World Cup Review 2014

Uruguay 1 : 3 Costa Rica 

Uruguay and Costa Rica, on paper, had Uruguay ease their way to a win, but luckily for us, it's played on grass. 

Costa Rica started the game very lively and had a few chances to open the scoring. Uruguay took their time in building momentum and it took just under 30 minutes, and another penalty, for them to get on the score sheet. At first it looked like another contentious decision but on replays, turned out to be a great call by the ref. Costa Rica didn't buckle and continued with applying pressure of their own.  And this continued right up to half time, and if it wasn't for a spectacular recovering save from the Costa Rican keeper Navas,Uruguay would have extended their lead. 

As the teams returned to the field, there was something about Costa Rica that made you think they could get back into this game. They started sharper and quicker than Uruguay and the passed the ball around well creating chances. They got their reward as Campbell cooly volleyed home another smooth passing move. And on the hour the team everyone thought as being the whipping boys took the lead from a set piece with a header from close range. Uruguay tried to get back into the game but Costa Rica were too good. They pushed and pressed and punished Uruguay again with another beautifully crafted goal. 

The first red card of the World Cup was shown after a frustration set in right at the end of the game. Costa Rica ended with the first 'upset' of this competition. 

World Cup Review 2014

Columbia 3 - 0 Greece

Opening game of group C saw Columbia take on Greece. 

This was Columbia's first World Cup since 1998 and they were in the party mood. A very loud and lively atmosphere was infectious as Columbia applied immediate pressure and opened the scoring with a goal in the first 5 minutes (and a contender for celebration of the tournament). Greece however, who do have a major tournament title under their belts nearly pulled one back after the restart. As the game continued the tempo slowed with some chances for both counties to score. Kone forced a great save (albeit one for the cameras) right at the end of the half which ended with Columbia taking a slender lead into half time. 

Both teams needed to/wanted to improve from the first half and it was Greece who started the better team. A few attacks came to nothing as Columbia were just strong for any Greek advances, then a moment of honesty from Samaras as he went over in the box only to turn to the ref and indicate that it was not a foul. Columbia doubled their lead from a scruffy corner (they all count). We also may have had the miss of the tournament as Gekas headed onto the bar from 5yrds with the open goal in front of him.  As the game drew to a close, Columbia finished as they started, strong and confident with Greece running out of stamina and ideas and a late late goal from Rodriguez made sure they take 3 points into their next game. 

This is going to be a tough group for Greece if they do not improve, whereas Columbia, even without the injured Falcao, could qualify into the knockouts after this display. 

World Cup Review 2014

Chile 3 - 1 Australia

The final opening game in group B saw Chile take on Australia. It was alway going to be a tough ask for Australia who are the lowest ranked team in this years World Cup, and it didn't take long for an attack minded Chile to open up their campaign with a goal in the first 11 minutes, shortly followed by their 2nd, four minutes later. The dominance continued and every man and his dog assumed it was going to be a cricket score, but this is the World Cup, it's not meant to be as straight forward as we all believe as the 'Socceroos' got their first goal of the competition through Timmy Cahill. Slowly but surely Australia gained confidence and composure and threatened to upset the Chilean party just before half time. The 2nd half was a complete contradiction of the 1st with Australia applying constant pressure on the Chilean goal and Bravo making a stunning save to deny a the volley from Bresciano. As the game continued it became more open with attack after attack for both team and the tournaments organisers finally got some use out of the 'goal line' technology system being used (ironically made by a German company) after a goal line clearance from Australia.  The tempo did not drop right up to the final whistle and Chile hung on to take the 3 points as Beausejour scored a 3rd Chilean goal in injury time. One thing is for sure though is that the Aussies will have gained many fans after this opening game and shouldn't be labeled a team making up numbers. 

World Cup Review 2014

Spain 1 - 5 Holland

In a repeat of the 2010 World Cup final, Holland got their revenge in an epic opening game between two of the potential European winners of this years cup. 

