My World Cup Review

Argentina 0 : 0 Switzerland

Argentina 1 : 0 Switzerland (aet)

Messi leads Argentina against Switzerland in this first round knockout. Both teams looking to progress and set up a quarter final game against either Belgium or USA. Switzerland defended well, and they had to with Messi on the opponents team! They kept him at bay not giving him any opportunity to cause any damage. Switzerland had a glorious chance to take the lead. A through ball found Drmic who had plenty of time and space but he may have seen the headlines in his head and went for a cute, delicate chip but Romero just stood there and grateful caught it easily. Will the Swiss regret that chance?

Argentina continued to dominate and  the second half was mainly one sided. Argentina had numerous chances but no one could convert. Switzerland tried to conjure up attacks of their own but as they entered the final third they seemed to lose ideas. Even though Messi has had one of his quieter games he almost produced a wonder goal with a fierce volley from out if the box. The more the game progressed the more Argentina increased their intensity. And with this added pressure the more Switzerland 'parked the bus' and stifled out any dangerous attack. Though the Argentines looked the dominant Messi looked lonely in regards to being the only player to get the goal. He really needs to rally his team if they are to progress. Switzerland are looking to try and take the game to penalties. 

90 minutes were up and it remained goalless. Extra time next up. 

After the first half of extra time the story of the game continued. Argentina were knocking at the door but unable to get in. Switzerland controlled everything that was being thrown at them. 

The players are exhausted, can they muster enough strength to be able to cope with another 15 minutes? The game looked destined for penalties. But in a quick break Messi found Di Maria the slot home with only 2 minutes remaining. Have they won it? The referee added 3 minutes for added time and the Swiss 'keeper was up joining the attack. A corner was put in and a header hit the post. Unlucky! Argentina hang on. 

An overall poor game, both teams victim of nerves. It's only going to get worse for Argentina. 

My World Cup Review

Costa Rica 1 : 1 Greece 

A huge game for both Costa Rica and Greece with the quarter final against Holland waiting for them. 

With so much at stake for both teams, tactics were more on the cautious side. No one wanted to concede the first goal. Costa Rica did look the more likely to score but the Greek defence was solid. Between the sparing Greece were unlucky not to take the lead. A guided cross found Salpingidis who volleyed from close range, and the great save ensured that the scores remains level. No water breaks were needed during the first half and both teams left the field at half time to a chorus of boos from the fans who are looking for a more attack minded game which has come to be expected in this World Cup.  

Both teams know that they had to change their tactics in the 2nd half if either of them wanted to win. Greece were the more direct, looking to open the scoring as early as possible but it was Costa Rica who actually beat them to it. A quick passing move on the left, found Ruiz to place the ball (albeit a miss hit) into the corner of the goal. This obviously resulted in Greece having to change their approach and go more attack minded. This however left them more open and gave Costa Rica the opportunity to press and increase their lead. There was more twists to the game as a red card was shown and Costa Rica now down to 10 men. Could they hold on? Greece threw everything and everyone forward. This game has come to life. 

Would you Adam and Eve it, again, in added on time. GOAL!! Greece equalised and the celebrations followed. There was still time for a winner and Greece, with their tails up  nearly got it but another fine save prevented them stealing the win. 

Into extra time for the second time this tournament. Costa Rica are now just hanging on. They are now running on empty and Greece are looking for the win.  The first half of ET started in the same way as the match ended, with full on Greece offence. No breakthrough came. The remaining 15 minutes were frantic, like a pair of boxers trading blows. It could have gone either way. No goals scored, penalties again. 

Costa Rica - OOOOO

Greece - OOOX

Costa Rica reach their first ever World Cup quarter finals winning 5/4 on penalties. They have Holland in the next round but need to be tactically aware to stop a fast flowing  Dutch team. 

My World Cup Review

Holland 2 : 1 Mexico

An exciting game predicted between two teams who have been performing well at this years tournament. 

Both teams have been very positive in their approach to each game and in the opening 30 minutes they seemed to cancel each other out after each attack, neither really had that clear cut chance. We also had the first 'cooling break' where both teams were able to rehydrate mid way through the half as the players were in the very uncomfortable playing conditions as temperatures were exceeding 30 degrees and 70% humidity. Though vital for a players health some may feel it could disrupt a teams momentum. In the heat both teams continued to try and take advantage but no one found that opening. The half finished 0-0 and both teams felt as though they should have had a penalty each. 

