Today was the worst day for the FIFA World Cup.
The first match was a unexpected upset as Serbia defeated Germany 1-0.
The Germans were favorites in the match, but they could not get nothing to fall for them.
Not too long ago, the Germans defeated Australia easily in a 4-0 victory.
The second match was USA vs. Slovenia.
Slovenia was on a roll after they won their first match.
It was a difficult match for USA because they had to switch roles of being the underdogs in their first match against England, to being favorites in this match.
Slovenia scored two goals in the first half. USA allowed the pair of goals by poor defense.
As Slovenia relaxed with their two goal lead, the Americans stormed out of halftime and scored a pair of goals of their own.
As the match was tied with less than 20 minutes left in the game, the Americans scored again, but the official who was calling the match, called off the goal because he said an American player committed a foul during the play.
The Americans showed frustration and anger because after the replay was shown multiple times, no where did it show that an American committed a foul.
The Americans were basically screwed a goal and a win.
The third match of the day was England vs. Algeria.
It was a perfect opportunity for England to get a win and keep the Americans hopes of advancing out of group play low.
But the match finished in a 0-0 draw and neither England or USA could make progress in the group standings.
The Americans group is a weak and pathetic group. It does not have great teams and England has shown they can hardly score a goal. All four teams are not great and the two teams who advance from the group, will surely be knocked out in the first round of the final 16.
Group C standings: Slovenia has four points, England and USA both have two points and Algeria has one point.
Next matches for Group C: England vs. Slovenia on June 23 at 7 a.m. on ESPN 2. USA vs. Algeria on June 23 at 7 a.m. on ESPN.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Lakers go back to back
The Los Angeles Lakers repeated as NBA Champions last night after defeating the Boston Celtics 83-79.
What a game it was for the Lakers.
The team started off bad on the offensive side. Missing shot after shot, especially Kobe Bryant.
They trailed by nine points after the first quarter and scoring only 14 points.
It continued to look bad in the second quarter and Lakers fans started to get nervous and scared that it was going to be a sad ending to the season.
The Lakers managed to cut the Celtics lead to four points by halftime, but Bryant continued to shoot poorly from the field.
After the game, Bryant said that he let the hype of the game and what was on stake, get the best of him and he was lucky that his team was able to pull him up.
The second half started to become a nightmare for Los Angeles, as the Celtics lead grew to their max high, 13 points, but the Lakers continued to play hard.
Lakers coach Phil Jackson, was asked what did he say to the team during the Celtics run, and he said that he told the team to keep rebounding the ball.
His players listened as Bryant (who was not effective offensively) had 15 rebounds to finish the game.
Pau Gasol, the Lakers true MVP of the finals, finished the game 19 points and 18 rebounds.
The Lakers had 23 offensive rebounds.
The Lakers came out in the fourth and made a magnificent come back from the free throw line and was led by Gasol.
The real player that had a big contribution to this win was none other than Ron Artest.
Artest, the player who had a horrible percentage from beyond the arc in the playoffs, hit a huge three pointer for the Lakers down the stretch, after Rasheed Wallace hit a big three to cut the Lakers lead to three.
It was a wonderful ending for the Lakers. Not only did the Lakers went back to back, but they also got the big payback on the hated Celtics.
As a Lakers fan, I am so excited to see the Lakers succeed and watch them get another championship.
It was a long season and as hard it is to repeat, the Lakers did it.
Now it is a summer of partying and showing the pride and love of being a Lakers fan.
When the new season starts in Novemeber, the quest for a three peat starts.
Lets do it again Los Angeles!
What a game it was for the Lakers.
The team started off bad on the offensive side. Missing shot after shot, especially Kobe Bryant.
They trailed by nine points after the first quarter and scoring only 14 points.
It continued to look bad in the second quarter and Lakers fans started to get nervous and scared that it was going to be a sad ending to the season.
The Lakers managed to cut the Celtics lead to four points by halftime, but Bryant continued to shoot poorly from the field.
After the game, Bryant said that he let the hype of the game and what was on stake, get the best of him and he was lucky that his team was able to pull him up.
The second half started to become a nightmare for Los Angeles, as the Celtics lead grew to their max high, 13 points, but the Lakers continued to play hard.
Lakers coach Phil Jackson, was asked what did he say to the team during the Celtics run, and he said that he told the team to keep rebounding the ball.
His players listened as Bryant (who was not effective offensively) had 15 rebounds to finish the game.
Pau Gasol, the Lakers true MVP of the finals, finished the game 19 points and 18 rebounds.
The Lakers had 23 offensive rebounds.
The Lakers came out in the fourth and made a magnificent come back from the free throw line and was led by Gasol.
The real player that had a big contribution to this win was none other than Ron Artest.
