An exciting game for the Greeks! Fast action – red cards – Who could ask for more!? If you haven’t seen this game, make sure you catch it later.. it’s worth the 90 minutes!
The Game so far..
Greece lost its first match with a 2-0 victory for South Korea while Argentina won against Nigeria 1-0. This means that both teams really need a win here if they’re looking to sail into the next round. Since a win for either of these teams would lead to a three way tie – the losing team will definitely be out of the race.
First Half
Scott points out in the comments that both teams will be alive after this game, and he’s right. Maybe I overstated a bit. But even with a tie, Greece’s only hope to advance would include a victory over Argentina, which until the 35th minute or so seemed like an impossibility. Still a long shot, but yes, Scott, you’re right. Both will be alive.
The game starts with a slow and steady short pass game. Nigeria off to a bit more of an energetic start. A little after the 15 minute mark, a yellow card to Sokratis grants Nigeria a free kick 45 yards away. Kalu Uche takes the shot over a few Greek defenders PAST Tozrvas to the back of the net. First goal in Nigerian history as the game starts off to an exciting start.
A few free kicks from both sides over the next 10 minutes and then a ridiculous red card Kaita. I don’t know what he was thinking. Kaita gives Torosdis a bit of a push, Torosdis catches the ball turns gives him a little push and then.. Kaita KICKS him. Oh yes folks, this game has turned into a kindergarten play ground. Needless to say Kaita is out.
The smartest move in the game was a subsititution in the 37th minute. Sokratis is replaced by Samaras. Since Kaita is gone, a defender can be removed and its at this point that the game starts to make its shift.
Greece is nice and angry now and it shows. In the 42nd minute, Samaras gets an almost goal after a corner kick. A second later, another cross goes wide past the goal net. Two minutes later we see a GOAL! A kick from Salpingidis deflects off Haruna’s heel over Enyeama into the far corner.
The first half wraps up with an exciting tie. This has been quite the exciting game thus far, if you haven’t seen it yet It’s worth the watch!
Second Half
Greek opens with a vengeance. You can feel that they are a much different team than they were at the start of this game, and it’s exciting.
At the hour mark, Yobo loses control of a ball right in front of Gekas but Enyeama is there and scoops it up and heads out to the other direction. Obasi passes to Yakubu who kicks to goal only to be stopped by Tzorvas. He lets it roll and Obasi scoops it up and sends it too wide past the net.
Enyeama gets another chance at the 69th minute but again gets blocked by the goalkeeper.
Greece breaks in at the 72nd minute and GOAL! Torosidis gets a rebound past Enyeama for this exciting tie breaker.
The game ends with Victory for the Greek! If you haven’t caught this game yet it is worth the show!
What’s Next?
Watch the final games between Nigeria/South Korea and Greece/Argentina June 22 at 2:15pm ET.
Bah, the streets will be filled with flag wavers. Argentina needs to kill. And South Korea beating Nigeria will ensure that the Greeks won’t move on.