World Cup 2010: Surprise Packages
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With the World Cup almost at its conclusion, it is a good time to think back on some of the lessons we have learned this summer. The first of which are the impressive performances put in by some of the pre-tournament “whipping boy” candidates.
1) South Africa: The hosts were widely tipped to sink without a trace in Group A – a group which included Uruguay, Mexico and France.
However despite a harrowing opening forty-five minutes against Mexico, way back on June 11, they rallied in the second half and almost won their opening group game thanks to Siphiwe Tshabalala’s thunderous left-footed strike.
Brushed aside by Uruguay, it was out of their hands when facing France in the final fixture however, despite the slim hopes of progression, South Africa produced a fine winning display to defeat the 2006 runners-up and leave the entire Free State stadium in Bloemfontein rocking – and most of the country too.
“They made this country proud,” announced manager Carlos Alberta Parreira after the win against France which ensured they finished third in the group. Despite being the first host nation which failed to qualify for the second round, avoiding three defeats was what most neutrals had hoped for. In fact - only going out on goal-difference - their four point haul was equal to that of half of the second place qualifiers in Round One.
2) Korea DPR: Absolutely noone gave the Northern Koreans any hope of avoiding three crushing defeats in the toughest group drawn – featuring Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast, ranked 1,3 and 27 in the world respectively.
Indeed, pre-tournament you could get 66/1 in some bookies for Korea to follow Brazil out of the group. Considering the acceptance that Brazil would cruise, that was a huge bet in a three horse race.
However on the June 15, millions of people witnessed one of the best defensive displays at a World Cup as Korea repelled wave after wave of Brazillian attack in Johannesburg – looking very comfortable in doing so. It took a wonder-strike from Maicon to break the deadlock and, following Elano’s effort, Korea even produced a nervy finish when Ji Yun-Nam finished off a fine move in the closing stages.
Remembering back to those odds touted pre-tournament, they were reduced to 18/1 following the defeat to Brazil – people were impressed.
They were pretty strong against Portugal in the first half but were eventually found out and subsequently thrashed – following it up with another comfortable loss to Ivory Coast – but the Koreans had won a lot of fans following the heartening display against the most decorated national football side in the world.
3) New Zealand: New Zealand were accepted along the same lines as North Korea pre-tournament, and expected to be embarrassed in Group F by Italy, Paraguay and even Slovakia.
But that was not the case as the All Whites went unbeaten - a feat only matched by Netherlands* - and in doing so finished above the 2006 Champions.
Slovakia had looked good against New Zealand in their opening game in Rustenburg on June 15, however, with just a single goal lead, they suffered a shock when Winston Reid headed in a dramatic injury-time equaliser – winning New Zealand’s first ever World Cup point.
The All Whites followed it up with an even more impressive one all draw with Italy. Shane Smeltz had given the underdogs an early lead and despite the Italians equalising, Chris Wood almost won it at the death. As far as World Cup shocks go, this was one of the biggest.
And New Zealand, still in with a good chance to reach the second round going into their final group game, held Paraguay to a goalless draw and again enjoyed their chances to win the game.
All three of the teams we were impressed with failed to make it out of their groups. But given the worry before even a ball was kicked that these sides would be an embarrassment, their performances were ultimately what mattered.
* This is dependant on the result of the final. Should Spain win it, then New Zealand will be the only side unbeaten at the 2010 World Cup.
1) South Africa: The hosts were widely tipped to sink without a trace in Group A – a group which included Uruguay, Mexico and France.
However despite a harrowing opening forty-five minutes against Mexico, way back on June 11, they rallied in the second half and almost won their opening group game thanks to Siphiwe Tshabalala’s thunderous left-footed strike.
Brushed aside by Uruguay, it was out of their hands when facing France in the final fixture however, despite the slim hopes of progression, South Africa produced a fine winning display to defeat the 2006 runners-up and leave the entire Free State stadium in Bloemfontein rocking – and most of the country too.
“They made this country proud,” announced manager Carlos Alberta Parreira after the win against France which ensured they finished third in the group. Despite being the first host nation which failed to qualify for the second round, avoiding three defeats was what most neutrals had hoped for. In fact - only going out on goal-difference - their four point haul was equal to that of half of the second place qualifiers in Round One.
2) Korea DPR: Absolutely noone gave the Northern Koreans any hope of avoiding three crushing defeats in the toughest group drawn – featuring Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast, ranked 1,3 and 27 in the world respectively.
Indeed, pre-tournament you could get 66/1 in some bookies for Korea to follow Brazil out of the group. Considering the acceptance that Brazil would cruise, that was a huge bet in a three horse race.
However on the June 15, millions of people witnessed one of the best defensive displays at a World Cup as Korea repelled wave after wave of Brazillian attack in Johannesburg – looking very comfortable in doing so. It took a wonder-strike from Maicon to break the deadlock and, following Elano’s effort, Korea even produced a nervy finish when Ji Yun-Nam finished off a fine move in the closing stages.
Remembering back to those odds touted pre-tournament, they were reduced to 18/1 following the defeat to Brazil – people were impressed.
They were pretty strong against Portugal in the first half but were eventually found out and subsequently thrashed – following it up with another comfortable loss to Ivory Coast – but the Koreans had won a lot of fans following the heartening display against the most decorated national football side in the world.
3) New Zealand: New Zealand were accepted along the same lines as North Korea pre-tournament, and expected to be embarrassed in Group F by Italy, Paraguay and even Slovakia.
But that was not the case as the All Whites went unbeaten - a feat only matched by Netherlands* - and in doing so finished above the 2006 Champions.
Slovakia had looked good against New Zealand in their opening game in Rustenburg on June 15, however, with just a single goal lead, they suffered a shock when Winston Reid headed in a dramatic injury-time equaliser – winning New Zealand’s first ever World Cup point.
The All Whites followed it up with an even more impressive one all draw with Italy. Shane Smeltz had given the underdogs an early lead and despite the Italians equalising, Chris Wood almost won it at the death. As far as World Cup shocks go, this was one of the biggest.
And New Zealand, still in with a good chance to reach the second round going into their final group game, held Paraguay to a goalless draw and again enjoyed their chances to win the game.
All three of the teams we were impressed with failed to make it out of their groups. But given the worry before even a ball was kicked that these sides would be an embarrassment, their performances were ultimately what mattered.
* This is dependant on the result of the final. Should Spain win it, then New Zealand will be the only side unbeaten at the 2010 World Cup.
About Gordon Hunt
Gordon Hunt is one of extratime's Dublin based reporters. Having worked with the site since it's inception, Gordon's name is carved into the foundations of extratime's tower block. View Full Profile