Some random observations after the second group fixtures:

Argentina 4-1 South Korea: Despite calls for Diego Milito to replace Gonzalo Higuain at the forward position, Argentina coach Diego Maradona stuck with Higuain in his starting line-up. On the other side of the pitch, South Korean coach Huh Jung-Moo abandoned the aggressive attacking game they showed against Greece in their first fixture and opened with a defensive 4-5-1 formation. The decision failed early when Park Chu-Yung stuck his foot out toward his own goal on a Lionel Messi free kick and scored easily…for Argentina. One of the worst own goals you’ll ever see as it almost appeared like Park was trying to score for the other team. The South Korean defense failed again on simple cross into the box by Maxi Rodriguez that is headed to Higuain who is all alone near the far post and scored on the easy header. After their defense was barely tested in the first half, Argentine central defender Martin Demichelis made a critical mistake just before the half, carelessly handling the ball just outside his own box and failing to see Lee Chung-Yong closing on him. Lee ran right by Demichelis, picked him clean, and scored on a point-blank shot behind the Argentine defense. Other than that, the first half was all Argentina, with Messi creating time and time again. Argentina continued to dominate after the half, scoring on another brilliant run and shot by Messi that deflected to Higuain, all alone on the back side. For a team playing a defensive formation, South Korea repeatedly made huge defensive failures. Higuain completed his hat trick on a header when he was again left alone on the back post. Perhaps Maradona knows what he’s doing after all, as his decision to keep Higuain in the starting line-up over Milito and his reliance on Messi to create paid off big. Argentina has virtually clinched their spot in the 2nd round of the tournament. South Korea’s defense was horrid. Despite the defensive formation, Argentina repeatedly had unmarked players in the box and forced South Korean goalkeeper Jung Sung-Ryong to make numerous saves. Jung actually played quite well and kept his team in the game, but the repeated defensive lapses did him in. South Korea is still in a good position to advance however if they can beat Nigeria in their final group fixture.

Greece 2-1 Nigeria: In the early going, this was an evenly matched game with both teams creating opportunities, but neither got off good shots, except for a surprise midfield shot from Kostas Katsouranis that did not catch Nigerian goalie Vincent Enyeama napping. An early simple free kick into the box by Nigerian striker Kalu Uche scored because Greek goalie Alexandros Tzorvas fell to his right expecting a header that never came. Nigeria’s day virtually came to an end 15 minutes later when midfielder Sani Kaita is red-carded for kicking a Greek player in retaliation to a minor push. Even though he barely made contact, it was a stupid emotional act by Kaita and he was rightly sent from the pitch. Greek manager Otto Rehhagel immediately went for it sending another striker on the field in place of a defender. The rest of the game was all Greece, taking an astounding 27 shots, including 11 on goal. Enyeama was nearly up to the task making 9 saves, but a shot by Greek striker Dimitrios Salpingdis deflected off a defender and into the goal shortly before halftime, tying the game. Despite being a man down, the Super Eagles nearly got a second goal, but striker Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi missed wide right on an open goal after a shot deflected to him off of Tzorvas. Greece finally scored the winner when Vasilis Torosidis converted a shot that deflected off Enyeama. The Greeks should have scored several more goals but for the brilliance of Enyeama, who was praised by Lionel Messi after the first fixture against Argentina. While not technically eliminated, the Super Eagles don’t stand much chance of advancement. Despite the win, the Greeks own chance for advancement will depend on how they do against the dominant Argentine team in the next fixture.

-amwoods13