That wonderful international festival, the World Cup, is underway.
In what other arena can we see Iran beat the USA or Trinidad and Tobago match Sweden. Perhaps Angola will shock Portugal later today too.
I read today that 80% of surveyed woman in South Africa will watch some of the games, the assumption I suppose being that the % for men is even higher. Unfortunately I’m stuck watching the SABC’s coverage, and it’s been highly disappointing. I can tune out bad commentary, but abundant factual errors are annoying. According to the SABC, Holland’s best finish at a World Cup was fourth (actually they’ve twice made the final). The Czech republic have qualified for the first time, and Serbia and Montenegro for the second time. While the Czech statistic is strictly speaking correct, as Czechoslovakia they’ve twice been runners up. Serbia and Montenegro are also qualifying for the first (and last) time in their current guise, but this time the SABC chose to remember 1 of Yugoslavia’s 9 previous appearances.
So far none of the teams has stood out as contenders. Of those who’d consider themselves contenders, England were disappointing against Paraguay, reminding me so much of the talented but dull English team of the 2002 World Cup. They sorely need star striker Wayne Rooney, as without him they don’t have much in the way of inspiration. Holland battled to an unconvincing win against Serbia and Montenegro. Unfortunately I missed Argentina against Cote d’Ivoire, but apparently Argentina were hanging on against Africa’s most talented entrant. I suppose I should include Germany amongst the contenders, but they have a really poor team this time. They managed to get to the final in 2002 with another unconvincing team, and have a well-earned reputation for being tough to beat. But letting in two goals in their win against Costa Rica is hardly indicative of their usual solidity.
Sadly with the tough draw for Cote d’Ivoire, and the absence of Africa’s strongest teams such as Cameroon and Nigeria, and even African champions Egypt, there’s a very real chance that none of the African teams will progress past the group stages.
There’s already been one memorable upset – no hopers Trinidad and Tobago holding on for a 0-0 draw against Sweden. Perhaps Angola can provide more of the same against their former colonial master Portugal.
My outsider to do well this time is Ecuador – they managed to beat both Brazil and Argentina in the qualifiers, and have already started with a convincing win against Poland. If they can top their group (an easy one, with struggling Germany the top seeded team), they can set up an easier second round game against the runner up in group B (perhaps Sweden or Paraguay), and then they’re in the quarters. Who knows what next.
Enough – Angola versus Portugal calls.
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It’s interesting that Trinidad and Tobago strips have been sold out in Scotland (the traditional Caledonian rooting for the underdog?), while there are reports that 3 English strips have been sold in the country.