The final round of the group phase got underway today. In round three the four teams in each group play simultaneously. It was group A that had its two games start together in the early match. The Russians and Uruguayans had already advanced but were playing for important positioning in the next round. In the other game, Saudi Arabia and Egypt were playing for pride.
Russia lead the BISERGS in team point production for the first two rounds but today James, Andrew, Arlan, Doug and Annika stopped reaping the benefits of home field advantage. It was Uruguay that delivered the points for its owners by coming through with an emphatic 3 - 0 victory. The 4 1/2 points went to all of those that selected Uruguay in the draft, but it is Rachel that moved to the top of the table thanks to her Group A champions.
In the second game it was Saudi Arabia that started strong but were stunned by a Mo Salah goal that came out of nowhere. Egypt had three more excellent opportunities in quick succession but wasted those chances to add to their lead. They were made to pay as Saudi Arabia had a penalty saved once, but then were awarded a second penalty that they made no mistake about. The game looked destined for a 1 - 1 draw when Salem Al Dawsari scored a goal from a tight angel in the 95th minute to send the Saudi's home with a smile.
In Group B, Portugal and Spain had the upper hand in the race for the next round but there was still a chance that Iran could sneak in if results went their way. Morocco were already out, but they have caught the attention of the world through their play this summer and were looking forward to the chance to make an impression again against Spain.
The Moroccans took advantage of a miscommunication on the Spanish half of the field and Khalid Boutaib, ran at Spanish keeper David DeGea in disbelief before putting the ball through DeGea's legs and into the net. With Iran putting on a strong showing at the same time, Spain suddenly was at great risk of not qualifying for the next round. Spain responded immediately with a beautifully worked team goal that was finished by Isco going high into the net. Before half time, Boutaib was given a similar chance on a break away, but this time DeGea came up big to keep his team alive. Meanwhile in the other match, Carlos Quaresma struck a beautiful shot from outside the penalty area to lift Portugal to a lead before half time. In the second half more drama ensued in both matches. Iran put Portugal under pressure again and again and the conspiracy theorist in me believes that FIFA really wanted Cristiano Ronaldo's pretty face to continue on in this tournament. He was awarded a dubious penalty when more blatant penalties should have been rewarded to Iran in the second half. Ronaldo stepped up to the penalty spot with a chance to put his team up 2 - 0 only to have his penalty saved by the Iranian keeper. A few minutes later Ronaldo was caught on camera delivering an elbow to the face of an Iranian player only to escape with a yellow card when a red card would have been merited. Iran were rightfully freaking out when they realized they had to play against 12 men. Ronaldo is hard enough to defend, but Paraguayan referee Enrique Cáceres had become Portugal's biggest weapon. (Sorry about that rant, I'm still bitter about several similar calls or non-calls that benefited Portugal against Morocco last week). In the 81st minute, Morocco scored on a powerfully taken header off of a corner kick, putting Spain on the ropes and at the mercy of the result of the other game. Just as Iran scored in the 93rd minute to draw even, Spain also found the net. Suddenly, Spain were on top of the group when just seconds before they had feared elimination. Surely there wasn't enough time for Iran to get another. After the restart, Portugal's defense switched off and the ball fell to an open Iranian at the left post with an open shot on goal. If he could score, Iran would win the group and Portugal would go home. As Mehdi Tarimi lined up his chance to be a hero, ad executives for Nike, Samsung, CocaCola, Tag Heuer and KFC let out a collective gasp of horror. Could CR7 be out of the tournament despite FIFAs best efforts to keep his face on TV screens across the globe? But alas, Mehdi Taremi hit the side netting, order was restored in the universe and Portugal and Spain are moving on to the next round. Without a doubt, Last place Morocco were actually the best team in group B :)
The draws in both matches meant that all of Group Bs owners picked up a meager point and a fraction, but both Rachel and Kelley got their third team qualified for the next phase and all Spain and Portugal owners will see their teams continue. Rachel should also be relieved that the results of today's matches mean her Uruguay and Spain teams won't meet in the next round. In fact, the Uruguay vs Portugal match in the knockout phase will be a chance for Rachel to strike a blow against her two nearest rivals Kelley and Gray. While nobody was paying attention, the Glenney family raid of the top 10. Lisa was already in the top 10, but Ivan and Levi had big days to push into the fourth and ninth positions respectively. Now this is really getting exciting.
