Matchday 3 - Disaster In Durban

Algeria 0 - Slovenia 1 (Koren 79)
Ghana 1 (Gyan 85) - Serbia 0
Germany 4 (Podolski 8, Klose 26, Mueller 68, Cacau 70) - Australia 0

Australia's 2010 World Cup dreams lasted approximately 56 minutes in South Africa. Already down 2-0, Tim Cahill was harshly awarded a straight red-card for a dubious tackle. He was sent off, and is automatically suspended for Australia's second game against Ghana. Australian heads, on the pitch and around the world, dropped - as the reality of group elimination dawned.

Their could not have been a greater contrast between Australia's World Cup openers four years apart. The dreams of Germany were replaced by nightmares in South Africa. Australia was taught what it means to be a true football nation, as the German side cut them to shreds time and time again scoring goals in the 8th, 26th, 68th and 70th minutes. In fact the clinical decisive attack of the Germans would have brought back memories of the May 1940 invasion of the low countries for old timers. Australia's only real chance came early on in the third minute when a Richard Garcia shot was cleared off the line by Germany's Phillip Lahm. That proved to be the Aussies only real chance. A defence that was clearly too old and too slow was slaughtered by the German attack - who cut down the flanks with pace before crossing to strikers who time and again were unmarked - unforgivable at this level. Craig Moore was awful and needs to be dropped for the next game. Scotty Chipperfield's defensive game was targeted by the Germans who again and again attacked via their right flank (Australia's left). Australia's attack was limited but then again they had limited time on the ball. It is clear Pim Verbeeks cautious tactics, while successful in Asia, do not cut the mustard on the World stage. A nod should be given to the Germans who were magnificent as always. They will go far in this tournament - Australia won't.

In the other group D game Ghana were lucky to escape with a 1-0 victory in a game that had 0-0 written all over it before Serbia were reduced to 10 men in the last 15 minutes. The goal came via the penalty spot (arguably the only way either team was going to score) after a deliberate Serbian handball. It was coolly slotted home by Gyan to give Ghana an undeserved win. Serbia probably had the better of the chances over the 90 minutes but in reality neither team created that many and a draw would have been a fair result (and to Australia's benefit). The Serbian defence looked impenetrable as we had expected until it got a little groggy in the last quarter of the match - especially after the send off and the goal. Ghana looked to have enough attacking flair at times to more than worry Australia. It would be hard to see Australia beating either team at this stage and Ghana's win puts them in the box seat to advance to the next round.

Group C was concluded with a sleepworthy display between Algeria and Slovenia (for some trippy reason Algeria wore white and Slovenia (!?) wore green despite their red, white, and blue flag). This almost surpassed France - Uruguay as the worst match of the tournament so far - but at least there was a goal, the Slovenes snaring a late winner thanks to captain Robert Koren's 79th minute strike. A decent strike from outside the box, even the lone goal really should have been saved with the Algerian keeper only succeeding in helping the ball into the net despite getting to the shot. The game had little life or chances for either side outside the goal and the Slovenes (unlike the French) took advantage of Algeria being reduced to 10 men late to snare the winner. On that form neither side will be troubling the likes of England and the USA in this group.

Updated odds to advance - Group C - England ($1.10), USA ($1.60), Slovenia ($2.40), Algeria ($20). Group D - Germany ($1.05), Ghana ($1.30), Serbia ($5.50), Australia ($8.50)

What We Learned - Unfortunately what we all feared - that Australia is a shadow of the side it was four years ago under Guus Hiddink. Too old, too slow, too predictable, and not creative enough. Qualification went all the way down to the last minute of the third game in 2006 - here it was realistically over within 30 minutes.....shattering.

The Falcon's Spud Of The Day - Craig Moore (Australia) - Too old. Too slow. Followed his man when he should have attacked the ball, followed the ball when he should have been marking his man. In short - a total defensive liability. Should be the first player back on the plane home and never picked again.

Tonight's Games - The Netherlands and Denmark kick things off in the early game with big things expected of the Dutch. They should win by the odd goal in a close European battle. Japan and Cameroon will probably play out a stalemate in the second game, while the late game sees the defending champions Italy up against South American dark horses Paraguay. I expect Italy to also win by the odd goal.

Suggested Investment - Our first collect yesterday unfortunately came at the hands of Australia's defeat. Let's stick with the multi's for the moment and go for the European double of the Netherlands/Italy tonight.

Prices courtesy of Betfair.