Kudos to New Zealand. Ryan Nelson was heroic and Chris Wood could have won it at the end. I wouldn't be surprised if the French go and hammer South Africa and go through, although the Anglo-French-Italian Flid Off 2010 continues in earnest. Match of the group stages tonight. England have a crisis meeting tonight where people can say what they like to Capello and about other players. They will ALL ask for Gerrard to play off Rooney as he does with Torres and for Joe Cole to start at left mid.
Who would've though New Zealand would go into their 3rd game with a win and in situation. It seems most of the "elite" teams are struggling. Spain, England, Italy, France, Germany now, Brazil we'll see. Even Netherlands were lucky to beat Japan, they should've had a late tying goal.
It's certainly been interesting to see the emergence of the smaller South American nations like Chile and Mexico. In the end though I won't be surprised to see the same old teams in the last 4.
This is a very different Brazil team though. This is my 8th world cup as a viewer and this is the most defensive minded Brazilian team I've ever known. Gilberto Silva and Felipe Melo are playing so well but a Brazilian team with two holding midfielders?? They're rigid, competitive, they back each other up, they're positionally sound, they play it simple. That allows Juan and Lucio to play with barely any pressure. And of course what they do is allow Maicon and Bastos to push on like wingers, knowing that Silva and Melo will tuck in.
Was just reading about this at the BBC sports site and Terry was on ESPN. I think inserting Cole is a good move (assume, in place of Lennon? - if they don't make Gerrard a F). I've always liked the energy Cole brings to the team. I also like moving Gerrard up behind Rooney. Really, not liking the other strikers - but certainly don't think Heskey is the best option; I'd prefer Crouch for the other striker, but if you want to put the best players on the field, perhaps just shift Gerrard up behind Rooney (Wayne as the lone forward striker) then bring in Cole. That's probably their most talent option. Who do you think will fill the role for Carragher on defense?
They are so sound. Cote D'Ivoire was not able to do a thing, everything closes down so quickly and the back pressure Brazil applies makes it almost impossible to do a thing. then they turn it back at you with Maicon tearing up the side. If they continue to play this defensive I don't see anyone touching them because they can seemingly be doing nothing and then they explode on you.
Gerrard plays off Torres for Liverpool. Not a pure striker because when we don't have the ball he drops back to form a 5 man midfield, albeit the furthest forward, but when we're attacking he and Torres have a tremendous understanding. It's the same with Gerrard and Rooney. They're close off the field and work very well together on it. Cole should come in on the left, Lennon on the right in what is a 4-2-3-1. As for replacing Carra, it will probably be Matthew Upson of West Ham who played in a lot of the qualifying games when Ferdinand was injured but who had an average season. Michael Dawson of Spurs was probably the best centre back in the Premiership last year but he's never started a game for England.
Two teams that impress me the most, talent wise, are Brazil and Argentina. Still early, of course. That would be quite a war if the two met in the final! I can't stand Maradonna, but like some of the Argentines - however, since it would come down to bragging rights between Pele and fat boy, I would have to go for Pele.
The problems for the Ivorians are three fold: A) Sven is a bad manager. B) Drogba is so limited because of the broken arm that he almost might as well not be playing. C) Because Drogba is hurt and because Sven is so awful, they're continuing to play with one up top and inexplicably started with Gervinho on the bench. Carragher's replacement? Almost certainly Matty Upson.
The Argies are great going forwards although Higuain over Milito is ridiculous. That aside, they're desperate at the back. Their keeper is average. Guitierrez who plays right back is actually a left winger for Newcastle and has never met a tackle he likes. Gabby Heinze at left back is still solid but not the player he was DeMiFAILis is awful and Walter Samuel isn't great. Javi Mascherano is a very good player sitting in front but Argentina can be got at. The South Koreans ended up losing 4-1 but with 20 mins to go they should have equalised and made it 2 all. They could get found out in the latter stages.
lol one i can see, but ref missing two...was this the ref of the France-Ireland game? Has to be because Brazilians are just so great all handballs are unintenional. The other two scores where awesome though...IC had to play great and get a couple breaks...neither is happening...and before I can send IC gets a score. Not enough time.
I don't blame him, but now he's out for Portugal right? Some really poor sportsmanship here. Sore losers.
Along with Hugo Lloris of France and Pepe Reina of Spain, Brazil also have the best keeper in the world in Julio Cesar which is a real rarity for them.
