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WORLD CUP MEN OF THE MATCH #20: Tiago

Match: Portugal v Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Ceann Mór’s pick: Tiago
Ceann Mór says: A seven nil drubbing ensures that a Portuguese player would be man of the match.  After a closely contested first half the Portuguese midfield took control in the second half and the defence became easier to unlock as they chased the game. Tiago produced a beautifully weighted defence splitting pass to find Meireles for the first goal, applied the finish for the fourth with a calm sidefoot from the edge of the box and was at the heart of most of Portugal's finest moments before completing the rout with a fine glancing header.  He made the most passes in the game with the second highest success rate and whilst Korea did not offer much going forward his was a true box to box performance.
In a word: Complete.

WORLD CUP MEN OF THE MATCH #19: Khalil Al Ghamdi (referee)

Match: Chile vs Switzerland
Ceann Mór’s pick: Khalil Al Ghamdi (Saudi Arabia)
Ceann Mór says:  Not all (or perhaps many) who watched this game will agree with my assessment.  To produce nine yellow cards and a red in a game largely devoid of incident does, on the face of it, confirm Ottmar Hitzfeld's opinion that Al Ghamdi is 'just a referee who blows a whistle at the beach'.  However, if we look at each incident in turn we find a first minute challenge that was dangerously high and late, two shirt pulls to cynically stop forward momentum, one convincing dive late in the game and a number of run of the mill bad tackles which under the letter of the law were yellow cards.  If all referees penalised these offences they either wouldn't happen or the perpetrators would at least be missing for one out of every three games.  For some reason it has been decided that a good referee is one who ignores about one third of the offences that he sees to 'allow the game to flow' but it seems that nobody told the Saudi school teacher that the rules of football do not apply to the millionaires at the top level of the game. The red card awarded to Behrami was probably harsh by conventional refereeing standards but by the letter of the law it was pretty clear violent conduct and the fact that the contact made was minimal does not remove the intent.
In a word: Stringent.

Baseball: Could Strasburg be the real deal?

Tonight the latest in a long line of supposed 'phenoms' in Baseball started only his second game in the Major League but already he has provided ample evidence that if he can stay free from injury he may just be capable of matching results to the hype that has surrounded his emergence at Washington Nationals.  

His debut on Tuesday was little short of sensational lasting 7 innings with 14 strikeouts, without conceding a single walk.  4 hits including a two run homer in his first 3.2 innings could often be enough pressure to make even a seasoned pitcher get spooked but Stephen Strasburg responded well and completed his day's work with 7 consecutive strikeouts (a record for the Washington Nationals) to take the win. 

 

His second start was less spectacular but a return of a further 8 strikeouts with just two hits and five walks in 5.1 innings conceding only 1 run was enough for a second win in two starts.  Look out for his next start in five days time to see if baseball's latest 'next big thing' can continue to live up to the hype. 

WORLD CUP MEN OF THE MATCH #5: Tim Howard

Match: England vs USA
Ceann Mór's pick: Tim Howard (USA)
Ceann Mór says: In a game largely devoid of inspirational moments or a single driving force three players stood out as having a memorable game for the right reason. Steven Gerrard scored a great goal and throughout the game played the right ball at the right time but didn't ever quite impose himself enough on the game to get the nod.  Similarly Glen Johnson sparkled at times but was guilty on more than one occasion of failing to deliver a killer cross to unlock what seemed an organised but limited defensive unit. Tim Howard had a solid game and his six saves (surprisingly) equal the most for a keeper so far in the tournament.  His save from Heskey's effort 7 minutes into the second half was excellent, particularly to hold rather than parry the shot (though one does have to wonder how an international striker set through on goal can choose to blast the ball directly at the goalkeeper rather than at least attempt to place it).  So Tim Howard is my man of the match though I suspect he won't get nearly as many column inches as the other 'keeper in this game.
In a word: Dependable.

2010 SIX NATIONS PREVIEW

February 6 sees the start of the first of QoS's Big 10 for 2010 when 2009 Grand Slam champions Ireland host perennial wooden spoon candidates Italy at Croke Park to kick off the 6 Nations.  Wales travel to Twickenham to face England, and France's visit to Murrayfield completes the fixtures on the opening weekend.  But in six weeks time who will be throned as Kings of Northern Hemisphere rugby?

QoS takes an impartial(ish) look at the contenders...

FRANCE

Start as tournament favourites but this is perhaps more a reflection on their club sides' Heineken Cup form than the national side's recent results. Their Autumn international victory against Tri Nations champions South Africa was followed by a humiliating 27-point defeat against New Zealand.

Marc Lievremont has named a squad big on stature but perhaps missing a little of the flair of teams of years gone by.  We can expect a strong challenge from France and it would certainly be a surprise if they did not at least equal last year's third-place finish.  

Key Player:-  William Servat - Has edged out Dimitri Szarzewski as France's starting hooker and, with what is likely to be a dominant pack, his ability to marshal the rolling maul and find his jumpers in the lineout will be essential if France are to win their crucial home games against Ireland and England.

IRELAND

2009 was a special year for Ireland who managed to avoid losing a single game throughout the year. The Grand Slam champions have a reasonable chance of retaining their crown but away games at Twickenham and Stade de France may prove too much of a challenge this year. 

Key Player/s:-  Ronan O'Gara / Jonathan Sexton - Ireland's strength lies in the 3-quarter line and the wearer of the number ten shirt can either enable or disable their greatest weapon.

WALES

There is a fine line between success and failure and Wales' 4th-place finish in 2009 is a case in point. The game against France finished with Wales camped on the French line but failing to cross it whilst against Ireland Stephen Jones had a kick for victory with no time on the clock but did not quite have the range.  This was achieved despite a misfiring Shane Williams who of late seems to have rediscovered his form.

Key Player:- Martyn Williams - If Wales are to repeat their 2005 & 2008 success they will need to win their share of ball on the floor and there is nobody in the northern hemisphere superior to Williams in the 'dark arts'.

Latest news:  Jenkins & Rees missing from Wales front row.

ENGLAND

2nd place in 2009 flattered England but they have become a hard side to beat and should not be underestimated.  The selection of Matthew Tait at outside centre is brave given that he will be trying to stop Wales' marauding inside centre Jamie Roberts in the first game.  Hopefully this is the beginning of a three or four game run for Tait who has, in my opinion, never been given the chance at international level to prove himself.

Key Player:- Riki Flutey - When Jonny finds himself yet again buried at the bottom of a ruck, England need a number 12 who can make decisions and influence games from inside centre, and there are few true 12s better than Flutey in this respect.  

Latest news:  Flutey out for Wales game.

 

SCOTLAND

Victory against Australia in the autumn looks better on paper than even the most devout haggis-eating, kilt-wearing, Lorraine Kelly-supporting Scot would claim it looked in reality.  The appointment of Andy Robinson (and his decision to steer clear of Hadden's big yellow anorak) has given the Scots a fresh impetus but nonetheless the future looks bleak and the game against Italy may well prove the most crucial.

Key Player:- Rory Lamont - The Scots have sporadically played some very good rugby in the last couple of years but have lacked a player who can finish off some of the opportunities created.  If Scotland are to progress Lamont needs to be that man.

ITALY

6th place looks very likely.  Parisse aside, this is a team that would struggle to match any other 6 nations side's 'A' team.  With Parisse sidelined for the entire tournament, Italy will be short of leadership and backrow power.  

Key Player:- Craig Gower - The former Aussie rugby league international may be the first genuine replacement for Dominguez at fly half.