6 1 +5 6
Spain 2 2 0 0 4 0 +4 6
Honduras 2 0 0 2 1 4 -3 0
Switzerland 2 0 0 2 0 6 -6 0

Monday 23 July 2012

Final Score - WC2010 Group H, Chile vs Switzerland

Monday 21st June - Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth - Att. 34,872
Referee: Khalil Al Ghamdi (Saudi Arabia)

LINEUPS
Chile (433): Bravo, Contreras, Ponce (Fuentes 86'), Medel, Carmona (Estrada 63'), Isla, Valdivia, Suazo, Beausejour (Fierro 76'), Sanchez
Switzerland (442): Benaglio, Lichtsteiner, Senderos, Grichting, von Bergen, Higgel, Inler, Bernetta, Nkufo (Banjaka 45'), Derdiyok (Frei 59'), Fernandes

Both teams are forced to make a change with Arturo Vidal and Reto Zeigler serving their one-match suspensions. Contreas and Senderos move into their respective defences.

It was to be another miserable result for the Swiss but it could have gone so much better for them if Fernandes had put his 22nd minute header past Claudio Bravo on a corner kick. But luck was not on their side as five minutes later Jorge Valdivia's long range shot wildly changed direction and in thanks to the unnecessary intervention of Steve von Bergen.

From that point on it became the Humberto Suazo Show, scoring his first just two minutes after Chile had taken their fortuitous lead by slamming a loose ball through the hands of Benaglio after Switzerland failed to clear a corner. Minutes after he missed a great chance with the head Suazo made it 3-0 on another corner, Beausejour heading it down neatly at the near post for a relatively simple finish. And the hat trick was complete when he powered his final shot in underneath the crossbar in stoppage time after good work from Valdivia and Mauricio Isla in the build up.

Chile 4 - 0 Switzerland
Goalscorers:
CHI von Bergen OG 27'
CHI Suazo 29'
CHI Suazo 64'
CHI Suazo 90'

Discipline:
CHI Ponce 25'
SUI Huggel 31'
CHI Carmona 44'

Man of the Match:
CHI Humberto Suazo

GROUP H
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Chile 2 2 0 0 6 1 +5 6
Spain 1 1 0 0 2 0 +2 3
Honduras 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0
Switzerland 2 0 0 2 0 6 -6 0

Sunday 22 July 2012

Final Score - WC2010 Group G, Portugal vs North Korea

Monday 21st June 2010 - Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town - Att. 63,644
Referee: Pablo Pozo (Chile)

LINEUPS:
Portugal (433): Eduardo, Costa, Coentrao, Carvalho, Alves (Pepe 60'), Mendes, Tiago (Liedson 80'), Meireles, Ronaldo, Simao, Danny (Almeida 57')
North Korea (451): RM Guk, CJ Hyok (NS Choi 45'), Nam, Jin, RJ Il, Chon, Jo (Myong 65'), Hak, Se, PN Choi (Kim K Il 84'), MA Guk

The effort put in by a very lackluster Portuguese team was not going to break down this highly determined North Korean side and in fact could have even lost the game. Portugal controlled a lot of game but their constant passing without penetration led to few real goalscoring chances, and it wasn't until stoppage time in the first half that Ri Myong Guk was truly tested when he stopped a good header from Alves.

Guk would again keep the game scoreless when, at full stretch, he prevented Jo from scoring on the breakaway. Prior to this the North Koreans had some shots of their own. Pak Nam Choi felt ambitious and tried his luck from thirty yards, sending it well wide, but their golden chance came to Jong Tae Se who was completely unmarked in the penalty area; his shot saved very smartly by Edurado.

Portugal 0 - 0 North Korea
Goalscorers:
None

Discipline:
POR Simao 18' (sus)
PRK Jo 48'
POR Ronaldo 74'
POR Costa 84'
POR Pepe 90'

Man of the Match:
PKR Ri Jun Il

GROUP G
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Brazil 2 2 0 0 3 0 +3 4
Portugal 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 2
Cote d'Ivoire 2 0 1 1 0 1 -1 1
North Korea 2 0 1 1 0 2 -2 1

Saturday 21 July 2012

Final Score - WC2010 Group G, Brazil vs Cote d'Ivoire

Sunday 20th June 2010 - Soccer City, Johannesburg - Att. 84,455
Referee: Stéphane Lannoy (France)

