So nearly done with the groups stages and the no hopers are dwindling down by the day. With already a few surprise packages booking their place in the next round, who is really looking like the favourite?
For me the Dutch have been the most consistent so far. Robben seems to get better and even quicker with age and with the manner they dismantled Spain, the same team that broke their hearts 4 years ago they must be in the driving seat. Brazil and Argentina have also looked good, but not spectacular. Both have relied on magic from their main men Messi and Ronaldo, with Brazil having Lady Luck on their side in the opening game. Germany who looked awesome against Portugal but shaky against Ghana will no doubt improve through the tournament like most years.
It just shows how competitive this World Cup is with the majority of teams showing no fear against this big countries. Although you will always want the star players in your team, countries like Chile, Columbia and dare I say Costa Rica have shown the world it is not essential. Like most I wrote off Costa Rica's chances before they even boarded the plane but look what they have done. Being organised and playing with such a high tempo has worked for them. They took Uruguay apart with sheer pace on the counter attack as well as took the game to Italy and never let them settle like England did.
My bet is still on the Dutch winning this years World Cup. I think they look the complete package with solid defence as well as pace and a Goalscorer in Van Persie. The Germans will improve game to game as well as Argentina. I am not fully convinced by the hosts this year after seeing their defence last night. Neymar is a cracking player but up against the big boys I am not sure he will be quite so effective.
Tuesday 24 June 2014
Sunday 15 June 2014
England V Italy - the bright side
So finally after months of waiting, the 14th June arrived and England kicked off their world cup campaign against Italy.The Italians were fielding out a very similar team that knocked out England at the Euro 2012 quarter final stage. Although England were beaten on penalties, it was very apparent they were a long way from being at Italy's level. One stat that for me the most alarming was that Joe Hart and Peter Crouch combined the most passes between them out of the whole team in that particular match.
Last night ended in a bitterly disappointing lose for the England team. It was a different feeling of disappointment however this time round. After seeing England struggle to pass the ball and have many real attempts on goal 2 years ago, last night was a huge improvement in my eyes. It was clear from the outset that both teams were playing very different styles as predicted. Andrea Pirlo yet again shone and showed his world class touch as well as awareness of where everyone else in this team were. Looking at both goals from the Italians, England really could have done better. Conceding from a set piece is always tough to take, with Pirlo dumbing the ball with his normal sublime manner, give Marchisio chance to smash it in from outside the box. We started well so to go one goal down was really hard and it took a lot of character to get back at the Italians. A great link between Rooney and Sterling saw Rooney clear of the defence and putting the ball across the six yard box. Daniel Sturridge darted across and smashed the ball into the Italian net and levelled the game up. Rooney done excellent to find this room, and looking at some articles this morning a lot of journalists must have not been watching at this moment. To be fair Rooney did look out of sorts last night in the unusual role on the left hand side. I struggled to really see his role within the team and how he fitted in. I am a Rooney fan and love the way he reads the game and brings others into play. He has struggled at major tournaments but he is not alone.
After 5 minutes into the second half the Italians, with a little bit to much ease got back into the lead by the animated Mario Ballotelli. Not for the first time the left hand side of the pitch was left exposed. Leighton Baines was caught chasing and the cross went in which was met by Mario's head. It is a tough time to concede in a match and meant England really had to take the game to Italy. I think we had a lot of the ball and run at the them and tested their back 4. If there is one thing Italy know and that is how to keep a lead. A bit of inexperience crept into England's game and Sterling should have done better with 2 or 3 breaks. Taking nothing away from the young Liverpool player, who had times at Italy in his wake. It was brave from Roy to start him but certainly a successful decision. Danny Welbeck who done his bit for the team even with a bit of pressure from the critics. Ross Barkley had a cameo and done his case no harm at all. Fearless comes to mind when you see Barkley play and after a few minutes on the pitch he had already test the goalkeeper.
It wasn't to be for England and Italy won the game 2 - 1 after 90 minutes. The celebrations from the Italians spoke volumes about England's performance. Not really interested in all these stats about only 4 teams have got out of their group after losing the first match. After seeing the game before I think we will beat them both. Uruguay were all over the place defensively and crumbled when Costa Rica came at them. Lot of credit to Costa Rica who were probably not expected to get any points out of this group.
Thursdays game was always going to be the decider and now with current results, it will certainly be a intense affair. Suarez will no doubt start now after not coming on but there is no chance he will be fully fit. Looking at their defensive woes last night, I think Sterling and Sturridge could have a field day.
Still so much to play for all teams in the group and if Costa Rica do get something from Italy then that game with England as well will be huge.