The second half started and temperatures were confirmed at 38 degrees! No wonder the players were looking lethargic. I would not cope at all. Mexico knew that Holland would struggle in the heat the more the game progressed, so they hit Holland at the beginning of the half with another wonderful long distance goal from Dos Santos.  Holland though still looked dangerous on the counter attack and from a corner the Mexican 'keeper Ochoa produced another great saves to add to the collection he has made during this World Cup. And his work hadn't stopped there as again he was called upon and another  save to deny Robben. Corner after corner Holland started to dominate and Sneijder thundered in the equaliser. With the water break in the second half 6 minutes extra time was added and in the 93rd minute a penalty was award and cooly dispatched by Huntelaar. A cruel end to the game for Mexico as their road in this completion comes to an end. 

Holland progress and their hopes of a World Cup win still look likely. For Mexico, heartache in the way they lost the game. 

My World Cup Review

Columbia 2 : 0 Uruguay

The winner of these two take on Brazil in the quarter final. Columbia who have become a fans favourite through their style and celebrations take on a Suarez-less Uruguay. 

A very attack minded Columbia set out what they had in mind for this game. They drove at the Uruguayan goal with jinxing runs. The only way Uruguay could stop them was to take them out. Uruguay struggled to get into the game and the absence of a Mr Suarez was an obvious factor to their lack of creativity as it was his goals that took them through. The opening goal will be considered for goal of the tournament as the highly rated James Rodriguez controlled a ball on his chest, spun and struck a sweet volley which rocketed off the bar, into the goal. GOALLLLLLL! This goal sparked Uruguay into life and they finally forced themselves on the Columbia's goal but with no end result. 

At the start of the second half Uruguay started in a more positive manor and had a few half chances. Columbia did well to shut them out and on the 50th minute they extended their lead with a lovely team goal. Cute passing, and unselfish attitude lead to a tap in for Rodrigeuz for his second. From that moment Columbia eased off the gas which allowed Uruguay to attack more. There where numerous opportunities for Uruguay but they could not convert any chances. They were running out if ideas and could not make that crucial break to give them any chance to get back into the game. 

So the first game of the quarter final is Brazil and Columbia. The way Columbia have been playing this should turn out to be a great game. And wear your sun glasses as it going to be yellow. 

My World Cup Review

Brazil 1 : 1 Chile

It's the first round of the knockouts. Hosts Brazil take on Chile, who Scolari quoted as saying he didn't want to play. 

This game was always going to be fast, fiery, exiting. The atmosphere that greeted the players was electrifying. If any players needed any more motivation then they got it during the national anthems. Inspiring. 

The games started as we all expected. With tempo. Both teams wanted to stamp their authority on the game and quickly. With end to end attacks. Both also put in some heavy challenges just to ensure that no one was taking this lightly. The breakthrough came early on with Luis in the right spot to flick in a nod on header from a Brazilian corner. The hosts lead. Neymar was playing with a target on his back as he was the victim of a few tasty challenges. Chile continued to apply pressure and some careless defending from Brazil allowed Chile in and the reliable Sanchez equalised.  Many more chances fell to both teams but none took their opportunity to take advantage. All square at half time. 

The second half continued as the first left off. Lots of pace, but it brought with it errors. Both teams were careless in their passing with their eagerness to attack. A diagonal pass found Hulk who controlled on his chest, and sliced a shot in. However his celebrations were cut short as he was booked for handball ball in his control. No goal. From there on Brazil lost some of their swag as Chile tried to take advantage and bombarded the Brazilian goal. They very nearly got their reward if it wasn't for Ceasar who produced a wonder save to keep the game 1-1. Towards to end of the game the tempo fell (who could blame the players), and another world class save prevented Hulk getting the goal he thought he should have in this game. 

Into extra time. 30 more minutes of game play for someone to find a winner. Most players will be running on empty but will be carried on with pure adrenaline. 

Brazil were the strongest of the two in the fist half of ET but could not break a solid Chilean defence.  Into the last 15 minutes of open play in extra time and Brazil where the team who looked as though they could snatch the win and prevent the game going to penalties. Chilean tactics were to defend, and defend well. The bar was rattled, and it was Chile who NEARLY scored. A matter of inches kept Brazil in the competition.  

Penalties will decide who progresses...

BRAZIL - OXOXO

CHILE - XXOOX

Brazil progress, heartache for Chile. 

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