The Association Football World Cup kicked off in grand style
Thursday evening, and continued with some great games on Friday.
In the premier game of the day, Portugal vs.
Spain, the European champions, Portugal, could only battle to a draw against
powerful but coachless Spain, all on the backs of a hat trick, three goals,
scored by the top world player and Portugal standout, Cristiano Ronaldo. The Spaniards, down two to one at the half,
battled back and were ahead 3-2 as the end of regulation time approached. Ronaldo carried out unbelievable feat as time
ran out to escape with a draw.
Saturday promises more group play. In the first game of the day France will take
on Australia, then Argentina hosts Iceland, Peru hosts Denmark, and Croatia
hosts Nigeria.
In international Cricket, Afghanistan travelled to India to
take on the number one team in the world, and dropped early. In their test match, which unbelievably
lasted fewer than two days, India manhandled the competition.
India, preparing for their tour of England
which will come later in the Summer, are in top form. The margin of victory – an innings and 262
runs - was crushing. The manner of it, even more so. All over within two days –
the first time a Test in the subcontinent had ever finished before the third
day. Each of Afghanistan’s two innings lasted less than a session.
Top ranked England was majorly embarrassed on Sunday, with a
shock six-run defeat in a One Day
International (ODI) Sunday at the hands
of Scotland. They rebounded Wednesday with a three-wicket victory over Australia in
their one-day international series-opener at The Adelaide Oval. They reached
their goal of 215 before finishing on 218 for seven with six overs to spare.
In other cricket news, Pakistan surged to a victory in their
second Twenty20 international against Scotland in Edinburgh on Wednesday. They
won with an 84 run rout. In doing so,
they won both games of their series. Scotland,
rightfully excited at the ODI win against number one England, was hoping for a T20
win over number one ranked Twenty20 champs Pakistan, but such was not to
be.
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