Sometimes It's Just A Cruel Game

I've actually started to write this while they're still in OT of the Ukraine/Switzerland game. Why? Because I was literally falling asleep in my chair, and also enjoyed watching the rain come down outside moreso than this travishamockery of a game. After each team hit the post early on, they both seemed to say 'Well, there's our chance. Might as well play for penalties." Both teams sat back and looked to counter, which is only effective if 1 of the teams is actually trying to score...

As much as it pains to admit it, Giorgio Chinaglia is right; Italy will beat either one of these teams and cruise through to the semifinals. By the way, I've said it before, but it's REAL obvious Giorgio and Eric Wynalda don't like each other. Since I don't care for either of them, a nice studio brawl would be cool to see.

As for Italy, well, like England, they dodged a bullet. Not sure why Gus Hiddink got so conservative when the Socceroos went up a man. Even after the Italians went down to 10, they never really looked like they were in trouble. a big part of that was due to the fact that Australia never applied pressure. They kept 3 and 4 players back on defense, even when it was obvious Marcelo Lippi was only going to attack w/ Totti and look to muster the occasional counter.

Okay, first OT over and still no score (surprise!)... Can we change the rules and go ahead and send Australia through anyway? Neither of these clowns deserves to be in the final 8. I think it also shows just how weak groups G and H were, which lends more credence to Bruce Arena's assertion that FIFA should start seeding teams 1-32. That's one of the only sensible things he's said in the past 3 weeks.

Anyway, back to Italy. Things have a way of working out, I believe. I don't think the red on Italy was deserved, but the penalty call against Australia was. Australia, as I mentioned, had the opportunity to force the issue on an exhausted Italian squad and score the knockout of the tourney, but again, played tentative and waited for the Italians to make a defensive mistake, which we all know happens roughly once per tournament, and it already happened in game 2 against the U.S. Still, way to go Australia for playing some good soccer in their 4 games, and with so many of them playing in Europe now, look for them to be a regular participant from here on. Hold on, I've got to go watch the penalty kicks...

Ukraine wins despite Shevchenko missing his penalty kick, as the Swiss miss all 3 of their attempts and will go home without yielding a goal. There's something odd about that, isn't there? But that explains the title of today's blog, right? You've got to do more than just sit back and let the game come to you.

So, although no goals were scored today from the run of play, I look for a bunch to come tomorrow. Brazil should get 3 or 4 past Ghana, and I think Spain will score early on France, make them open up the game into more of a track meet, and we get a nice high-scoring 2nd round finale. At least, that's what I hope after the past couple of days.

See you tomorrow.