Tiger Woods injury will leave golf struggling to gain its appeal
The 38-year-old inspired a generation but as he slips back from the frontline fewer people are taking up the game.For now, Woods is not going to admit that he is no longer up to dominating golf. However, there have been more public hints in recent months than ever before that there is an inner acknowledgment his body’s ability matches that of his mind. Players who didn’t compete against Tiger in his prime won’t be intimidated by him now, as is clearly the case. There is a clear correlation between iconic figures such as Woods and youngsters taking up a certain sport. Tournaments feel markedly different when Woods is on the scene, as Martin Kaymer acknowledged on Tuesday.
After days of dissecting issues of terrorism among youth and trips to the Cape Coast for site seeing, the discussions had to be taking to the football pitch. It was a tense game between delegates from West Africa and delegates from East Africa. The West African side consisted of countries like Benin, Nigeria, Niger, Togo and Ghana. The East Africans also consisted of Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Rwanda.
First half highly entertaining game and was well balanced with end to end action with goals from each side and it ended 2-2 apiece.
The players refreshed and danced to same music for a while, after which they began the second half. To our surprise the players didn’t lose their edge as five more goals were scored in the second 45. The game ended 5-4 in favor of the West African delegates but neither the less everyone emerged a victor to bring all delegates closer.
It’s the finalsand
it was between Germany and Argentina, Germany were looking to break their 24
year drought and crown it with a 4th world cup whiles Argentina were
looking to win their 3rd world cup which would be icing on the cake
for Messi. A lot was at stack and history somehow favored the Germans since
they had beating Argentina in the last 2 meetings. The first half started withthe Argentinians sitting deep in defense
allow the Germans to have more possession , but it was the Argentinians who
looked more dangerous with Lavezzi and Messi creating spaces and running at the
defense of Germany. Their efforts nearly paid of after Higuain got a chance to
score after a terrible back pass but he fired wide. Higuain later scored after
a sweet cross from Lavezzi but it was ruled offside , as the repay showed the
lines man was right.
The first half ended goalless and so did the second half ,
which also produced chances for both sides but neither was able to take it. The
game went on to extra time , and the dead lock was finally broken in the second
extra timeby Gotze in the 113th
minute. Messi tried his best but it just wasn’t enough and the Germans have
proved again that teamwork and cohesion wins games. Germanynow becomes the first European country to win
a world cup on South American soil.
Highlights of the final,
Neuer was awarded the best keeper of the tournament.
Messi was judged the best player of the tournament. James Rodriquez was awarded the Golden Boot as the top scorer. Paul Pogba was awarded the Young Player of the tournament. Colombia won the Fair Play award.
Hey Germany, As an Englishman, I'm jealous of you. I can only dream of England doing what you and the German FA have done #GERvsARG
— Michael McCaul (@superpidge) July 13, 2014
The 3rd place game was between Brazil and
Netherlands two teams who are very familiar with themselves. Brazil were
looking to place 3rd for the 2nd time in world cup
history whiles Netherlands were looking for their first. The game got of to a
controvertial start as was Netherlands were awarded a penalty just inside 2nd
minute after silva fouled robben. The incident from the replay showed it happened
outside the box but the decision was already made. Van Persie scored from the
spot to make it 1-0, the penalty award was only the 3rd ever in a 3rd
place match.
The second goal came after David Luiz attempted clearanceonly fell forBlind who scored to
make it 2-0 in the 27th minute. The Brazilians tried to get back but
the Dutch defense was resolute as the Dutch maintained their lead to end the
first half. The second half saw scolari make some chances which had an
immediate effect as they created more chances and pressed more but the Dutch
were still in control of the game. The Dutch finally made it 3-0 in the 90th
minute as wijnaldum scored from a well worked cross from Kuyt. The game ended 3-0 and
Netherlands placed 3rd winning the bronze medal for the first time.
