At the time of writing, the tournament is 7 games old and so far there has not been a classic. No game has produced more than 2 goals, goalkeepers have failed to cover themselves in glory (Hi Rob), and strikers have looked nervous in front of goal (Hi Emile).
The tournament feels like it has yet to burst into life, and Australia Germany could be the game to do this. The Germans will undoubtedly miss their talisman Ballack, and this may give extra optimism to the always persistent and spiky Socceroos. However they have a phrase in German: 'TournierMannschaft' which translates as 'tournament team' - and there can be no doubt that Germany are the epitome of this concept.
No-one will be writing them off and they are strong favourites to progress through their group. On current form this may well set up an epic clash with the Three Lions, who last night got under way in the best possible fashion, and then looked sluggish, tired, unimaginative and toothless for the remaining 87 minutes.
A good tournament can exist happily without England - Euro 08 is a case in point - but for millions of us the performance and progress of the team can add so much. On last night's evidence there has to be serious doubt as to whether they can deliver anything.
Green's mistake was an absolute shocker, no doubt, but the save from Altidore got him some way towards redemption. Far more troubling for Capello should be the no-show from some of his most important figures, no less than the superstar and carier of England hopes, Rooney. Until the last fifteen minutes he was nowhere, looking tired, limp and not himself.
The only saving grace for England is that the threat posed by Algeria and Slovenia should be such that they can get the required results to still emerge from this group - I'll be there on Friday to hopefully witness the Lazarus-like recovery!
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I'm interested to hear the English view on the vuvuzela?
It is everywhere here, first thing you hear in the morning and just constant background noise wherever you go. Inside the stadium it was an ever-present drone. So far, I don't mind it - but one thing is certain, it is not conducive to a great atmosphere.
At Newlands on Saturday for the Springboks v France, vuvuzelas are banned. The result? A raucous, rousing and fantastic atmoshpere - created by fans of both teams. Cheer in reaction to a good piece of play; roar in an effort to inspire your team, boo for bad decisions - the vuvuzela is removing all of this. I would not mind if it was banned; but I'll be bringing one home!
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