World Cup 2014 - Semi-Finals
First a quiz. Who was trained to ignore pain and to ignore sleep? Rambo, John Rambo. While some could take more pain than others, few could ignore sleep. If you could ignore both, you are in the "Special Forces".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSzCbJVTxDY
Welcome to the Rambo club if you have been passionately following the World Cup. Not having enough shut eye is like not being able to take a sh*t. You get screwed. You go groggy, you become like a zombie, you may be there but your mind and soul are not. Your system can go haywire. I watched them all at home diligently and it has been a lonely job then I form my views on each team based on my observation.
It depends on how passionate you are about soccer. Punters are excluded because if there were "live" matches to see which paint dry faster or which grass grow faster, they'll stay up. It is a different motivation. If your passion for anything is too weak, you cannot sustain a thing. At the end, may be you have nothing left. Just like watching the World Cup soccer matches at ungodly hours. Weak passion means the body wins. Everything you do not keep passionate about dies off in due time. It is not just soccer, even for keen golfers who were once crazy about the sport. It is the same for friendship. If you do not take the trouble to keep in touch and to keep it warm, it dies a cold death. Enthusiasm wanes all the time. Just look at waned Rooney. You will therefore need to keep enthusiasm alive and application consistent.
Okay, now back to the World Cup. To guess the last 4 semi-finalists is nothing great. The usual suspects. I got three right before a ball was kicked - Brazil, Argentina, Germany. The other I picked Spain were already on vacation. However, I got the last eight all correct. I have even got some pretty good predictions recently so I may be putting the camels, elephants, octopuses and birds out of job. You see humans can't even trust humans they have to go to the animals.
I was spot-on for Argentina to beat Belgium 1-0, for Holland and Costa Rica to draw, France to win over Nigeria 2-0, Holland to beat Mexico 2-1, Holland and Mexico match to have 3 goals. I am now under more pressure than the four semi-finalists because some friends are saying that they will follow what I predict. I am a little worried because I saw on face book a camel given two flags of Germany and Portugal to pick and it picked Germany. Next between Spain and Holland it picked Holland. This went on for a few days. By the fourth day it picked the wrong winner, they showed a picture of a camel shot dead with a rifle by its side.
Now for some serious business. Which team to win their semi-final and go on to the final and to finally clinch the World Cup? We could glean through the knock out stage in the last 16 and the quarter-finals to seek some answers. Every fan of each team will pick their own teams. For the neutrals, some prefer an all-European final while others an all-Latin American final. Would this not then just be like and European Championship final or the South America 's Cup - the Copa Libertadores? Yet there are those who prefer the contrasting style of Latin America versus Europe. Remember from the beginning I told you that the team that will win the World Cup will peak at the right time? I am afraid that Germany and Holland have peaked too early. Brazil and especially Argentina have not. Some were already past their peak before it started.
Brazil
Brazil today no longer play like Brazil. They play like an European team. They negotiated through the group stage easily, faced a very good Chile side and won a very tough match and when they played Colombia whom I think are the best attacking team in this World Cup, it was a match they could have lost but yet they won 2-1. Scolari showed he could play a brutish form of ugly soccer departing from his motherland of the beautiful game. They have shown a lot of determination plugging away with great determination and versatility switching formation as and when required.
He had a few players hacked down Colombian star James Rodriguez in particular Fernandinho who has been one of the top culprits in terms of foul play. Legs were raised head high but the referee did nothing. I saw in earlier games, referees seemed to condone simulation - diving in the penalty box. In league matches, the result would have been a straight yellow.
When the Spanish referee failed to control the game, Colombia decided to hit back resulting in a total of 54 fouls, 31 of which were committed by Brazil and it ended with a most unfortunate injury to Neymar. How could Zuniga get to the ball by going through an opponent? You feel for Neymar as he worked so hard carrying his nation's hope on his young shoulder. Did FIFA gave instruction on the way to handle a match by making it free flowing?