Artest, the player who had a horrible percentage from beyond the arc in the playoffs, hit a huge three pointer for the Lakers down the stretch, after Rasheed Wallace hit a big three to cut the Lakers lead to three.
It was a wonderful ending for the Lakers. Not only did the Lakers went back to back, but they also got the big payback on the hated Celtics.
As a Lakers fan, I am so excited to see the Lakers succeed and watch them get another championship.
It was a long season and as hard it is to repeat, the Lakers did it.
Now it is a summer of partying and showing the pride and love of being a Lakers fan.
When the new season starts in Novemeber, the quest for a three peat starts.
Lets do it again Los Angeles!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Substitutions win the game for Mexico
The game of the day in the 2010 World Cup was the 2-0 Mexico win over France.
The two teams were playing with a lot on the line. Both teams were playing for a chance to keep their chance to advance from the group alive.
Yesterday Uruguay defeated South Africa easily, 3-0 and had first place spot in the group.
Either Mexico or France could join Uruguay with four points, but they also could have remained tied with a draw in today's match.
The first half was quite with a 0-0 tie going into half.
Mexico made a few substitutions after the half and it would turn out to be the best move from Mexico's coach Javier Aguirre.
The first sub, Javier Hernandez, scored on a open net after beating the defenders and going around France's goalkeeper.
France thought it was a offside, but the sideline officals called him onside and Hernandez continued on to finish the goal.
The second sub, Cuauhtemoc Blanco, scored the second goal for Mexico after one of the France defender's was caught slide tackling a Mexican player inside the goal box, and rewarding the Mexicans with a penalty.
The Mexicans are now tied with Uruguay with four points, and France is tied with South Africa with one point.
As long as Mexico and Uruguay can finish their match with a draw than both teams will move on into the final 16.
The scenario is easy, but the challenge for Mexico and Uruguay is to win the top spot in Group A, because neither team does not want to face Argentina (the top team in Group B) in the first match of the final 16.
(The winner of Group A faces the second place team in Group B and the winner of Group B faces the second place team in Group A. The same goes for Group C and Group D, Group E and Group F, Group G and Group H.)
Earlier in the morning, Argentina murdered South Korea in a 4-1 victory.
Argentina were clearly favorites to win Group B, and it was no surprised they easily defeated the Southern Korans.
The other match of Group B, Greece vs. Nigeria, was a exciting but it was it was not a good game.
Greece won the game 2-1.
Group A standings: Uruguay and Mexico with four points and France and South Africa with one point.
Group B standings: Argentina with six points, South Korea and Greece with three points and Nigeria with zero points.
The two teams were playing with a lot on the line. Both teams were playing for a chance to keep their chance to advance from the group alive.
Yesterday Uruguay defeated South Africa easily, 3-0 and had first place spot in the group.
Either Mexico or France could join Uruguay with four points, but they also could have remained tied with a draw in today's match.
The first half was quite with a 0-0 tie going into half.
Mexico made a few substitutions after the half and it would turn out to be the best move from Mexico's coach Javier Aguirre.
The first sub, Javier Hernandez, scored on a open net after beating the defenders and going around France's goalkeeper.
France thought it was a offside, but the sideline officals called him onside and Hernandez continued on to finish the goal.
The second sub, Cuauhtemoc Blanco, scored the second goal for Mexico after one of the France defender's was caught slide tackling a Mexican player inside the goal box, and rewarding the Mexicans with a penalty.
The Mexicans are now tied with Uruguay with four points, and France is tied with South Africa with one point.
As long as Mexico and Uruguay can finish their match with a draw than both teams will move on into the final 16.
The scenario is easy, but the challenge for Mexico and Uruguay is to win the top spot in Group A, because neither team does not want to face Argentina (the top team in Group B) in the first match of the final 16.
(The winner of Group A faces the second place team in Group B and the winner of Group B faces the second place team in Group A. The same goes for Group C and Group D, Group E and Group F, Group G and Group H.)
Earlier in the morning, Argentina murdered South Korea in a 4-1 victory.
Argentina were clearly favorites to win Group B, and it was no surprised they easily defeated the Southern Korans.
The other match of Group B, Greece vs. Nigeria, was a exciting but it was it was not a good game.
Greece won the game 2-1.
Group A standings: Uruguay and Mexico with four points and France and South Africa with one point.
Group B standings: Argentina with six points, South Korea and Greece with three points and Nigeria with zero points.
Biggest game of the season
After a grueling NBA Finals series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, the series comes down to one single game at Staples Center tonight.
The series has been marvelous as both teams have shown that they can rebound from a bad loss and win a game with full dominance.
The Lakers faced elimination in Game 6 and played specular as they held the Celtics to 67 points!
