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July 02, 2006

FIFA World Cup 2006 : Most unexpected expected results 
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Look at these results ...

England lost to Portugal by penalties of 3 to 2. Brazil lost to France in a 90 min game by one goal.

What happened? WHAT HAPPENED?

Truth be told I have already confessed that I don't mind Portugal winning because England was playing very badly up to that point. But in this quaterfinal game, they gave it their all. But their demise started with Beckham limping off the field (who spent the next few minutes crying by the side because this will be his last world cup unless he emulates Zidane) replaced by a young one who quite frankly had pace but none of the goal scoring abilities. Then Rooney got sent off (straight red card) for of all things I think pushing Cristiano Ronaldo, his team mate at MU by the way. I don't think it was for the accidental step on a Portugal player's groin area. It was after, where Ronaldo ran to the down player nad was urging the referee (from Argentina) for a card I guess and Rooney lost his cool and pushed Ronaldo who went on talking, didn't quite care for the pushing and the referee promptly told Rooney to step aside and Rooney must have thought yellow card but out came the shocker; the red card. I have a feeling he must have sweared at the referee which explains the red card because the push itself was harmless and severe for a red card. Now Ronaldo must be the most hated man in England. Wasn't his fault anyway. Rooney shouldn't have pushed him. I think this was the same referee who sent Beckham off some years ago for lightly kicking an opponent which was an offence because it was like revenge kinda act, lightly or with force. The referee also made a mistake by being too severe. Even if Rooney stayed on, frankly he wouldn't have done anything. He was quite mediocre. Anyway the referee was ok but at times a bit blind. I think one incident the Portugese player was faking it by rolling on the ground. He should have been booked.

Even Portugal was mediocre except for some great passes from Figo. By the second half, the game was like amateurs vs amateurs because Figo was out too. It was like reserve players playing a very non happening game although it was enjoyable. I was numbed because 10 men also Portugal can't score. Not for the lack of trying but England's defence was solid, and so was Portugal. Just no finishing touch.

Come penalty time. I can't believe why Lampard was chosen to deliver the penalty. I mean he had 20 chances throughout the tournament to score and he MISSED each 20 chances big time. So predictably he missed again. Of course Portugal's 2 players missed, which meant England had a chance until again Gerrard. Why him? You should have seen his face when Lampard missed. He looked exceedingly worried and with so low confidence, Portugal's excellent goalkeeper Ricardo easily saved that one. Of course Ronaldo kept it in, which confirms his status as England's most hated man.

My sister had a theory about the whole Rooney incident. The commentator was saying that was it was a harmless push, moreover they're team mates so that pushing might have been just in jest, like buddy type. I disagree. My sister was right; Ruud Van Nistelrooy famously bullied Ronaldo at MU, or so the rumours go. Usually team mates do not push each other. This time Rooney did it, maybe he didn't quite care for Ronaldo. The confirmation came when vefore Rooney was booked, I saw Rio Ferdinand pushing Ronaldo away too. I am sure Rio is with MU. Which means Ronaldo isn't very much respected in MU anyway. He's bullied which explains Rooney careless disregard for his opponent aka his team mate. Who to blame? Rooney for losing his cool. He was tackled by 2 Portugese and should have been given a free kick. He should ahve shut up. He didn't, he pushed, he must have retaliated with words and so there goes the red card. Referee also too severe.

But in the end even with Rooney I doubt he would have made an impact. It ended painfully with penalties which was very heart attack moment for me. Where it matters most, England lost. Maybe Beckham should have stayed on, limped by the goal post and just do the job when need during free kicks and then go back to resting by the goal post. When he went out, and then Rooney, then Figo was replaced (he looked exhausted), the entire game because a bit like 2nd rate players vs 2nd rate players.

The man of the match was Ricardo the goalkeeper for Portugal. He was excellent. In the end Portugal made a historic win and frankly I am happy for them. Like I said before whether England or Portugal goes through it doesn't matter to me. I like Luis Figo who today shone some bright masterful moments.

Funny. I was thinking perhaps it would be great if Portugal meets Brazil who I was convinced was going to win. Think about it. Brazil's coach won I think the World Cup before. Portugal's current coach, Scolari a Brazilian also won a world cup before leading Brazil. How classic would that have been if these 2 coaches square off in the semi finals? I just have this feeling the English public had more respect for the Brazilian than their own Swedish coach.

So adios England. I am numbed. Saddened, numbed but expected this. Rio Ferdinand was crying buckets. Luis Figo was happily singing away. Cristiano Ronaldo? Probably planning an exit from MU to Real Madrid. But he is a very good player and very fit.

Next game we will have Deco back on the field. I think he is a good player.

Shocker was Brazil versus France. But then it was expected. Lavish with too many compliments and too may good players that the coach did not know what to do with them and changing of policies from playing total attacking flamboyant football to the boring defensive plus attacking football with no style whatsoever, surely Brazil could lose.

And they did. One consolation; Ronaldo now the highest goal scorer in World Cup history.

Now France. Bombarded with so many criticisms with insults like old men of the team and such, suddenly Zidane and gang woke up and played a good game against Spain and then played a masterful game at Brazil. Brazil looked tired, haggard, not in the game although they had skills. France on the other hand played with such spirit, energy and with such skills, they deserved to win although except for Zidane I don't like France. Zidane was inspirational. He had such skills, such flamboyance in the way he passed the ball, perhaps suddenly the Brazilian spirit must have entered him and left the Brazilians. I have never seen such brilliance in passing of balls except for tonight, where he used his head, chest, knee and foot to pass the ball all in one continous motion. The other great one I saw was Figo with his very accurate delivery of the ball to his team mate. However the Argentinians still have the honour of scoring the most beautiful goal in World Cup this time.

But sadly; talented Argentina is out. Giant Brazil is out. Dependable England is out. Left behind is the rejuvenated France, the very happy and eager Portugal whom I wish will go further in this tournament because I really like Deco and Figo, the boring but well only results matter Italy and of course the younger Germans. Could it be the Germans who lift the trophy this year? Probably. Or it could be the French if they continues to play with such zest and Zidane would have the perfect swansong. Or maybe play it safe Italy? Or probably Portugal?

Whoeever it may be, England will have a lot to say about tonight's game. I personally think Lampard and Gerrard as well as Rooney who has some flashes of brilliance as mediocre at best because where it matter they failed. Red card or no red card. Brazil? I wonder what happened...