World Cup 2010 South Africa: End of Group Summary for Groups A - D

Group A:

Mexico 0:1 Uruguay - Uruguay finished group play undefeated by defeating Mexico in Rustenburg. Luis Suarez scored on a nifty header in the 43rd minute. Uruguay won the group outright with two wins and a draw and will advance to knockout play. Though Mexico did not earn a result, their points from previous group matches were enough to send them through to the round of 16.

France 1:2 South Africa - In Bloemfontain, France were defeated by hosts South Africa. First half goals by Khumalo and Mphela were too much for Les Bleus to overcome, though they hit back for one in the 70th minute through Malouda. Though South Africa were level on points with Mexico at 4, their goal difference of -2 wasn’t enough to beat Mexico’s +1 in the tiebreaker. South Africa played with a lot of heart, and a fair amount of style. Only their 0:3 loss to group winners Uruguay prevented them from advancing. France could not overcome poor form, (1 point from a possible 9) results, and their efforts were undermined by infighting within the squad and staff.

Group B:

Nigeria 2:2 Korea - In Durban, Korea had the twice as many meaningful chances as their opponents, the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Nigeria struggled to keep up, giving two fouls for every one by their Korean counterparts. Uche opened the scoring for Nigeria on 12 minutes, but Korea roared back scoring in the 39th and 49th minutes to take a 1:2 lead early in the second half. Yakubu’s penalty would tie the match on 69 minutes. Despite a few game efforts following this, neither side could hit a winner. Korea advance to the round of 16 with 4 points.

Greece 0:2 Argentina - Roundly outplayed, Greece succumbed to Argentina in Polokwane. Goals for the Albiceleste were scored by Demichelis and Palermo. Total shots 7:22 in favor of the Argies. Argentina on maximum points breeze into the round of 16.

Group C:

Slovenia 0:1 England - England, through a bit of magic from Jermain Defoe edge upstarts Slovenia in Port Elizabeth. Though the match was dead even in many respects, England enjoyed a 2:11 advantage in corner kicks. This result puts England through to the round of 16.

USA 1:0 Algeria - It wasn’t to be for the Desert Foxes, as a dramatic stoppage time goal from Landon Donovan saw the Americans not only through to the next round, but also gave them the title of group winners in a World Cup Finals for the first time in the history of US Soccer. Although the match was mostly dead even, Algeria had to foul twice as often as the Americans to deal with their quality.

Group D:

Ghana 0:1 Germany - The Germans seemed to have trouble with Ghana’s pace and unpredictability, and Ghana had trouble with Germany’s quality. At full-time in Johannesburg, Özil’s goal for Die Mannschaaft on the hour mark was the only thing separating these two game contenders in a match that could’ve gone either way. Germany and Ghana find themselves both through to the round of 16, with Australia’s win over Serbia ensuring the Serbs elimination.

Australia 2:1 Serbia - The Socceroos took a bit of their own back in Nelspruit, handing a defeat to a Serbian team that looked unbeatable during qualifying. A late Serbian goal by Pantelic in the 84th minute, couldn’t undo Aussie strikes by Cahill (69’) and Holman (73’) that saw the Serbs out of the tournament. Unfortunately for the Socceroos, their -3 goal difference compared to Ghana’s even one at zero, wasn’t enough for qualification to the second round. Too little too late for Oz.

New York Rangers: Better Know a Ranger on the Bubble - Brodie Dupont

At the tender age of 23, Brodie Dupont’s career with the New York Rangers hockey club is at a crossroads. He is now a restricted free agent. His salary last year was $62,500.

What he’s done so far for the Rangers organization is to play three yeoman-like seasons for the Hartford Wolf Pack, the club’s AHL affiliate. He has played 225 matches for Hartford in the left wing position (Though he is able to, and has played at center), racking up 44 goals and 59 assists for 103 points. He has logged 311 minutes in penalties, which suggests that he has a reasonable amount of grit.

Prediction: Rangers retain Dupont

Although the Rangers have great depth at the center and left wing positions within the organization, Dupont seems to actually have a shot at making it in Manhattan. In addition, Dupont is a proven player at the AHL level where his contributions are consistent, as befits a professional player.

Dupont is going to want more money, so the Rangers will have to give it to him if they want him to stay. If Dupont demands a 1-way contract, all bets are off and Dupont will likely be cast adrift to be replaced by a forward from the new wave of entry-level talent who might fill in quite well at the AHL level once their amateur preparation is complete.

World Cup 2010 South Africa: BS&C Prediction Update

Here’s how things are shaping up with the predictions I made the day before the World Cup Finals started...

Group A:

Prediction: Mexico & Uruguay go through.

Current group standings after 2 of 3 group matches:

Group A Points
Uruguay 4
Mexico 4
France 1
South Africa 1


Group B:

Prediction: Argentina & Korea go through.

Current group standings after 2 of 3 group matches:

Group B Points
Argentina 6
Korea 3
Greece 3
Nigeria 0


Group C:

Prediction: United States & England go through.

Current group standings after 2 of 3 group matches:

Group C Points
Slovenia 4
USA 2
England 2
Algeria 1


Group D:

Prediction: Germany & Serbia go through.

Current group standings after 2 of 3 group matches:

Group D Points
Ghana 4
Germany 3
Serbia 3
Australia 1


Group E:

Prediction: Netherlands & Cameroon go through.

Current group standings after 2 of 3 group matches:

Group E Points
Netherlands 6
Japan 3
Denmark 3
Cameroon 0


Group F:

Prediction: Italy & Paraguay go through.

Current group standings after 2 of 3 group matches:

Group F Points
Paraguay 4
Italy 2
New Zealand 2
Slovakia 1


Group G:

Prediction: Brazil & Ivory Coast go through.

Current group standings after 2 of 3 group matches:

Group G Points
Brazil 6
Portugal 4
Ivory Coast 1
DPR Korea 0


Group H:

Prediction: Spain & Honduras go through.

Current group standings after 2 of 3 group matches:

Group H Points
Chile 6
Spain 3
Switzerland 3
Honduras 0

So essentially things are going reasonably well with the predictions. However in football as in life, few things are perfect.

With the group C logjam for the second berth to the knockout rounds, either England or the United States must disappoint me.

In group D, underperforming Serbia must play up in their third and last group match to make my prediction come true.

In group E, a disappointing Cameroon squad has dropped all points from it’s first two matches. For Cameroon to go through they must defeat the Dutch, which is highly unlikely, and then a series of equally unlikely events must take place for the Indomitable Lions to progress to the round of 16.

Though Paraguay and Italy seem to have group F sewn up, two surprise draws from New Zealand have made an interesting race of it. I defy anyone to predict who besides Paraguay will actually advance.

For my group G prediction to come true, Ivory Coast must win their last group match, and then they must hope that Portugal fails to beat Brazil AND that Brazil keep a clean sheet. Even so, it may not matter as Portugal has a +7 goal difference after their shellacking of North Korea. In an ideal scenario, Ivory Coast would have beat North Korea by a score of 10:0 in order to advance.

The group H prediction is ruined, as Honduras failed to represent for CONCACAF zone, dropping all points from their first two matches. Honduras have a slim chance to advance, but it is only mathematical, as they haven’t even managed to score a goal. I may get some stick from those at The Shin Guardian for taking a chance on Los Catratchos...unless of course, Honduras snap out of their funk and produce a 4:0 result over the Swiss.

I hope everyone is enjoying the Finals. I encourage you to write in with your opinions and ideas.

New York Rangers: Better Know a Ranger on the Bubble - Erik Christensen

Erik Christensen provided a bit of stability for the Rangers’ ’09-’10 campaign at the center position. After being claimed off of waivers from Anaheim, Christensen ultimately ended up centering the Rangers’ top line which featured Slovak scoring sensation Marion Gaborik.

Christensen played in 49 matches (also played in 9 matches for Anaheim) for the Rangers last season. He scored 8 goals and added 18 assists for 26 points. He was +11 in plus/minus which tied him for second on the club. He wins roughly half of his face-offs. He spent the better part of 16 minutes a game on the ice.

The last year of his contract paid him $750,000. He is now a restricted free agent.

Prediction:

Rangers will re-sign Christensen if his salary demands aren’t excessive. Christensen is still relatively young and clearly has upside. A veteran player with 275 NHL matches under his belt, Christensen must help hold the fort for the Rangers until some of their prospects at center, such as Corey Locke, Paul Crowder, Brodie Dupont, Ryan Bourque, Ethan Werek, and Derek Stepan are ready to take the ice in Manhattan.

World Cup 2010 South Africa: URU 0:0 FRA

Cape Town - The first half in the Group A match between France and Uruguay was pretty much a snoozer. Only one chance was taken on goal by either side. France’s quality chance for Gourcuff, a curling, driven free kick headed for the top corner, was more interesting and dangerous. Forlan did a good job of holding up the ball for Uruguay, but when he got the ball there was little support for him. Although lots of tackling and jostling took place, there wasn’t much to see in the way of creative play. In fact what history will remember from the first half at the Green Point Stadium is that Ribery and Evra from France were both booked.

