BBC tennis journo brings a flavour of Bratwurst to Wimbledon
Early in the match and he has compared Murray to Bob Dylan, Baghdatis to a Spice Girl and picked fault with Jimmy Connors' dress sense. A Bratwurst t-shirt and a BBC redundancy package are on their way to you, Tom.
Rob Parker
July 3, 2006 in Live Blogs, World Cup funnies | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
LIVE BLOG: Brazil 3–0 Ghana
LIVE BLOG: Brazil v Ghana, Dortmund
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Brazil: Dida; Cafu, Lucio, Juan, R Carlos, Emerson, Ze Roberto, Kaka, Ronaldinho; Adriano, Ronaldo
Ghana: Kingson; Pantsil, Shilla, Mensah, Pappoe; Draman, Addo, Appiah, Muntari; Amoah, Gyan
Teams walking out on to the pitch in Dortmund now. Brazil in classic yellow/blue, Ghana in all white. National anthems being played, Brazil's first. Already seen the ubiquitous shot of Franz Beckenbauer in the crowd. He's wearing a gold/blue tie today, no doubt in honour of Brazil.
After some more hyperbolic drivel from the mouth of ITV's Peter Drury (some bullshit about 'sunshine shirts' and 'daring to believe'), it's time for a quick ad break.
1min And we're off! Jim Beglin, ITV co-commentator, has already written Ghana off, saying they have no chance in this match… Ronaldo caught offside (he was on), with just the keeper to beat. Poor decision.
3min Scrappy start, Muntari fouls Ze Roberto on the half-way line and the Brazilian stays down. Shot of Essien on the bench, looking pensive. Ze Roberto back on his feet now… Ghana break down the right but Draman's cross is way too deep.
5min GOAL!!! Brazil 1-0 Ghana Ronaldo slips Ghana's terrible offside trap and beats the keeper with a trademark stepover. He's now the leading World Cup scorer of all time, with 15 goals. Shaky start by the Africans, to say the least.
7min Stephen Appiah is booked for a robust challenge on Kaka. Ghana look rattled.
10min Ronaldinho's raking ball down the right is too strong for Cafu… Ghana playing a very high backline. Dangerous tactic against Brazil. Sulley Muntari picks up a yellow card.
13min Adriano booked for diving in the penalty box, having been put clean through. One-on-one against Kingson but he couldn't beat Ghana's keeper. Ronaldo must be fuming, he was free on Adriano's left. Adriano's been a big disappointment so far in Germany.
15min Sulley Muntari arguing with the ref, again. My first prediction of the afternoon: Muntari won't be on the pitch when the final whistle goes – and not because he's been substituted.
19min Cafu brings down Muntari. The Brazilian cracks a huge smile at the ref… Draman's powerful drive is then tipped over by Dida. Great shot from 35 yards but Dida had it covered. Gyan flagged offside in Brazil's box. Better play from Ghana now. They've settled down.
21min Brazil almost break after Ronaldinho beats Muntari with a fancy turn, but Ron's pass is intercepted at the back by Ghana. Fast pace to the match - bit of overnight rain on the pitch has helped.
24min Muntari puts Amoah through on goal with a lovely ball. Amoah just has Dida to beat but the Ghanaian striker drags his shot wide. Brazil's complacency could cost them here…
26min Roberto Carlos gallops down the left, beats Ghana's flimsy offside trap, but his ambitious shot balloons way over the bar… lovely bit of skill by Muntari on the edge of the box, but he's closed down quickly and can't get a decent shot on goal.
28min Amoah's low, hard shot is saved by Dida (it was hit straight at him) after good work by Appiah on Ghana's left wing. Brazil need to up their game.
31min Kingson has a couple of flaps, one at a Ronaldinho cross and one at a corner. Ghana break fast but Draman shoots over the bar. Emerson walks off the pitch, clearly carrying an injury.
33min Emerson back on the pitch after some treatment. Muntari keeps coming off his left wing and into the middle, but Brazil aren't picking him up and the young Ghanaian is causing them problems.
35min Gyan turns Lucio in the box but can't hit the target. Lucio goes down injured, but I think he's faking it.
37min As predicted, Lucio is fine… yellow card for Addo (Essien's deputy), who catches Adriano late. Free-kick for Brazil, central, 35 yards out. Ronaldinho's curling effort sails harmlessly over the bar.
39min Addo down injured near the centre circle, after a kick on the shin by Ronaldinho. No malice in the tackle though.
42min Mensah's point-blank header from a Ghana corner almost levels the scores but Brazil are lucky – the ball hits Dida on the shin (he doesn't know much about it) and Brazil clear the danger. Who was marking Mensah in the box? No one, apparently… yellow card for Juan, for a late tackle. Dangerous free-kick to Ghana 25 yards out, but Appiah's shot doesn't trouble Dida. Brazil living dangerously.
45min GOAL!!! Brazil 2–0 Ghana Adriano's knee finishes off a devastating Brazilian counter-attack (he was offside, btw). Very very hard luck on Ghana.
HALF-TIME Great first half, should be 1-1 though. Back in 15 minutes…
46min Emerson replaced by Arsenal's Gilberto Silva at half-time.
47min Gyan booked for kicking the ball into the stand. D'oh.
49min Gyan slices a right-footed shot past Dida's left-hand post. The Ghanaians getting into decent positions, but can't find that ruthless finish.
52min Great build-up play by Ghana but Draman slices wildly wide when he should have crossed. Lack of composure in the final third is the only difference between the teams.
55min Come on Tim! (He won at Wimbledon today, btw). And, indeed, come on Ghana! Great ball to Adriano by Ronaldinho but attack comes to nothing and Ghana break. Draman fouls Lucio and Brazil can build again.
57min Kingson saves Roberto Carlos's powerful toe-poke, after the little Brazilian bursts into the box at pace.
59min Juninho is about to come on, he's getting instructions from Brazilian bench. Ze Roberto to come off?
60min Derek Boateng on for Addo. Plansil's header from a Ghana corner goes wide. Adriano taken off, Juninho replaces him.
62min Juninho's introduction should allow Ronaldinho to move further forward. Adriano may have scored for Brazil (albeit a lucky, offside goal) but he did little else to impress.
64min Brazil look a bit sharper now, and I really can't see Ghana getting the two goals they need to get back in the game. Brazil's underrated defence has done pretty well.
66min Ronaldo is caught needlessly offside, much to the annoyance of Roberto Carlos, who had sprinted down the left to support his record-breaking team-mate.
68min Time running out for Ghana. Brazil happy to keep the ball… Dida saves brilliantly from Gyan, low to his left, after good approach work by Appiah. Amoah taken off, replaced by Alex Tachie-Mensah.
71min If Brazil do get through this, as looks increasingly likely, they face either Spain or France, which will really test the champions' mettle. A semi-final against England is then a possibility.
74min Air of inevitability about this now. Could see a third goal for Brazil as Ghana chase the game.
76min ITV duo Peter Drury and Jim Beglin continue to spout a load of old shite about how flat Brazil have looked. They're 2-0 up for God's sake! What more do these idiots want? A few more banana kicks maybe?
78min Muntari's well-struck shot from the edge of Brazil's box is always rising and doesn't trouble Dida. Sums up Ghana's finishing today. Gyan then hits a shot tamely at Dida. Nuff said.
80min Pantsil's powerful header back to his keeper almost ends in an own goal but Kingson gathers at the second attempt. Gyan is then booked for diving and sent off. The correct decision. Gyan's fourth card in three matches. All over for Ghana now. 25th red card of the tournament!
83min Kaka, who's had a quiet match, is replaced by Ricardinho.
84min GOAL!!! Brazil 3-0 Ghana Ze Roberto beats the Ghana offside trap, then the keeper commits himself and Ze Roberto knocks it past him for a tap-in.
86min Twice now Peter Drury has mentioned the phrase 'Just do it' in relation to Brazil. Nike product placement or coincidence?
88min Tachie-Mensah strikes a shot straight at Dida (where else) and then Ronaldo forces a brilliant save from Kingson. Lively finish to the match.
90min Cafu one-on-one with Kingson but the keeper anticipates the Brazilian captain's little dink. Ronaldinho not best pleased, cause he was free to Cafu's left.
90+2min Appiah finds some space but blasts over from a decent position on the left edge of Brazil's box. Not their day today but they've contributed loads to Germany 06, with Appiah, Muntari and Essien proving to be three parts of one of the best midfields in the tournament.
FULL-TIME Thanks for watching!
June 27, 2006 in Live Blogs | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
LIVE BLOG: Czech Republic 0-2 Italy
Click below to access our live blog of Group E decider CZECH REPUBLIC v ITALY, which kicks off at 3pm. Feel free to join the debate and comment on the match as it progresses – & don't forget to click Refresh on your internet browser to update the commentary…
FYI, 3 subscribers can check out the highlights of the game for free on their mobile.
LIVE BLOG: CZECH REPUBLIC v ITALY, Group E, Hamburg
PRE-MATCH The main news from each camp is that Baros is fit to start for the Czech Republic, while the equine Camoranesi is in for Luca Toni.
1min The match is under way. Looks like the Czech Republic are going to force the pace, while Italy are content to be a little more patient. If they are playing for the draw it could backfire!
2min Nesta brings down Nedved as he raced down the left touchline just inside the Italy half. Lucky to escape without a yellow card.
4min Bright start for the Czech Republic. Baros is putting himself about and has conceded a couple of free kicks already. Haven't quite found the final ball yet. Italy have the same trouble on their first attack as a poor cross trickles out for a goal kick.
6min Italy full-back Grosso makes a great run and puts in a decent ball, but they look lightweight in the box without Toni. Only Gilardino was in the area.
8min Grosso is findind room down the left flank and wins a corner with another cross. The Czech Rep break but can't play Baros in. They win the ball again in midfield and Nedved plays an outstanding ball to Baros with the outside of his boot. Baros's first touch lets him down and the chance is wasted.
10min Totti and Kovac form an acrobatic circus act in the Czech Rep area. The referee sees it Kovac's way and gives a free kick for backing in.
13min It is a pretty even game so far. It's end-to-end football, but without any clear-cut chances being created.
14min A Czech corner is not cleared properly by Italy. The Czech Rep opt for patient build-up before Nedved fires a shot at Juventus team-mate Buffon from outside the area. He gets up in time to block the follow-up from Jankulovski.
17min Nesta walks off rubbing his groin (calm down, ladies!) and is replaced by ex-Everton defender Marco Materazzi.
19min The game is still to find its rhythm after the substitution. Still 0-0 between Ghana and USA too by the way.
20min Petr Cech hocks up a mouthful of phlegm to spit on his gloves. Is this scientifically proven to improve goalkeeping?!
22min Zambrotta charges onto a lobbed through-ball in the Czech Rep box but over-hits his cross. The largely anonymous Rosicky leads the break and works the ball inside from the right before being closed down.
24min Gattuso comes close with a header from outside the area from Totti's chipped cross. The big news is that Ghana have taken the lead in the other game, which would put the Czach Rep out if the scores stay the same.
25min GOAL!!! Czech Rep 0-1 Italy Substitute Marco Materazzi makes a huge leap from an Italy corner and heads past Cech. Goal-line defenders are conspicuous in their absence.
28min The Czech Rep are in serious difficulty now. For us neutrals though, it is fantastic! Looks like it will be a very open game from now on.