In a game which The Chuckle Brothers would be proud of, both teams traded blows. An early chance for Holland easily kept out, followed by a few half chances for Spain. However, another contentious decision paved way for the opening goal with another soft penalty awarded to the current World Cup holders, cooly dispatched by the consistent Alonso. More blows were traded and on the stroke of half time a moment a brilliance from Van Persie who dared to Zlatan with a beautifully guided diving header from the edge of the area. This even resulted from a "now that was a goal" by the non-football loving Kate. The second half started in the heavy rain in Salvador and the orange men (though wearing blue) took an early lead with another well taken goal and the pattern of the 1st half continued. Holland increased their lead from a set piece and with Spain pressing for the equaliser, a costly error from the most decorated Spanish player Casillas gifted RVP his second. To add salt into the wound, Holland kicked the Spanish while they were down to make it 5 and completed in what was an total brilliant 2nd half display.   

The admirer

I must admit, I'm loving sitting here. Watching her from a distance. She makes me smile. She doesn't know how much but she does. She is the one who you watch, and when she looks back she gives you butterflies. You try and hide it but you can't. Each and every time. I am lucky, as I can call her my wife.

Saturdays

Listening to a Saturday morning is something that I have started to grow used to. I mean, in my younger days I never even saw a Saturday morning let alone hear it. But what I have noticed is that there a big difference between the sight and sound of the morning.

Firstly let me state that I'm not in my fifties, or that I am a boring crud, but I now feel that I am more aware and more intrigued about what we do, where we live. I'm a lot more open minded. I mean that during my university years it was taken for granted what we all did and do. Whereas now I understand.

This particular Saturday morning is somewhat different to the other mornings that I have encountered. The sound of those annoying flying rats (the seagull) dosent seem to be as dominant as they usually are. For me they are the 'fingers down the chalk board'. I hate them. The only defence they have is that it's the tourists fault who feed them and think is cute, then fuck off back to where they live leaving the residents to put up with the demands and bad tempered mood swings.

The occasional rain showers brings with it a mood that can affect people from the off. Just because its raining doesn't mean we have to be in foul moods all day does it? The rain for me is therapeutic (the sound that is) I could watch the rain and listen, and if there is a thunder storm thrown in well, I'm on cloud 9.

The odd car is driving past, carrying in it a person that has their own interpretation of a Saturday. Off to work, shop, collect the kids? Are we in our own 'Truman Show'? The thought that you can encounter someone for only a few seconds and never see them again. Just thinking that they have their own path to take is incredible.

As I slowly become more awake and ready to take on this Saturday, the routine becomes regular. More along the lines of that I turn on my auto pilot. Get up, shower, breakfast, news and a good cup of coffee. I actually don't mind this routine, it could be worse. By the time lunch arrives the world of the unknown, unpredictable is here and we take on the day which tests our ability to progress. Even though we seem to know what we are doing, we are secretly thinking, figuring out is what move to make to get through each day. And that for me is why I have become more appreciative of what we all do, why we do it. A case of 'just living'

Soundtrack of our lives

For me, music is a part of my every day life. I can't go 1 second without thinking of a song, sample, snippet of a classic song or new song. It shapes our lives, gives us memories, sets us on life's paths. Without music, this planet would be pretty boring.

It's a hard subject to narrow down to a specific or particular point as the music library in this tiny yet expansive planet is, well say the least massive. But one thing if for certain that everyone of us human beings has a favourite song. And what does that tell you about music? I feel without music, life itself could be completely different. In a way that you or I couldn't express ourselves in the way we would want to. I mean who can't remember what song was playing the moment they met their loved ones? The moment their first child was born? The first night out? There are so many moments in life that we all remember with the little help from music.

It's not memories that are triggered from music, we are also able to conjure up future thoughts and wishes through different musical genres. Throughout the time I've listened to music while relaxing before going to sleep I've often thought of what video would be created with a particular song, or what would be in the background when I've started a family. Again, all of this couldn't be possible without music.

All I cam say is that I'm grateful enough to be in an age that has seen many great bands and artist grace this wonderful planet, but I'm am also confident that there will be many many more to come. And now with the ever growing digital age in music exposure, it gives us more opportunity to live life to many different soundtracks.