FIFA World Cup #2 - It all went according to script...

Was there ever any doubt?  In Croatia, a plucky opponent with just enough well known players to be considered a threat, but without ever really having a chance to win.  Heck, they even had the temerity to get the first goal, albeit an own goal, but did anyone really think that they would hold onto it?  Resolute, is not a word I would use to describe their defending, especially in the midfield.

That said, when it did seem that they may steal a point, in steps Japan's Yuichi Nishimura to save the day with a penalty decision which could be described as very poor, but I'll leave it to the Croats to provide their own adjectives.  And then at the other end, he calls for the foul on Cesar when a no call would have been equally just.  Oscar scores with a toe poke to make the ref call seem irrelevant, but let's face it, the penalty was the turning point and Nishimura ensures himself of another plum assignment.  I am sure the FIFA referees are all patting themselves on the back for a job well done.  Sepp is a happy man tonight.

Game Notes

• There were a few theatrical falls, but all in all not too bad.
• Fun to see Big Phil getting so agitated on the sidelines about throw-in calls going the wrong way.
• If I have a defender such as Danni Alves whose attitude towards a winger crossing the ball into my box is at best, indifferent, I have a problem.
• When Brazil's best defender is David Luiz, I think I may have erred in my WC pool.  I can't see Brazil going all the way on this performance (unless Nishimura gets to do all their games).
• Any time a bunch of players surround the referee he should immediately get the yellow card out and start taking names.
• Cesar looked like he was trying to impress at a try-out - making the easy save look spectacular.