World Cup Group H - Ukraine Joins Spain

Saudi Arabia 0 - Spain 1

Blooger.com seems to be acting up tonight. I just got back from Biopolis after watching this game with Cow and Matt and couldn't log on for bout 20 mins. Also saw God there with his colleagues catching the game as well.

Saudi Arabia regained some pride in this last game in the group. For most of the first half, it looked like the Spanish armada was going to rip a hole so large in the Saudi defence that it would make the Titanic sink in seconds.

Thanks to goalkeeper Zaid, who made some incredible saves to keep the Saudis in the game. The Spanish scored with a header from Juanito to give the Spaniards a one goal advantage going into the break.

The second half started out the same fashion as the first with the Spanish once again threatening to run away with the game, but no finding the scoring touch. Midway thru the half, the Saudis brought on Al Hawsawi who changed the complexion of the game completely. He added pace, energy and enthusiasm. The Saudis practically camped in the Spanish half for most parts of the second part of the second half and almost came close to scoring on a couple of occasions.

I had expected the Saudis to fold after their first half performance but they performed well, especially in the second half. Alot could also have been to the heat tiring the Spaniards by then. I still maintain that the Saudis need to start allowing their players to play overseas to gain the much needed exposure to play against the best in Europe.

Ukraine 1 - Tunisia 0

I didn't and couldn't catch this match, but it was probably an expected win for the Ukraine, especially with Tunisia down to 10 men by the end of the first half. What was disappointing was that they had to rely on a penalty to secure their place in the next round.