The 19th FIFA World Cup has been full of surprises, shocks, and not to forget some extraordinary moments.
Group A had South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay and France. South Africa let it all down with Khune's sending off in their second match. The 3 - 0 loss technically knocked them out of the tournament. Mexico entertained as two time champs Uruguay put forward a reason to be noticed. Twas 60 years since they last won the trophy, plus they use four stars - 1930 and 1950world cups, and two olympic golds from the same era. France was just a continuation of Euro 2008. Team building in the alps did not help, Ray Domenech only commanded the respect of his Visa Card, and Nicolas Sarkozy has put the country at the threat of a FIFA ban for preparing to lead an investigation of the team's lack of general decency. France almost repeated a Korea Japan 2002 - no win, no goals, were not for Flourent Malouda. Goals scored 10, points earned 16. Player to watch - Givanni dos Santos of Mexico. Aged 21 and plays for Galatasary Istanbul.
Group B had Argentina, Nigeria, The Korea Republic, and Greece. Which is easier to remember: when philosopher Socrates died or who won Euro 2004? Your guess is as good as mine. They were drilled out by a fast Korean squad, before Enyeama earned the respect of Lio Mesi. Diego Maradona, more of Chairman of the Coaching Commitee somehow turned his outfit into killers against Korea, Greece meanwhile had some revenge from the 3-0 loss of USA 1994. Argentina went to collect the full 9 points. Korea scraped through in the final beath. Goals scored 17 - the joint highest tally group wise, total points collected 17. Hats off to Vinvent Enyeama, he can help kill keeper development in England if the unconfirmed truths are confirmed.
Group C has USA, England, Slovenia, and Algeria. Cagey, fatiguing, blunt; I rest my case. 15 points the tally, how they manged to score a total of 9 goals is still a wonder.
Group D invited Ghana, Australia, Germany, and Serbia. Germany had the third youngest squad on average, 25 years on average, coming into the tournament (they normally had the second oldest after Italy). At the end of match day 2, only Ghana were unbeaten. The finale was nailbiting, Germany stealing the group, the overrated Serbia headed back to Belgrade , Australia just did not score as much as they conceded. 12 goals in the group, 17 points won, just one player in the Castol Index.
Group E had The Dutch, Denmark, Cameroon and Japan. Cameroon had two of the seven teenagers in Zakumi - Vincent Aboubakar and Joel Matip. Cameroon played more like golfers - with no team work, Holland did not play the total football Johann Cryuff developed, Denmark were marked out and Japan played Kamikaze football. Japan and Holland made it to the last 16, Cameroon failed to get a point. 18 points collected, 15 goals scored; Roger Milla can look for fresh words for Eto'o. Rigobert Song has now played 9 world cup matches in four tournaments. He made 5 passses, all complete, and did not get a single booking!!!!!
Group F Defending Champions Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand and debutants Slovakia. The champions had a disaster of a tourney. They only managed two draws. The ageing squad - average 28.1 - never seemed to gel, and when they did, woodwork and Jubalani were not their friends. Paraguay managed to win the group with a win over Slovakia. 13 goals, 14 points.
Very Important Statistic = 0 = number of matches that Italy has won in 2010.
Group G was dubbed the group of death. Portugal - with CR9, or is it CR7 in focus, Brazil, Cote d'Ivoire, and Korea DPR. Korea DPR almost put out the much criticised Brazil. Brazil, second oldest team in the tourney at an average of 28.6 are coached by Dunga. Flair is his description of the clothes daughter designs for him, not something to exhibted by Robinho. Anyway the one-namers beat DPRK and CIV before drawing with Portugal. The Iberians produced the highest score and winning numbers, the seven nil drubbing of DPRK. Brazil and Portugal progressed, CIV will rue not taking their chances against Carlos Queiroz's outfit. 17 goals, 16 points, the most public display of the DPRK we will get to see closes.
Group H with European champions Spain, and the "not to be taken seriously Chile, Switzerland, and Honduras." Match day one and Spain paseed the ball a lot, oh yes they did but more of sideways. Switzerland beat themm 1 -0, thanks to the upright; ask Iker Casillas if you doubt it. Match day 2 and all they managed were 2 against Honduras. Meanwhile Switzerland went for 559 minutes in the World Cup without conceding a goal, Chile broke the record. Overall, the group had the leat goals scored - 8 but the teams collectively collected 15 points. Chile and Spain scrapped through, Honduras left the tourney with a mark though - they became the first team to have three brothers at a World Cup - Johhny, Wilson, and Jerry Palasios.
Summary of the group stage - 101 goals, 128 points. 16 teams flew home, 16 remained. Italy join France as first round victims as defending champions, SA become the first hosts not to make it to the knock out stage,
