The World Cup - some thoughts

(1) Japan finished last in their group and over three games amassed a points total of one. They 'won' this single point after grinding out a nil-nil draw against Greece who played all of the second half with only ten men. Prior to the tournament the Japanese sports media were confidently predicting that not only would Japan progress from their group, but they would at least get as far as the quarter finals. I term this the 'Pearl Harbour Syndrome' - the irrational belief that despite glaring evidence to the contrary, Japan, simply by dint of sheer determination and lashings of Bushido spirit, can and will prevail.
(2) Is it just me or did the entire Chile team look like 11 convicts who had just escaped from the Santiago Prison. I mean all of them were sporting some serious tattoos and bad-ass haircuts. And what on earth was Andre Agassi doing coaching them?
(3) There should be an Irish word for 'schadenfreude'. I don't know about England (or Italy) but Luis 'Jaws' Suarez is welcome in the Teach Gaynor-Takahashi anytime.
(4) That Messi lad - Argentina's answer to Joe Clooney.
(5) And you can tell that Colombia are basically Banner boys at heart (and foot).
(5) Back in 2006 when Italy last won the world cup a number of the chippers back home gave out free fish and chips to celebrate. I am just wondering what would be given free if the Colombians won...
(6) The Germans: efficient, ruthless, machine like. Basically football playing panzers. Insert your dodgy stereotype of choice here.
(7) Greece - could they actually afford to attend the World Cup let alone progress to the second round? Wouldn't they have been better off quietly auctioning off their place to the highest (backhand) bidder - akin to how Qatar 'won' the right to host the World Cup in 2022.
(8) Goal line technology! What the World Cup needs are some white coat wearing, flag waving umpires. They would have saved FIFA millions - a hot meal after the game and petrol expenses is all they require. Plus their impeachable neutrality would have seen no penalty awarded to Holland and Robbens sent off for the sort of diving that you usually only see at the Olympic pool.
(9) As Cian so rightly pointed out, when all is said and done the World Cup can't hold a candle to the hurling championship.