Nether Have I Ether

If the first Quadrant of the second round is the South American fatal fourway, then this quadrant must surely be the "Who does Netherlands have to steamroll" quadrant. Let's face it, the pundits figure that Netherlands would have an easy time beating Mexico, and then have to face Greece or Costa Rica. It only gets easier here. But, Mexico had other plans. In the 48th minute, Giovani Dos Santos put El Tri up 1-0. It was a lead they would hold most of the game. Unfortunately, you have to hold the lead until the final whistle. In the 88th minute the game would break down when Wesley Sneijder tied the game. A clumsy challenge in extra time gave Klaas Jan Huntelaar a penalty kick that he would convert for the win. Just like that Mexican dreams were dashed, Dutch dreams live on, and Oranje could have their eyes set on the semifinals.

For Greece, this was their first trip to the World Cup past the group stages. For Costa Rica, it was only their second. That, however, was a long time ago. The Costa Rican Avengers showed up big in the first two games to give wins over Uruguay and Italy. They dozed off in a 0-0 draw with England, but now had the chance to do something remarkable. Team Captain Bryan Ruiz would step forward and score a goal in the 52nd minute. This was the start Costa Rica needed, but a second yellow card in the 66th minute saw Oscar Duarte removed from the game, and Los Ticos were down to ten men. In stoppage time, Greece found the answer they needed in a goal by Sokratis Papastathopoulos and the game would finish tied. Extra time couldn't decide it, and penalty kicks were made. A Kaylor Navas save on Theofanis Gekas's shot would set up a win for Costa Rica. After all the exhaustion, Costa Rica have won the right to face Netherlands. Celebrate now, for this is no easy task.

Netherlands 2:1 Mexico
Costa Rica 1(5):1(3) Greece

Artifex: Spain 2:1 Mexico
              England 1:0 Cote D'Ivoire
IoannesNix: Spain 2:1 Mexico
                     Italy 3:2 Japan
Praeceptor: Spain 2:1 Mexico
                   Uruguay 2:1 Japan
Musicus: Netherlands 4:0 Coatia   Netherlands
                Italy 2:1 Japan
Scriptor: Spain 2:1 Mexico
               Italy 1:0 Cote D'Ivoire
Ferrarius: Australia 2:1 Cameroon
                Uruguay 3:2 Colombia
Quis Digno: Mexico
                    Greece

STANDINGS:

2/8    YC
1/8 Picks

2/6
2/8 Picks

2/4
1/8 Picks

2/6
1/8 Picks






_________________________________Relegation Zone________________________________

1/2    YC
1/8 Picks

0/5     YC
0/8 Picks

0/8 Picks






Only one player received a point today. As a result, Musicus is the player of the day. Congratulations contestant. The only player to stop a penalty kick today was Keylor Navas. Here is your Navas PK save.

We are halfway through the second round. Just four games over two days remain. It is a low scoring affair, and Scriptor and Ferrarius look to be making the earliest of exits. Good Luck to all players. 

The Grand Salmon Alapca