Buzzer Beater (7/2)

TGI FRIDAY'S, LOS ANGELES - LADERA, CA -- #61 2H-Japan came out strategically and attacked when necessary to upset the #3 1G-Belgium's offense but instead of trying to play for a scoreless draw, Japan managed to score twice after the half and took a 2-0 lead. Two BEL subs in the 65' changed everything. Creating havoc off a corner kick, a routine header cross somehow managed to tuck away just under the crossbar to cut JPN's lead in half in the 69'.

Then five minutes later, sub Marouane Fellaini

Ouch!

Wow. A rash of injuries lately. Well, if Group G wasn't a two-team race (between Brazil and Portugal) before, it is now since Ivory Coast star Dridier Drogba broke his arm and is out of the World Cup.  And if you had any inkling of North Korea pulling off an upset over Brazil or Portugal, well, they just listed one of their strikers as a goalkeeper and thus, can't play in the "outfield".  This has gotta be one of FIFA's dumbest rules.  It shouldn't matter but I guess with the economy as it is, they don't want to make a GK and regular jersey for just one player.  I guess he could come out like an 11th attacker, but just with all the GK gear on.  It also seems like North Korea didn't notice their error even on the May 11th submittal.  I guess they were too busy allegedly sinking subs to notice.

England lost yet another captain, this time apparently not to extracurricular activities, as Rio Ferdinand's injured knee will keep him home.  England just can't keep the stars aligned and have a controversy-free WC.  Can Beckham be a captain as an assistant coach ;-)?  Let's see if the USA can take advantage.

Finally, Italy's Andrea Pirlo, '06 Cup Final MVP, is probable for the Cup.  But Italy has the easiest group (none of the other 3 teams ranked in the Top 30) and he could rest for an extra week.  Of course, they did roll over against Mexico, who beat them 2-1 in Belgium.  Does Mexico's win (or Italy's loss) change how you think they'll do?