Russia lead the BISERGS in team point production for the first two rounds but today James, Andrew, Arlan, Doug and Annika stopped reaping the benefits of home field advantage. It was Uruguay that delivered the points for its owners by coming through with an emphatic 3 - 0 victory. The 4 1/2 points went to all of those that selected Uruguay in the draft, but it is Rachel that moved to the top of the table thanks to her Group A champions.
In the second game it was Saudi Arabia that started strong but were stunned by a Mo Salah goal that came out of nowhere. Egypt had three more excellent opportunities in quick succession but wasted those chances to add to their lead. They were made to pay as Saudi Arabia had a penalty saved once, but then were awarded a second penalty that they made no mistake about. The game looked destined for a 1 - 1 draw when Salem Al Dawsari scored a goal from a tight angel in the 95th minute to send the Saudi's home with a smile.
In Group B, Portugal and Spain had the upper hand in the race for the next round but there was still a chance that Iran could sneak in if results went their way. Morocco were already out, but they have caught the attention of the world through their play this summer and were looking forward to the chance to make an impression again against Spain.
The Moroccans took advantage of a miscommunication on the Spanish half of the field and Khalid Boutaib, ran at Spanish keeper David DeGea in disbelief before putting the ball through DeGea's legs and into the net. With Iran putting on a strong showing at the same time, Spain suddenly was at great risk of not qualifying for the next round. Spain responded immediately with a beautifully worked team goal that was finished by Isco going high into the net. Before half time, Boutaib was given a similar chance on a break away, but this time DeGea came up big to keep his team alive. Meanwhile in the other match, Carlos Quaresma struck a beautiful shot from outside the penalty area to lift Portugal to a lead before half time. In the second half more drama ensued in both matches. Iran put Portugal under pressure again and again and the conspiracy theorist in me believes that FIFA really wanted Cristiano Ronaldo's pretty face to continue on in this tournament. He was awarded a dubious penalty when more blatant penalties should have been rewarded to Iran in the second half. Ronaldo stepped up to the penalty spot with a chance to put his team up 2 - 0 only to have his penalty saved by the Iranian keeper. A few minutes later Ronaldo was caught on camera delivering an elbow to the face of an Iranian player only to escape with a yellow card when a red card would have been merited. Iran were rightfully freaking out when they realized they had to play against 12 men. Ronaldo is hard enough to defend, but Paraguayan referee Enrique Cáceres had become Portugal's biggest weapon. (Sorry about that rant, I'm still bitter about several similar calls or non-calls that benefited Portugal against Morocco last week). In the 81st minute, Morocco scored on a powerfully taken header off of a corner kick, putting Spain on the ropes and at the mercy of the result of the other game. Just as Iran scored in the 93rd minute to draw even, Spain also found the net. Suddenly, Spain were on top of the group when just seconds before they had feared elimination. Surely there wasn't enough time for Iran to get another. After the restart, Portugal's defense switched off and the ball fell to an open Iranian at the left post with an open shot on goal. If he could score, Iran would win the group and Portugal would go home. As Mehdi Tarimi lined up his chance to be a hero, ad executives for Nike, Samsung, CocaCola, Tag Heuer and KFC let out a collective gasp of horror. Could CR7 be out of the tournament despite FIFAs best efforts to keep his face on TV screens across the globe? But alas, Mehdi Taremi hit the side netting, order was restored in the universe and Portugal and Spain are moving on to the next round. Without a doubt, Last place Morocco were actually the best team in group B :)
The draws in both matches meant that all of Group Bs owners picked up a meager point and a fraction, but both Rachel and Kelley got their third team qualified for the next phase and all Spain and Portugal owners will see their teams continue. Rachel should also be relieved that the results of today's matches mean her Uruguay and Spain teams won't meet in the next round. In fact, the Uruguay vs Portugal match in the knockout phase will be a chance for Rachel to strike a blow against her two nearest rivals Kelley and Gray. While nobody was paying attention, the Glenney family raid of the top 10. Lisa was already in the top 10, but Ivan and Levi had big days to push into the fourth and ninth positions respectively. Now this is really getting exciting.
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