Playa Hatin’

Today in World Cup play, the USA took on a surprising Slovenia team who jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first half. After a warriors like effort to battle back, the USA looked to have completed the magic and won the game. But wait… a foul, offsides, handball, foul??? Nobody can figure out why the goal was disallowed and the refs aren’t saying nothing. The referee who made the decsion, Koman Coulibaly really had no explination when asked what he called. Sorry USA soccer fans – you just got shit on again in major international competition.

Or, was this beauty in the 2002 World Cup in South Korea the worst call of all-time to go against the USA. Watch starting at the 2:00 mark and look at all the different angles that clearly show the ball being kept out of the net by German midfielder, Torsten Frings. Not only did the ball get stopped by Frings hand, but the ball looks to have crossed the goal line regardless.

Group H – Game 1

Honduras vs. Chile

ESPN – 7:30 AM ET

Honduras:

Honduras squeaked into the tournament in the eleventh hour with USA’s Jonathan Bornstein header against Costa Rica to put the Hondurans up into third place! Honduras has a fantastic side that shouldn’t be messed with. This team knows how to attack on the wings, bring the ball through the middle and finish. It seems like they’ve got it right for quite some time. True, though, from time to time they falter with too many men forward on the counter, and on set pieces. Honduras looks to make their second appearance in the World Cup since 1982. Much like some of the other smaller, under-achieving teams, Honduras has true, raw talent that look to get out of a mighty Group H.

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Group H – Game 2

Spain vs. Switzerland

ESPN – 10:00 AM ET

Spain:

I think more than any other team, Spain is getting the most votes for predicted World Cup Champion. And I don’t think we’re picking any differently on playahatin. Spain Is what you’d consider stacked – Outside of Brazil, I don’t think any team has so much talent. Yeah, The United States beat them in the Confederations Cup, but I think that was the “waking up of a sleeping giant” game that Spain needed. You have to consider that Spain, has lost only once in 49 games. They won the 2008 European championship and finished with a 10-0-0 record in World Cup qualifying. Their only defeat since 2006 was the 2-0 loss to the United States at last summer’s Confederations Cup, ending Spain’s record 35-game unbeaten streak. That my friends is pretty damn impressive! Spain plays fast, composed possession soccer laced with superstars at every position. Another run of good form could see Spain make their first appearance in a World Championship surprisingly.

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Watching the USA vs England game on Saturday was just fantastic. The bar was filled with 600 people, 50 of them England fans. They were a loud and proud bunch as Steven Gerard notched a goal 3 minutes into the match. The USA fans were dead silent for a bit, but were bailed out with a complete fail from England goalkeeper, Robert Green. So, I had to pay tribute to a couple of my sports heroes that came to mind when I saw Green’s gaffe.

So, what do Bill Buckner, Robert Green and Paris Hilton have in common…. I’d say balls flying between their legs is a fair assessment. Get a look at the videos below to watch Buckners world famous fielding techniques, that cost the Red Sox a Championship. Also, for more entertainment, I threw up a video of Green, displaying his world class shot stopping techniques.

Mookie Wilson, Clint Dempsey and several jack asses who have visited Paris Hiltons tackle box say thank you to these three complete failures on the field of play.

Group G – Game 2

North Korea vs. Brazil

ESPN – 2:30 PM ET

North Korea:

North Korea haven’t always had the opportunity to play in the World Cup, making their only appearance in 1966 and making it to the Quarter-finals, however now they look at the their chances in the finals. They aren’t necessarily in the easiest of groups. North Korea faces a daunting Brazil, Ivory Coast, and Portugal in Group G. In all reality, they have no chance. Nevertheless, North Korea has some rising players that are looking impressive, and their style of play is fast and vicious. Don’t let North Korea get on a counter attack – you will have no chance. They look to do their best in such a hard group, but at this point it’s good to say to North Korea: Good Job! You made it to the World Cup.

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Group G – Game 1

Ivory Coast vs. Portugal

ESPN – 10:00 AM ET

Ivory Coast:

After the draw into Group G, Ivory Coast were staring a tough road right in the eyes. Many consider Group G “The Group Of Death” and many couldn’t decide who would advance alongside Brazil. Ivory Coast were looking very strong coming into the tournament, fielding one of the best players in the world in the form of Chelsea front man, Didier Drogba. Going by the nickname, Les Elephants the team from the host continent were looked upon as the most likely to perform well in 2010. Ivory Coast won their qualifying group without losing a single game. They play fast, aggressive, attacking soccer and they’re really a joy to watch. But, an injury to Drogba during a friendly against Japan a few weeks ago has many doubting this Ivory Coast team and can change the run of form they’ve been having.

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Group F – Game 2

Slovakia vs. New Zealand

ESPN – 7:30 AM ET

Slovakia:

Slovakia is making their first appearance ever since breaking off from the Czechs. The Slovaks have made their case in qualifying for this World Cup with an impressive record of 7-2-1. Many think that Slovakia will make it out of their group, being heavily favored over New Zealand and Paraguay. The Slovaks have some impressive young players on their team that show promise and creative style, which may get them out of group play. After group stages are done, who knows how well they will do because even though they have a slight favor over some of the other teams, Slovakia is inexperienced in the World Cup stage and have a young team.

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Group E – Game 2

Cameroon vs. Japan

ESPN – 10:00 AM ET

Cameroon:

Cameroon is back in the World Cup after missing it in 2006. The team known as, “The Lions” is one of six from the African continent and will feel some sort of home field advantage for their games. Cameroon is based around the work of it’s wing players and the service to their strikers. Samuel Eto’o is the main target up top and has scored many goals for his club and country. Viewed as the second best team in this group behind the Dutch, Cameroon will have a lot of pressure to score goals, which plays right into their weakness. Cameroon struggles against the counter attack and will be vulnerable to the fast paced attack.

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Group F – Game 3

Paraguay vs. Italy

ESPN – 11:30 AM ET

Paraguay:

Paraguay finished in third place in CONMEBOL just behind Chile and Brazil and ahead of Argentina. Paraguay was kind of a sleeper team throughout qualification beating mighty Brazil at home! Paraguay won’t have names that the common soccer fan will really recognize, other than Cabanas who was shot in the head in Mexico early in January of 2010. They work as a team, they play as a team. They show heart and passion. Paraguay has now been considered one of the best teams to qualify that has come out of South America. This is largely due to their rhythm and style of play; it’s open and fast. Paraguay looks to impose their style of play on their opponents and will demand respect with their aggressive methods. Although they’ve never had an impressive run in the World Cup, now they look to change that with a fresh squad that has proven themselves through qualification.

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Group E – Game 1

Denmark vs. Netherlands

ESPN – 7:30 AM ET

Denmark:

The Danes are a very dangerous team who has a history of success in this tournament. They have never failed to get out of the group stages, and made it into the round of 16, twice out of the last three World Cups. Denmark has a very good mixture of old and young players, a side who relies on a holding midfielder to distribute and orchestrate. We wouldn’t be surprised to see the Danes advance out of this group to the next round.

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