View Full Version : 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil - Predictions/Discussions/Updates
_____V_____
05-28-2014, 08:31 AM
It's back! The ultra-mega 4-year event filled with plenty of bling and razmatazz, and which has zillions of followers around the world, in every country you can think of.
Even in HDC, we have been constantly updated all through WC 2006 and WC 2010, and now is the ripe moment to indulge in the soccer fever which is slowly but steadily gripping the soccer planet, specially in Brazil.
32 teams are in the fray yet again, split into 8 groups of 4 teams each. We tee off on Thursday, June 12th, and the Final is scheduled for Sunday, July 13th.
These are the team groupings (read as: Goal Difference, Total Points) -
Group A
Brazil (+5, 7 pts) -- A1
Mexico (+3, 7 pts) -- A2
Croatia (0, 3 pts) -- KNOCKED OUT
Cameroon (-8, 0 pts) -- KNOCKED OUT
Group B
The Netherlands (+7, 9 pts) -- B1
Chile (+2, 6 pts) -- B2
Spain (-3, 3 pts) -- KNOCKED OUT
Australia (-6, 0 pts) -- KNOCKED OUT
Group C
Columbia (+7, 9 pts) -- C1
Greece (-2, 4 pts) -- C2
Ivory Coast (-1, 3 pts) -- KNOCKED OUT
Japan (-4, 1 pt) -- KNOCKED OUT
Group D
Costa Rica (+3, 7 pts) -- D1
Uruguay (0, 6 pts) -- D2
Italy (-1, 3 pts) -- KNOCKED OUT
England (-2, 1 pt) -- KNOCKED OUT
Group E
France (+6, 7 pts) -- E1
Switzerland (+1, 6 pts) -- E2
Ecuador (0, 4 pts) -- KNOCKED OUT
Honduras (-7, 0 pts) -- KNOCKED OUT
Group F
Argentina (+3, 9 pts) -- F1
Nigeria (0, 4 pts) -- F2
Bosnia-Herzegovina (0, 3 pts) -- KNOCKED OUT
Iran (-3, 1 pt) -- KNOCKED OUT
Group G
Germany (+5, 7 pts) -- G1
USA (0, 4 pts) --G2
Portugal (-3, 4 pts) -- KNOCKED OUT
Ghana (-2, 1 pt) -- KNOCKED OUT
Group H
Belgium (+3, 9 pts) -- H1
Algeria (+1, 4 pts) -- H2
Russia (-1, 2 pts) -- KNOCKED OUT
Korea Republic (-3, 1 pt) -- KNOCKED OUT
This is the schedule of the 2014 FIFA World Cup:
(to be read as: Match number, Date, Team vs Team)
Group A
01 : [12/06/2014] Brazil (3) - Croatia (1)
02 : [13/06/2014] Mexico (1) - Cameroon (0)
16 : [17/06/2014] Brazil (0) - Mexico (0)
20 : [18/06/2014] Cameroon (0) - Croatia (4)
36 : [23/06/2014] Brazil (4) - Cameroon (1)
35 : [23/06/2014] Mexico (3) - Croatia (1)
Group B
03 : [13/06/2014] Spain (1) - The Netherlands (5)
04 : [13/06/2014] Chile (3) - Australia (1)
18 : [18/06/2014] The Netherlands (3) - Australia (2)
19 : [18/06/2014] Spain - Chile (2)
34 : [23/06/2014] Spain (3) - Australia (0)
33 : [23/06/2014] The Netherlands (2) - Chile (0)
Group C
05 : [14/06/2014] Columbia (3) - Greece (0)
08 : [14/06/2014] Ivory Coast (2) - Japan (1)
21 : [19/06/2014] Columbia (2) - Ivory Coast (1)
23 : [19/06/2014] Japan (0) - Greece (0)
39 : [24/06/2014] Columbia (4) - Japan (1)
