Random 9/9

The Argentina-Spain match played just recently was really beautiful. Possibly more interesting than any of the World Cup matches. Watch the highlights below. You don't have to understand the commentators, just know that GOALLLLLLL means 'goal'.



Now, I'm going to go find some new ways to shoot people in exotic locations because that's what the Call Of Duty series is all about.

Team Popularity

In an online poll conducted recently in SE Asia, the top five football teams supported by women were Spain, Germany, England, Brazil and South Korea.

Let me, in a very sexist way explain why.

Spain, England and Germany : Because their Europeans. Because they are the more well known European countries. Netherlands what? Torres is so hot. David Beckham!, He's playing right? The World Cup is in Germany isn't it? They must be good.

Idol

World Cup player

South Korea : KPOP

Brazil : They are the world champions aren't they? They always seem to win. Isn't Ronaldo a Brazilian?

Brazilian

Football Ridiculousness #6

Happened during the last-16 match between Germany and England. Although Germany generally played better and deserved to win, Frank Lampard had actually leveled the score at 2-2 just before half time. However, the referee didn't give the goal because the Germans pretended the ball didn't cross the line and continued playing.

Nike Ad Curse

It seems that the Nike World Cup advertisement is something of a curse on the footballers who starred in it.

1. Rooney was in poor form throughout all of England's matches and is now out of the competition after being trashed by Germany.
2. Ronaldinho hasn't played for Brazil.
3. Franck Ribery failed to shine and France finished bottom of the group.
4. Didier Drogba had to rush to recover from an elbow injury and was also off-form as Ivory Coast got eliminated.
5. Theo Walcott didn't even get selected.
6. Fabio Cannavaro and his co-defenders played horribly for Italy and let in so many goals.
7. Andres Iniesta was injured repeatedly and also has failed to shine for a less than impressive Spain.
8. Gerard Pique got a boot in his face during their defeat to Switzerland.
9. Landon Donovan and Tim Howard failed to beat Ghana, try as they might.
10. Fabregas has a fugly beard.

So far, only Cristiano Ronaldo has escaped. In fact, he even had some good fortune(sort of) because he managed to end his goal drought against North Korea and Portugal seem to be at the top of their game. However, that may change when Portugal take on Spain.



The ad is nice, though.

Football Ridiculousness #5

After Gonzalo Higuain's goal gave Argentina a 2-0 lead against Mexico all the players huddled in celebration. As Gabriel Heinze broke away from the huddle smiling, he walked straight into the camera lens. Angered by his self inflicted face plant, he slapped the camera (or wiped his spit off whichever you believe, i prefer to think he slapped the camera) in an angry reaction. But the camera will never learn from its mistakes.

Football Ridiculousness #4

Kaka, a player known for his good character and fair play was red carded in the Brazil vs Ivory Coast match. Shocked?

Keita displayed a horrible sense of positional awareness and ran straight into Kaka. Kaka slightly raised his arm to hold off the oncoming Keita and Keita fell, clutching his face. Then, Kaka picked up perhaps his only blemish in an otherwise spotless disciplinary record.

Stupid Keita.

Football Ridiculousness #3

In the 37th minute of the Spain vs Chile match, Fernando Torres tackled himself. Yes, tackled himself. The result was Mario Estrada being sent off for a second yellow card.

This was obviously not done on purpose but it seems to be entirely Torres's fault. His right boot grazed Estrada's kneecap and then when his right leg came back down to the ground he tripped up his own left leg causing him to fall.

A foul, maybe but surely not a yellow card? If Estrada had not been sent off, Chile might even have gone on to win the match and perhaps allow Switzerland to go through to the last 16.

Football Ridiculousness #2

Like a dance crew rehearsing their steps, the officials for the Spain vs Chile match warmed up in unison. Led by the Mexican referee, they wen through their focused routine of kicks, claps and arm flailing, probably while humming The Karate Kid soundtrack.

There's actually nothing weird about it, it's just that officials of any sort warming up is always funny and their sheer synchronization is something to behold.

Football Ridiculousness Update

I've decided to turn the "Football Ridiculousness" post into a mini series(sort of) due to the number of epically ridiculous moments in the World Cup. I'm not going to talk about the matches and results themselves because I am no football expert and because I don't actually support any team. Duh! , the highest level competition Malaysia have participated in is the Asian Cup QUALIFIERS. They lost all their games.


*P.S.* I support Switzerland and you know what happened.

Football Ridiculousness #1

Danish player Nicklas Bendtner was forced to colour his socks red so that they would match his knee-high socks. This is one great example of sheer ridiculousness by the referee. Seriously, does the small strip of white actually matter? Nobody else even noticed or bothered. In fact, the horribly coloured socks look a lot more annoying than the white.

Vuvuzelas

Vuvuzelas are the source of the annoying buzzing sound heard during World Cup matches. Apparently, it's some kind of local horn/trumpet that is traditionally blown during festive events. I suppose the World Cup counts. Plenty of foreigners have taken to the vuvuzelas and these made in China products are selling well.

Besides the Jabulani, players and coaches have complained about the Jabulani. It renders voice communication completely useless and affects the concentration of players. However, South African goalkeeper Khune attributed their failure to beat Mexico to the vuvuzelas being insufficiently loud. What the heck?!

They have created such a phenomenon that Youtube has given you the option of having vuvzelas play in the background for all your videos to keep up the World Cup spirit. As if I haven't had enough of it. Just press the football icon on the bottom right corner of the video to hear that familiar droning.

World Cup In Kuala Lumpur

The authentic World Cup trophy, which is 36.8cm high and weighs 6.175kg is made of solid 18-carat gold with a base made from two layers of semi-precious malachite. It will be put on display for public viewing at the Mid Valley Convention Centre tomorrow and Friday. 

Fans can obtain tickets with purchase of McDonald’s Prosperity Burger Meal in restaurants in the Klang Valley from now while stocks last and alternatively fans can also visit the Coke booth set up at Mid Valley. 

I wish I could go.. :(