Day 12- Cologne		Match 35	Group B
	JAPAN	vs.	HOLLAND

Holland appears to dominate with the ball early on, but that quickly is revealed to be an illusion. Actually, Japan's just really focused on defense. Although Holland has possession, it takes him five minutes to get a shot off, and that takes a good steal.

In turn, Japan doesn't have any offense to speak of. Eventually, he works his way down for a shot and a corner kick, but that's about all he gets in the early stages. Holland is just all over it.

	Corner kick for Holland. It's away, headed toward the far post, Japan blocks it, heading out for another corner. No, Holland recovers, another shot! Off the post! But right to another striker, clear shot, GOAL! Holland's persistent and opens things up early.
	He saw a chance on that set piece and did everything he could to get some shots off before Japan could regroup. Nice goal and one that really puts Japan in a tough spot if he thinks he can focus on defense all day.

9' - GOAL (NED) - Holland 1, Japan 0

	Looks like Sis has a rebuttal. Taiwan?
	Corner kicks are winners for the Low Countries! Belgium uses a short corner to set up a cross and the game's first goal. It's all Belgium early on and she has the goal to prove it.

10' - GOAL (BEL) - Belgium 1, Canada 0

Holland continues to move the ball at will, while Japan continues to concentrate on defense. It takes several minutes for Japan to muster any sort of response, and that's a simple header that Holland's keeper has no trouble with.

While Holland struggles to score a second goal, Japan takes the battle a little further out and eventually gets something going.

	Japan brings it out, quick pass forward, around Holland. Takes it into the box! Passes, fires a shot! Keeper blocks it but right back to Japan! Shoots- SCORES! Signs of life as Japan suddenly draws even!
	I was starting to wonder if Japan was ever going to break free. A quick attack gets past Holland's defense and sets up a nice goal. We might have a game here after all.

17' - GOAL (JPN) - Holland 1, Japan 1

Suddenly, Japan seems perfectly capable of mounting an offense. He's controlling the possession now and refusing to let Holland touch the ball. His attacks are fast and frightening.

	Japan fast up the middle, shoots one through, finds a man open in the box! Shot! Knocked away! Corner kick!
	It's like he took the first fifteen minutes off and decided to make up for lost time. Impressive stuff right here.

The tables seemed to have turned as now Holland seems helpless to stop Japan.

	At midfield, Japan passes forward, and again quickly! Got it! Past the defense, he's wide open! Into the box, stutters a bit, fires and scores! Some nice footwork draws out the keeper and Japan takes the lead!
	What a move! Japan had enough of a break on the defenders to do a little stutter-step in the box to throw off the keeper. Great goal! He has really seized control of this game.

27' - GOAL (JPN) - Japan 2, Holland 1

He doesn't waste any time following up.

	Once again, Japan charges ahead! Down the side, gets off a cross. Over one striker's head, right to another's boot! Back to nearpost... GOAL! Another goal right after seizing the lead.
	Wow, as good as Japan looked against Belgium, I don't think any of us could have predicted this kind of performance against Holland. The Orange seriously need to regroup now because the dominance they showed early is just a memory.

28' - GOAL (JPN) - Japan 3, Holland 1

Holland tries an attack, but it's swallowed up quickly and Japan gets it back.

	Let's hope we can get a second to check up on the Canada-Belgium match. Taiwan?
	I'll try to make it fast in case Japan's not through yet. Canada's getting closer. Starting to see signs of his attacking abilities, but so far Belgium's holding him off pretty well and still leads 1-0. Back to you!
	Holland's gonna have be extra nice to his sister if he can't turn this around. He can't afford a Canada win.
	Japan approaching the box again, driving, tackled! Where's it spotted?
	Seychelles points outside the box and then holds up a yellow card to Holland.
	Free kick for Japan!
	Mere meters from a penalty, but a dangerous free kick here. Holland forms his wall and Japan lines it up. Kick away, on target... just knocked away! Great kick, but Japan settles for a corner.

Japan continues to remain aggressive, even earning his own yellow card a few minutes later.

Holland starts to recover a little bit, getting the ball long enough to get some possession going. But Japan's defense is still proving to be a force. At least it stalls Japan's offense as he has to respect Holland's scoring ability.

Both sides take turns controlling it, but neither can muster much of anything. Right before the half, Japan gets a good shot in, and Holland charges right back.

	Holland looking for some encouragement before halftime. Passes up, and again, towards the box. Both sides go to get it and they collide! Whistle blows and the official's in there to sort things out!
	Careful! Both of you! This'll be a free kick for Holland.
	Yeah, good call. Holland had better position, but Japan was clearly going for the ball. Definitely a foul on Japan, but not worth a card. Still a great chance here for Holland.
	As stoppage time continues, Holland tees it up, kicks over the wall, keeper dives, gets a piece! Off the post! Japan kicks it away for a corner!

