World Cup 2014 - Analysis Of First Matches

After watching many first round matches at ungodly hours, almost all of them save for a few, I must say that the 2014 edition in Brazil promises to be one of the best World Cup for the simple reason that teams have abandoned "park the buses" campaign and actually went for the jugular. Well, this is how soccer should be played isn't it? Why would you rather watch a drab 0-0 match? The most most intriguing stuff the 2014 World Cup has brought is the shaving foam that referees sprayed during a free kick - a small semi-circle around the ball and then a straight line across the feet of players forming a wall.

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I feel that they should add more to that. They should have a yellow coloured foam to spray on the faces of players penalized for a yellow card offence so that soccer fans could see who is in danger of an impending send off. This will also inflict a sense of shame on recalcitrant players. 

I have mentioned in my previous articles that first the Brazilians gave us Samba soccer in 1970, the Dutch gave us Total Football in 1974, Argentina gave us the Tango in 1986 then later Spain gave us Tiki Taka. What next for 2014? Not every World Cup is as memorable as the next but the world takes a breather and come together as one. Even in Syria, militants and rebels stopped fighting to take a break to watch the World Cup. Sports and soccer are powerful means to unite a fragmented world. Play and watch more sports and there will be no time to fight. Peace.

Group A 

Brazil - A bright start but Fred need not have dropped like a ton of bricks hit by a feather. Now, I am careful whenever near anyone called Fred, Freddy or Freddie. You go near them and they may just drop and roll. Whenever Croatia attacked, they asked questions of the Brazilian defence which if not improved could be their undoing. Neymar was their stand-out performer. Oscar was lively too. Of course they will get better but can they really win the World Cup? It was not a fantastic performance. They could not even beat Mexico and except for Neymar, actually look ordinary. Brazil should get the result they want against Cameroon. 

Mexico - Did as I expected them. The Mexicans are a gung-ho attacking team. Always good to watch them as they are so colourful just like the buildings in their city and could have won 3-0 instead of 1-0 versus Cameroon. Still on course to qualify and could not expect a better result against Brazil. They now just need a draw with Croatia. Remember this name - Ochoa. Sign him!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znnlGGVy3Fs

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Croatia - You can't ask for more from Croatia as I thought they played admirably against the host country in the opener. Unlucky to have been given a penalty against them. If they could muster something special to beat Mexico they go through after they gave Cameroon a 4-0 hiding and it is soon face off time with Mexico.

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Cameroon - Their best days were buried in the memory of Roger Milla's Indomitable Lions who now are a pale shadow of days gone by and are more like tamed lions.With their most important player Samuel Etoo out injured, they will be toothless lions and probably get home before their postcards from Brazil reached their family and friends. Croatia just about sealed their fate. They will probably end up without a win, maybe without a point.

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Group B

Spain - Won the World Cup, the Euro and their clubs were all-conquering. Still a good team but slightly ageing and in today's context - one-dimensional as they just pass the ball till death. More teams have learned how to cope and play them. The Swiss and USA had them beaten before. At the Champions League, Bayern Munich had Barcelona for dinner with a 7-0 aggregate. The warning sirens were there. They do not defend set pieces at the back well especially when balls are pumped behind the last line. 

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Maybe Mourinho knew something we don't when he was the first to drop Casillas. Even Ancelloti had him warming the bench. You can't blame him alone but he was responsible for several bad goals without taking credit from the Dutch. He was stranded yards off his line when van Persie scored, was left clutching air for the third, gave away the fourth and was running all over for the fifth. If you do not wish to read all these, then just one word Singaporeans knew - "kelong". Does it mean that everyone can beat them now and they won't qualify? No. They are still a very good team but Chile ended all speculation this morning. When Arsenal got caught out by Liverpool, people laughed. These things happens. Back to the drawing board while we await a new world order. They too will be back on holiday earlier than their post cards.

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Netherlands - Louis van Gaal, the new Manchester United manger after the World Cup is a tactical genius. He used a 5-3-2 that can quickly switched to 3-5-2. When Daley Blind crossed for RVP's looping header of a goal, he did not do it blindly (no pun intended). Robbie van Persie gave new meaning to the word "The Flying Dutchman". The Spanish armada could not cope with the power. Robben was also greatly instrumental in tearing them apart with his incredible speed of up to 37kmh. Was he a cheetah in disguise? This could be the beginning of a new era? However, Australia must have surely given them some doubts.

http://toptendose.com/2014/06/17/top-10-fastest-footballers-in-the-world/

Chile - Did as expected by me with their Latin flair in overcoming Australia. Will they tear Spain apart. They will at least need a draw with Spain and will stand a reasonable chance with the Netherlands since by then the Dutch would probably have beaten Australia.This would be what I would have written. This Chile is Chile "padi" like its namesake - super-hot and spicy stuff. To down Spain 2-0. Highly impressive!

