OK so I did not so badly in the Dutch game but I missed by a mile with Brasil v Chile. I think it’s time I start predicting with my gut and not with what my heart wants. Let’s see how I do for today’s games with this new approach.
Paraguay v Japan
The first South American team fell yesterday, but that was inevitable as both teams came from said continent. Paraguay did well to finish second to Brazil in qualifying, while the Japanese are in uncharted territory, never having gotten this far outside of their home country. Paraguay brings some flair to the game, while Japan is industrious in it’s commitment to form. Japan’s had easily the two best set pieces of the tournament, and I can see this being the difference in the game. I like Paraguay’s approach but something tells me it’s an upset in the making.
FINAL – Japan 2 Paraguay 1 (likely in extra time)
FLEAROY – Paraguay 0 Japan 1 – Bushido code will rule this match and the Samurai Executioners will decapitate there opponents with one swift swing of the boot.
MR. ERICA – Par 2 – JPN 0 – Paraguay (my wifes pick for the winner of the cup) rolls over Japan who just don’t have the depth left
Portugal v Spain
Portugal found the fountain of goals against N. Korea, while the Spaniards have only begun to look like the 2nd ranked team in the world. This one should fall in favor of Spain – they virtually own the Portuguese head to head, and it’s been quite awhile since Portugal got the better of Spain. I think this one is pretty simple – David Villa or Cristiano Ronaldo? I know who I would take, 8 days a week.
FINAL – Spain 2 Portugal 0
FLEAROY – Portugal 1 Spain 2 – The once mighty Portuguese will be reduced to a small African nation (Ghana) by the Conquistador’s who will once again rename the masses.
MR. ERICA – SPA 3 – POR 1 – Ronaldo is sent off after a yellow for diving, and then a bad two foot studs up tackle on Xavi
As we returned from the STRAWMAN laboratories (appropriately enough, near the make shift jail in downtown Toronto) driving along the Gardiner, two military helicopters appear just to our right seeming to come up from between the Rogers Centre (skydome) and the CN Tower, I thought to myself, ‘what a surreal image’. As we continued westbound on the Gardiner, there was no eastbound traffic. We soon realized that the motorcades of the “elite” were on their way down from Pearson Airport and their brief “Muskoka/Cottage” experience. It then hit me how truly powerless we are or how much we don’t matter in the “grand scheme” of things.
We can be herded at will, told where to go and not to go, told what to do and how to do it. This is just my opinion and I admit that I have no solution to offer, but if more people become aware of what is going on daily around the world and not just when it inconveniences them in their own city, then perhaps a shift of consciousness could bring about some type of change where democracy truly is the will of the people and where the government fears its population and not vice versa.
And one last comment: Take a second to really think about who is to blame for the tarnished image of our city…the police should not be anywhere near the top of your list.
In the wake of two badly blown calls yesterday the cries for video replay are sure to be loud and clear in the coming days and weeks. Officiating crews will need to be on their toes for the rest of the tournament if they hope to divert attention away from the lack of good refereeing and back to the beautiful game. Two more games today, winner goes on, loser goes home:
Netherlands V Slovakia
Slovakia are a surprise member of the final 16, but they earned their place in the group stage culminated in their historical victory over the reigning champs Italy. They come up against a tough test today when they face the Netherlands, who sailed through the group matches and are one of the favorites to hoist the golden globe July 11. Slovakia comes into the game with 3 starters benched due to suspension, a situation that will only make the task of besting a powerful Dutch squad that much harder. Slovakia will need another stellar performance from forward Robert Vittek (one of my favorite players of this tournament) if they hope to stay in this game. In all honesty the Dutch simply need to do what they have been doing up to now in order to win. With the return to form of Arjen Robben, I see the Dutch outlasting a Slovakian team that have shown a penchant for tiring as the game wears on.
FINAL – Netherlands 3 Slovakia 1 (GO SLOVAKIA!)
FLEAROY – Dutch 2 Slovakia 0
MR. ERICA – Net 3 – SVK – 0 – the Oranje are still just warming up
Brazil v Chile
This is a tasty matchup between two South American sides that both have the ability to play scintillating offensive-minded football. Brazil has shown brief samples of the kind of elegant football they are capable of, but I wouldn’t say they have yet found their form. Chile suffered a loss to Spain in the final match of the group stage but they were in the game save for a couple of mistakes, and they did so playing with ten men for a good portion of the game. No question that Brazil is the favorite here – they bested Chile in qualifying twice by an aggregate of 7-2 in goals, and they are certainly more familiar with competition on the grand stage. That said, Chile is a proud nation and have a long memory, which is filled with recall of numerous losses to Brazil. I’m a sucker for an underdog, and would love to see Chile upset the Brazilians as they can do, but I see the gold and blue moving on in a close match.
FINAL – Brazil 2 Chile 1 (in extra time)
FLEAROY – Brazil 3 Chile 0
MR. ERICA – BRA 4 – CHI 0 – Brazil’s neighbours can’t hold off the onslaught.
