Day 8: As the World Cup turns
19 June 2006, 17:06
In the telenovela of Group D, Mexican captain Rafael Marquez plays the heavy. He sports a tight, black pony-tail and carefully calculated Miami-Vice stubble. He’s not opposed to getting physical, and he usually comes out on top of brutish encounters. At the same time, Marquez is suave. Though he’s a defender, he glides up the field with ease, and shoots and passes gracefully. We might be seduced by him, even though he has a dodgy past and works as a hit man on the side.
Marquez played well against Angola, but the African side wasn’t afraid of him. They defended in numbers, and were determined not to let the Mexicans score. They eventually went a man down. The Mexicans launched all kinds of missiles at goal. They missed the mark.
Angola wore fabulous red uniforms with black and yellow stripes. They were colorful in more metaphoric ways as well. Loco, the man with the mustache hair, continued his crazy defending on the right while the goalkeeper Joao Ricardo should share his name. Ricardo, who does not have a professional contract, makes tremendous saves and foolish decisions in equal measure. He was remarkable against Mexico. Ultimately, though, the Mexicans seemed to miss injured striker Jared Borgetti. They need to score goals.
This 0-0 match was like a set-up episode in the series. Their was a lot of drama, but nothing was resolved. Angola still has a shot to advance, but all Mexico needs is a draw with Portugal. Tune in next week.
Over in the group of death, Argentina and the Netherlands sealed their places in the next round with victories. The elephants of Ivory Coast attacked with everything for an hour, but they couldn’t overcome two early goals by the Dutch. Ivory Coast might have advanced in any other group, but they weren’t in any other group. Poor elephants.
I’ve already described Cambiasso’s goal in Argentina’s 6-0 romp over Serbia and Montenegro, but what about Tevez’s goal? Nutmeg. Nutmeg. Pause. Pause. Goal. The youngster put it between two players’ legs, waited for the goalkeeper to commit, then curled it behind him. He was very excited for his first World Cup tally. He ran around with apparent glee. Could he be the callow, but likable hero of our program, or is danger lurking ahead?
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Wow, when you put it that way, the suspense is killing me.
— Emily · 19 June 2006, 17:43 · #