30min Gattuso is booked for clipping Nedved. The bearded midfielder had lost his footing and made sure Nedved didn't have a free run down the left-wing.
33min Surprise, surprise, Italy are trying to sit back on their lead. Gilardino looks a lonely figure when they break though, and it could be a dangerous game.
35min Horror hair candidate Polak ends up in the book after a dive from Camoranesi. The Italian midfielder looks like a faller at the Grand National as he rolls about on the floor. Sadly he's running fine now though, and not off to the glue factory.
36min Mark Bright has worked out that the Czech Rep are having trouble finding the final ball today (see Bratwurst Live Blog 4min!)
39min Camoranesi is down and actually injured after heading Polak's head from an Italy corner. Oh the irony!
42min Gilardino picks up a long ball in the area but has no support against two defenders. Italy could take a lesson from Spain and leave out their golden boy. They seem to be accommodating Totti at the expense of their attack.
45min Polak is sent off for a second bookable offence on the stroke of half-time for barging into Totti. Bye bye Czech Republic.
HALF-TIME In the other game Dempsey equalised for the USA just before half-time, but Stephen Appiah has just given Ghana a 2-1 lead from the penalty spot.
It looks like Italy and Ghana to go through at the minute. Feel free to leave your comments and questions over half-time or at any point in the second half.
Just seen what Ghana's penalty was awarded for. Minimal contact is an overstatement!
45min Second half has kick-off. Czech Rep have brought on Stajner for Poborsky.
47min Francesco 'Samson' Totti puts a free-kick harmlessly wide ie nearly hit the corner flag. Perhaps he could borrow some hair from Camoranesi and regain his powers.
50min Grosso heads behind for a corner with Stajner creeping up on him. Italy break and briefly have three-on-two. Rozenhal attempts to clear up in the Czech box, but nearly sells Cech short.
52min Totti has got his eye in now. Cech dives low to his right to push Totti's low drive behind. The Czech Rep break with Nedved's driving run into the area, but he is thwarted by Buffon.
55min Cannavaro volleys over from a well-worked Italy free-kick. Totti was disappointing in the first half, but as John Motson has just pointed out, he has got so much space now that he can run the game.
59min It's end-to-end now. I think I could be in danger of getting RSI by the time we are into the last 10 minutes! The annoying Filippo Inzaghi is on in place of Gilardino (alongside Gilardino in place Camoranesi would have been better).
62min Italy have stepped up the pace all of a sudden and have forced a corner. Czech Republic have replaced Milan Baros (out of steam) with David Jarolim. Camoranesi should have scored with a near-post header from the corner but he was a bit of a tart, closed his eyes and flapped his pony-tail at it.
67min Inzaghi should have scored. A Czech defender's clearance hit his own man and put Inzaghi clean though, but he fired wide.
68min Czech coach Karol Bruckner is either nervously playing with both hands in front of his face or playing the mouth organ to pass the last 22 minutes.
70min Buffon denies Nedved again (he must have a bet on an Italy clean sheet!) Stajner's backheel teed up Nedved from 20 yards. His shot was punched out by the keeper diving to his left.
73min Camoranesi is replaced by the poetically named Simone Barone.
75min Motty and Brighty have a bit of a tiff about whether they will be seeing the partially fit Jan Koller or not.
77min Motty wins the argument. Czech Rep bring on Marek Heinz for Kovac. Koller obviously isn't fit enough. Inzaghi nearly jumps the offside trap but is pulled up.
79min Totti has played a couple of bad passes in succession to the sound of boos from the crowd. His performance has hardly hit lofty levels, but he has been particular poor in the last five minutes. He looks tired now.
81min Czech Rep have a free-kick on the far left, which is drifted in by Nedved but easily claimed by Buffon. The keeper has been calm and collected all day. Perhaps he has been leaked the results of the corruption inquiry!
82min Pirlo mazes in and out of defenders a la Ricky Villa before putting the ball on the unmarked head of Inzaghi seven yards out. Somehow he puts it wide.
85min The Czech Rep look resigned to their fate. They are attacking but with no real conviction.
86min GOAL!!! Czech Rep 0-2 Italy Inzaghi springs the offside trap this time. Barone goes with him so that Cech can't commit either way. Inzaghi rounds Cech and slots home.
88min Goalscorer Materazzi is stretchered off with arm or shoulder trouble. Gattuso throttled Lippi while celebrating the second goal for some reason. The boss didn't look too impressed!
91min The commentators are discussing how Totti has been a passenger. He has been left on the pitch for 90 mins to improve his match fitness, but he hasn't done any running.
FULL TIME The game ends in low-key fashion. Nedved crouches and bows his head as he knows his side are going home. Full-time between Ghana and USA too with Ghana winning 2-1. Italy and Ghana progress.
Rob Parker
June 22, 2006 in Group E, Live Blogs | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack
LIVE BLOG: Portugal 2–1 Mexico
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LIVE BLOG: Portugal v Mexico, Group D, Gelsenkirchen
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Hi, welcome to the Portugal v Mexico live blog. Roof is on in Gelsenkirchen and the national anthems are being played…
1min And we're off… a Portugal draw/win will see them top Group D and probably avoid Argentina in the next round. Mexico need a win to run out group winners. Let's hope both teams go for the win…
2min Jinking run into Portugal's box by Mexico forward Jose Fonseca. He shoots low and hard but straight at Ricardo. Lively start by Mexico.
5min No Deco or Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal – both are on yellow cards and not risked by Big Phil Scolari. He says they definitely won't come on too, even if the score is 30-0 to Mexico. Could backfire.
6min GOOOAAAL! Portugal 1–0 Mexico Maniche calmly sidefoots the ball into the roof of the Mexico net after a neat ball across the box from Simao. Against the run of play, it has to be said.
7min Acrobatic volley by Bravo almost equalises for Mexico. Just wide though. Very open game now.
9min Gareth Southgate and Clive Tyldesley in the ITV commentary box. Southgate's voice could make paint dry; Tyldelsley's could strip it off the walls. The dream team :(
12min Why is Rafael Marquez playing in Mexico's midfield? He's a central defender for god's sake. Mad decision. Portugal's dynamic midfield trio (Maniche, Tiago and Petit) will give him no time on the ball, as Southgate rightly points out.
15min Lots of possession for Mexico in last couple of minutes but they haven't done too much with the ball. If – and it's a huge if – Angola can thump Iran, Mexico could be going home.
17min This is the first time Portugal have qualified for a World Cup's knockout stages since 1966, the era of Eusebio (who, incidentally, is in the crowd in Gelsenkirchen). As you might guess from this aside, not much is happening on the pitch right now…
20min Figo sprints (yes, sprints!) down the right wing after a great line-ball by Miguel and wins a corner. Figo takes it himself but doesn't clear Mexico's first defender.
22min Maniche is fouled on the edge of the Mexico area. Yellow card for Perez and a dangerous free-kick to Portugal… Figo's weak effort rebounds off the advancing Mexican wall for a corner. PENALTY!!! Rafael Marquez's raised arm deflects the ball. A clear-cut decision. He meant it. Simao to take…
24min GOAAAAAALLLLL!!! Portugal 2-0 Mexico Simao isn't put off by Sanchez's mind games (he stood way to the left of his goal) and blasts the penalty home, to the keeper's right.
27min Yellow card for Portuguese defender Miguel, who fouls Bravo. Perez then fouls Maniche. Tiago runs onto Postiga's ball, into the box but shoots straight at Sanchez. Mexico's tactic of playing Marquez in midfield looks pretty dumb right now… Somehow Ricardo saves Bravo's fierce, low shot from point-blank range. Corner to Mexico, who desperately need to pull one back… they do!!!
29min GOOOAAAALLLLLL!!! Portugal 2-1 Mexico Jose Fonseca's glancing header from a corner beats Ricardo. Mexico back in the game.
33min Fonseca's goal was quite similar to Allback's header against England last night… Maniche's trailing foot catches Perez in the face (retribution?) and Mexico have a free-kick near Portugal's left-hand corner flag… corner to Mexico, who look quite dangerous from set-pieces. It comes to nothing though.
37min Marquez is like a ponytailed fish out of water in midfield – plus he gave away that penalty. He's having a shocker.
40min Petit, reportedly a Man Utd transfer target, has an optimistic blast from a free-kick some 40 yards out and wins a corner… Fonseca's delicate header up the other end just goes wide but Ricardo had it covered and it's a goal-kick to Portugal.
42min No goals in the Angola v Iran game so far, btw. No great surprise really. Both teams have scored just one goal between them so far… here in Gelsenkirchen, Maniche's shot is charged down by the hapless Marquez.
45min Portugal passing it around casually now, playing for half-time. A sustained period of Portuguese possession ends when Maniche's speculative shot is easily gathered in by Sanchez… a powerful Pardo strike is palmed out by Ricardo. Corner to Mexico… penalty claim waved away after Maniche's challenge. Chaos in the penalty box now after a fine Mexican cross. Ricardo saves and somehow ends up in the back of his net, injured. He's just bluffing I reckon. Get up son!
45+1min One last attack for Mexico sees Bravo put in by Marquez but Bravo puts his shot well over the bar – of course he does, he's in my fantasy team.
HALF-TIME A good half, three goals and plenty of entertainment. Back in 15mins…
49min Oops, look at the time. I missed the first two minutes of the second half, but no more goals to report.
50min I see Zinha has been brought on for Rodriguez at half-time, allowing Marquez to go back to his usual position in central defence. Sensible move.
53min Clive Statto Tyldesley's at it again – Mexico has lost just 2 out of 16 World Cup games to European opposition. Decent record… Big Phil Scolari having a rant at his players, who have started the second half in sluggish fashion.
57min Penalty to Mexico!!! Miguel's inadvertant handball results in a pen to the Mexicans, but Bravo blasts it over the bar. The idiot. My fantasy team jinx continues…
60min Mexico looking much bettter now that Marquez is in defence. Zinha causing problems for Portugal in midfield. Paolo Ferreira about to come on for Portugal… Perez felled in the box by Miguel but no penalty given. Perez booked again, for diving, and sent off – Red card to Perez. Unlucky.
62min Chelsea's Ferreira on for Miguel, who almost gave away two penalties in the space of five minutes. Big Phil not happy at all with his team. Can't blame him, but Portugal now in the box seat against 10 men.
64min Bravo misses a 'gilt-edged chance' for Mexico, shooting way over from close range. Aaaaargh!
66min Blatant dive by Simao on Portugal's left wing results in a yellow card for Marquez. Tiago then goes close with a grasscutter. And Angola has scored against Iran: Angola 1-0 Iran. Makes it a bit more uncomfortable for Mexico.
68min Nuno Gomes on for Portugal, in place of Postiga. Handball by Maniche and he gets an overdue yellow card. Mexico also make a sub: Castro on for Pineda.
71min In a hypothetical World Cup of Entertaining Coaches, Scolari v La Volpe would be everyone's dream final.
73min You'd think Portugal, not Mexico, were down to 10 men. The Europeans are running out of steam whilst Mexico look strong – we shouldn't forget that they're without Deco, Ronaldo and Costinha though… then Ferreira gives away a blatant penalty with a hack from behind on Bravo. Shocking decision by the young Estonian referee.
75min Mexico will almost certainly go through with Portugal if they lose this afternoon but they deserve to win this match.
78min Still 1-0 to Angola in the other Group D match. But do Mexico know what's happening in that match? They can't afford to concede again.
