Well, I can’t even muster the will to comment on that disaster other than to say that DeMarcus Beasley should never be allowed within 20 meters of anything resembling a soccer pitch ever again.
Up to the minute. Spain’s starting eleven:
Reina; Puyol, Albiol, Piqué, Arbeloa; Busquets, Xavi, Cesc Fábregas, Riera; Fernando Torres and Villa.
According to reports from the Fury’s camp, all players approached the good-natured Del Bosque in order to plead their case for a start. Ultimately, both Torres and Villa won theirs and will play at least for the first half. As I said yesterday even if they understandably don’t like to talk about it, the historic streaks are high on their priority list and they’re all “fighting” to be active participants in the pursuit of them.
Xavi’s case was the easiest to make as the ‘pools’ Xabi has a yellow card and DB didn’t want to risk losing him for the semis. Still, expect him to come off first.
All and all, we should get a better performance from midfield, as absent the other small genius, his Barsa mate “Casper” Iniesta, Cesc offers the next best partnership.
Egypt wanted a strong Spanish squad for today…looks like they got their wish. Now let’s do it on the pitch!
It’s Iraq want the Strong Spanish Side; Egypt would love to see Spain go down to defeat to the RSA so that Spain finishes #2 in its group! 
Speaking of Iraq, they look very nervous; New Zealand by comparison look quite likely to score a goal and send the Iraqis off to home (“home” for the Iraqis being a place they don’t play 
).
Hard to say which game to watch. Love watching Spain, but the Iraqis have everything riding on their game, and if they win, would love to see how they manage it, having played “turtle” for two games.
Wow, Spain look VERY tentative. Like they don’t want to lose this game. That’s not how you win soccer matches… :eek:
Wow. Nil-Nil at the half both games. New Zealand just missed a sitter; the player had an open header on a corner-kick and instead of doing the simple fundamental of using his forhead to direct the ball into the net, tried using the round top of his head. Bam, over the net it goes, by miles. Just like my high school players do.
Spain have played reasonably well, but they are letting the RSA have some very nice chances, and long spells on the ball. Going to be a close game. :eek:
Shows you what I’m thinking – or rather not thinking. Something to do with this thing called “being nervous as all shite*”…which is what I think is happening to our team as well. Everyone’s too tentative, the record streaks are weighing them down a bit.
Admittedly, Bafana Bafana is doing their job…if a bit overly aggressively IMO. Those are mighty expensive legs they’re hunting!
*I guess part of the reason I love this game so much is that feeling of being close to a heart attack every time I watch a big match we’re involved in. Must be my inner masochist.
OMG!!! Save, Save!, then Spain Scores Anyway!
Feck me!!! No wait…yesssssss!!!
Villa is Og!!
Well, NOW Iraq have a real chance!
Gooool! Llorente, the only member of the Spanish Air Force, at 6’5", in the Armada, scores…with a ground strike.
Onwards…vamos!
OMG. The NZ keeper makes a save off the side of his HEAD, else Iraq would have scored!
Well, at the end of the day, nothing has changed. 
Why bother playing the games?
Good, if not great, second half by the Red Fury. Back to our roots, the short passing game and triangulations finally took the wind out of the hosts’ sails. Overall excellent showing at the group stage, all three matches won, eight goals scored while keeping a clean sheet. The team is now in the record books for the longest consecutive matches won at the NT level, which now stands at 15 and counting. Meanwhile the 35 unbeaten match streak ties it with Brazil for all-time best. Can’t say I have much to complain about, rather the opposite I am elated – safe to say this is our finest all-time team. And quite young to boot.
MOM for Spain: while the whole squad is to be praised for their accomplishments, and Villa’s immediate redemption after missing the PK was a thing of beauty, to me, it boils down to Xavi’s wonderful orchestration of our moves and, while on the pitch, Riera’s awesome verticality and incisiveness. Since he was rightfully subbed by DB (he took a beating; harsh tackling by the Bafana), Xavi gets the nod.
South Africa: Good team effort for them. I thought their keeper was crucial in keeping them in the match and Booth outstanding at blocking all of our attempts in the air. Given a choice, the keeper it is.
Head up, guys. You did your best against one of the best.
While sorry for the hosts, must admit I am very happy for the Iraqis. After all they went and continue to go through, small as this is, I am sure they’ll be some smiling faces in Iraq today. Good for them!
Iraq didn’t go through, you know. 
Oh, I thought I’d point out that that 15 game win streak and that 35 game unbeaten streak is going to look pretty unimpressive after Spain are comprehensively dismissed by Italy/Brazil in the next game.
<ducking and running>
Cute. Italy won’t go through; Spain will play Egypt in the next game. South Africa will get dismantled by Brazil.
:smack:
Seeing as I screwed-up twice in three posts, that ought to teach to ignore anything that I say when Spain’s is playing other than what specifically refers to La Furia and the match they we’re involved in. Further, never, I repeat, never make the mistake of having me over when Spain’s playing. But if you do, make sure anything breakable/dangerous is well out of my reach and that you have a sound proof room.
Fair warning given. Thus don’t blame me if you still get evicted afterwards.
Ha! First off, “comprehensive” and Italy mix about as well as water and oil, secondly, they can hang their whole side upside down as bats from the goalposts – as they are wont to do – and it won’t matter. Against Egypt the only Mummies I saw on the pitch were wearing the Azzurri. An hour into the match they’ll be begging to be put back into their tombs.
As for Brazil, I can think of at least two of their “superstars” that couldn’t couldn’t break the starting team on their club sides in Spain – and their only real one, Kaka, best watch his expensive butt. They’ll be six to seven current members of Can Barça on the pitch; I am sure they’ll be eagerly awaiting the opportunity to congratulate him on his transfer to Madrid as well as give him preview of the love that is always present in The Derby.
And no, won’t be running after you. Still catching my breath from doing so last nite! You young whippersnapper you.
:::get off my lawn!:::
Shibb, I hope you’re right. Certainly would make for a much better match. Too bad their star, Zidan, appears to be out for the rest of the tourney. They are a tough team anyway and if we meet it should be exciting.
Not watching the US Men’s team today. Maybe that will make the difference. Besides, there is no WAY I’m missing Italy - Brazil!!!
So far, it’s working.
BRA/ITA. Nasssty pitch! I can’t believe FIFA green-lighted this thing…playing on surfaces like this is an injury waiting to happen. Still and all, good match so far…Brazil, as expected, the one creating most/all the chances.
And bad US, baaad!