Domination, Thrill and Anxiety

If I had to describe yesterdays games in one word each , then I would choose these three words. Spain were dominant, right from the word go they were all over Ukraine giving them hardly any chance to move forward. On other hand Spain were creating chances and keeping Oleksandr Shovkovskyi (Ukraine’s Goal Keeper) in constant pressure. They scored quickly in 13th minute with a corner which was headed in by Xabi Alonso which could or should have been saved by the goal keeper or by the player standing on the post, ball just went between them. Soon Spain doubled their lead with David Villa’s free kick deflected off the defender and right into the net 2-0. Though that didn’t stop Spain from attacking(no sit back strategy even after two goals up) they kept up the pressure with Luis Garcia, Fernando Torres and David Villa (who btw had an outstanding game) creating more chances.

Start of second half was more disastrous for Ukraine, Torres was brought down inside the box and Vashchuk was sent off. Though replays showed the pull was outside the box and Ukraine were very very unlucky, I mean Ghana had a much stronger case against Italy. David Villa stepped up and made it 3-0 for Spain and match was all over. Ukraine had few chances of their own but failed to take advantage none of them falling to their talismanic man Shevchenko. Shevchenko was very disappointing in this game maybe because he was coming back from an injury and didn’t want to push much after conceding two goals. Spain have started very strongly and look in great shape specially the style of game they adopted which was very positive, though they were lucky with their goals but when you are positive you have luck with you too.

Now to the second match and it was a thriller, not really football of highest quality but nonetheless it was entertaining. It was the Arab derby and it lived upto its expectations. Tunisia went ahead with an acrobatic strike by Jaziri. But in second half Saudi Arabia started strong and were looked much better side soon they leveled with a wonderful move which in the end was ended in net by Al Kahtani, 1-1. Tunisia looked nothing like what they were in first half and Saudia’s coach made one decisive change bringing on the most their famous player Al Jaber who didn’t disappoint his coach when he gave Saudia the lead after they broke swiftly. It looked as if though Saudia will score all three points but there was more drama. Two minutes into the injury time and Tunisia leveled. Jaziri found space in the box and sent a perfect cross to Jaidi who sent a close range header inside and sending Tunisian team on the sky. It looks highly unlikely that any one these teams will advance to round two unless they one of them upsets Ukraine.

Hosts Germany became the first team to reach the last sixteen, but it didn’t come that easy. Poland who needed a win in this match started brilliantly and keeping Germans at bay and asking few questions the other end. German skipper Michael Ballack returned to the side but failed to impress. Germany should have been ahead atleast twice when once Klose missed a header and then Podolski missed a very straight forward chance. In second half German crowd became restless and signs of nervousness were visible , Germany were failing to break the deadlock and Poland it seemed were content with the nil - nil draw and adopted negative approach. In 75th minute Radaslow Sobolewski was sent off with second booking really a stupid challenge when you are already on one booking and which might have had cost his team the draw. Germany got the space they wanted and wave after wave of German’s attack were onto the Polish goal who somehow with some luck kept the clean sheet. Germany almost scored in 90th minute but were denied by the bar twice, first Klose’s header and then from the rebound Ballack’s kick. But their determination paid off in 91st minute Neuville the sub slid into convert the cross into a goal and took Germany in second round and broke Polish’s heart who I feel were responsible for this fall by sitting back and letting German assert pressure.

So this finishes first set of matches and of all the favorites Spain look in great shape with Argentina, Germany, Italy and Brazil all close. It would be interesting to see who picks the pace now.