80min Portugal bring on Fulham's Boa Morte, for Luis Figo. Mexico also make a substitution: Villareal's Guillermo Franco comes on, for Mendez.
82min GOOOOAALLL! But not in this match. It's now Iran 1-1 Angola. Mexico look safe as houses now. Simao's dangerous low cross is cleared by Marquez, whose knee crashes into the face of Sanchez, his goalkeeper. Ouch.
84min As Sanchez receives treatment, ITV cuts to Mexican fans, all looking deliriously happy. News of Iran's telling equaliser must have reached them.
87min On this evidence, neither Holland or Argentina would be too worried if they had to play either of these teams in the next round. I'd take the best of Group C over the best of Group D, any day.
88min Yellow card for Boa Morte, for kicking out. Zinha also booked for a clash with Simao. Fonseca's curling shot is then well-saved low to his right by Ricardo. Good value for money, this match.
90+1min Caneira clatters Bravo and Mexico have a free-kick on the half-way line. Can't imagine there's been a game with more free-kicks than this clash. Yellow card (the eighth of the game) for Nuno Gomes, probably just for having long hair.
90+2 A silky run by Boa Morte leads to a powerful Maniche shot, punched out by Sanchez. Almost full-time now.
FULL-TIME Portugal 2–1 Mexico So Portugal top Group D, Mexico are runners-up. Good open game, but too many fouls and dives. Thanks for your time…
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June 21, 2006 in Group D, Live Blogs | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
LIVE BLOG: Togo 0 – 2 Switzerland
LIVE BLOG: Togo v Switzerland, Group G, Dortmund
Welcome to the Togo v Switzerland Live Blog. Glad to say Togo has turned up!
1min Perfect conditions for football. Bit of rain earlier, overcast and much cooler than it has been. Togo all in green, Switzerland in red/white… lively start by Togo, than Agboh fouls Gygax. No card shown though.
4min Togo flying into tackles… decent long-range shot by Cabanas, saved comfortably by Togo's keeper… Swiss seeing more of the ball, especially down their right-hand side… Johann Vogel takes a shot, but it's way off target… Mo Kader bursts through on to an Adebayor header but Kader shoots straight at the keeper. A wasted chance.
8min Togo certainly seem up for this… good cross from the Swiss down the right wing, but Alex Frei's looping header is easily saved. Several chances already, very open game. BBC's Mark 'not too' Bright talks some nonsense about Togo's players being in the 'shop window'.
11min Adebayor forces his way into the box and then heads wide. The Arsenal man then has a moan at the ref, complaining he was held back. No penalty though… up the other end, the Swiss have a corner… Togo clear it easily. 'Sloppy from the Swiss,' says Brighty.
13min Togo defending deep, happy to let the Swiss pass it about in front of them. Another corner to the Swiss… the ball is punched off the top of the incoming Senderos's head by Agassa, Togo's keeper. Maybe the Swiss have underestimated Togo, ponders Brighty.
15min Togo coach Otto Pfister is married to a Swiss lady, we are informed. Fascinating stuff. Mo Kader takes a shot at goal, but it's straight at the keeper again.
17min GOAL! Togo 0-1 Switzerland Alexander Frei lashes the ball into the net from close range after Barnetta's clever ball inside the box. Against the run of play really.
19min Kader through on goal with just the keeper to beat, but called offside. Togo up against it now.
20min Why did I take Frei out of my fantasy team? Bloody typical… Togo haven't seen much of the ball since going a goal down. Swiss look full of confidence.
22min My girlfriend has fallen asleep on the sofa beside me. The game's not that bad, surely… must type quietly now…
24min Agboh taken off, replaced by Saliphou for Togo. A tactical change apparently, but Togo clearly have no tactics, so bit of a mysterious substitution.
26min Adebayor tries to pick out Kader from the right wing with one of those fancy 'rebona' kicks (kicking foot crosses over behind your standing foot) that Joe Cole likes to use every now and again. Cocky sod.
29min Game going through a quiet spell. Girlfriend still asleep… ball lashed wide by Togo's Dossevi after a mistake by Phillipe Senderos – not his first mistake either. Togo should have scored there.
31min Great cross in from a free-kick on the left by Togo but no one can get a head to it and it goes behind for a goal-kick.
35min Switzerland very tough to break down. The French couldn't do it, so it's unreasonable to expect Togo to equalise. We'll see… Adebayor certainly looks lively… he tumbles in the box, tripped by Patrick Muller. Looked like a penalty to me, but not given – Adebayor incredulous, Otto Pfister enraged.
37min Massive scramble in the Swiss box, desperate Swiss defending and they get it clear in the end. Switzerland 'playing themselves into trouble' moans Brighty.
39min Togo was a German colony, the BBC commentator tells us. So what? Why do TV commentators insist on trying to impress with history lessons and boring stats. The radio boys have it right… just say what you see.
41min Cherif-Toure lets fly from 30 yards for Togo. Powerful shot but too close to Zuberbuhler, the giant Swiss keeper.
44min Togo on the attack again. Swiss already look content to sit back, defend and pick up a 1-0 win. Negative outlook, but understandable given yesterday's France v Korea result. A win would put the Swiss in the driving seat in Group G… crunching tackle by Salifou on Barnetta, resulting in a yellow card for Salifou. One added minute to play before half-time…
45+1min HALF-TIME Togo 0-1 Switzerland Back in 15 mins… time for a cuppa and a nice custard cream. Mmm.
46min Hakan Yakin on for the injured Daniel Gygax. Yakin plays for Young Boys of Bern. Tremendous.
47min Adebayor spitting feathers again. He thought Arsenal team-mate Senderos fouled him but it looked a 50-50 challenge for an aerial ball.
50min Mark Bright has a pop at the Swiss keeper, who's down in the box afer a nudge in the back by Nibombe… Get up! says Brighty… Barnetta's fierce strike stings the palms of Agassa, who makes a good save. The resulting corner leads to nothing though.
53min Yellow card for Togo's Alaixys Romao. He'll miss the France game now… great shot by Yakin almost goes in the top-right corner. Didn't miss by much.
55min Weather update! It's started to rain in Dortmund but there's still plenty of sunshine on the pitch. Crazy German climate!
57min Big sweat patches on Otto Pfister's bright pink shirt. That'll need to go to the dry cleaners Otto… Switzerland just want a 1-0 win here. C'mon Togo!
60min Neutrals in the crowd getting behind Togo now. Like a couple of the other African teams (Ivory Coast and Angola), they lack composure in the final third of the pitch.
62min Salifou's speculative half-volley slices just wide… Kader fouled by Senderos (not having a great game)… Togo's build-up is decent but then they give the ball away on the edge of the box. Frustrating.
64min Agassa makes a very sharp save from Yakin's shot inside the penalty area. Agassa looks a decent keeper on this evidence… Adebayor off on another run. He's been pretty impressive today, although his final ball has been rubbish.
67min Corner to Togo, overhit though. 'Such a waste,' says Brighty. I feel your pain Brighty.
69min French-born winger Thomas Dossevi replaced by Junior Senaya.
71min Yakin, the 'playboy of Swiss football', tries to stir the Swiss fans with a few hand gestures as he trots over to take a corner… Agassa plucks another Yakin corner from the air with an impressive dive… then an overhead kick by Yakin fails to hit the target but excites the crowd.
74min Free-kick to Togo on right edge of Swiss penalty area. Danger here? Yakin clears with a header but Togo on the attack again. The Swiss will pay for this negative play if they're not careful.
77min Swiss substitution: Cabanas off, Marco Streller on… Yakin will drop back into midfield now.
79min Togo's Kader caught offside (again) but replay shows he was level. He missed the target with his header anyway.
81min Alex Frei almost catches Agassa cold with a lob shot struck from near the half-way line. Ball just goes over the bar. Cheeky.
83min Ball nearly falls to Kader in the Swiss box but a Swiss boot hacks it clear. Lucky for the Europeans that the Africans have no cutting edge in front of goal.
86min Corner to Togo. If they don't score in the final five minutes, they're out of the World Cup. Swiss keeper deals with a Togolese player's header comfortably. Goalscorer Frei taken off, Mauro Lustrinelli on in his place.
89min GOOOOAAAAALLLL! Togo 0-2 Switzerland Tranquillo Barnetta's raking right-foot shot from the edge of the penalty area creeps in off Agassa's right-hand post. Game over, Togo are out.
90+1min Salifou almost grabs a consolation goal but his effort is tipped over by the Swiss keeper. The big question now is: will Togo turn up to play France? I have my doubts…
90+2min FULL-TIME Togo 0-2 Switzerland An efficient performance by the Swiss, who now top Group G. Togo didn't have quality to really trouble them.
Thanks for watching with us!
June 19, 2006 in Group G, Live Blogs | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Live Blog: Japan v Croatia
1 min After a thouroughly miserable rendition of the Japanese national anthem, and the Croatian fans nearly lifting the roof off with theirs, the game gets underway with... in true ITV fashion... a load of adverts.
2 mins Fukunishi goes down after a knee in the ribs from Prso. The resultant free kick sees Japan go on the attack and win another freekick on the edge of the penalty area.
4 mins Croatia win a freekick in a good position but waste it with a weak delivery.
9 mins Nakamura is looking lively and dictating play and creating most of Japan's best moves. The Croatian's are looking a little tentative, but the game is wide open.
11 mins Prso threatens but opts for a dive and gets nothing from the ref.
13 mins After a great ball from Tudor, Klasnic nearly grabs a goal for the Croats.
16 mins Japan break and miss a good chance but Croatia defend well. The game is becoming more open with both teams creating chances.
20 mins *PENALTY* Miyamoto clumsily brings Prso down an Srna misses the resulting spot kick. Low to the keepers left, Kawaguchi superbly pushes the ball out for a corner. (Miyamoto booked)
25 mins The is beginning to sag a little. Livened up by a wild speculative effort from Alex which results in a Croatian goalkick
28 mins Krancjar thunders the Japan crossbar after a suberb turn and shot.
30 mins Klasnic, despite having a ridiculous Pires beard, is looking good, and rolls the ball across the face of goal. Kovac is booked after giving away a freekick after a cheap foul. He is out for the next game.
32 mins Nakamura hits the freekick and it deflects of one of his own players
33 mins A passback takes a freakish bounce off the turf and nearly results in an own goal after bobbling over Kawaguchi's foot. David Pleat blames the groundsmen.
36 mins Nakata tests the Croatian goalkeeper with a brilliant strike from about 35 yards out after some excellent trickery from the impressive Nakamura.
39 mins It's that man Klasnic again. A neat build up with Prso, and cute shot, Klasnic forces a corner which comes to nothing.
41 mins Kawaguchi is harshly booked for timewasting when taking a goalkick
43 mins I realise that Alex, the Japan defender, looks like that boring bloke from Birmingham who was on Big Brother a few years ago. Was he called Dean?
HALF TIME is called and after a entertaining and open game, it is still unclear who has the upper hand. It would seem that the team who deals with the heat may do it. The half time pundits (Terry Venables and Ruud Gullit) feel that Croatia have the upper hand. El Tel sagely nods along whilst Gullit comments on the lack power upfront for Japan. I can't be bothered to disgree at this stage as I need a brew.
46 mins Fukinishi is replaced by Inamoto who's hair is as daft as ever. Croatia win the first freekick of the half right on the edge of the box.
