Netherlands 0-1 Spain (AET)
The Dutch attempted to kick the Spanish off the pitch in yet another anti-climactic final. There was little created in a first half that saw Holland lucky to have 11 on the pitch (De Jong's chest high lunge was particularly deserving of a straight red)
It looked like the anti-football tactics might have paid off when twice Robben got one-on-one with Casillas only for the Spanish keeper to prevail. The Dutch defense looked the more likely to concede as the game went on but without any clear-cut chances the game looked destined for extra time and penalties.
Extra time saw the Dutch defense rocking and eventually the offside trap broke and Iniesta slipped through to guide the ball past Stekelenberg.
A deserved win.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Golden Ball Nominations
The following are the ten nominations for the Golden Ball (Player of the tournament):
1. Diego Forlan, Uruguay
Has been the focal point in 6 of Uruguay's 7 matches and looked a true modern forward. In with a good shout I reckon
2. Asamoah Gyan, Ghana
3. Andres Iniesta, Spain
Has only looked his old self since the knockouts began. Spain haven't been scintillating so I think the trophy will go else where
4. Lionel Messi, Argentina
Was very sharp in the first two games but was nullified by Greece and did little in Argentina's one big game, the defeat to Germany.
5. Mesut Ozil, Germany
A shoe-in for young player of the tournament. Always involved, great all round ability and only 20!
6. Arjen Robben, Netherlands
Missed the first two games through injury but has looked lethal since then carrying over his form form the Champion's League. Don't think he's done enough to win though.
7. Bastian Schweinsteiger, Germany
A great box-to-box performance in every match. Able to read the game as a defender and an attacker, a managers dream. A very strong contender.
8. Wesley Sneijder, Netherlands
Creativity, vision and an end product too. 5 goals in 6 games from midfield! My favourite to receive the award (especially if the Dutch win the final)
9. David Villa, Spain
Spain can do all the tick tacka (or whatever its called) but without this man they'd be nowhere. Offers pace, touch and finishing to add the much needed cut and thrust to Spain's game. Will run Sneijder and Sweinschteiger close.
10. Xavi, Spain
See Iniesta.
So between Sneijder, Schweinsteiger and Villa for me. If the voting is after the final then it might be an easier call but i reckon Sneijder should get it
Saturday, July 10, 2010
World Cup Semi-Final #2
Germany 0-1 Spain
Were the German's attacking intentions curbed by a superior side or was their game plan to play deep and catch them on the break? A little of both, I think, but the former statement made itself more apparent as the game went on.
Spain completely dominated possession throughout a game which saw a deep-lying German defense and a packed midfield unwilling to surrender much space. The German counter sprung as quickly as in previous matches but they were let down by some poor decision making on the few chances they had numerical advantage.
It always pains me to see a game settled by a set-piece but Puyol's headed goal from a corner on 73mins gave them a deserved win. The European Champions are capable of flowing passing moves, beautiful exchanges between interchanging midfielders climaxing in great goals but not today.
Perhaps the early defeat to Switzerland has shaken them into a more pragmatic strategy. After their defense was so badly exposed by the Swiss counter-attack which may have heightened their wariness and cause them to be extra protective of their back four.
Were the German's attacking intentions curbed by a superior side or was their game plan to play deep and catch them on the break? A little of both, I think, but the former statement made itself more apparent as the game went on.
Spain completely dominated possession throughout a game which saw a deep-lying German defense and a packed midfield unwilling to surrender much space. The German counter sprung as quickly as in previous matches but they were let down by some poor decision making on the few chances they had numerical advantage.
It always pains me to see a game settled by a set-piece but Puyol's headed goal from a corner on 73mins gave them a deserved win. The European Champions are capable of flowing passing moves, beautiful exchanges between interchanging midfielders climaxing in great goals but not today.
Perhaps the early defeat to Switzerland has shaken them into a more pragmatic strategy. After their defense was so badly exposed by the Swiss counter-attack which may have heightened their wariness and cause them to be extra protective of their back four.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
World Cup Semi-Final #1
Uruguay 2-3 Netherlands
Not the classic the scoreline might suggest with the Dutch putting in another workman-like performance and neither side creating a hell of a lot.
