Suarez pushes the self-destruct button

The 2nd week has now passed at the Brazil World Cup and my life seems empty that there are no games today. If this was in America there would be some made up All Star game or something, at least to fill the gap for the television networks.

Talking of America, the USA! USA! USA! made it through and people in the States seem genuinely excited. Of course they think they are going to blow the little waffle makers away next week, but sadly I expect after Tuesday the sport named soccer will be put back in the box for four years as Americans revert back to type.

England of course have been fortunate that Luis Suarez was hungry at the same time we embarrasingly left the tournament on Tuesday, and since, all forms of media have had their attention diverted. In my mind 4 months and 9 International games is not enough. Suarez may be unhinged and need help, but the love, attention and care he got from Liverpool and the PFA last time hasn’t made one jot of difference to his character flaws.

Ironic that Luis Suarez’s brilliant footballing destructiveness is marred by such self-destructiveness. I wrote the morning after the Uruguay v England game that “every time I see that toothy grin, a bit of the game dies for me.” Those teeth were doing more than smiling at Giorgio Chiellini on Tuesday.

The Suarez incident has just given the competition more bite (my apologies) and not in any way damaged it. It has still been a magnificent spectacle and the 2nd Round, or Round of 16 has many mouth-watering games, especially the first three.

Half of the 16 teams left are from the Americas with a South American country already guaranteed a semi-final place. Colombia have looked particularly useful and Brazil face a bit of a banana skin against Chile. Algeria and Nigeria have suprised many in carrying the African hope but they have to get past two of the best sides. I’ve always had a soft spot for the Dutch (see above 1974 posts) but their game against the Dutch should be a close one.

And hands up who picked a Costa Rica v Greece match-up? One more sleep and we are back on again. Love it.