40 : [24/06/2014] Ivory Coast (1) - Greece (2)
Group D
06 : [14/06/2014] Uruguay (1) - Costa Rica (3)
07 : [14/06/2014] England (1) - Italy (2)
22 : [19/06/2014] Uruguay (2) - England (1)
24 : [20/06/2014] Italy (0) - Costa Rica (1)
37 : [24/06/2014] Uruguay (1) - Italy (0)
38 : [24/06/2014] England (0) - Costa Rica (0)
Group E
09 : [15/06/2014] Switzerland (2) - Ecuador (1)
10 : [15/06/2014] France (3) - Honduras (0)
25 : [20/06/2014] Switzerland (2) - France (5)
26 : [20/06/2014] Ecuador (2) - Honduras (1)
43 : [25/06/2014] Honduras - Switzerland (3)
44 : [25/06/2014] Ecuador (0) - France (0)
Group F
11 : [15/06/2014] Argentina (2) - Bosnia & Herzegovina (1)
13 : [16/06/2014] Nigeria (0) - Iran (0)
27 : [21/06/2014] Argentina (1) - Iran (0)
29 : [21/06/2014] Nigeria (1) - Bosnia & Herzegovina (0)
42 : [25/06/2014] Argentina (3) - Nigeria (2)
41 : [25/06/2014] Iran (1) - Bosnia & Herzegovina (3)
Group G
12 : [16/06/2014] Germany (4) - Portugal (0)
14 : [16/06/2014] Ghana (1) - USA (2)
28 : [21/06/2014] Germany (2) - Ghana (2)
32 : [22/06/2014] Portugal (2) - USA (2)
46 : [26/06/2014] Germany (1) - USA (0)
45 : [26/06/2014] Portugal (2) - Ghana (1)
Group H
15 : [17/06/2014] Belgium (2) - Algeria (1)
17 : [17/06/2014] Russia (1) - Korea Republic (1)
30 : [22/06/2014] Belgium (1) - Russia (0)
31 : [22/06/2014] Korea Republic (2) - Algeria (4)
48 : [26/06/2014] Belgium (1) - Korea Republic (0)
47 : [26/06/2014] Russia (1) - Algeria (1)
(27/06/2014 IS THE REST DAY)
Round Of 16
49: [28/06/2014] (A1) Brazil (1)[3] - (B2) Chile (1)[2]
50: [28/06/2014] (C1) Colombia (2) - (D2) Uruguay (0)
51: [29/06/2014] (B1) The Netherlands (2) - (A2) Mexico (1)
52: [29/06/2014] (D1) Costa Rica (1)[5] - (C2) Greece (1)[3]
53: [30/06/2014] (E1) France (2) - (F2) Nigeria (0)
54: [30/06/2014] (G1) Germany (2) - (H2) Algeria (1)
55: [01/07/2014] (F1) Argentina (1) - (E2) Switzerland (0)
56: [01/07/2014] (H1) Belgium (2) - (G2) USA (1)
(02/07/2014 & 03/07/2014 ARE THE REST DAYS)
Quarter - Finals
57: [04/07/2014] (W#49) BRAZIL (2) - (W#50) COLOMBIA (1)
58: [04/07/2014] (W#53) FRANCE (0) - (W#54) GERMANY (1)
59: [05/07/2014] (W#51) NETHERLANDS (0) [4] - (W#52) COSTA RICA (0) [3]
60: [05/07/2014] (W#55) ARGENTINA (1) - (W#56) BELGIUM (0)
(06/07/2014 & 07/07/2014 ARE THE REST DAYS)
Semi - Finals
61: [08/07/2014] (W#57) BRAZIL (1) - (W#58) GERMANY (7)
62: [09/07/2014] (W#59) NETHERLANDS (0) [2] - (W#60) ARGENTINA (0) [4]
(10/07/2014 & 11/07/2014 ARE THE REST DAYS)
Third Place Playoff
63: [12/07/2014] (L#61) BRAZIL (0) - (L#62) NETHERLANDS (3)
THE FINAL
64: [13/07/2014] (W#61) GERMANY (1) - (W#62) ARGENTINA (0)
GERMANY ARE THE 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS!!