Not even a yellow. It's alright though. Portugal is a joke and the group sweep will still be had without Kaka. All respect out of the window for Ivory Coast though. Was still rooting for them to get out of this group. Not anymore.
I gotta say..I am addicted to watching Sky Sports News to see the Analysts continue their meltdown over England showing their asses vs. Algeria. Apparently Joe Cole is the answer for everybody. He better score 68 goals versus Slovania to justify all this love. if Lennon gets pulled..that really screws me. I took Aaron Lennon over Wayne Rooney in goals in the group stage at a fat +450. Friend of mine bought him as a bronze, silver or golden boot winner at a whopping 28-1.
Brazil played with 2 holding midfielders in '02 and '06. In '02 and '06 they played with combinations of Gilberto Silva, Emerson, and Edmilson. At least 2 of them in the starting lineup at almost all times. I do agree though that they are more defensive minded,and no one can deny that Juan is better than Roque Junior was and defensively guys like Maicon and Bastos appear to be better than Roberto Carlos and Cincinho EDIT: And for some reason Lucio seems to be getting better with age. What the hell is that all about?!
I think Italian football is in serious trouble. At the moment, the young guys coming through just dont seem to be good enough. I have never seen an Italian team so poor in my life.
Perfect analysis. It's a different style for a brazilian team, but as I said, it's been efficient(sp?).
Kaka deserved the 2 yellow cards, though the Ivory players were ripping brazilian legs off, 2 should haven been sent off. Luis Fabiano goal was amazing, but the second time his hand (arm) touched the ball should have nullified it. updating my list 1st tier Argentina Brazil Germany Netherlands US 2nd tier England Ghana Italy Portugal Uruguay Paraguay Mexico SVN added 2 South Americans, SVN and Mexico. Nigeria off. Italy still not doing much, if it wasn't 'Italy' I'd have them already off. Still waiting one more game to judge Chile, Switzerland and Spain. Tomorrow Portugal needs to show if they came or not to this WC.
Lippi's biggest mistake imo was into his squad selection, too many good players he could have selected, instead he selected a uninspiring team. The only way Italy could turnaround is going for all or nothing on the last game and maybe getting some momentum...it's a organized team without difference makers.
^ You've got to be kidding me. Kaka deserved the second yellow card? I don't have a problem with the first; he was really making an effort to gain the first yellow card. However, the second was absolutely horrible. He didn't even glance into the direction of the player from Ivory Coast. The guy did what he was taught by his captain (Drogba), he DOVE into Kaka's elbow. Not only that, but he gets hit in the mid region of his chest and comes down grabbing his face. Completely disgusting and made me even more pleased to see Ivory Coast get completely dominated and embarrassed for 90 minutes and change. Also, remove US from the first tier and your list is pretty good. US being in the same class as Brazil, Argentina, and the Dutch is laughable. Beyond laughable. How do you go about placing US over England even? The jury is still out on Germany but I'm not going to throw them under the bus for one game that didn't end in a draw due to an absolute horrible call. Still, the US is not top 5. No way.
That was a terribly stupid dive too. If anything, Ivory Coast needs Brazil to be in top form on Friday against Portugal because they need Portugal to lose to advance (provided Portugal can beat North Korea tomorrow morning), aside from relying on the tie breaker. Kaka, although many Brazil fans have been on his case... was the reason for Fabiano's first goal and Elano's goal. Beautiful set ups.
The thing is, they went all out against Paraguay and New Zealand when both teams took the lead and still struggled to break both teams down. If Pirlo is back, then I fancy them, if not then there is a good chance they fail to qualify. They have zero creativity in midfield at the moment.
Even when they went down to 10 men, Germany still dominated that game. If Podolski was not so inept in front of goal, they would have at least got a draw out of that game. This tournament might be beyond them, but they will give any team in the competition a run for their money. And the fact its Germany means they usually make the Quarter/Semi -Finals.
I read somewhere he didnt allow his players to speak during the meeting....why boom?? Sounds a bit rude I think.... Sometimes you let your team say what they want, and they play better, get it off their chest....
so much for Portugal not being up to snuff....I cant wait for them and Brazil...7-0 hahahah....NK, and their Chinese volunteers can leave now...
Only problem is the game between Brazil and Portugal might not mean much. Both teams are pretty much through, and with Spain's finish up in the air, both teams may have their feet off the gas.