I'm not going to South Africa. So instead I'm gonna try and watch a bit if not all of every game at work, or at home or in a bar or wherever. On the telly. With a beer. And I'm gonna predict who I think is gonna win. And talk about football stuff. So there.

Saturday, 26 June 2010

15th: USA

Landon Donovan's last gasp winner against Algeria was their high. It won them Group C and ensured England would have to battle through the toughest half of the knockout stages.

The stage however was set for the US to progress. Ghana stood in their way - the team that knocked them out of the 2006 tournament. And so it was again. I don't think the US performed their best in their last 16 tie. They looked tired, like the Algeria game had been their final. The Ghanians were younger, hungrier. The US, despite being cheered on by Bill Clinton, were unable to lift themselves after trailing yet again.

In fact, an impressive stat wheeled out by the ITV pundits revealed they only led a World Cup game for the 3 mins of added time against Algeria. That's 3 mins in front out of 360 minutes played. They probably call that catch-up football Stateside. Whatever they call it, it's not the way to win a World Cup. Maybe next time, as long as Ghana don't get in the way.