Matchday 1

Even without shifting gears Spain, through Torres hattrick, demolished five-nil New Zealand. Far from being impressive it was rather a "boring" match from those (as I) who were expecting a different outcome. Even though, Spain did not let the world down and even Fabregas let himself to score against one of the frailest oppositions I have watched in Confederations cup history (such a long and nurtured history by the way!).

The nature of the tournament is widely criticised, especially from England and Italy for being to "pointless," in some cases reaching the nickname of (how clever they can be), the "Pointless Cup." Whether this event is important to the football development of certain countries is to be proven or not, it is a tournament tha acquires a lot of attention, at least from the burocratical aspect as the preparation for the World Cup. It is a plain rehearsal and it should be taken as that and nothing more. The fact that certain countries and confederations, such as CONCACAF, take it so seriousy is because the panorama and reach this tournament has. Just a glance at Mexico's performance four years ago, among many economical gestures from part of the FMF, gave the national team a top seed, ahead of Portugal.



South Africa v. Iraq 0-0 14/Jun/09




The home die opened the event in Johannesburg with a goalless draw against Iraq. Jorge Larrionda was the man in charge of securing the peaceful and quiet development of the fair play. While the match lacked the spark of an opening game with some approaches it were the Bafana Bafana who actually managed to test Kassid's goal.

The first attempt with a minute or so played, when Macbeth Sibaya (yes, he is named Macbeth)shot just to be denied by Kassid. Throughout the match Kassid was threatened by several strikes, mainly, by Teko Modise such as two shots in the first half and one in the second period.

For the second half everything seemed to be just adequate for the home team to give the crowd at Ellis Park the win that could secure a spot for next round. The siege began for Bora's men reaching the final twenty minutes of the game; even the ball appeared not to be in the mood to enter on the lucky Mohammed Kassid's goal when Gaxa incredibly missed, or rather headed toward a frienldy to get deviated in the line.



New Zeland v. Spain 0-5 26/Apr/09




In the previously mentioned part I gave an account of the early group draw which took place in the capital. But now moving to Rustenburg the current European Cup holders gave a class, even at half-gas, of how a team should trash, remorseless, a weak and wane opposition.

The proof of that was clear from the beginning; Torres top corner beauty with just five minutes on the clock. Cesc set Torres from the left who, in a pinch of grass, moved and finished neatly to the far post. It was obvious for the Spanish travelers the fate of the All Whites: if a deficit of more than three goals could be reached, they could consider themselves lucky beyond all expectations.
The dominion and pressure of the possession game played by the Iberians produced another opportunity for Torres, which he eventually capitalised eight minutes after the first. Villa crossed after a great play from the WHOLE team to find the Liverpool striker alone in the 5-yard box. A minute later Torres secured his hattrick with a wonderful header a minute or so past the second goal.
The party began and in the twenty third minute it was Fabregas turn to give Spain a four goal gap against the New Zelanders.

The following half was truly a disaster for the 'home' side since each attempt from the Spanish could have esily got into Moss' net. One of them was about to be proven when a mix of a tremendous play was complemented by one of the most basic and horrid displays of defending of the world; Villa secured the win after Boyens swing. Everything was set up and at least for the day, the New Zelanders would not be seeing more goals.