The Lakers cannot let their guard down after that impressive win. If they want to repeat as champions; they must repeat what they did in Game 6 and raise up the notch ten times more then the Celtics.
I am confident the Lakers will prevail in Game 7 and win the NBA's Larry O'Brien Championship for the second time in two years.
It has been a amazing season for the Lakers and winning Game 7 against their arch rivals would just be the perfect ending to the season.
Without Kendrick Perkins, the Celtics will be vulnerable inside the paint, so the Lakers must pound the ball inside to the big man for as long as they can.
The Lakers motto for the series has been, "No rebounds, no rings."
That's exactly what the Lakers also need to do, rebound!
Rebound, rebound, rebound Lakers.
Lets go Lakers. Lets get us another banner!
The series has been marvelous as both teams have shown that they can rebound from a bad loss and win a game with full dominance.
The Lakers faced elimination in Game 6 and played specular as they held the Celtics to 67 points!
The Lakers cannot let their guard down after that impressive win. If they want to repeat as champions; they must repeat what they did in Game 6 and raise up the notch ten times more then the Celtics.
I am confident the Lakers will prevail in Game 7 and win the NBA's Larry O'Brien Championship for the second time in two years.
It has been a amazing season for the Lakers and winning Game 7 against their arch rivals would just be the perfect ending to the season.
Without Kendrick Perkins, the Celtics will be vulnerable inside the paint, so the Lakers must pound the ball inside to the big man for as long as they can.
The Lakers motto for the series has been, "No rebounds, no rings."
That's exactly what the Lakers also need to do, rebound!
Rebound, rebound, rebound Lakers.
Lets go Lakers. Lets get us another banner!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Spain falls to Switzerland
Spain loses to Switzerland.
Something that no one thought would happen, but the unthinkable happen and it came true.
The favorites to win the 2010 World Cup opened up its run to the cup with a 1-0 loss to Switzerland.
Spain and Switzerland had a competitive first half as both held a 0-0 draw for the first half.
Seven minutes into the second half, Switzerland scored the only goal of the match when Gelson Fernandes put the ball into the net after a loose ball stood inches from the goal line, and Spain's goalkeeper feet away from recovering the ball.
Spain had multiple chances to even up the score and take the lead, but they could not convert against the strong defense and goalkeeping from Switzerland.
Switzerland's victory is the biggest upset thus far in the World Cup.
The other match of the group featured Chile and Honduras.
Chile controlled the entire game and had tons of chances to score.
Chile's only goal came at the 34 minute mark by Jean Beausejour.
All the groups have played a match each, and now it started back to Group A.
Host country, South Africa, got back on the field after splitting a 1-1 draw with Mexico.
The team played Uruguay, a team who also had a draw in its first match with France.
Uruguay beat South Africa easily 3-0.
Diego Forlan scored twice for Uruguay and Alvaro Pereira scored in the closing minutes of the match.
Group H current standings: Chile and Switzerland with three points and Honduras and Spain with no points.
Next matches for Group H: Chile vs. Switzerland on June 21 at 7 a.m. on ESPN. Honduras vs. Spain on June 21 at 11:30 a.m.
Something that no one thought would happen, but the unthinkable happen and it came true.
The favorites to win the 2010 World Cup opened up its run to the cup with a 1-0 loss to Switzerland.
Spain and Switzerland had a competitive first half as both held a 0-0 draw for the first half.
Seven minutes into the second half, Switzerland scored the only goal of the match when Gelson Fernandes put the ball into the net after a loose ball stood inches from the goal line, and Spain's goalkeeper feet away from recovering the ball.
Spain had multiple chances to even up the score and take the lead, but they could not convert against the strong defense and goalkeeping from Switzerland.
Switzerland's victory is the biggest upset thus far in the World Cup.
The other match of the group featured Chile and Honduras.
Chile controlled the entire game and had tons of chances to score.
Chile's only goal came at the 34 minute mark by Jean Beausejour.
All the groups have played a match each, and now it started back to Group A.
Host country, South Africa, got back on the field after splitting a 1-1 draw with Mexico.
The team played Uruguay, a team who also had a draw in its first match with France.
Uruguay beat South Africa easily 3-0.
Diego Forlan scored twice for Uruguay and Alvaro Pereira scored in the closing minutes of the match.
Group H current standings: Chile and Switzerland with three points and Honduras and Spain with no points.
Next matches for Group H: Chile vs. Switzerland on June 21 at 7 a.m. on ESPN. Honduras vs. Spain on June 21 at 11:30 a.m.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Italy is not the same 2006 champions
The 2006 FIFA World Cup Champions, Italy, kicked off its campaign to defend its title against Paraguay today.
The match finished in a 1-1 draw.
