Oops, neglectful again :(

I do apologise. On my last post, I promised a speedy next post. This never materialised unfortunately. Just to say where we are, League One play off final, Milwall beat Swindon 1-0 to cement a place in the Championship for the coming season where they can look forward to playing the likes of Portsmouth, Burnley and Welsh rivals Swansea City and Cardiff City. League Two play-off final, we had our second fairytale promotion in this season's play-offs as the minnows of Dagenham and Redbridge beat Rotherham 3-2 in what was an absolutely pulsating match at Wembley. Congrat's to both of those for their momentous seasons. I also promised Andy Murray updates from the French Open. He managed to go and beat Marcos Baghdatis to get through to the 4th round, where he was unfortunately deposed by Thomas Berdych, and, perhaps shockingly for many Murray fan's, in straight sets.

Ummm so where are we now... Andy Murray updates from Queens?? The man who went and won the tournament to much critical acclaim last year was unfortunately knocked out by Mardy Fish on Friday after the game had been postponed on Thursday due to fading light, with the momentum very much with Murray at 3-3 in the third set. This led to a massive rant from the Scotsman as he thought that the match could've, and perhaps should've, reached it's conclusion that night rather than be postponed. I have to be honest, I did actually agree with Murray. I mean, to me, there seemed to be ample light to play the few remaining games, and, if this had been the case, I think Murray would've gone through to the quarter final's in these circumstances. Obviously, I have to say my congratulations to Fish, who pretty much served Murray out of the match, but I am overwhelmed at the ineptitude of the umpire who surely must be wondering whether his decision has cost Murray the prolonged defence of his title. So what next for the fiery Scot?? Well, Wimbledon starts on the 21st June, but between now and then, there could be very little game time for Murray, and this will almost certainly set tounges wagging, between fans and critics alike as to whether Murray can fulfil the confidence of the nation at what many perceive to be his "home tournament". Personally, I'll back Murray to win any tournament he is in, but as of yet, it remains to be seen when his next big win will come.

We also had the small matter of the World Cup kick-off on Friday, the start of a momentous tournament in a country, which, until a very short time ago was viciously racist and did not look capable of ever giving us this spectacle. It is also the first ever World Cup to be played on the African continent, and so obviously, all eyes will be on South Africa over the next four weeks, and I intend to keep this blog stack full of updates and adventures from the World Cup. I may even let you in on the drinking games and shenanigans I get upto whilst watching this showpiece of world football, but that's only if you promise to be good. So, what of the first day?? Well, the hosts got their World Cup adventure underway against a Mexico side, who, just a few weeks earlier pushed England far enough to justify their tag as a dangerous side at this World Cup. The first goal however, came from a South African player, Mr Siphiwe Tshabalala. And what a goal it was! After some brilliant one and two touch passing in the South African midfield, Tshabalala, was unleashed after a fantastic ball through the middle of the Mexican defence and when he caught up with the pass, he blasted across the Mexican keeper and into the top corner to send the thousands of fans inside Soccer City absolutely mental. If we all though the vuvuzela's were loud before the goal, it seemed they had become hundreds of times louder after it. Unfortunately for the hosts, some poor defending saw them pegged back after a 79th minute goal scored by former Barcelona stalwart Rafael Marquez, and yet, you somehow sensed this game was not over. The South African's certainly felt this, and in the 89th minute, after a long goal kick by Itumuleng Khune, it seemed almost certain that Katlego Mphela would score and send the host nation into raptures. Unfortunately though, the striker, renowned as prolific in his homeland, could only strike the outside of the post after the Mexican goalkeeper closed off all the other angles, and that was that, South Africa 1-1 Mexico.

The other game in Group A saw 1998 winner's and 2006 runner-up's France, come up against a Uruguayan side that boasted the impressive talents of Diego Forlan upfront, the striker who has been impressively prolific at Atletico Madrid this season. The prize for the winner?? The driving seat in Group A and a strong position right at the start of the first African World Cup. Why then was this game so poor?? For me, it was a mixture of not enough talent in the Uruguayan side to actually threaten France, poor tactics from French coach Raymond Domenech, and further to my last point, the (seemingly) downright refusal to change tactics until it was simply too late. End result was France 0-0 Uruguay, and a fairly open group. The hosts will surely fancy their chance of progress one would think, and for me, I hope they do progress as I like watching alot of their players, players such as Gaxa (the right back), Masilela (the left back), Kagisho Dikgacoi (midfielder who is now at Fulham), Teko Modise (fellow midfielder) and goalscorer Siphiwe Tshabalala.

So, it's now 4.31 am, and I have to be up to watch Group B's opener, incidentally Greece vs South Korea incase anyone has neglected to check their TV Guide and mark out every single game, in about 7 hours. That's going to be a real fun wake up. Hope you've enjoyed this post, I know it's not as long as usual, but let's be honest, I am writing this very late at night. I will ATTEMPT to do a new post every day keeping you upto speed with all the ins and outs of the World Cup, and as usual, thank you for reading. It mean's alot to me that you'd take time out to have a gander and I do appreciate it. Cheers guys, see you tomorrow