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The Quadrennial Global Round-Ball Extravaganza

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october1983:
While the red was inevitable, I feel like the Greek player also deserved booking for the shameful dramatics as he fell over from a kick that barely made contact with him, if at all. But I guess the ref couldn't tell how bad it was, from where he was standing.

Inlander:
This Nigeria - Greece game is just odd and kind of thrilling. We've seen horrible errors from both goalkeepers which have directly led to goals, but we've also seen both goalies pulling off some amazing saves; we've seen some lovely passing play from both teams and some useless hit-and-hope crosses and long-range shots; and we've seen sheer lunacy. It hasn't been the highest quality game of the tournament (I think that still goes to South Africa vs. Mexico) but I don't think I've enjoyed a game more so far: it's like one of those books or films where shit just keeps happening, and none of it really makes sense, but you just go along for the ride because you can't help admiring the straight-out audacity and ridiculousness of the thing.

Patrick:
Nigeria didn't look so hot in the final 20 minutes, from my viewpoint. Several shot attempts from over 30 meters, and none of them were even all that close. You'd think they'd know better than to take such an enormous risk with the final 15 minutes. If you have an opening, you push through it as far as possible, THEN shoot, so you're closer to the goal and have a wider margin of error. I saw several opportunities there and they really disappointed me.

Enyeama was a complete badass in the second half, which is all I saw, and I feel privileged to have seen him play. The Greek goaltender wasn't so shabby either, very nice deflection right over the crossbar +/-25 minutes before game end.

amok:
Enyeama was also the only reason the Argentina game finished with a respectable scoreline too. Hell of a keeper.

Sadly the potshots from range are a fairly standard sign of a less-disciplined side losing their cool under extreme pressure, the hero from the first RSA game spanked a long shot or two well over the bar when they could've at least attempted a comeback against Uruguay, too.

Hope one or two of the African teams make it out of the groups at least, although really only Ghana stand any great chance. Might seem like Andy Townsend levels of obvious given that they're the only African team to have won a game in the first round, but looking at the others.. Algeria are a shower, Cote D'Ivoire will really struggle against DPRK and (one would assume) lose to Brazil, and Cameroon are carrying a loss to the most beatable team in their group.

a pack of wolves:
I think Ghana can do it. In a way they've already had their toughest game since I'm anticipating everyone in that group losing to Germany, Australia were looking thoroughly beatable and will be without Cahill when they face them. I think this year might be more about Asia than Africa, on the pitch anyway. South Korea, North Korea and Japan are all in with a healthy shot at the knock out stages. Given the quality of their game I wouldn't be surprised to see North Korea make the quarter finals either.

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