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World Cup Highlights: The Quarter Finals

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Suarez saves UruguayWhat was being dubbed the South American World Cup due to the success of sides from that area was quickly rewritten the European World Cup by the Netherlands, Germany and Spain. At the same time, my predictions for the quarter finals were shown up to be so much rubbish.

Four South American sides – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay – reached the quarter finals but only one remains. Uruguay overcame Ghana in dramatic circumstances, but Argentina were blitzed by the Germans, Brazil were outplayed by the Dutch and Paraguay were undone, like so many before them, by David Villa and Spain.

I must start with the Paraguay versus Ghana game and, of course, Luis Suarez. So much has been written and said about Suarez’s hand ball to deny Ghana what would have been a winning goal in the dying seconds, did he cheat, is he a hero, should he receive further punishment than the one game he’ll get for the red card?

With the game at 1-1 with only seconds left in extra time, Ghana launched one last attack. Stephen Appiah’s effort was blocked legally by Suarez’s thigh, but the follow up effort from Adiyiah he was forced to keep out with his hands. The referee had no choice but to blow for the penalty and issue a red card.

So did Suarez cheat? Yes, clearly he did. He denied Ghana the winning goal with his hands.

But he was punished with the red card and Ghana were given the chance to win the game again with a penalty. That they missed, Gyan putting it just over the bar, is not Suarez’s fault. You can understand Ghana’s reaction, frustration must be high after they went on to lose the penalty shoot out, but to aim that frustration and anger at Suarez is wrong.

We all would have done the same. Whether through choice or simple reaction, we all would have done the same. Quite simply, he took one for the team and it worked.

Is he a hero? To any Uruguayan, yes he is. To some neutrals (including me) yes he is. To Ghana, of course not. I remember Manchester United’s Ole Gunnar Solskjaer bringing down Newcastle’s Rob Lee as he swept past him, clean through on goal. Had he gone on and scored, that season’s title battle would perhaps have gone Newcastle’s way. Solskjaer was rightly sent off, Newcastle fans were up in arms but to Manchester United fans he is remembered as much for that as he is his Champions League winning goal in 1999. Sometimes, this is how heroes are made.

That there have been calls for Fifa to extend his ban – and they apparently did consider it before ruling it out – is ridiculous. The circumstances and timing of his offence have made this a much bigger story than it would have been had he committed his crime halfway through the first half, for example.

You cannot alter punishments for circumstance in football. Suarez and Uruguay received theirs during the game, there is no law, precedent or reason to take it further.

We all feel sorry for Ghana, bidding to be the first African nation to make it to the semi finals, indeed, they will have been many people’s preferred winner. But they aren’t and that is not down to Suarez. Uruguay won the penalty shoot out 4-2. Let’s move on.

Germany’s young side continue to impress and no-one would have been expecting the lesson they gave Maradona’s Argentina. For the third time in this World Cup they scored four goals as Argentina’s defensive weaknesses were ruthlessly exploited. What is more surprising is their lack of potency going forward. Lionel Messi was a virtual bystander as Germany’s defence coped just fine with him, Higuain and Tevez.

For me, this was the shock of the semi finals – not that Germany won, but that they won so easily. Inspired by Schweinsteiger, they tore through Argentina, scoring Thomas Muller after just three minutes. Miroslav Klose got two as he moved closer to winning the Golden Boot and within one goal of Ronaldo’s all time World Cup finals record of 15 goals. Full back Friedrich bagged the other.

For a period in the second half it looked like Argentina might find a way back into the game as they found possession easier to come by, but Klose scored on 67 minutes to end their hopes. Germany reasserted control and Maradona was left clutching in vain at his rosemary beads as his World Cup dreams were torn apart.

One blow for Germany is that Thomas Muller picked up a second yellow card of the tournament and will miss the semis. Muller has been outstanding and they will miss him.

Brazil’s exit came at the hands of the Dutch as their famously dodgy defence, seemingly repaired by Dunga, returned at just the wrong time.

