A month of football is well under way and some interesting goings on at the
World Cup in South Africa!
The biggest shock of the tournament so far was
yesterday's defeat of
Spain by minnows
Switzerland. An error by
Iker Casillas of
Real Madrid, so often Spain's saviour, gave the Swiss a 1-0 win. It makes their last group game against Chile more than a little interesting! Even more baffling is keeping
Cesc Fabregas on the bench... he's scored more goals this season than the entire starting midfield! Does Vicente del Bosque not like him or something?
It was amusing seeing
Mexico bring the
French to the brink of elimination though. Thoroughly deserving of their 2-0 win, despite a slightly offside second goal (possibly, maybe). They cheated to get there anyway, so here's hoping one of my sweepstake teams,
Uruguay, go through instead!!
My home nations,
England and
Nigeria, aren't really having the best of times. England drew a fairly one sided, but flat, opening game against the
Yanks (immortalised
here in
Legovision). We should still go through though, as the other teams in the group look even worse! I just hope we win the group...
Germany look awfully good, so I'd rather not meet them in the second round. Save them for the final!
Nigeria find themselves on the brink of going out. A narrow defeat to
Argentina in game one was
today followed by another loss, this time to
Greece - who'd never ever won a game at the Finals! It was
Sani Kaita's fault. A shockingly reckless kick got him sent off and cost the
Super Eagles the match... they were easily in control, and leading, up until that point.
Not that I entirely blame him. The Greek he kicked probably would have got a push from me too, if he'd shoved the ball into my chest! I too have been petulant in matches before... the odd retaliation tackle (notably, I fractured a kid's arm when at school) or flailing elbow (well, if Mr. Peters
will insist on tugging my shirt...!). It's not big, it's not clever, but it does feel good for a split second. Until you see the red card (which, somehow, I've not seen).
Before the world's biggest competition started, there had been mixed fortunes for my local teams. Both reached their first cup finals, both were unlucky to lose.
Chawton Athletic were robbed by shocking refereeing in the Runwick Cup Final and
Rockbeare Rangers lost in extra time in the Geary Cup Final.
Even more sad, for me, is he news that the Rooks will not be continuing in their current form. After the gaffer, Ian Keenan, quit due to work commitments, nobody came forward to manage and run the Club. The brain-child of me, Gofer, Ed and MattD has ceased to exist. And the swanky new
Nike kit I single-handedly got the club is been sold... unworn by Rangers! That's a tad gutting!
There is hope that the name may live on. Plans are afoot to resurrect the club, but it won't be until at least the 2011/12 season. News on that, for those of you that care, when it arises.
This summer's main match is the charity match I'm playing in. The match forms part of a "
family fun day" at
Feniton FC, in aid of the
Special Care Baby Unit at Derriford hospital. The SCBU
saved the lives of a mate's very premature twin boys and thus he raises money every year. This year's highlight is a charity match between
S.C.B. U-nited and the
Exeter City Legends. Being a massive City fan, I'm well excited!
Scooby United, as I call them, are having some friendlies, to ensure we don't get completely dicked! Last weekend's friendly was my first, a
6-6 draw with a Taunton charity team that included former England cricketer,
Andy Caddick. I
got a goal, had another heinously ruled off for a non-existent offside by the cheating linesman, and overall had a good game.
The
fun day (link requires Facebook, I think) is on
Sunday 1st August from
10 til 4. Kick off is, I think, at 10:30...