Paraguay had no fear against the older and slower Italy team as the two teams had a heated battle for the first 25 minutes of the match.
Paraguay scored first at the 39 minute mark when Antolin Alcaraz connected with a header while being bodied up by two Italian defenders in the air.
The team celebrated by dancing in a big circle, but got back into the match as they tried to defend the one goal lead.
The Italians tried to get back into the match, but kept being called offside.
The second half continued to be like the first half, but Italy kept pushing to even up the score.
The Italians got their chance at the 63 minute mark when Daniele De Rossi scored off a corner from a teammate.
Both teams kept their composer for the remainder of the match and they had to settle for a draw.
There were two other matches that were played before this match. Japan defeated Cameroon 1-0 and Netherlands defeated Denmark 2-0.
Current standings for Group E: Japan and Netherlands with three points each and Cameroon and Denmark with no points.
Next matches for Group E: Japan vs. Netherlands at 4:30 a.m. on June 19 on ESPN and Cameroon vs. Denmark at 11:30 a.m. on June 19 on ESPN.
The match finished in a 1-1 draw.
Paraguay had no fear against the older and slower Italy team as the two teams had a heated battle for the first 25 minutes of the match.
Paraguay scored first at the 39 minute mark when Antolin Alcaraz connected with a header while being bodied up by two Italian defenders in the air.
The team celebrated by dancing in a big circle, but got back into the match as they tried to defend the one goal lead.
The Italians tried to get back into the match, but kept being called offside.
The second half continued to be like the first half, but Italy kept pushing to even up the score.
The Italians got their chance at the 63 minute mark when Daniele De Rossi scored off a corner from a teammate.
Both teams kept their composer for the remainder of the match and they had to settle for a draw.
There were two other matches that were played before this match. Japan defeated Cameroon 1-0 and Netherlands defeated Denmark 2-0.
Current standings for Group E: Japan and Netherlands with three points each and Cameroon and Denmark with no points.
Next matches for Group E: Japan vs. Netherlands at 4:30 a.m. on June 19 on ESPN and Cameroon vs. Denmark at 11:30 a.m. on June 19 on ESPN.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Lakers are down but not out
In the shadow of the the FIFA World Cup, the NBA Finals are heating up as the series is heading back to Los Angeles.
The series has been a pattern as one team would win than the other team would win the following game and etc.
But now that pattern has been stopped as the Boston Celtics are the first team to win back to back games in the series.
The Los Angeles Lakers are now facing elimination for the first time in the postseason since the 2008 NBA Finals.
The Lakers are down 3-2 in the series but they are not discourage, because they have the final two games at home.
Now this series has been unpredictable with all the big performances by random players from both teams.
In Game 2 it was Rajon Rondo, Game 3 it was Derek Fisher, Game 4 it was Glen Davis and Nate Robinson and Game 5 it was Paul Pierce.
No game has been won by the big names like Kobe Bryant or Kevin Garnett.
But the prediction by NBA Experts like Jalen Rose are on target.
He and many other experts predicted the Lakers to win the title in seven games. They also said each team would win one game on the other team's floor.
Phil Jackson is 47-0 when winning Game 1 of a seven game series.
The Lakers won Game 1.
The winner of Game 3 after a series is tied at 1-1 in a 2-3-2 format goes on to win the title 100 percent.
The Lakers won Game 3.
It does not look like the Lakers are favorites to win at this moment, but they have all the odds with them to come back and win the title.
I predicted the Lakers in six, but I am confident they are going to win the final two games at Staples Center.
I am never going to lose hope.
The series has been a pattern as one team would win than the other team would win the following game and etc.
But now that pattern has been stopped as the Boston Celtics are the first team to win back to back games in the series.
The Los Angeles Lakers are now facing elimination for the first time in the postseason since the 2008 NBA Finals.
The Lakers are down 3-2 in the series but they are not discourage, because they have the final two games at home.
Now this series has been unpredictable with all the big performances by random players from both teams.
In Game 2 it was Rajon Rondo, Game 3 it was Derek Fisher, Game 4 it was Glen Davis and Nate Robinson and Game 5 it was Paul Pierce.
No game has been won by the big names like Kobe Bryant or Kevin Garnett.
But the prediction by NBA Experts like Jalen Rose are on target.
He and many other experts predicted the Lakers to win the title in seven games. They also said each team would win one game on the other team's floor.
Phil Jackson is 47-0 when winning Game 1 of a seven game series.
The Lakers won Game 1.
The winner of Game 3 after a series is tied at 1-1 in a 2-3-2 format goes on to win the title 100 percent.
The Lakers won Game 3.
It does not look like the Lakers are favorites to win at this moment, but they have all the odds with them to come back and win the title.
