World Cup Review - Suarez bite ban

So the breaking news today was that Suarez was given 9 game ban and no football activity for 4 months. 

Now is this the punishment a footballer (professional) should be given for biting another footballer? BITING! And this is the 3rd time he has been punished for it. 

Now correct me if I'm wrong but why should he still be given the opportunity to serve his ban, and then return the 'job' that everyone dreams of? I mean, if I was to bite someone, unprovoked, I would be arrested, fined, sued, given a sentence for GBH, sacked. An endless list. But as he is a 'sportsman' who is on a worldwide stage, and all he is technically getting is a slapped wrist. 

I know there have been bans for players who have spat, fought each other, drug use but this man is a serial offender; banned for 3 biting offences, racial remarks, gestures towards fans. No saint. 

Suarez though has no one to blame other than himself, and the fact that he is trying to blame others is not helping his case. Again, on the biggest stage as a footballer, World Cup South Africa 2010, he was sent off for handling the ball on the line stopping it going in. Only to celebrate when the penalty was missed like he had 'saved' Uruguay's World Cup hopes. Is this the sign of a true, honest professional? To cheat his way to get success? Alarm bells started ringing in many peoples minds.

To give an indication of how damaging the Suarez name is now becoming here is a stat no one wants to see: Since 2010, Luis Suarez has been banned for 34 games, without ever receiving a red card. 

The recent act of controversy has now unfortunately tarnished what is an amazing World Cup. There has been fantastic games, goals and samba, but will always be the World Cup that had 'the bite' in it. Just like Zidanes head but. FIFA had an opportunity to make themselves be respected again, what with the corruption allegations that have come to light, by implementing a lengthy, tough punishment for a dangerous player who is in danger of bringing the game into a bad place. If they had given him 12 month ban, the majority of the footballing world would have welcomed it. The fact he will be playing agin in October is not really a punishment where he will turn around and say "you know what, I've learned my lesson". The only way he will ever learn or learn to control his actions was if he was to be punished like any other person. 

FIFA didn't do what we were expecting. 

It's this sorted of action/reaction that drives people away from this sport. The fact that these individuals are actually being (over)paid to play football every week is, well, pushing even the most hardcore fan away. But knowing that when an act of stupidity, madness happens and to be 'punished' in this way sums up what is wrong with the beautiful game. With the amount of television rights, sponsorships, image rights there will never be an end to the high demand of sport celebrities, and with that, the divide between the real world and the fantasy world of the footballer will continue to grow. 

My World Cup Review

South Korea 0 : 1 Belgium

The very last games of the group stages of the 2014 World Cup. South Korea take on Belgium in what everyone thought would be a one way game. 

The first half was very open with neither side being the dominant team. S.Korea defended resolutely against a quick Belgium attacking formation and even created a few chances of their own. That lack of composure was the Koreans downfall. Mertens for Belgium, who has been one of their better players so far had a glorious chance to give his team the lead, but he rushed his shot and blazed over from 6yrds. Just before half time, Belgium was reduced to 10 men as Defour was shown a straight red for a needless tackle where he stamped on the shin of Kim Shin-wook. Belgium had a poor first half, but it was the result of a well structured S.Koren tactics. 

The second half was an opportunity for S.Korea to take advantage of the extra man they had. They started well, strongly but could not break through the Belgium defence. Belgium, who had already qualified to the knockout rounds sat back and soaked up the constant pressure. They even pushed on themselves with counter attacks of their own, unable to break Korean hearts. More possession and more chances to take the lead the fell to S.Korea but on the 77th minute Vertonghen did crush the hearts of the Koreans as another quick break from Belgium resulted in a shot from distance being saved and pushed into the path of Vertonghen to pass into the Korean goal. Even after the goal Belgium continued to be a threat, now that Hazard was brought on. The last few minutes of the game Korea were unlucky not to equalise after some well struck shots. 

Belgium held on to take the win and the group as winners with Algeria taking the runners up spot with a draw against Russia. 

BELGIUM - group winners

ALGERIA - runners up 

Russia

South Korea

My World Cup Review

Ecuador 0 : 0 France

Everything was to play for in the last group E game as all 4 teams had a chance of progressing. 

Ecuador played France in their final game and had to beat them to guarantee their position in the knockouts. France made numerous changes but they still looked threatening with Benzema looking to increase his impressive start to the competition. There was the odd attack from Ecuador but they could not unlock the French defence. As the half progressed the Ecuadorian defenders were working tirelessly to halt any dangerous advances from the French and a good save from the 'keeper (one for the cameras) tipped over a clever header from Pogba. Around the 40th minute Ecuador sparked into life and launched a dangerous attack which was well saved by Lloris. 