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Australia -The Socceroos are a fine sporting nation but soccer is still not their forte. Credit to them but this is a very tough group for them. However, Tim Cahill, formerly of Everton proved yet again his ability with a headed goal. He just has this gift of great timing and his volleyed goal against the Dutch must stand out. Australia are not going to get roughed out by the Dutch and attacked them from the start. What belief! They could have won the match! If this is American Idol where judges can recall a previous loser, I would put Australia back without hesitation.

The bet match so far:

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Group C

Colombia - They crushed Greece in style even without their talismanic striker Radamel Falcao. They must be favourites to go through. Fortunate to be in this group though. Can we expect more from them?

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Greece - I was surprised that they were not that defensive. Started off reasonable but after the inglorious start may find themselves cellar dweller. Based on their earlier performance, I do not think they could beat Japan. At best a draw.

Ivory Coast - When Honda scored for Japan I thought the Ivory Coast have had it. It was until Drogba came on for Serey Die (haha what a name and no pun intended), I thought they would surely die. A draw with Colombia may still be a tricky path. Were not impressive.

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Japan - Were good and compact and I expected them to win or at least hold for a draw but it was not to be. Probably too much dependence on Honda. The Blue Samurai must conquer Greece at first which is within reasonable reach.If they beat Greece, they have a fighting chance against Colombia. Otherwise it is sayonara and the sun, the sand and the sea at the Copacabana.

Group D

Italy - Peerless Pirlo was once again the masterclass midfield maestro. Tactically resilient under England's attack, they were stout and patient. When they counter-attacked, they were sharp and clinical. They do not have a team like Germany or France but they know how to play for a desired result. Should be able to negotiate through Costa Rica. A typical World Cup Italian display. Expect them to beat Costa Rica and top the group.

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England - Hodgson named the right players except Rooney. The young players, the Liverpool players and they went for the attack. This was perhaps a better England performance than in many previous World Cups. They took the game to Italy but let in goals too easily. The first was from a short corner which Pirlo casually dummied and Marchisio even had time to stop the ball, looked for an angle and measured his shot across a sea of legs. Maybe Hart's view was blocked and the second was because Rooney playing on the left did not helped Baines which resulted in the cross which Balotelli scored. What was Cahill and Hart doing? 

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Hodgson should let Rooney sit out the next match and be bold to bring in Alex Chamberlain and/or Adam Lallana. Lallana looked creative and useful when he came on late but I could not understand Rooney being played on the left when his best position is behind the main striker in a central role. Sterling created trouble for the Italian defence and Sturridge was confident. Except for the assist form the cross, Rooney did nothing. Not only that, he took a corner and kicked it out of bounds (OB) when England was piling on the pressure. Sigh. England had to beat Uruguay as a draw is dangerous because if Italy beat Costa Rica, they would have qualified and may keep their top players for the knockout stage for the final game. They should take the game to Uruguay like they did Italy but be wary of Suarez and Cavani though Suarez even if fit may not be match fit. Uruguay's weakness is at the back as Costa Rica has shown and that was why they almost missed automatic qualification. England's fast forwards can hurt them. At this level, you just have to be brave and have belief. Who dares wins.

Uruguay - Losing to Costa Rica, on paper the weakest team in the group was a huge shocker! They have a world class attack in Edison Cavani and Luis Suarez but defensively very suspect. It is a match they have to win as they play the Italians last and if they open up in attack will leave gaps at the back which the fast English forwards could exploit. I thought England v Italy was a high quality match and this one could be a cliff-hanger of a classic. Both have their backs to the wall. There is only one way.

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Costa Rica - Not many people know how good they are but Uruguay found out at a heavy cost. Besides the Costa Ricans, only Arsenal are smiling because they have Joel Campbell who scored and may do so again but the Italians are a different kettle of fish. A draw would be fantastic but the Italians would go top.

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Group E

France - France showed their strength with that Honduras thrashing and Benzema could scale new heights in this edition but the Swiss will not be as easy. The French were classy and may surprise with their potential. They should top their group. In fact, not among the top favourites but France could be the surprise package.

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Switzerland - That late winning goal showed Swiss intent and their fighting spirit. It came near the end with perfect timing like a Rolex moment. They may be able to hold the French, beat Honduras and go through. 

Ecuador - They are no slouch and played at speed against the Swiss and made it tough and must have been devastated by that late goal. Their best bet must be to overcome Honduras and hope to get something from France who may have already qualified.

Honduras - Probably end up with the wooden spoon. They have lost to the group's best team. They may fancy their chances against Ecuador. It is going to be another four year wait.