LINEUPS:
Brazil (451): Cesar, Maicon, Bastos, Lucio (Luisao 70'), Juan, G. Silva, Melo, Alves, Fabiano, Kaka, Robinho (Ramires 70')
Cote d'Ivoire (433): Barry, Demel, Tiene, K. Toure, Zokora, Y. Toure, Eboue (Kone 76'), Tiote, Drogba (Doumbia 61'), Gervinho, Dindane

The tenth day of competition ended with this exciting contest that could have ended any which way. The Ivory Coast had their first chance cleared in the goalmouth, Gervinho unable to chip the ball in after Tiote put him through one-on-one, and Kaka shot his early effort into the side netting. Fabiano ripped one an inch over the bar with Barry rooted to the ground, and Tiote had his own chance alone against Cesar thanks to an inspired through ball by Emmanuel Eboue but his effort was saved by the legs of the Brazilian keeper.

The teams continued to exchange chances with Gervinho having chance either side of half time. His initial effort deflected for the first in a series of Cote d'Ivoire corners and his second missed by a mile. At the other end Fabiano wasted his shot when he had some space in the area, but he made up for it by putting the perfect ball into the box for Kaka to run onto and side foot under the goalie. After that Brazil bossed the game and refused to concede possession, effectively killing the game.

Brazil 1 - 0 Cote d'Ivoire
Goalscorers:
BRA Kaka 64'

Discipline:
CIV Tiene 9'
CIV Y. Toure 48'

Man of the Match:
BRA Maicon

GROUP G
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Brazil 2 2 0 0 3 0 +3 4
Portugal 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
Cote d'Ivoire 2 0 1 1 0 1 -1 1
North Korea 1 0 0 1 0 2 -2 0

Friday 20 July 2012

Final Score - WC2010 Group F, Italy vs New Zealand

Sunday 20th June 2010 - Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit - Att. 38,229
Referee: Carlos Batres (Guatemala)

LINEUPS:
Italy (451): Marchetti, Zambrotta, Criscito, Cannavaro, Chiellini (Pirlo 45'), De Rossi (Gatusso 61'), Montolivo, Marchisio, Gilardino (Pazzini 84'), Iaquinta, Pepe
New Zealand (343): Paston, Reid, Smith, Nelson, Lochhead, Bertos, Elliot (Barron 90'), Vicelich (Clapham 74'), Fallon, Smeltz, Killen (Brockie 43')

New Zealand sit atop Group F after another impressive performance earned them a draw against Italy. The Italians started the more dangerous with Gilardino sending his 13th minute header goalbound but for a backtracking defender clearing the ball off the line. A long period of stalemate followed, eventually broken up by Smeltz getting onto the end of a Fallon ball, forcing a good save out of Marchetti. Chris Killen was a first half substitute for New Zealand but an update later in the day reported that his injury was not severe and he would return for the final group game. Chiellini was also taken off at the interval for precautionary reason.

After halftime it was the All Whites that dictated the early play as they split open the Italian defense; Marchetti again on his toes stopping Fallon. As time ran down Italy had more of the possession which led to chances for Iaquinta (head over) and Marchisio (saved), but they nearly stole all three points in an audacious chip from Pepe who very nearly caught Paston off guard.

Italy 0 - 0 New Zealand
Goalscorers:
None

Discipline:
NZL Smeltz 51'

Man of the Match:
NZL Ryan Nelson

GROUP F
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
New Zealand 2 1 1 0 1 0 +1 4
Slovakia 2 1 0 1 2 1 +1 3
Italy 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 2
Paragauy 2 0 1 1 0 2 -2 1

Thursday 19 July 2012

Final Score - WC2010 Group F. Slovakia vs Paraguay

Sunday 20th June 2010 - Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein - Att. 26,643
Referee: Eddy Maillet (Seychelles)

LINEUPS:
Slovakia (451): Mucha, Pekarik, Zabavnik, Skrtel, Durica, Strba, Kucka, Kopunek, Vittek (Holosko 64'), Jendrisek (Cech 71'), Stoch
Paraguay (442): Willar, Bonet, Morel (Veron 61'), da Silva, Alcaraz, Caceres, Valdez (Santana 79'), Vera, Barrios (Gamarra 61'), Santa Cruz, Riveros

Slovakia entered this game with a slightly different look in midfield. Kamil Kopunek comes in for the suspended Hamsik, and an injury to Vladimir Weiss gives Kucka a chance to start. The game had few goalscoring chances and this was partly down to a lot of stoppages including eight yellow cards in a match that started rough and continued throughout the ninety minutes.

