mohamed hamad

The games come to a close with a new champion

// July 12th, 2010 // View Comments // General, sports

And so the games come to a close, seeing a new champion, Spain, ranking among the best in the world in Fifa World Cup arena, joining only 7 nations before them.

They played a tough game against the rough and tumble Dutch, who broke records in their foul play, but they managed to persevere against their impeccable defences, through a full game and 30min of extra time. They kept ball possession and pushed as hard as they could until Iniesta siezed the chance and scored an amazing winning goal in the final moments.

I have to say though, it was the longest and most boring game of this tournament. The fouls in their brutishness kept us entertained as my friends and I watched while having a late breakfast at my place. Cheering for Spain had its ups and downs, with worried faces looking on, as close calls had Robben masterfully passing the Spanish defences but not following through. Both teams had ample opportunity many a time, but no follow through left us screaming in frustration.

Spain’s game play wasn’t the most stellar through the tournament, and teams with better score such as Germany (4-0 against Argentina and England) were favoured. I think they scored the least goals with the most victories. In the end it was a well deserved effort, that yielded them the championship.  It’s good to see the cup in the hands of a new flag.

A little tid-bit. If Spain had lost, New Zealand would have been the only undefeated team in this World Cup!

And the Football fever continues!!

// June 27th, 2010 // View Comments // General, sports

FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa

This has been one hell of an intense FIFA World Cup so far, with all the big dogs out, and the scrappy underdogs gnashing out for survival.

My team, the NZ All Whites, though doing an amazing job not loosing any games, it just wasn’t enough to get through without winning. But they did make it on top of the defending champions Italy, and that makes it one hell of a year for NZ, whose football presence is negligible.

The first game in the round of 16, Ghana vs USA, was one hell of an intense match. I was in a Portuguese restaurant watching the game, rooting for Ghana, with everyone else chanting for the USA. The owner had put some money on the US, and lost it as it tied 1-1 going on to extra time. But Ghana came back strong with a stellar goal that destroyed all hopes for the US to get to the next round.

I’m not a big Germany fan, and not a big England fan either. Out of the two though, it was clear that Germany was the better team, which was proven by 4-1 lead. I guess the German psychic octopus is psychic after all. Now the Germans are poised to go against the winner of Mexico vs Argentina.

I’m rooting for Argentina on this game, coz I want to see the Maradona coached Argentina face Germany and redeem themselves from last world cups loss. I was in a pub in downtown Auckland 4 years ago cheering for Argentina in an overwhelmingly German crowd at 4am. Lets just say there was a lot of yelling, and I called in sick the next day, only to be blackmailed by a work mate coz I ended up on the 6 O’Clock news running around wrapped in the Argentinian flag.

Now that my NZ is out, I’m cheering on a case by case basis, with no clear favourite to win the cup. Ghana is Africa’s last hope on pushing through to a historic quarter finals if they beat Uruguay. I would love to see Argentina win, and wondering if Maradona will hold his promise to streak in the nude if they won.

Whose your favourite team, and who do you think will win?

Update: Looks like it is Argentina vs Germany! Go Argentina!