Brazil actually took the lead in the 10th minute with a goal that England fans would recognise more than Brazil’s would. Julio Cesar punted the ball forward, Melo passed it on, splitting the Dutch central defence and Robinho ran to slot coolly past Stekelenburg. Route One all the way!

Despite Holland’s attempts to get back into the game, Dunga’s new Brazil stood firm, restricting the Dutch to just a few efforts. They could have had more goals themselves were it not for the Dutch keeper, saving well from Kaka and Maicon. Quite what happened in the Brazilian dressing room at half time, I don’t know, but that defensive solidity all but vanished in the second half.

A nightmare mix up between Cesar and Melo following a Sneijder free kick saw them collide with the ball bouncing off the defender’s head and into the back of the net. The Dutch were back in it and their new found unity paid dividends as they one again punctured the Brazilian defence.

Robben’s corner was flicked on by Kuyt for the highly impressive Sneijder to head home what turned out to be the winning goal. Holland have always been undermined by internal rifts but at this World Cup they have played as a team with a common goal – winning it. On this evidence, they just might.

Pre-tournament favourites Spain continue to progress despite playing well below the standards they set in winning the European Championships in 2008. They struggled to open up a stubborn and well drilled Portuguese defence in the previous round and in Paraguay they faced the same problem.

However, Paraguay, who made six changes from the team that beat Japan on penalties, were determined to offer more going forward than the Portuguese and the plan almost worked.

The game itself was not the thriller the other three ties were, but did include moments of high drama. On 57 minutes Paraguay were awarded a penalty when Pique brought down Cardozo. Iker Casillas in the Spanish goal was up to the task, however, saving his ideally heighted penalty.

Less than three minutes later Spain were awarded a penalty when Villa was fouled in the Paraguayan box. Xabi Alonso scored easily but the referee ordered a retake as Spanish players encroached into the area. Villar saved Alonso’s second effort and the match remained 0-0 with 30 minutes left.

Spain’s patience is becoming legendary. They just don’t panic, they continue to play their own unique game of passing and moving. So far it has been well rewarded and they must thank their talisman David Villa. He was on hand again to rescue his side and end Paraguay’s hopes.

The goal itself was dramatic, as his effort hit one post, rolled along the goal line, hit the other before ending up in the back of the net.

Should Spain win this World Cup they should honour Villa somehow – without him, they’d have been out a long time ago. But they continue to improve by small steps with each match. Torres, incidentally, doesn’t…

The semi finals look like this:

  • Argentina v Germany
  • Uruguay v Spain

I will, of course, post a preview with predictions tomorrow, but if you’re a betting man, I’d go with the opposite! We could have a Germany Holland final, however – that would be interesting…

PREVIEW: World Cup Quarter Finals

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The serious business, assuming it has all been a right laugh up to now, starts today with the World Cup quarter finals. The best eight teams in the world are on show over the next two days and there’s no doubt that those involved deserve to be there.

World Cup Quarter Finals

Gratuitous

Holland v Brazil

History tells us this should be a fantastic match to watch, pitting Dutch Total Football against Brazilian flair and explosiveness. This tournament tells a different story, however. Both sides are here to win and they have gone about it in a manner which doesn’t fit their reputations.

Defensively sound, prepared to fight, happy to sacrifice flair for victory if they need to. That’s not to say this will be a backs to the wall, all hands on deck dogfight though. They both boast skilful players capable of brilliance and they have both shown they can mix their new-found pragmatic approach with their more recognisable traditions of attacking football when they so choose.

In Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie the Dutch have both the vision and the firepower to destroy any side. The Brazilians, with Luis Fabiano, Kaka and Robinho have much the same. That both have built a solid defensive foundation behind them is to their credit, rather than a slur on their respective histories.

Head to Head: In World Cups it’s one win a piece and a draw, which Brazil won on penalties in 1998. Overall it’s 3-2 to Brazil and four draws over nine games.

Prediction: Brazil’s experience to see them squeeze past the Dutch into the semi finals by one goal. 2-1.

Uruguay v Ghana

The South American influence on this World Cup cannot be ignored and Uruguay themselves should not be dismissed either, especially after earning one of the easiest routes to at least the semi finals. Disappointingly, Ghana are the only African side left in the competition despite hope that this would be an African World Cup.

