Jordan 1 - Latvia 3

As Irish TM-ers, we can only imagine how much it is heating up now for those eight teams fortunate enough to have got so far in this the tournament of tournaments.  TM Ireland, aka me, was then privileged enough to speak to the Latvian coach Sandy Beach - shurely not his real name - at his home in Malibu, before the match.  He was in ebullient form:

"I am excited about Latvia progress in tournament! 2nd time in a row we go so far in WC (last 8)."  So what is it that has got them so far?

"Great players. Great managers who have best youth schools and Latvia have great NT leading manager :))) and main thing for success is to get enough info about opponent(most of NT's play so predictable football)!  NT Latvia is ready for gold!!!  If Latvia will become champions that would be my greatest achievement in TM. Then i will notify our country greatest sport portal www.esports.lv that we have won...still Jordan to beat!"

Jordan lined up with one of the most defensive formations in the game - a 541 diamond, while Latvia thought feck it and went for a 3331.  Things were pretty even for about a half hour so, before Jordan's Moumen went down injured.  I'm not 100% certain how crucial this player is for the Jordanians but that injury worked the magic for Latvia as they went ahead just four minutes later.  E. Šiļuks stuck the ball around W. "Wally" Almatbuli to go one up.

Tense enough it was for them for the next half hour or so as both teams probed each other's defences. Then catastrophe for Latvia - even more so than the collapse of the Irish building industry -  when  K. Jemeïins smacked S. Houari Harrat over, earning himself a straight red.

However, if anything this seemed to inspire the Latvians more as they counterattacked on 58 minutes:  N. Ivanovs got the ball to E. Šiļuks who destroyed W. "Wally" Almatbuli before putting in a great shot from 30 yards. 0-2 Latvia.  Five minutes later and more bad luck for Latvia when N. Ivanovs was injured.  This gave Jordan a long sought after momentum and their earlier efforts were finally rewarded on 74 minutes: M. Batayneh gave N. Siah a fine long pass and his shot was too much for N. Meþs. More injury woes struck Latvia with ten minutes to go, but fortunately for them, Jordan just could not capitalise on their man advantage.

It was up to the Latts to call it a day on 90 minutes - when they took any hope of Jordan qualifying and like a spent cigarette, stubbed it into the asphalt of the smoking area at the 'Land of Stars': M. Ilovaiskis got his head to a fine B. Kšanavičs corner and then that was it - 1-3 Latvia.

These are the guys who kept us from qualifying aren't they?   There, but for the Grace of God...

Man of the Match: E. Šiļuks (Latvia)