World Cup 2010 - Second Round (part one)

We're four matches in, and we've seen more spectacular goals balanced with more controversy. The intensity appears to have been stepped up in this round, which makes for some great entertaining football. Here are my thoughts on the first four games of the second round...

Uruguay 2 – 1 South Korea

Uruguay have been a surprise in this tournament. They won Group A with relative ease, and were rewarded with what appeared to be a very winnable second round match against South Korea. Luis Suárez put Uruguay ahead early on with a little help from a goalkeeping error, but seemed to fade a little in the second half which let the Koreans back into the match. Uruguay went on to win the game though, and showed good strength and character in doing so. Overall, they were the better team, as they have been in all their games so far. Diego Forlan was instrumental once again. This team has the ability to turn defence into attack with ease. Ajax had better watch out, because I imagine a number of teams have noticed Suárez in the last few games. His second goal, which turned out to be the winner, was superb. Uruguay now have a very legitimate shot of reaching the semi final stages if they can maintain the right balance which has been successful for them so far

USA 1 – 2 Ghana (aet)

This was a really good game of football. USA, for the third time in four games, went 1-0 down early on to a determined Ghanaian side. Their defence really has been quite terrible in this tournament, and it’s the reason they haven’t managed to progress any further. Players like Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan can only carry this team so far. They don’t have enough quality in front of goal. All five of their goals in this tournament came from midfielders. USA did show good character in the second half and were good for their equaliser. They even had a number of good opportunities to win the game in regulation, but conceded early in extra time, and it was again due to poor defending. The finish, though, was excellent by Asamoah Gyan – another player who has a good future ahead of him. I’m not sure this one can really be called an upset because Ghana are clearly the best African side in this tournament. However, they are young, and Uruguay possess a tough challenge for them.

Germany 4 – 1 England

A fantastic and promising display if you’re a Germany supporter, an absolute horror show if you’re an England supporter. Germany dominated the game and played some fantastic football. Thomas Mueller was outstanding. England’s defence, bar Ashley Cole (who I think has been England’s best individual player in this tournament) was appalling. John Terry and Matthew Upson were nowhere for the first two goals. England pulled one back, and should have been level at half-time after Frank Lampard’s strike was adjudged to have not crossed the line, despite a number of replays demonstrating otherwise. The most disappointing thing is that England had the momentum after half-time, but failed to capitalise. They just haven’t gelled as a team, and their better players certainly were not at their best. Germany ripped them to shreds with two excellent counter-attacking goals later on in the game and won the game comfortably. What happens to Fabio Capello now? This one will take a long time to heal for England fans. Germany, however, were fantastic.

Argentina 3 – 1 Mexico

This was the most entertaining game of the first four. The first half was probably the best 45 minutes of attacking football so far in this tournament. Mexico were clearly rattled by Argentina’s first goal courtesy of Carlos Tevez, which was a shame because the game had been quite even up until that point. Sloppy defending was at fault for Argentina’s second, by which point it seemed there was no way back for Mexico. However, they continued to press on in the second half and created some good chances. Tevez’s second, and Argentina’s third, was unstoppable, but Hernandez’s consolation was enough to keep the game exciting until the end. Mexico played fairly well, but they just lack a cutting edge in front of goal to make them a top side in international football. Argentina were good value for their win and now face a dynamic German side in the quarter finals. These two teams have some history so it promises to be a fiery encounter.



Stay tuned for the second part of this section where I will look at the remaining second round matches, and also the quarter-finals of the World Cup. Your comments are always appreciated.