Beto

Today in history–The Boxer Rebellion erupted 110 years ago and in 1994 a jury paved the way for victims of the Exxon Valdez to seek $15 billion in damages. Today also marks the 48-hour deadline from the White House given to BP to solve the oil spill. I read in the Independent, UK that a staggering 30,000 barrels a day continue to leak into the Gulf waters killing flora, fauna, and area livelihood for now. This kind of put the whole three red cards in a day into perspective. Yes, there were three red cards, and one of them literally handed the game to the opposing team. Algeria substitute Abdelkader Ghezzal was ejected fifteen minutes after coming into the game after picking up a second yellow card for handling the ball. This opened the game for Slovenia who ended up winning 1-0 and setting them on top of group C, ahead of the USA and England.

Germany demolished Australia which looked one step behind the Germans. Ghana, in the same group, won in a wide open game versus a Serbian team that probably wished they had put their shoes on the correct feet. The Europeans had plenty of chances but seemed to miss-kick or miss-time each cross. The 1-0 final score was from a well taken Asamoah penalty.

Tomorrow one of my favorite teams plays—the Netherlands. The Dutch clash against Denmark, then Japan plays Cameroon, and the day finishes off with an interesting Italy versus Paraguay. I am not predicting, but hoping for Dutch, Japanese and Paraguayan victories.

An early Saturday morning with my family is always enjoyable, but adding the World Cup kicks it up a notch. We watched a well-oiled South Korean team ease 2-0 past a lackluster Greece. The score could have been greater. I needed to be productive so I worked on my chainsaw while watching Argentina and Nigeria. Argentina started by pressing the eagles and Gabriel Heinze broke the Nigerian defense with a great header to give the game its only goal. Maradona fielded a very attacking team where Lionel Messi seemed to be at home gliding through so much space only to be frustrated by the hero of the match- Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama. I was surprised to see a rather slow African team not taking advantage of a slower looking defensive setup for Argentina. Let’s not forget who coach Maradona had—Javier Mascherano and Jonas Gutierrez, a winger turned into a makeshift right back, running non-stop. The chainsaw works well, but some hostas suffered from a felled sourwood.

Many messages from friends came and went, from South Africa to Holland, Atlanta to Tallulah. I even got a message asking for an explanation regarding that white flag with the Red Cross during the England/USA game. We watched the game at Atlas Pizza in downtown Gainesville while eating a great pesto based pizza with grilled chicken, red onions and a request from my daughter of the addition of pepperoni. Their service went above and beyond from making sure we had the right channel for the marquis game to constantly filling our glasses with sweet tea. My daughter drinks like I do. My wife and daughter wore their red white and blue and I nervously watched the game. Steven Gerrard was all over. He led by example, but he could not grab the green jersey of the English keepers or he probably could have saved the pre-4th of July gift from Robert Green. Tim Howard kept the North American squad in the game and this seemed to give Michael Bradley and Donovan a greater focus to cause pressure on the ailing back line of the three lions.

I got a call during half time and we realized that Wayne Rooney was missing in action. That changed in the second half. Glen Johnson seemed to be bursting constantly through the right. England did have the ball the most but really weren’t convincing. Chances weren’t capitalized—Emile Heskey and a miss-timed run by Rooney in the box after a lovely Lennon pass. The USA even had a great chance from Jozy Altidore after he sprinted past Jaime Carragher. He made Robert Green redeem himself with a diving save to the right only for the ball to hit the post. The final score was a 1-1 draw but I think anemically benefits the US more than England. My wife and two other friends predicted 1-1. Slovenia can defend and Algeria is very athletic.

This is the World Cup. We shall see…

How appropriate for a young lad born in Soweto to be the first to score in this World Cup. Soccer City Stadium located in Soweto was the setting for South Africa vs. Mexico. Siphiwe Tshabalala scored a lovely goal at the 55th minute. Mexico had controlled the first half, but nothing definite. Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune made a great early save on Guillermo Franco the former West Ham striker to ease the nerves of the hosts.

There was a moment of controversy but contrary to coach Aguirre’s reaction and some of the later heard comments from some fans- Carlos Vela was offside on the disallowed goal. The rules by FIFA are clear. “A player is not in an offside position if: he is level with the second-last opponent.” Khune’s desperate and missed intention of clearing the ball saw him miss and Vela put it in only to be called offside due to the presence of only one opposing defender and he is past the closest second player- Khune. The final score could have been 2-0 but the woodwork denied an Mphela counter on the dying minutes of the game. The final score 1-1, thanks to a Rafa Marquez equalizer.

The next game was as predicted 0-0, full of hard tackles, and cautious tactics. The Uruguayans had a solitary Diego Forlan being hounded by a tight defense and Hugo Lloris alert to any ball. France on the other hand seemed as if it was expecting space to be ceded for their outside shooters- Malouda, Ribery, and Toulalan. The game was tainted by the first red card of the tournament on the 81st minute after a cleats-up tackle by Nicolás Lodeiro on Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna.

Tomorrow brings us South Korea vs. Greece, Argentina vs. Nigeria and the late game is England taking Bob Bradley’s athletes. Predictions for tomorrow? Let me know. Here are mine- South Korea 2-1 over Greece. Argentina 2- 0, and England 2-1 with Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole and Wayne Rooney giving Bradley a headache.

Brief observations- I have just finished watching Univision and ESPN- Jose Chilavert is not very balanced in his comments and Alexi Lalas’ microphone needs to malfunction.

Hours from the opening game of the most awaited sporting event; I am craving some flan, chifles, a glass of agua de Guitig and a bowl of caldo de patas. Reconnecting with childhood friends to discuss the tactics and predictions of the World Cup has become a ritual as I arise from social media hibernation. I know folks like James and Hiroki will ask, why caldo de patas? Because I like it- mom would make it and I could recall having three bowls, with a side of baguette bread from the local bakery on the corner – across the Carolina Park.

By the way my brother Kurt might be roaming around in as we speak—grab me a loaf, some cheese and a jugo de naranjilla. How will you be able to deliver it to this neck of the woods? Talking about woods, the lightning bugs are out this time of the year and I offered to catch some with my daughter. The problem here is this daylight savings practice. She goes to bed while it is still light and these members of the insect family wait until dusk. I will have to convince the wife into a delay of bed for a lifelong lesson in entomology.

Returning to the reason for this post, the World Cup starts with the hosts South Africa vs. Mexico. My prediction is 1-0 to Mexico. Javier Aguirre the Mexican coach is managing a player like Cuauhtémoc Blanco into a leadership position that many other coaches of the Aztec team failed to do. This just proves Aguirre’s tact and psychology with the players. The constant debate for this team with my friends and colleagues is who will start in goal. My call is Ochoa. My good friend Pablo “the theologian” Perez predicts Oscar Perez, not because of his last name but for his experience.

The next game is Uruguay vs. France. Uruguay is a team that epitomizes “playing with guts” or how we called it “garra.” Forlan will come close but French keeper Hugo Lloris will continue to prove one of the best in the World—prediction 0-0.

In regards to Liverpool, Rafael Benitez has departed. I grew frustrated last year, but that happens. I hope we made the correct decision and whoever takes the reins of Liverpool FC can bring back some stability, pride and honor. How about Rafa donating $96,000 to the Hillsborough Family Support Group? http://bit.ly/rafaforhillsborough

What are your predictions for tomorrows matches?

Today we saw a Liverpool squad with a makeshift right-back in Mascherano and Gerrard looking hurried. Kuyt gifted Wigan a ball that Rodallega  put away to put the home team on the lead. A frustrated Carragher gave the visiting fans a scare but Kyrigiakos saved a possible second. Torres’ first half woodwork shot was the only clear danger for former red keeper Kirkland. A disjointed team with Benitez at the helm of a couple odd substitutions- Benayoun- the most dangerous player out for Aquillani, OK- new threat through the left. Babel in on the 85th? Mr. Benitez, this is not the NBA where you can take a time out and change the tempo of the game with five to go.

Liverpool looked lost at times, not to take credit away from Roberto Martinez who at the end of the day took the victory from his fellow countryman with joy and the pride of a bullfighter. The prize was not the ears of the bull but a lifeline away from descent. While Rafa and his team looked like a schizophrenic group on an emotional roller coaster. Final score- Wigan 1- Liverpool 0.

It has been a while since my last post- my time has been elsewhere. This does not mean that this blog will remain adrift, gathering virtual cobwebs. On the contrary a catalyst is on the horizon. The event that makes the world stop for a month. The World Cup- The motherland did not qualify, thanks to tactical errors by Vizuete, but we shall not cry over spilled milk. I will prepare for quality teamwork and a display of global passion no other sport can compete with. More to come.

I found a new blog via twitter- yes, it’s regarding Liverpool and there are many, but this one has some good information.

http://www.empireofthekop.com/anfield/

I just watched this commercial from the BBC- I think it is brilliant.

I was just reminded of my conversation with a much admired pastor, philosopher and mentor. I was explaining to him that when I turned 35 I really stopped thinking what my age was. Or may I further explain- thinking about my calendar age. I know I have a pancreas but I really am not dwelling upon it.

I know people who have mourned turning 25. I guess it is based on the fact that I was raised by a mother that when she was a child the doctor’s told her parents that she would not live beyond 21. Instead of withering with self pity, she lived a full life of constant smiles, joy, sometimes pain, but a full life. She lived beyond 21.

Brother and follower of the Bambino cursed Red Sox, remember the words of the honorable Abraham Lincoln, “And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” Happy Birthday.