It Has Begun

Well, I don't know about you... but my eyes have been glued to the television, watching some good ol' fashioned football in South Africa. The opening match (South Africa vs. Mexico) definitely set the tone for the tournament and was extremely exciting. However, the second game between France and Uruguay was sadly a dud. France really shouldn't be in the World Cup anyways, right!? I found it ironic when Henry (the one who was responsible for the double handball, playoff qualification winning goal) made a case about a non-considerable handball in the box late in the game! But on the other hand, you can't blame Henry in that playoff game. You have to keep playing until the whistle, and that's what he did. It's always the refs fault... When will their be crucial video replay in FIFA, let alone professional club soccer!? I believe there should definitely be some sort of challenge system like the NFL has. It just makes sense that the team who deserves to win, WINS. My theory is that FIFA (as long as Joseph Blatter is president) will never introduce video replay due to the nature of "game fixing". It would almost be virtually impossible to fix a game (manipulating, cheating, or rigging the outcome, if you will) with video replay installed! Though, a lot of gamblin' money would probably be at stake. Money may actually be the root of all evil... hmmm a Life Lesson maybe?

Wow, that was quite the tangent. Anyways, today was one of the highly anticipated matches between England and the U.S. It had so much potential to be an UNREAL game, but it just could not open up enough! My boy from Liverpool and England's newest captain, Stevie G, opened up the scoring just 4 mins in. However a messed up equalizer from American Clint Dempsey tamed the game quite a bit. England's keeper (Robert Green) did not fully get behind the routine rolling shot and bobbled the ball over that sacred white line! Have a look:

Yikes! I was truly shocked. This just drained all the energy from the game. And as a result, England never recovered; despite some late chances and a breakaway that they should have buried! COM'ON! There has been tonnes of criticism about the official Jabulani ball so far; people are saying complaining about how it's too unpredictable and how horrible it is to control. It does hugely bounce, but aside from that, just play with the dang thing! With a new ball, comes new and exciting goals! Deal with it, I say. As for this strange screw-up of a goal that Green let in, it was entirely his fault. Ah, poor chap.

Anyways, the game ended as a draw. Disappointing really. Meh, on to Germany vs. Australia tomorrow!

Just in case you were wondering, here is my order of support for nationalities based on my heritage:
1) NETHERLANDS! I can't wait for Monday's match vs. Denmark.
2) England. Yes, I do love Crouch; but first and foremost, I do have some English in me! My Grandma's maiden name is Genders; now that's awesome.
3) Germany. I proudly represent my kleine Deutschstämmige-ness, so to speak.

I hope you're enjoying this massive dose of the BEAUTIFUL GAME!