Why am I telling you all these? From the beginning, I mentioned about historical pedigree, the climate and how playing host can give you the impetus. You can say that Brazilian players also play in Europe so when they come back they too have to acclimatise but they were born and grew up there before they left for Europe. With the massive home crowd roaring, even the referee will tremble and may have certain decisions in favour of Brazil and I have also told you that the teams that peak later will win the World Cup. Brazil are getting better but I frowned upon Fred and Jo because I have friends named Freddie and Joe and when they come together there is mayhem. Luckily, they did not have a Roy then that would be mayhem x 3.
How will Neymar and Captian Thiago Silva's absence affect them? Neymar for all his exciting touches has not created nor scored after the group stage. Hulk is getting better, Gustavo, Oscar, Bernard and Willian are good players even if they are not as exciting as Neymar. Silva can be replaced by Dante who is of no small stature as he plays for Bayern Munich. David Luis will play a dual role of replacing Silva as Captain and he carries Brazilian hope taking the mettle from Neymar. When a door closes, a new one opens. A new hero must emerge. Surely, they are not going to stumble at this crucial stage. Brazil is no longer as exciting but they know how to play for a win.
Germany
The Germans were the most impressive when they gunned down Portugal but Ghana showed how they could be handled. The USA gave them a few problems. Later, Algeria stretched them all the way and showed their weaknesses. France were unlucky not to have done better and after scoring this supposedly exciting German team closed shop returning to their typical old days German methods. They have players in every position and their delivery in the final third, their inter-play have been very good. Germany was my favourite team for a few years simply because they played the best attacking soccer but they went to each semi-final and lost. So now they have to be more pragmatic as pretty soccer wins nothing.
If any team were to beat Brazil, the Germans could. Neuer has been excellent at goal and their defenders are tall, big an uncompromising. Being tall and big are both good and bad. Hummels has got slightly more pace than Mertesacker but it means they are slower on the turn and it could be exploited. Joachim Loew was daring to have tinkled with his line up but does he know his best? He will definitely have to keep Lahm at right back where he is the world's best. German midfield have not really sparkled though Kroos has been a key player. Muller is capable of increasing his goal tally, Klose his World Cup record but the one man who could do it for Germany is for me Toni Kroos whose vision and passing is key to the Germans.
Brazil v Germany
German fans are happy and more confident of their team and there is the perception the Brazil without Neymar and Thiago Silva could be severely weakened. Not for me as I think that they would be even more determined. There may be few chances from open play and the match will be decided probably from set pieces. Most people are already taking Germany to win.
In their historical meet, they have played 21 times with Brazil having won 12, Germany 4 and they tied 5 times and scored a total of 63 goals (Brazil - 39/Germany 24). However, this is only their second meeting in a World Cup. On paper, Germany are stronger. Brazil must try to win this match without penalty kicks. Brazil have never lost in their last six semi-final matches, winning five and drawing one. Germany are the first nation to have reached four consecutive semi-finals but have only reached the final just once in their last three attempts. In ten previous meetings, Brazil have always scored against Germany with average goals being 2.2 goals in their games.
For me, it will be a game of equals and it will be epic. There will be at least a goal each for both teams and they are likely to come from set pieces. A moment of madness or magic will decide the game. I think they will take the game into extra-time after a 1-1 scoreline in regulation play. Brazil will win in extra-time. If they don't Germany will win on penalty kicks. I take Brazil to win in extra-time as the climate and home ground advantage kicks in.
Netherlands
The Dutch are the most versatile team in the tournament. They have been able to switch position and formation rather easily not just without adverse effect but to devastating effect and in Arjen Robben has a genuinely potential top scorer and winner but the most impressive Dutchman is their manager/coach Luis van Gaal. Manchester United fans should be happy. I saw how he tinkled and won matches by his strategic changes. You have probably not will probably not see a coach change his goalkeeper just before penalty kicks.
Do not read too much into it that Newcastle goalkeeper is taller at 1.93 (0.05m taller) and has longer arm span. The only reason I could think of is van Gaal's use of the ''Art of War''. He was simply screwing with the brains of the Costa Rican players that he is sending in a super penalty kick saver and psychologically, he did the trick. He has been brilliant! The Dutch has been great runners-up and they are seeking to change that. Costa Rica ran them ragged and showed how to defend against them.
