World Cup - Update 5

So we have reached the quarter final stage, a few of my predictions went wrong, Spain winning against France went horribly wrong for example.
Anyways 6 of the 7 winners of the trophy have made it to the last 8 (Uruguay the only team missing; they are missing from the World Cup as well) so that should be a good thing...

Onto what happened in the Round of 16 -

June 24

1. Germany vs. Sweden (2-0): What an awesome display from the Germans. They completely over ran the Swedes in the opening 15 minutes. They are peaking at the right time and look good to go all the way.
2. Argentina vs. Mexico (2-1): Argentina struggled and a similar display against the Germans might be their last in this edition. They need to play better.

June 25

1. England vs. Ecuador (1-0): Very boring performance from the English side, one good moment is all they had to show for. But they will still be backing themselves.
2. Portugal vs. Netherlands (1-0) : What an explosive game. Both teams played with immense passion and ended up going to any length to get the decision in their favour. With Deco out of the next match, and Ronaldo not looking too healthy, it will be very difficult for the Portugal side against England. But they can still do it...I hope.

June26

1. Italy vs. Australia (1-0): And the Oscar goes to...Fabio Grosso. A dubious penalty saw Italy through. Not a very convincing performance, but they will still back themselves to reach the Semi-Final s.
2. Switzerland vs. Ukraine (0-3): First penalty shoot out in this edition. A slow game with little chances created. Swiss couldn't convert anything from the spot and are out of the world cup without conceding a goal. A sad way to go.

June 27

1. Brazil vs. Ghana (3-0): Brazil was stretched all the way, but showed amazing goal scoring ability. Any decent move and an opportunity to score a goal was there for the taking. But still Ghana deserves all the applause for playing some neat football.
2. Spain vs. France (1-3): A shocker for me. Spain went out and they didn't even look like winners. One bad game and out you go. Improved performance from the French side.
   

So what is lined up -

• Germany vs. Argentina: What do I say? Argentina looks better on paper but Germans have been more impressive on the field. 3-2 win for Argentina in extra time will make me happy :).
• Italy vs. Ukraine: I expect a dull game, with the Italians winning.
• England vs. Portugal: England will be confident against an under strength Portuguese side. I still hope Portugal makes it through.
• Brazil vs. France: I expect Brazil to win easily, maybe even reverse the score line from France 98.

I hope football will take centre stage in the next few matches instead of the refrees. I also hope the game will be clean and minus the play acting (the penalty decision in Italy-Aussie game a case in point). Leaves a bad taste really.

World Cup - Update 4

It was time for tears of joy and tears of sadness as some teams made history while others made a quiet exit. The 16 teams making into round 2 have been decided. No major surprises there, except for the Czech's departure and Ghana becoming the only team to make it to round 2 from Africa. The Asian sides might have as well not participated. All of them played insipid and dull football and to think we want more places in the World Cup!!!!

But the Czechs are out, I repeat coz I really liked the side and it is basically the end of the road for some great players in the side.

Anyway on to the re-cap of matches-

June 20

1. Germany vs. Ecuador (3-0): Another good performance from the home side. They are playing better than anyone expected them to really. The group was a bit easy but even so. I think the English team will be happier to have avoided them.
2. Poland vs. Costa Rica (2-0): An easy wins for the Poles, atleast they end on a good note.
3. Sweden vs. England (2:2): Another patchy performance from both sides. The second goal conceded by England will definitely rank as amongst the worst goals conceded. Still they top the group and Ecuador should not be too much of a challenge. Pity that Owen is out.
4. Paraguay vs. Trinidad & Tobago (2-0): Paraguay had a chance if the Swedes had lost, but they never really deserved to go any further.

