Even the sound of the vuvuzelas won’t help Robert Green
Published: 17 June, 2010
FOR the past couple of days, all I have heard about it how bad the World Cup is.
There are not enough goals, there are too many draws, the sound of the vuvuzelas is irritating.
The moaning is endless.
I can’t help but disagree, and although I don’t think it has been the best World Cup so far, I certainly feel it has been entertaining one.
The first week of the competition hasn’t even finished yet and already we’ve seen England flatter to deceive, familiar German efficiency and Brazil collect three points with a touch of brilliance.
OK, so maybe they did struggle against North Korea, but nobody can argue that the goals they eventually scored were pretty special.
On top of all the traditional and familiar sights, we’ve also been treated to a few moments that will become World Cup folklore.
Nobody will forget where they were when Switzerland humbled Spain.
Images of Gelson Fernandes bundling the ball across the line will now be shown whenever pundits talk about the European champions in a major tournament again.
And of course we have had the most comical moment of the World Cup so far.
Step up Mr Robert Green and take a bow, but whatever you do please don’t try and lift the trophy because you’d only drop it and probably break your foot.
I don’t need to describe his howler to you because I’m sure you’re all sick of seeing it by now, but I will anyway. Clint Dempsey tried his luck from 25 yards and had turned away in the knowledge that his tame effort wouldn’t trouble a hyperactive child jumping around in goal and being distracted by his parents at a youth league match.
Nice guy Green came to the rescue, and saved the Americans from defeat by letting the ball slip through his hands and into the back of the net. Skills.
Even the non-stop buzzing sound of the vuvuzelas couldn’t help hide the loud “Gulp” that Green let out when he saw the ball crossing the line.
It begs the question as to why a goalkeeper who spent the season fighting relegation is in South Africa in the first place?