The corner kick goes nowhere and the half ends.

	Halftime and Japan has erupted with three goals. More importantly, he weathered the early storm from Holland and has shut him down since.
	You gotta wonder if Japan was playing possum for the first twenty minutes or so. Holland has always been very aggressive early. It's the second game now where he scored in the first ten minutes. It's very possible Japan focused on defense early to size things up so he could take charge later.
	Whatever Japan's strategy, it has worked beautifully. You can't count out Holland, however, as he's shown that he can put goals in rapidly.
	Against Canada, at least. And as much as he was able to shoot on Belgium, he only scored once. I'm impressed that Japan has been able to stop Holland from shooting, but it's not the first time he's had a dry spell in this tournament.
	I also recall him having a devil of a time in the first half against Canada. Speaking of which, let's get an update from Taiwan.

Taiwan is near the stadium tunnel with Belgium.

	Canada is continuing to get a little more pressure, but Belgium has been able to hold him off. It's still a 1-0 game, however, so it's definitely not over. Belgium, what's your assessment of things?
	I am thrilled with how things are going so far. My last game was so frustrating, so I'm happy with the way I've kept possession and controlled the pace. Canada's tougher than he looks, but I'm feeling good about this one.
	Can't say the same about your brother, though.
	I know. What the hell's been going on over there? Hey, Bro! Get your act together! If you can't beat that guy, we're both done for!
	That's not true, actually. If you win, Holland will still advance.
	But I don't? What the hell?! You better not be riding my coattails! If I have to bail you out of this one, I swear you'll never hear the end of it!
	Well, good luck with the brother-bailing. Back to you guys!
	Unfortunate for Belgium, but that's what it amounts to.
	Yeah, a loss by Holland and a win for her puts them even. He has the goal differential advantage by a good margin, so he'd take the second spot behind Japan.
	And Belgium seems incapable of running up the score to fix that.
	Yeah, and she doesn't want to try it. Canada can score if you let him. Belgium's been handling him better than either Japan or Holland did, so she needs to keep it up and just win the game. She can't control what happens in Cologne.
	Well, let's see what happens in Cologne then.

Holland happens in Cologne. He takes the ball and starts moving rapidly.

	Holland with a long pass across midfield. And another! Japan tries to hurry back, ball into the box, Holland drills it! GOAL! A flurry of longballs and he's back within one!
	No quit here for Holland! He doesn't waste any time and sends the ball flying down to get back into the game. Never count this guy out!

47' - GOAL (NED) - Japan 3, Holland 2

Holland appears to take control for a while, but Japan's defense remains sturdy and they get the ball back.

	Japan moving downfield now. Down the sides, crosses it. He collects it outside the box. Nobody in so he fires it from there... curls... IN! Long shot from outside goes past the keeper and curls beautifully for Japan's fourth of the night!
	And a backbreaker for Holland. It looked like he had some momentum to start the half, but Japan with an absolutely wonderful shot. I can't believe this is the same guy who had so much trouble finishing against Canada.

50' - GOAL (JPN) - Japan 4, Holland 2

Japan possesses more, but shoots a bit less. Holland tries a couple counterattacks to no avail.

	Looks like we have an update from the other match. Taiwan?
	Belgium had been winning, but you could feel the momentum starting to swing and now Canada has tied it. A long possession wasn't going anywhere, so he dumped it off to the side, where he somehow pulled off a cross and headed it in for his first goal of the night.

54' - GOAL (CAN) - Belgium 1, Canada 1

Japan continues to refuse to give up possession. Shooting is limited, but he is able to get crosses off.

	Japan looks to the side again. There's a cross! He gets a head to it! Knocked down by the keeper, but it's loose! Japan runs in, gets there and taps it in for another goal! Holland's chances are slipping away!
	Not only that, but his goal differential is slipping away. He can't afford to give up any more goals at this rate. He's beating Belgium just fine, but with a draw in the other match, Canada's differential is minus-1. Right now, Holland's at zero. This could get dicey even if Canada doesn't win.

58' - GOAL (JPN) - Japan 5, Holland 2

But that's what sisters are for...

After Canada's score, Belgium responds. She generates a breakaway from out of nowhere and while the first shot was knocked away, she picked it up and put it back in. She's back out in front 2-1.

62' - GOAL (BEL) - Belgium 2, Canada 1

And Holland starts to turn on the jets, doing everything he can to test Japan's defense. For the first time in a long while, he gets most of the possessions and several shots off. However, while there are several close shaves, nothing seems to be bouncing right for him as everything goes off the post or is narrowly saved. Still, he keeps the pressure on, despite Japan's efforts to slow things down.