As the second half progressed you could see glimmers of the skill that players like Forlan, Gourcuff, Diaby, and Ribery have to offer. Everyone else seemed ordinary through 61 minutes. On 71 minutes neither side was any closer to scoring a goal. At the 72nd minute Henry replaced Anelka for Les Bleus. France clearly hoping that Thierry Henry has some of the old goal scoring magic left in his bones. On 73 minutes Forlan missed a sitter, blazing it wide left of the French goal. It bears mentioning that the French goalkeeper Lloris, looked less than convincing in the two times he was called on to handle trouble. Uruguay’s Lodiero, seemingly trying to break Sanga’s leg with a heavy challenge to the ankle, earned his second booking in the few minutes since he had come on and was sent off. This reduced Uruguay to 10 men with Lodiero missing the rest of the match, and at least the next one. Gignac came on for Govou, a forward on for a midfielder on 85 minutes. In the second minute of stoppage time, France was awarded a free kick as Diaby was adjudged to be fouled by Lugano. The free kick was placed just to the left of the restraining arc. Henry took the kick for France and the effort was blocked by a defender leaping in the wall. It was the last kick of the game. The match ended nil-nil and deservedly so. All four Group A teams earned a point from the first of three group matches.

World Cup 2010 South Africa: RSA 1:1 MEX

A good match, and a fair result. What more could you ask for from an opening World Cup match. Mexico dominated possession in the first half but were unable to cash in on the scoring opportunities they had created through Dos Santos, Aguilar, Franco, and Vela. For South Africa the second half was their time. After finally settling in a bit at the end of the first half, the trend continued for South Africa in the second. Through skill from Pienaar, Mphela, and Tshabalala with goalkeeper Khune keeping them in the match South Africa was better at holding the ball and executed some nifty counterattacks with pace culminating with the goal taken by Tshabalala at a dead run on 55 minutes. South Africa would hold the lead until late, despite continuous fierce effort on the part of Mexico to level. The Tricolores would see results from their efforts in the 79th minute, when a rebound from a shot fell to the feet of Marquez who took his chance with dispatch. Mphela would come close for South Africa hitting the post on yet another counter, but victory for the host nation wasn’t in the cards today. Mexico saved face for CONCACAF and South Africa earned a bit more respect for the Confederation of African Football. Both sides with something to show for their efforts, they each earn a point in the Group A standings.

World Cup South Africa 2010: BS&C Predictions

With the World Cup beginning tomorrow in South Africa, I can no longer delay making my predictions. So here they are...

Group A:

Mexico and Uruguay go through into knockout play. South Africa doesn’t have the horses to advance, and France can’t seem to find itself since they lost to Italy in 2006.

Group B:

Argentina and South Korea to go through. Greece and Nigeria will not be able to cope with the pace of Korea, and the skill of Argentina.

Group C:

England and United States to go through. Algeria doesn’t have a wealth of experience at playing teams like the USA and England. This will result in their elimination. The Slovenians simply won’t score enough goals to make it through.

Group D:

Germany and Serbia to go through. Australia and Ghana have little chance against these extremely hard working and organized teams.

Group E:

Netherlands and Cameroon to go through. Denmark has the skill and organization to advance, but will disappoint. Japan will not be able to cope with the skill of the Dutch, and the physicality of Cameroon.

Group F:

Italy and Paraguay to advance. No one really expects New Zealand to go through. A television presenter said something to the effect that if they earn any points at all in group play, it will be a victory for the All-Whites. I don’t know much about Slovakia from a football perspective, but I doubt they will have the skill or composure to take points from Italy and Paraguay.

Group G:

Brazil and Ivory Coast to advance. Portugal has struggled in their World Cup warmup matches against some very meager opposition. In addition, no more Rui Costa to settle things down when they get crazy for Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo and Deco are fine players, but they lack the type of complimentary players that will bring out the most in their talents. North Korea will simply be outclassed.

Group H:

Spain and Honduras to go though. Switzerland and Chile will underestimate Los Catratchos and will pay the price. Spain saunters to the top of the group after a series of laughers.

Knockout play produces...

a final four of Serbia v. Netherlands and Argentina v. Spain. Spain over Argentina, Netherlands over Serbia. Netherlands to win World Cup, Argentina defeats Serbia in the match for 3rd place.

This prediction was made at 15.30 hours United States PDT. let us fervently hope I’m wrong and that the United States scraps its way to the top. I also predict that Alexi Lalas will be relentlessly annoying throughout all of the English language coverage on ABC/ESPN, making me wish that I had all the Spanish language channels on HD.