The highlights,
Thoughts from the fans,
One thing about #Robben. The guy gives 110% for the full 90mins. #BRA could use some of that attitude... #BRANED#WorldCup
— Derrick N Ashong (@DNAtv) July 12, 2014
FT Brazil-Netherlands 0-3 | Brazil conceded 14 goals this World Cup, a new all-time low in their history #BRAvsNED
— NEYMARSTATS (@NeymarStats) July 12, 2014
To be fair, if Neymar had been fit, Brazil would have lost those games 7-3 and 3-1. #BRAvsNED
— Pete Sinclair (@pete_sinclair) July 12, 2014
How comes yellow cards giving out for diving and Arjen Diver Robben didn't get any? That Ref though... #BRAvsNED#footballgps#SSN#fifa
— Sashalee DiCaprio (@Chinieye) July 12, 2014
The 2ndsemi final match of the 2014 world cup between
Argentina and Netherlands was always going to be tough for both sides.
Argentina coming through the group stages has always been improving game by
game. For the Netherlands they have been in fine form coming through the group stages
and are also favorites to make it to the final. First half was a close game
with both teams being cautious , but it
was Argentina that looked the more treating with most chances coming their way.
Both first and second half ended goalless and from that point the game had
penalties written all over it. Extra time went by and we moved to penalties.
Two great saves by romero and 4 expertly taking penalties by Argentina proved
enough to make it into the finals. The shootout ended 4-2 in favor of
Argentina, this means the grand finale will be between Germany and Argentina.
Here are the highlights,
Reactions from the fans,
Have to admit, Mascherano was a beast today. Best player on the pitch. Messi was anonymous. #ARGvsNED
— Hashim Ashraf (Hash) (@got_hash) July 9, 2014
Coming into this match, it was dubbed the final before the
final but instead of a competitive balanced game between Brazil and Germany we
got a one sided match with the Germans completely controlling the game. In the
opening stages Brazil came forward more often playing on the offensive, but
were unsettled in the 11 minute by muller who scored from a corner kick that
was poorly defended. Just then the Brazilians came in attacking looking for an equalizer
but got more than what they asked for as their defense was in complete shatters
and contain the German passing style. Klose then made in it 2-0 in the 23 minute ,
and within 6mins the Brazilians conceded 4 goals with kros scoring in the
24th and 26th minute , khedira scoring in the 29th minute ending the first half with a 5-0 scoreline. Later
schurrle was brought on for klose who was now the all time top scorer in world
cup history surpassing ronaldo with 16 goals , who knows he might even score
more in the final. Schurrle made it6 in
the 69th minute and then later scored the 7th in the 79th minute with a fine
strike that deserved some applause from the fans. The Brazilians got their
consolation through Oscar after the German defense fell asleep for a while
preventing Neuer from get a clean sheet he so dear wanted. Now the Germans have
made it to their final and would await winners from the Argentina vs
Netherlands game.
The day
started with Argentina taking on Belgium , Argentina were looking to qualify
for the semi finals since 1978. The game started of with the Argentineans looking
to unsettle their opponents early in the game with di maria and messi combining
well. Their break came when di maria’s pass to Higuian flicked of a Belgian defender
and falling sweetly for the striker who shot the ball pass keeper courtois,
this meant that was only the third goal courtois has conceded in the tournament
and that was higuians first in the tournament. The Belgians from that point
struggled as the dark horses of the tournament only came close with vertonghen
header in the first half.
The
second half resulted in the same occurrence, origi the young talent failed to
shine again and lukaku was brought on. Messi came close in the with a one on
one with courtois but was denied. This meant Messi hadn’t scored against
courtois in 8 straight matches. Belgium also came close through lukaku but his
pass was prevented. The game ended 1-0 and this meant Argentina were in the
semi finals.
The
highlights,
Later on
in the day Netherlands took on Costa Rica, this game was said to be an easy
task for the dutch in the opinion of many pundits and fans. Little did we know Costa
Rica had different ideas.The game was
full of chances in the first and second half with sniedjer hitting the post
twice in the game. No goals were scored as the game went to a very nervy extra
time and then penalties. But before the penalties van gaal made a crucial
change by bringing on Tim krul for the penalty shot out and it proved crucial
indeed as krul made two penalty saves as the shot out ended 4-3 in favor of the
dutch, this was their first penalty shot out win in their world cup history.
