World Cup 2010: Day 14

What a night in both groups. In the group of dearth, football being scarce thus far, England scraped through. The reward for all their toil? They have managed to secure themselves a second round loss on penalties to their football enemy. Well done, Fabio. He's no doubt being hailed in the British press as some manner of genius for introducing Jermain Defoe into the team. The truth is that this much-improved England laboured to their win and were fairly shaky toward the end. In the other game, the USA made a meal of it the way that only they can - supersized and heavy on the cheese - with a dramatic last gasp winner against Algeria to win the group. Woo-hoo, etc.

Over in the other group in action last night there were some surprises. Australia reversed the form that had seen them lose then draw while getting players sent off. They beat Serbia. Tim Cahill scored, which is what he does, before a rocket (of sorts) from substitute Holman. Serbia pulled one back and chased a winner to no avail. They'll be ruing the day that they gave a penalty away to Ghana, and the day that they lost to Australia. In the most shocking news the Germans won. Ghana might have scored but the Germans didn't give away any penalties. Even though they haven't scored from open play yet they are the first African team to make the knockouts. They could be the only ones too. Up the Black Stars.

For those not out enjoying The Soccer World Series last night, the banter between the US and English fans was about as good as the refereeing in this World Cup. This goes in no way to explaining why all of the US fans cheered ever so loudly whenever Bill Clinton came onto the screen. It also doesn't explain why the USA's best chant is "F**k, S**t, C**k, Balls, USA." Looking forward to more of that on Sunday night. I just hope that there's a bigger celebrity to cheer, like R Kelly or Kim Kardashian.

Win a Germany Retro Shirt
The GongTees fellas love giving you lot t-shirts so they have offered another. To win a Germany shirt answer this question: How many World Cups have Germany won? Answers to editor@thebeijinger.com. First correct answer wins the shirt. Good luck.

Goal of the Day
Brett Holman scored a cracking goal for the Australians in their dramatic win over Serbia. He's not getting goal of the day though as Brett is no name for a footballer. Sorry, Brett. While it was a good goal it essentially counted for nothing - unless you count leapfrogging Serbia to finish third as something - as the Aussies headed out. Landon Timothy Donovan on the other hand, there's a man with a fine name and a knack of grabbing goals that matter. Last night when all of the US team were misfiring - Altidore and Dempsey especially - the side's true star bagged the winner to take the US through and top of the group at that.

Ins and Outs
England go through after scraping past Slovenia. The USA join them after a last-gasp winner over Algeria. Germany won, which is normal, to win their group, which is also normal. Despite losing, Ghana progressed at the expense of Australia and Serbia. England play Germany, which is normal, and the USA play Ghana. Tonight either Japan or Denmark will join the Netherlands in qualifying. Whoever wins their match goes through but a draw takes Japan through on goal difference. In the other group, Paraguay are favourites to go through but Italy, New Zealand and Slovakia can all qualify. It's exciting stuff, and more so if you have an online betting account ... allegedly.

Today's Fixtures
New Zealand vs. Paraguay - 10pm
Italy vs. Slovakia - 10pm
Cameroon vs. Netherlands - 2.30am
Japan vs. Denmark - 2.30am

Where to Watch
Add Luga's Villa/Basement to the list of places with two screens and then add The Beach as somewhere a bit different to catch a game. Just don't mention Serbia losing. It'll be standing room only at The Den for the Denmark game. The Italians will be at O'le and Aperitivo. The closest Beijing has ever had to a Dutch bar was Sunset Grill and that's long gone, maybe the Bus Bar is the place? If anyone can tell me where the Paraguayans are going then I'd be happy to go there. Lido/Wangjing will be the place to be for some Japanese atmosphere. Definitely not Tun according to someone who witnessed some anti-Japanese sentiment at the last game. Crikey, it's only a game of football.