A 1-0 win was all that was needed for Ecuador to progress ahead of Switzerland, but that task was made even harder after Antonio Valencia was shown a straight red card for a stamp tackle, and though he did connect with the ball first, his momentum took him onto the shin of Digne and the referee deemed the tackle as dangerous. This left Ecuador with 10 men for the last 40 minutes of the game. But going down to 10 men boosted Ecuador's mentality and they nearly scored from a swift counter attack. They tried and tried but could not get that goal they needed. France had opportunity after opportunity to score themselves but Domingez was not letting anything past. The score in the other game increased to 3-0 which meant that Ecuador had to score 2. Into the last 10 minutes and even though Ecuador had plenty of desire and courage, their chances faded and the match ended goalless. 

FRANCE - group winners

SWITZERLAND - runners up

Ecuador

Honduras 

My World Cup Review

Greece 2 : 1 Ivory Coast 

Final group game between Greece and Côte d'Ivoire turned out to be an roller coaster of emotions. 

A result for either team would take them through to the knockout stages of the World Cup. The first half was cagey, as both dreams looked nervous. There were chances here and there and Greece almost took the lead after rattling the bar. As it was heading for the end if the first half Greece did get their lead after a cool finish after a direct passing movement. As it stood, they were going through. 

In the second half Ivory Coast had to attack and attack they did. They continued to knock at the Greek door but they were not getting through. With the constant pressure it left them susceptible to the counter attack and time and time again Greece could have/should have extended their lead. Wilfred Bony was brought on and with an attacking formation that include Drogba, Toure, Kalou, Bony, Gervinho surely Côte d'Ivoire would get that equaliser? It was Bony who did get what they wanted after some basic defending let them in and now with the score at 1:1 it was Ivory Coast who would progress. Time to get nervous. The last 10 minutes was constant Greek pressure and into added time (90+3), PENALTY. Could Samaras keep his cool to take Greece through for the first time in their history..? Yes he could. With the final kick Greece won the game and into the knockouts. 

This is what makes the World Cup special. Games like this with a mixture of emotions in 90 minutes. Congratulations Greece. 

COLUMBIA - group winners

GREECE - runners up

Ivory Coast

Japan

My World Cup Review

England 0 : 0 Costa Rica 

Shit. Just utter shit 

My World Cup Review

Cameroon 1 - 4 Brazil

We are into the final week of group games and Cameroon take on hosts Brazil. 

One thing is for sure, the atmosphere when Brazil play is electric.  The passion and emotion expelled from the fans singing the national anthem would give you goose bumps, just like the watching the Haka in New Zealand. Powerful. The first 20 minutes was somewhat of a stalemate. No one giving any room to each other, but Brazil took the lead from Neymar after a low cross found him in the box to slot home. Cameroon though were being party poopers. After conceding the goal they became more aggravated (in a positive way) and went on the offensive and after a corner which was headed against the bar, they broke down the left to play a ball right across goal and all that was left to do was to tap the ball in. 1-1. There was more pressure from Cameroon but they could not take advantage and Brazil made them pay as Neymar again got on the score sheet after a direct run, who was left was unopposed, ended up giving Brazil the lead. 

The samba beat was running through the veins of the Brazilians as they erupted onto the scene in the 2nd half as they scored a 3rd goal through Fred. Who hasn't been praised so far in this competition but Scolari has stuck by him and he returned the faith with a simple nod in (though there was a hint of offside about it). Once Brazil had scored their third they reduced their urgency and became more comfortable on the ball and some showboating was bring displayed. Cameroon unfortunately could not respond to what Brazil were bringing to the game and they became a little heavy handed (well, footed) in their tackling. Now Mexico in the other game in group A had scored a 3rd goal, filtered through to the ground and the atmosphere dropped. Could they steal top spot on goal difference and set up a game between Brazil and Holland? Some very careless defending as Cameroon tried to take a quick free kick on the edge of their own box was intercepted and poked in from Fernandinho. And top spot was confirmed when Croatia scored against Mexico. 

Group A finished with excitement as it was so very close to being a twist in the tale of the World Cup. 

BRAZIL - group winners

MEXICO - runners up 

Croatia

Cameroon

My World Cup Review

S.Korea 2 : 4 Algeria

Group H game between South Korea and Algeria. 

An open and exciting game between two teams that have been dubbed the teams to make up numbers. Algeria did not let off the gas from the first minute as the pressed towards to the S.Korean goal and created numerous chances. S.Korea however, didn't just lie down and role over as the also attacked with pace. Algeria took the lead on 25 minutes and quickly doubled their lead from a well worked set piece.  After the second goal S.Korean heads dropped and they struggled to string more than 5 passes together. Algeria took advantage of this and they scored their 3rd and controlled the game up to half time. 

What ever was said to S.Korea during the team talk worked as they scored after a number of promising attacks from kick off. There was always going to be danger with constant pressure from S.Korea, as it left them light at the back and Algeria took advantage of this to scored their 4th. There was still plenty of time for more goals in this game and we weren't disappointed as S.Korea scored again to make it 4-2 and they still pushed on. No more goals were scored however we were treated to a very good, quick, open game. 

Algeria won to give themselves the best ever chance to progress and they will be taking on Russia in their final game.