Golden Ball = Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Golden Glove = Manuel Neuer (Germany)
Golden Boot = James Rodriguez (Colombia)
For the official listing of matches - http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/index.html
Downloadable - http://resources.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/52/99/91/2014fwc_matchschedule_wgroups_22042014_en_neutral. pdf
Angra
05-29-2014, 03:07 AM
For once none of the Scandinavian countries have managed to qualify, so i'm rooting for Germany and Belgium instead.
I predict either Brazil or Spain will win the trophy.
roshiq
05-29-2014, 03:23 AM
This is the first time, I've kinda less interest about WC. No support for Argentina this time. I'm frustrated with them ::embarrassment::
I predict either Brazil or Spain will win the trophy.
I think none will win this time, even both may get hard time to qualify for the knockout stage/Round Of 16.
Germany, Netherlands, Uruguay & Russia can be the long runners in the tourney.
_____V_____
05-29-2014, 06:11 AM
I am all for a Brazil vs Argentina Final this time around!
The Latin American countries should do well, considering the Cup is in their continent. Uruguay look solid (Luis Suarez is a real humdinger!) and are certainly top-4 material.
A bit disappointed with all/most of the European teams this year. None of them excite me. Spain have an ageing side and their Cup retaining chances look bleak.
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06-03-2014, 08:54 PM
Top stars who won't be playing at Brazil WC 2014:
Kaka (Brazil) - poor form
Ronaldinho (Brazil) - age catching up?
Carlos Tevez (Argentina) - troublemaker?
Radamel Falcao (Columbia) - Anterior Cruciate ligament
Kevin Strootman (The Netherlands) - knee
Rafael Van Der Vaart (Netherlands) - calf
Gregory van der Wiel (The Netherlands) - poor form, injuries
Fernando Llorente (Spain) - better attack options?
Alvaro Negredo (Spain) - poor form
Jesus Navas (Spain) - indifferent form
Isco (Spain) - poor form
Samir Nasri (France) - troublemaker?
Eric Abidal (France) - poor form, announced retirement
Mario Gomez (Germany) - recurring injury issues
Riccardo Montolivo (Italy) - fractured tibia
Giuseppe Rossi (Italy) - knee
All 32 teams have announced their final squads of 23.
Details :- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FIFA_World_Cup_squads
roshiq
06-05-2014, 03:05 AM
Don't know how many people in Brazil even ever heard of Bangladesh...but here we have some crazy, weird fans...:shocked:
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p433/sanjidparvez/Brazilfanclub_zps4fdf5793.jpg
_____V_____
06-11-2014, 07:59 AM
Players to watch out for:
Cristiano RONALDO (Portugal)
Lionel MESSI (Argentina)
NEYMAR da Silva Santos (Brazil)
David LUIZ (Brazil)
Luis SUAREZ (Uruguay)
Andres INIESTA (Spain)
Karim BENZEMA (France)
Andrea PIRLO (Italy)
Mario BALOTELLI (Italy)
Yaya TOURE (Ivory Coast)
Arjen ROBBEN (Netherlands)
Robin VAN PERSIE (Netherlands)
Alexis SANCHEZ (Chile)
Thomas MUELLER (Germany)
Mesut OZIL (Germany)
Mario GOTZE (Germany)
Samuel ETO'O (Cameroon)
Wayne ROONEY (England)
The kickoff for the first match of WC 2014 is only 28 hours away!!
_____V_____
06-12-2014, 10:38 AM
And the opening ceremony is on, full-swing!!
Jennifer Lopez is yelling at the top of her lungs, screaming OLE! OLE!
