Got It Wrong but I am happy!


I am back again after my week in Bangkok. Bangkok was a nice place with good food and massages at extremely reasonable price. The only drawback was its traffic and weather (this time). I reckon that driving along Sukomvit Road would be a challenge and require plenty of patience. Otherwise, the people were nice and friendly.

England won with a Beckham's routine. Netherland and Spain remained the underachievers in major competitions despite the talents. Brazil & Italy joined Germany and Ukraine as expected. While these are out-dated news, I felt the need to conclude.

Germany and Italy, beat Argentina on penalties and Ukraine 3 - 0 respectively, will meet in the last four. I felt that Klinsmann & Lehmenn won it for Germany. Germany never panic despite being a goal down. They continued to pass the ball around patiently, creating chance after chance and finally got their reward to Miroslav Klose 10 mins from time. By this time, Argentina did not have the firepower to attack the game with Crespo and Riquelme already on the bench. It didn't help with their first choice goalkeeper, Roberto, crashing out earlier before the equalizer. Lehmenn, justified Klinsmann's faith in him, had an outstanding game with numerous saves throughout the games including the penalties.

Gattuso, Buffon & Zambrotta won the game for the Azzurri with their dedicated play. Gattuso was all over the pitch, protecting the defence and supporting attack. He was named Man-of-the-match. Buffon, as reliable as usual,was the unsung hero with several important saves.

England & Portugal will battle for the third semi-final slot whereas Brazil will be given a chance to revenge their 3 - 0 defeat by the French in the 98 final. Now the million dollar question. Who will join Germany & Italy in the last four? My bet goes to England and Brazil. I do hope Rooney and Lampard, Pauleta,Henry, Ribery, Ronaldo, Adriano and Ronaldino will live up to their expectation, England to do a repeat of the '66 and Brazil to bury the ghost of '98. However. do remember no Latin American team has ever won the world cup on European soil.

Will Brazil be the first team to do it in Germany or will the remaining European teams have other agenda? We shall see!