improving germans and stuttering england

Last night was the first set of last round matches... means two matches at the same time... good thing was all matches were inconclusive in a way that the qualifiers were almost decided.

England disappointed all again... (2-2)... i actually felt sweden had the better chances to win the game, although ultimately it needed a 90th minute goal from larsson for sweden to get a draw, but earlier in the match sweden had a lot of oppurtunities, especially from corners and freekicks, the england defence looked shaky... swedes hit the bar twice, reminds me of last world cup where any team that hits the bar had lost their match... sweden didn't though... trinidad and tobagos super run in the tournament (i say super because they fared much better than expected), came to an end yesterday with a defeat at the hands of paraguay (2-0), though it was not as one sided as the score would suggest...

Germany played the best football they have played in the tournament, against ecuadorians, created a hatful of chances and scored 3, encouraging for the hosts.. looks like they are improving and the home support is egging them on... good luck sweden! poland got 3 points... a hard fought win over the costaricans...

Argentina and holland will not field full strength sides, anyway one of them would get portugal and other is likely to get mexico in the next round... looks like they are ok with any team, so it wouldnt be a match of much purpose... the serbs want to win, their bonuses (500000 euros) are dependant on getting points at the world cup... if they do, then it will be injustice to Ivory coast, they should get atleast one win....

Angola and mexico are fighting for a place in the second round, with mexic o needing just a draw and angola needing to win and hoping mexico lose to portugal, which will bring it all down to goal difference.. atleast those matches would be a bit more interesting...