June 21

1. Argentina vs. Holland (0-0): Bit of a disappointment really. Both sides decided to rest most of their players and Holland didn't seem too interested to try and top the group.
2. Serbia-Montenegro vs. Ivory Coast (2-3): Great game, Ivory Coast really played well in all the games, they might have made it to round 2 had they been in Group G. They were definitely more attractive than France.
3. Portugal vs. Mexico (2-1): Portugal continue to play well. Holland will be a tough challenge in round 2. I think that game will be definitely worth watching. Mexico on the other hand continue to disappoint.
4. Angola vs. Iran (1-1): Angola needed to win and win well to advance. But they couldn't convert chances.

June 22

1. Italy vs. Czech Republic (2:0): The Italians were superb and the Czechs never looked likely to cause an upset. The injuries to key players really took them out.
2. Ghana vs. USA (2:1): Great performance from the Ghana side, I wish them all the luck against Brazil whom they ll next challenge.
3. Brazil vs. Japan (4:1): What a performance! Brazil were just unstoppable in the second Half.
4. Croatia vs. Australia (2:2): Really the best game of the lot...The emotions were running high and I didn't know whether to feel happy for the Aussies(Socceroos) or sad for the Croats. So close and yet so far. I know who will be feeling mighty relieved - the aussies goal keeper who let in the simplest of saves!

June 23

1. France vs. Togo (2-0): They had no choice but to play aggressively. But for the Togo goalkeeper, they would have won by a bigger margin. Spain should kick them out though.
2. Switzerland vs. Korea (2:0): The Swiss have looked good ever since their goal less draw against France.
3. Spain vs. Saudi Arabia (1:0): Spain rested all their star players and it took them 70 mins to get on the scoresheet. Still the best start to the world cup campaign for them.
4. Ukraine vs. Tunisia (1:0): Dubious penalty handed Ukraine the win. Very average performance from them so far.

So what's lined up now?

• Germany vs. Sweden - Germans should win this unless Sweden play more consistently.
• Argentina vs. Mexico - Argentina should win comfortably.
• England vs. Ecuador - England will win easily if they don't concede stupid goals.
• Portugal vs. Holland - Will be a fantastic game.
• Italy vs. Australia - Italy will win easily enough.
• Swiss vs. Ukraine - Swiss should win.
• Brazil vs. Ghana - Brazil will win.
• Spain vs. France - Spain will win.

World Cup - Update 3

Update just before the last round of matches at the group stage begin. Next few days are likely to be very interesting with some good games lined up.

June 14

1. Germany vs Poland (1-0): Germany had to wait till the last few minutes to break the deadlock, but as expected are through to the second round. Poland on the other hand became the first side to go out. They will be disappointed coz they must have fancied their chances in the group.

June 15

1. Ecuador vs Costa Rica (3-0): Another fine performance by the South Americans, their real test will be against Germany though. They ll be happy to make round two.
   
2. England vs Trinidad & Tobago (2-0): Very poor first half, but an improved performance in the second half so England through to round two. They will be happy to see Rooney back on the field.
   
3. Sweden vs Paraguay (1-0): Another patchy performance by the Swedes. I doubt if they will be able to keep their record of not having lost to England for 30 (38 I think) odd years intact.
   

June 16

1. Argentina vs Serbia-Montenegro (6-0): What a superb performance. And Messi is back on the field too. Must be hard on the players of Serbia-Montenegro - playing last time together as one nation.
   
2. Netherlands vs Ivory Coast (2-1): Still not at their best, the Dutch will be happy to have qualified and knowing that they can play much better. Great game with the Argentina lined up.
3. Mexico vs Angola (0-0): The most boring game of the world cup. Period.
   

June 17

1. Portugal vs Iran (2-0): Easy win for Portugal and they will be happy to be in round two.
   
2. Czech Republic vs Ghana (0-2): What a disaster. I am rooting for the Czechs as well and to see them play so poorly was sad. They have the biggest injury worries and if Milan Barros doesn't start against Italy...well...I hope they make it to round two. Awesome performance from Ghana though.
   
3. Italy vs USA (1-1): Poor performance from the Italians and if even poorer performance from the referee has made Group E the group of Death.
   

