occasional posts by risa aratyr
essays on World Cup 2010
Chile has been looking surprisingly spry on the field. Against Spain, though, they looked just that bit slower and clumsier than they had in their previous matches. Were they playing less well? Or did they seem to be off their stride because they couldn’t muster the extra reserves required to up their tempo, dexterity and … Read more WC Fields — Chile v Spain
When Paraguay’s Valdez made that gorgeous run up the left about 15 minutes in, I thought that alone was worth the price of admission. But Paraguay played it safe. Can we blame them — can we fault any team for pacing themselves? Why risk injury and exhaustion on a match you don’t have to win? … Read more WC Fields – Paraguay v New Zealand
What I love about the Dutch? They always play to win, whether they need the result or not. Van Persie 36 minutes in… I mean. Eto’o equalized at 65 minutes. Spectacular shot, a devastating finish. There haven’t been enough moments like this in the competition, not for me. I truly wanted to see lots of … Read more WC Fields – Cameroon v Holland
In their final Group Stage match, tiny Slovakia, competing as an independent nation for the 1st time ever, was pitted against Italy, the current World Cup champions and 2nd most successful nation in World Cup history. While FIFA rankings may not mean much on the day, the 29-country gap between 34th place Slovakia and 5th … Read more WC Fields — Slovakia v Italy
Danmark, delig Danmark… farvel, farvel. I know it’s breaking young Sorcha Fatooh’s heart, but the Japanese caught the Danes out not once, but twice in quick succession — two stunning free kicks before 20 minutes were gone. It would’ve been plenty to put them through, even after Denmark (barely) equalized on a penalty kick, but … Read more WC Fields — Denmark v Japan