The Black Stars have made it through with grit and determination, a sharp contrast to Uruguay’s skilful, quick-passing, goal scoring exploits. I’ve been mightily impressed with them, especially Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez. Ghana have Asamoah Gyan, of course, who, with three goals to his name already, represents the focal point of all the Africans do and you simply cannot discount the threat he brings.

That said, the former two time world champions from Uruguay should be just that bit more wily than their opponents who looking to make their mark on the world stage by becoming the first African nation to make the last eight of a World Cup.

Head to Head: There is none. They’ve never met before at senior level!

Prediction: I just get the feeling the Black Stars will have trouble getting hold of the ball in this one and Uruguay’s strike force will continue to be potent. 2-0.

Argentina v Germany

Insanity versus Pragmatism. Irresistible Force versus Immovable Object. Whatever you want to call this one, it’s an intriguing match up as Maradona’s talent packed squad meets Loew’s well drilled unit. It is unfair to suggest that Germany don’t have talent themselves or that Argentina don’t know how to defend, however.

Lucas Podolski, Miroslav Klose, Mesut Ozil – all more than capable of providing the Germans with a victory here. Walter Samuel, Gabriel Heinze, Javier Mascherano – all more than capable of stopping them.

Nevertheless, the focus will be on Lionel Messi, should he play, and what magic he can conjure up for himself and his team mates.

This really should be the tie of the round and you’d be a fool to miss it.

Head to Head: At the World Cup Germany lead (and the English will love the irony…) 5-1, Argentina’s only victory the 1986 World Cup final. A good one to win though, eh.

Prediction: Tight. Probably tight. But cracking to watch. 1-0 to Argentina.

Paraguay v Spain

The fourth team from South America to make the quarter finals is, I’m sorry to say, the weakest and in Spain they have one of the three strongest teams in the competition to try and overcome.

That said, Spain have yet to hit the heights they did in the 2008 European Championships, have yet to quite click. They are still one of the best around and have recovered well from that stalemate with Switzerland at the start of the competition.

Paraguay, on the other hand, are playing at their peak, defensively sound and doing just enough so far, including a creditable draw with Italy. A 0-0 draw against Japan – in which Japan were the major attackers – ended in victory via penalties so they have mental strength to go with their defensive capabilities.

But let’s face it, they won’t be able to live with Spain and don’t have the firepower to trouble them. Torres may be way off the pace for Spain but Villa is on fire, more than ably supported by the Xavi / Iniesta combination.

Head to Head: Spain lead 1-0 in both World Cup competition and overall, the only other two games ended 0-0. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen…

Prediction: Spain are slowly but surely getting their act together, but showed against Portugal that they can be blunted, something Paraguay do so well. 2-0 Spain, too much firepower.

World Cup Highlights: Day Sixteen

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Luis SuarezLuis Suarez’s double for Uruguay against South Korea rightly dominates the headlines today. His second goal was a masterpiece and is without doubt the goal of the tournament so far.

But let’s not ignore Ghana’s victory over the USA. Ghana were the only African nation left in the competition and they remain there thanks to Gyan’s extra time winner, becoming only the third African team to reach the quarter finals after Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002.

It was too close to call between the USA and Ghana before the match but as soon as it kicked off it was all Ghana as they overpowered their opponents in midfield and up front, scoring as early as the 5th minute through Kevin-Prince Boateng. The whole of the first half was dominated by the Black Stars, the USA finding no answer to the power of the Africans.

It got so bad that, with only 30 minutes gone, Bob Bradley decided to substitute Ricardo Clark (who was at fault for Ghana’s opener) and replace him with Edu. The USA still struggled to retain possession and were grateful to be only one goal down at half time.

Bizarrely, the dominance of Ghana from the first half was absent in the second and the USA began to get a foothold in the game, strengthened by Landon Donovan’s equaliser from the penalty spot on 62 minutes. Jonathan Mensah brought down a determined Clint Dempsey in the box leaving the referee with no option but to award the spot kick, which Donovan put in off the post.