47 mins After a false start, and the ref having a word with Prso and Inamoto for in-box jostles, the freekick is wasted by being lumped at the wall.
48 mins Miyamoto continues his dour match by giving away yet another cheap freekick. Will Zico bring his captain off? He should.
50 mins Excellent link work down the left leaves Yanagisawa with an open goal. Stabbing at the ball with the wrong foot, he somehow misses leaving Zico looking aghast on the touchline.
53 mins After some dazzling footwork from Nakamura, the Japanese have an excellent period of pressure, but Croatia hit on the break and fluff a great chance infront of goal.
55 mins Nakata has another good effort from long range but the shot is comfortably saved by Pletikosa.
59 mins After a long raking ball from Srna, Prso works hard to win a corner for Croatia. The corner is drifted in and the ball spools out for a goalkick.
60 mins Japan win a freekick in a great position on the edge of the Croat box after a soft foul from Kovac. Nakamura balloons his shot into row Z. Yanagisawa is brought off for Grampus 8's Tamada.
62 mins Simunic goes close with a header, but really, should have done better. Croatia are hitting Japan on the break with more frequency.
65 mins Babic runs half the length of the pitch, only to drag his feeble shot wide... even though he had options.
66 mins Japan's build up play is made of of excellent neat passing, whereas Croatia are using long balls to stretch the Japan back four. It's still 50/50.
67 mins Alex wins a freekick in an excellent position. You can't help but feel it will come to nothing.
68 mins Freekick comes to nothing. Olic comes on for Croatia to replace Tudor, and Srna is booked for... well... I've no idea.
70 mins Croatia change shape to an attacking 3-4-3 leaving holes at the back. Japan win a corner through the tireless Alex (Dean from Big Brother)
72 mins The ref has got his cards out again, booking Alex for a shoulder charge.
73 mins Srna is penalised for a foul and shows that frustration is setting in as he gobs off at the ref.
75 mins Just as I'm about to type 'the sun seems to be taking it out of the players', the pitch suddenly goes really dark from a huge cloud. Maybe God wants a goal? The players are visibly tiring.
77 mins ITV remind me that Matt Smith exists and I get angry. Luka Modric comes on for Kranjcar. He looks like a girl or someone you might see in a Games Workshop.
79 mins The Croatian subs link up with Olic sprinting down the left wing, only for a tame shot from the boot of the Games Workshop kid. Frustration is beginning to show on all the Croatians.
81 mins Olic is looking like an exciting player. Drags a shot across the face of goal with no-one gambling at the back post.
82 mins David Pleat says "You can almost smell the fatigue". It is a horrible image.
84 mins Croatia are going forward the most, but have little in terms of an end result, largely down to that smelly fatigue. Japan look to be wilting in the dying moments of the game again.
85 mins Takahara is replaced by Oguro in a straight swap up front. Will his fresh legs provide some magic?
86 mins Srna is brought off... probably because he has run himself stupid (a great shout for Man of the Match) and is replaced by Bosnjak who looks a bit like Robert Prosineki.
88 mins Alex drills the ball across goal, and Simunic nearly scores an own goal, but it spoons out for a corner.
89 mins Japan go close with a corner. Zico looks like a bulldog licking urine from thistles.
90 mins Full time is up and 3 minutes are added on. Nakata, Srna and Alex are contenders for Man of The Match. Olic breaks clear but is unlucky with his final ball.
90+3 mins Japan break and Alex shows great skill but it comes to nothing. The game is drawn to a close by the referee, and the game ends as a draw.
FULL TIME sees both teams unlucky to come away with only a point. All the players involved with need a day off training tomorrow as everyone worked incredibly hard. A decent open match which badly needed a goal.
Mof Gimmers
June 18, 2006 in Live Blogs | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
LIVE BLOG: Portugal 2-0 Iran
LIVE BLOG: Portugal v Iran
Pre-game build up Plenty of team news. Portugal ring the changes after struggling to finish off Angola in their first match. Costinha, Maniche and Deco are in for Petit, Tiago and Simao Sabrosa. Iran's 37-year-old record-breaking striker Ali Daei is dropped, apparently with a back injury but his ineffectual performance against Mexico is a more likely reason.
Portugal are in good voice for their anthem. Iran mutter along to their anthem, looking very pensive.
Iran have brought along another huge rug masquerading as a pendant. The Portuguese FA must have some worries over excess baggage charges when they fly home with that!
1min Iran kick-off. Mick McCarthy is in the commentary box, which is always entertaining. Portugal immediately get into the Iran area but can't get a shot away.
3min Iran are just sitting back, but don't look anywhere near as organised as Trinidad & Tobago. Don't look like keeping Portugal out for 90 minutes.
4min Quiet opening. Deco has changed his boots already and Pauleta is caught offside as Portugal lump up a 'Crouch ball.'
5min Maniche shoots from distance but it flies a long way over.
7min Nuno Valente gets to the byline after an interchange with Figo and wins a corner. The corner goes long to Maniche (a la Beckham and Scholes but deeper) who volleys wide but at least keeps this one down.
10min Ronaldo skins two defenders but his cross is blocked and cleared.
11min First chance for Iran. From a free kick Nekounam heads wide. Portugal counter and Deco shoots powerfully, but the keeper stays tall and gets a strong hand to it. The corner comes to nothing.
14min Ronaldo ghosts past another defender but again his cross is easily blocked and put out for a corner. The corner is put behind by a defender for another one.
15min Portugal go short and win a free-kick, which Figo again gives to Maniche on the edge of the area. He gets this shot on target, but it is blocked. The keeper has to punch the ball away with Pauleta in close attendance when the ball is eventually crossed after a short corner.
18min Iran are happy to keep possession after Portugal's spell of pressure. It is not Argentina, but it is effective.
19min A pass goes astray and Nekounam has to bring down Figo to prevent a break and is booked. He will miss Iran's final match against Angola.
20min Deco makes a break and chips the ball in for Pauleta, but the Portugal striker is offside.
22min Mick McCarthy is disappointed that Portugal have three defenders and two holding midfielders playing against one Iran striker. He can make useful insights occasionally then!
23min Iran's best chance so far, again from a free kick. Ricardo punches clear ahead of the Iranian jumpers.
26min Ronaldo again beats his man, but selfishly attempts to score with the outside of his boot from near the byline rather than looking for one of his three team-mates in the box.
28min Another ball over the top for Pauleta which is put behind for a corner. Ricardo Carvalho's glancing header goes wide from the corner.
30min Teymourian is fortunately flagged offside because he hit the post with his shot when he should have scored.
32min Medanchi actually gets somewhere near Ronaldo this time, and picks up a booking for his tackle!
33min Figo whips in an excellent corner and Ronaldo's header is cleared off the line.
34min Ronaldo has another shot which whistles inches wide of the near post.
35min Figo is rolling on the floor in agony after being caught on the head by a flying karate kick from Kaabi.
36min Figo is groggily back to his feet and tries to take a drink of water, but the bottle is empty. One of those days, Luis!
40min Karimi cuts the ball back in the Portugal area, but it was behind the strikers and is cut out easily by Figo.
41min Miguel falls awkwardly and receives treatment, but is OK to resume.
43min Miguel makes a run into the area. The keeper gets what looks like an elbow to his cross-cum-shot and it races wide tantalisingly close to Pauleta.
45min Pauleta is harshly booked after just catching Golmohammadi as he cleared.
HALF TIME Portugal are rattled and frustrated. Just wait until Big Phil's gets his hand on them!
Backin 15 minutes.
46min The second half kicks off. Ronaldo's trickery is back into the action, but he tries one flick too many and the ball strays behind for a goal kick.
47min Deco gets Portugal's revenge on behalf of Figo going in high on Nosrati with his studs showing and catching his shoulder. Deco is booked. Mick McCarthy is moaning about refs flashing cards in a "grand manner."
49min Mick's policy is to fall back on his first-half tactical insight. For about the fourth time he has repeated his observation about Portugal's two sitting midfielders.
53min The game needs a goal. Angola gave us a masterclass in plucky 0-0 last night and it is beginning to tire a little. We want a goal now!
54min Big Phil must be thinking about a change now we are 10 minutes into the second half with no change. If only he could make positive changes, just like Sven! ;o)
56min Mahdavikia has been watching Ronaldo. He twists and turns, and beats his man but can't put in a cross or get a shot away. In fairness, he had much less support than Ronaldo normally has.
60min Figo is reduced to harmless shots from 30 yards which the keeper easily gathers. Iran break-away and win a free-kick when Costinha brings down Madanchi. The deep free-kick is cleared by Portugal but it did cause some concern.
63min GOAL!!! A beauty from Deco on his World Cup debut. Shot into the top left corner from just outside the D, despite slipping over as he shot. The keeper didn't move.
65min Iran make a couple of changes in quick succession. Zandi and Khatibi are on for Madanchi and Karimi. Portugal bring on Petit for Maniche.
68min Khatibi misses Iran's best chance with almost his first touch. The long ball beats the Portugal defence and Khatibi miscues his shot across goal.
70min Deco's goal was excellent having just seen it again. He hit it first time from a square ball and with virtually no run up.
72min Karate-kicking Kaabi is booked for tripping Ronaldo as he raced down the touchline.
74min Figo is sporting a very nice stud-mark on his cheek. As if he was lacking in ruggedness!
76min Iran had a free-kick in a good position wide on the right, but Zandi blasts it into the wall and the attack breaks down after the resulting throw in.
77min Iran's best chance of the game. A free header from Hashemian but it is soft and Ricardo makes the most of it. Portugal break and win a penalty. Figo takes a tumble after minimal contact from Golmohammadi.
79min GOAL!!! Cristiano Ronaldo tucks the penalty into the top-left corner, sending the keeper the wrong way.
80min Portugal bring on Tiago for Deco with the game won.
83min The game has fizzled out once again after 20 minutes of competitive football. Ah well, maybe this evening's games will bring better football.
85min Golmohammadi bodychecks Ronaldo, but comes of worse. Looks like he might have injured his collarbone, but he is booked once he can get to his feet to hobble off.
88min Ronaldo shoots from the free-kick wide on the right, but it hits the sidenetting and the keeper had it covered.
90min The ref has added on five minutes. Why, oh why?
91min Simao has come on for Figo and Bakhtiarizadeh (that's a difficult name to spell!) is on for the injured Golmohammadi.
93min Iran nearly score from a corner. Portugal seem to have given up on marking as three Iran players were queuing up for a free header. Khatibi does get the touch, but it is poor and glances wide.
95min Ronaldo nearly scores with the last-kick of the game, but he is offside as he poaches Pauleta's cross.
FULL TIME It was a poor match, but Deco's strike was a bit special. Portugal are through, but like England they are not firing on all cylinders.
Rob Parker
June 17, 2006 in Group D, Live Blogs | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Portugal v Iran: LIVE BLOG @ 2pm
If you are stuck in the office today or simply find yourself hooked on Bratwurst's distinctive brand of witty repartee then why not join us at 2pm for a Live Blog on Portugal v Iran.
Bratwurst is now the undisputed heavyweight champion of the live blog.
We unified the belts by beating the BBC on points (me make more points
than them). Join us at 2pm if you can.