Group F 

Argentina - Argentina toiled and initially Messi looked like a smaller version of Rooney. Messi looked tentative and lost the ball on several occasions but maybe it was one, two or even three players snuffing him out. Then out of nowhere, the real Messi stepped out from the shadows and produced a delicious goal! More of it please, Messi! They should be playing better with the world's deadliest strike force - Messi, Aguero, Higuan, di Maria. Perhaps it is the quality of their opponent but I expect the Argentinians to step up soon and though Iran held Nigeria and would be on the defensive it would be hard to imagine Iran doing better as some folks dream of Iran lifting the Cup paying 1:300. Argentina will still be among the hot favourites as Messi stop carrying the world on his tiny shoulders.

Bosnia-Herzegovina -They gave Argentina a hard time in their first ever World Cup. Impressive. I think they have every reason to go through. Despite Nigeria's experience, they were unable to overcome Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina will be that big test. I saw how Bosnia played and feel they can beat Nigeria and join Argentina through. 

Nigeria - When African nations started to show promise with lots of their players  playing overseas in Europe's top leagues, they proved their mettle at the World Cup and Nigeria was one of the top African teams. It will be a difficult journey now as they failed to beat what is possibly the weakest team in the group. 

Iran - The Iranians were once Asia's best and could match European teams at internationals. They are still good but no longer commands the same platform. Holding Nigeria is a good result but can they surprise when they meet the other two teams? It will be very tough.

Group G

Germany - I told you from the beginning the Germans are the leading lights from Europe. They were already very good at the last World Cup but were relatively younger and less experience. Now they are going to be even better. Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have carried their torch at the Champions League. They nullified Cristiano Ronaldo completely and rendered the Portuguese helpless. I thought they may even be playing at less than full pace.

They were most impressive and potent at the final third where Goetze, Ozil, Kroos moved around so effortlessly. The final third is where that final ball or shot would prove decisive. I thought I saw in them the best team in this tournament so far.

Portugal - Ronaldo cuts a lonely figure. One poor game does not change him as he is still the world's best in recent polls. Previous Portuguese teams have been very competitive, full of guile and fire. They are no longer the same team. Absolutely over-dependence on Ronaldo means that they have lost to the strongest team but Ghana and the Uncle Sam lays in wait. They have the experience but their performance was bad. Can they pick themselves up? Or will Uncle Sam send them to the airport to meet Spain?

Ghana - Currently, they are just like the other African teams like Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Cameroon. What happen to these teams which were once revered? If they got beaten by the Americans, can they survive Germany? All question marks but no answers.

USA - I was impressed with the USA. A country more obsessed with American Football and Basketball but yet their footballers have on some occasions created quite some upsets against bigger teams like Spain. Even Fulham old boy Clinton Dempsey got on the act with the fastest goal in this World Cup in 30 seconds. That was a Mike Tyson K.O. I won't be surprise if they create a shock some where just like Australia nearly did against the Dutch.

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Group H

Belgium - A master-stroke in substitution gave them a win but oddly Algeria scored first. That was close. A win is a win but knowing how promising the Belgians were, I was not quite impressed by the showing. They should be better. The Russians are waiting.

Russia - Fortunately for Belgium, the Russians were not impressive since Pre-World Cup qualification. I told you that all the Russians play in their own league and I feel they lack local knowledge and the experience of playing the other teams. Can Fabio Capello lift them?

Korea - This team is not the best Korean squad compared to previous ones. Well, their physical and warrior like attributes were there but the fine aspects are not. I saw them send some rugby shots to row Z of the stadium. 

Algeria - If Algeria gave Belgium a good game, they may even fare better against Russia and Korea. 

It is only the first or two matches and we still can't tell much but based on what we have seen what do you expect?

In this World Cup, things have changed. We talked about how the climate will affect the colder northern countries due to the heat and humidity. Except for Russia, the rest of the top players are plying their trade in Europe including the Latin players. That is a leveller and with modern science, players could cope better.

Will there be a new invention brought forth since the tiki taka? It does not matter what it is called - tickle tickle or tikam tikam but what would be the result and how it would be played. Possession is no longer necessarily the name of the game. Speed, courage and definitely goals are! In Bruce Lee's fighting parlance, you will need a sound defence so as not the be hit and downed. Then there is the recovery, the creativity to find the most effective way to goal propelled by speed, power and accuracy.  

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More often than not, it has recently been proven at the highest level, possession is not the main criteria to win a match.

So has a camel really been picking the World Cup results?

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Oh dear, he picked Portugal to win over Germany:

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Many guys are simply crazy about soccer:

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The most chilled-out player in the World Cup title goes to:

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So far the most impressive team has to be Germany. Argentina still have the most fearsome strike force. Brazil are the host and should get better. Spain is over. Netherlands has so far been looking good. France can surprise? Or will the Italians show more class? Only time will tell.