Neither side could find a winner in normal time and when extra time began Ghana seemed to have re-found their belief and desire. It was duly rewarded with Gyan’s goal just three minutes into the extra period and, despite a late surge by the USA, they held on to qualify for the quarter finals.

The better match of the day, however, was that between Uruguay and South Korea. Were it not for Luis Suarez we would now have South Korea in the quarter finals, I’m sure. Once Suarez had scored after just eight minutes almost all the attacking threat came from South Korea, as Uruguay camped in their own half.

It was a surprising way for the South Americans to act, but they clearly felt they could hold out for the remaining 82 minutes. As it turned out they couldn’t. Lee Chung-Yong nodded home a poor clearance to equalise. Uruguay were stung into action and, with only 10 minutes left scored through Suarez again.

The goal, as I’ve said, was the best in the tournament so far and deserved to win any game.

This report is a little late…England have already crashed out 4-1 to Germany and Argentina have beaten Mexico 3-1. But more on that morning when this blogger has had time to reflect on a disastrous tournament for his home nation…

World Cup Highlights: Day Thirteen

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England & Fabio Capello CelebrateEngland, USA, Ghana and Germany all through on Day Thirteen, disappointment for Slovenia, Algeria, Australia and Serbia.

What it means is that England and Germany renew their decades old rivalry on Sunday while the US face Ghana on Saturday. The Australians will be devastated – were it not for their heavy 4-0 defeat to Germany in their first match it would be they, not Ghana, playing the US.

England’s 1-0 defeat of Slovenia yesterday was achieved with a much improved performance and a much more positive, less frightened mindset. Improved, yes, but still not good enough. If England are to overcome Germany it will take further improvement, especially in the passing and finishing departments.

Nevertheless, let’s not underestimate the boost a victory and qualification will give the players, not least a so far under par Wayne Rooney. It might have been Jermaine Defoe that scored the winning goal, turning in James Milner’s cross from close range, but there were chances for Gerrard, Rooney and John Terry too, Rooney hitting the post when through one on one with Slovenia’s keeper.

For a long time England topped Group C and appeared to be going through to face Ghana, but when the USA scored a 92nd minute winner through Landon Donovan they grabbed that opportunity, leaving England with that huge clash with Germany.

The Germans themselves had to settle for a slim 1-0 victory over Ghana to top their own group, thanks to a fantastic volley from outside the box by Mesut Ozil and while Australia did all they could to qualify by beating Serbia 2-1 they were never likely to overcome the goal difference advantage of Ghana.

The US will, of course, be delighted with how their World Cup campaign has gone so far. They would have hoped for only second place in Group C but thanks to their opening draw against England, they qualify first. In contrast, England are just grateful to be through at all and their World Cup begins now.

Ghana are the first – and will possibly be the only – African side to make it through to the last 16. Only Cameroon have the faintest hope of joining them with a big victory over Holland and even then only if Denmark defeat Japan. Neither is likely.

Ghana, then, carry the continent’s hopes on their broad shoulders as we go into the knockout stages.

World Cup Highlights: Day Nine & Ten

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All Whites draw with ItalyTwo remarkably different days in South Africa in terms of excitement but the group standings of some teams remains precarious.

Day Nine was not the most interesting day we’ve had so far. The Dutch kept up their 100% record with a relatively comfortable but unexciting 1-0 victory over Japan. It wasn’t a dull game and Japan were tactically sound and stubborn in defence, keeping their more illustrious opposition at bay right up the the 52nd minute when midfielder Wesley Sneijder fired in from just outside the box.

The football was more solid rather than thrilling but chances were created all through the match by both sides. Japan couldn’t find an equaliser though and, thanks to Denmark’s defeat of Cameroon later in the day, the Dutch are now through to the second round.

Before that Ghana played out a disappointing 1-1 draw with Australia, despite playing against 10 men for over an hour. It was the Socceroos that took the lead, Ghana keeper spilling a 30 yard free kick into the patch of Holman who tapped home.

Given Australia’s 4-0 hammering at the hands of Germany and Ghana’s victory over Serbia in the first group games, this wasn’t what was expected at all.