I predicted the Lakers in six, but I am confident they are going to win the final two games at Staples Center.
I am never going to lose hope.
Germany wins without a sweat
The World Cup is beginning to pick up some momentum after having three of its first five matches end in draws.
The most exciting game of today was the Germany and Australia match.
The match was the first lopsided match of the World Cup thus far, as Germany defeated Australia 4-0.
Australia was the underdogs coming into the match, and it did not take much to show that they were.
Germany took a early 2-0 in the first 30 minutes of the match and never looked to take their foot off the gas pedal.
Germany got two more goals in the second half to win the match.
Germany was questioned weather they were going to be able to compete at a high level without their star player, Michael Ballack, but they looked great in their first match of the 2010 World Cup.
Ballack sustained a torn ligaments in his right ankle back last month.
The other two matches of the day ended in 1-0 victories for Ghana and Slovenia.
The other two teams in the USA's and England's group, Slovenia and Algeria, played their first match a day after the exciting English and American match.
Slovenia won the match and are leading Group C, follow by England and USA with one point and Algeria with no points.
The win by Slovenia now puts pressure on USA because USA must win the match against Slovenia to keep their chances alive to advance from the group play.
Slovenia and USA play on June 18 at 7 a.m. The Americans were the underdogs in the mach against England, but are now favorites in the this match, and it puts pressure on the Americans to not get caught up in underestimating their opponent.
The other match was against Ghana and Serbia.
Ghana won the match 1-0, and are tied with Germany with three points in Group D.
Group D standings: Germany and Ghana with 3 points and Australia and Serbia with no points.
Next matches for Group D: Germany vs. Serbia on June 18 at 4:30 a.m. on ESPN. Australia vs. Ghana on June 19 at 7 a.m. on ESPN.
The most exciting game of today was the Germany and Australia match.
The match was the first lopsided match of the World Cup thus far, as Germany defeated Australia 4-0.
Australia was the underdogs coming into the match, and it did not take much to show that they were.
Germany took a early 2-0 in the first 30 minutes of the match and never looked to take their foot off the gas pedal.
Germany got two more goals in the second half to win the match.
Germany was questioned weather they were going to be able to compete at a high level without their star player, Michael Ballack, but they looked great in their first match of the 2010 World Cup.
Ballack sustained a torn ligaments in his right ankle back last month.
The other two matches of the day ended in 1-0 victories for Ghana and Slovenia.
The other two teams in the USA's and England's group, Slovenia and Algeria, played their first match a day after the exciting English and American match.
Slovenia won the match and are leading Group C, follow by England and USA with one point and Algeria with no points.
The win by Slovenia now puts pressure on USA because USA must win the match against Slovenia to keep their chances alive to advance from the group play.
Slovenia and USA play on June 18 at 7 a.m. The Americans were the underdogs in the mach against England, but are now favorites in the this match, and it puts pressure on the Americans to not get caught up in underestimating their opponent.
The other match was against Ghana and Serbia.
Ghana won the match 1-0, and are tied with Germany with three points in Group D.
Group D standings: Germany and Ghana with 3 points and Australia and Serbia with no points.
Next matches for Group D: Germany vs. Serbia on June 18 at 4:30 a.m. on ESPN. Australia vs. Ghana on June 19 at 7 a.m. on ESPN.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Yanks and English settle for draw
The incredible game between USA and England lived up to its hype.
The most anticipated game of the first round in the 2010 World Cup was full of dramatic and exciting fútbol for the full 90 minutes of the match.
The English did not waste anytime to put themselves on the board.
Within the first three minutes, the English found their own captain, Steven Garrard, in a open gap heading towards the USA's goal, and found themselves up 1-0 with Garrard's strike of the ball into the back of the net.
The English looked as if they were on their way to another victory of the Yanks, but the Americans felt they were not out of the game.
USA and England continued the game battling and battling for control of the game.
Hard tackles for the ball resulted in six yellow cards handed out to players on both sides. (Three for each team.)
As the time was coming to a close in the first half, the Americans had one more shot to even up the score.
At the 40th minute, Clint Dempsey blasted a ground ball towards the goal with no belief of being able to get the ball passed the great English goalkeeper, Robert Green.
But with a remarkable miracle, Green bobbled the ball from his control, and allowed to ball to roll passed him and into the goal.
The Americans celebrated the incredible mistake of the English goalkeeper and went into the half evened up with England at one.
The second half was just as exciting as the first half.
USA's goalkeeper, Tim Howard, performed an amazing performance for the Americans, as he saved several shots from going into the net.
The English and Americans couldn't get the tie breaker point in the second half, and the two teams settled for a draw.
The Americans now believe they are closer than ever of being recognized as one the elite soccer clubs in the world.
