A week of interesting play

As a world cup fan, I think it is important to do the following:

Support one team with your head: This team is the dependable one. They play well, have decent odds at winning and offer you, the fan, a great deal of excitement with their wins and a relatively low level of trauma if they loose, or fail at any stage

Support one team that is an underdog: This team truly adds colour to your world cup experience. Regardless of wins or losses, just supporting a team that has about a 1 in 32 chance of winning a game is exciting. Again, a win for this team is rewarding, and a loss is nothing out of the ordinary. 

Support one team with your heart and soul: This team is your football nectar. Watching this team play has your football passion at a crescendo. A win for them is a win for you. You will listen to critique about this team and still stick to your supporting ways. Their losses will hold you emotionally hostage and in many cases ruin your world cup. Their wins at any point will make you feel like the world is just darn beautiful. And, if they take the cup, you are set for life - every consecutive cup will have you recalling this win. This team is your football heart break and your football salvation. 

I feel that the above is an essential survival combination for non neutral game watchers!

But moving on from the fan side of things, the last week has produced some very exciting games. The Iran - Nigeria game was one that stood out, for the wrong reasons. It was incredibly boring. So boring, the first 15 minutes of the second half felt like two hours. A complete contrast to the Iran - Argentina game's second half. In the latter, I think the 4 4 2 strategy did wonders for Iran, and if I didn't like Argentina, I'd have been quite disappointed with the end result, in spite of another Messi inspired magic moment. I'm sure that the Nigeria - Bosnia game would have been boring. Regardless of Nigeria's win, I've no regrets over not watching that game.

Group D has been tantalising. After a pretty magnificent start in the Italy - England game, both teams were rather disappointing in their second games. Italy were only a reflection of their first game. Pirlo was as close to insignificant, versus Costa Rica, as is possible. The passes from midfield to the forwards were amateur, loose and ill timed. On the other side Costa Rica were refreshing. Their consistency from the previous game was a delight and I think the scoreline was an accurate representation of the game. In the other draw we had England take on Uruguay. It should have been a do or die game for both teams, and Luis Suarez's re-entry for team Uruguay sealed England's fate. For most of the game, things were even - pressure from both sides and a fair number of chances. And then, Suarez happened. If statistics are considered, the world should have been prepared for England's loss (they have never won a world cup finals game after conceding a goal, first). However Rooney finally had his world cup maiden goal. After some bad luck hitting the goal post with a pretty flavoursome header, Rooney eventually found the corner of the net, with a rather brilliant pass from the right. But sloppy defence, a dull Sterling ( who really should have been playing centre forward) and another Luis Suarez goal (where it looked like Gerrard forgot he is playing for England and not Liverpool), sealed England's fate. This does mean that Italy - Uruguay is going to be a stunning game - or so we hope.

I've got to talk about the Brazil - Mexico draw. This has got to be the most stunning 0 - 0 game in the world cup. Full of chances for Brazil, Ochoa was the man of the day saving goals left, right and centre. Again (and sadly for me), this leaves Group A quite open. I do think that Brazil game was improved and Thiago Silva had moments of brilliance, in defense, emulating Cafu. There was some Oscar brilliance missing and Jo's misses up front were nightmarish. Overall though, I still think Brazil has what it takes, and hopefully they come into full flow versus Cameron - again a do or die game.

Lastly, there was the game with the big dilemma: Germany - Ghana. I have been a bit peeved off with Ghana for letting the US beat them (completely unnecessary). I also love the German team. The draw was perfect for me. It meant Germany is still very much in position to qualify. It also means that if Portugal beat USA (how I wish) some sort of order can be established in the group of death. That aside, the game was very exciting, both teams playing for the win and never settling for the draw. Ghana dominated much of the game but the introduction of Klose and Schwinesteiger, for me was ruddy brilliant! 

The next week of football promises to be even more exciting and decisive. I can't wait to see who will meet in the first games of the knock out stages. Viva football!