Finally we have a team now that at least look like they could be real contenders to win the tournament. Germany came into this competition as a bit of an unknown quantity. Injuries to over 7 players from the squad and the tragic suicide last year of their goalkeeper left many people wondering what state the Germans will be in going into this World Cup. Well they answered tonight in pretty spectacular fashion. A great performance of attacking play orchestrated by the majestic Ozil lightened up the tournament. Question marks will still hang over their defence, because the Australian team looked leggy and showed their age tonight. Their offside trap was sprung time and time again and Australia looked like they could struggle to get a win in this competition.
On to the earlier games, well I only saw bits of Slovenia and Algeria as I do have a life and a guy has to make choices in life, although I did see the highlights and what was regarded as a very very dull game by all concerned had 2 incidents that decided the game. One was the deserved sending off of the Algerian Substitute Ghezzal, and the other was the Rob Greenesque blooper by the Algerian Keeper that led to a goal by the ex West Brom player Koren. I get the impression that I did not miss much by taking a break from this game and although England looked very poor last night they will not be able to fail to qualify from this group.
The 2nd game of the day was between many peoples Dark Horses Serbia and the Black Stars of Ghana. In again what was a pretty poor game it was sprang to life with a sending off and then decided minutes later by a penalty which was brought about by a bizarre moment of madness from Luckovic when he handled the ball when there was no need to. What followed was a rather convincing plea of innocence until replays confirmed his moment of madness. The penalty was routinely converted and Ghana held on to be the first African team to record a win at World Cup 2010.
All in all not a great day but it was brought to life with a very convincing win by the Germans tonight in Darwin. They have put down a marker and they did start 1990 win a convincing win over a good Yugoslavia side 4-1. Is that an omen, non its not as I don't believe in them, but they do seem to have a fluid team with a very good system and plenty of attacking options. Oh I have not mentioned the word efficient once as I do not think it applies to this team and stereotypes are lazy, just like this blogger.
Stat of the day. It was the first World Cup Day in History when all three games had a sending off.
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