World Cup Round of 16 - Ghana Beaten Comprehensively by Champions (Brazil 3 - Ghana 0)

This one went for 3 goals, just as predicted. Well, you would think I would have made a killing tonight. As luck would have it (my luck anyway), the guy who usually contacts me with the odds, just had a baby, so he's too busy to entertain me on a day when I actually need him. I'm destined not to make any money out of this World Cup.

Anyway I caught the game at Holland kopitiam with Cow, and have to say the babe factor is fantastic. Kinda hard to concentrate on the game with eye candy all around.

Brazil started the game brightly and scored thru Ronaldo in the 5th minute, making him the all time highest goal scorer in the World Cup. I'm sure that would be the headlines in tomorrow's papers all over the world.

Ghana, without talisman, Micheal Essien, then took over the game. They had possession and chances but were unable to finish. They lacked that special player to create that little bit of magic. Just as the half was going to end with a goal lead for Brazil, Adriano sprung from an offside position.....TWICE....to put Brazil two up.

I'm really believing that someone up there wants Brazil to win this entire tournament. You've gotta be a blind man not to see Adriano in an offside position before he put the ball in the net. In fact he was offside when the move leading the goal started. The last couple of games have seen some horrendous refereeing, although this time it was the freaking linesman's fault.

In the second half, the Ghanaians picked up where they left off, and continued intense pressure on the Brazilian goal but continued to disappoint upfront. By midway in the second half, it felt to me that Brazil was just toying with the Ghanaians, daring them to come at them. It also felt like the Brazilians could counter attack and score anytime they wanted to.

Then with 10 minutes left, Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan was sent off for a simulation offense. This is what puzzles me again. Sure Gyan fell over, but he didn't protest or suggest he was fouled. He looked clumsy and tripped. I don't understand this rule at all. Seems to me that even if a striker trips and falls on his own accord, it would be a foul and a yellow card offense, regardless of his intention. Probably the rule wasn't meant to be carried out this way, but it seems the referees and FIFA, especially, have a distinct lack of common sense when it comes to laying down rules.

Of course with just 10 men left and two goals down, Brazil exploited their man advantage and scored another goal through Ze Roberto. They probably could have had more as they toyed with the Ghanaians in the last few minutes.

Well, with decisions going Brazil's way and the quality of their players, I wouldn't be surprised if Brazil wins the cup easily. So far there haven't been any major upsets in this tournament, which makes for some exciting mouthwatering games coming up in the quarters. Personally I prefer to see some underdogs go thru, like in the last World Cup.