End of the round of 16

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Match 55
Loftus versfeld Stadium - Tshwane/Pretoria
Paraguay 0 – 0 Japan
Place watched:  Tape delay – Living room, Olathe, KS

This is the first match of the 2010 World Cup to be decided by penalty kicks.  Unlike every single other time I have commented on this topic, I have to agree with the result of this one.  I believe these two teams could have played for a million minutes and no one would have scored.

Both teams seemed to approach this match hoping not to lose instead of trying to win.  Each produced a handful of chances, but other than Matsui’s long-range blast hitting the Paraguayan crossbar, neither team looked likely to find net.

In the penalty round, only Komano missed, crushing his effort off of the crossbar, so Paraguay were through.


Match 56
Green Point Stadium - Cape Town
Spain 1 – 0 Portugal
Place watched:  Tape delay – Living room, Olathe, KS

This was the last match this week I would have to watch on tape delay.  It was not the first game I was watching after knowing the result, but it was the one I most wanted watch without knowing the result.

The winner of this game would face Paraguay in the quarter-finals.  Paraguay has played well, but is not nearly the daunting foe that Brazil or Argentina would be.   Fellow European sides Germany and Holland would also surely be tougher opponents.

The first half was hotly contested, with the best chances falling to Portugal.  When the second half began, it was Spain’s chance to shine.  David Villa’s fierce drive after a lovely passing combination was saved well by Portuguese keeper Eduardo.  Unfortunately for Eduardo, the rebound fell to Villa’s feet and he calmly finished.

It was the only goal of the match.  Spain would live to play Paraguay in the next round.