DAY 9 OF S.A. 2010

Today saw these 6 teams take the centre stage at South Africa 2010:Japan, The Netherlands, Ghana, Australia, Cameroon and Denmark.

The first match was between Japan and The Netherlands(Holland) in the Moses Mabhida stadium . It went as I - and almost everyone else -expected.The Netherlands won by 1-0. The goal was scored by Wesley Sneijder who's well struck shot was helped into the net by the Japanese keeper in the 52nd minute.Holland had almost all the possession in the first half and most of it in the second half although the Blue Samurais increased their attacking pressure in the second half.

The second match was between Ghana and Australia.The Aussies get the first goal of the game via a goal keeping howler. Holman is there to put the loose ball in the net in the 11th minute.The Ghanaians equalize via a penalty earned when Harry Kewell blocks a boal with his hand. Kewell is sent off. Gyan Asamoah gets the goal.The Aussies, one man down, battle to the end and the final score line is 1-1. The ghanaians play great football though, playing with an experience far beyond their years. Hope the Super Eagles watched the game. They would have learnt how to play good attacking football from the Black Stars, and how to stay in the game even if you are a man down from the Socceroos of Oz. Shame on the eagles once again. Shame on Nigeria! The Ghanaians have to show us the way in everything. Damn!But by the way, why did Ghana resort to long range shots whenever they had the ball even though the Aussies were a man down? Coach's stupid directive or just plain stupidity? Or inexperience?

The 3rd and final match I consider the most painful. The cameroonians give away a one goal lead given to them by their captain Eto'o of Internazionale Milan and lose the game 2-1. The Cameroonians have come to the end of their World Cup adventure. What a shame! Here are some pictures from the day . Enjoy!

Wesley Sneijder's strike is deflected into the Japanese's net by their own stupid goalie.Harry Kewell's inability to keep his long hands to himself dash the Ghanaians a penalty that Gyan Asamoah happily converts. Africa loves you Kewell.

Samuel Eto'o gets the first goal in the matvh for the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.The Africans are definitely bent on burying the europeans as is evident in their brutal marauding attacks throughout the game. Here, Emana narrowly misses a shot.