	Holland really stepping up, hunting for a goal to get back into this one. Passes forward, but no dice as Japan's keeper picks it up.
	Hard decisions for Holland. Keep putting the pressure on to force a miracle draw or sit back and accept a loss that's humiliating but not fatal?
	Long kick for Japan collected at midfield. Quick shot forward, springs a man! He's onside! Rushes into the box, jukes, keeper's drawn out of position and Japan runs it in for a goal! Things are only getting worse for the Dutch!
	Japan is just faster today, especially against this defense. He always seems to be one step ahead. The stories will all be about Holland falling apart, but give some credit to Japan, who might have something to say in this tournament after all.

70' - GOAL (JPN) - Japan 6, Holland 2

As much as Holland can't afford to go down any further, he's stubborn and angry and not willing to give up like this. He scored five goals in short time against Canada, and dammit he can do it again.

Only Japan's defense isn't Canada's and step up to shut him down for the next several minutes.

	Holland running out of time but still looking for some consolation. In with a cross, but it falls in the box. Gets there first, shoots! Blocked, but Holland's back on it. Tries again- SCORES! It's like he forced that in out of spite.
	More than that too. Belgium still only leads by one and that kept him safe on goal differential. If Canada comes back to draw even, Holland's still safe.

76' - GOAL (NED) - Japan 6, Holland 3

Holland continues forcing things forward, despite time running low.

	Holland forward once again, loses it at midfield. Japan scoops it up and sends a long pass down the side. Runs it into the box, takes a shot! Keeper pops it up! Another strikers rushes in, heads it, GOAL! Japan scores his seventh and Holland's back to -1!
	Holland, stop being so stubborn! He's really playing with fire. With nine minutes left, there's nothing to be gained by attacking.

81' - GOAL (JPN) - Japan 7, Holland 3

Or is there?

	Holland looking for a quick response. Gets a pass off to the top of the box. There's a cross. Puts a head on it... towards the far post... its in! Holland sneaks that in and gets the goal back.
	Okay, never mind. I'll give you that one. But now! Stop it! Seriously!
	Especially now. Taiwan, what happened?
	Pressure's on now. Canada got a good push going and a great pass into the box found a striker and he squeezed one between the keeper and the post. Tie ballgame with eight minutes left!

82' - GOAL (NED) - Japan 7, Holland 4

82' - GOAL (CAN) - Belgium 2, Canada 2

	With the goal by Holland, he's in better shape, so let's turn the attention over to this second match. If anything big happens in Cologne, we'll get the scoop from Wy.
	Yeah, maybe if we ignore them, Holland will stop trying to score.

Belgium's certainly not content with a draw, and pushes forward more than she had been. She gets down for an open shot, but Canada is able to knock it away.

Canada isn't content with a draw either, for far more dire reasons.

	Canada moving downfield quickly, passes to the side, sets up a shot! Diving save by Belgium and she hangs onto it! Great save!
	Gonna be a tense few minutes for the Low Countries. Belgium's just playing for pride, but if Canada somehow pulls this out, then goal differential be damned, Holland will be eliminated!

Therefore, both sides continue to try to pull this one out.

	Belgium moving forward, approaches the box, going up to the side, but turns it over. Canada has it back, long ball... way over Belgium's defense... he gets there first!
	Offside?
	No flags are up! He's clear and all alone! Into the box! Takes a shot! GOAL! HE'S DONE IT! Low shot clears the keeper and Canada's one minute away from the next round!
	Oh, Canada!! Belgium's defenders like to play forward to run the offside trap and a long pass, almost from his own box catches them off guard, and he times it perfectly! That, Aussie, is the biggest goal in Canada's history!
	And devastation for Holland. Unless his sis can respond in the final minute, one of the tournament's favorites will go home tonight.

89' - GOAL (CAN) - Canada 3, Belgium 2

She certainly tries.

	Belgium forcing the issue now. Moving around the box quickly as we enter stoppage time.
	Gotta love her effort. For all her jawing before the tournament, she's doing everything she can to come through for her brother here.
	Moving up top, gets off the cross! Header... over the bar! She gets her chance, but it's a goal kick for Canada.
	You said it. Just couldn't get that one down. Imagine how helpless Holland must feel right now staring up at the scoreboard.
	Kick's away, Canada gets it at midfield, Sealand blows the whistle and Canada has shocked the world! He advances to the Round of 16. Holland suffers an improbable fate, eliminated in the group stage for the first time ever!

Canada is completely awed by what happened, so much so that he struggles even to celebrate the way he should. Belgium sighs and goes up to check on him.