Rob Parker
June 17, 2006 in Group D, Live Blogs | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
LIVE BLOG: Argentina 6 – 0 Serbia & Montenegro
Click below to access the Live Blog for Argentina v Serbia & Montenegro (don't forget to refresh your browser for updates). Join in and post your comments as the match progresses… (FYI, after the match, 3 subscribers can check out the highlights of the game for free on their mobile.)
LIVE BLOG: Argentina v Serbia & Montenegro, 2pm, Gelsenkirchen
Live blog will follow soon…
Pre-game build-up Hi and welcome to another Bratwurst Live Blog. Ian Wright, Leonardo and Alan Hansen on the BBC pundits' bench, with Gary Lineker as anchor, so not much sense out of that lot. Jonathan Pearce and Mick McCarthy in the commentators' box.
Players are walking out onto the pitch now. The roof is closed, to avoid any TV-unfriendly shadows on the pitch. Maradona is in the crowd again. Gotta love his heart-on-sleeve support for his homeland.
Argentina anthem - Gabriel Heinze is biting his lip and looking a bit tearful. Shot of Maradona (not for the last time this afternoon) shouting his head off.
Serbian anthem - not a great tune, most of the team can't be bothered to sing/don't know the words.
OK, kick-off just a minute away. Stay posted and keep refreshing your browser every couple of minutes. Enjoy…
1min And we're off… Argentina all in blue, S&M all in white… Savo Milosevic winning his 100th cap today, Aston Villa fans will be shocked to discover… early corner to Argentina, Riquelme takes, half-cleared for another corner… headed away to relative safety. Argentina on top early.
4min Sorin's soft-rock hair looks as bad as ever… slow pace to the game so far… Crespo caught offside and S&M clear upfield.
5min GOAAAAAAAL! Argentina 1-0 Serbia & Montenegro. Maxi Rodrigues finishes off an incisive passing move to stroke the ball home from inside the penalty area. Easy.
8min Great goal by Argentina, S&M really up against it now… yellow card for S&M's Koroman. He'll miss their last group match, against Ivory Coast.
11min Argentina have won 14 of their last 22 World Cup group games, Jonathan Pearce tells us. Trebles for show, doubles for dough though, as they say in darts.
13min Free-kick to Argentina, 30 yards out, after Maxi Rodrigues was fouled… Riquelme drives the ball low into Sorin, who shoots well over the bar. Riquelme and Saviola both look very sharp early on.
16min Kezman makes a run into the box but the pass is too long for him… S&M need to get their foot on the ball and pass it around for a bit… better play from S&M leads to a corner, their first of the match… early sub: Luis Gonzalez is injured on his World Cup debut and is replaced by Esteban Cambiasso… S&M corner still to be taken… into the keeper's arms.
20min Savo Milosevic looked like a donkey for Aston Villa and he looks like a donkey for Serbia and Montenegro. Form is temporary, being a donkey is permanent… better passing by S&M but no end product.
23min Game is stop-start right now, ref is a bit whistle-happy. No flow to proceedings… S&M starting to get back into the match, though they're not really threatening Argentina's goal.
25min S&M's Koroman commits his umpteenth foul. He's already on a yellow and could easily have been sent off there… the resulting Riquelme free-kick is cleared for a corner, which the S&M keeper catches comfortably… Heinze called for a push on Kezman but there was f-all contact… free-kick to S&M on left-edge of Argentina penalty box… Milosevic penalised for leaning on Sorin.
27min Yellow card for S&M's Nadj, for pulling Riquelme's shirt. Naughty boy… Riquelme cuts across the edge of the box after neat Arg movement but he slices the ball well over.
30min Foul on Kezman by Ayala, who then has a go at Milosevic for diving inside the box. All getting a bit feisty. Can't see 22 players on the pitch when the final whistle sounds.
31min GOOOOAAALLL! Argentina 2-0 Serbia & Montenegro Cambiasso finishes off a beautiful one-touch passing move with a decisive finish inside the penalty box. Lovely goal. 24 passes in the build-up, according to Jonathan Pearce.
34min On this form, Argentina would cut England to ribbons. They'd cut most teams to ribbons. As Mick McCarthy says, they look 'different class'.
37min I called him Estian Cambiasso – he is of course Esteban Cambiasso. D'oh! … Hernan Crespo scores a legit goal, but is called offside and then he's shown a yellow card for kicking the ball away (if by 'kicking the ball away', you mean scoring a perfectly good goal).
39min Kezman down injured. He was caught by Ayala in the back of his leg. A crafty foul by Ayala, who is all over Kezman 'like a rash'… the former Chelski striker is OK to resume though.
41min GOOOOOOAAAAAALLLL!!! Argentina 3-0 Serbia & Montenegro Great run by Saviola and the ball falls kindly to Maxi Rodrigues, who bangs the ball into the net (off the left post) from very close range. Maxi's second goal of the afternoon and Argentina are cruising now.
43min 18 fouls in the match so far, 12 to S&M and… hey, you do the math…
45min Moody monkey man Kezman needs to calm down, as they say in Liverpool, or he'll be sent off… corner to S&M, overhit though and it comes to nothing.
45+2min HALF-TIME Cracking first-half, completely dominated by the South Americans. Once again, our live blog is stomping all over the BBC's live blog. We're Fernando Torres to their Michael Owen…
back in 15 mins… stick with us and you won't go wrong!
Gary Lineker makes a terrible joke about Jose Pekerman being a taxi driver… Leonardo looks totally bemused but he has to go along with it, poor bloke.
Watching replay of Cambiasso's goal. What a f**king amazing team goal! Unbelievable one-touch passing and cheeky flicks. Poetry in motion. Beckham and co might as well go home now…
Highlights of the England game - don't you just hate the way David Beckham cocks his head to one side when he applauds England's fans? Such a show pony.
46min S&M midfielder Ergic on for Nadj, who was on a yellow card from the first half… well-struck Milosevic shot is tipped around the post by Abbondanzieri.
48min Positive start by S&M. Bit late for that boys… a Mascherano goal would be nice. I've got him to be man of the match at 28-1.
50min Koroman taken off for Ljuboja, who has hair like a 'badger' (Jonathan Pearce) or a 'skunk' (Mick McCarthy), depending on who you listen to.
52min Hot Crespo shot is spilled by S&M keeper but runs safe… Argentina almost score another wonder team goal, but offside flag is up. This is as one-sided a game as the World Cup has seen, with the possible excpetion of Spain v Ukraine.
55min Free-kick to Arg on edge of S&M box, after Maxi Rodrigues is fouled. Dangerous position… Riquelme takes it… straight into the wall. A wasted chance. S&M counter-attack but Savo Milosevic can't get his massive head to Kezman's cross. Donkey boy.
57min Carlos Tevez about to come on… can't wait to see him in action. Great little striker. Here he comes… Javier Saviola, who's had another fine match, makes way for Tevez.
60min Maradona looked pleased to see introduction of Tevez… S&M playing for pride and a consolation goal now… dangerous S&M cross cleared by Heinze, who's playing at centre-back this afternoon.
62min Great skill by Tevez to elude a couple of S&M players. His introduction really shows up the lack of depth on England's bench by comparison. Walcott may have potential but Tevez is a much better player.
65min Milosevic slips in the box and complains that he was fouled. Him and Kezman make a pretty abject front pairing for S&M.
66min Kezman cuts down Mascherano and gets a red card. It was coming, as I said earlier in the blog ('Moody monkey man Kezman needs to calm down, as they say in Liverpool, or he'll be sent off'). Not convinced it was a red card, though it was a two-footed challenge.
68min S&M must wish they could start the World Cup over again. Nothing's gone right for them. Oh well, there's always 2010…
71min Savo Milosevic replaced by Vukic. Donkey… Argentina passing it around to 'oles' now.
73min Tevez slips on the grass, not for the first time… Crespo goes down in the box, put through by a lovely Riquelme backheel, but the ref waves play on.
75min Big roar as 18-year-old prodigy Lionel Messi comes on for Maxi Rodrigues. I bet S&M players are thrilled to see him too…
77min Loads of candidates for man of the match… Sorin, Heinze, Riquelme, Mascherano, Cambiasso… take your pick from the whole Argentina team really… a fierce Gavrancic strike goes just wide and the Arg keeper claims the corner and hurls it out to Messi, who is promptly fouled.
78min GOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!! Argentina 4-0 Serbia & Montenegro Messi sets up Crespo for a tap-in.
80min S&M's fans and coaching staff all look dejected, as well they might. This is a demolition. Will Argentina push forward and look for a fifth goal though?
83min Tevez slips yet again and another slick Argentina passing move breaks up.
84min GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!! Argentina 5-0 Serbia & Montenegro Tevez beats a couple of S&M defenders and slides the ball home. Neat goal. We want six, we want six!
87min GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!! Argentina 6-0 Serbia & Montenegro Messi finishes another fine passing move to really embarrass S&M and cement Argentina's status as the new World Cup favourites. We want seven!
90min A truly scary performance by the South Americans. The ref blows up early, to save S&M from further embarrassment. Wow.
Thanks for watching!
FYI, 3 subscribers can check out the highlights of the game for free on their mobile.
June 16, 2006 in Group C, Live Blogs | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack
LIVE BLOG: Spain 4–0 Ukraine
Click below to access the Live Blog for Spain v Ukraine (don't forget to refresh your browser for updates). Post your comments as the match progresses… FYI, 3 subscribers can check out the highlights of the game for free on their mobile.
LIVE BLOG: Spain v Korea
watch this space…
Hi everyone, welcome to the Spain v Ukraine live blog. Another very sunny day in Germany as the national anthems play out… and, of course, ITV goes to another ad break…
1min Swiss ref… should be neutral (ho ho). And we're off… Shevchenko starts for Ukraine, but Raul only on the bench for Spain.
3min Fast pace to the opening few minutes, Spain looks a bit livelier… no goalmouth incident yet… spoke too soon, Ramos pull-back in the box is wasted by Xavi, who drags his low shot wide.
6min Great run down the left by Torres and he wins a corner for Spain… punched out well by the Ukraine keeper, to Puyol, who spanks it into row Z.
8min Promising start by Spain, who look much sharper than Ukraine. They really look up for this. Haven't seen anything of Shevchenko yet… Luis Garcia blasts over from a narrow angle on the left of the box.
10min Decent Ukraine attack down the right, but caught offside. Ukraine is yet to get into its stride… 'Spain look a little bit more co-ordinated' says ITV's David Pleat. Have to agree Pleaty.
12min 1-0 SPAIN Shevchenko wrongly ruled offside when he was through on goal. Unlucky. Not the first time Spain has played the offside trap. Risky business with Shevvy on the pitch… a Senna screamer is tipped over the bar by Shovkovskiy… GOAL!!! From the resulting corner, Liverpool's Luis Garcia nips in and his near-post header goes in. Hint of a deflection but Garcia will claim it. 1-0 Spain.
15min Spain look tasty, Ukraine rattled. Btw, you try typing Shovkovskiy at high speed. Not easy.
17min 2-0 SPAIN Yellow card for Ukraine defender Andriy Rusol, for a foul on Pernia… GOAL!!! Valencia's David Villa slams the ball into the back of the net from the resulting free-kick, some 20 yards out. Hint of another deflection, leaving the keeper with no chance. 2-0 Spain.
19min Just like to boast that we're miles faster and more in-depth than the BBC Sport live blog of this match. Oh, and it looks like the first goal came off Xabi Alonso last, maybe off his shoulder.
21min Can Ukraine get back in the match? Not on the evidence so far. Ukraine were the first team to qualify for the World Cup from Europe, but Spain are destroying them.
23min Not a great start to Ukraine's first ever World Cup finals match. Cut to a crowd shot of a fat Spanish fan with a big drum.
25min 'Make the opposition chase the ball,' is David Pleat's advice to Spain… a replay of the second goal shows that there was indeed a deflection, leaving the Ukraine keeper stranded :(
27min 'Lovely feet' from little Luis Garcia of Liverpool. Spain's passing is pinpoint accurate at the moment. Ukraine can't get out of its half… a Ukraine player (didn't see who) stands on the ball, summing up their abject performance so far.
30min Alonso is now the confirmed scorer of Spain's first goal (for you JP!)… Ukraine on the attack for once… Yezerskiy's cross is cleared by Sergio Ramos though.
33min Gusin has a shot on goal for Ukraine but he never really got hold of it. A comfortable save for Casillas. Spain have 8 shots on goal, Ukraine just 2… good work down the right by Torres forces a corner to Spain… and another corner to Spain, taken by Xavi… Torres's header flies over the bar.
35min Shot of Franz Beckenbauer in the crowd. He gets around, doesn't he? … Torres's pace is really troubling the Ukraine defenders.
37min Slower pace to the game now, Spain using the width of the pitch really well, moving their opponents around with ease. Maybe it's time for a siesta?
39min Well, look on the bright side Ukraine - Tunisia and Saudi Arabia are waiting in the wings. Should be capable of picking up six points there.
41min No threat from Andriy Shevchenko yet - his midfield is giving him no service at all, mostly because the Spanish midfield, which looks very well-balanced, is in total control.
42min Stating the obvious perhaps, but Ukraine desperately need a goal before half-time… Shevvy plays a neat through-ball into the box but Voronin is called offside (a close call).
44min Spain's efficient offside trap catches out Shevchenko again… Villa bursts into the Ukraine box but his shot is weak and Ukraine's counter-attack is broken up by Carles Puyol. Half-time approaching fast…
45min Ref blows for half-time. Spain 2-0 Ukraine. Terrific display so far by the Spanish.
Back in 15mins… Again, we don't want to sound big-headed (hell no), but the Bratwurst live blog has completely outplayed its BBC counterpart in the first half. The Beeb is slow to the ball and creating few chances. Bratwurt's XI is all over them!
Ruud Gullit makes a good point for ITV: Spain and Brazil like to play in the same way, but Spain's strikers are working twice as hard as Brazil's (especially Rotundo).
Based on the first half, I'd put Spain up there with Argentina, Italy and the Czech Republic as the most impressive teams seen so far.
46min 3-0 SPAIN Penalty to Spain, Vashchuk sent off… David Villa to take it… he scores!!! Terrible decision by the Swiss ref. Never a penalty.
49min That's torn it for Ukraine. Vashchuk very unlucky to be sent off for a slight tug on Torres's jersey inside the box.
52min Villa almost gets his hat-trick but the Ukraine keeper blocks his shot. This could become a rout. Can see Spain getting a couple more before the end. Yellow card for Yezerskiy, for bringing down a flying Fernando Torres.
54min Raul and Abelda set to come off the subs' bench in next few minutes. Spain are coasting now.
56min David Villa and Xabi Alonso taken off for Raul and Abelda. So Spain has the luxury of being able to take off its goalscorers. Nice work.
57min FYI, I was taking a half-time toilet break and missed two Ukraine half-time substitutions: Shelayev and Vorobey on for Gusev and Gusin.
60min This is now the proverbial walk in the park for Spain. The one consolation for Ukraine is that Tunisia and Saudi Arabia are eminently beatable, so Shevvy and co can still make the second round.
62min Voronin goes very close for Ukraine, but his volley flies past Casillas's right-hand post. Unlucky.
64min Ukraine forward Serhiy Rebrov (Spurs flop) comes on for Rotan… Senna bursts the net for Spain but the goal is disallowed for a foul in the box by Sergio Ramos. Ukraine's first slice of luck, but too little, too late.
68min Raul is unmarked in the box but his header is aimed straight at Shovkovskiy. This is so easy for Spain now, especially with Ukraine down to 10 men.
70min Will Spain go for the throat or sit back and ping the ball around in the final 20 minutes? At the moment they're still looking for a fourth goal.
73min Rebrov gets a great chance in the middle of the penalty box but he lashes the ball over the bar. Arsenal fans will be having a chuckle at at that.
75min Ramos pushes Shevchenko in the back and Ukraine have a free-kick wide on the left… the ball breaks to Voronin but Casillas deals easily with his bouncing shot.
78min The Swiss ref is taking a water break. Very hot in Leipzig… Spain make their third and final substitution: Arsenal's 19-year-old prodgy Cesc Fabregas comes on for Luis Garcia.
80min David Pleat thinks that Rooney and Owen are capable of breaking the Spanish offside trap. Not so sure. If they were both fully fit, then yes. But they're not. Game stopped temporarily for a drinks break.
82min 4-0 SPAIN Goooooooooaaaaaaaalllll!!! Torres bangs in Spain's fourth. A wonderful flowing move, featuring a Zidane turn by Puyol (!) ends with Torres getting the goal he deserved. The best team goal of the tournament.
85min We want five, we want five!
86min What is it with footballers and tattoos on the inside of their arms?
87min On today's showing, Fernando Torres is the best player of the tournament so far. He's still full of running.
90min Casillas comes way out of his area and misses the ball completely, but the tireless Voronin is well-tackled by Pablo… Casillas grins sheepishly.
91min Two minutes of added time… Shevchenko dances around a couple of Spanish defenders but can't get his shot away. FULL-TIME Spain 4-0 Ukraine
FYI, 3 subscribers can check out the highlights of the game for free on their mobile. Thanks for following the game with us. Spain looked very tasty!
June 14, 2006 in Group H, Live Blogs | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack
Spain v Ukraine: LIVE BLOG today @ 2pm
June 14, 2006 in Group H, Live Blogs | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Businesses to be fined £1,000 for watching the World Cup online without a TV licence - stick to the Bratwurst live blogs!
A TV Licensing spokesman (who sounds like the life and soul of any party) said: "We know exactly which unlicensed business premises to target. It doesn't matter how you're watching, if you are watching a live match you will need a licence." You can always stick to the Bratwurst Live Blogs for up-to-the-minute information on all the 2pm kick offs. [Via BBC]
Rob Parker
June 14, 2006 in Live Blogs, News Balls | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
LIVE BLOG: South Korea v Togo
Click below to access the Live Blog for South Korea v Togo (don't forget to refresh your browser for updates). Post your comments as the match progresses… FYI, 3 subscribers can check out the highlights of the game for free on their mobile.
LIVE BLOG: South Korea v Togo
Pre-match On-off Togo coach Otto Pfister has turned up. Always a boost for any national team to have a coach! The South Korean anthem was played twice causing bemused mascots to scamper in the middle of Togo's anthem!
1min And they're off. Bit of a scrappy start. A couple of throw-ins followed by a free kick for S Korea.
3 min First spell of Togo possession. Not quite on the same wavelength as each other just yet.
4min Togo are into the penalty area, but Senaya takes a tumble. If it was a dive it was so bad you couldn't tell - he seemed to just fall over.
6min The early signs are that Togo will struggle to find that decisive final ball, just like Ghana last night. S Korea look speedy on the break.
8min Weak shot from Senaya from 35 yards. Only just reached the keeper.
10min Decent shot from a narrow angle by Mohamed for Togo, but it didn't worry the keeper as it flew over the bar.
14min Probably the dullest opening to a World Cup match so far. Misplaced passes and both sides struggling to play that final ball. S Korean attack looks isolated.
18min Togo free kick swung into the box but nobody really attacks the ball and Adebayor can't retrieve it at the far post.
19min Park Ji-Sung bundled over on the S Korea right. Goalkeeper Agassa claims the free kick at the second time of asking.
22min Very scrappy. Togo skipper Abalo is booked by Graham Poll - a bit harshly - for a bodycheck. I think Mr Poll might be reaching for more cards later.
23min I was right - 30 seconds later to be precise. Romao is booked too, again for a bodycheck. S Korea free kick drifts harmlessly wide.
30min GOAL!!! 1-0 to Togo. If ever a game needed a goal, it was this one. Mohamed Kader gets between the two centre backs to bring the ball down and shoot low into the bottom left corner.
35min Lee Chun Soo is a funny looking bloke. He's bleached his hair blond, but it looks grey. It looks like there's a 70-year-old playing, but he is S Korea's best player at the minute (which isn't saying much). S Korea are just lumping it forward aimlessly.
38min Otto Pfister has got a great 'medallion man' look going on. His shirt is unbuttoned to reveal a gold chain and his 68-year-old chest. (Shudder!)
40min Decent long range shot from Lee Eul Yong, but it is straight at the keeper.
41min Great save from Lee Woon Jae from a Senaya free-kick dead-centre on the edge of the box. Kim Young Chul was booked for his foul on Senaya which led to the free kick.
44min Lee Young Pyo tries to take things into is own hands with a couple of runs, but he is being tightly marked. He wins a corner, but again S Korea waste their set piece chances.
HALF TIME Both teams seem to lack the quality to create any chances. Togo lead basically because their strikers are better suited to making use of the long ball. S Korea will have to think of something a bit different. See you for the second half, Bratwursters.
45min The second half is under way. S Korea have brought on 2002 hero Ahn Jung Hwan for Kim Jin Kya. Here's hoping for a better second half and commentator Simon Brotherton to stop using the Togolese build up as a metaphor for any mistakes they make.
48min Kader nearly gets a second for him and Togo. Couldn't create the angle to shoot across goal and the keeper puts his near post shot behind for a corner. The corner is claimed easily by the keeper.
50min A better start to the second half and more pace to the game. It might not last long because the stadium roof is closed and it is like a giant greenhouse.
51min Another soft booking courtesy of Mr Poll, this time for Lee Eul Yong.
52min Red card - I told you to expect cards from Poll. Abola is sent off for a second bookable offence for clipping Park as he raced away.
54min GOAL!!! Lee Chun Soo scores directly from the free kick. It's looking bad for Togo now.
56min Penalty shout as Lee Young Pyo breaks into the box along the dead-ball line. Nothing given though and it would have been harsh if it had.
58min Togo sent on defensive reinforcements in the shape of Toure. The attack-minded Senaya is withdrawn. It's all S Korea.
60min More trouble for Togo. Defender Assemoassa is stretchered off. Togo down to nine men for now.
64min Togo are back up to 10 as Forson has replaced Assemoassa. They still look dangerous and have missed a couple of chances in the last minute - Salifou in particular blazing over when he should have done better.
66min Togo are not settling for the draw, but S Korea ought to be able to pick them off on the break at some point. Kim Nam Il is on for Lee Eul Yong.
68min Good chance for Adebayor, but he can't get the long ball under control when he would have been one-on-one.
71min GOAL!!! The pin-up boy has done it. Ahn curls it into the top corner from outside the box. 2-1 to S Korea.
74min Agassa just keeps Ahn out again by basically sitting on the ball after patient build up from S Korea. Mark Bright is blaming Pfister who has left two out-and-out strikers on despite being down to 10 men.
77min Togo counter well. Slick interchange between Salifou and Adebayor, who is eventually pulled up for a foul in the box when a defender gets his body in the way.
