Here is the Post’s roundup from the World Cup, from the heroes of today to what to look for tomorrow.
HEROES OF THE DAY
*** Luis Suarez, Uruguay. While Uruguay made it all the way through group play without allowing a single goal, it was Ajax forward that was their best attacker yesterday. In the 43rd minute, he got free on the back post and headed home a Edinson Cavani cross for a 1-0 win over Mexico.
*** Bongani Khumalo, South Africa. He couldn’t keep South Africa from becoming the first host to get eliminated in the group stage, but at least they aren’t winless. In the 20th minute he jumped over Abou Diaby’s back and scored with his shoulder, putting them on the road to a 2-0 win and bidding France Au voir.
*** Park Chu-Young, South Korea. Manchester United’s Park Ji-Sung was the best player on the field, and created most of their chances. But it was Park Chu-Young that rebounded from getting robbed several times early to curl a free kick around the wall, a 49th-minute insurance goal that put them in the Round of 16.
*** Lionel Messi, Argentina. No, the FIFA World Player of the Year didn’t score in their 2-0 win over Greece. But Diego Maradona gave seven starters the day off, leaving the 22-year-old to wear the captain’s armband for the first time. He drew the defense to him, split markers and helped create chances for everybody else. He was, in short, a captain.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR TOMORROW:
*** U.S.-ALGERIA TACTICS. The United States went to a 3-4-3 to rally for a tie against Slovenia, but don’t expect to see Bob Bradley get that aggressive. Still, Algeria knows they have to win and have to attack, and if they play with three strikers as they say, there could be some wide open soccer.
“If Algeria plays to its potential we don’t need to worry about our opponents,” Algerian right winger Karim Matmour crowed Sunday. “If we play our style of football we can beat anyone.”
*** THREE LIONS OR LAMBS? England is going into a must-win tilt vs. Slovenia down to Matthew Upson at centerback and in abysmal disarray, with invisible F Wayne Rooney ripping their fans and D John Terry criticizing coach Fabio Capello. Will he bench Emile Heskey for Joe Cole or Jermaine Defoe?
*** GHANA AGAIN? They were Africa’s lone team in the Round of 16 in 2006, and could be again, knowing they advance with a draw and perhaps a loss if Serbia ties Australia. They should get back CBs John Mensah and Isaac Vorsah, key since they haven’t scored from the run of play yet, just getting a pair of PKs.
*** SERBIA’S TEAM SPIRIT. After years of intrasquad strife _ witness their 0-3 disaster in 2006 as Serbia & Montenegro _ Serbia has been much more cohesive on their own. A win vs. the Aussies would clinch advancement, and they’ll have defender Aleksandar Lukovic back from his one-game suspension.
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GAMES ON TV TOMORROW:
*** Slovenia vs. England: 10 a.m., ESPN2. Slovenia has just 2 million people, but 4 points and the inside track to advancing with just a draw. But are they the team that took a 2-0 halftime lead vs. the U.S. or the one that allowed two in the second half and should’ve allowed a third?
*** USA vs. Algeria: 10 a.m. ESPN. Between a U.S. team with a leaky defense and an Algeria team that hasn’t scored yet, something has to give. But the Desert Foxes _ who’ll likely go with Rais Bolhi in goal again _ aren’t shy, MF Karim Matmour proclaiming “If Algeria plays to its potential we don’t need to worry about our opponents. If we play our style of football we can beat anyone.”
*** Ghana vs. Germany: 2:30 p.m. ESPN. Germany probably needs a win to avoid something that’s never happened to them _ elimination in the group stage. And they’ll have to play without top striker Miroslav Klose, serving a red card suspension.
*** Australia vs. Serbia: 2:30 p.m. ESPN2. In the Socceroos revolving door of a lineup, they’ll play without suspended Harry Kewell and Craig Moore, but get back Tim Cahill. If the Everton midfielder _ sent off the opening loss to Germany _ leads them to a win, and Ghana beats Germany, they could sneak through.