Australia have qualified for the last round of 16! There is excitment all around here, with people cheering from cars on the streets! And cars parading the Aussie flag. That's the World Cup fever - and it's in a country where soccer is not the number sport. But what is more amazing in the fashion in which they pulled it off. They left it late no doubt - but Mr Harry Kewell scored the all-important equaliser to send Team Australia into the last 16 and Australia as a country into pandemonium!
The other qualifier was of course Brazil, who, as I predicted, dispatched Japan with ease. Though they already qualified, the Brazillians still showed enough attack flair to score 4 past their Asian opponents. Ronaldo certainly proved his point and answered his critics with two well-taken goals. No doubt it was Japan and not some super-power in defense, but that would certainly boost the great Ronaldo's confidence. He is already the World Cup's top-scorer ( adding all the World Cup goals he scored in total), and he looks to score more.
Brazil was in 'good hands' as the commentator Gary Bloom put it. When the rising stars took their chance to shine on the World's biggest stage. Kaka is not young and 'rising' anymore, but he certainly has played well so far in this tournament. But the youngsters Robinho, Cicinho and full-back Gilberto made a real name for themselves playing in Brazil 'B'. Not much of a 'B' team is it? I was always a fan of Juninho Pernabucano and was glad to watch him play today. He scored a long-range belter which pleased me, but I wish I saw one of his long-range free-kicks today. Nevertheless, I hope he will feature more in the Brazil's run to defend their title.
Japan, though they were really crap in terms of teamwork and passing, I believe have good individual players. These players deserve to be given the chance to play for bigger clubs - like how Park Ji-Sung of Korea is playing for Manchester United. Inamoto, Ogasawara, Nakamura, Takahara and Brazillian-born Alex are just some of the names to be mentioned. I hope to see them play for bigger clubs soon.
Other predicts of mine were correct - predicting the exact 2-1 Ghana win over the USA. And Italy beating Czech. Though I predicted 1-0, A late goal by Pippo changed that to 2-0. Close enough. Well done to Ghana to qualify. I always liked African football for their flair and the players don't dive or "play dead" on the ground for half the match. But I feel there is much to be improved in terms of winning football matches. So Italy top the group, with Ghana following behind them.
Tonight's predictions:
Ukraine vs Tunisia... Ukraine 2-0
Saudi Arabia vs Spain... Spain 0-3
Switzerland vs South Korea... Switzerland 1-0
Togo vs France... France 0-2
I yes, I predict Switzerland, France to qualify from group G and Spain, Ukraine to qualify from group H. (In that order). I hope you are having luck in your predictable World Cup!
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