World Cup Update III
FYI, it seems that MSNBC agrees somewhat with the "coddling" Brazil theory put forth in Cup Check Part I and Part 2
We went 5 of 8 with our picks, missing on the Ukraine (scoreless vs Switzerland, winning on a penalty kick shootout); Portugal (another officiating debacle vs Netherlands, 16 yellow & 4 red cards, a new record); and France's spirited victory over Spain (The Chicago Cubs of World Cup Soccer).
Here goes for the Great Eight:
Germany now on a roll and pitching a shutout since allowing 2 goals to Costa Rica in Game 1. Argentina brought back down to earth by Mexico's staccato style and match ups.
Soccer is about individual match ups and how team styles mesh against each other. Germany does not play anything like Mexico, preferring the long ball and wide open spaces.
The wide open German style appeals to the Argentine's methodical ball control style, which needs ROOM to operate. Despite this, and the fact that Argentina has a better side...
HOME FIELD and the OFFICIATING will probably have the Germans rolling their way into the Semis (dios mio!). Germany over Argentina.
The Italians got their Karmic revenge against Australian coach Gus Hiddink. (Too bad the Aussies had to suffer.) In the 02 Cup Hiddink's South Korean team was at home and had FIFA's suspect refs homering the Italians 2-1 in the quarter finals.
Yesterday's penalty kick call for the Italians in the last second was justice served, as they had played the better game despite being unjustly forced by the officials to play one man down for the entire 2nd half.
The Ukraine limped into the round of 16, beating one of two teams unscored upon (Switzerland) without scoring a goal in 120 minutes. They won't be so lucky against the only other defense yet to give up an earned goal in this tournament. Italy over Ukraine
England got by Ecuador on stout defense and Beckham's bender, Portugal survived the officials against a swarthy & balanced Netherlands. Both sides are playing steady, Portugal are playing without Deco, England without Owen.
Englands wide open style will accomodate Portugal's mild stoccato style. However, Rooney's bulldogged offensive style and stout defense on the backline may deliver against Portugal. This is a very tough one to pick.
Perhaps overtime and a penalty kick shoot out will decide this game. England over Portugal
"Da Boyz" from Brazil where given a goal on an uncalled offsides and had to play one man UP as the officials sent off one of Ghana's best for next to nothing.
No surprises there as "luck" always shines on FIFA's favorite sons. Scores are sometimes deceiving, although Ghana lost 3-0, and being a man short, they still outplayed Brazil.
Most unfortunate for Brazil, the team they did not want to see, the same group of frenzied Frenchmen to whom they were fed in the 1998 final, have found their esprit du corp and rhythm. France pounded a very good Spainish side 3-1 (Spanish penalty kick after a dive in the box.)
In a redux of the 98 final, the French mid & backline should be able to stop Brazil's prancing girl attack while the reborn offense does a job on Brazil's pourous backline. France over Brazil.
FYI, to put Brazilian Ronaldo's much heralded World Cup goal scoring record in perspective... 15 goals in 18 games spanning 3 World Cups.
Besting... Germany's Gerd Muller: 14 goals in 19 games spanning 3 World Cups. Brazil's Pele: 12 goals in 21 games over 4 World Cups.
But not besting on average, France's Just Fontaine who scored 13 goals in just 6 games in the 1958 World Cup.
When I used to play, we called guys like Ronaldo, garbage collecting glory hogs. They stand around and follow the flow, doing next to nothing.
Then the "collector" shows up at the last minute to collect a fortuitous rebound or defensive gaff, stuffing it into the goal and taking all the credit.
We went 5 of 8 with our picks, missing on the Ukraine (scoreless vs Switzerland, winning on a penalty kick shootout); Portugal (another officiating debacle vs Netherlands, 16 yellow & 4 red cards, a new record); and France's spirited victory over Spain (The Chicago Cubs of World Cup Soccer).
Here goes for the Great Eight:
Germany now on a roll and pitching a shutout since allowing 2 goals to Costa Rica in Game 1. Argentina brought back down to earth by Mexico's staccato style and match ups.
Soccer is about individual match ups and how team styles mesh against each other. Germany does not play anything like Mexico, preferring the long ball and wide open spaces.
The wide open German style appeals to the Argentine's methodical ball control style, which needs ROOM to operate. Despite this, and the fact that Argentina has a better side...
HOME FIELD and the OFFICIATING will probably have the Germans rolling their way into the Semis (dios mio!). Germany over Argentina.
The Italians got their Karmic revenge against Australian coach Gus Hiddink. (Too bad the Aussies had to suffer.) In the 02 Cup Hiddink's South Korean team was at home and had FIFA's suspect refs homering the Italians 2-1 in the quarter finals.
Yesterday's penalty kick call for the Italians in the last second was justice served, as they had played the better game despite being unjustly forced by the officials to play one man down for the entire 2nd half.
The Ukraine limped into the round of 16, beating one of two teams unscored upon (Switzerland) without scoring a goal in 120 minutes. They won't be so lucky against the only other defense yet to give up an earned goal in this tournament. Italy over Ukraine
England got by Ecuador on stout defense and Beckham's bender, Portugal survived the officials against a swarthy & balanced Netherlands. Both sides are playing steady, Portugal are playing without Deco, England without Owen.
Englands wide open style will accomodate Portugal's mild stoccato style. However, Rooney's bulldogged offensive style and stout defense on the backline may deliver against Portugal. This is a very tough one to pick.
Perhaps overtime and a penalty kick shoot out will decide this game. England over Portugal
"Da Boyz" from Brazil where given a goal on an uncalled offsides and had to play one man UP as the officials sent off one of Ghana's best for next to nothing.
No surprises there as "luck" always shines on FIFA's favorite sons. Scores are sometimes deceiving, although Ghana lost 3-0, and being a man short, they still outplayed Brazil.
Most unfortunate for Brazil, the team they did not want to see, the same group of frenzied Frenchmen to whom they were fed in the 1998 final, have found their esprit du corp and rhythm. France pounded a very good Spainish side 3-1 (Spanish penalty kick after a dive in the box.)
In a redux of the 98 final, the French mid & backline should be able to stop Brazil's prancing girl attack while the reborn offense does a job on Brazil's pourous backline. France over Brazil.
FYI, to put Brazilian Ronaldo's much heralded World Cup goal scoring record in perspective... 15 goals in 18 games spanning 3 World Cups.
Besting... Germany's Gerd Muller: 14 goals in 19 games spanning 3 World Cups. Brazil's Pele: 12 goals in 21 games over 4 World Cups.
But not besting on average, France's Just Fontaine who scored 13 goals in just 6 games in the 1958 World Cup.
When I used to play, we called guys like Ronaldo, garbage collecting glory hogs. They stand around and follow the flow, doing next to nothing.
Then the "collector" shows up at the last minute to collect a fortuitous rebound or defensive gaff, stuffing it into the goal and taking all the credit.
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