Victor Caceres earned the first booking by jumping into a tackle only seconds after the match kicked off, but Slovakia scored the first goal when Kopunek and Stoch showed good aerial prowess that split the defense for Erik Jendrisek to slot home. Paraguay had the chance to equalise before halftime  when a hard, but this time fair tackle, started an attack, ultimately ending on the foot of Barrios who scuffed his shot straight at the goalie.

The second half was even less of an exciting spectacle that thankfully did came to an end after four more yellow cards and a penalty kick that cemented the win for Slovakia. Kamil Kopanek was involved again, this time intercepting a pass before sending substitute Holosko in behind the defense. He was bundled to the ground and up stepped Miroslav Stoch to bang it home just off the post.

Slovakia 2 - 0 Paraguay
Goalscorers:
SVK Jendrisek 21'
SVK Stoch 89'

Discipline:
PAR Caceres 1'
PAR Riveros 7'
SVK Vittek 28'
PAR Morel 38'
SVK Durica 49'
SVK Jendrisek 60'
SVK Stoch 78'
PAR Santa Cruz 88'

Man of the Match:
SVK Kamil Kopunek

GROUP F
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Slovakia 2 1 0 1 2 1 +1 3
New Zealand 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3
Italy 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
Paragauy 2 0 1 1 0 2 -2 1

Wednesday 18 July 2012

Final Score - WC2010 Group E, Cameroon vs Denmark

Saturday 19th June 2010 - Loftus Versfield Stadium, Pretoria - Att. 38,074
Referee: Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay)

LINEUPS:
Cameroon (442): Souleymanon, Mbia, Assou-Ekotto, N'Koulou, Bassong, Emana, A. Song, Makoun (N'Guemo 45'), Eto'o (Idrissou 60'), Webo, Enoh )Choupo-Moting 84')
Denmark (451): Sorensen, Jacobsen, S. Poulsen, Agger, Kjaer (Jensen 65'), Pouslen, Jorgensen, Tomasson, Bendtner (Larsen 65'), Kahlenberg, Rommendahl (J. Poulsen 78')

Achille Emana's second goal in as many games, to go with his second Man of the Match award, was not enough to gain a point on this occasion as Denmark put themselves right into the mix for a second round place after they jumped out to a 2-0 lead. The warning signs were there early on with Pouslen shooting into the side netting and Khalenberg weakly heading on target, so it was no surprise that the Danes took the lead. Nicklas Bandtner squeezed the ball inside the near post on a tough angle shot after a good run from Jorgensen, and the lead was doubled three minutes later when Jon Dahl Tomasson ripped his free kick clean through the wall.

The first half essentially died out there but there was another wasted chance for Khalenberg before the break. Cameroon came out looking brighter in the second half with Emana generating a chance of his own by evading a tackle and shooting wide of the post. Twelve minutes later and a bad backpass allowed Emana to move in alone, round the goalkeeper and pull Cameroon within one. The game opened up a little more with both keepers saving well. Souleymanon from Jacobsen's thirty yarder, and Stekelenberg stopping Enoh after his good play with Alex Song.

Cameroon 1 - 2 Denmark
Goalscorers:
DEN Bendtner 21'
DEN Tomasson 24'
CMR Emana 59'

Discipline:
DEN Bendtner 24'
DEN Kjaer 52'
DEN Agger 52'
DEN Pouslen 84'

Man of the Match:
CMR Achille Emana

GROUP E
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Netherlands 2 1 1 0 4 0 +4 4
Denmark 2 1 0 1 2 5 -3 3
Japan 2 0 2 0 1 1 0 2
Cameroon 2 0 1 1 2 3 -1 1

Tuesday 17 July 2012

Final Score - WC2010 Group E, Netherlands vs Japan

Saturday 19th June 2010 - Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban - Att.62,010
Referee: Héctor Baldassi (Argentina)

LINEUPS:
Netherlands (451): Stekelenburg, van der Wiel, van Bronckhorst, Heitinga, Mathijsen, de Jong, Schnijder, van Bommel (de Zeeuw 62'), van Persie (Schaars 87'), Huntelaar (Elia 72'), Robben
Japan (433): Kawashima, Komaro, Nagatomo, Nakazawa, Tanaka, Abe (K. Nakamura 54'), Endo, Hasebe (Inamoto 62'), Honda, Okubo, Matsui (Yano 83')

