^^ There is inevitability about your stages there, saaxib. Must the one between married and duq be there?

No thanks to Jacaylbaro.

^^ There is only one african team left in the tournment. Most of its players play in European leagues and do not have a reputation for breaking legs or any of this nonsense. Klinsmann still lives in the 80s with this racist comment of his. Adna kula ma yaabayo, Africa ayaad joogta and represent the kind of (bygone) African Klinsman is talking about.

Good stuff.

^^ War don't take it as an attack dee. I've said all along that the defence will let the team down. But that does not mean I was not impressed with their effrot and never-say-die spirit. LST, Ayew is good but he's similar to the entire Chile team, always in a hurry. Muntari (though I don't even like him as a player) has the experince to slow the tempo when the team needs it (just like Apiah when he came on). As for man of the match, are they blind? There were at least four others who played better than him with Anaan being the pick of the bunch.

Well done the US. They punched above their weight and were finally found wanting. Any half decent defence would have not conceded the two goals they let in. But still, the last sixteen in the world cup is not a bad thing. They outlasted better and bigger teams. Ghana will struggle to beat Uruguay if Kevin Prince B is not playing and Gayan is not on his game. The only good news for them is that young Ayew is not playing and Muntari will possibly take his place. Good stuff overall.

^^ Dee waa intaan edhi.

In case anyone reads Norf's comment above and suddenly think he does not know what he's talking about, let me tell you that his emphasis there was on the tackles and not the 'cold days'. Germany is indeed as cold as England.

^^ They still need Portugal to lose. It's a tall order. In other news. Heh.

2-0, seven to go.

^^ He plays in the second divison in France, saaxib (googled it as soon as I was impressed by him). With Ozil, I did read about him beforehand but never thought he would be THAT good. P.S. Lucas would have shone in this world cup...for England.

Guess what the numbers are for! (It's from the Daily Mail).

^^ He got a letter from Platini denying what the media has said. So, in Maradona's second press conference, he took the letter out and I said "I apologise to Platini but not to Pele".

If they lose, I'll blame it on her. Pfffft, women!

^^ Sheekado waxay noqotay "Al qaafilah taseer wa al shabab tanbax" miya?

^^ Like Bob said in his title, waa 'unpolished'.

^^ Exactly like Navaz and Ayew. Only the Japanese number eight and Germany's Muller & Ozil stand out for me (already knew of Honda from European football).

^^ Spain has a more solid back line than most teams in this tournment, saaxib. Pique has been sensational. Puyol might struggle with Brazil but not with this Chile side. War have you been watching both teams mese you're still going with your predictions from three months ago? Chile are as open as the Somali border, saaxib.

PRETORIA, South Africa – Diego Maradona made stinging comments about fellow soccer greats Pele and Michel Platini on Wednesday after the pair criticized Maradona's performance as Argentina coach. Maradona said he was not surprised by their comments and that "Pele has to go back to the museum." As for Platini, "I always had a very distant relationship with him — hello and goodbye. We know how the French are and Platini is French and he thinks of himself as being more than the rest of the world. I've never paid him any attention and I won't do it now." Earlier, Maradona had criticized Pele, who led Brazil to three World Cup titles, for doubting Africa's ability to organize a World Cup. Asked about Brazil, Maradona said Argentina's fierce South American rival was not tested by North Korea in the 2-1 win on Tuesday. "Brazil played a relaxed game, too relaxed," Maradona said. "Korea never challenged them. For (goalkeeper) Julio Cesar, it would have been the same to shower or not after the game. "Brazil is Brazil ... and Dunga has done a good job. When more will be demanded of them, they will play better for sure." Maradona said the general lack of scoring so far at the World Cup could be blamed partly on the teams' initial cautiousness. "The World Cup is something redible and I'm not worried about the lack of goals. The goals will come and there are players here to make that happen," Maradona said. "Of course, in the first matches one is more careful than maybe one should be. The teams are studying their opponents, which is why there are fewer goals." Maradona also assigned some of the blame to the much-maligned 2010 World Cup ball, saying the Jabulani was having "a large influence" on the low scores. He also asked the sport's authorities to pay more attention to the quality of the ball.

^^ Have you watched Chile, saaxib. They only know how to attack in numbers and I don't think they have any proper defensive game. Alonso is going to have a field day I tell you.

Spain will absolutely destroy the crazy Chile team. Horta ma i maqasheen? I said absolutely destroy.

As with all England games (even against Brazil or Argentina) this is going to be a very close game that will be decided by a single goal (or spot kicks). Can any of you remember the last time England lost by more than two goals? England are the better team (by miles) but the Germans have bigger..err..jabulanis.

Xiin and the guru disappoint me. I believe this is a very interesting topic to any student of politics. Oodweyne, You really need to let go of this defensive posture you employ every time Somaliland is mentioned (I'm on your side, warya). Still, maybe I should have banged the patriotic drums a bit louder to get you onside. Xaaji, just imagine a proud Somalilander going to the polling booth to exercise his democratic right and choose his president. Picture him (or her) in the polling booth. What are they doing? Is it the pen of freedom that they're holding to tick their choice next to Riyaale's name or the keyboard of liberty? Or maybe it is like Iraq in their first election after the fall of Saddam, the ink of liberation? I am a bit dull like this, saaxib. I can't imagine things unless I have enough details. Right now, all I can picture is a midwife walking into a polling booth and coming out later with her hands all bloody and shouting "It's a boy, we called him Faysal". And, like baby births, I can't help wondering if it was a C Section or a Normal Delivery. Wax fahan. Rhazes, Though I agree with the sentiment I suppose I have to pick you up on the comparison with the American elections/democratic process. You spoke about the SL one mimicking that and not likely to be as transparent or fair. But is there really such a thing as a fully fair and transparent election? Didn't the Americans themselves question President Bush's second presidency (I'm sure you still remember all that chad controversy at the time). If we know Somalis, we also know that the SL election is going to be a blueprint for all. Just like PL, Makhir, Jubba, SSC and various others copied the SL idea of creating their own administration, they are almost certain to walk down the same exact path if they ever choose to have elections. Therefore, regardless of one's views on the secession of SL, the actual electioneering process should be of interest to all. Wax fahma! Edit: Jacaylbaro, war dee ciyaarta iga daa. That phone of yours NEVER connects. Wan ka daalay.

^^ Or set up the goal (as he usually does).

^^ No hunch, saaxib. I have watched their games, considered their opposition and looked at the players they have. They are not a good team. Wax fahan.