Confederations Cup painted Red

I have decided that the sentimental ode to my wing mates can wait for now. 'Tis the time for the showpiece event of the year, a preview to the football extravaganza scheduled for next year.

The confederations cup got off to a lively start with host nation SA being held to a tame draw by the battle scarred Iraqis. Despite having plenty of talent and enough experience in top flight leagues in Europe, the South Africans failed to crack the Iraqi defense. Having come agonizingly close to scoring , especially in the second half, The Iraqis held on for a well fought draw.

In the other match on the opening day, Spain showed why they are the top ranked side in the world with a 5-0 mauling of Oceania group leaders New Zealand. New coach Vicente del Bosque fielded a side which was more or less their best first team. Within minutes, Spain settled down into a slick passing game, which has become a trademark of their game, with the ball being moved fluently both along and across the field. Torres started off proceedings when NZ made the mistake of not closing him down . He fired in a 20 yard curler for his first of the match. Soon enough Spain doubled their lead, thanks to some excellent link up between their strikers, with Villa pulling it back for Torres who deftly placed it into the far left corner.Soon enough , El Nino completed his hatrick , thanks to some flat footedness on part of the NZ defenders. Capdevilla was allowed way too much time and space to pick out a cross to Torres, who gladly powered it beyond the keeper.Fabregas too joined the party to score Spain's fourth's goal and only then did Spain seem to relent their stranglehold on the game. Any chance of NZ redeeming themselves in the second half was lost when Villa coolly slotted in from close range thanks to a terribly missed clearance by Boyens. NZ had their only respectable chance of the game when Sam Elliott tested Casillas from 30 yards. But the Spanish captain was up to the task, clutching it safely.

The second day of the confederations cup saw two of the biggest teams in world football take centre stage. In their game against Egypt, Brazil looked patchy and hardly looked the brilliant side they are touted to be. The first half saw Real's new signing Kaka pull strings in midfield and after a flash of brilliance by the play maker (Taking on 3 defenders at one go), Brazil went ahead. Brazil's joy was to be short lived as Zidan equalised after three minutes for Egypt. Brazil still kept their wits about them and were rewarded for it with goals from Luis Fabiano and Juan from set pieces. But Egypt fought hard and almost did an Istanbul when they scored two goals inside a minute. But glory was not to be theirs when Al Mohammad cleared a shot off the line using his arm and was promptly sent off by referee Howard Webb. Kaka once again slotted home coolly with a perfectly placed penalty in the last minute to deny Egypt victory.

Unfortunately, I missed the USA-Italy game. But if BBC's reports are to be believed, Italy have a lot of catching up to do if they have to even start fancying their chances of winning the tournament.

With Spain threatening to sweep one more major trophy after the 44 year drought, the other top teams from Europe and South America better beware. England seem to have finally ended their patchy show and settled into a rhythm under new coach Capello. But one feels that the La furia Roja might be too hot to handle for anyone, despite their record of extreme underachievement.

Watch out for more updates in days to come.

Cheers,
Shreesh.