Group D
Italy 0 Costa Rica 1
Ruiz (44)
England's slim hopes of remaining in the world cup came to an abrupt end, thanks in part to a brilliant display from Costa Rica. Hang on a minute Costa Rica, yep that's right, the so called whipping boys of group D have gone and done a number on the big boys in the group and deservedly sit atop the table. The Costa Ricans had come into the competition with everybody expecting them to finish bottom of the group, and they turn up with a game plan and perfect tactics for playing against Italy, Uruguay and England. The tactics were to get at them and stop them dominating and using their strengths, and they can play a bit as well. I, like many thought the 3-1 win against Uruguay may have been a bit of a fluke, but now after watching this game it is obvious Costa Rica knew exactly what they were doing, it's just a shame that England, who were fully aware of the strengths of the other teams in the group, didn't feel the need to employ a game plan in their games against Uruguay and Italy. So congratulations to Costa Rica on their qualification to the knockout rounds and good luck in the rest of the tournament.
For Uruguay and Italy it is a winner takes all shoot out on Tuesday, and one I think Uruguay will win either by hook or by crook, because lets be honest that's how they do things. I thought from the start that Italy were a tiring team and wouldn't qualify, but obviously I thought England would have played better. Uruguay are not a great team though themselves, Suarez is really their only major weapon as he showed against us. As for England they will also play on Tuesday against Cost Rica in what basically is a dead rubber, although the Costa Rican's will be looking to continue their winning run and confirm themselves as group winners. Roy Hodgeson will no doubt make changes, more likely in personnel more than in formation. Expect to see Lampard get a sympathetic start probably in place of Gerrard, there may be other changes but it will all be irrelevant when Costa Rica show us and the world how to play and win against a 3rd world footballing nation.
Group E
Switzerland 2 France 5
Dzemaili (81) Giroud (17)
Xhaka (87) Matuidi (18)
Valbuena (40)
Benzema (67)
Sissoko (73)
I have never been a been a big fan of the French and have to admit that I have taken a bit of joy in their downfalls over the years, but after their first two games France are the team that have impressed me most. This French version of nice controlled bop it about attacking football has had me jump out of my seat more than any other team in the competition. France look very good, maybe a bit loose at the back, but with their smooth attacking play they look like scoring every time they come forward. Yesterday they scored 5 with 5 different scorers, missed a penalty and somehow the subsequent rebound and had a goal chalked off at the end just after the referee had blown his whistle for full time. If they can keep up this football throughout the tournament and against some of the so called bigger teams they could go very far. If they win their group then it will be Bosnia or Nigeria or Iran in the next round and then onto a possible quarter final showdown with Germany. That certainly is a mouthwatering prospect. The way France play at the moment reminds very much of the side of the early to mid 80's with the likes of Platini, Girresse, Tresor, Tiganna and Fernandez. I hope they can keep this going as amazingly I look forward to watching France get better and better.
I think England going out has done something weird to my brain.
Group E
Honduras 1 Ecuador 2
Costly (31) Valencia E (34,65)
A win for Ecuador in this battle of the underdogs has given them an outside chance of progressing to the knockout phase. Enner Valencia's 2nd and 3rd goals of the tournament has given them a lifeline, although they would probably need a positive result in their last game against the so far unstoppable French and hope at the same time Honduras can pull off an unlikely win against Switzerland. Looks like Ecuador will be on the plane home on Thursday then.
No comments:
Post a Comment