June 18

1. Japan vs Croatia (0-0): The Croats will be disappointed to have missed the penalty. The Aussies would be the happiest with the result.
2. Brazil vs Australia (2-0): Brazil is looking solid and getting better.
   
3. France vs South Korea (1-1): Finally a goal for France, but they really don't deserve to make it to round two, even if they have a player like Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane. Has Zidane played his last World Cup game? (He picked his second booking in the game and will sit out for the next game) It will be pity if he goes out without a whimper. Maybe that will motivate the rest of the team to play better but instead there is a talk of rift in the team. Sad.
   

June 19

1. Togo vs Switzerland (0-2): Good performance from the Swiss puts them ahead of France in the group.
   
2. Saudi Arabia vs Ukraine (0-4): Maybe the game against Spain was just a nervous start for Ukraine. Very nice display to keep their hopes alive for round two.
3. Spain vs Tunisia (3-1): Another good Spanish performance. They are looking good this time.
   

Games to look forward to in the coming days -

• Sweden vs England - England should win this.
• Argentina vs Netherlands - First real test of strength for both sides.
• Czech vs Italy - Neither side can afford to lose. It will be an awesome game for sure.
• Croatia vs Australia - will decide which of these sides go through.
• Togo vs France - battle for survival.
• Switzerland vs Korea - will the Koreans keep the Asian flag flying.

World Cup - Update 2

Now that the first round of matches are done with at the Group stage, it is time for another update. Good exciting matches on the whole...better than i expected at this stage. Thankfully no upsets or really bizzarre results.

Anyways continuing from where I left off...

June 12

1. Australia vs Japan (3-1): Great game, and the aussies showed that they belonged.
   
2. Czech Republic vs USA (3-0): The most one sided game so far, the US were pathetic to say the least. I think they should just stick "American Football".
   
3. Italy vs Ghana (2-0): Another nice game. Italy were pushed all the way...
   

June 13

1. South Korea vs Togo(2-1): First win for an Asian side. Doubt if either of these two teams will make it to Round 2. Of course if the teams continue to play insipid football...well...
   
2. France vs Switzerland (0-0): The other two teams of Group G. Hardly any chances created. France haven't scored for 4 matches now...
   
3. Brazil vs Croatia (1-0): The eternal favourites in action. A good game, Croatia not only kept Brazil in check, but created plenty of chances of their own. This makes the Croatia - Australia match quite promising.
   

June 14

1. Spain vs Ukraine (4-0): Superlative performance from the Spanish side. Will they do justice to the talent this time round?
   
2. Tunisia vs Saudi Arabia (2-2): The Saudis must have thought they have it in the bag once they scored their second goal. But an injury time equalizer keeps Tunisia in the hunt.

Best Team so far: Hard to say, Czech Republic and Spain were superb.
Worst Team so far: Easily the USA.

World Cup - Update 1

The FIFA World Cup has begun and already there have been some great games. Saw most of them but have an opinion on all of them :)

June 9

1. Germany vs Costa Rica (4-2): A cracking opening game, Germans looked good with the ball and were quite aggressive too...but their defence looked shaky. 2 attempts at goal for Costa Rica and they got both. Lehmann was ordinary at best. I think they will be exposed in the second round.
2. Poland vs Ecuador (0-2): Another awesome game with flowing moves. Poland were extremely unlucky as they just kept on hitting the cross bar...Ecuador played surprisingly well .I think its their first away win in 10 years...

So the group is wide open now...Ecuador should make it to round 2

June 10

1. England vs Paraguay (1-0): Pretty ordinary performance from the English side. Paraguay played their typical defensive game and it took an own goal to separate the teams.
   
2. Sweden vs Trinidad and Tobago (0-0): First draw of the world cup, Sweden created chances but to no avail. Not a good start for them. Awesome performance from the tiny island nation.
   
3. Argentina vs Ivory Coast (2-1): Ah, finally my favorite team in action. No Lionel Messi, but Riquelme and Saviola were superb. The defence was a bit shaky but atleast they have put the ghost of 2002 behind them. The group is not easy though.

