1. China Daily notes Pele’s prediction as Pele’s curse. In 2002, Pele confidently stated China to move to second round but China lost all three Group C matches conceding nine goals and failed to score a single goal. China finished 31st out of 32. About Pele’s recent predictions, the article reads
“Ironically, Pele also expected Brazil to play an African team in the final. The only African nation remaining in the tournament Ghana went out, a few hours after Brazil’s fall.”
2. China was not qualified but Hotel Hyatt Beijing Welcome card reads
“We are showing the FIFA 2010 World Cup games live in Redmoon located on the lobby level”
3. International Herald Tribune ends an article on German team thrashing Argentina with
“The only surprise was that Merkel did not get into the goal mouth to take her turn as striker.”
4. International Herald Tribune ends an article on surprises in this World cup with
“A prediction? No chance. Surprise is this tournament’s lesson.”
5. My Chinese colleague likes watching World Cup matches in China because
“It is better to watch here. No advertisements”
6. Probably scoring 1000 points at home with every Germal goal, my friend CK comments on Facebook
“And, Argentinians can have a small consolation that they don't have to see Maradona running naked through the streets (as per the bet he made)!”
7. Wikipedia (as pointed by a friend) surprised me with the fact that India qualified in 1950 World Cup because the opponents withdrew from the tournament. India did not send the team to Brazil because of the travel expenses and according to another report, playing barefoot was not permitted.
