World Cup Wrap Up 6/18

Chris Hockman on 18 June 2010 in General, World Cup

Germany V Serbia
Moment of the Match
First Half: Klose’s red card. It may not have led directly to the goal, but Klose is of Vital importance to this team. To miss Klose for most of this game certainly cost Germany.
Second Half: Stojkovic’s penalty save, Serbia should really of been punished for sitting so far back & defending for most of the game but Podolski had a poor match and was unable to score the penalty.
Why Serbia won: Germany without Klose for much of the match were always going to struggle to win the match, Serbia played well, but a red card is always going to have an effect.

Slovenia V USA:
Moment of the Match
First Half: Lazy defending from DeMerit keeps Ljubijankic onside, as the ball is played over the defense, and allows Ljubihankic a clean shot on goal. Slovenia 2-0
Second Half: Landon Donovan’s early goal. It completely changed the match and gave the Americans the belief that they could win the match. Add to that the fact it was a well taken goal with no support, and it’s certainly the moment of the 2nd half.
Why it was a draw: US Tenacity combined with some exciting end to end play ensured that a draw would be a fair result.

England V Algeria:
Moment of the Match
First Half: Algeria’s keeper spills a save. The Algerian Keeper also made a massive blunder in their first match and was also replaced ahead of this match, with the English constantly putting the goal straight at the keeper he was bound to mess one up. Unfortunately for England, there was no one there to tap in the drop.
Second Half: Algeria are able to work a good counter, with some great speed and passing movement, the same that saw them through qualification, only to completely ruin it with a poor final pass.
Why it was a draw: There was just nothing in the final third from either side, they both showed a lack of imagination & the ability to deliver the final ball.
Preview
Netherlands V Japan
Why Netherlands will win: Form is clearly on the side of the Dutch, they tore through the Danes with ease. They have great attacking strength & will welcome back Arjen Robben for this match
Why Japan will win: Defense. The Blue Samarai, have come out and said they want to frustrate the Dutch, and they can certainly do it. A solid defense is what got them past Cameroon, they’ll be looking for the same against the Dutch.
Prediction: A game in which the winner will all but secure their passage to the second round should be hard to pick but it’s almost impossible to go past the Dutch, they are able to attack without conceding too many goals. Netherlands 2-1

Ghana V Australia
Why Ghana will win: Pace. It’s the reason Australia have lost their last two games & Ghana, have a lot of it, with Verbeek consistently naming an old defensive line and leaving younger and better players on the bench a pacey run could be the key for Ghana.
Why Australia will win: Change has been the word for Australia, and they have to, with Pim Verbeek’s embarassingly awful tactics against Germany, he must change. Harry Kewell must play for the Socceroos & will be joined by Mark Bresciano adding some creativity to the attack. Perhaps they might also actually put a striker on the park for this one?
Prediction: Australia looked awful in their first match & Pim Verbeek did nothing to prove to the Australian public that he should be supported, with perhaps the worst tactics of the tournament. Having said that, Ghana were very fortunate to win their match, and Australia play their best football when they’re the underdog. With Harry Kewell furious at Mike Cockerill (Journalist in Australia) for daring to criticize him, this team has something to prove. This may be heart over head but Australia are capable. 1-0 Australia.

Cameroon V Denmark
Why Cameroon will win: Attack, Cameroon have a number of options in attack, and if they use them correctly they’ll be a real threat to the Danish back line. With pace & ability, with some options on the bench, Cameroon can be a real handful.
Why Denmark will win: Midfield control will be key for Denmark, playing with just one up front Denmark need to dominate the midfield. With the strength they have at the back and a very capable midfield line who can get forward when needed, Denmark will rely on a midfield battle.
Prediction: The Danes looked pretty good against the Dutch despite getting beat, on the other hand Cameroon should have fared much better against Japan and made some Key tactical mistakes, I suspect Cameroon can’t make the changes, and Eto’o's comments seem to echo that. Denmark 1-0

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18 June 2010 General, World Cup

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