Confederations Cup Open Thread: Iraq vs. New Zealand, Spain vs. South Africa
Today is the day for Group A! As in: The day to see who comes in second behind Spain. (The group winner has been a foregone conclusion since the groups were drawn.)
South Africa plays Spain today, and I’d state with close to 100% certainty that the Bafana Bafana have all the points they’re gonna get with 4. Iraq are sitting on 1 and could still theoretically go through with a win over New Zealand and some goals. (This would be their first win in a year if it happens.) Iraq currently has a -1 goal differential, with South Africa at +2.
Both games are being played at the same time to keep the results in any game played first from affecting the results of the second. (Because the betting syndicates hate that.)
I’ll be hanging out here on the site during the matches. If you’re watching either game in the vicinity of your computer, stop by this post and leave comments to keep me company. And especially keep me informed in Iraq-New Zealand, because it’s not being shown till later in the day where I am, and my online streaming hasn’t worked well lately.
(Also, tomorrow, Sunday, June 20, we’ll be doing liveblogs for the final group games of US vs. Egypt and Italy vs. Brazil. These games are going to be fun, and Chris and Daryl are giving up parts of their weekend to keep you entertained.)
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Comments
By laurie | June 20th, 2009 at 11:49 am 
Guess I misread my schedule. I can’t believe ESPN is not showing the Spain game live! I suppose the Spain game is a foregone conclusion, but how many people are going to watch this one?
By laurie | June 20th, 2009 at 11:49 am Also, New Zealand is looking surprisingly peppy for a team with nothing to play for but pride.
By laurie | June 20th, 2009 at 12:03 pm Iraq us lucky NZ forgot their shooting boots. They’re pretty much dominating. And FIFA.com tells us that Spain-SA is still 0-0 as well.
And New Zealand just headed inches wide. I think their coach is on the verge of a heart attack from all the not-quite-there shots. (Seriously, his face is beet red.)
I don’t know who to root for in this one. On the one hand, I feel for the entire country of Iraq. On the other, in games where I’m a neutral I generally root for the underdog, which would probably be NZ. Not that they’re playing that way.
Regardless, I would like to see at least one goal or this could be a long 60 minutes.
By laurie | June 20th, 2009 at 12:13 pm Got my stream to work (kind of for Spain-SA.) Modiso just had an excellent chance after Pienaar brings it up the right and sends in a nice cross. Modiso just couldn’t ‘t get it down.
And on the other end, David Villa shoots just high.
By laurie | June 20th, 2009 at 12:21 pm Okay, halftime. Both games 0-0. In general, this is looking good for South Africa, who need Iraq to not score goals. Which Iraq is doing quite well at.
By laurie | June 20th, 2009 at 12:35 pm And Ali Hussein blows a kiss at the camera as we head into second half. I believe this gent likes his celebrity. Fareed Majeed is in, Hawar goes out.
By Laurie | June 20th, 2009 at 12:43 pm And David Villa has finally scored for Spain. Still won’t make much difference to who goes through unless somebody lights a first under Iraq’s butts and causes them to score.
By Laurie | June 20th, 2009 at 12:46 pm Zahra is in. His nickname is apparently “The Kaka of Iraq.” Does that mean he belongs to Jesus too?
By Laurie | June 20th, 2009 at 12:48 pm Younus puts one away. Unfortunately he was approximately 300 yards offside. Still 0-0.
By Laurie | June 20th, 2009 at 1:02 pm And Llorente has made it 2-0 for Spain.
By Laurie | June 20th, 2009 at 1:04 pm As things stand on the goal differential front, Iraq would need two goals to go through. Based on the game so far, I’m thinking that’s not likely.
By Matt | June 20th, 2009 at 1:05 pm And the Basque scores for Spain. Good finish.
By Laurie | June 20th, 2009 at 1:05 pm And Fernando Llorente has the girliest curls I’ve ever seen on a guy. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I’m just jealous.
By Laurie | June 20th, 2009 at 1:08 pm And Iraq is looking better in the second half. Still don’t expect them to go through, but anything’s possible. It does help that Iraq only gave up one against Spain. If only they could score themselves.
By Laurie | June 20th, 2009 at 1:11 pm South Africa just had a good opportunity. I haven’t watched much of that game, but from what I’ve seen Pienaar is looking good. Curious to see how SA does in the semis. Are they going to be slaughtered, or will they hold their own? They’ve only scored two goals in the competition, and both of those were against New Zealand.
By Laurie | June 20th, 2009 at 1:17 pm Moss has a great save for NZ. (If you can call a ball bouncing off your head and away from the goal a great save. Whatever. It didn’t go in.)
And then NZ immediately gets a chance on the other end, but it slowly dribbles into the arms of the Iraq keeper.
By Laurie | June 20th, 2009 at 1:18 pm Iraq has a free kick from a dangerous position right outside the 18, but it goes high.
By Laurie | June 20th, 2009 at 1:22 pm FINAL: Spain 2-0 South Africa
New Zealand are seconds away from their first ever point in a FIFA tournament.
By Laurie | June 20th, 2009 at 1:24 pm Game over. Iraq 0-0 New Zealand. New Zealand is very happy with this result. Iraq, not so much.
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