Three new entrants into the 2010 World Cup after yesterday’s action, and they are New Zealand, Nigeria and Cameroon. The huge African showdown in Cairo produced a 2-0 win for Egypt (including a goal in the last minute of stoppage time) that now necessitates a playoff match in a neutral site on Wednesday between the Pharoahs and Algeria. It will be a true winner-take-all scenario as whomever wins that match is in.
The friendlies were a mostly bore-inducing group of affairs, but as you’ll see on the left, Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie suffered a “horror” injury to his ankle just twelve minutes in to the Netherlands match with Italy, and while it’s not confirmed, it could be an “out for the season” type of result, which would be disastrous for Arsenal and their title chances. England and the US both were on the wrong end of 1-0 decisions, to Brazil and Slovakia.
MLS produced a fine Eastern Conference Championship match last night. Real Salt Lake and the Chicago Fire battled through 90 regular minutes, 30 extra minutes, and 7 rounds of penalties. At one point during penalties, Chicago had a 3-1 advantage, but Real Salt Lake battled back and managed to advance 5-4, and thus will take on the Los Angeles Galaxy for the MLS Cup next Sunday night, in Seattle.
Not much else to talk about really. There is one African group World Cup qualie today, as Ghana hosts Mali. There are some more meaningless friendlies, and some lower-level league Club games. This week will see plenty more opportunities to see top-flight players injured as there a ton more friendlies on Wednesday and actual matches that matter with the second set of WCQ games. My guess is that you’ll read a bunch of fresh attacks from the club managers on their FA’s scheduling these friendlies, with the Van Persie injury being front and center. There are some weird whispers coming out of Manchester lately, with Carlos Tevez threatening to quit football altogether if Argentina wins WC2010 and some discussion about who will replace Sir Alex once he hangs it up. The interlull is a strange and scary landscape, my friends.
Enjoy your Sundays and let’s pray for no more major injuries, shall we?
Television courtesy of Jamie Trecker:
SUNDAY
U17 WC: Colombia v Spain 1000 ESPN360
UNAM Pumas v Indios 1300 Telemundo
America v Millionarios 1500 GolTV
Santos Laguna v America 1700 Univision
shit. shit shit shit shit shit. Watch yourself Eduardo.