World Cup Update IV
Our original picks (which were not published) to make the knock out round:
Germany- Poland (Ecuador)
England - Sweden
Argentina - Holland
Portugal - Mexico
Italy - Czech Republic (Ghana)
Brazil - Croatia (Australia)
France - Switzerland
Spain - Ukraine
We went 13 of 16 (our misses in parentheses) . Sweet 16, we hit 5 of 8. Great 8, 3 of 4. The record is 21 of 28, 75%. Here goes for the Semis:
As we pointed out, Germany's long ball, open space style was wide open for the staccato ball control of the Argentine's to take advantage of, and they did so early, exposing the weak German backline.
Argentina's mistake was to sit on a 1-0 lead and not go for the jugular. Although teams scoring first have gone 37-7-8 for a 71% win pct , teams scoring the 2nd goal have a 78% win pct.
Ball handling, control and finishing touches were poor on both sides. By the 80th minute, both squads were fatigued and the Argentine ploy backfired in as Germany finally got the equalizer through an untested backup Argentine goalkeeper.
We commented that HOMEFIELD and OFFICIATING would be the difference. The hometeam had greater leeway on the fouls and the partisan crowd turned out to be just enough for the Germans to squeeze through into the Semis on penalty kicks 4-2.
As predicted, Italy routed a flat and overwhelmed Ukraine. The Italians had a couple of scares, but their defense and balanced midfield attack prevailed.
Now, the team I named the darkhorse longshot faces the arduous task of beating a host nation in the Semis. They know this to be difficult having been homered in 2002 vs S. Korea in the quarterfinal.
What have you done for me lately? The Italians have scored 9 goals, coming
from 8 different players and their defense is still unscored upon (own goal vs USA).
The Germans are undefeated (14-0-1) in international matches played in Dortmund (site of the match) and (9-0-1) in the last two World Cups with Michael Ballack playing.
More important: the Italians are (3-0-5) in meaningful international matches vs Germany, (World or European Cup) spanning 46 years. In other words, the Germans
have never beaten Italy in a meaningful game.
The stiff lanky wide open German style does not match up well against the Italian defense and their fluid counter attack (Catenaccio).
With the Italians "distracted" with a game fixing scandal and not being expected to reach the semis, the pressure is all on host Germany. Even without home field and the benefit of the refs, in an "upset" Italy over Germany.
With England vs Portugal, we called for a close match going to overtime and a penalty shoot out. We got it, but Portugal prevailed 3-1.
The English had several chances to put this match away during regulation and the penalty shoot out, failing to do so at every turn. Beckham went off with an injury and Rooney was sent off on an unjustified red card in the 62nd minute, forcing England to play a man down.
Portugal was very unimpressive and never took advantage of being a man up as England actually played better a man down. Portugal's Petit received a yellow and will miss the next match. However, Deco and Costinha will return.
Have France regained their championship form? Just ask Brazil after being sent home by the Frenchmen. Even with the FIFA referee's generosity, the Brazilians managed to collect more yellow cards (4) than shots on goal (3).
As predicted, in a redux of the 98 Cup Final, the French defense and ball contol midfield completely dominated a lackluster and grossly overrated Brazilian squad.
Zidane's field generalship, Henry's attack and Ribery's runs will be too much for Portugal's backline. The French defense and midfield should be able to easily contain Portugal's indecisive offense. France over Portugal
Germany- Poland (Ecuador)
England - Sweden
Argentina - Holland
Portugal - Mexico
Italy - Czech Republic (Ghana)
Brazil - Croatia (Australia)
France - Switzerland
Spain - Ukraine
We went 13 of 16 (our misses in parentheses) . Sweet 16, we hit 5 of 8. Great 8, 3 of 4. The record is 21 of 28, 75%. Here goes for the Semis:
As we pointed out, Germany's long ball, open space style was wide open for the staccato ball control of the Argentine's to take advantage of, and they did so early, exposing the weak German backline.
Argentina's mistake was to sit on a 1-0 lead and not go for the jugular. Although teams scoring first have gone 37-7-8 for a 71% win pct , teams scoring the 2nd goal have a 78% win pct.
Ball handling, control and finishing touches were poor on both sides. By the 80th minute, both squads were fatigued and the Argentine ploy backfired in as Germany finally got the equalizer through an untested backup Argentine goalkeeper.
We commented that HOMEFIELD and OFFICIATING would be the difference. The hometeam had greater leeway on the fouls and the partisan crowd turned out to be just enough for the Germans to squeeze through into the Semis on penalty kicks 4-2.
As predicted, Italy routed a flat and overwhelmed Ukraine. The Italians had a couple of scares, but their defense and balanced midfield attack prevailed.
Now, the team I named the darkhorse longshot faces the arduous task of beating a host nation in the Semis. They know this to be difficult having been homered in 2002 vs S. Korea in the quarterfinal.
What have you done for me lately? The Italians have scored 9 goals, coming
from 8 different players and their defense is still unscored upon (own goal vs USA).
The Germans are undefeated (14-0-1) in international matches played in Dortmund (site of the match) and (9-0-1) in the last two World Cups with Michael Ballack playing.
More important: the Italians are (3-0-5) in meaningful international matches vs Germany, (World or European Cup) spanning 46 years. In other words, the Germans
have never beaten Italy in a meaningful game.
The stiff lanky wide open German style does not match up well against the Italian defense and their fluid counter attack (Catenaccio).
With the Italians "distracted" with a game fixing scandal and not being expected to reach the semis, the pressure is all on host Germany. Even without home field and the benefit of the refs, in an "upset" Italy over Germany.
With England vs Portugal, we called for a close match going to overtime and a penalty shoot out. We got it, but Portugal prevailed 3-1.
The English had several chances to put this match away during regulation and the penalty shoot out, failing to do so at every turn. Beckham went off with an injury and Rooney was sent off on an unjustified red card in the 62nd minute, forcing England to play a man down.
Portugal was very unimpressive and never took advantage of being a man up as England actually played better a man down. Portugal's Petit received a yellow and will miss the next match. However, Deco and Costinha will return.
Have France regained their championship form? Just ask Brazil after being sent home by the Frenchmen. Even with the FIFA referee's generosity, the Brazilians managed to collect more yellow cards (4) than shots on goal (3).
As predicted, in a redux of the 98 Cup Final, the French defense and ball contol midfield completely dominated a lackluster and grossly overrated Brazilian squad.
Zidane's field generalship, Henry's attack and Ribery's runs will be too much for Portugal's backline. The French defense and midfield should be able to easily contain Portugal's indecisive offense. France over Portugal
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