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| 2012 Subbuteo World Cup - Second Round |
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| China 3 s.d. 2 Paraguay |
| China won a remarkable tussle against Paraguay
that went through extra time and into sudden death, the latter parts of the game during a torrential storm
that seriously hampered visibility and reduced the pitch to a mudbath. China dominated throughout, Du
Guanghou striking the post and Tan Yunlong seeing a shot parried against the post, before Yang Knog-pak
finally put them ahead late in the 2nd half. Paraguay came back with the first of two equalisers, a rocket
from winger Aldo Santa Cruz. With the weather worsening during extra time, Sun Song scored with a delightful
chip, but once again Paraguay fought back. Israel Duarte's last minute goal was barely visible through the rain.
In sudden death play, Paraguay first looked like scoring, but this time Duarte fluffed a shot and Chinese man
of the match Tan Yunlong finally won the game. An extraordinary match, played in extraordinary conditions. |
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| Japan 4 - 1 Bolivia |
| Japan eased past Bolivia with a convincing 4-1
victory, with only goalscorer Fernando Torrico causing any real threat to the Japanese defence. Japan started
early, Taku Ichiyanagi scoring the first of his two goals after only 30 seconds, and the swift goal seemed to
take the wind from Bolivia's sails. They found themselves unable to respond, despite the best efforts of Carlos
Justiniano and Leonel Flores to chivvy them along. Japan were simply magnificent, defender Ryo Kirihata creating
problems all over the park, while Ichiyanagi and fellow two goal scorer Shinyo Aoyama rained shots against
Jaime Sandoval's goal. Japan go through to play hosts and bitter rivals China in what promises to be a thrilling
encounter. |
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| Holland 2 - 1 Malta |
| Holland continued their romp through the World
Cup with a confident win against title holders Malta. They dominated the 1st half, Arie Lutjens scoring a
superb opener after 15 minutes and defender Reiner Brood following up shortly after with their second. Malta
began to fight back, Danilo Camilleri pulling a goal back just before half time, but they struggled to
penetrate the solid Dutch defence through the 2nd half. Holland continued to create chances, the magnificent
Dennis Brinkhoff striking the post and Julius Pflug the bar, and never let up the pressure against an
increasingly desperate Malta. The title will change hands this time, and Holland remain the favourites to win it. |
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| Switzerland 2 e.t. 1 Mexico |
| Switzerland beat Mexico in a tense game, which
they lead from Blaise Constantin's 23rd minute opener until Omar Clemens equalised in the 88th minute.
Constantin found the next again to take them through. With Jeremy Zwahlen on terrific form, the Swiss
dominated the 1st half, but Mexico had the upper hand after the break and only a super save by Alessio Di Zenzo
prevented them from equalising earlier. Mexican sub Hector Ochoa lifted their game, setting up a chance for
Rodolfo Blanco and teeing up Clemens for the equaliser. Switzerland continue to display great form, and they
will need it for their tussle with Holland in the next round. |
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| Denmark 4 - 0 France |
| Denmark thrashed a poor French team, with
super striker Kasper Jungbloot scoring a hat trick in his best game yet. While the Danes played a calm,
controlled game characterised by perfect passing and explosive power up front, France looked increasingly
desperate in their efforts to get past the solid Danish defence. Sadulla El-Batiaki and his fellow defenders
remained resolute though, despite the best efforts of Henri Benyahya and Benoit Thibault to break through. With
Jungbloot looking like the best striker in the competition and the Danish team looking so composed, Denmark are
playing better with each game. |
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| Germany 1 - 0 Nigeria |
| Germany left it until the closing minutes
to score the winner against Nigeria, and it was substitute Wolfgang Stranger who hammered a rocket home.
Nigeria can rightly feel that the game was stolen from them, as they rained shots on the German goal, but
Sepp Tomaschewski made two brilliant saves and the woodwork twice came to Germany's assistance. Thomas Ade was
first to hit the post after only 12 minutes; Jerome Dada and Dominic Sunday forced the saves. Though Germany
played with their usual flair, the exuberance of the Nigerians and the tireless presence of defensive mainstay
Kennedy Oyewole took them by surprise. Their goal came against the run of play, and sadly ended an otherwise
fantastic World Cup for Nigeria. |
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| Brazil 1 - 0 Scotland |
| Scotland's efforts to beat the mighty Brazil
were seriously hampered after only 10 minutes, with the sending off of Colin Fitzhenry for a dreadful foul on
Emerson Santos. Nevertheless, the Scots fought hard, and Hector Kirkcaldy scooped a great opportunity wide in
the 2nd half. It was to be their best effort, while at the other end of the park Tiago Cicero struck the post
twice. Once again, Cicero dominated the midfield and alongside Wanderson Brasilia lead the attack on the Scots.
Brazil's only goal came courtesy of Brasilia in the 64th minute as he powered home following a terrific dribble
through the Scottish defence. Brazil continue to impress, while Scotland can only mull over what might have
been.
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| England 1 - 3 Egypt |
| Egypt took advantage of English defensive
disarray to come away with the shock victory of the 2nd Round. England's usually dependable defence seemed to
be falling over themselves, and Tarek Abdelghani was the first to take advantage, slotting home at the near
post after a mistake by Jack Westgarth. Eddie Carver equalised shortly before half time, and England brought
John Turk and Chris Stafford on to try to improve their game. Meanwhile, Egypt brought 19 year old Tarek
Youssek on and he promptly scored. Their third goal sealed the win, as England become the only group winner to
lose in the 2nd Round. |
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With a few exceptions, all team images are taken from Santiago Table Soccer