World Cup Update 9

Reports are here!

World Cup Update 9
Group Stage Matches
(Slovakia v Paraguay)
Sunday, June 20
Slovakia 0-2 Paraguay (Gp F) highlights: click here
Italy 1-1 New Zealand (Gp F) highlights: click here
Brazil 3-1 Ivory Coast (Gp G) highlights: click here
Monday, June 21 (Previews on those matches are on World Cup Update 8)
Portugal v Korea DPR (Gp G) (TV timings for June 21 are at Update 8)
Chile v Switzerland (Gp H)
Spain v Honduras (Gp H) (The reserve assistant referee will be Singaporean!)
Tuesday, June 22 (4 matches in 1 day now)
Mexico v Uruguay (Gp A) my prediction: 1-2

Live 10pm, Starhub-Ch262/264 mioTV-Ch89
France v South Africa (Gp A) my prediction: 1-1
Live 10pm, Starhub-Ch261/263 mioTV-Ch88

Nigeria v Korea Republic (Gp B) my prediction: 0-2

Live Wednesday, 2.30am Starhub-Ch262/264 mioTV-Ch89
Greece v Argentina (Gp B) my prediction: 1-3
Live Wednesday, 2.30am Starhub-Ch261/263 mioTV-Ch88

Wednesday, June 23
Slovenia v England (Gp C) my prediction: 1-1
United States v Algeria (Gp C) my prediction: 2-0
Ghana v Germany (Gp D) my prediction: 1-2
Australia v Serbia (Gp D) my prediction: Draw lah!

Match Reports

Slovakia 0 Paraguay 2 Report (Gp F)

I think Paraguay will get into the round of 16 after an explosive win over newcomers Slovakia at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. Midfielder Enrique Vera scored the opening goal in the 27th minute when he drove the ball into the net with the outside of his right foot. Another midfielder, Cristian Riveros, scored the second goal in the 86th minute using his left foot. Slovakia only had one shot on target! Now Paraguay needs only a draw against the All Whites to advance to the knock-out rounds. Good luck, Paraguay! by Wong Yang

Italy 1 New Zealand 1 Report (Gp F)

Italy's hopes of winning the World Cup again were put down the drain on Sunday night after they drew with the All Whites who are ranked 73 places below them in the FIFA world rankings. They needed a penalty to score the equaliser! Shane Smeltz scored the first goal after Simon Elliot took a free kick. The Italy team did not defend well for that set-piece and that will hurt them a lot in the other games. The Italians got an equaliser from Tommy Smith, after he pushed down Daniele de Rossi in the penalty area. Vincenzo Iiaquinta sent goalkeeper Mark Paston the wrong way. Many expected Italy to win the tie, but they did not. New Zealand's draw was celebrated like a victory and jubilant New Zealand fans took off their shirts and danced in the stands.

Brazil 3-1 Ivory Coast Report (Gp G)

(Man of the Match (Brazil v Ivory Coast): Luis Fabiano, foward)

Luis Fabiano scored twice on Monday morning to give Brazil a 2-0 lead over Ivory Coast. The Sevilla foward. In the 25th minute, Kaka and Robinho did well to get the ball to Fabiano who put it inside the near post. After halftime, he got Brazil their 2nd goal after he lifted the ball over Didier Zokora and made his way past two more defenders and fired a low shot that goalkeeper Boubacar Barry hit it on its way in. Kaka had a shot on target in the 61st minute which was beaten away by Barry. But, he created Brazil's 3rd goal for Elano. He ran down the left and brought a low cross pass Kolo Toure to Elano. Elano had to be substituted, however, after Ismael Tiote kicked him on the shin. Didier Drogba brought some joy (very x 1,000,000 little) to the Elephants. He nodded home a cross Barcelona player Yaya Toure. Kaka was sent off after he sort-of elbowed Kader Keita (second yellow card). The South Americans will play Portugal on Friday, June 25 at 10pm. The Ivorians will take on Korea DPR at the exact same time.