It’s full-time at the FIFA Confederations Cup: USA vs Egypt

Some journalist I’m turning out to be. While posting my half-time report (which lasted well into the second half of the game), I missed two additional goals scored by the USA. So much for predicting that Egypt would equalize.

The final score here at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, USA vs Egypt is three goals to nil. While I was typing the previous line, I’ve just been handed two Game Statistics printouts by one of the many Volunteers who man the Media Centre; one for this match and one for the other match that was played concurrently at the Loftus Stadium in Pretoria between Italy and Brazil, which Brazil also won by three goals to nothing.

These statistics printouts contain a dizzying array of information on various aspects of the matches played. There are statistics on everything from Shots on Goal to Ball Possession to the Fouls Committed by each player to Match Time each player spent on the pitch. I’m not sure who would want such information, but a big up to FIFA for collating and making such information available to journalists. This certainly makes their jobs that much easier.

I could quote a whole string of statistics on the match from these reports, but I’m not going to bore you any further. There was a clear winner, and for that team’s fans, that’s all that matters.

It’s half-time at the FIFA Confederations Cup: USA vs Egypt

Okay, this is probably sneaky. I’m not one of the accredited journalists here at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg where the USA is playing Egypt in the final group stage match, but I’ve just come in from the stadium grandstand, and am now sitting in the Media Centre with a fairly large contingent of journalists, and thought I’d play at being one too.

So while the real journalists are busy posting their half-time stories to countries all over the world, yours truly is posting to his blog.

The USA is leading by one goal to nil, but Egypt look likely to equalize. The atmosphere is amazing as always, in and around the stadium.. The vuvuzelas are in full cry, and I’ve even seen a guy with some sort of snare drum which echoes in the stadium corridors. Most of the local support appears to be directed towards Egypt, perhaps as a show of solidarity for another team from the African continent.

It’s pretty cold out tonight, so I’m going to stay in the warm Media Centre for the rest of the game, and watch it on one of several large-screen TV’s located at various journalist’s tables.

Until next time, this is your wanna-be reporter, Lenny, signing out.