The draw with England gives USA a chance to move on from the group stage.
Group C standings: England and USA with one point and Slovenia and Algeria with zero points, but they have yet to play their match.
Next matches: Slovenia vs. Algeria 4:30 a.m. on June 13 on ESPN. USA vs. Slovenia 7 a.m. on June 18 on ESPN. England vs. Algeria 11:30 a.m. on June 18 on ESPN.
The most anticipated game of the first round in the 2010 World Cup was full of dramatic and exciting fútbol for the full 90 minutes of the match.
The English did not waste anytime to put themselves on the board.
Within the first three minutes, the English found their own captain, Steven Garrard, in a open gap heading towards the USA's goal, and found themselves up 1-0 with Garrard's strike of the ball into the back of the net.
The English looked as if they were on their way to another victory of the Yanks, but the Americans felt they were not out of the game.
USA and England continued the game battling and battling for control of the game.
Hard tackles for the ball resulted in six yellow cards handed out to players on both sides. (Three for each team.)
As the time was coming to a close in the first half, the Americans had one more shot to even up the score.
At the 40th minute, Clint Dempsey blasted a ground ball towards the goal with no belief of being able to get the ball passed the great English goalkeeper, Robert Green.
But with a remarkable miracle, Green bobbled the ball from his control, and allowed to ball to roll passed him and into the goal.
The Americans celebrated the incredible mistake of the English goalkeeper and went into the half evened up with England at one.
The second half was just as exciting as the first half.
USA's goalkeeper, Tim Howard, performed an amazing performance for the Americans, as he saved several shots from going into the net.
The English and Americans couldn't get the tie breaker point in the second half, and the two teams settled for a draw.
The Americans now believe they are closer than ever of being recognized as one the elite soccer clubs in the world.
The draw with England gives USA a chance to move on from the group stage.
Group C standings: England and USA with one point and Slovenia and Algeria with zero points, but they have yet to play their match.
Next matches: Slovenia vs. Algeria 4:30 a.m. on June 13 on ESPN. USA vs. Slovenia 7 a.m. on June 18 on ESPN. England vs. Algeria 11:30 a.m. on June 18 on ESPN.
Argentina, South Korea wins first matches
Group B of the 2010 FIFA World Cup turned out to be more of a one sided match in its first day debut.
Rather than having draws like Group A, the teams in Group B showed that a team can win in the World Cup.
The first match which was at 4:30 a.m. (and I was able to get up to see a bit of) had South Korea facing off with Greece.
South Korea took a early 1-0 lead after Lee Jung Soo scored a goal off his head from a corner kick in the first seven minutes.
The Koreans maintained the one goal differential for the remainder of the half.
Seven minutes into the second half, the Koreans scored again.
This time the team had Park Ji Sung grab the 2-0 lead when he took away the ball from one of the Greece defenders and scored against the goal keeper with little pressure.
2-0 would be the fine result of the match, and South Korea grabbed three points.
The second match had Argentina vs. Nigeria.
Many people and including myself predicted a Argentina blow out.
Argentina has what most people would consider the best player in the world,Lionel Messi.
But it did not matter to the Nigerians, instead it was a surprisingly 1-0 victory in favor of Argentina.
The only goal of the match came in the first six minutes of the match when Gabriel Heinze scored off one of the Argentina's corner kicks.
Give Nigeria's goalkeeper a lot off credit. The guy was not scared to get his hands dirty, because he was diving and jumping all over the place to deflect all of what should been goals for Argentina.
This game could have been easily a 6-0 win for Argentina, but Nigeria was saved of the embarrassment by their goalkeeper.
Group B now standing: Argentina and South Korea with three points each and Greece and Nigeria with zero points.
Next matches in Group B: Argentina vs. South Korea at 4:30 a.m. and Greece vs. Nigeria at 7 a.m. Both games are on June 17.
I am going to pick Argentina to win this group, and with South Korea winning today, than I have them as the second team to come out of this group.
Rather than having draws like Group A, the teams in Group B showed that a team can win in the World Cup.
The first match which was at 4:30 a.m. (and I was able to get up to see a bit of) had South Korea facing off with Greece.
South Korea took a early 1-0 lead after Lee Jung Soo scored a goal off his head from a corner kick in the first seven minutes.
The Koreans maintained the one goal differential for the remainder of the half.
Seven minutes into the second half, the Koreans scored again.
This time the team had Park Ji Sung grab the 2-0 lead when he took away the ball from one of the Greece defenders and scored against the goal keeper with little pressure.
2-0 would be the fine result of the match, and South Korea grabbed three points.
The second match had Argentina vs. Nigeria.
Many people and including myself predicted a Argentina blow out.
Argentina has what most people would consider the best player in the world,Lionel Messi.