80min Kader fancies another. He shoots over from 35 yards. S Korea are content to keep possession now after a couple of mini-scares.
83min As if to prove this point, S Korea bring on the defensive Kim Sang Sik for Cho Jae Jin.
85min Togo waste a corner and then overhit a cross, but they are passing well and look like they could create something.
88min Last-chance saloon for Togo. Free kick from 30 yards, but again it's overhit and goes for a goal-kick.
92min S Korea booed by their own fans for passing a free kick around from 20 yards out rather than shooting.
FULL TIME South Korea 2-1 Togo The World Cup's worst game so far, but it did improve in the second half. The sending off changed the game completely. Togo, like the other African nations, gave a good account of themselves, but were lacking in experience at times.
Rob Parker
June 13, 2006 in Live Blogs | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
South Korea v Togo: LIVE BLOG @ 2pm
Rob Parker
June 13, 2006 in Group G, Live Blogs | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
LIVE BLOG: Australia v Japan
Click below to access the Live Blog for Group F opener Australia v Japan (don't forget to refresh your browser for updates). Post your comments as the match progresses… FYI, 3 subscribers can check out the highlights of the game for free on their mobile.
LIVE BLOG: Australia v Japan
Pre-match A warm welcome to Bratwurst's third LIVE BLOG. A scorching hot day in Kaiserslautern, Gareth Southgate in the commentator's box for ITV (with Clive Tyldesley, alas), Harry Kewell starting for the Socceroos… the anthems playing now… let's go!
Fans blasted out the Aussie national anthem. In fine voice. Much, much quieter for the Japanese anthem.
Bloody ITV ad-break - they really know how to interrupt the build-up…
No place in the starting line-ups for either Tim Cahill or Junichi Inamoto.
1min Nasty foul by Bresciano, free-kick for Japan on edge of the box… taken by Celtic's Nakamara but blocked by the wall… looks just as hot as it was for England's game.
3min Clive Tyldesley's voice is just about the most annoying sound in the known universe.
4min Another bad tackle, by Luke Wilkshire, but no card, yet. Fast pace to the match, both teams look up for it.
6min Two great saves by Kawaguchi from Mark Viduka's powerful double shot. Corner to Australia… Viduka in the mix again but a foul given against the Socceroos. Lively stuff.
10min Japan looking to Alex on the left wing. He's already caused Luke Wilkshire a few problems… offside against Japan in the left corner… promising Aussia attack broken up by Miyamoto and then Japan counter. Corner to Japan… Nakamura's ball in was dangerous but Mark Schwarzer was fouled. Aus free-kick.
12min Clive and Gareth Southgate talking about Schwarzer's cheekbone operation… Nice rising shot from Fukinishi, just over the bar. Very fast pace to the game.
14min Lovely run by Viduka, loads of pressure on Japan here. Tyldsley actually said that Viduka has 'wonderful touch for a big man'. Twat.
17min Viduka dominating the match so far. Looks very sharp… Southgate thinks Aussies are 'a bit open at the back', much like a hospital gown.
19min Clive Tyldesley's first plug, for the ITV website. Wonder when he'll mention Man Utd's Champions League win in 1999? … match a bit scrappy now, pace has slowed too…
21min Hope our server can handle this… apologies if you can't access the site right now (I know I can't) – you won't be able to read this apology of course, but the gesture is what counts… Takahara drives a shot just past Schwarzer's right-hand post. Japan having a good spell… foul by Craig Moore on Yanigasawa.
24min Bresciano bursts into the box and goes close but his tame shot is saved. Viduka is on fire! (not literally)
25min Nakamura GOAL!!! Japan 1-0 Australia. Ball swung into the box, glancing header, was Schwarzer fouled? Gareth Southgate think so… then Kewell goes very close at the other end, clipping the bar with a fierce strike.
29min Southgate still banging on about how unlucky Australia have been. He was barged in the penalty area but the Egyptian ref let the goal stand.
31min Actually, Nakamura crossed it and it floated over everyone into the back of the net. My mistake.
33min Guus Hiddink very angry, having a go at the fourth official… shot on goal by Yanigasawa, scuffed wide, he looks very sharp though… Yellow Card for Grella of Australia.
37min First plug for ITV coverage of England v Trinidad on Thursday. ITV are such tarts.
40min Half-time approaches… very entertaining half, plenty of fouls by the robust Aussies, loads of skill by Viduka (man of the half, no question) and a dodgy goal for Japan. More of the same in the second half please… Yellow Card for Takahara for delaying play.
42min Marco Bresciano's intelligent free-kick around the right side of the Japanese wall almost creeps in… Nakata told to get up after a dive… Culina wastes good field position for Australia with a loose pass.
45min Australia very good at winning the ball, not so hot at pinpoint passes… Harry Kewell having a good spell, doesn't look to be suffering from any injury problems… Japan will be very happy to go in a goal up.
HALF-TIME 8/10 for entertainment, Aussies will feel aggrieved at the goal though. Australia 1 – 0 Japan.
Back in 15 minutes…
46min Why have ITV commentators been so one-eyed - their pro-Australia bias is frankly embarrassing. Schwarzer cocked up, simple as that.
48min Harry Kewell picked up a knock, looks to be struggling a bit…
52min Play stopped because there are two balls on the field. Tim Cahill set to come on for Kewell, who is labouring… UPDATE No, Cahill has come on for Bresciano instead. Kewell is battling on… Tsuboi is now down with cramp… it's all happening!
56min Just feel an Australia goal coming… Japanese attacking threat is diminishing by the minute… can only see a Socceroo equaliser…
57min Yellow Card for Australia's Craig Moore. Not his first foul, probably deserved it.
59min Awful clearing header by Mark Schwarzer on the edge of his box, but Japan couldn't capitalise. Don't want to hit a man when he's down but I've always felt that Schwarzer is overrated.
62min Mostly one-way traffic now, with Japan repelling Aussie attacks… good run by Alex down the left but play breaks up and Australia come again through Culina… Kewell well-tackled by Nakamara and Japan counter-attack. Australia leaving bigger holes at the back now in their search for an equaliser.
64min Tall striker Josh Kennedy on for Craig Moore. Australia looking very tired now. Heat is taking its toll.
67min Japan struggling to cope with Kennedy's height and physical presence. Clive Tyldesley now plugging ITV's red button interactive service and its website. Oh shut up Clive.
69min Kennedy felled by Japanese sub Moniwa on the edge of the Japanese box. Free-kick… Viduka's hard low shot is well-saved by Kawaguchi… Cahill picks up a Yellow Card for a late tackle.
72min Japan defending extremely well but there's still 20 minutes to go. The Asians are not suffering in the heat (38 degrees Celsius at kick-off!) as much as their opponents. Alex goes down holding his leg after a skirmish with Wilkshire but he's OK.
75min John Aloisi about to come on, for Luke Wilkshire. Aussies going for the long-ball game and who can blame them – Japan are a short team.
77min Loads of Aus pressure followed by rapid Japanese counter-attacks. That's the game's pattern now… Viduka, Aloisi and Kennedy up front for the Socceroos… Yellow Card for sub Aloisi, who cynically tripped Nakazawa.
79min Ono on for Japan, in place of Yanigasawa, who's run his proverbial socks off. Japan making hay down the right but their final ball into the box has been, in a word, shit.
82min Audacious curling shot by Lucas Neill, but it goes a couple of foot over the bar… Aussie fans in the crowd looking dejected… Kennedy shoved in the back, free-kick 30 yards out to Australia… Cahill wants a piece of this… taken by Aloisi though and well-saved by Kawaguchi - well, it was hit straight at him. GOAL for Australia!!!!!! Tim Cahill pounces in the box with seven minutes to go. 1-1
86min Komano fouled in the box by Cahill. Should have been a penalty to Japan and Cahill should have picked up a second yellow. Very lucky for Australia but they deserve it.
87min A draw would be the fair result. Cracking game this.
88min Fukinishi almost scores the winner for Japan but blasts his shot just wide… GOAL for Australia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A cracker from Tim Cahill wins it for the Socceroos. 2-1 to Australia.
91min Amazing comeback, feel v sorry for Japan though. Have to admire Australia's fighting spirit. They never give up, ever. Can Japan snatch a late, late equaliser?
92min GOOOOAALLLLLLLLLLL for Australia, again! John Aloisi waltzed into the box and slotted the ball into the net. 3-1 to the Socceroos. Quite remarkable!
FULL-TIME Australia 3 – 1 Japan. The World Cup's best match so far, I'm sure you'll agree. For Australia, it's bring on Brazil! Great comeback but scoreline is very harsh on the plucky Japanese.
FYI, 3 subscribers can check out the highlights of the game for free on their mobile. Thanks for following the game with us. We'll be live blogging Korea v Togo tomorrow at 2pm…
June 12, 2006 in Group F, Live Blogs | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack
LIVE BLOG: Australia v Japan, today @ 2pm
June 12, 2006 in Group F, Live Blogs | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
LIVE BLOG: Serbia & Montenegro vs Holland
Click below to access the Live Blog for Serbia & Montenegro v Holland (don't forget to refresh your browser for updates). Post your comments as the match progresses.
LIVE BLOG: Serbia & Montenegro v Holland (click refresh to update)
1.40pm I've gone nearly 14 hours without live World Cup football - the withdrawal symptoms are starting to set in. Come on S&M and Holland let's get going. BBC coverage starts in five minutes so get your drinks ready if you can see a TV. If you're at work fear not - we'll keep you posted.
1.52pm The teams are on their way on to the pitch. The ref has just winked at the camera in the tunnel. Slightly worrying!
1.55pm Looks like another fantastic atmosphere. The stadium is basically entirely orange. So are Holland - they are wearing orange shorts and socks to avoid a clash, which I think looks better. Anthems underway.
1.57pm Mick McCarthy couldn't resist a 'You've Been Tangoed' gag. Very tempted to mute, but Steve Wilson is a decent commentator.
2pm The winking ref gets us underway.
2.01pm Holland get a free kick midway in S&M's half after Robben falls over. No danger from the flicked header though.
2.03pm Holland look very comfortable passing it around. Not making in-roads just yet though.
2.05pm Last ditch interception stops Robben's through ball to van Nistelrooy and S&M eventually get a free kick to relieve pressure.
2.07pm S&M's first break, but Kezman stands on the ball. Until now they haven't been able to make it stick up front - shades of England's second half yesterday.
2.09pm Another cheap free kick, this time for S&M, but it's fairly easy for van der Sar.
2.11pm Robben's down like he's been shot after the slightest of touches. Sneijer's free kick from out wide is cleared by the first man.
2.12pm First sight of goal for S&M. Djordjevic's pull back runs harmlessly across goal as two S&M players get in each others' way.
2.14pm Another chance for S&M allegedly for Savo Milosevic, but it looks like Milan Baros masquerading as him. A weak shot from the right of the box after working the space for himself.
2.17pm GOAL: 1-0 to Holland. Arjen Robben races through the very high defensive line after a beautiful lobbed though-ball from van Persie. Robben slots home cooly.
2.21pm Robben stings the keeper's fingers with a powerful shot from 25 yards. Nothing comes of the resulting corner.
2.22pm The winking ref takes a tumble much to the pleasure of the crowd.
