Time to start scoring

The 2nd semi final match of World Cup 2006 will see France playing against Portugal. On any day this would be quite a match between 2 top sides. But to be honest, I don't fancy their chances at all, earlier in the competition. And Singapore Pools second my opinion too with their incredibly high odds for 1 x 2. Just 2 matches back, we have Portugal paired with Holland. Portugal are not the side they were 2 or 4 years back. Then, they had Figo, Rui Costa, Sa Pinto & Nuno Gomes in their peak. Now, we only see glimpse of Deco, Ronaldo and maybe the experienced winger Figo working on his magical falls rather than magical strikes or passes. I placed my blind faith(& money) with a high scoring Holland win. But, Holland reminded me they were a much deproved side from their past as compared to Portugal. I only needed a cursed 1-0 win to Portugal for me to lose $200. ANY other scoreline and I would either be losing $100 or winning up to $200 depending on the outcome. The match ended 1-0 to Portugal. Then we have Portugal's next match; and they are up against who else but the team supposedly with their strongest crop of players after all these years. It is England if you are still guessing. And again I placed my blind faith against Portugal; banking on Gerrard and Crouch to carry England forward. Blind faith there indeed, as England battled to a goalless draw and could only blame themselves for not finishing Portugal off in normal time, since the whole world knew they suck at penalties. And that's my cursed team no.1, Portugal. So will I be betting for or against them?
That, I shall go into detail later.

Let's move on to France. Another interesting team, with their own interesting world cup story to tell. France would not even qualify for the knockout stages if they fail to get a win against Togo. And if Korea and Switzerland decided to play bastards, and play to a draw, France would need to win Togo by 2 clear goals to guarantee qualification. They did so of course, much to everybody's relief. Mine too since I nearly backed Togo +1 1/2. They finished 2nd in the group and face the winner of their neighbouring group, Spain. Spain's national side have always been underachievers. Domestically they have always dominated Europe but their players, like a certain Henry or Fowler, just always never quite play to their best for their nation, consistently. But I still fancy Spain though because they still have a very strong squad of players. France came back from behind to beat Spain 3-1 late late in the game. And who else but the Vieiras', Henrys', Zidanes' or Riberys' scoring.(psst.. it has become an open secret that France can only depend on these 4 players) Okay, the story just gets better as they entertains Brazil next. Anybody who watches football would tell you France have no chance of getting beyond the quarter-finals. Even the most optimistic of France supporters would surely have doubts over Barthez stopping Ronaldo, Adriano, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Robinho, Fred, Juninho, and of course much more. I played a safe bet for this game. High scoring. And now I am still wondering how on earth did all the Samba boys failed to score in 1 match together, at the same time. Riding on their luck or whatever, they won 1-0.

And so, after overcoming amazing handicaps,(like Portugal's suspensions against England or France remarkabe victory over-overwhelming favourites Brazil) surely France and Portugal are going to surprise us again later. But the question is in what way though. And afterall these 2 are the very teams that have made me lose all that I have loss for this world cup. Yet, I have chose to believed them now. I am a desperate man. Now is desperate times. And I am taking desperate measures. (p.s I am a risk taker.) Heh, I bought $400 high scoring. If it finished 2 goals or more, I will win money. I do know that for the past 10 or so games the matches have always been low scoring. BUT, as we all know, the ball is round,(what a clinche! a classic quote!) and scoring goals can be as easy as abc. Penalties can be scored at the blowing of a referee's whistle, at the referee's discreet. Own goals can be scored easily, at a player's will. It take only a second to score a goal. So here is wishing myself all the best. Hope I would have won the money by half-time.