FIFA World Cup 2010 - Predictions/Discussions/Updates

[_____V_____]

HALFTIME WHISTLE -


PARAGUAY - 0


JAPAN - 0


A pacy 45 minutes came to an end. Both teams had pretty much equal opportunities to score the first goal but missed them all, some by mere inches. Santa Cruz missed a superb chance to score, and Honda's long ranger flew across the goal when he had the GK beaten.

All of this promises to bring another explosive 45 minutes to follow. Let's see who breaks the ice first.

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FULL TIME - Match #55 (ROUND OF 16 - #7) -

PARAGUAY - 0


JAPAN - 0

Don't let that scoreline fool you. It has been 90 minutes of intense, fast and really good football so far. Both teams have squandered lots of opportunities at scoring the goal, and Japan has been the worse culprit of this than Paraguay.

We go into Extra Time, folks. Pray for a goal in the next 30 minutes, or we will be witness to the first Penalty Shootout of WC 2010.

[_____V_____]

HALFTIME WHISTLE OF EXTRA TIME -


PARAGUAY - 0



JAPAN - 0


Hmm...dare I say that the Penalty Shootout looks very much a possibility? Match is locked in a stalemate.

Unless someone comes through with a moment of brilliance in the next 15 minutes, we go into it.

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FULL TIME + EXTRA TIME - Match #55 (ROUND OF 16 - #7) -

PARAGUAY - 0


JAPAN - 0

Yep, I was right in my last post ^.

Angra should be happy now at last - PLENTY of goals coming up in a few minutes.

Yes that's right, folks - we now head into THE FIRST PENALTY SHOOTOUT OF FIFA WORLD CUP 2010!!!

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FULL TIME + EXTRA TIME + PENALTY SHOOTOUT - Match #55 (ROUND OF 16 - #7) -

PARAGUAY - 0 (5)


JAPAN - 0 (3)

Absolute jubilation for Paraguay, as they win the Penalty Shootout 5 - 3, and move into the Quarter - Finals of WC 2010 for the first time in their football history.

Heartbreak for Japan and their numerous fans. The players looked inconsolable and utterly dejected as most of them broke into tears of anguish. Komano was the only one who missed, as his shot curled upwards and hit the top part of the goal and rocketed outwards to his immense disbelief, and his miss sent Japan out of the WC. However, they should be proud of their showing in this WC, as they firmly registered their name as a team to be reckoned with.

Two very different emotions in the end, from what was a fantastic game of football between 2 equally talented teams.

[Angra]

Originally Posted by _____V_____

. However, they should be proud of their showing in this WC, as they firmly registered their name as a team to be reckoned with.

They should be very, VERY proud. They managed to beat Denmark. Yes DENMARK!!

[_____V_____]

HALFTIME WHISTLE -


SPAIN - 0


PORTUGAL - 0


Honours stand even at the end of the first 45 minutes. Although Portugal had clearly the better chances at scoring, Spain did miss quite a few themselves. Both teams' defenses wouldn't be too pleased at some of the lapses they showed.
Portugal though look hungry and raring. Spain seems half-ignited so far. Villa and Torres have made runs, but don't look as menacing as they did in the previous games. Christiano Ronaldo is yet to leave an impact in this game. I think he will be hoping to make one.
I daresay it will take a blast of daring and innovative individual brilliance to break this impasse. Which individual it will be...is difficult to tell.
It could go either way, folks. Let's see what the next 45 minutes reveal.

[_____V_____]

1 - 0 SPAIN!!

Its VILLA TIME! :D

[Angra]

1-0

Blah....

[_____V_____]

FULL TIME - Match #56 (ROUND OF 16 - #8) -

SPAIN - 1
(Villa 63')


PORTUGAL - 0

Portugal started off the second half in fine style with two superb attempts at goal which fizzed out.
Then, something happened suddenly to the Spanish. They took their game to a whole new level and suddenly the red shirts were pouring again and again into the Portuguese half of the field.
Attacks were relentless as Sergio Ramos and David Villa kept the pressure up till the 63rd minute when Portugal's defenses were finally caught sleeping. Iniesta's shot came off a defender and David Villa was at the right position at the right time.
1 - 0 to Spain.
Then it was a matter of keeping possession, which the Spanish did well into the last 5-6 minutes when Portugal suddenly showed some desperation in their football. Another glaring mistake by the referee resulted in a straight Red Card for Portugal's Costa who wasn't even watching where his own arm was, in his desperation to head the curling ball into the goal. It maybe deserved a Yellow at best, but no way in hell was it a Red Card offense.
The scoreline stayed the same through the 3 minutes of extra time, and the one final assault by the Portuguese fell flat.
Celebrations for Spain. A frustrating loss for Portugal. Christiano Ronaldo was left as just a ghost of his self in the end.

Good but slightly disappointing match to finish off the Round of 16.