WORLD CUP FEVER - June 17

Group B

	Chile		Austria
	Italy		Cameroon

Missed all but the final minutes of the reportedly dull Chile v Austria game. Got back in time to see the last minute goal. Chile's goal credited to Salas after he thighed the ball into goalkeeper following a rebound from Zamorano header, the keeper catching the ball but his momentum taking it just behind the goalline.

Italy won comfortably against a physical Cameroon side who had Kalla sent off. A harsh decision compared with the more intentionally dirty challenges we've seen, but the referees seem to have been told to be less lenient. The ref from Niger who gave the late penalty against Chile for handball during their first game was told his services were no longer required and was sent packing. Vieri's two late goals flattered the Italians, for whom we saw Del Piero come on as a sub. As I watched this game at home, the food and drink aituation did not involve lager and crisps, but a clean, crisp and lemony Italian chardonnay called Mezzo Mondo, and chicken stir fry in chilli and kaffir lime sauce. What a perfumed ponce.

Results:

Chile (0) 1	Austria (0) 1
Salas 70	Vastic 90

Italy (1) 3	Cameroon (0) 0
Di Biagio 8 Vieri 75, 89

Shots off target:

Today's headlines:
'Sore subject: Shearer, Adams limp out of England training' (Southgate's injury more of a worry)
'Savicevic's alleged injury rocks Yugoslav team'
'Hiddink: Kluivert was sparked by "appalling" comments' (Staelens allegedly called him a rapist and as we all know he was found innocent)
'Haessler's fitness a big worry for Germans'
'Platini, Blatter join referees' critics' (they're being too soft and we haven't seen enough red cards yet)
'Australia may bid for 2006 World Cup finals'
'Colombian coach threatening to axe Asprilla' (he has, Tino's pissed off home)
'Belgium's Deflandre getting popped over inflatable doll' (throwaway comment about a plastic girlfriend taken literally)
'Calderwood's broken hand ends World Cup dream'
'France clamps down, declares war on hooliganism' (Toulouse braces itself)
'England coach Hoddle finds hooliganism disappointing' (an understatement?)

Yellow card: Alan Clark (yes, another Tory politician!), for his 'misguided', provocative - and hilarious - remarks about English hooligans. They're provoked and are entitled to defend themselves says the skirt-chasing animal-loving toff. He's not a football fan but he understands rough games because he played the wall game at Eton.

(Not necessarily the World Cup but I've got a lot of them) Football Quote of the Day:
'You've got to believe that you're going to win and I believe that we'll win the World Cup until the final whistle blows and we're knocked out.' Peter Shilton