Dan's Corner 

Dan (aka Daniel Bettiol or 'Reflex') is a friend of mine from the Auburn District Cricket Club in Sydney.

Each week, Dan provides a group of his friends his own satirical views on the week in sports, whether it be local, national or international sports. Dan covers any sports worthy of mention although rugby league, rugby union , AFL and cricket do feature heavily.

Dan also provides his own bold predictions on the winners and loser. So, if you want to lose your shirt, or even your house, I can recommend that you follow Dan's tips. If on the other hand, you wish to make some money I suggest that you invest in shares, which probably are a safer bet even in these uncertain times.

I find Dan's views very amusing and sometimes thought-provoking so with his kind permission I have reproduced them for you to share. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do.

Week Ending 11 June 2006

Weekend in Sport…

Football - No huge surprises in the world cup to date. All the big nations having first up wins. England defeated Paraguay in the worst football match in World Cup history. This was as bad as international football can possibly get. South Americans Paraguay, who should possess some of that typical South American skill and flare, couldn't string three meaningful passes together. They were a disgrace and an own goal was a suitable way for these pretenders to lose the match.

England were not much better. Besides Cole looking dangerous on the left side the rest were poor to no good. Gerrard was quiet, Owen was wasting his time, his substitute Cummings ran like the wind and got nowhere, Crouch was cheered a lot by the big English crowd but never looked close to doing anything. The most exciting point of this match was when the ball hit the big TV screens hanging above the ground. Martin Tyler sounded like he was falling asleep calling this match. I've heard of teams not peaking too early and wasting good form early in the tournament but these teams took that to the extreme. England will need to improve by the second round. Paraguay should save them the embarrassment and go home early. Panania in good form would have got them by a couple.

Argentina started well before deciding to defend a 2 goal lead against the Ivory Coast. They won 2-1. Argentina have too many whingers and actors to be taken seriously. Some of the diving in the second half was embarrassing and the overacting after it laughable. The referees should start yellow carding these idiots instead of the blokes who aren't even committing a foul. To top it off fat boy Maradona waving his jacket in the crowd all got a little too much. Hopefully Serbia can tackle these duds hard and Holland send them home early.

Germany started the tournament well and scored a couple of beauties in their opening encounter. Mexico's set piece for their first in the tournament was brilliant for the practice they did on the piece couldn't have come off any sweeter in the match.

Australia take on Japan tonight. Worrying news with dud Mile Sterjovski looking a likely starter with Kewell starting off the bench. Sterjovski was ordinary in the lead up matches and his finishing has been poor. Australia's main problems however lie in the back. With Lucas 'Own goal' Neill not safe, Emerton not in great form and Moore still yet to find his feet after not being part of the qualifiers Australia's back line look likely to concede goals. Japan could expose Australia and easily win 2-0 tonight. I think Australia has a goal or two in them. I can see a high scoring 2-2 draw. If Australia can defend well they will win 2-1. Either way Japan will score a goal against this backline that isn't up to standard. Brasil will put 4 in the back of the Australian net.

Panania vs Revesby was washed out this weekend.

League - Manly defeated Wests on Friday night 16-12 in quite a good match. Wests dominated and deserved to win but to Manly's credit they hung in there and recorded an excellent come from behind win. Scott Prince for Wests was outstanding. His kicking game in the second half was marvelous. Why Queensland refuse to pick him instead of the overrated Thurston im not sure about. Prince would work better with Lockyear than Thirston does. Lockyer and Thurston combined in the last 2 years of Origin have been poor, producing a draw and 3 losses to date.

The mighty Bunnies finally had a win after 12 straight losses. They beat a premier league Broncos side but the bottom line for the mighty Rabbits was that they had to register a win and they did. The Bunnies can now get in a battle that they are very familiar with, fighting to avoid the wooden spoon. They will chase Parramatta and Auckland.

Rugby - Australia beat England 34-3. Australia weren't anything special and the all Blacks will give it to this side but England have shown they peaked in 2003 and its been down hill ever since. Australia will attempt to get back one of the many trophies that Eddie Jones managed to clean out of the trophy cabinet when they meet England again soon. They will win just as convincingly as England offer nothing in attack.

Tennis - Nadal beat Federer in the French Open. Nadal is at the moment unbeatable on clay and beat the world's best player in 4 sets in the final. Justin Henin-Hardene won the womans.

Motor Racing - Havent seen the highlights and am not sure who won the race but have heard that the sports worst driver, Mark 'DNF' Webber didn't even complete the first lap. DNF once again failing to disappoint with another DNF racked up to go with many, many others.

Dan.