Argentina
Besides being Latin, Argentina has been winning matches without really breaking sweat, all thanks to Lionel Messi. They have not reached their peak. Messi is a better team player than Maradona ever was and he has been playing smartly without getting any unnecessary injury as he carries his nation. I knew it was a matter of time Gonzalo Higuain will score and he did. This will boost his confidence and at 1.84m he offers more height and weight up front. The loss of Angel di Maria was unlucky. Till now, Argentina have not been really threatened.
Belgium coach Marc Wilmots should not criticise Argentina because talented as his squad was, they never or dare not play to their full potential and his side mirrored their opponents. The difference have been Messi all along. This time Higuan has awaken and shared the responsibilities while Javier Mascherano has nullified all threats effectively. This is what Holland is missing - Nigel De Jong. If Argentina wins, this will be their first Final in 24 years.
Netherlands v Argentina
History favours the Dutch. In their 8 previous meetings, Holland have won 4 with Argentina having won once and they drew 3 times. Argentina thumps Holland if you looked at how they played - in their first 20 minutes they had 15 attempts at goal with 56% on target and during the first 45 minutes they have taken 37 shots to Holland's 19 and created more than double in goal scoring chances - 27 to Holland's 12. There is a strong suggestion for Argentina to score the first goal.
The Dutch will try to stifle Messi but I feel though Messi has been brilliant, he has not yet peak. This is the type of defining match that he will rise to the occasion and it has been suggestive that this time he could do it but Robben could also do some real damage. So it depends on which defence could cope better with the other sides' top striker.
However, Robben is a one-legged wonder and yet the other teams could not stop him. When he plays on the right, the idea is for him to cut back to his favoured left foot to shoot at goal. So the players and teams that could force him out to the far right would deny him the space to be a danger. So keep pushing him further. Luis van Gaal is now being applauded for his unusual approach of taking off Cillesson and putting on Tim Krul for the penalties but his move could back fire as Cillesson may have suffered with his confidence.
Higuain is back with a crucial goal in the last match. This will do wonders to a striker's confidence. There are reports suggesting Sergio Aguero has recovered from injury. Even if he does not play he shall be on the bench and can be called upon when needed. The tournament's other top players were gone - Ronaldo, Rodriguez, Suarez, Benzema, Neymar, etc. We are now left with Messi and Robben and on the other side, Muller. This will be Lionel Messi's World Cup.
Argentina will score first but the Netherlands will equalize then a moment of pure magic from none other than Lionel Messi will take the game in Argentina's favour. I take Argentina to win 2-1 in regulation time.
It shall be a Brazil versus Argentina final and for them to contest the World's greatest soccer trophy.
I was spot-on for Argentina to beat Belgium 1-0, for Holland and Costa Rica to draw, France to win over Nigeria 2-0, Holland to beat Mexico 2-1, Holland and Mexico match to have 3 goals. I am now under more pressure than the four semi-finalists because some friends are saying that they will follow what I predict. I am a little worried because I saw on face book a camel given two flags of Germany and Portugal to pick and it picked Germany. Next between Spain and Holland it picked Holland. This went on for a few days. By the fourth day it picked the wrong winner, they showed a picture of a camel shot dead with a rifle by its side.
Now for some serious business. Which team to win their semi-final and go on to the final and to finally clinch the World Cup? We could glean through the knock out stage in the last 16 and the quarter-finals to seek some answers. Every fan of each team will pick their own teams. For the neutrals, some prefer an all-European final while others an all-Latin American final. Would this not then just be like and European Championship final or the South America 's Cup - the Copa Libertadores? Yet there are those who prefer the contrasting style of Latin America versus Europe. Remember from the beginning I told you that the team that will win the World Cup will peak at the right time? I am afraid that Germany and Holland have peaked too early. Brazil and especially Argentina have not. Some were already past their peak before it started.
