World Cup 2014 Brazil (Page 2 of 6)

The WC looks increasingly more interesting. England played well but didn't have the necessary quality to break Italy down and get the equaliser their performance deserved.

Argentina were actually quite poor. I don't think having Messi as Captain is a good idea. He tried to take on too much most of the time. He lost the ball so often he was almost Argentina's worst player in the first half. He finally got the goal and it seemed to lift him and the team, but they were a disappointment.

France looked competent and got the result and even got to test FIFA's goal line technology! It worked.

Watched the Germans tonight in a public viewing in of all places, a church! Great atmosphere. They played tremendously well, but Pepe committed suicide for Portugal. Even though they were 2-0 down his red card finished it all off. Very very stupid. If I was the trainer I would send him home immediately. They were not out of the game at that point.

That said the Germans were strong most everywhere. Müller had his revenge with a hat trick. He could be the real star turn this year. His unorthodox style of play and full hearted running throughout marks him out as a hero. He fits the bill too. Very funny, kind hearted bloke. A great favourite everywhere.

Who gave him his big chance at Munich and brought him through the ranks there? Louis Van Gaal.

Nigeria are rubbish at the moment. Lots of talent, good technically, but without a clue in the last third of the pitch. Iran will do them with a breakaway freak goal if they don't get a grip soon.

Good they got the goal. Ghana are outplaying them everywhere.

The US give the ball away at every opportunity it seems. The US midfield are too deep and give the Ghanaians the run of the park. The Us are playing tennis at the moment with the ball constantly coming back at them. Ghana's right flank is the danger. Jones and the full back have to close that down.

Howard is good but he is seeing way too much action. Come on the US!

U-S-A!!!

ADios Spain.Beaten team and beaten spirit.

Tika Taka football demands 100% concentration and effort and over the two group games they have not shown that well enough. Chile provided a lesson in both characteristics tonight. Well done to them. Even so, it is a shock. I am in an online group of 30 tipping the results. Only one person tipped Chile to win, so it shows how highly we still regarded them.

Their side is packed with stars, not yet so old, but there was a dramtic lack of application.

I have watched all the games bar one so far. Holland appear the best and despite the win the USA were technically the worst, so therge is room for improvement. Maybe this is the year of the underdog. With Spain gone, the way is a little less daunting. Brazil despite the passion do not impress me. Argentina need to really show their class in the second game, but if Germany have got the smell of it they coulkd ntake some stopping.

As they say at MacDonalds - ' I'm lovin' it!'

Spain was a shock, but not surprising given the age of some of the players. Those lost steps cost dearly. I've watched most of the matches so far and it is a good WC.
Here's a very good read from the NYTimes. Analysis of each national team's psyche and style,  and very telling as things have played out. It is updated each day with a few more teams so you can go back to the link and see new additions. I'd like to see the reactions of my English, Dutch and German pals here.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014 … f=worldcup
Rick

Once again the pain of watching England at a World Cup returns again. 2006 was so much more fun. We hadn't qualified!

Seriously though, they didn't play badly, even so, the Uruguayans seeed to want it that little bit more. Their tackles had more bite and seemed more successful. I'm pleased Rooney got the monkey of his back as it looked liked he was cursed.

The difference really between the two sides? Uruguay have 2 world class strikers in Suarez and Cavani and England don't. Couple that with two less than world class defenders in Cahill and Jagielka and there will be problems. Not that the England 2 played badly but two very basic defensive lapses from each of them against a player that we know -oh so well - what he can do and the seeds of an early demise were sown.

Where was Cahill? How can it be that Suarez had almost 10 yards of freedom behind Gerrard? The odds look very long now and I won't be holding my breath. Again, we've learned something. The centre back 2 are NOT fit for purpose, Baines isn't as good as Cole was and needs to improve. Henderson didn't disgrace himself but I think Wilshire and Barkley are better starting options. Hart's constant 'flapping' at the ball was quite worrying, particularly as he seems to be deflecting back into dangerous areas. He is still not the finished article it seems.

Plus side, Sturridge, Welbeck and Rooney did all that could be asked, and Sterling is definitely worth having around.

It's very disappointing of course, as this Uruguay team was one we could have and possibly should have beaten, with or without Suarez. I am sure it was there but I just couldn't see the same passion from England as I did from Uruguay. Watching the Greek match afterwards I marvelled at their endeavour with only 10 men. Their refusal to be beaten was etched on the faces of every player.

It may well be that results will go our way. Italy thrash Costa Rica and Uruguay for us and we, destroy Costa Rica. Can be done, must be done, as this time England expects. To return without a single victory would be a disgrace too far, or maybe the final shove the FA needs to introduce over a period time the limitations of foreign players in our leagues, we so desperately need.

i agree Mike, Cahill and Jagielka are under international standard, were caught out at essential moments of defending, England for have been one of the poorest organised teams in this world cup, no bite in the team, Gerrard poor, defending pretty basic and found out, Rooney trying and working hard but always out of position, why doesnt he goal hang like Lineker did, a predetory striker, be a point of attack to ainm for not out on the wing or deep as he always drops, thats why he's never scored, too deep, they are so painful to watch, i was cheering and shouting for them to move into space, but they never, so easy to play against like spain now, an awful performance in both games and never looked like challenging for Quarters, a i predicted wouldnt get out of group, but they played even worse than i expected, i'm glad theyre out and look forward to the rest of the World Cup.

I now predict from what ive seen that Holland and Germany look wonderfully organised and could meet in The Final, but i guess Brazil and Argentina still will become more fluient in the knock out stages, i also love Chile and Costa Rica maybe Belguim will be the Dark Horses

.......... Michael

Yes, we are gone and Costa Rica are the first to qualify for the next round. Incredible tuyat the team that thwarted us could be so confidently turned over. Given that Costa Rica are through we might expect them to take their foot off the gas, thus giving us a chance. But as England are likely to feature players that haven't had their chance yet another defeat is more than possible.
Such a shame it has come to this. But I take some heart from it all. France were appalling in South Africa and yet have 8 goals in two matches and have several players in fine form. The FA need to try and structure some meaningful competitive matches for England over the next 2 years and get the squad working as a unit on a regular basis, as much as their clubs will allow.

Watching Costa Rica today the work ethic was excellent. In the first half their 'pressing' tactics meant they had 5 players forward as Italy tried to get the ball out of defensive positions and they kept this pressure up until Italy just ran out of ideas.

I'll be watching Germany carefully tomorrow. If they can despatch Ghana as ruthlessly as they did Portugal they may be in with a sniff of it. If the theory that Europeans can't win in South America holds true then I shall watch Argentina's next performance with interest. It continues to be great fun though.