This Is Not the Way It Should Be

The spirits of the pro-U.S. crowd at Johannesburg's Ellis Park were running high before the match and the red, white, and blue were very evident throughout the stadium. The match with Slovenia was coming at a critical juncture in the tournament, especially with the opposition leading the group, following their first match win. Both the crowd, and our team, had a pregame unity of purpose.

The match began with the U.S. being a bit too tentative, and that uncertainty would cost them as Slovenia's Vater Birsa found a pocket of space between the midfield and defense in the 13th minute, unleashing a shot from nearly 30 yards out. The defense didn't step to contest the shot, and Tim Howard was caught too far off his line, beating him over the top to his left.

With that extra incentive, the U.S. pressed the attack and after a couple of other promising attacks, a Francisco Torres free kick had to be punched out by the Slovenian goalkeeper to prevent a potential equalizer.

Just before halftime, Slovenia was able to beat a U.S. offside trap, and Zlatan Ljubijankic broke in off the left flank, slotting the ball under the arm of Howard as he closed the angle on the dive. Down 2-0 at half  the challenge for American side was a steep climb. As is so often the case, the leader of that climb ended up being Landon Donovan. Only three minutes into the second half, defender Steve Cherundolo sent a pass down the right flank for Donovan, who skated to the endline, then sent a world-class finish into the roof of the net over the head of the Slovenian 'keeper.

The U.S. pressure continued on the attack and in the 72nd minute, Jozy Altidore was brought down from behind by the last defender, which resulted in only a yellow card for Slovenia's Marko Suler, not the customary red card for such a foul. Ten minutes later, Donovan served a high ball into the box, which Altidore went up and won for the knock-down header. The ball went right into the path of an on-rushing Michael Bradley, who leveled the score with a brilliant half-volley finish. The score had the stadium at a fever pitch, with momentum swung completely in the Americans' favor.

Three minutes later, the U.S. would ride that tide of emotion to the  apparent winning goal. Maurice Edu would get on the end of another perfect free-kick delivery by Donovan, sending it into the roof of the net. It would have been the first time in World Cup history a team had ever rallied from a 2-0 deficit for a win. It was not to be, however, as referee Koman Coulibaly would whistle a phantom foul on the play, negating the goal. Television replays did indeed show three, perhaps even four, fouls, all, though, committed by Slovenian defenders.

It was far from the only questionable decision by the Mali referee, so obviously out of his depth in this match. Forward Robbie Findley was issued a yellow card in the first half for a phantom 'hand ball' when a corner kick glanced off his upper chest. Being his second of the tournament, Findley now misses the next match. And a couple more images show there was, shall we say, disagreement over the officials' decisions.....

And Landon's eyes at the end of the match say so much.

The press reports from the world's journalists are this morning saying the U.S. - Slovenia match has been the best of the tournament to date, but oh, what should have been. They should be writing about the greatest comeback ever in a World Cup match. Instead, the U.S., for the third World Cup in a row, has been on the short end of the referee stick, and I, for one, am getting very tired of it.

All of that said and done, our team's fate is now squarely in their own hands. A win over Algeria at Pretoria's Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday, June 23rd, puts them through into the knockout stage of the tournament.

Algeria's scoreless draw with England last night gives them some hope as well. For England, it was their 10th scoreless draw in 57 World Cup matches, and puts them in a precarious position against Slovenia, where they must win to have a realistic chance of advancing. With only one goal scored in two matches, Wayne Rooney needs to show up in South Africa.

Copyright 2010. Contents of this blog, written and photographic, are protected from unauthorized use and reproduction by any means, with All Right Reserved by Perry McIntyre, Atlanta, GA

Let's Get Yesterday Out of the Way

In the first of the alternating four days between Jo'burg's Soccer City and Ellis Park, Thursday found me at the first, shooting Argentina-South Korea in a big match in Group B. With both teams having won their first match, the stakes were high, as a winner would likely win the group.

South Korea found themselves chasing the match early, as a 17th-minute shot by Argentina deflected in for an own goal. The lead would extended to 2-0 in the 33rd minute, as forward Gonzalo Hinguain would score the first of his eventual hat trick on the day.

In the waning minutes of the first half, in stoppage time, South Korean midfielder Chung Yong Lee poached a loose ball and broke through the Argentinian defense, eluding the oncharging goalkeeper, and getting his team back in the match, 2-1, at half.

As the second half got underway, the early pressure was all on Argentina, and it really looked like South Korea would rally to equalize. One shot at a virtually open net was pushed wide, and the pressure continued until the 76th minute, when Lionel Messi broke the the left flank and the ball found its way across the face of the goal by virtue of a goalkeeper save, and ball off the post, ultimately finding Higuain on the backside, who slotted the ball into the open net.

Since this was the only match I'll be able to see Argentina in the Group Stage, the real prioritry was to get good action images of both Messi, and Manchester City's Carlos Tevez. A couple more samples of those.....

Also snagged some other good action images and I particularly like the following, as well.

I also have to take just a minute to address another of Will's random questions, this one, as those questions often are, are about where we're eating. In the SMC at Soccer City is a McCafe, since McDonald's is a worldwide World Cup sponsor. Not exactly a regular McDonald's, though edible (and pricey).

But now, it is time to put yesterday away, because today the U.S. hits the pitch in their second match in Group C play. The Slovenia team the U.S. faces is very solid defensively, allowing only four goals in 10 qualifying matches. The U.S. must win this match to have a realistic opportunity to advance out of group, and into the knockout rounds. Summing it all up: U! S! A!

I'm sitting nearest midfield on the left side as the television views the field. One of the best seats in the house. Hope it's a great show!

P.S. Quick update from field at Ellis Park. This is the view from my seat for US-Slovenia.....

Copyright 2010. Contents of this blog, written and photographic, are protected from unauthorized use and reproduction by any means, with All Right Reserved by Perry McIntyre, Atlanta, GA

South Africa Maybe, But Not Bafana Bafana

One of the slogans around here in welcoming the 2010 FIFA  World Cup is "This is Africa's Time to Shine". As on one hand this may still be the case from the country's standpoint, the national team, Bafana Bafana, is seeing their time to shine slip away.

An opening match tie with Mexico, followed by a tie in the other group opener, had all of Group A with one point each after a match, which set up the second games of the group as critical encounters. It was a test South Africa would fail, Wednesday, at Pretoria's Loftus Stadium, against Uruguay.

Going into the match, spirits were high and because of Uruguay's lack of recent success, perhaps the locals were taking the match too lightly. In pre-game, though, the fans of both teams were united behind their respective sides, and showed their allegiances in a number of entertaining ways. Am still trying to piece together the story behind the Uruguay duck.....

Once the match began, Uruguay seemed content to allow South Africa possession, then look for spots to counter. That strategy paid off in the 24th minute, when midfielder Diego Forlan, of club side Athletico Madrid, struck a shot from nearly 30 yards out, catching South African goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune off his line, with the ball dropping in just off, and under, the crossbar.

The second half the plan seemed to run the South African attack through midfield, and the talented feet of Everton's Steven Pienaar. Uruguay again sagged in the middle third, but tightened across the back, not allowing any real opportunities in the final third.

South Africa's best scoring chance came on this play, when forward Katlego Mphela flashed in front of the goalkeeper to snap off a header, which somehow, missed the net, wide to the right.

The match turned, though in the 80th minute, when Uruguay forward Luis Suarez, of Holland's Ajax, broke in off the dribble from the left flank. Khune came out to break up the play, and Suarez took the fall, setting up both a penalty kick, and a red card, for the South African goalkeeper. A Dutch photographer next to me cursed Suarez on the play, saying he is one of the worst 'divers' in the Dutch league.

In any event, the penalty was awarded, and converted by Forlan, with substitute goalkeeper Moneeb Josephs' first duty to try and stop the spot kick. With a 2-0 lead in the 80th minute, Uruguay had the match, and the three points, salted away, converting for a third goal, over a disheartened South Africa team, five minutes into stoppage time for the final margin.

Today, am back in Johannesburg, at Soccer City for Argentina-South Korea. My next four matches I alternate between here and Ellis Park, the other Jo'burg venue. And tomorrow, the stakes go way up: USA vs. Slovenia in a 'must win' in that Group C match. Can't wait.....

Copyright 2010. Contents of this blog, written and photographic, are protected from unauthorized use and reproduction by any means, with All Right Reserved by Perry McIntyre, Atlanta, GA

It's Brrrrrrrazil, Y'all...

OK, what's that headline mean? Well, the chill factor hovered around freezing all day, and with an 8:30 kickoff, the ambient temperature was right at freezing by game's end. For the record, it was the coldest World Cup match since the 1978 tournament, held in Argentina, also during the Southern hemisphere's winter.

Regardless, it was Brazil's first match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and every Brazil match is an event unto itself. One has to begin with the fans, who are just that, fanatical. Some of the costumes, and ways they support their team, are worth the price of admission.

And yes, the Brazilian fans have also discovered the now infamous vuvuzela, as well.....

But for all the noise, color, enthusiasm, and overall magnitude that is a Brazilian national team match, there was also the actual match to be played, against Group G opponent North Korea. Unfortunately, Brazil came out in the first half with it firmly planted in their collective minds to toy with their Asian counterparts, and the attacking flair was missing through most of the first half. In the second half, though, the true purpose, and the three points that would put them on top of the group, became a priority.

North Korea's efforts to close down space in the middle of the field cost them 10 minutes into the second half when right back Maicon, of club side Inter Milan, broke to the end line and shot from an impossible angle, beating the North Korean goalkeeper to the near post.

Playing with the lead, as they are accustomed to playing, unleashed more fluidity in the Brazilian attack, and midfielder Elano was able to slip through 20 minutes later to give Brazil the 2-0 lead that virtually insured them of the three points.

A North Korean goal in the 89th minute never really threatened the eventual outcome, and now Brazil moves on to the "Group of Death" showdown with Portugal, who tied Ivory Coast, 0-0, setting up almost certain advancement should the five-time world champions prevail.

Copyright 2010. Contents of this blog, written and photographic, are protected from unauthorized use and reproduction by any means, with All Right Reserved by Perry McIntyre, Atlanta, GA

The Week of Jo'Burg Begins

Monday's match in the crown jewel of South Africa's soccer venues, Soccer City in Johannesburg, was the Scandinavian showdown between the Netherlands and Denmark, the opening match for Group E.  For me, it was the first match of the tournament in Johannesburg, but only the first of four I'll travel to in that city this week, alternating between the Soccer City and Ellis Park venues.

Attending a Holland match is always a festive occasion. The fans are very much in the spirit(s) of the day, and the color for the day is always orange, a tribute to their royal family, which has over the years, taken on much more of a life of its own. With all of the seats at Soccer City already being the same color, it had to feel like a home match for every Dutch fan entering the park.

The first half of the match was played very cautiously, as are most first matches in the World Cup. The first and foremost objective for every team is not to take a loss in their first match. A draw if OK, because a point is a point when it comes to advancing to the next round, but to give a group opponent a three-point lead in the first match really puts a team in dire straits. Consequently, the first halves are usually played very conservatively.

At this juncture, I'll drop in a few photos for both my friends who are Holland fans, as well as those (you know who you are) Arsenal fans, since both teams had a prominent member of that Premier League contender.

The match was 0-0 at halftime, but it took only a moment for Holland to gain the advantage, when Danish defender Daniel Agger's attempted clear ended up in their net one minute into the second half. From that point, Holland increased their pressure, and the midway substitution Elijero Elia, swung the play almost totally towards the Dutch end. A fantastic clear off the line by a Danish defender saved one goal, and goalkeeper Thomas Sorenson did an excellent job to deny Holland's Robin Van Persie another.

The Dutch pressure ultimately paid dividends in the 85th minute when Elia broke his left flank and unleashed a strong shot that caromed of the far post, and into the path of an oncharging Dirk Kuyt, who stuffed the rebound in for the final 2-0 margin.

For the day, midfielder Wesley Sneijder, who also stars for his Inter Milan club, was voted Man of the Match, but in truth, the Holland win was an effort of a stronger team being rewarded for more consistent and determined purpose toward gaining a positive result and a good start to their Group Play.

Today, rather tonight, we finally get to see Brazil, in their group opener against World Cup (and worldwide) outsiders, North Korea, this one played at the other Johannesburg venue, Ellis Park.

Copyright 2010. Contents of this blog, written and photographic, are protected from unauthorized use and reproduction by any means, with All Right Reserved by Perry McIntyre, Atlanta, GA

Yes. The Vuvuzelas Really ARE That Loud!

Yesterday's match was Ghana-Serbia in Pretoria at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, which primarily is a rugby facility, home to the Blue Bulls, and other world events, such as the rugby World Cup in 1995. The crowd was quite loud, especially with the South African fans chipping in to cheer pro-Africa for Ghana. The result was a deafaning background noise from an hour and a half before kickoff throughout the match.

My traveling companion here, Andy Mead of Yellow Card Journalism, was kind enough to snap this action photo, displaying my anti-vuvuzela device.

You'll also notice the lens, which is a loaner from Nikon Professional Services. During warm-ups for the U.S. - England match, my primary long lens started behaving strangely, and its utility, I'm afraid, is lost for the remainder of the tournament. NPS will help out and I'll be using a loaner long lens for the rest of my stay at World Cup.

As you can see, the loaner worked out OK.

At halftime, I changed positions to go with the Serbian attack, which I really thought would pull out the match. A late penalty call by the Argentinian referee, however, swung the match in Ghana's favor. What is it about the World Cup and Ghana getting penalties (see U.S.-Ghana, 2006)?

I especially put this photo in for my former, and current, goalkeepers. You know how I always say to react, not guess on penalties? Here is evidence. Serbia's Vladamir Stojkovic, who plays at Wigan in the English Premier League, didn't take that advice. He gambled. He (and they) lost.

In the end, the Ghana win was a festive winning atmosphere for the African 'home' side.

Today, a Scandinavian showdown in Jo'burg: Holland v. Denmark. Should be fun and quite colorful.

Copyright 2010. Contents of this blog, written and photographic, are protected from unauthorized use and reproduction by any means, with All Right Reserved by Perry McIntyre, Atlanta, GA