Brazil
Brazil today no longer play like Brazil. They play like an European team. They negotiated through the group stage easily, faced a very good Chile side and won a very tough match and when they played Colombia whom I think are the best attacking team in this World Cup, it was a match they could have lost but yet they won 2-1. Scolari showed he could play a brutish form of ugly soccer departing from his motherland of the beautiful game. They have shown a lot of determination plugging away with great determination and versatility switching formation as and when required.
He had a few players hacked down Colombian star James Rodriguez in particular Fernandinho who has been one of the top culprits in terms of foul play. Legs were raised head high but the referee did nothing. I saw in earlier games, referees seemed to condone simulation - diving in the penalty box. In league matches, the result would have been a straight yellow.
When the Spanish referee failed to control the game, Colombia decided to hit back resulting in a total of 54 fouls, 31 of which were committed by Brazil and it ended with a most unfortunate injury to Neymar. How could Zuniga get to the ball by going through an opponent? You feel for Neymar as he worked so hard carrying his nation's hope on his young shoulder. Did FIFA gave instruction on the way to handle a match by making it free flowing?
Why am I telling you all these? From the beginning, I mentioned about historical pedigree, the climate and how playing host can give you the impetus. You can say that Brazilian players also play in Europe so when they come back they too have to acclimatise but they were born and grew up there before they left for Europe. With the massive home crowd roaring, even the referee will tremble and may have certain decisions in favour of Brazil and I have also told you that the teams that peak later will win the World Cup. Brazil are getting better but I frowned upon Fred and Jo because I have friends named Freddie and Joe and when they come together there is mayhem. Luckily, they did not have a Roy then that would be mayhem x 3.
How will Neymar and Captian Thiago Silva's absence affect them? Neymar for all his exciting touches has not created nor scored after the group stage. Hulk is getting better, Gustavo, Oscar, Bernard and Willian are good players even if they are not as exciting as Neymar. Silva can be replaced by Dante who is of no small stature as he plays for Bayern Munich. David Luis will play a dual role of replacing Silva as Captain and he carries Brazilian hope taking the mettle from Neymar. When a door closes, a new one opens. A new hero must emerge. Surely, they are not going to stumble at this crucial stage. Brazil is no longer as exciting but they know how to play for a win.
Germany
The Germans were the most impressive when they gunned down Portugal but Ghana showed how they could be handled. The USA gave them a few problems. Later, Algeria stretched them all the way and showed their weaknesses. France were unlucky not to have done better and after scoring this supposedly exciting German team closed shop returning to their typical old days German methods. They have players in every position and their delivery in the final third, their inter-play have been very good. Germany was my favourite team for a few years simply because they played the best attacking soccer but they went to each semi-final and lost. So now they have to be more pragmatic as pretty soccer wins nothing.
If any team were to beat Brazil, the Germans could. Neuer has been excellent at goal and their defenders are tall, big an uncompromising. Being tall and big are both good and bad. Hummels has got slightly more pace than Mertesacker but it means they are slower on the turn and it could be exploited. Joachim Loew was daring to have tinkled with his line up but does he know his best? He will definitely have to keep Lahm at right back where he is the world's best. German midfield have not really sparkled though Kroos has been a key player. Muller is capable of increasing his goal tally, Klose his World Cup record but the one man who could do it for Germany is for me Toni Kroos whose vision and passing is key to the Germans.
Brazil v Germany
German fans are happy and more confident of their team and there is the perception the Brazil without Neymar and Thiago Silva could be severely weakened. Not for me as I think that they would be even more determined. There may be few chances from open play and the match will be decided probably from set pieces. Most people are already taking Germany to win.
In their historical meet, they have played 21 times with Brazil having won 12, Germany 4 and they tied 5 times and scored a total of 63 goals (Brazil - 39/Germany 24). However, this is only their second meeting in a World Cup. On paper, Germany are stronger. Brazil must try to win this match without penalty kicks. Brazil have never lost in their last six semi-final matches, winning five and drawing one. Germany are the first nation to have reached four consecutive semi-finals but have only reached the final just once in their last three attempts. In ten previous meetings, Brazil have always scored against Germany with average goals being 2.2 goals in their games.
