Author: Hafiz Noor Shams

The most exciting group in the 2006 World Cup so far is not the so-called Group of Death which many have identified as Group C (tag). In my opinion, rather, it is Group E instead. Ghana and the United States this morning managed to throw their group wide open after both embarrassing the Czech Republic and Italy respectively.

The Czech-Ghanaian was fast. Almost ice hockey-like. For me, I definitely didn’t expect the Czech to lose the match. Previous before the World Cup in Germany started earlier this month, the Dutch had the misfortune to meet the Czech and with that qualifying group, the Czech was the Dutch biggest fear. Even in Euro 2004, the Dutch lost to the Czech Republic in the most disappointing way – Oranje was leading 2-0 only to lose the game 3-2. Given that reputation, I see the Czech with high regards. And since I’m familiar with Galasek (former Ajacied) and Grygera (current) – and then there are Milan Baros, Poborsky, Petr Cech – it’s hard to chew the fact that Ghana won 2-0. For this reason, I salute the African.

Roughly an hour after the Ghanaian victory, there was the US-Italy match. For those that know me, I have no love for the Italian team. They would bore me to death with their “defend, defend and defend” mentality. Defense is an important aspect of the game but overdoing it is another story.

And as I’ve blogged last week, due to diplomatic reasoning (you guys can blame Bush Jr. for that), I have no appetite to see the United States progresses beyond group stage. This is one of those matches that I would rather see both lost. And really got what I wanted! Two red cards for the Americans and another one for the Italian. But whatever it was, United States is the one laughing all the way to the changing room. The US, despite drawing, managed to humble the Italian, almost as how the American did to the Portuguese four years back. The score line was one all despite the fact that the United States was playing with nine men.

Hah! I bet the Italians were even defending when they were at risk of facing a major embarassment.

At the end of the day, this means anybody could qualify to the next round. Since I don’t want to see both the Italian and the American to progress to the next stage, I’m naturally rooting for the Czech Republic and Ghana.

p/s – alright. I’m confusing myself with the plural Dutch, Czech, etc with the singular versions.

The Netherlands is set to play Argentina in the final match within Group C. Despite being a high profile game, it’s a meaningless meeting because both teams have qualified for the second round of the World Cup (tag). Therefore, it’s better for us to look beyond Argentina and see who would be up against the Dutch in the second round instead.

With Portugal beating Iran 2-0 and Mexico managing only a draw against Angola, the Iberian country is currently first in Group D. Next week’s Portugal-Mexico match will decide the champion of the group and since Mexico fails to impress me, I think Portugal will best Mexico. Back in Group C, after seeing how Argentina played, I don’t think the odd favors the Dutch. So, second place is a rational expectation for the orange jerseys.

Given that, and that the fact that winner of both groups will play the other group’s second placed team, I expect the Dutch to meet the Portuguese in the second round.

If everything turns out as I’m predicting, the Dutch-Portuguese would be an interesting – and meaningful – fixture. It might even reignite the Dutch-Portuguese rivaly that nobody has seen since the Dutch first arrived in the Malay Archipelago during the 17th century. And just as how history had unfolded, I believe the Dutch will be victorious. With Deco, Figo, Ronaldo and a few others in the Portuguese squad, it would be tough match nonetheless.

Alrighty. It’s Czech Republic versus Ghana. Time to pay the idiot’s box a visit.

The Dutch are through to the second round! (tag)

What a relief! After 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, I couldn’t take another disappointment. I am totally ecstatic to know the Dutch have secured a place in the second round.

When van Persie and van Nistelrooij scored a goal each under five minutes apart, I thought the Dutch were going to answer Argentina. However, that was hardly the case. Ivory Coast was not Serbia and Montenegro and the African nation was no pushover. In fact, in the second half, Drogba and gangs pushed forward so hard that it was the Dutch that were being bullied instead of the other round.

The final minutes were hectic. If I counted correctly, in the space of five minutes, Ivory Coast had three corners and all the Dutch could do was defend, defend and defend. If Ivory Coast had a little bit more luck, the game would have seen a draw instead of a winner. However, like what Obi-Wan Kenobi said in Star Wars: Episode IV, there’s no such thing as luck.

Hah!

In the previous Dutch match, Arjen Robben was my man of the match. For this match, it’s Robin van Persie. Reason – he scored and he saved. But I know. I know. Both of them, both men of the matches are products of Eindhoven and Rotterdam respectively. Still, don’t worry. There’s a long way to go and someone from Amsterdam will be there sooner or later.

Anyway, the Netherlands’ opponent for the second round will be somebody from Group D. The most likely teams are Mexico and Portugal. I’m not sure which team would be easier for the Dutch but one thing for sure – I will watch both the Mexican and the Portuguese matches with great interest.

At the time I wanted to blog about the Argentina-Serbia and Montenegro match, the Argentine got their fifth goal. By the time I am writing this, Messi just scored the sixth. Nobody has to watch the game till the end to figure out that Serbia and Montenegro is being completely demolished by Argentina.

Argentina is a real contender to lift the World Cup. The way they are playing the match so far is marvelous and sublime; the passes are just jaw dropping. I haven’t seen anyone, not even Brazil, played as good as the Argentinian.

Given how the Argentine screwed their Balkan opponent, the Dutch better at least draw against Ivory Coast. A loss will spell disaster for the Dutch.

Whatever it is, I can’t wait to watch the Dutch in action. About one more hour to go before the Netherlands-Ivory Coast match starts. Thank heaven for the weekends because I’m going to stay up till the end. So, hup Holland hup!

Also, it’s time to update my favorite goal. My favorite is no longer Torres’. It’s Cambiasso’s now. Cambiasso’s 31st minute goal is simply one of the world’s wonders. The whole Argentinian team worked together to produce a blinding spark of brilliance, deserving of being granted the title the best goal of the tournament. No kidding!