The dust settles...

The first flurry of group games have come and gone.

After the dust has settled, we see Buggy sitting on top of the pile, but just by a hairlength from the hot-chasing JS.

My thoughts on the games I managed to watch:

- England looked laborious. I honeslty don't know how Eriksson can say he was "pleased with the result". I notice in the interview, he kept saying "the most important thing is that we have the 3 points". The whole of England is now praying for Rooney to return against Sweden.

- You heard it here first folks. The Ivory Coast. Mark them down in your diary. Look them up in the atlas if you haven't heard of them before. Based on the way they ran at Argentina, they are certainly not a side to be underestimated. Strong, powerful, fast and fit. These Africans showed why they were runners up in the African Cup of Nations. To me, the quality they possess that stands out above all; fearlessness. They attacked Argentina like the insolent new kid at school. Drogba bossed around the slow looking Ayala. Heinze had to double up on the Chelsea man to keep him down. The result was a niggling battle of words, kicks, the obligatory Drogba dive and a yellow for Heinze. Kolo Toure showed he can do on the international stage, what he proved he could do in the Premiership. Cover, run, mark and snuff out the Argentina forward thrusts. Of special note is Bakrie Akouba. This fellow really caught my eye. An attacking midfielder, he seemed to rise above the marking of Cambiasso and launched countless raids on the Argentina backline. Perhaps a move to the Premiership is on the cards? If ever there was a dark horse that has captured my attention, it has to be these Elephants. alez Cote d'Ivore!


Looks like we have a cracker of a World Cup on our hands.

And now, onto the business-end of things....

xiaobabyduck

Match 1 : Australia vs Japan Prediction: 1:1

Match 2 : USA vs Czech Republic Prediction: 1:2

Match 3 : Italy vs Ghana Prediction: 3:0

JS

Match 1 : Australia vs Japan Prediction: 1-2

Match 2 : USA vs Czech Republic Prediction: 0- 1

Match 3 : Italy vs Ghana Prediction: 2- 0

Kheva

Match 1 : Australia vs Japan Prediction: 2 - 0

Match 2 : USA vs Czech Republic Prediction: 1 -1

Match 3 : Italy vs Ghana Prediction: 2- 0

xiaobabyelly

Match 1 : Australia vs Japan Prediction: 2-1

Match 2 : USA vs Czech Republic Prediction: 1-2

Match 3 : Italy vs Ghana Prediction: 2-0


BG Yeo

Match 1 : Australia vs Japan Prediction: 1-1

Match 2 : USA vs Czech Republic Prediction: 0-2

Match 3 : Italy vs Ghana Prediction: 3-0


Amb Rose

Match 1 : Australia vs Japan Prediction: 1-2

Match 2 : USA vs Czech Republic Prediction: 1-3

Match 3 : Italy vs Ghana Prediction: 4-0

Buggy

Match 1 : Australia vs Japan Prediction: 2-2

Match 2 : USA vs Czech Republic Prediction: 0-1

Match 3 : Italy vs Ghana Prediction: 1-0

Hugo Jeans

Match 1 : Australia vs Japan Prediction: 1-3

Match 2 : USA vs Czech Republic Prediction: 0-1

Match 3 : Italy vs Ghana Prediction: 2-1