The African’s were given the chance to get back in the game and back on top when Mensah his a powerful shot that the recalled Harry Kewell could only block with his arm on the goal line. There was only one decision to make and Kewell was given his red card, protests ignored by the referee and rightly so.

Impressive striker Gyan scored the penalty. Ghana pressed on for a winner yet slowly ran out of ideas and Australia could have grabbed a winner themselves despite their numerical disadvantage through Chipperfield, Wilkshire and Kennedy. A point was all either side could get though – Ghana will be disappointed, Australia pleased.

Back to Group E and the best game of the day by far. Cameroon needed to win to have hope of progressing in the World Cup and took the lead through Eto’o, restored to a central role after his disappointing performance on the right in the first game.

Eto’o was fed by Webo following a disastrous square pass from Poulsen on the edge of his own area. This was a much improved Cameroon and it didn’t look like Denmark had much of an answer to their powerful opponents.

Experience tells, though, and the Danes got themselves back into the match through Arsenal striker Nicolas Bendtner. Veteran Dennis Rommedahl crossed low and Bendtner tapped in from six yards with 33 minutes gone.

The second half was end to end as both sides pushed for a winner, but once again it was experience that told, Rommedahl finding some pace from somewhere, racing past his defender and slotting coolly into the Cameroon goal on 62 minutes. The final half an hour saw chances for both sides, more for Cameroon as they applied pressure, but the Danes held on, kept their hopes alive and sent the Dutch through to the next round.

Day Ten was much better, with more attractive football and one shock result. The most anticipated clash of the day was the evening match between Brazil and the Ivory Coast, though the earlier games between Paraguay and Slovakia and Italy and New Zealand did not disappoint.

Paraguay were effective and entertaining in their defeat of the defensive Slovakians, winning 2-0 in the end, though it could have been more. Enrique Vera gave the South Americans the lead with a brilliant curling effort from the outside of his boot when under serious pressure from a Slovakian defender.

Wonderful passing and fluid movement from Paraguay’s 4-3-3 formation meant they could attack freely and Slovakia, not looking like they were up for this match, defended for much of the first half.

It was a surprise that Paraguay only grabbed their second of the game with 4 minutes to go through Riveros, hitting home from the edge of the box. It was nothing more than they deserved. Slovakia were dreadful but Paraguay are starting to look dangerous.

Italy versus New Zealand was supposed to be a formality. The current world champions against the 2000-1 outsiders. No contest, right? Wrong.

New Zealand took a shock lead through Smeltz after just seven minutes, the striker scoring his 20th goal in 37 matches for his country. Italy were stung into action – not all of it sporting – as they realised what had just happened.

The Azzurri complained of non-existent fouls frequently, though the referee ignored most. He couldn’t ignore defender Tommy Smith’s man-handling of De Rossi in the box around the half hour mark. Though the Italian went down fairly easily it was a legitimate penalty which Iaquinta banged home for the equaliser.

Italy continued to pour forward in the second half but the All Whites stood firm and could have snatched a late, late winner through Chris Wood but his shot went agonisingly just past the wrong side of the post. New Zealand keeper Paston was in impressive form and kept Italy out to ensure one of the most shocking results in World Cup history as the game ended 1-1.

Italy are desperately missing the creative influence of Andrea Pirlo and now must beat Slovakia to avoid going out in the first round.

And so to Brazil versus the Ivory Coast, the artists against the powerhouses. Four goals, a sending off and a lot of play acting made this a must watch game, yet Brazil were not at their best and the Africans were surprisingly defensive in their approach. It was not the anticipated classic, but there was enough incident to keep us all interested.

The first half offered little in the way of excitement but Luis Fabiano’s opener was a real highlight. A beautiful one-two with AC Milan’s Kaka allowed the striker to finish high and hard into the net from a tight angle to give the Brazilians the lead, which they took into half time.

The second half was much, much better for entertainment value. After just five minutes Fabiano was at it again as he flicked the ball over one defender, jinked past another and finished neatly for his and Brazil’s second goal of the match. Suspicion of handball in the build up didn’t receive any protests from the Ivory Coast and the goal stood.

Growing in confidence, the Brazilians upped the pace as the half wore on yet there was a disappointingly high amount of play acting from them which they really didn’t need to do. It came back to bite them before the match finished, but not before they scored a third and Didier Drogba grabbed a consolation with 10 minutes to go.

While Kaka should have scored with the best chance of the match instead of shooting straight at the keeper, he did set up Elano just a few moments later, worming his way round a couple of defenders to set Elano up for his second goal of the tournament.

With 10 minutes to go Drogba did pull one back, heading home Yaya Touré’s cross for the African’s consolation.

There was still time for Kaka to tarnish a much improved performance by picking up two yellow cards in quick succession, the first deserved for pushing Touré, the second totally undeserved as Keita ran into the little midfielder only to go down clutching his face in the most blatant act of deception. Sadly it worked, and Kaka was sent off. Presumably Brazil will appeal and hopefully successfully, but you can’t help thinking it was justice for Brazil’s own play acting.

Nevertheless, Brazil are through to the second round and while not displaying the flair for which they are famous, they are starting to show signs of becoming a dominant force in this World Cup.

Incidentally, Italy’s second draw of the tournament again puts England’s position into perspective. Admittedly, Italy have played far, far better than England so far yet they are in exactly the same position. There is no reason to abandon hope just yet…that will come Wednesday with a defeat.

World Cup Highlights: Day Three

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Germany celebrateDay Three unveiled the team of the tournament so far and one barely given a mention when it came to who might win the World Cup this year.

Step forward Germany. It’s a mystery to me that they haven’t warranted more coverage and discussion. Every four years they turn up, set about their work efficiently and progress to the latter stages, yet this year no-one is talking to them.

Until now. Their 4-0 demolition of Australia showed that they have allied a certain amount of flair with their usual ruthlessness and defensive strength. The loss of captain Ballack before the World Cup began actually seems to have done them some good. Whereas Ballack would be central to most things Germany did, he slowed the game down. Without him there’s a pace to their movements that was a joy to behold.

It was far from the slick speed at which Argentina moved the ball around in their opening game but it was still…well, very un-German-like. Thomas Muller was outstanding, Miroslav Klose looked to be getting back to his goal scoring best and the fact that their were four different scorers underlines the German’s strength in depth.

Phillip Lahm, now captain in the absence of Ballack showed defensive strength and attacking prowess in equal measure, getting an assist and ensuring Australia offered little going forward as he marshalled the back four from his full back position.

If anyone was in any doubt about Germany’s capabilities before this game, they should now know that Low’s men are here to win, not just make up the numbers.

They were, in all fairness, aided by the sending off of Australia’s Tim Cahill on 56 minutes but by then they were 2-0 up through the aforementioned Klose and Podolski.

The Germans will face tougher opposition than the Socceroos, of course, but that won’t phase them, such is their mental strength.

Elsewhere, Algeria and Slovenia played out the dullest game of the tournament so far. I wildly and somewhat hopefully predicted a goalfest on Twitter using the “it’s always the lesser games” logic. How wrong I was. It would have ended 0-0 were it not for a goalkeeping howler by Algeria’s Chaouchi – one Robert Green would have been proud of. He let Slovenia captain Robert Koren’s only slightly curling effort go right through him in the 79th minute.

The result means, rather inexplicably, that Slovenia now top England’s Group C but neither they or the Americans will fear playing either of these sides.

Finally, Ghana became the first African side to register a victory in the 2010 World Cup with a 1-0 win over Serbia thanks to an 85th minute penalty from Gyan. I didn’t see this game so I can’t comment on whether on whether or not it was a highlight or a lowlight. By all accounts though, this was a deserved victory for Ghana and sets them up as favourites to qualify as second place from Group D, behind Germany.

The game also featured, by my count at least, the third red card of the tournament when Serbian Lukovic was sent off in the 74th minute. Any bets on how many there will be come mid-July?

Germany have announced their arrival in South Africa and we have still yet to see the Dutch (just kicked off against Denmark actually!), Spanish, Italian and Brazilian teams. What a World Cup it’s turning out to be.