World Cup Warm-Ups Wrap: Peter Crouch is the New Diego Maradona

May 24th, 2010 | by: Daryl | View Comments

Today was the first day of World Cup warm-up friendly action, with not one, not two, but nine of the World Cup 2010 teams stretching their legs.

Read on for quick recaps of the six games played today and a few goal videos, including pearls from England’s Glen Johnson and Argentina’s Angel di Maria. The only video we don’t have is of Portugal’s goals against Cape Verde, but that’s mostly because they didn’t manage to score any.

England 3-1 Mexico

Most high profile game was arguably England vs Mexico at Wembley. Not a great performance from either team, and Mexico could have come away with a draw if they’d remembered their shooting boots (particularly Carlos Vela). But it finished 3-1 to England, with a header from Ledley King, a Maradona-86-esque effort goal from Peter Crouch (handball, not dribbling) and surprising evidence that Glen Johnson has a sweet left foot. Mexico’s reply came though Guillermo Franco at the end of the first half.

Australia 2-1 New Zealand

The biggest derby of the day also turned out to be the cruelest game. Plucky little New Zealand took a 1-0 lead away to Australia in the 16th minute through a Chris Killen goal, only for Australia to slide tackle their way back into the game, equalize in the 57th through young Dario Vidosic and then win 2-1 in the 94th minute thanks to Brett Holman.

Japan 0-2 South Korea

The battle of the World Cup 2002 hosts saw South Korea take a two goal victory in Japan. Park Ji-Sung opened the scoring after just six minutes by running straight through the Japanese defence, and then Park Chu-Young made it 2-0 from the penalty spot in the 90th. Apparenly Japan manager Takeshi Okada – who had been talking about making the semi-finals at World Cup 2010 – did not take the result well, and attempted to resign after the game:

“As the president told me I should carry on, I guess I have no choice but do it,” Okada said. ”The players gave it everything they had but we have lost twice in one year (to South Korea) and I feel very sorry about that.
”It is our job to get results and we couldn’t do that and I feel responsible. We just have to move forward and keep believing in ourselves.”

Inspiring words Takeshi.

Argentina 5-0 Canada

The beating of the day could probably have been predicted beforehand. Argentina put five good goals past Canada, even without Leo Messi. Liverpool’s Maxi Rodriguez bagged put an obtuse free kick off the post and in, and then benefited from a Canadian defensive mix up for his second. Angel di Maria scored the third with what looked like the outside of his little left foot, another defensive mistake allowed Carlos Teveza tap-in, before Kun Aguero came off the bench to roast defender Richard Hastings and make it five.

Portugal 0-0 Cape Verde

Actually, this should have been the beating of the day. But instead a full strength Portugal could only manage a 0-0 draw against tiny Cape Verde. Coach Carlos Queiroz was happy (!) though, so no need to worry Portugal fans.

South Africa 1-1 Bulgaria

World Cup hosts South Africa continued their build up with a perfectly respectable 1-1 draw vs Bulgaria in Johannesburg. The brilliantly named Golden Arrows defender Doctor Siyabonga Sangweni (I don’t know if that’s a nickname or an M.D. related title) headed Bafana Bafana in front, only for Ivan Stoyanov to ruin the paryt by equalizing.

The World Cup warm up games continue tomorrow with:

Georgia v. Cameroon
Greece v. North Korea
Ireland v. Paraguay
United States v. Czech Republic

Check out the full schedule of pre-World Cup friendlies by clicking that link.