What we saw yesterday, and what we're looking forward to today

With only 40 minutes to go until the final Group A fixtures, I realised that I neglected to do this blog for you guys last night. Might aswell do it now seeing as how I don't really like the fact that I have to watch ages of pointless build-up otherwise.

The first game of yesterday's World Cup action was the second Group G game for Portugal and North Korea. I would love to tell you about each individual goal, but Portugal actually scored 7 (yes seven) against the lowly North Korean's. That was as much a surprise as if North Korea had gone out and won the game after their brilliant performance against Brazil a little over a week ago. I thought, as I'm sure most people would've having seen that game, that the North Korean's would come out and give the Portugese a real go and even possibly get something from the game. The first half kind of followed on in this pattern - it was very tight and compressed with both teams creating chances, but at the break, Portugal went in a goal up through Raul Meireles' strike midway through the first half. After the break, the North Korean's came out looking to get a goal as the knew that if they lost, their World Cup challenge would be over, but the mere fact that the North Korean's went all-out attack meant that they were vulnerable to the counter-attacking football that the Portugese began to play. The 6 goals in the second half actually came from 5 different player's - Ronaldo, Simao, Hugo Almeida, Liedson and Tiago - and all were taken absolutely beautifully with a ball that has been described as "not conducive to beautiful play". If the rumour's are true about North Korea censoring the games from the public, I'm thinking they may show the first half of the game and subtley neglect to show the second half. I also heard a joke that their may be less North Korean footballer's by this time next week, or at least less member's of that footballer's family. Before everyone accuses me of being racist and all that, it is just a joke, and in no means am I having a go at North Korea. I, in fact, will stand up and applaud them on Friday for giving us such a memorable World Cup as they ran Brazil close and then got thrashed by Portugal. Congratulations for not being scared to actually have a go.

So that result meant that North Korea are out, and that the Ivory Coast need to absolutely slam North Korea if they hope to qualify for the last 16 because of Portugal's excellent goal difference. With all outstanding issue's in Group G dealt with, let's take a look at Group H. The first game of the day in this group was Chile-Switzerland, two teams who had both won their opening games and would be looking to win this one as Spain took on Honduras in what was sure to be a win for the Spanish. I have to say, with what was at stake in mind, this was one of the DULLEST games at this World Cup. I know why it was so terrible, and that is because of the ref. Possibly the softest ref we've seen so far he gave a yellow to you if you happened to breathe on your opponent, and the red card he gave to Valon Behrami was absolutely ridiculous. If the Kaka foul wasn't a foul, then neither was the Behrami one. Absolutely pathetic refereeing and I just can't understand how he thought that it deserved a straight red. The Mark Gonzalez goal was one that was good enough to win this game, but that doesn't say alot about the goal to be perfectly honest. Chile then are in the driving seat and look like a good bet to progress to the next round.

Then it was my team's (Honduras) turn to come out and try and give the World their own Wolrd Cup shock as they took on one of the tournament favourites in Spain. The Spanish welcomed top striker Fernando Torres back to their ranks and looked like they were determined out to re-establish their claim as one of the World's top sides. Unfortunately for me, they did that with consumate ease and some style along the way as they cruised to a 2-0 victory that easily could've been 9 or 10. Villa scored both goals and could in fact have had a hat-trick if he'd been able to convert the penalty won by Jesus Navas late in the second half. Honduras looked terrible though and I honestly can't wait until my team leaves the competition as we have just been terrible in every game. I've essentially thrown away a pound, but ahh well it was interesting to see my team fail so miserably. Both goal's were the highest quality you could wish to see and it was a good game, despite my disappointment at the poor showing of my team. Spain then have to beat Chile in the last game to be sure of qualification to the knockout rounds of the tournament as Switzerland are still in with a shout, as are Honduras, but then again that is highly unlikely!

I would go and give you some Wimbledon chat, but there wasn't much on yesterday. The big story of the day was the fact that Alejandro Falla took the first 2 sets against Roger Federer in their first round match at the All England Club. With British glasses on, Andy Murray starts his campaign today on Court One. That match is probably on right now, but I think I'll keep my eye over the World Cup for now and let you know about it all in due course.

My housemate is pestering me to stop writing this blog so he can watch the World Cup on my laptop so I will give you 2 drinking rules later on when I do my daily post. TTFN guys