But it did not matter to the Nigerians, instead it was a surprisingly 1-0 victory in favor of Argentina.
The only goal of the match came in the first six minutes of the match when Gabriel Heinze scored off one of the Argentina's corner kicks.
Give Nigeria's goalkeeper a lot off credit. The guy was not scared to get his hands dirty, because he was diving and jumping all over the place to deflect all of what should been goals for Argentina.
This game could have been easily a 6-0 win for Argentina, but Nigeria was saved of the embarrassment by their goalkeeper.
Group B now standing: Argentina and South Korea with three points each and Greece and Nigeria with zero points.
Next matches in Group B: Argentina vs. South Korea at 4:30 a.m. and Greece vs. Nigeria at 7 a.m. Both games are on June 17.
I am going to pick Argentina to win this group, and with South Korea winning today, than I have them as the second team to come out of this group.
Friday, June 11, 2010
2010 FIFA World Cup starts with draws
The 2010 FIFA World Cup opening has came and gone with two fantastic matches that ended with draws.
The host country, South Africa, started the one month tournament with a fierce battle with Mexico.
Mexico controlled the first half by having 61 percent of the ball possession and having clean shots at goal over and over again, but they failed to get one shot into the back of the net.
With the scoree tied at zero, the momentum seemed to be shifting a little to the host team, but Mexico still looked like they were going to win the game.
The tie broke at the 55 minute mark when South Africa's Siphiwe Tshbalala scored off a fast break and over Mexico's undersized goal keeper.
With time increasingly fading away for the Mexicans, coach Javier Aguirre brought in fresh legs to keep the Mexicans competitive.
At the 79th minute, Mexico's Rafael Marquez tied up the game with a point blank shot at the goal.
There was not enough time for either team to break the 1-1 tie, and the game resulted in a draw.
The second game from Group A feature France and Uruguay, and it was the same result, but this time, a 0-0 draw.
Not many exciting moments from this game.
Both teams had a balance match and both played really well on the defensive end.
Uruguay was a man short for the last 15 minutes of the game after one of their players picked up a red card and resulted in a rejection.
(In soccer, when a player receives a red card: It means he or she is ejected from the game and their team is forced to play one player short. The player is then suspended for the team's following game, but is allowed to return after the one game suspension.)
With the the two games completed in draws; all four teams are tied at one point in Group A.
Next matches in the group are: Mexico vs. France on June 17 at 11:30 a.m. and South Africa vs. Uruguay on June 16 at 11:30 a.m. Both matches are on ESPN.
The World Cup matches will continue tomorrow with a triple header.
Group B starts its matches: South Korea vs. Greece at 4:30 a.m. (I don't think I will be able to watch this one. Yet again, I don't think it is worth getting up for.) Argentina vs. Nigeria 7 a.m. Both games are on ESPN.
But the most anticipated game for the Americans gets started between USA and England. The match will be on ABC at 11:30 a.m.
The host country, South Africa, started the one month tournament with a fierce battle with Mexico.
Mexico controlled the first half by having 61 percent of the ball possession and having clean shots at goal over and over again, but they failed to get one shot into the back of the net.
With the scoree tied at zero, the momentum seemed to be shifting a little to the host team, but Mexico still looked like they were going to win the game.
The tie broke at the 55 minute mark when South Africa's Siphiwe Tshbalala scored off a fast break and over Mexico's undersized goal keeper.
With time increasingly fading away for the Mexicans, coach Javier Aguirre brought in fresh legs to keep the Mexicans competitive.
At the 79th minute, Mexico's Rafael Marquez tied up the game with a point blank shot at the goal.
There was not enough time for either team to break the 1-1 tie, and the game resulted in a draw.
The second game from Group A feature France and Uruguay, and it was the same result, but this time, a 0-0 draw.
Not many exciting moments from this game.
Both teams had a balance match and both played really well on the defensive end.
Uruguay was a man short for the last 15 minutes of the game after one of their players picked up a red card and resulted in a rejection.
(In soccer, when a player receives a red card: It means he or she is ejected from the game and their team is forced to play one player short. The player is then suspended for the team's following game, but is allowed to return after the one game suspension.)
With the the two games completed in draws; all four teams are tied at one point in Group A.
Next matches in the group are: Mexico vs. France on June 17 at 11:30 a.m. and South Africa vs. Uruguay on June 16 at 11:30 a.m. Both matches are on ESPN.
The World Cup matches will continue tomorrow with a triple header.
Group B starts its matches: South Korea vs. Greece at 4:30 a.m. (I don't think I will be able to watch this one. Yet again, I don't think it is worth getting up for.) Argentina vs. Nigeria 7 a.m. Both games are on ESPN.