For me, it will be a game of equals and it will be epic. There will be at least a goal each for both teams and they are likely to come from set pieces. A moment of madness or magic will decide the game. I think they will take the game into extra-time after a 1-1 scoreline in regulation play. Brazil will win in extra-time. If they don't Germany will win on penalty kicks. I take Brazil to win in extra-time as the climate and home ground advantage kicks in.
Netherlands
The Dutch are the most versatile team in the tournament. They have been able to switch position and formation rather easily not just without adverse effect but to devastating effect and in Arjen Robben has a genuinely potential top scorer and winner but the most impressive Dutchman is their manager/coach Luis van Gaal. Manchester United fans should be happy. I saw how he tinkled and won matches by his strategic changes. You have probably not will probably not see a coach change his goalkeeper just before penalty kicks.
Do not read too much into it that Newcastle goalkeeper is taller at 1.93 (0.05m taller) and has longer arm span. The only reason I could think of is van Gaal's use of the ''Art of War''. He was simply screwing with the brains of the Costa Rican players that he is sending in a super penalty kick saver and psychologically, he did the trick. He has been brilliant! The Dutch has been great runners-up and they are seeking to change that. Costa Rica ran them ragged and showed how to defend against them.
Argentina
Besides being Latin, Argentina has been winning matches without really breaking sweat, all thanks to Lionel Messi. They have not reached their peak. Messi is a better team player than Maradona ever was and he has been playing smartly without getting any unnecessary injury as he carries his nation. I knew it was a matter of time Gonzalo Higuain will score and he did. This will boost his confidence and at 1.84m he offers more height and weight up front. The loss of Angel di Maria was unlucky. Till now, Argentina have not been really threatened.
Belgium coach Marc Wilmots should not criticise Argentina because talented as his squad was, they never or dare not play to their full potential and his side mirrored their opponents. The difference have been Messi all along. This time Higuan has awaken and shared the responsibilities while Javier Mascherano has nullified all threats effectively. This is what Holland is missing - Nigel De Jong. If Argentina wins, this will be their first Final in 24 years.
Netherlands v Argentina
History favours the Dutch. In their 8 previous meetings, Holland have won 4 with Argentina having won once and they drew 3 times. Argentina thumps Holland if you looked at how they played - in their first 20 minutes they had 15 attempts at goal with 56% on target and during the first 45 minutes they have taken 37 shots to Holland's 19 and created more than double in goal scoring chances - 27 to Holland's 12. There is a strong suggestion for Argentina to score the first goal.
The Dutch will try to stifle Messi but I feel though Messi has been brilliant, he has not yet peak. This is the type of defining match that he will rise to the occasion and it has been suggestive that this time he could do it but Robben could also do some real damage. So it depends on which defence could cope better with the other sides' top striker.
However, Robben is a one-legged wonder and yet the other teams could not stop him. When he plays on the right, the idea is for him to cut back to his favoured left foot to shoot at goal. So the players and teams that could force him out to the far right would deny him the space to be a danger. So keep pushing him further. Luis van Gaal is now being applauded for his unusual approach of taking off Cillesson and putting on Tim Krul for the penalties but his move could back fire as Cillesson may have suffered with his confidence.
Higuain is back with a crucial goal in the last match. This will do wonders to a striker's confidence. There are reports suggesting Sergio Aguero has recovered from injury. Even if he does not play he shall be on the bench and can be called upon when needed. The tournament's other top players were gone - Ronaldo, Rodriguez, Suarez, Benzema, Neymar, etc. We are now left with Messi and Robben and on the other side, Muller. This will be Lionel Messi's World Cup.
Argentina will score first but the Netherlands will equalize then a moment of pure magic from none other than Lionel Messi will take the game in Argentina's favour. I take Argentina to win 2-1 in regulation time.
It shall be a Brazil versus Argentina final and for them to contest the World's greatest soccer trophy.
And may I suggest that you should hunt for your favourite team's underwear before they got sold out. Maybe Spain and England will be going cheap.
Have a great World Cup semi-finals!
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