Corner flag (vol 2.12) - Van Persie to score

Been taking stock on the bets / calls thats been made and pretty pleased as to how its all turned out. Especially, the Year of the Tiger theory. Ha.

Spain vs Holland, one of the favourites at the outset vs. a peripheral figure of the elite bunch of footballing nations. Both under achievers on the world stage for the longest time and we will have a new winner. All the chat at office is how the Spaniards are going to cruise it. Another day, another favourite. Not without reason though. Euro '08 champions and a core group of Barcelona players who have won titles together.

The Barcelona core were very effective against a rather polite German side, who were not used to sides not making mistakes in possession - like the Argentinians and the English in the previous rounds. The Germans couldn't get hold of the ball and were slowly worn down. The Dutch, I think, will have more of an edge about them and with players more than capable of scoring goals, its going to be a hard fought game. And of course, the Dutch will emerge as winners.

Either way, Arsenal will soon have a World Cup winner in the squad and I hope its Van Persie scoring the winning goal in the 85th minute of a hard fought game.
                                              

Corner flag (vol 2.11) - Forget the Germans

is what I have been trying to tell the people at office. After their effortless dispatch of the Argies on Saturday night, not one person can think of any other team but the Germans to win the cup. Yes, they have played some amazing football and with a low-profile, young bunch of talented players, makes them an easy target for the underdog seeking World Cup fan. I can't quite remember the last time there was such overwhelming backing for a team.

So I have gone ahead put a bet on Spain beating them in the semis. Not driven by logic, neither emotion (which I have made clear earlier), but just a counter-consensus punt. Spain have not pulled out the breathtaking football that they are capable of and I wonder if its going to be a case of peaking at the right time. Similar to the Robin Van Persie story for the Dutch, who I obviously think will go through to the finals. And win it. So there.

The time has come to smile - in joy or agony. Its all terribly exciting.

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One of the more talked of episodes this World Cup was Suarez's save. Cheating vs Passion - and as expected, the British bandwagon jumped onto how unjust life is. But on BBC last night, I was watching the presenter speaking to fans in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Amsterdam, Berlin and everyone said that any footballer would have done the same. The poor fucker.