Well, todays the day! Todays the day we finally wave goodbye to the shite we've been force fed over the last 6 days. And all the better for it. But first, ther is one more group to go, and that group has one team we all must fear. But before we were introduced to Spain, we had another game to get through.
The first match of group H was a tie between Honduras and Adams pick for a surprise; Chile. The Chilans began the tie on the front foot, with open attack play. Real Madrid target Sanchez scuffed a couple of chances, before the unknown Beausejour slotted home after 34 minutes. Honduras did little to change the score line, and the gulf in class (many of the Hondurans were part timers), and were lucky to go in at half time with the score at 1-0.
The second half started as bright as the first, with Chile showing off some wonderful attacking football. Often there would be four or five players in space for the playmaker to slot the ball into. Chile were blessed with an open goal opportunity, yet headed the ball straight into the floor.
The match ended with the score at 1-0, but it could've been two or three. Chile has given us much food for thought, and could be a surprise contender for winning this group.
The second was European champions Spain against the country the won it in; Switzerland. Spain played the same pass and move football we saw from Chile, and to an extent, Barcelona. Yet Switzerland managed to defend the stronghold, and came out of each attack unscathed, and made Spain wallow in comparison. And somehow they were on level terms at half time.
Switzerland started the second half better than they ended the first, making at least some attempt to score a goal. And, against the run of play, odds and likelyhood, they did. Fernandes latched onto and wonderful through ball, took it past the unessesserally outspoken Casillas (WHOS LAUGHING NOW YOU SPANISH TOSS?), and tried to pass the sponge ball into the net. It stopped halfway there. He the proceeded to kick Barcelona centre back Pique in the face, and slotted from 2 yards. The Swiss 1, Pedros 0.
Xabi Alonso struck the bar from 25 yards, and Fernando Torres did little to change the scoreline. But it was Switzerland who came the closest to scoring the second of the game. Derdiyok battled through three defenders before slicing his right boot through the ball, leading it onto the post. The ball twizzled out, and Switzerland had a flurry of chances, but the time had gone. The match ended, though, and Switzerland topped group H at the end of the day.
The final match saw the return of hosts and that team thay Sky Sports always seems to be interviewing residents of, South Africa, who faced Uruguay. Both teams hadn't played since the first day, and Uruguay were yet to play a memorable game this tournament. The game started with the same pace as the last South African game, with Uruguay more likely to score. And the duely lived up to their billing, after 24 minutes, when Diego Forlan struck from 25 yards, and the ball took a deflection midflight. South Africa gave real football ago, but Tshabalaba wanted to hit the ball without taking a touch. Pretoria was subdued, and the whistle put an end to what was quite a boring first half.
the second half brought more boring football, and, honestly, nothing happened til about the 80th minute, where Khune fell over,and Suarez took the ball round him, and fell over. The ref bought it, and the keeper was sent off. Forlan blasted the penalty in the top left, and any chance of an uprsing was quashed. This was drilled home when Uruguay finished after 95 minutes thanks to Pereira, and then the whistle blew. Game over.
Day six brought the best football of the tournament so far. But now there's plenty to play for, we might get some exciting football. Because thats what we all want.
Keep following the blog, as I would imagine I can get Adam writing again, follow the twitter @WorldCupWillie1, follow me @Willo290592, and download our podcast, which is on iTunes.
Keep on trucking.
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