ShankS
06-12-2014, 10:40 AM
Jennifer's got camel toe
_____V_____
06-12-2014, 12:13 PM
Action-packed first 10 minutes, and can you believe this...
IT"S 1-0 TO CROATIA OVER BRAZIL!!
And it's an own goal!!!!!!!
_____V_____
06-12-2014, 01:00 PM
Half-time Score:
BRAZIL (1) - CROATIA (1)
Brazil looked ragged during the first 26-27 minutes, until Neymar, riding on a yellow card, thundered one home in the 29th. Their midfield and central defense need improvement.
Croatia sitting back after that own goal didn't help their cause much.
Scolari was very, very vocal and expressive, to say the least.
I predict more goals in store in the second half!!
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06-12-2014, 01:55 PM
Final Score for Match 1:
BRAZIL - 3
(Neymar 29', 71' (PK), Oscar 91')
CROATIA - 1
(Marcelo 11' OG)
Well, Brazil scored all 4 goals in the match, but brownie points to Croatia for stretching the favorites. Oscar's added time goal was a bright spot in an otherwise ragged Brazil performance, with their defending leaving a lot to be desired.
Croatia have their work cut out. Brazil needs to improve. A LOT.
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06-13-2014, 08:49 AM
Match 2, Half-time:
Mexico (0) - Cameroon (0)
The rains beating down...and 3 goals, 3 offsides - 2 of them very, very marginal calls. Mexico should have been up 2-0. Poor Dos Santos!
Damn the referees!
Angra
06-13-2014, 09:11 AM
The bribed referees World Cup. ::mad::
_____V_____
06-13-2014, 09:58 AM
Final Score for Match 2:
MEXICO - 1
(Peralta 61')
CAMEROON - 0
The last 10 minutes were the most interesting, though. Cameroon came closest to scoring in the 86th minute when a superb cross found no takers, and again in the 91st minute, when a header across the goal was stopped by the Mexican keeper.
In the end, Peralta's incisive presence-of-mind-and-body goal proved to be the difference.
And now for the mouth-watering Match #3 - SPAIN take on the NETHERLANDS!
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06-13-2014, 11:51 AM
Match 3, Half-time:
SPAIN (1) - NETHERLANDS (1)
Now this, is what I call attacking football!! No less than 8-9 shots at goal, with 2 of them scoring ones.
A very dubious penalty kick call helped Spain surge ahead 1-0 in the 27th minute through Xabi Alonso, but trust the Flying Dutchman, Robin Van Persie, to deliver when the Dutch need him the most. A cross from the center line found him in perfect onside position, and the diving forward header looped well over Iker Casillas to find the nets behind him, and the famed keeper could only stand in despair and watch. For once, the rock-solid Spanish defence was caught with their pants down, utterly and completely.
Fantastic first half. Hopefully an equally fantastic second half awaits. Let have some more goals!!
_____V_____
06-13-2014, 12:30 PM
SPAIN ARE BEING DECIMATED!!
4 - 1 to NETHERLANDS...WOOHOO!!! :danger:
Angra
06-13-2014, 12:30 PM
Spain-Netherland 1-4
CRAZYYYYYYY!!!:shocked:
Angra
06-13-2014, 12:37 PM
1-5
CRAAAAAAZZZYYYYYYYYY!!!! ::big grin::
Sculpt
06-13-2014, 12:42 PM
Final Score for Match 2:
MEXICO - 1
(Peralta 61')
CAMEROON - 0
The last 10 minutes were the most interesting, though. Cameroon came closest to scoring in the 86th minute when a superb cross found no takers, and again in the 91st minute, when a header across the goal was stopped by the Mexican keeper.
In the end, Peralta's incisive presence-of-mind-and-body goal proved to be the difference.
I remember playing Cameroon while playing Nintendo's World Cup game (1990). I say... Cameroon gets no respect. You barely touched these sleepwalkers and they'd get wiped out.
