WC 2010 - 21.06.

Portugal - Korea DPR, Portugal -1ah @ 1.72 (Pinnacle)  7-0 WIN

 

Bookies overreacted here after Koreans put a fanatical fight against Brazilians. But true is, beside that they don’t have too much to offer. Portugal needs a win to reach the 2^nd spot and they need to score few because goal difference will probably be decisive.

 

Chile - Switzerland, corner handicap Chile -1ah @ 1.85 (bet365) 5-3 WIN

 

Chile defeated Honduras in previous game with a minimal margin, but they missed several very good chances. They carry attacking style of play and today will be stronger for their best player (and best scorer) Suazo.

Swiss shocked Spain with very good defensive display. Hitzfeld is great coach, they’re well organized, tactically perfect and shouldn’t be underestimated by anyone. Will miss best player Frei and I think they’ll be playing on the same way as vs. Spain.

I fancy South Americans and think Chile will dominate here. I’ll take corner handicap.

 

Spain - Honduras, Spain -2ah @ 2.02 (bet365)  2-0 DRAW

 

Interesting thing is, despite the shock, Spain wasn’t so bad. They still remain as one of the favorites, but now they could easily miss the first spot. Which brings Brazil in the next round. They’ll try to score as much as possible for the self confidence, but also for a goal difference that could be very important.

Don’t have too much to say about Honduras. Considering quality, they’re probably number 4 in the group. Will try to put a decent fight, but they’re facing a raging Spain.

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Thursday's World Cup round-up

Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas faced an awkward post-match inquisition from his girlfriend Sara Carbonera, a sideline reporter for the Telecinco channel, following the defeat by Switzerland. During a post-match interview, the journalist asked Casillas: "How did you manage to muck it up?"
And a shocked Casillas replied: "I don't know what to say. I don't know if this defeat will have consequences. The dressing room is fed up."

Switzerland's Gelson Fernandes was as surprised as everyone else after scoring the winning goal in his team's historic World Cup triumph over Spain.
The St Etienne midfielder's strike seven minutes into the second half of Wednesday's Group H match proved enough for Ottmar Hitzfeld's side to beat the European champions - and left Fernandes stunned. 
"I don't think I realise what is happening right now," said the 23-year-old. "I'm a bit surprised. It's a very special moment for our country and I'm very happy. We were definitely very good against Spain and we played very well as a team." 

Argentina coach Diego Maradona has again called on referees to protect flair players such as Lionel Messi in the World Cup, urging officials to be even stricter with offending opponents.
Maradona said Messi is twice as good as any other player at the World Cup
"If we are going to see a match when the star players are not going to be mistreated then I think the referees need to be a lot stricter, and if Korea's players do something to Messi or Carlos Tevez then they need to get out the yellow cards, and if it happens a second time, then that's it," said Maradona.

Greece striker Theofanis Gekas is the latest player to call for World Cup organisers to ban vuvuzelas. Gekas was irritated by the noise in their opening game against South Korea, which his side lost 2-0.
"I do think the trumpets should be stopped. They are affecting the players as we cannot communicate properly," he stated. 

Ivory Coast striker Salomon Kalou has called on his team take inspiration from North Korea's resilient defensive display against Brazil where they lost 2-1.
Ivory Coast play Brazil on Sunday and the 24-year-old said: "I saw the first half of their match and North Korea defended really well and annoyed Brazil, they serve as a good example. We have the players who can make a difference, our strength will always be in attack but we must focus on defence."

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WC 2010 - 16.06.

Post will be updated through the day.

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Chile -0.5 (1.725)  1-0 won

Spain win to nil (1.83) 0-1 lost

double @ 3.16 (bet365) LOST

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Honduras - Chile

 

Honduras came to this tournament after sensational USA’s equalizer against Costa Rica in last qualification round. Few decent players, Wilson Palacios and David Suazo are their keys. Civil war in the country will push the players to reach the ultimate limits.

Chile was second South American team, right behind Brazil. Decent coach, Marcelo Bielsa, carries attacking style of play. Best player and top goal scorer, Humberto Suazo, is under the question mark for today’s game. Since the odds on Chile have been rising, seems he’ll be on the bench. Which is actually good because he’s not fit anyway.

I haven’t had too many opportunities to watch these two teams, so I’m taking this as a part of double. Think Chile will be too much for Honduras.

 

Spain - Switzerland

 

One of the top favorites starts the competition. Nothing much to say about Spain. Most important news is they’ll start with Villa alone in front and Torres on the bench (if my source is correct, anyway). Spain doesn’t concede too much and 4-5-1 will make their defense even tougher than usual.

Ottmar Hitzfeld is Switzerland’s coach and that will be their biggest strength. They’ll be playing tough defense and will try to keep starting result. If they concede, I doubt they’d open too much. Their tournament starts in the second round.

I expect a tough battle and Spain’s win without conceding. 1-0 or 2-0.

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UPDATE:

Well, that's what I call a surprise. Shock! In last 3 World Cups only three selections made a progress after a defeat at the start and every of those 3 recovered after a loss against the strongest group team. We'll see what Spain will do after Chile's win earlier.

Was planning to back Uruguay tonight, but after this... My major concern is SA is a host country. Which means,sometimes some "little" gifts, penalty, red card, flag stays down... And if they lose today, they'd finish the tournament. No bet so far, but will post if I change my mind.

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Wednesday's World Cup round-up

Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has prepared his players for the deafening sound of vuvuzelas - by inviting fans to attend the team's training.
Ahead of his side's opening World Cup game against Spain, Hitzfield organised a public training session knowing that spectators would bring their plastic horns.
"It is good for the players to be prepared for what they will hear on the pitch," he explained.

Matthew Upson is certain that team-mate Wayne Rooney will soon end his England goal drought.
Rooney has found the net in only one of his last eight internationals and has not scored for England since September. 
But West Ham defender Upson said: "It will happen. Wayne's movement is great. He is a class player and he is totally gifted. 
"He just needs to relax, play his game and the goals will come because he is top drawer." 

New Zealand hero Winston Reid believes his goal against Slovakia justified his decision to play for the All Whites.
Reid, 21, opted to represent the country of his birth rather than Denmark, where he was brought up from the age of 10.
"For a long time I have been torn between the two countries. I was asking myself if I was a Kiwi or a Dane," said Reid, who won 10 caps for Denmark's Under-21s.
"This is the biggest stage in the world for football and that has to be the most important goal of my life."

Cristiano Ronaldo would have happily swapped his man of the match award for three points against Ivory Coast.
Ronaldo was impressive for Portugal in their Group G opener, but his team were unable to break the deadlock and had to settle for a 0-0 draw. 
The former Manchester United star said: "It's always good to win individual awards. But if I could change it for anything, I would change it for three points. 
"But I would say that nothing is lost. This has happened with England and with other teams."

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