2.24pm Steve Wilson says there is a 'swagger' about the Dutch and he's spot on. It has been apparent from the first minute. The supposedly mean S&M defence are lacking in pace and the ball over the top for Robben is always on.
2.28pm S&M corner as Mathijsen gets his head to a cross. The corner is poor but it is eventually worked wide again and crossed into the box. Kezman might have done better at the back post.
2.30pm S&M's best spell so far. Milosevic shoots from outside the box but it's straight to van der Sar's chest.
2.33pm Stankovic clips Heitinga as he is about to race clear down the right flank. Picks up a yellow card and a bad shin for his troubles.
2.36pm Robben jinks inside his man and puts in a low cross-cum-shot which misses the post by a whisker.
2.37pm This is the Arjen Robben we saw in the 2004/05 season. Another mesmerising run wins a corner. He takes it himself but it is cut out.
2.40pm S&M are struggling to work the ball out of their defensive third, while Holland are more than happy to pass it along their backline with no pressure.
2.44pm It's end-to-end. Ooijer cuts out a cross from substitute Koroman. Holland break away but can't create anything and S&M are back on the attack.
2.46pm Koroman has brought a new lease of live to S&M. He fires just over from outside the box after Milosevic tees him up.
HALF TIME
3.03pm Half time entertainment courtesy of Martin O'Neill - not camera friendly but makes sense - and Alan Hansen's baggy trousers showing under the table. Second half kicks off. S&M have brought on the 6ft 8in Zigic.
3.06pm S&M make the brighter start to the second half. Koroman turns neatly in the box and wins a corner. He skips off to the corner flag trying to rouse the Serbian crowd.
3.08pm Even Zigic can't get his head to an overhit cross. Definitely a touch of Frankenstein's monster about him.
3.10pm Holland are trying to slow the game back to their pace after S&M raised the tempo. It's a very open game now. Promises to be a good second half.
3.15pm It is working. Holland are seeing more of the ball again. S&M are playing the ball out of defence better now though, which means they have a chance on the break.
3.17pm Headed backpass goes for a corner for S&M, but again it is overhit. Someone should tell them Zigic is 6ft 8in, not 8ft 8in.
3.18pm Markus Merk, the winking ref, bizarrely pulls up Kezman for a raised foot when he attempts an overhead kick in the area. Is this the end of one of football's most spectacular form of goals?
3.22pm Shouts for an S&M penalty are turned down after the ball hits Ooijer's arm. Mick McCarthy suggests that "it has hit him on the hand, but you can't say he moved his balls to it." Fair comment, Mick.
3.25pm The Dutch have started committing silly fouls. Stankovic fires over from one free kick. Chelsea flop Kezman is withdrawn as we wait for another.
3.28pm Feel free to have your say on anything in the match. Just post a comment.
3.30pm The excellent Koroman forces a save out of van der Sar low to his right. The keeper seems to get cramp while gathering the ball.
3.34pm Robben wins a corner for Holland, but it is easily cleared.
3.35pm Dutch substitutes Kuyt and Landzaat (on for van Nistelrooy and van Bommel respectively) nearly combine to create an openig but Kuyt's pass goes astray.
3.36pm S&M find Zigic's head in the penalty area for the first time after half an hour on the pitch, but he doesn't get a good connection. Koroman then works a good opportunity, but tries to lay it off when he should have shot.
3.38pm Van Basten and his coaching staff are sweating on the bench (literally as well as metaphorically). It's another scorcher in Deutschland.
3.41pm Van Persie nearly saves his boss some deodorant as his wicked free kick from out wide whistles inches wide. The game is still on though.
3.42pm Van der Sar has cramp again after challenging in the air with Zigic. Lazy keepers!
3.45pm As we enter the last five minutes Holland are content to pass the game out, with the exception of Robben who is still taking players on and looking to kill S&M off.
3.46pm A sloppy minute from Holland. Van der Sar nearly passes the ball to an S&M player and they then give the ball away and end up conceding a corner.
3.47pm Robben pops up on the right but his in-swinger misses the target.
3.48pm Robben is back on the left. Gavrancic bodychecks him and is booked. Free-kick on the edge of the box to Holland.
3.50pm Zigic gets away with an overhead kick near the halfway line. 4.8 on the Richter scale as he lands.
3.51pm Zigic wastes the last two chance of the game as he stretches for the ball at the near post and then lets Ljuboja's cross pass him buy.
FULL TIME - Holland - like England - impress in the first half, but have to hold out in the second half. Gary Lineker quips that perhaps van Basten's substitutions are to blame!
Rob Parker
June 11, 2006 in Group C, Live Blogs | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Serbia & Montenegro vs Holland: LIVE BLOG, today 2pm
Rob Parker
June 11, 2006 in Group C, Live Blogs | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
LIVE BLOG: England v Paraguay
Click below to access the Live Blog for England v Paraguay (if it doesn't update, click Refresh on your internet browser)…
LIVE BLOG: England v Paraguay (click refresh to update)
1.54pm Teams in the tunnel, Paul Robinson looks nervous. Very hot afternoon, which will surely suit Paraguay… c'mon England!
1.55pm National Anthems… not easy to stand when you're typing on a laptop :( Gary Nevile never sings it, the twat.
1.57pm And none of the Paraguayans sing their national anthem. Maybe they don't know the words?
1.59 C'MON ENGLAND!
2pm Is anyone else having trouble seeing the players with that crazy shadow on the pitch? Shades of Mexico 86…
2.02pm Loads of English in the ground, making a decent noise. Slow start to the game though.
2.04pm GET IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2.05pm Paraguay own goal on three minutes, although John Motson thought it was Michael Owen's orginally. Who cares! 1-0 England
2.06pm Paraguay keeper crocked. Great start for England, settled the nerves of all England fans. Great ball in from Beckham - Sven almost looked excited on the bench there. Looks like sub keeper might have to come in.
2.09pm Reserve keeper on for Paraguay. They look rattled.
2.10pm Gerrard has a pop with the adidas beach ball. England are looking very dangerous every time they get forward. Paraguay can only get better… (you'd think)
2.12pm Indirect free-kick inside the Paraguay penalty area… controversial decision by the slick-haired ref… hit the wall and then over the bar by Lampard.
2.14pm Beckham causing havoc on the right… Paul Robinson gets one of his first touches of the ball and boots the ball straight to his opposite number.
2.15pm First 15 minutes played, England should be 2 or 3 goals up, that's the only concern. Paraguay look awful.
2.18pm Gerrard gets yellow card for a two-footed challenge. Intent was there but a worrying decision from the maverick Mexican.
2.21 Lampard down in the box, nothing given though. Crouch showed a good turn of pace earlier… and this ref has red card written all over him.
2.23pm Great shot by Lampard, stung the keeper's hands. Really could do with a second goal here.
2.25pm Gerrard down injured, clattered in the knee… on his feet but doesn't look too happy.
2.28pm Paraguay coming back into the game a little… foul on Gary Neville… 30 degrees in Motty/Lawro's commentary box apparently. Scorchio!
2.30pm Silky skills from robo-Crouch. He's having a good match so far… 'Hope England haven't peaked too soon,' says Motty. Shut up Motty… Joe Cole down injured, looks in pain but should be OK… yep, he's alright. Phew.
2.36pm Lull in the game… England sitting a bit deep… couple of weak penalty shouts by England. England'll really need that half-time drink of water, or whatever isotonic drink they have these days.
2.39pm Free-kick wide left to England, Becks on the ball… ball rebounds, long-range shot well-over by Stevie G.
2.41pm Valdes whacked in the face by Rio Ferdinand, acts like he's been shot. Officials not allowing England to drink from water bottles. Shades of Jack Charlton/Ireland in 1994. Ridiculous.
2.43pm Becks goes close, shot just past the left post. Crouch and him have been our best players in the first half. England leading 8-2 on shot count.
2.45pm Football's Coming Home chant rings around the ground. Need the half to end without further incident now…
2.46pm Four minutes added time… just a thought, but on this form if Rooney returns it would have to be in place of Michael Owen… Crouch is looking an essential part of our team.
2.48pm OOOH!!! Paraguay go very close (Valdez) after a mistake on the left touchline by Ashley Cole. C'mon ref, blow the whistle for half-time…
2.50pm HALF-TIME. Thank God for that, England were looking a bit knackered at the end there.
Back in 15 minutes…
3.06pm We're off again…
3.07pm Stamina is key to this match. Think we'll have to use all our subs in this heat.
3.08pm That ref's hair is Brylcreem-tastic. Very slick.
3.10pm I suggest England gets together in the shaded area and keep the ball there for the remainder of the match… and that is exactly what they appear to be doing. Excccceellllent Smithers!
3.16pm England need to step things up again. The heat is clearly a factor… Stewart Downing on for Michael Owen. Strange decision. Owen must be injured?
3.18pm Great hold-up play by Crouch, Beckham into the box and dragged his shot wide.
3.20pm Agree with Ashley - get a fit youngster like Lennon on to run it down the line. We're going into our shell a bit like we did against Brazil in 2002. Have to push forward. C'mon boys, we're better than this!
3.23pm Why take Walcott if you have no confidence in throwing him on for Owen?
3.24pm Scrappy game now… yellow card for dissent to Peter Crouch after the ref gave a foul gainst him. Bit of a worry. Talking of Crouch, he nearly had a chance in the box… and then Valdes shot straight at Robinson.
3.26pm Rubbish decision by the ref on Crouch again. Perfectly good tackle. We'll get a red card if we're not careful. This ref scares the shit out of me. Paraguay looking much more dangerous now. This could be 1-1 if we're not careful, which would be a travesty, cause we're much better than Paraguay, clearly.
3.30pm A team with more attacking quality would have equalised by now… 20 minutes to go, get another sub on Sven!
3.33pm Great build-up play, started by Becks, Lampard nearly scored!!! Corner… Crouch heads up in the air… goal-kick.
3.35pm Crouch flagging a bit in the heat… Walcott has to come on for the last 15 minutes Sven…
3.37pm Owen was a tactical sub apparently… Sven's frozen in the headlights again. We have to get another sub or two on, or we'll end up with a draw.
3.39pm Joe Cole down injured but he looks OK now… get a sub on Sven!!!!!!!!
3.41pm Nunez on for Toldo. Owen Hargreaves about to come on for England. Great. Yep, Hargreaves on for Joe Cole, who's run his little socks off.
3.43pm England look out on their feet. Sitting so deep now. Lennon should come on for Becks on the right. Paraguay haven't shown too much up front… yet.
3.46pm Crouch offside. Had a great game though. Man of the match, I reckon. Less than five minutes to go now. C'mon lads!
3.48pm Rooney must be suffering on the bench… stinging shot by Lampard, well-saved. Corner… Terry and Rio up… 89th minute… tense… very tense…
3.50pm Valdez has worked hard up front for Paraguay, but he's in my Annoying Players XI for sure. Always niggling our players.
3.52pm 2 minutes added time… almost there… almost there… should be OK now… YES!!!!! Victory!!!
3.53pm That was a very scary 90 minutes but it's the result that
counts. Tough to play in that heat so you can't be too hard on
England's players. Sven looked a bit out of his depth when it comes to
thinking on his feet… again. Still, let's not be too negative. It's a
winning start, after all.
June 10, 2006 in England, Group B, Live Blogs | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack
England v Paraguay: LIVE BLOG, today 2pm
June 10, 2006 in England, Group B, Live Blogs | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack