SoccerBible World Cup Update - 23/06/10
Day 13 of the World Cup and it's going to be unlucky for someone, with the climax of Groups C and D taking centre stage - and forgive us for being overly patriotic for a day (again) with England's crucial match against Slovenia making our game of the day...
Oh, and there's also the small matter of Group D to sort out, with Ghana looking to be the first African nation to qualify for the knockout stages... 
There's been plenty to discuss at the World Cup, along with some interesting boot spotting, some great team play and plenty to look forward to. Check out the SoccerBible's view on the latest goings on in South Africa...
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Lionel Messi (Argentina) |
Kalu Uche (Nigeria) |
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The Argentina player continues to sport the Chameleon coloured F50 adizero's, a boot which still looks great even with Argentina's change kit. Messi also had the honour of being captain and led his side into the knockout stages with a convincing 2-0 win over Greece. |
Notching his second goal of the World Cup, Nigeria's Kalu Uche sports the Mizuno Wave Ignitus boots but couldn't prevent his side crashing out of the tournament at the group stages. But in more positive news, it's not long to wait now before some new colours of the Ignitus are with us! |
We won't be mean and pick Yakubu's open goal miss or Domenech's rather bizarre refusal to shake hands after the France-South Africa match. Instead we choose to rather salute one player who looks to have tamed the Jabulani football - South Korea's Park Chu-Young, who curled a superb free-kick to give his side the lead four minutes into the second half against Nigeria.
Wearing the Sun/Black adidas F50 adizero football boots, Park Chu-young's free-kick early in the second half turned the match on its head. Despite conceding a penalty to ultimately draw the match, the Asian side have previously never been past the opening stage of a World Cup held outside of their own country and were made to fight to the last minute for the point which secured a second round match against Uruguay.
Slovenia v England (Group C)
Expect pretty much all of the UK to come to a standstill around 1500 GMT today, as the Three Lions take on the former Yugoslavian republic atPort Elizabeth stadium. The must watch game of the day sees England needing nothing less than a win to guarantee progression, whilst the Slovenians will be relishing playing with somewhat freedom as all the pressure will be on their opponents.
So far this tournament we've highlighted Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney as potential match winners, but that seems to have only given them the SoccerBible jinx! But one player who looks certain to return to the action today is James Milner.
The Aston Villa midfielder was only on the field for 30 minutes during his first World Cup appearance before being hauled off, so will be looking to have more of an impact against a tough Slovenia side (and avoiding the SoccerBible jinx!)
Making it a Nike Elite CTR360 football boots face off is Slovenia captain Robert Koren, who insists his team still believe they can attain their pre-tournament goal of reaching the last 16 of the World Cup.
Slovenia were eight minutes away from securing a place in the knockout phase before Michael Bradley's goal for the United States meant they took one point from their second Group C game instead of three - but one point today will be enough to see them through.
Will England banish the memories of the Algeria game and secure the result that the country demands? Or will Slovenia continue their run and spoil the party? Have YOUR say and share your opinions on the World Cup!
