In 2002, the best rappar was white, the best golfer black and we thought then that everything had gone plain crazy (thanks EB).
But then;
Ricki Herbert plays a 4-3-3 against the Italians and almost pulls it off;
Nicky Anelka calls Domenech a 'son of a whore', is promptly sent packing with the French squad refusing to train;
Andrew Bolt and Karl Stefanovic ride the bandwagon by attempting discourse on the Brasil-Ivory Coast match; and
SEN's morning show discuss the card system in soccer and the best they can come up with is an orange card for players who foul, who should then be expelled but who do not miss a match. This from a fraternity who want a simpler, streamlined match committee and judiciary process for their own code....
ITA 1 NZ 1
In any case, the major sour topic is the behaviour of the azzurri, whose antics surpassed even their own personal best efforts in cyncism. Even Berlusca himself could be heard saying 'troppo, troppo sale...' as Cannavarro, Chiellini et al paraded on the turf in an attempt to get a Kiwi sent off. In the end, Herbert showed gran coglioni to face them with a 4-3-3. Only De Rossi's deplorable antics saved them.
PAR 2 SLOVAKIA 1
The Paraguayans quite apart from having the nest looking fan I have seen so far, also continue the proud tradition of ruthless finishing that has characterised the South American teams. A sublime finish by Vera should be shown at ant shooting training session. I for one am hoping that Paraguay burst the white bubble that is New Zealand and introduce them to some harsh reality.
BRAZIL 3 IVORY COAST 1
A game highliighted by 2 extremes; great finishing and awful refereeing. Luis Fabiano's double hand ball for his 2nd goal in the 50" made Thierry Henry's look acceptable, while Kaka's expulsion was an exercise in farce alla Rivaldo. For all Sepp's assurances that referees would clamp down on simulation, the ridiculous antics have only made it easier for soccer sceptics to deride our great game.
The media driven implosion of the French and English squads continue apace, with the French team still not training and the feud between players and coaching staff for all to see (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJh_6s0B_Ms).
The English example though is less clear cut, with only Frank Lampard appearing as the calm voice amongst all the ill-informed crap, and John Terry showing the world what a class act he really is.
The next night saw a rampnat Portugal slam North Korea 7-0 (http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=249722/match=300061487/index.html)
with a fine display of wide play and penetration that would not have pleased Pylon-Yang. Expect some a rush on South African citizenship this week. Love to see how Kim-Jong Il will edit this one for the masses. Coach Carlos Queiroz os one of my favourites, and anybody who celebrates the 5th, 6th and 7th goals like the 1st should be commended.
Chile eventually wore down a hopeful Swiss team 1-0 (http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=249722/match=300061493/index.html)
. The Swiss showed resilience despite losing Valon Behrami to a rough chaleenge and could have snatched it late on, but the Chileans deserved the 3 points.
In the late/early game, Spain finally overcame their self-imposed neurosis, ignoring the chicas in the crowd to dominate and even flatter Honduras, winning 2-0 through a David Villa double that will have Barca fans asking 'Ibra-who?"
GP
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