	Hey... are you okay?
	Is this really happening?
	Yeah, I think it is. Live it up. I think you just got noticed.

Canada looks around. There's plenty of distraught Belgian fans and supporters leaning European, but damned if there isn't plenty of cheers, especially from the elated Canadian fans.

Yes, Canada, this is really happening.

Day 12- Kaiserslautern		Match 36	Group B
	CANADA	3:2 FT	BELGIUM
54' 82' 89'	Radzinski Hume Hume	Referee SLD	Buffel Mpenza	10' 62'

And almost as shocking...

Day 12- Cologne		Match 35	Group B
	JAPAN	7:4 FT	HOLLAND
17' 27' 28' 50' 58' 70' 81'	Takahara Yanagisawa Nakamura Nakata Yanagisawa Yanagisawa Yanagisawa	Referee SEY	van Nistelrooy van Nistelrooy Landzaat Kayt	10' 47' 76' 82'

Taiwan finds Canada after the match.

	Well, Canada, has it sunk in yet? You are now moving on to the Knockout Stage.
	I'm still not sure this is real. After losing to Holland I thought my moment was up, but...
	Talk about that final goal. Pretty impressive seeing a pass like that from you.
	Oh, I just wanted to clear it out of there. Send it as far down as I could. But I happened to be onside and just a little bit faster and from there instincts took over. I didn't think about what it all meant until after it happened.
	How long to you give yourself to savor the victory before thinking about your next match?
	I'm lucky to have a next match. I don't even know who I'm playing.
	You play Germany.
	Canada's still smiling, but his eyes slowly become terrified.
	Oh. So much for winning over the crowd, eh?
	Yeah, that's not happening. But congratulations and we'll see you in the next round.
	Thank you, Taiwan. What a moment for Canada.
	Canada's never been to the knockout stage before in the World Cup, but he's certainly proven himself. Three goals in each of his three games. I'm sure as hell not complaining. Sucks to be Holland though.
	Indeed. He's been to nine World Cups and made it out of the group stage in every year they had a group stage. Last time he was knocked out in round one was back in 1938 when they started with the Round of 16.
	That was the only year I made the tournament, to give you an idea how long ago that was. Won my first match... then lost 8-0 to Sweden. Good times.
	Wy, how's he taking it?
	Holland, how're you taking it?
	Sucks. Just a bad break and that's all she wrote.
	Well, dropping seven to Japan is a bit more than a bad break.
	Yeah, I penned Japan all wrong. Came out the way I expected, I played it well, and then he threw all sorts of kung fu at me. It was something else.
	What was your reaction when you saw that Canada won?
	Pretty shocked. I mean losing's bad enough, but I felt like I was still okay because Belgium was taking care of business. Then it hits you at the very end. Good for Canada though. He's earned it.
	So you're still sending him tulips then?
	Oh yeah... gonna make Belgium pay to ship 'em over there, though.
	Thanks Holland.
	That'll be an awkward Christmas dinner over at the Benelux household.
	Hey, he had more control over his destiny than she did. And I know this is a national tragedy in Amsterdam, but it's nice to have someone on my side of the pond I can actually cheer for.
	Not an easy draw though as Canada will face Germany in the Round of 16.
	There are no easy draws in the Round of 16. Japan gets Greece and they're both at the top of their game right now.
	Might be a formality now, but let's take a look at the board:

Two groups down, six to go:

Time to finish up here:

	And so on Day 12, we say goodbye to Hungary, Russia, Belgium and Holland. Tomorrow's the swan song for four more.
	And we already know Lithuania and Korea are two of them. Doesn't stop them from ruining someone else's fun though.
	Yes, tomorrow Group C and D come to play. Spain and Turkey have it out for Group D supremacy while a win for Latvia over neighbor Lithuania gives him a shot at the next round if Turkey loses.
	And it'll be winner-take-all in Group C as Austria meets Norway, while Korea will try to salvage some pride in an upset bid against group leader England.
	The drama continues tomorrow. Cuba and I hope to see you there! G'nite!

Well... that was unexpected. One of the cool things about letting an impartial video game decide the winners. It's a little harrowing when something breaks established World Cup canon, like the host nation not advancing or Holland being eliminated in the group stage, but Germany pulled through and each of the independent events tonight (Japan beating Holland and Canada beating Belgium) are definitely in the realm of possibility.

The 1938 World Cup was strange not only because Cuba was in it, but because Austria was a late scratch. Why? Because Austria "moved in" with Germany, to use the Hetalia terminology. FIFA could have replaced them with the team they beat in qualifying, but that would have been Latvia and that would have just been silly.

To Be Continued

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