When Dirk Kuyt limped off an hour into Holland's big win over Denmark few suspected the injury would be severe enough to put him out for the remainder of the tournament. Klaas Jan Huntelaar got the start in his place today, and he came the closest to scoring when in the 31st minutevan Bommel pulled the ball back to him but an excellent save from Kawashima foiled that effort. The Japanese goalie also stopped Huntelaar in the second half with van Bronckhorst following up to send the rebound a yard wide.

Stekelenberg had little to do at the other end. His biggest test came off the foot of Endo after an excellent feed from Matsui found him alone in the box, but the shot was too close to the Dutch keeper. Nigel de Jong put in a strong performance in midfield, breaking up attacks and making some impressive passes, but in the end the difference maker in the match was in the Japan goal.

Netherlands 0 - 0 Japan
Goalscorers:
None

Discipline:
NED van Bommel 34'
JAP Tanaka 71'
NED Robben 71'
JAP K. Nakamura 86'
JAP Yano 90'


Man of the Match:
JAP Eiji Kawashima

GROUP E
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Netherlands 2 1 1 0 4 0 +4 4
Japan 2 0 2 0 1 1 0 2
Cameroon 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
Denmark 1 0 0 1 0 4 -4 0

Monday 16 July 2012

Final Score - WC2010 Group D, Ghana vs Australia

Saturday 19th June 2010, Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg - Att. 34,812
Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy)

LINEUPS
Ghana (451): Kingson, Pantsil, Sarpei, John Mensah, Johnathon Mensah, Annan, Asamoah, Tagoe (Muntari 56'), Gyan, Prince-Boateng (Adiyiah 75'), Ayew
Australia (451): Schwarzer, Wilkshire, Carney, Neill, Moore (Vidosic 67'), Valeri, Holman, Cahill, Kennedy (Garcia 67'), Culina, Emerton (Kewell 83')

Australia were again denied by some good goalkeeping while they contributed to their own downfall by giving away another penalty. Ghana had a good break in the thrity-sixth minute where Ayew put in Asamoah Gyan who felt contact from behind and hit the deck leading to Mr Rosetti pointing straight to the spot. Gyan himself placed the penalty into the bottom corner for his second goal in as many games.

The first half had seen both sides exchange chances to score first with Andre Ayew forcing Schwarzer to leap and save under his bar. At the other end Joshua Kennedy was denied in spectacular fashion by Kingson, and Holman blasting one over the bar from ten yards out. The second half continued in a similer vein as Wilkshire could not equalise thanks to another good save and Ghana failed to finish off Australia thanks to more saves; Prince-Boateng and Muntari hitting the target.

Ghana 1 - 0 Australia
Goalscorers:
GHA Gyan 36'

Discipline:
GHA John Mensah 19'
AUS Carney 40'

Man of the Match:
GHA John Pantsil

GROUP D
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Ghana 2 2 0 0 3 0 +3 6
Germany 2 1 1 0 6 2 +4 4
Serbia 2 0 1 1 2 4 -2 1
Australia 2 0 0 2 0 5 -5 0

Sunday 15 July 2012

Final Score - WC2010 Group C, England vs Algeria

Friday 18th June 2010, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town - Att. 64,100
Referee:Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)

LINEUPS
England (442): James, Johnson, Cole, Terry, Upson, Barry, Lampard (Wright-Phillips 61'), Milner, Rooney, Defoe (Heskey 73'), Gerrard
Algeria (433): Bohil, Yahia, Bougherra, Halliche, Lacep, Yebda, Khedir (Mansouri 67'), Belhadj, Djebbour (Saifi 82'), Ziani, Matmour (Ghezzal (61')

Ashley Cole was 50/50 after he picked up a knock during England's game against the USA, but the England fans were very happy he made it as he put in a man of the match performance. And it was him leading by example in defense that England needed in the first half as Algeria were playing at a high tempo, testing David James on multiple occasions while their opponents looked inept and without any ideas.

If Bougherra, Djebbour or Ziani had taken at least one of their chances then the upset may have been well and truly on, but the game turned at halftime and Algeria would not get another good look at goal. Instead a controversial goal from Wayne Rooney sunk their opponents. Glen Johnson had run the length of the pitch and with a deft flick split the defense, finding the striker a yard offside but missed by the linesman.

There was a suffocating blanket covering the Algerians from that point on and England only generated another two chances of their own: Gerrard shooting high with the goalie beaten, and Milner not giving Bohil too much to worry about with his very long ranged effort.

England 1 - 0 Algeria
Goalscorers:
ENG Rooney 47'

Discipline:
ALG Yahia 28'

Man of the Match:
ENG Ashley Cole

GROUP C
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
England 2 2 0 0 3 1 +2 6
United States 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3
Algeria 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 3
Slovenia 2 0 0 2 0 2 -2 0

Saturday 14 July 2012

Final Score - WC2010 Group C, Slovenia vs USA

Friday 18th June 2010,  Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg - Att. 45,573
Referee: Koman Coulibaly (Mali)

LINEUPS
Slovenia (442): Handanovic, Brecko, Jokic (Illic 75'), Suler, Cesar, Radosavijevic, Koren, Birsa, Ljubijankic (Pecnik 85'), Novakovic, Kirm (Stevanovic 58')
USA (442): Howard, Cherundolo, Bocanegra, Demerit, Onyewu (Torres 61'), Bradley, Edu, Donovan, Altidore, Findley (Spector 85'), Dempsey (Gomez 65')

The two qualifying places are still all to play for after this physical affair that saw a player from each side receive their marching orders from Mr Coulibaly. The Americans were good for their win as they stifled the Slovenian attacks but Zlatan Ljubijankic was hardest to contain. His second half cross for Novakovic was headed wide, and his own first half effort was just wide of the post.

The United States had much of the play throughout and should have perhaps won by more than the single Donovan goal when, prior to the breakthrough late in the half, Altidore, Edu, and the goalscorer himself were denied by Handonovic.

The game turned into a defensive battle after the interval with very few chances for both teams, even when both sides were down to ten men creating a little more space on the park. Both Radosavijevic and Bocanegra will be suspended for the final group matches after they picked up a pair of yellow cards either side of halftime.

Slovenia 0 - 1 USA
Goalscorers:
USA Donovan 41'

Discipline:
USA Findley 14'
SVN Radosavijevic 35'
USA Bocanegra 38'
SVN Radosavijevic 57' (Off)
USA Bocanegra 66' (Off)
USA Cherundolo 90'

Man of the Match:
USA Michael Bradley

GROUP C
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
England 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3
Algeria 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3
United States 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3
Slovenia 2 0 0 2 0 2 -2 0

Friday 13 July 2012

Final Score - WC2010 Group D, Germany vs Serbia

Friday 18th June 2010, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth - Att. 38,294
Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain)

LINEUPS:
Germany (451): Neuer, Lahm, Boateng, Friedrich, Mertesacher, Schweinsteiger, Oezil (Kroos 71'), Khedira (Cacau 78'), Klose, Podolski, Mueller (Gomez 71')
Serbia (433): Stojkovic, Ivanovic, Kolarov, Vidic, Lukovic, Ninkovic, Stankovic (Obradovic 85'), Kuzmanovic, Zigic, Mrdja (Tosic 69'), Krasic (Kacar 61')

Miroslav Klose's third goal of the tournament denied Serbia a great result deep into stoppage time. It was Klose's fifth shot at goal, most of which came in the second half as Germany were chasing a result for most of the game.

Serbia had control through the first fifteen minutes with Vidic wasting two set piece opportunites either side of a Nikola Zigic shot that hit the roof of the net on a corner. The Germans had trouble with their opponents offside trap but Podolski clipped the top of the crossbar and Friedrich saw his effort deflect straight to the keeper. The final five minutes of the first half contianed two more goals. Serbia doubled their lead through Mrdja who followed up on Zigic's saved shot, but Germany would go into the break with momentum thanks to Phillip Lahm's good finish after Klose chipped the ball to him.

The second half was mostly dictated by one side with Serbia having limited chances to cement all three points, but Gojko Kacar climbed highest in the box and only a good low save from Neuer kept the score at 2-1 with ten minutes to play. Klose had the lions share of chances in this half. He was denied by Stojkovic after he jumped on a weak backpass, and prior to that missed a tough angle shot with the goalie out of position after stopping a Podolski effort.

Mueller hit the fram of the goal and Klose shot into the side netting, leaving everyone to believe it just wouldn't be their day. But during the third and final minute of stoppage time Schweinsteiger received Neuer's long throw and spotted the clever run of Klose who just thumped it high into the goal to break Serbian hearts.

Germany 2 - 2 Serbia
Goalscorers:
SRB Zigic 9'
SRB Mrdja 40'
GER Lahm 45'
GER Klose 90'

Discipline:
GER Schweinsteiger 34'

Man of the Match:
SRB Zdravko Kuzmanovic

GROUP D
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Germany 2 1 1 0 6 2 +4 4
Ghana 1 1 0 0 2 0 +2 3
Serbia 2 0 1 1 2 4 -2 1
Australia 1 0 0 1 0 4 -4 0

Thursday 12 July 2012

Final Score - WC2010, Group B, Argentina vs South Korea

Thursday 17th June 2010 - Soccer City, Johannesburg - Att: 82,174
Referee: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium)

LINEUPS
Argentina (442): Romero, Otamendi, Heinze, Demichelis, Burdisso, Mascherano, M Rodriguez, di Marla (Bolatti 64'), Higuain, Tevez (Palermo 74'), Messi (Aguero 79')
South Korea (451): Ryong, Ri, Pyo, Hyung, LJ Soo, Yueng (Seok 77'), Woo (KN Il 66'), Hun, Young, PJ Sung (KJ Sung 66'), Yong

Korean goalkeeper Jung Sung Ryong was an easy choice for man of the match, stopping Argentina on multiple occasions and riding his luck on others. The opening thirty minutes was eventful if wasteful for Argentina with Mascherano, Demichelis, and Otamendi all failing to take their chances before Gonzalo Higuain hit the post. Between these Argentine attempts Pyo should have scored but his shot was a complete miscue as he raced onto the end of a hard and low cross from Young.

With ten minutes remaining in the first half a series of events involving Park Ji Sung gave South Korea a golden opportunity to score from the spot. A huge kick from Ryong found PJ Sung's run and as he headed towards the box was fouled for a free kick. The end result was multiple deflections and a handball in the area. Up stepped Sung who calmly dispatched the penalty and that effectively killed off the half as the teams played out the remaining time.

Korea came close to making it 2-0 with Woo shooting from thirty yards, testing Romero in his goal. Argentina then returned to dominating the game and Ryong displaying some excellent goalkeeping, stopping both Burdisso and Maxi Rodriguez. The game ended on one final chance for the South American side with Sergio Aguerro, fresh off the bench, forcing another save from Ryong as he barely tipped a hard shot onto the post.

Argentina 0 - 1 South Korea
Goalscorers:
KOR PJ Sung 36'


Discipline:
KOR Yeung 14'
ARG Messi 35'

Man of the Match:
KOR Jung Sung Ryong

GROUP B
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
South Korea 2 2 0 0 1 0 +3 6
Argentina 2 1 0 1 3 1 +2 3
Greece 2 1 0 1 1 2 -1 3
Nigeria 2 0 0 2 0 4 -4 0

Basho Fury - 1981 Kyushu Form Guide

Form Guide after Fifteen Days - ☺ WIN; ☻ LOSS; - N/A
MAKUUCHI
(81) Kotokaze ☺☺☺☺☻☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺

(94) Chiyonofuji ☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☻☺☺☺☻
(65) Takamiyama ☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☻☻☺

(54) Koboyama ☺☺☺☺☺☺☻☺☺☻☺☻☺☺☺

(79) Takanosato ☻☺☻☺☺☺☺☺☺☻☺☺☻☻☺
(78) Asashio ☺☺☻☺☺☺☺☺☻☻☺☻☻☺☺
(75) Ozutsu ☻☺☺☻☺☺☺☻☺☺☺☻☺☺☻
(68) Dewanohana ☺☺☻☺☺☺☺☻☻☺☺☻☺☻☺

(65) Daijuyama ☻☻☻☺☺☺☻☺☺☻☻☺☺☺☺
(52) Aobajo ☺☺☺☻☻☻☺☻☻☺☺☺☺☺☻

(93) Kitanoumi ☺☺☺☺☺☺☻☺☺  -  -  -  -  -  -
(71) Tochiakagi ☺☺☻☺☻☺☺☺☻☺☺☻☻☻☻
(59) Onishiki ☺☻☺☻☻☻☻☻☺☻☺☺☺☺☺
(43) Hachiya ☺☻☺☺☺☻☻☻☺☺☻☻☻☺☺

(69) Kurama ☻☻☻☻☻☻☺☺☻☺☻☺☺☺☺
(67) Kirinji ☺☻☻☻☺☻☺☺☺☻☻☺☻☺☻
(61) Oshio ☻☻☺☻☻☺☺☻☺☺☻☺☻☺☻
(58) Fujizakura ☻☻☺☺☺☻☻☺☻☺☺☻☺☻☻
(54) Kaiki ☺☻☻☺☻☺☺☺☻☻☻☺☻☺☻
(50) Iwanami ☻☺☻☻☻☺☻☺☺☻☺☻☺☺☻

(67) Sadanoumi ☻☻☺☻☻☻☺☻☺☺☻☺☻☻☺
(59) Zaonishiki ☻☻☻☺☺☻☻☻☺☻☻☺☺☺☻
(52) Hoo ☻☻☻☻☻☺☻☺☺☺☻☺☻☻☺

(69) Hokutenyu ☻☺☺☺☺☻☻☻☻☻☻☺☻☻☻
(64) Tochihikari ☻☺☺☻☻☺☺☻☻☺☻☻☻☻☻
(63) Azumanada ☺☻☺☻☻☻☺☻☻☻☺☻☺☻☺
(52) Kotochitose ☺☺☻☺☺☻☻☻☻☻☺☻☻☻☻
(45) Daihi ☻☻☻☺☺☻☺☻☻☺☺☻☻☻☻

(64) Wakashimazu ☺☻☻☻☺☻☻☻☺☻☻☻☻☻☺
(58) Hidanohana ☻☻☺☻☻☺☻☻☻☻☻☻☺☻☺
(54) Banryuyama ☻☺☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☺☺☻☻☻☺

(49) Aobayama ☻☺☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☺☻☻
(45) Takamisugi ☺☻☺☻ -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -

(10) Washuyama ☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☺ - - - - - - -

JURYO
(41) Tochitsurugi ☺☺☺☻☺☻☻☺☺☺☺☺☺☻☺
(40) Tamaryu ☺☺☺☺☻☻☺☺☺☺☺☺☻☻☺

(51) Toryu ☺☻☺☻☻☻☺☺☻☺☺☺☺☺☺
(45) Hakuryuyama ☺☻☺☺☺☺☻☺☺☺☻☻☻☺☺
(42) Tengozan ☺☻☺☺☻☺☺☺☻☺☺☻☻☺☺
(41) Shinko ☺☺☻☺☺☺☺☺☺☻☻☻☺☺☻
(34) Daigo ☺☺☺☺☻☺☺☻☻☺☻☺☺☺☻

(46) Kurosegawa ☺☻☺☻☺☺☻☺☺☺☻☺☺☻☻
(37) Kinoarashi ☺☻☻☻☺☻☻☺☻☺☺☺☺☺☺
(35) Futatsuryu ☻☺☺☺☺☻☻☻☻☺☺☺☺☻☺

(41) Oyutaka ☺☺☻☺☺☺☻☻☻☻☻☺☻☺☺
(40) Kotowaka ☻☺☺☻☻☺☺☻☺☻☺☺☻☺☻
(38) Saisu ☺☺☻☻☺☺☻☺☺☻☻☺☺☻☻
(36) Fukuzono ☻☺☻☻☻☺☺☺☻☺☺☻☻☺☺

(52) Amanoyama ☻☺☻☺☻☺☺☺☻☻☻☻☺☺☻
(40) Hakuryu ☻☻☺☻☻☻☺☻☺☺☻☺☺☺☻

(45) Kurohimeyama ☻☻☺☻☺☺☺☻☻☺☺☻☻☻☻
(45) Wakajishi ☻☻☻☺☻☻☻☻☺☻☺☺☺☻☺

(34) Oko ☻☺☺☻☺☻☻☻☺☻☻☻☺☻☻

(36) Wakanofuji ☻☻☻☺☻☺☻☺☻☻☻☻☻☺☻
(29) Tagaryu ☺☻☻☻☺☻☺☻☻☻☺☻☻☻☻

(39) Shishiho ☻☻☻☺☻☻☻☻☻☻☺☻☻☻☺

(21) Hoshiiwato ☻☻☻☺☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