The final group stage matches have concluded and there have been some surprises. We have witnessed the dominance of the South Americans, with Chile, Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina all advancing to the knockout rounds. In Africa, Ghana has emerged as the continent's representative in the knock outs. There were also surprises such as the exit of the defending champions Italy by new comers Slovakia in a dramatic 3-2 clash that saw the East European team control the defending champions for most of the match. The Asians also were impressive with S. Korea and Japan advancing in competitive groups to the final 16. New Zealand a team that was supposed to be a beating stick exited the competition with pride as they left the tournament with three pts from drawing three matches.
Player of the Rd: Argentina's Lionel Messi: Messi showed us why he is the most dangerous player on Earth and is virtually unstoppable. Greece after winning their match against Nigeria felt that they had an inkling of a chance to get into the knockout stages if they could hold on to a draw with the Argentinians. Their game plan was simple. Place one forward up the pitch and keep the remaining players behind the ball at all costs. They tried to stifle Argentina's attacks with a defensive wall. They man marked Lionel Messi throughout the whole game, bringing him down with hard tackles as soon as he touched the ball.
This did not stop the maestro much though. Throughout the game Messi playing more as a playmaker than a forward went on his mesmerizing diagonal runs taking the ball from the flanks in towards the middle of the pitch. He shot and passed the ball with Greek defenders scrambling to gain possession of the ball. In the end Messi was too much for them, even though he did not score a goal, he was an integral figure in both goals scored. It was a corner taken by Messi that led to confusion in the box that resulted in the opening goal scored by Demechellis in the 13th minute. Messi then ran havoc on the Greek defense in the dying minutes of the game and struck a shot that was parried by the keeper into the path of veteran Palermo who slotted in a low shot into the goal. The outcome, the Greeks were devastated after they realized that their plan failed miserably and there was no chance of them going through into the knock out stages. Runners up: Slovakia's Roman Vittek, Japan's Keisuke Honda.
Goal of the round, Japan's Keisuke Honda vs Denmark: There were some amazing goals in this round, which included a long range kick from David Villa, A beautiful right footed shot by Van Persie and Germany's Ozil's longe range screamer against Ghana but the goal of the round goes to none other than Japan's flamboyant forward Kiesuke Honda's free kick against Denmark. With all the talk about players not being able to effectively control the Jabalani ball during free kick chances, this was a refreshing sight. There was no excuses about the lightness of the ball this time. Honda proved to the world that he had the technical ability to pull of a free kick that would make Cristiano Ronaldo jealous. Japan won a free kick from the right side just about 30 yrds from the goal. The Japanese forward struck the ball superbly. The ball rose high over the defensive wall and then dipped sharply into the left side of the goal, fooling Danish goal keeper Sorenson. Runners up: David Villa vs Chile.
Game of the Rd: Slovakia VS Italy 3-2, Slovakia: This was a shocking result. No one felt that Italy would fail to advance to the knockout groups despite drawing their first two matches. We all have got used to slow starts by the defending champions and expected that the real team would show up to claim all three points in the closing group game against Slovakia. This was not to be, the complacent Italians were taken by surprise by the determination of the Slovakians in their will to advance. Their coach, Weiss decided to bench his son and replace him with another attacking player Stoch. Weiss is a quick, nimble player that caused trouble against New Zealand and Paraguay but had lacked the finishing product in the final third. Stoch seemed more direct in his approach and made some quality runs and passes. The Italians lined up in a 4-3-3 formation with emerging star Montolivo providing the creativity backed by holding midfielders, aging Gattusso and De Rossi. Up front they started with Pepe, Di Natale and Laquinta all dangerous in their own light but were no match for the amazing Slovakian back line of Skrtel and company. Even more evident was the failure of Italy's central defensive partnership of Cannavaro and Chiellini failure to stop Slovakians powerful forward Vittek from scoring a brace. Young captain Hamsik controlled the Slovakians play with his passes and runs. In the 25 min a mistake by De Rossi leads the Slovakians to an attack which led to Vittek kicking a low shot that enters the left side of the goal passing the Italian keeper, Marchetti.
The score remains at 1-0 entering the second half. Italian coach Lippi, decides to ignite fresh legs into the game and brings on Maggio and the ever dangerous attacker, Quagliarella. The introduction of the latter causes the Slovakians problems as he provided trickery and attack prowess for the Italians. In the 59 minute Lippi, still searching for some creativity replaces Montolivo with aging playmaker Pirlo. There was drama in the Slovakian half in the 63 min when Quagliarella hits a volley towards the goal that is saved by the quick reflexes of Skrtel who was on the line and pushed the ball away with his right foot.
This does not stop the young Slovakians from controlling the match and in the 73rd minute Vitteck latches on to a pass from Hamsik and scores. Lippi is reduced to tears and there is silence from the Italian fans. Heads are down but substitue Quagliarella refuses to give up and continues to pounce on the Slovakians penalty box. His hard work pays off in the 81st minute after he successfully executes a series of one touch passes with Di Natale before shooting on goal. His shot is parried into Di Natale's path and he successfully scores Italy's opening goal. Quagliarella then proceeded to snatch the ball from Slovakians keeper, Mucha, because he felt he was wasting time. Mucha is not amused punches at Quagliarella while rising from the back of the goal. Quagliarella feints in hope to get the Slovakian carded but the referee would have none of it.
Hope is once again on Italy's side and they feel that they can go on to take over the match. Slovakia's manager had other plans, he decided to take off his warrior like holding midfielder Strba and replaced him with Kopunek. Kopunek, virtually unknown set his name in World Cup history almost immediately. Italy conceded a throw on the right flank. Kopunek timed his run perfectly to latch on to the ball and chipped it over the keeper's head to sink the Italians into even more misery. The game entered into stoppage time and Quagliarella still refused to give up hope. He decides to take a curling shot through a crowd of defenders that escapes Mucha and scores. Italy once more are overcome with belief and press on. The Italians have on more chance as the ball meets and Pepe who is left unguarded on the far post. His shot goes wide and with it went the Italians out of the tournament. Quagliarella burst into tears and was consoled by his captain as he was led away from the pitch. Lippi could be seen pushing his way through the crowd angrily. Their was a contrast in emotions on the other side as the Slovakians realized that they were through to the final 16, elated smiles and cheers were all around. This was indeed a match to remember
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