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Monday, June 26, 2006
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25 June 2006: Portugal vs. Holland
Result: Portugal 1 - Holland 0
This game was definately 'The Game of Cards'. One after the other the referee issued yellow cards to the players of Portugal (and to Holland)! As if it wasn't enough, red cards were issued to two key Portugal players- Deco and Costinha were dismissed and won't play in the next game against England. PATHETIC! And to make matters worse, Cristiano Ronaldo sustained a thigh injury and was replaced by Simao. And to make matters terrible, Figo might not play in the next game. This decision lies soley in the hands of the FIFA committee as Figo was noticed for his 'hit and run' action against a player. SAD! The referee was crazy. He didn't issue the cards to the right players. Did anyone notice how he suspended Deco? Holland's player wouldn't let go off Deco and Deco got a red card! What kind of justice is this? Also, Holland lost on a lot of corners because of-again- the referee. He must have had a field day with all those yellow and red cards!
Portugal did not play as well as they do! The ball was held onto by Holland for majority of the game. But truly, what a game this was! Tension and pressure mounting from both sides, frustration and anger spilling from players...this is what happened even at the Euro2004 finals.
I'm depressed that Deco and Costinho will not play in the next game. They are a crucial part of the team esp. Deco. Maniche did an extremely fantastic job. He was extremely alert and quick to grasp the opportunity to score a goal when Pauleta made the pass. Pauleta would have scored a second hadn't it been for Van der Sar.
Surprisingly, Netherlands' coach Van Basten who reminds me of Hollywood star Will Ferrell didn't get Nistelrooy to play even in the second half! Netherlands played well. They put up a strong front. Well done.
I watched the game with a bucket of tension on my head and developed a headache when the players went in for half-time. I was depressed when the red cards were issued. I hope Ronaldo gets to play in the next game against the players of Manchester United :-D on Saturday when Portugal plays against England in the quarter-finals on Saturday, July 1.
May the best team win! |
posted by Neelofer @
9:10 AM
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Wednesday, June 21, 2006
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21 June 2006: Portugal vs. Mexico
Result: Portugal 2 - Mexico 1
Hurray! Hurray! Hurray! Portugal won!
Good game. My heart was in my mouth when Portugal was awarded the penalty shoot!
Well done Portugal. :0)
Next Portugal game: 25 June 2006. |
posted by Neelofer @
8:25 PM
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20 June 2006: England vs. Sweden
Result:England 2 - Sweden 2
FINALLY got to watch England play! Missed all the other England games due to some sound reason.
What a game though. After England scored, Sweden tried like crap to score and their hardwork paid off. England played well too. Sadly, Owen hurt his knee (like, ouch! The replay of him falling to the ground and crawling was really painfull. Poor knee of his). Crouch is sooooo tall. He should be in the movies! So now England play Ecuador.
Today Portugal plays against Mexico. :) |
posted by Neelofer @
9:44 AM
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Tuesday, June 20, 2006
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19 June 2006: Spain vs. Tunisia
Result:Spain 3 - Tunisia 1
Mucho gracias Torres and Fabregas. Well done! They are into the Last 16 along with Portugal and other teams. The Last 16 will be worth watching. Scary, tense, exciting and all that.
Looking forward to Ecuador vs. Germany and Sweden vs. England.
Ecuador and Germany are going to battle it out like hell. None are weak. May the best teams win! |
posted by Neelofer @
9:31 AM
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Saturday, June 17, 2006
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17 June 2006: Portugal vs. Iran
Result: Portugal 2 - Iran 0
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Portugal won!!! Woo hoo! Fabulous goal by Deco and splendid performance by Ronaldo! Stellar performance by the entire Portugal team! Thank God Deco didn't repeat the fiasco that he displayed at the Euro2004 finals (overhead shoots)! Ronaldo grabbed a fantastic opportunity in the form of a penalty to score big for Portugal. They would've scored a third goal, hadn't it been for an off-side. But it was a great game. Figo...poor Figo, he got hit so many times...excellent work Portugal! Scolari, your team deserves an accolade.
