2010 FIFA World Cup

[charmed60]

I may live in England, but the way England have played during the past few weeks, they did not deserve the victory against Slovenia today, in fact, I hope England get thrashed by Germany on Sunday!

They deserved it based on the game that they actually played against Slovenia today though so surely that matters the most? They certainly didn't deserve it in their last two matches but they played brilliantly today; they deserved the win without a doubt. Felt a bit sorry for Slovenia though, weren't they top of the table this morning?

[Ryan]

They were 8 minutes away from certain qualification last week.

I wonder whether had Australia been more than 1 ahead of the Serbs near the end, whether the Germans might have deliberately conceded a goal. One quarter of the draw is looking comparatively weak and I'd say Uruguay will probably make the Semi's.

[Slade]

OK so that's 8 out of the first 16 second round teams determined. Firstly even though Greece were putting everyone behind the ball and Messi was being man marked I still thought he was pretty good. I've been really impressed with Argentina going forward and really hope they do well in this World Cup but I don't think they will win the competition. Greece showed that there is a possible way to contain them and I know Maradonna rested some key players but against a better side they could have problems.

I'm really glad Mexico are going through. I've always liked them and love the way they pass the ball about. If the Argentina/Mexico game is anything like their last world cup match were are in for a cracker. IMO that was the best game of Germany 2006.

Surprisingly impressed with Uruguay. I hadn't seen them play in years and didn't know what to expect. They've been a lot better than I thought they would and I'm expecting it to be a good game against South Korea.

Fair play to England. A significant improvement on their first two games but I still don't think they can win the tournament. I'm glad the USA got through and won the group (I didn't have one bit of sympathy for Slovenia). It would have been an injustice if they didn't. I think they are entertaining and you could argue they've had two perfectly good goals disallowed so if they had gone out that would have been an injustice.

Over the moon about the result of Group D. Firstly I'm glad Ghana went through. Secondly we have an African country into the second round. I don't think they'll progress beyond the second round and although they pass the ball around well lack the creativity up front in addition to the natural goal scorer. BTW thanks to Australia for beating Serbia and ensuring safe passage of Ghana into the second round . I'm even more pleased that Germany topped the group meaning that their next opponents will be England. I'm really looking forward to that one and we can see what both teams are made of.

All that is left is to possibly have a Brazil-Spain second round match (if I've looked at the tables correctly) and that will be the icing on the cake.

[KirstyEkua]

Over the moon about the result of Group D. Firstly I'm glad Ghana went through. Secondly we have an African country into the second round. I don't think they'll progress beyond the second round and although they pass the ball around well lack the creativity up front in addition to the natural goal scorer. BTW thanks to Australia for beating Serbia and ensuring safe passage of Ghana into the second round . I'm even more pleased that Germany topped the group meaning that their next opponents will be England. I'm really looking forward to that one and we can see what both teams are made of.

I think Ghana have a chance against the USA and i really hope they can win. I think they've played pretty well so far.

And yah i was thrilled Australia beat Serbia; it worked out nicely for Ghana

[Zetti]

Over the moon about the result of Group D. Firstly I'm glad Ghana went through. Secondly we have an African country into the second round. I don't think they'll progress beyond the second round and although they pass the ball around well lack the creativity up front in addition to the natural goal scorer. BTW thanks to Australia for beating Serbia and ensuring safe passage of Ghana into the second round . I'm even more pleased that Germany topped the group meaning that their next opponents will be England. I'm really looking forward to that one and we can see what both teams are made of.

I totally agree. Ghana should have been top!

[Adia]

Although NZ didn't get through it's so amazing what they have achieved at this world cup considering they are ranked 78th in the world. They are national heroes right now and have even over shadowed the All Blacks in the news the last month or so. (Which in NZ that is a HUGE thing to do...)

I hope that either Argentina or Brazil take it out - Brazil has always been my favourite team, but to me Argentina have looked the best and bascially I think because Maradona is there gives it that kind of dream edge to them winning it. A bit melodramatic I know - one of the greatest footballers ever, wins world cup as a player, falls from grace big time, then manages the national team to a win again - I'm a sucker for those kinds of stories... but he's Maradona and I think he brings an extra dimension to the whole thing - and if anyone can do it it will be him!

the south american contingent has always been very strong and competitive and I think a win for one of the teams here would definitley set up a thrilling atmosphere in 2014 in brazil.

I do hope England do well in the next round too. they are kind of like the all blacks of football so I certainly relate to how the supporters will be feeling!

[ebrett84]

Italy are gone . I'm imagining the entire team writhing in faux agony on the aisle floor when their plane ride home encounters minor turbulence.

[Slade]

Two cracking games yesterday. Firstly Italy against Slovakia then Japan against Denmark . I have to say you could argue that Italy had two goals disallowed again, although to be fair with the first goal it was really hard to tell if the ball had actually crossed the line (I couldn’t). The second goal was different though. A lot of linesmen would have given that and if you consider that goal the New Zealanders scored in the game before was well offside the Italian’s could argue they were dealt an injustice. I was disappointed they went out, only really came out and played when they were two goals down and also Lippi didn't shake the hand of the Slovakian manager afterwards. And that's both the 2006 finalists not only failing to qualify but finishing bottom of their respective groups. Incidentally Dominique refusing to shake the hand of a former world cup winning manager was very petty.

Japan really impressed me. I thought they played really well against Denmark, won the ball fairly frequently, kept it and created some decent openings. I don't think they will beat Paraguay though.

I hear England have been practising taking penalty kicks. Personally I think England will lose on Sunday but it will be close though. I think it will go to extra time again or even penalties where we know the German’s are virtually unbeatable…

[KirstyEkua]

I don't know how i survived the Ghana -USA match! I could hardly watch towards the end!! But i'm so incredibly proud and thrilled that my adopted 2nd home has made it through They are a brilliant representation for the whole of Africa and it's just wonderful. My only regret is that i'm not with my friends and adopted family in Ghana right now - they'll be on the streets drumming and dancing and celebrating in style!

[Danni02]

I don't know how i survived the Ghana -USA match! I could hardly watch towards the end!! But i'm so incredibly proud and thrilled that my adopted 2nd home has made it through They are a brilliant representation for the whole of Africa and it's just wonderful. My only regret is that i'm not with my friends and adopted family in Ghana right now - they'll be on the streets drumming and dancing and celebrating in style!

I know right! I couldnt watch either. I was like blow the whistle, blow the whistle! I can just see them now, they will be going crazy! It would have been so amazing to have been in Ghana tonight!

They played really well tonight. Hopefully the can keep it up. Uruguay could be a tough game.

Go the Black Stars!