Day 3; Netherlands vs. Serbia & Montenegro, Iran vs. Mexico, Angola vs. Portugal

The Netherlands vs. Serbia and Montenegro

Arjen Robben 18’

This was always going to be a classic game in the making, the flair and speed of the Dutch against a highly rated Serbian Defense and the Serbs were made to pay for their only mistake of the game when in the 18^th minute Mark van Bommel played a long ball to Robin van Persie who clinically fed Arjen Robben with the ball to net in. This was an exciting affair to witness as both teams could have taken home the victory and the score was always going to be marginal. Serbia got in the action when they had a shot on goal in the 10^th minute from a set-piece that was coolly collected by Edwin van der Sar. Moments after the only goal of the match Robben had another attempt at goal from from a distance only to be parried away by the diving Jevric. Serbia pressed hard at times but to no avail and the Dutch were not any luckier.

The second half saw the Serbs press harder but yet again they were found wanting on all occasions. The Dutch are now comfortably placed second in the group behind Argentina and have games against Ivory Coast and Argentina to vie for the top

Iran vs. Mexico

Omar Bravo 28’, 76’
Yahya Golmohammadi 36’
Zinha 79’

Iran came out with all guns blazing as they maintained the pace for the most part of the first half with Mexico, although their efforts seemed erratic at times. Mexico made the best of a quick counterattack to open up the Iranian defense. The Mexicans went ahead in the 18^th minute courtesy of a tap by Omar Bravo, as the ball fell his way from a Guillermo Franco header. Iran were up to the task as they quickly found the back of the net in the 38^th minute through Yahya Golmohammadi as Oswaldo Sanchez attempted to punch the ball into the clear and lo and behold it fell softly in front of Yahya who amongst a crowd of Mexicans booted the ball to equalize. The first half was largely played in the midfield of both teams and Mexico was finding it hard to penetrate the sentinels of Iran as a swarm of Iranians would cluster at their backline to protect their goal. Mexico found it best to launch an offensive on the counterattack exposing the Iranian midfield and defense but alas Mexico rarely capitalized on such moments as they found it hard courtesy of some erratic passing.

Mexico found their groove in the second half as they started marshalling the field a bit more than what they had done in the first half. Looking a renewed and rejuvenated unit the Mexicans went ahead again courtesy of Omar in the 76^th minute as a Zinha pass split the Iranian defense. That was the blow that did it for Iran as three minutes later Zinha was again in the thick of the action as he snuck one past the keeper from a Mario Mendez cross. Iran looked poised to take control of the game at the end of the break but a loss in concentration and a quick double strike deflated their hopes. Both teams lost key players in Borgetti and Mahdavikia so there is no reason that Iran could not have held onto their nerves, but alas this is where the inexperience shows, but nevertheless a good showing by Iran.

Portugal vs. Angola

Pauleta 4’

On paper this match up seemed to be grossly one-sided given the previous history of these two teams going head-to-head and all such thoughts were assured when Pauleta netted home the opener of the game in the fourth minute of play. Veteran midfielder, Luis Figo, outpaced the Angolan defense and lured in the keeper only to send a pass to Pauleta in front of the open goal. Angola clearly looked to be in disarray during the early moments of the first half as Portugal attacked their goal time and again only to be denied by a variety of poor shots, good defending and goaltending. Cristiano Ronaldo had a few attempts at the goal and could not find the net as he hit the crossbar on an occasion and Joao Ricardo denied his shot just before the break.

The highly fancied Portugese once again failed to live up to expectations as they recorded a sub-par performance. One is left wondering if Portugal have what it takes to succeed at the big stage but credit must be given to the spirited Angolan squad who after an early bout with the butterflies kept their composure for the remainder of the game. The Angolans were no match for the quickness of the Portuguese as they were found wanting on the counter.

All three games played today were exciting to witness and the World Cup is just getting warmed up!