With the preliminary rounds out of the way the competition, the competition was now divided into two sections to see who would battle it out for the crown of Homeless World Cup champions. This meant a little more was as stake as teams fought for a top eight finish in the top half of the draw, whilst the others were playing for pride.

Zimbabwe vs Netherlands, Federation Square Pitch

Zimbabwe started off brightly in this one, scoring the opening three goals. The Netherlands then struck further problems as their ‘keeper went down clutching his leg after diving after the third goal and a replacement was soon sought. The Zimbabweans continued to run away from the Dutch team as they were too well drilled and organised for their opposition. Leading 8-0 at the break, the Zimbabweans went on with it the second half to run out comfortable 13-2 winners.

Result: Zimbabwe 13 def Netherlands 2

Australia vs South Africa, Federation Square Pitch

This match started in a tight and tense fashion and it took more than four minutes for South Africa to opening scoring. This was a lead that they maintained until the half time break with both teams’ defences rock solid. The game was still anyone’s midway through the second half and the Street Socceroos were left ruing a missed penalty as the South African got on top late in the game. They also had their ‘keeper to thank as he made a number of crucial saves to deny the Australians. In the end, the South Africans ran out 7-3 winners.

Result: South Africa 7 def Australia 3

Russia vs Afghanistan, Federation Square Pitch

This was always going to be an enticing clash with both teams performing well in the preliminary and in the end will probably go down as one of the games of tournament. Both the Russians and their counterparts played a high quality at a high tempo for the full fourteen minutes, keeping all the spectators on the edge of their seats. The Russians had the Afghanis on the back foot for most of the first half and lead comfortably 5-1 at the break due to some classy finishing. The game turned on its head in the second half as the Afghanistan team came charging back. With the urging of some quite vocal support they level the game up at 5-5. There was some even some controversy of the actual score as the scoreboard failed to register an Afghanistan goal. With a little over thirty seconds to go, the Afghanis completed their remarkable comeback to win 7-6, sending their supporters into delirium. It was like they had won a final.

Result: Afghanistan 7 def Russia 6.

France vs Lithuania, Federation Square Pitch

Compared to the previous game that played on this pitch, this was a rather sedate affair with the Lithuania preferring to build up their attacks slowly through precision passing. Most of the Lithuanian attacks went through their No.8, Rolandas Tvirbutas and he was the key to them in this on. Despite being 3-0 up at the break, the Lithuanians appeared to be tiring in the heat and the French, sensing this, went on the attack. However, the Lithuanians held firm and put the game beyond doubt with two late goals to make it a 6-2 win.

Result: Lithuania 6 def France 2

England vs Ireland, Federation Square Pitch

This loomed as one of the clashes of the day as the two traditional rivals faced off. England got off to the better start with four quick goals that left their looking decidedly flat footed. However, the Irish were soon back in the contest with two quick goals of their own. This was as good as got for Irish in the first half as the English quickly added two more to go into half time with a 6-2 advantage. You could sense the importance of this game to both teams as the tempo lifted in the second half and the Irish halved the deficit. Unfortunately for the Irish, England responded with two of their own to snuff out any chance of an Irish comeback and take out a 8-4 win.

Result: England 8 def Ireland 4

Germany vs Afghanistan, Melbourne Pitch

This match started off at a cracking pace as both teams traded goals for most of the first half. The Germans were taking it to their more fancied opponents, hitting them on the counter attack on numerous times and frustrated their more skilled opponents. With the defences of both teams not playing a huge role the game was tied at 4-4 at the half time break. The second half started off in similar way to the first as Germany again opened the scoring within seconds of the kick off. However, the tempo of the game had slowed and this allowed the Afghanistan team to use their skill to score four consecutive goals to take control of the game. The Germans scored late to add some drama to the contest but the Afghanis held on for 9-8 win.

Result: Afghanistan 9 def Germany 8

Kenya vs Hong Kong, Melbourne Pitch

This was a clash of contrasting styles with the brilliant, energetic skill of the Kenyans versus the solid, well organised team from Hong Kong. The Kenyans controlled possession early but it failed to show on the scoreboard as their opponents held firm and the match was tied 2-2 at half time. In the second half, the Kenyans showed their class outscoring their opponents seven goals to one and at times it looked they were playing with their opponents. It was a brilliant display of street soccer that saw them run out 9-3 winners.

Result: Kenya 9 def Hong Kong 3

England vs Zimbabwe, Melbourne Pitch

Like most games featuring these two teams, there was a high tempo opening and great exhibitions of skill. Zimbabwe were having the better of the opportunites but couldn’t find the back of the net in what was shaping up as an enthralling clash. Neither team gave an inch and the English had a narrow 2-1 lead when the teams changed ends. Three quick goals to the Zimbabweans early in the second half looked to have put them in charge of the match, but the English never gave up and levelled the scores at five apiece. The team from Zimbabwe grabbed the winner thirty seconds from time and thanks to some desparate defending held on for the win.

Result: Zimbabwe 6 def England 5

Poland vs Ghana, Melbourne Pitch

This match got off to a tight start as the Ghanaians dominated possession but couldn’t find a way through a resolute Polish defence. It wasn’t until the fifth minute that Ghana broke the deadlock with the only goal of the half. The team from Africa soon broke the game open in the second half with four quality goals. The Poles, with plenty of support behind them, got a late consolation goal but could do little to stop their opponents running out impressive winners and looming as a real danger in the latter stages of the tournament.

Result: Ghana 5 def Poland 1

Kenya vs Brazil, Melbourne Pitch

This match shaped as a fast paced, highly entertaining match and both teams didn’t disappoint as they traded goals early on. Both Kenya and Brazil were playing with great skill that had the crowd enthralled and cheering in admiration. The Brazilians scored late on in the first half to take a 5-4 lead into the break. In the second half Brazilian exerted their defensive influence to keep the Kenyans scoreless whilst they scored five of their own to run out 10-4 winners.

Result: Brazil 10 def Kenya 4

For the full results for the 2008 Homeless World Cup, click here.

Neil Zimmerman is the editor of the84thminute and also runs the Victory In Melbourne site. He also can be found at au.fourfourtwo.com where he writes a weekly column on the Melbourne Victory. On most weekends Neil can be found at a football match, be it either A-League, Victorian Premier League or a match that he happens to come across whilst walking his dogs.

Photo credits: Victory In Melbourne on Flickr via the84thminute photo pool.