Cruel Blows

Brazil and Belgium both advanced with victories over Mexico and Japan today.  Mexico played with

Heartbroken Japanese fan.

an energy and drive that made most observers think the result was fair but cruel to the Mexicans.  If that result was cruel to Mexico, there are no words to describe what happened to Japan.  Entering the World Cup, Japan were ranked 61st, only Saudi Arabia was ranked lower among teams in the World Cup.  They were facing 3rd ranked Belgium.  If you didn't know that going in, you never would have guessed by watching the play.  Japan were faster, more creative and better organized for most of the game.  They were rewarded in the scond half and went up by one goal and then Takashi Inui drove home a stunner to put them ahead by two.  Belgium did rally after the first goal and put pressure on Japan, but Japan responded so well.  Belgium finally got a goal back in the 70th minute on an absolute fluke of a goal.  After Belgium struck again just five minutes later, it was the post and some amazing saves by Japan's keeper that kept them from going ahead.  Still, after several minutes of pressure, Japan survived the gut check and they that seemed just as likely to score the game winner as the clock ticked down.  A free kick by Keisku Honda well into stoppage time almost beat Belgium's goalie, Thibaut Courtois, but he managed to push it behind for corner kick.  It seemed like Japan was destined to score from the ensuing corner, but instead Courtois snatched the ball from the sky, patiently found Kevin DeBruyne who burst through the midfield and initiated a beautiful team goal that crushed Japan's dreams.  It was a beautiful goal and Belgium were not undeserving, but poor Japan.  Even the biggest Belgium supporter would have to feel heartbroken for the Blue Samurai.

Neymar pleading to have his leg amputated to take away
the pain.

Back to the earlier game.  Mexico were every bit Brazil's equal throughout the match.  They were very fast in the attack and quick to recover the ball whenever Brazil got a hold of it, but all of their hard work and excellent game plan couldn't get them the goal they needed to break through.  When Brazil did get forward, they looked very dangerous and Mexican goalkeeper Memo Ochoa was a heroic barrier against the Brazilian attack.  The Brazilians were frustrated again and again until Willian got the ball in a place Brazil had been passing from all day and instead used a tremendous burst of speed to open up space on the left side of Mexico's defense.  When Mexico scrambled to defend the new angles, Willian put in a perfect cross to Neymar who finally found the Mexican net.  Mexico fought on and had many chances to score but were finally worn out and vulnerable to Brazil's counter attack that saw Neymar as the provider from the left and Firminio ready to tap in past a helpless Ochoa in the 88th minute.  Neymar's goal and assist are all the more remarkable given that he was ready to check himself into the nearest ICU at least three times in the second half after being severely injured by the shadows of nearby Mexican players.  Mexico has gained a lot of support in Russia and among BISERGSers who enjoyed watching them this summer, so the result was a sad one for most.

It was not a sad result for everyone though.  Levi, Josh, Arlan, Annika and Katee are all happy to see their top pick continue in the tournament and welcomed the two goals and a shutout.  Four points earned has all five of them in the top 12 with Levi pushing upwards to third place and Annika riding high in fifth.  Both Levi and Annika are the only members of the top 5 with three teams remaining.  Will this summer bring us the youngest BISERGS winner ever?  Levi and Annika hope so.  On the losing side of the Mexico / Brazil match were Anita and Bill who are now out of the BISERGS.  It was Anita's first time playing and I enjoyed watching a few matches with her in Cheyenne.  I wouldn't be surprised if she wins the BIESERGS a few years down the road.  It is always great to have Bill play too and we are sorry to see both of you bow out.  Sharleen and Matt Rutz still have one team left, but they were counting on Mexico to bring them BISERGS glory.  Josh lost Mexico at the expense of his Brazilian's, so he wasn't crying over this one.  Josh was crying over the next one though, since he had Japan and was seconds away from reaping huge rewards from an upset victory.  In the end, Josh's big day resulted in one win, two losses and only 3.75 points.  Japan's loss sends Josh's dad Dan out of the BISERGS also.  Thanks for playing Dan.  Your bravery in picking Iran first in a nod to your family history and Peru, where you visited Matt this spring, was very noble and we hope next time such loyalty to teams that you wanted to cheer for anyway will be better rewarded.  DJ saw his Spaniards shocked earlier and hoped to be on the other end of a shock result via Japan today, but was unlucky to lose his second team in two days.  BISERGS hopefuls Kelley and Gray were happy to see Belgium win as a boost to their campaigns.  For Kelley it was added to Croatia's success yesterday, but for Gray it was pure relief as every team he put in this round seemed to be cursed until the late Belgian goal got him back on the right track.  Ari and Isaac moved up the rankings and each look strong with two teams remaining.  Matt Snyder avoided elimination from the BISERGS through Belgium and hopes to ride the Red Devils all the way to the final.

Tomorrow we've got the last two games of the round of 16 with Sweden facing Switzerland and Colombia taking on England.

In the first game, Matt, his sister Allie and their Grandma Cookie are all facing the threat of elimination and need a Switzerland win.  Lisa and Annika also have Switzerland but are in a much stronger position and Swiss success could give them an amazing three quarter-finalists.  All five Sweden owners are big players this summer thanks in large part to Sweden's surprising Group F success.  In the second game, Vera, DJ (Colombia), Shelby, Ivan and Carol (England) are all fielding their last remaining teams.  Levi  could move into first place with a Colombia win that would aso lift Isaac and Linday into the fray.  On the other side it is Lisa, who already has Switzerland in action in the early game, who could vault into the top five if both games go her way.  The English could also move Ari back into the top 10 with two teams remaining in the quarter-finals.  Tomorrow is going to bring a lot of movement on the leader board and sadly, we will also be saying goodbye to a few more BISERGSers.