Last night ended in a bitterly disappointing lose for the England team. It was a different feeling of disappointment however this time round. After seeing England struggle to pass the ball and have many real attempts on goal 2 years ago, last night was a huge improvement in my eyes. It was clear from the outset that both teams were playing very different styles as predicted. Andrea Pirlo yet again shone and showed his world class touch as well as awareness of where everyone else in this team were. Looking at both goals from the Italians, England really could have done better. Conceding from a set piece is always tough to take, with Pirlo dumbing the ball with his normal sublime manner, give Marchisio chance to smash it in from outside the box. We started well so to go one goal down was really hard and it took a lot of character to get back at the Italians. A great link between Rooney and Sterling saw Rooney clear of the defence and putting the ball across the six yard box. Daniel Sturridge darted across and smashed the ball into the Italian net and levelled the game up. Rooney done excellent to find this room, and looking at some articles this morning a lot of journalists must have not been watching at this moment. To be fair Rooney did look out of sorts last night in the unusual role on the left hand side. I struggled to really see his role within the team and how he fitted in. I am a Rooney fan and love the way he reads the game and brings others into play. He has struggled at major tournaments but he is not alone.
After 5 minutes into the second half the Italians, with a little bit to much ease got back into the lead by the animated Mario Ballotelli. Not for the first time the left hand side of the pitch was left exposed. Leighton Baines was caught chasing and the cross went in which was met by Mario's head. It is a tough time to concede in a match and meant England really had to take the game to Italy. I think we had a lot of the ball and run at the them and tested their back 4. If there is one thing Italy know and that is how to keep a lead. A bit of inexperience crept into England's game and Sterling should have done better with 2 or 3 breaks. Taking nothing away from the young Liverpool player, who had times at Italy in his wake. It was brave from Roy to start him but certainly a successful decision. Danny Welbeck who done his bit for the team even with a bit of pressure from the critics. Ross Barkley had a cameo and done his case no harm at all. Fearless comes to mind when you see Barkley play and after a few minutes on the pitch he had already test the goalkeeper.
It wasn't to be for England and Italy won the game 2 - 1 after 90 minutes. The celebrations from the Italians spoke volumes about England's performance. Not really interested in all these stats about only 4 teams have got out of their group after losing the first match. After seeing the game before I think we will beat them both. Uruguay were all over the place defensively and crumbled when Costa Rica came at them. Lot of credit to Costa Rica who were probably not expected to get any points out of this group.
Thursdays game was always going to be the decider and now with current results, it will certainly be a intense affair. Suarez will no doubt start now after not coming on but there is no chance he will be fully fit. Looking at their defensive woes last night, I think Sterling and Sturridge could have a field day.
Still so much to play for all teams in the group and if Costa Rica do get something from Italy then that game with England as well will be huge.
Wednesday 11 June 2014
Most represented clubs in this Summers World Cup Brazil 2014
Position
|
Team
|
Number of
players
|
1
|
Bayern Munich
|
16
|
2
|
Real Madrid,
Chelsea
|
15
|
3
|
Manchester United
|
14
|
4
|
Barcelona
|
13
|
5
|
Arsenal, Paris st
Germain
|
12
|
6
|
Liverpool
|
11
|
7
|
Manchester City,
Napoli
|
10
|
8
|
FC Porto, Atletico
Madrid
|
9
|
9
|
Dynamo Moscow, AC
Milan,Inter Milan and Lazio
|
8
|
10
|
Zenit
St Petersberg, Shalke, Tottenham Hotspurs, Dortmund and Wolfsburg
|
7
|
Above is the table of the top 10 most represented teams at this Summer World Cup in Brazil. These were counted using the Metro's article last week on the final squads. Now these are the original squads picked before a few injuries hit.
It is interesting to see a few of these up there. Napoli and Spurs for me only being 3 off Manchester. City who are littered with superstars. Bayern Munich naturally lead the way with a solid core (7 in total) of German players which you would think give them a advantage over other countries. Real Madrid and Barcelona take up a lot of the Spainish team with a few Atletico Madrid players thrown in there ( Diego Costa, Juanfran and the very lively Koke). Out of the 13 Barcelona players 7 of these are in the Spainish side with the main man Messi linking up with what could be a mouthwatering combo of Manchester City's Aguero and PSG Pacey Lavezzi and Napoli's Higuain. Napoli's fine season in Seria A has seen 10 of their players make their World Cup squad. On the other side of the coin Manchester Uniteds disaster of a season hasn't affected too many players chances with 14 of their players making it on the plane to Brazil with 4 of these being in the English national team. Of a United was to have a more successful season you would expect Cleverly, Carrick and even Young to have been in the set up too.
Naturally all the best teams have international quality players and after the success of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, Spain will only benefit from this. Germany have had a lot of success due to the core of Munich players playing week in and week out together.
With Liverpool having such a good season, I think Hodgson should really try to keep the Gerrard, Sterling, Henderson and Sturridge connection going if we are going to have any chance this World Cup.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)