Next Portugal game: 21st June 2006- Portugal vs. Mexico |
posted by Neelofer @
8:25 PM
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Friday, June 16, 2006
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16 June 2006: Argentina vs. Serbia & Montenegro
Result: Argentina 6 - Serbia 0
OH MY GOD! 6 freaking goals??? MY GOD! I didn't watch the game but just read the news on FIFA's site. At first it was shock but then Argentina is a strong group.
6 goals...I think Brazil, Portugal, France and Holland should learn from Argentina!!! |
posted by Neelofer @
8:15 PM
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Tuesday, June 13, 2006
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12 June 2006: Italy vs. Ghana
Result: Italy 2 - Ghana 1
This game was good. Ghana played really well. Italy was at their best.
Didn't get to watch the entire game :(
Looking forward to Brazil vs. Croatia and France vs. Switzerland. Brazil and France are worth watching and this will indeed be a good game! I would love to see Brazil and France battle it out! |
posted by Neelofer @
2:36 PM
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11 June 2006: Portugal vs. Angola
Result: Portugal 1 - Angola 0
PORTUGAL WON!!!!!
They could have played better though. Surprisingly, Angola weren't bad! They made an extremely good effort. I was amazed. Portugal would have scored a second goal if Ronaldo had to hit the ball a little lower. Figo made an excellent pass to Pauleta with regards to the first shot. Man! That pass was very sharp. Very sharp! I would be sitting ducks if I were the one in Figo's place. I wouldn't have even noticed Pauleta on the right! Daym Figo! Ronaldo needs to keep his temper in check. Pathetic that Scolari called him off...but Scolari knows well.
Good game, good tackles, good game play. But Portugal could have done better. Simao, Figo, Pauleta and Ronaldo made a good effort. Dad and I were expecting 2-3 goals. Portugal would have scored 3 goals...there's always a next time.
Angola's Akwa made a good attempt too with his acrobatic kicks.
I missed Netherlands playing. Wanted to watch it despertely. |
posted by Neelofer @
2:26 PM
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Sunday, June 11, 2006
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10 June 2006: Argentina vs. Cote d' Ivoire
Result: Argentina 2 - Cote d' Ivoire 1
England 1 - Paraguay 0
Sweden 0 - Trinidad & Tabago 0
What a good game it was! Very well played. Both teams fought till the end. It was nothing like the Germany vs. Costa Rica game. Argentina and Cote d' Ivoire played their best! Very good strategic team play. This is the way games should be played. Personally, I found both teams focused. They knew what they had to do. Never underestimate the power of not-so-famous teams. I was impressed by Cote d' Ivoire! Well done!
Unfortunately, I missed the game I was looking forward to- Sweden vs. Trinidad & Tobago. Also missed England vs. Paraguay. Missed it because I was attending my fabulous graduation ceremony. I'm surprised Sweden didn't score anything! I did get to see a replay of certain shots from the game. Ibrahimovic and Larsson- the two key players didn't do much. Although theirs and their team's attempt was commendable. Beckham scored for England, eh. Well, atleast he didn't screw up like at the Euro2004!
The biggest game today is Portugal vs. Angola. It starts at 11pm. Although I've got work tomorrow, I'm not missing this game! I've got my supply of coffee all set. Unfortunately Portugal doesn't play on weekends :-( I was hoping for that but it's all good! I'll stay up until 3am if required to watch Portugal play. |
posted by Neelofer @
9:34 AM
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Friday, June 09, 2006
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9 June 2006: Germany vs Costa Rica
Result: Germany-4; Costa Rica-2
WHAT A START! Well done Germany. Costa Rica could have done better. Klose, Lahm and Frings- good job! Wanchope- not bad.
The game started great. I noticed Costa Rica had good defense tactics but that didn't hold well in the second half. They were pretty strong in terms of defense in the first half and therefore 51% of ball possession was under Germany. Throughout the game Germany made a number of attempts to score and Costa Rica only paid attention to obstruct their opponents' attempts. Not a really good move. Costa Rica would have done better if they would have realized Germany's game plan. The Germans had direction; the Costa Ricans just kept their eyes on the ball rather than the movement/ placement of key German players.
Lahm was the first scorer, followed twice by Klose and then Frings sealed the victory. Well done Germany.
The next game I'm looking forward to is Sweden vs. Trinidad & Tobago and Argentina vs. Cote D' Ivoire. |
posted by Neelofer @
10:19 PM
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