But the most anticipated game for the Americans gets started between USA and England. The match will be on ABC at 11:30 a.m.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Referees win game two
The Boston referees won game two of the 2010 NBA Finals.
It was not the Celtics, it was the referees who defeated the Los Angeles Lakers.
Bad call after bad call kept Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher and Ron Artest from being aggressive.
The referees are not letting the men play. It is cheating both teams from having a fair chance at winning.
The NBA has the worse officials calling the games and it is hurting the league, fans and teams.
The Lakers are not in trouble because of this loss on their home court.
The Lakers can beat Boston anywhere, anytime. Boston barely beat Los Angeles with the help of the referees.
The referees proved they rigged the game, when they had a chance to change a call by viewing the replay on the TV screen, but they kept the call after seeing they had the call wrong.
It is no panic time for the Lakers because they are going to win two in Boston and come back to win the series in six or seven. Depending when the NBA wants to end it.
The NBA is corrupt.
It was not the Celtics, it was the referees who defeated the Los Angeles Lakers.
Bad call after bad call kept Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher and Ron Artest from being aggressive.
The referees are not letting the men play. It is cheating both teams from having a fair chance at winning.
The NBA has the worse officials calling the games and it is hurting the league, fans and teams.
The Lakers are not in trouble because of this loss on their home court.
The Lakers can beat Boston anywhere, anytime. Boston barely beat Los Angeles with the help of the referees.
The referees proved they rigged the game, when they had a chance to change a call by viewing the replay on the TV screen, but they kept the call after seeing they had the call wrong.
It is no panic time for the Lakers because they are going to win two in Boston and come back to win the series in six or seven. Depending when the NBA wants to end it.
The NBA is corrupt.
Friday, June 4, 2010
First draw goes to Lakers
Game 1 goes the Los Angeles Lakers.
After a week of hyping up the rivalry between the Lakers and the Boston Celtics, the two teams started their twelfth meeting in the NBA Finals.
The Lakers came out setting the tone against the Celtics. Telling Boston that they are not the soft team in the series and they are not going to put up with all the trash talking prior to leading up to the game.
Ron Artest sent the first message after tangling with Paul Pierce in the first 30 seconds of the game.
After that play, the Lakers kept the lead and never looked back.
The Lakers were soft in their front line in 2008 against the Celtics, but in Game 1 last night, the Lakers front line had 48 points in the paint.
Pau Gasol was the player everyone was looking at to see if he would be tougher against Keven Garnett.
Gasol did not waste no time to show everyone he is no longer a soft big man. Gasol finished with 23 points and 14 rebounds (eight of them being offensive rebounds.)
Kobe Bryant picked up where he left off at in the Phoenix series, since he finished with 30 points, seven rebounds and six assists in Game 1.
Bryant did not let nothing distract him, not even the comedian, Chris Rock, as Rock tried to crack a smile from him.
Boston had been talking trash for the past four days, and claiming they were going to win Game 1, but it looked as if they did not know what hit them after the Lakers came out as a team that the Celtics never knew existed.
The Lakers are focused to defeat the Celtics and not only get revenge from 2008, but repeat as NBA Champions.
As Bryant said after the Phoenix series, Boston is just a team that is in the way of the Lakers from the title.
Lakers are on their way to a repeat.
After a week of hyping up the rivalry between the Lakers and the Boston Celtics, the two teams started their twelfth meeting in the NBA Finals.
The Lakers came out setting the tone against the Celtics. Telling Boston that they are not the soft team in the series and they are not going to put up with all the trash talking prior to leading up to the game.
Ron Artest sent the first message after tangling with Paul Pierce in the first 30 seconds of the game.
After that play, the Lakers kept the lead and never looked back.
The Lakers were soft in their front line in 2008 against the Celtics, but in Game 1 last night, the Lakers front line had 48 points in the paint.
Pau Gasol was the player everyone was looking at to see if he would be tougher against Keven Garnett.
Gasol did not waste no time to show everyone he is no longer a soft big man. Gasol finished with 23 points and 14 rebounds (eight of them being offensive rebounds.)
Kobe Bryant picked up where he left off at in the Phoenix series, since he finished with 30 points, seven rebounds and six assists in Game 1.
Bryant did not let nothing distract him, not even the comedian, Chris Rock, as Rock tried to crack a smile from him.
Boston had been talking trash for the past four days, and claiming they were going to win Game 1, but it looked as if they did not know what hit them after the Lakers came out as a team that the Celtics never knew existed.
The Lakers are focused to defeat the Celtics and not only get revenge from 2008, but repeat as NBA Champions.
As Bryant said after the Phoenix series, Boston is just a team that is in the way of the Lakers from the title.
Lakers are on their way to a repeat.
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