Tell ya what, some of the goals at this tournament have been absolutely outstanding. Day five saw as many crackers as ever, with natural ability repeatedly winning out over negativity. Star players are doing what we expect them to do, it’s fantastic. Which makes you wonder… how may scouts are hanging out in God’s Own these days? Gotta be hundreds of them, right?

There’s a famous story of New Zealand’s second (and still one of very few) man to play in the NFL, David Dixon, being discovered by an American scout while taking in a show at The Civic in Auckland. Now, most footy scouts aren’t gonna be sold by a solid physique and no prior experience at a sport, but it’s worth a go just carrying a football around, getting in some juggles and playing triangle passes off walls as you’re walking around town on game-day. You know… just in case.

Bill Tuiloma’s performances at the last U20 World Cup were a major factor in getting the ball rolling on his professional career. Most guys from the more prestigious nations have already got contracts, but then unless you’re playing for one of maybe three or four club worldwide, then there’s always someone bigger. And there’s usually someone with more money too. Everyone’s on trial.

If only it’d stop bloody raining!

Qatar 0-4 Portugal

So can we firmly say that Portugal will be a deep threat at NZ2015? Two games played, 7 scored and 0 conceded. Qatar started okay, but they always looked vulnerable and when Andre Siva put one in for Portugal after half an hour, you kinda saw the writing on the wall. The score was doubled before the break with a sumptuous overhead kick from Ivo, who scored again in the second half before laying a goal on for Joao Vigario. It was highly impressive, and it means Portugal are already through to the next round with a game to spare, while Qatar will need to beat Senegal to have any chance. Also, the Portuguese coach sorta looks like an Iberian Roy Keane. Let’s hope he’s not got his temperament too.

Mexico 2-1 Uruguay

As far as 93rd minute winning goals go… Kevin Gutierrez’s effort was as good as they get. A curling free kick, past the desperate reaches of the keeper and in off the underside of the crossbar. The glimpse of Mexican coach Sergio Almaguer saying a quick prayer with his rosary necklace just before the goals says it all in terms of how dramatic this was. It took 71 minutes for the first goal, thanks to some great keeping (and a little bad keeping unpunished). Mexico were good value for the opening goal, finally getting it on the break after Uruguay gave the ball away cheap but the South Americans hit back ten minutes later. But an Erick Cabaco foul (and a second yellow for him) gave Gutierrez the chance to win it in injury time and amazingly he did just that. Crucial win for the Mexicans after their collapse against Mali in game one.

Serbia 2-0 Mali

A result that leaves group D in an absolutely finely balanced situation – all four teams have one win after two games! Serbia played this one smart. They sat back and soaked up any Mali pressure then slammed them when they got the chance, having less possession but far more chances than their opponents. In fact, Mali didn’t manage a shot on target in the game. Serbia were pretty average at hitting the target themselves, but made their chances count with a low, curling free kick from Sergej Milinkovic midway through the first half. Ivan Saponjic then made the points sure with a quarter of an hour left to play. Serbia play Mexico in their final game; Mali play Uruguay. This one could even come down to goal difference.

Senegal 1-1 Colombia

Two wonderful goals in this game, plus a whole lot of rain. And also some dinner left on the plate by Colombia, to be honest. After falling behind to Mamadou Thiam’s fine effort, Colombia remembered how they play football and suddenly picked up the standard. A disallowed goal for offside (correct call) was the warning, then Jhao Rodriguez won a penalty and Christian Zapata buried it with Panenking ease. Cheeky stuff. Colombia made most of the second half running but Senegal held them out for the large part, though some silky skill from Andres Tello set up Juan Otero down the line and his perfect cross was inexplicable turned wide by Rodriguez. Still, the point does Colombia a lot more good than it does Senegal.

The Main Men

Ivo (Portugal) – Scored two and set up another from the wing, call it a fine day at the office. His bicycle kick was a bit shinny but, come on, a bicycle kick is a bicycle kick!

Kevin Gutierrez (Mexico) – Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano (who scored the first goal) is the superstar in the Mexican team, reportedly a target of Dutch giants PSV, but it was Gutierrez who scored the most valuable goal. And what a goal it was. This from a dude who doesn’t even take free kicks for his club side, mostly because he happens to play with a certain Ronaldinho. Yeah, THAT Ronaldinho.

Andres Tello (Colombia) – He’s on the books at Juventus, so you know he’s got something special. Check this out from the Colombian right back.