S.C.O.F.F. Analysis: Round of 16

Pre Quarter 1 Germany 2 Sweden 0

Blitzkreig. Quite frankly Sweden didn’t know what hit them. The Germans came out n went straight for Swedish throats. Miroslav Klosedidn’t score but linked brilliantly with “Prinz” Podolski to create two goals for “De Mannschaft”. There’s been a suspicion that Sweden had a soft defense and the German’s just proved it. Once Lucic got himself an idiotic red he practically buries the Swedes. Herm, Dal n Aj had a lot riding on Lehmann conceding to save our money but even Larsson seemed defeated by the time he got a chance at a penalty. Ibrahimovic frankly was just disappointing. German’s had shooting practice for over an hour before the ref finally decided to stop the farce. Special mention about Isakson; the Swedish goalie. He was the difference between 2-0 and a double figure score line.

S.C.O.F.F. man of the match: Podolski . The German wonder kid is back.

S.C.O.F.F. moron of the match: All the Swedes excepting Isakkson n Tobias Linderoth who didnt seem to give in till the end. But for his
stupidity: Teddy Lucic.

Pre Quarter 2: Argentina 2 Mexico 1

One of the games of the tournament. Mexico showed that football’s played on the pitch and not on paper. Argentina were a goal down and really should have been a man down but Heinze got away with a penalty. The Light Blues got back though and the game ebbed and flowed into extra time where Maxi Rodriguez showed the difference between a good team and a great team. Watch this guy folks. Here’s a star for the future. The win sets up what should be the match of the tournament with Argentina taking on the in-form hosts.

S.C.O.F.F. man of the match: Rodriguez . Cometh the hour, cometh the man. What a goal. Argentina seems to be finding heroes from all over the field.

S.C.O.F.F. moron of the match: No one deserved this. But I’d pick Heinze for being the obvious weak link in the argentine defense.

Pre Quarter 3: England 1 Ecuador 0

Yawn. Ya England turned up. Packed their midfield and left Rooney alone up front. But guys you were playing Ecuador!!! Beckham played on the right and scored a goal .Yawn. England put Gerrard up in an attacking position. Yawn . Of course it was very tough on the players because zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Let’s just skip to the next match.

S.C.O.F.F man of the match: Me. I sat through the entire thing. Dominic’s love of the team also has to be mentioned. He actually said England was peaking after watching this.

S.C.O.F.F. moron of the match: Sven Goran Eriksson. This guy might be the idiot of the WC guys. What the hell is going on in his head? Real Madrid wants him as their next coach. Huh ????

Pre Quarter 4: Portugal 1 Netherlands 0

Someone once said that football has replaced war in our world. Well that sure is true. Fists flying, head butting, feet kicking, this had everything. A WC record number of cards. There was a goal among the chaos though.

But while watching a couple of questions:

1. Everyone’s saying the referee should have been more lenient and used more common sense. But aren’t the referees acting on FIFA’s strict orders to clamp down on any potentially dangerous play?

2. What in the world was Deco thinking when he threw away that ball hoping to waste time, hence getting himself a card?

3. What’s happening with Rudd van Nistelrooy? He was one of the world’s best strikers till two months ago. Suddenly, no one wants him in his team.

S.C.O.F.F man of the match: I really donno guys . But since Maniche scored the goal, let’s give it to him.

S.C.O.F.F. moron of the match: Sep Blatter. After proudly announcing his new stricter rules he’s now saying the referees are incompetent. Bravo Blatter, Bravo FIFA.

Pre Quarter 5: Italy 1 Australia 0

Trust the Italians to rake up controversy. Hiddink decided to pack his mid-field and rush and harry the Italians, never enjoy having less space. It resulted in more possession but Italy did have the better chances. Toni really should have finished those off for a striker of his caliber. Gillardinho on the other hand seems to have forgotten that a striker needs to continuously make runs to create opportunities. Del Piero provided Italian fans with another stale display. The game took a decisive turn when Marco “the matrix” Materazzi was unfairly sent off. But Hiddink inexplicably seemed to be waiting for extra time. With just5 seconds on the clock Fabio Grosso made a run which Italian fans have been hoping for from him during this WC. He did seem to deliberately fall over Lucas Neill. Although he clearly played for a penalty I personally think it was since he obviously outwitted the otherwise brilliant Neill. You don’t slide in the penalty box mate. Heartbreak for the socceroos though.

S.C.O.F.F man of the match: My man Gattusso. If passion could win you a WC Gattusso’d be walking home champion already. If you need someone to play in a tough situation when you’re life depends on it, here’s the man. Buffon also deserves a mention

S.C.O.F.F. moron of the match: Tim Cahill. He’s said that the referees in the cup have all been biased against Australia. Does anyone who’s seen Australia’s previous 3 games know what he’s talking about. This from the guy who was advocating Marco the matrix to be sent off for that tackle. The Aussies are not sore losers mate. Stop spoiling it for the rest of your teammates.

Pre Quarter 6: Switzerland 0 Ukraine0 (Ukraine win 3-0 on penalties)

All of us expected it to be a lackluster match and frankly it was. Though both teams tried playing open football tiredness certainly affected both. Guess they just cancelled out each other. Schevchenko continues his pathetic penalty form( hope it extends to the rest of his game since he’s now joining Chelsea) The Swiss though were even worse and would not have scored if the Ukranian goalie was replaced by a 3^rd post in the middle of goal. But kudos to this young team who seemingly will be a threat at the Euros next time.

S.C.O.F.F man of the match: Oleksander Schovchovsky. Kept his nerve between the sticks. Didn’t have to do much else.

S.C.O.F.F. moron of the match: The organizers. Why don’t they allow streakers onto the pitch during such games?

Pre-Quarter 7: Brazil 3 Ghana 0

The best part of this match was that Herman lost money again. Ghana as everyone knew was here to win hearts rather than football games. The Africans matched Brazil in style and skill throughout the game but again, poor finishing let them down. This team with a world class striker could have taken anybody to the cleaners. Ghana predictably kept attacking Brazil who again look very suspect in their defense. Ronaldo by the way managed a goal making him the world cups highest aggregate goal getter. If only someone could instill more discipline in these talented Africans who seemed intent on committing suicide.

S.C.O.F.F Man of the Match: Ronaldo – He was patchy and seems well past his best ,but is now the highest aggregate scorer at the WC. Still good enough to kick your everyday defenders butt though.

S.C.O.F.F moron: The linesman who gave the second goal inspite of the offside and left the brave Ghanaians in a hopeless situation.

Pre-Quarter 8: Spain 1 France 3

We all thought France were an aging team. With midfield superstars of yesterday, a phenomenal striker who just couldn’t get it right on the big stage and a coach who looked more like a composer for an orchestra. It’s probably true. When Spain, one of the form teams of the tourney thus far took the lead we thought France was dead. But these guys showed us they have one last fight left in them with a tremendous display. Sparked off by a brilliant goal by “Scarface” Ribery the team overturned the form book to clinch a lace against Brazil in the quarters. Going by what happened Brazil better be worried. Ajay finally managed to beat Shazeb at the betting game too which spells new hope for the rest of us (Not Herman. That dude’s going down). Viva Franca.

S.C.O.F.F Man of the Match: Zinedine Zidane. There’s still fight left in the greatest midfielder of our times and he reminded us exactly that.

S.C.O.F.F moron: Aj, Dal n Shaxeb for laughing at Herman when he chose Zidane as one of his players in the betting team.