After 2 days

5 matches played. Goals scored in each match: 2,0,2,1,2.

More goals are needed! Come On!

I have watched 3 of the 5 matches to date, and my favourite is actually the Uruguay vs France goalless draw. Many commentators have derided the match and the French team; no flair, no finishing, no creativity, no entertainment, etc.

But I actually felt France did pretty well. They pass the ball around fluently, they are faster than in the past attacking. They are lacking the creativity to create clear chances and they are lacking the finishing. A true playmaker that can deliver pinpoint balls and through balls or produce intelligent play, coupled with a clinical finisher will do the job for France, provided they can stabilise the defence.

Many times against Uruguay they have danger faced... but the pace of Evra and Sagna, and Gallas even, are encouraging. Gourcuff was however showing his lack of experience, and the team is probably right for lambasting Domenech. Diaby is a really strong option, I think he did best in the midfield. Toulalan doesn't bring anything to the attack, so I would expect him to shield the defence better.

As for the starting attacking trio, I am very disappointed. Ribery, for the whole match, was misfiring and terribly off-form it could have been awkward for him. Govou probably didn't contribute anything, while Anelka was only slightly better, but he can't just wait for the ball so much, especially when the killer supplies do not come.

Henry should start ahead of Anelka... although he hasn't been starting much for Barca and is not on top form, he is still the best attacking option nonetheless. In the 20 minutes he was on, he did more than Anelka or Govou or Ribery did. He, however, needs to go for the ball more because of, as I said, the midfield's inadequate supply.

From the next match onwards, I do hope Domenech listen to the players' words. Start with a midfield of Malouda-Toulalan-Diaby and an attack of Ribery-Henry-Gignac. If Ribery is still so off-form, move Malouda into his position and Gourcuff can fill the midfield gap, on the right, with Diaby shifting to the left.


I am finding African keepers rather good... first it was South Africa's, then Nigeria's Enyeama. Good performances from both. Messi is performing like on a Barca side, dominating the opportunities, being a little selfish. A bit wasteful sometimes, and well-saved sometimes.

I am now switching support from Nigeria to South Korea. South Korea has caught my attention of late with their good warm up performances, and they look a better bet to progress now. But it's still 50-50 in my opinion. Greece can say goodbye soon.

I didn't catch England's match, and have yet to see the highlights, but I think the draw justifies the inadequacies of the squad. They need Barry to hold the defensive midfield role, not Gerrard. Gerrard's more defensive role results in less attacking prowess. There isn't a very strong attacking threat apart from Rooney, unlike many other teams. Argentina has many to choose from. Netherlands has many too. Even Uruguay has Forlan and Suarez. And attack is made more important following the loss of Rio Ferdinand.

I can take a break for today's matches, because they aren't really exciting matches.

Update next time (: