My 2010 World Cup Diary: The forgettable 3rd/4th Placing Match

As all the attention is focused on tomorrow World Cup final, nobody is talking about the 3rd & 4th placing game between Germany and Uruguay. For the past few days, I spotted quite a few football fans wearing red Spanish jerseys in my workplace canteen, Old Airport Road food centre, Sembawang neighbourhood areas and Sun Plaza. Surprisingly, I didn't notice anyone wearing Dutch jersey for the past 3 days. Has the fickle-minded fans switch their allegiance to Spain after the German Octopus predicted Spain to lift the World Cup ? Octopus Paul is certainly feeling the makan threats of the German community and has wisely predicted Germany to beat Uruguay today to clinch the 3rd spot of the 2010 World Cup. I beg to differ with the 100% record Octopus because the twin terrors of Suarez and Forlan & the Uruguayans to salvage South American pride may enable it to overpower the mighty Germans, who has a stronger team on paper. Granted, youngster Thomas Muller, who has been badly missed in the semi-final defeat against the Spaniards will make his return and would definitely want to finish the tournament on a high note. Well, looks like both side have quite a bit at stakes and we may be in for a thrilling 3rd/4th place which may be more exciting than tomorrow final between the two boring boring finalists.

The 3rd/4th placing games of the past World Cups has always generated goals. Here's a recap of those matches.

Italia 90 World Cup 3rd & 4th Placing Game: Italy 2 England 1

USA 94 World Cup 3rd & 4th Placing Match: Bulgaria 0 Sweden 4

France 98 World Cup 3rd & 4th Placing: Croatia 2 Holland 1

Korea/Japan 2002 World Cup 3rd & 4th Placing Match:

South Korea 2 Turkey 3

Germany 2006 World Cup 3rd & 4th Placing: Germany 3 Portugal 1

So what will happen tonight between Germany and Uruguay in South Africa 2010 World Cup 3rd & 4th placing game? My gut feeling is with the underdog Uruguay to clinch 3rd place. Has decided to catch the game on RTM1 @ 2.30am. Come on Uruguay!

My 2010 World Cup Diary - Day 22 Q/F : Uruguay vs Ghana

2nd Quarter-final Game : Uruguay vs Ghana

After witnessing a great first q-final game between Brazil & Holland, fatigue kick in and I was only able to keep myself awake until the singing of the national anthem between Uruguay and Ghana. I dozed off and didn't wake up till the morning. Read that it was a very exciting game that goes into penalty shootout. Prior to the end of extra-time, Ghana was awarded a penalty when Uruguay star striker Luis Suarez block off two match-winning shots from the goal-line, one of which using his hands. Very quick reflex save but that got him the red-card and a penalty was awarded. The normally reliable Asamoah Gyan who has already scored two penalties in the group matches misses the most important spotkick of his life. Hence, the game went into the dreadful penalty shootout which Uruguay won 4-2. One still need to give credit to Gyan as he was brave enough to step up as Ghana 1st penalty taker despite missing one just minutes before. He scored but two of his team mates failed and African hopes of a 1st time African World Cup semi-finalist evaporated.



For Luis Suarez, he was the hero despite being sent off. Without his save on the goal-line, Uruguay would have been on the plane home. Some may complain that it is very unsporting to resort to handball to deny Ghana of an historic win but given of what is at stake and at such late stage of the game, its a do or die reaction. Nevertheless, it was a great quarter-final tie with late drama. Its really a pity that Ghana and the African continent had to lose in such heart-breaking circumstances.

For me, I'm glad Uruguay is through to the semi-final because they're more sophisticated side for the Dutch to handle. I think the Dutch prefer to face Ghana instead of Uruguay. Many have already assumed the Dutch would be in this year final but I hope Uruguay cause an upset. They'll prove to be worthy opponent for the boring Dutch.