June 11

1. Holland vs Serbia-Montenegro (1-0): Very patchy performance from the Dutch. I don't see them going too far.
2. Mexico vs Iran (3-1): Mexico really is too good a side to be held up 1-1 by Iran.
   
3. Portugal vs Angola (1-0): Portugal made a good start. I didn't watch whole of the game so I was a bit surprised that they couldn't build on their lead.

Environment Day

It's the World Environment Day today and the focus this year is on Deserts and Desertification (a process by which fertile land gradually turns into desert).

So I will write about something else instead - Water! I won't talk about how desperately I am awaiting the monsoon showers to hit Hyderabad and take away this heat, coz that would be digressing from the point. :)

Water scarcity may be the most underappreciated global environmental challenge of our time. Various agencies continue to voice concern over the ability of developing countries to quench the thirst of their rising population. India has still not managed the dream of clean drinking water for all - something the government has been aiming for ever since Independence. Not only have we been unable to provide potable drinking water, we have also been pumping out ground water (for farming, industry, etc) faster than it can be replenished. Monsoon rain clouds may roll in every June to September but the poorly maintained water reservoirs mean that most of the rain water is lost. Today an estimated one quarter of India'’s crops are being grown using underground aquifers.

Unless we start managing water in a smarter manner, the World Bank reports that "India will have neither the cash to maintain and build new infrastructure, nor the water required for the economy and for people."” The water crunch will make itself felt most on food supplies. Agriculture is the world's biggest user of water -- it takes at least 2,000 liters to produce enough food for one person for one day. Not enough water will mean that farming will get curbed and with the population growth not willing to take a rest, we will become dependent on food imports again.

But this problem is not confined to India alone, across the world countries are struggling to find clean water for their people. Infact, it is estimated that about half of the world population will be "stressed" for water (less than 1,700 cubic meters each of water per year, generally considered the minimal threshold for acceptable living standards) by 2015 (And we know where most of this "half" resides).

The water crunch has also started creating tensions between nations and within nations. There is already a great deal of bickering among the states that share water (Punjab - Harayana, Tamil Nadu - Karnataka for example), and the tensions will only get worse.

Water -- rather than oil -- could become the world's next big catalyst for conflict.

A year of Blogging

I knew it was close to a year...but I didn't remember the date...Anyways its been a year...

I didn't expect it to last this long...as I generally lose interests in all new distractions after they lose their novelty and as is usually the case I am left feeling impressed when I don't...

I can almost remember the day I started blogging...I was browsing around when I decided to explore Google a bit more...and came to Blogger. Apurv and Neha were already blogging...and both had once suggested that I should do too...so out of plain curiosity I created a blog...named it blogmia - my blog in Italian (I think) and titled it Discombobulated...a word I had come across a few days before...
I had planned not to tell about it to anyone...what was the point I thought, friends know how I think already...and if they have to come to a blog to get to know whats up with me...well then clearly we are not keeping in touch...anyways I am not very comfortable writing/talking about myself...and when I do, it ends up being cryptic..:)

So to mark the occasion...I did a quick scan of the old posts...and picked a few that I remembered...

• Kabooommm : The first post on May 23, 2005...testing the waters..
• Time : My fascination with time
• Smoke and Music : Pubs and rock
• Dilbert : When I requested a 4 year old strip for the blog...
• Anonymous Blog : All this anonymous blog stuff..
• Worlds 10 most expensive cars : What gets me the most hits...
• Intelligent Design : Interesting debate...
• Chess : Nice story at the end...
• Reunion : of sorts
• 20 useless things about me : well...
• Overheard at McDonalds : Funny incident on a not so funny day
• Yeah yeah I cried...but its ok I Guess : Probably the most personal post ever...
• Goalless Quest : I remember this post...Don't know why
• Opening Ceremony : a funny incident
• Omnipotence Paradox
• March 27, 1977 : left me numb
• Democracy-a note : well its the most recent post...:)