Well, that’s not entirely true, but there have been some unfavorable results for World Cup teams in the last couple of days, namely Portugal’s inability to beat Cape Verde (you can laugh), South Africa’s continued inability to beat anyone decent (you can’t), Takeshi Okada’s inability to resign and five World Cup teams running out a 0-4-2 record on Tuesday. Zero wins. These are supposed to be the best 32 teams in the world, correct? (Ireland is throwing something at the window.)
Of course there are a few good reasons: fatigue with European seasons ending along with coaches trialing formations, bubble players and new pregame hype music. Still, nothing can make up for coming into the tournament on a rousing run of form.
Quickies after the jump.
Greece 2 – North Korea 2
Not much is known about North Korea as a whole, but plenty is known about Kawasaki Frontale’s prolific hit man, Jong Tae Se. That knowledge centers mostly around him being the business, and Greece got a first hand taste yesterday with two sublime goals on neutral soil in Austria. Geniunely, he’s legit.
Greece also got two goals off set-pieces. Leave your stereotypes at the door.
In fairness, Ireland is a World Cup caliber team, the game was played in Dublin and reports say Paraguay “dominated possession”. However, and it’s a huge however, these now leaves Paraguay at…
Chile 2-1 L
Qatar 2-0 L
Netherlands 0-0
South Africa 0-0
North Korea 1-0 W
Ireland 2-1 L
…in friendlies since qualification ended. Having sent this to NASA for analysis, they’ve returned with the verdict: 1-2-3 ain’t good. Particularly not when that one win came via a dodgy penalty – it would be suspicious, but nothing’s ever suspicious when North Korea is involved. Hooray for stereotypes.
In other, blunt words: Paraguay needs to get its shit together. The good news is Lucas Barrios did score fresh off earning a passport, so there is hope.
Nigeria 0 – Saudi Arabia 0, Georgia 0 – Cameroon 0
There are no highlights available as of yet, so you’ll just have to imagine the listless draws – one Lars Lagerback’s Nigeria debut – being played in your head. And…1…2…3…nap.
US 2 – Czech Republic 4
(Better video if/when – and if someone could locate the time machine for the soundtrack, that’d be peaches.)
Hey! Goals!
The battle of the B teams, those of the US and Czechoslovakia, in the states didn’t go particularly well in the rematch from ‘06, but at least the US wasn’t on the wrong side of a Tomas Rosicky highlight. Connecticut hookers are another matter. Bob Bradley and Co. have declared they’ll name their 23 later today, but they may want to sleep on it another day or several.