The first goal was certainly worthy of praise. After some sharp interplay the ball came to Van Bronkhorst on the left, a good 30 yards from goal and his left-footed rocket found the opposite corner of the net. Holland then got sloppy, unwilling to gamble their lead and forfeited possession to Uruguay. A rash tackle lead to Forlan's equaliser from the resulting free-kick just before half-time.
The South Americans struggled to get to grips with their new 4-4-2 formation (having l.ost Suarez to suspension) and failed to impose themselves on the Dutch. Robben and Sneijder always looked the most likely to create something and 2 goals in 3 minutes from the pair was enough to sink the hopes of Uruguay.
There was the chance of a late twist as a rehearsed free kick lead to a second goal for Uruguay in the dying minutes but Holland saw out the aerial bombardment towards Abreu to seal a place in the final.
Not the classic the scoreline might suggest with the Dutch putting in another workman-like performance and neither side creating a hell of a lot.
The first goal was certainly worthy of praise. After some sharp interplay the ball came to Van Bronkhorst on the left, a good 30 yards from goal and his left-footed rocket found the opposite corner of the net. Holland then got sloppy, unwilling to gamble their lead and forfeited possession to Uruguay. A rash tackle lead to Forlan's equaliser from the resulting free-kick just before half-time.
The South Americans struggled to get to grips with their new 4-4-2 formation (having l.ost Suarez to suspension) and failed to impose themselves on the Dutch. Robben and Sneijder always looked the most likely to create something and 2 goals in 3 minutes from the pair was enough to sink the hopes of Uruguay.
There was the chance of a late twist as a rehearsed free kick lead to a second goal for Uruguay in the dying minutes but Holland saw out the aerial bombardment towards Abreu to seal a place in the final.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
World Cup Day 23
Argentina 0-4 Germany
The Germans are looking like the current baton-holders of "Total Football". They have a great combination of players to get the most out of the 4-2-3-1 formation with their front-line able to interchange at will, OK that's a bit of a stretch for Klose but he is certainly able to link the play as well as providing a clinical finish.
Poor marking from a free kick gave Germany the lead in the 3rd minute. The ensuing attacks form Argentina were easily absorbed by the Germans and they were looking as sharp on the break as they did against England and but for some wasteful finishing they would have been further ahead before half-time.
Argentina were stifled in midfield but that's not to say the Germans were negative, far from it.
Paraguay 0-1 Spain
A penalty miss at either end was the most exciting thing in this otherwise flat game.
The Germans are looking like the current baton-holders of "Total Football". They have a great combination of players to get the most out of the 4-2-3-1 formation with their front-line able to interchange at will, OK that's a bit of a stretch for Klose but he is certainly able to link the play as well as providing a clinical finish.
Poor marking from a free kick gave Germany the lead in the 3rd minute. The ensuing attacks form Argentina were easily absorbed by the Germans and they were looking as sharp on the break as they did against England and but for some wasteful finishing they would have been further ahead before half-time.
Argentina were stifled in midfield but that's not to say the Germans were negative, far from it.
Paraguay 0-1 Spain
A penalty miss at either end was the most exciting thing in this otherwise flat game.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
QF a day early?
Is it just my dodgy memory or were the Quarter Finals always on a weekend? ie on Saturday and Sunday.
This year the first set are on a Friday and the second on a Saturday with Sunday off. Isn't it odd that there no World Cup football on Sunday, the traditional day of rest?
I have a theory that it's to increase the gap between the Semis and the Final. Major finals are rarely the spectacle they ought to be and perhaps FIFA are hoping that better rested players equals a more entertaining final.
Playing the SFs so soon after the QFs may mean we have two lethargic games instead of one! We'll wait and see.
This year the first set are on a Friday and the second on a Saturday with Sunday off. Isn't it odd that there no World Cup football on Sunday, the traditional day of rest?
I have a theory that it's to increase the gap between the Semis and the Final. Major finals are rarely the spectacle they ought to be and perhaps FIFA are hoping that better rested players equals a more entertaining final.
Playing the SFs so soon after the QFs may mean we have two lethargic games instead of one! We'll wait and see.
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