But of course, once I played the game a few times, who could resist the urge to successfully win the World Cup playing as Cameroon? That was one of my fondest video game campaigns.
Angra
06-13-2014, 12:52 PM
Holy hell, what a game! This will most likely be the highlight match of this World Cup, and one of the biggest football surprises ever.
1-5 is what Spain usually beat smaller football nations. And this match could have ended 2-7. Damn... Good for this World Cup. Good for all of us. Good God.
_____V_____
06-13-2014, 12:55 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 3:
SPAIN - 1
(Xabi Alonso 27' PK)
NETHERLANDS - 5
(Van Persie 44', 72', Robben 53', 80', De Vrij 64')
The second half will be etched in soccer history. The World Cup Holders were completely massacred and torn to bits by the high Flying Dutchmen on a Friday which is also the 13th. If that dubious penalty kick is taken out, it would have been 5-0.
A very forgettable night for the Spaniards. They will need to pull out a real rabbit from the hat to make it to the next stage now, after this very heavy defeat. This is a pale shadow of the team which lifted the Cup four years ago, and even their superman, Iker Casillas, was completely, utterly overpowered.
BTW, take that all you Spain supporters!!! :danger: ::cool:: ::big grin::
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06-13-2014, 09:52 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 4:
CHILE - 3
(Sanchez 12', Valdivia 14', Beausejour 92')
AUSTRALIA - 1
(Cahill 35')
Must have been a great game. Sanchez is in great form, and other teams need to watch out for him.
roshiq
06-13-2014, 10:04 PM
HA-HA-HA!!
Remember what I said before...:danger:
I predict either Brazil or Spain will win the trophy.
I think none will win this time, even both may get hard time to qualify for the knockout stage/Round Of 16.
Germany, Netherlands, Uruguay & Russia can be the long runners in the tourney.
.................................................. ...........
Btw, " ::love:: "
Wow! I think I've asked about some love-emotion signs earlier, thanks V...that's really sweet!!::cool::
_____V_____
06-14-2014, 01:21 AM
Holy hell, what a game! This will most likely be the highlight match of this World Cup, and one of the biggest football surprises ever.
1-5 is what Spain usually beat smaller football nations. And this match could have ended 2-7. Damn... Good for this World Cup. Good for all of us. Good God.
HA-HA-HA!!
Remember what I said before...
It could have been worse for Spain.
Scoreline might have been 8-2, if Van Persie's thunderbolt didn't hit the side bar, another sizzler from the front was acrobatically stopped by Casillas, and Robben bungled up a great chance in front of the open goal by gently lobbying it into Casillas's hands.
And of course, Torres totally missed out on a great chance in front of the opposing goal as well.
The Brazilian Diego Costa did Spain no favors. Not only was he mediocre in his performance, but his direct headbutt went unnoticed by the referee which warranted a red card. He was also continuously booed by the spectators because he was playing for Spain instead of Brazil.
I suspect he will not make the starting 11 in the next match. Torres should be his ideal replacement.
But yes, last night would have shaken up the entire soccer world. The defending champions getting mauled in such a manner - Netherlands have sent two strong messages out, 1) Beware of the flying Dutchmen, 2) Spain can be beaten and their famed defense can be penetrated, not once/twice but many times.
Spain needs to do some serious damage control, or it's an early exit for them. They need to win both their next matches comprehensively to bring the goal difference under control AND get full points.
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06-14-2014, 09:55 AM
Final Scoreline for Match 5:
COLUMBIA - 3
(Armero 5', Gutierrez 58', Rodriguez 93')
GREECE - 0
History lauds the Greeks for their "never-say-die" spirit. Sadly, that can't be said for their soccer team. Listless, demotivated and flat, specially in the last 20-25 minutes, they simply never got going, despite loud cheers for their senior-most player, Karagounis (37, 136 caps).
Columbia just drove their nails (and point) home in the 3rd minute of added time in the second half, when Greece had all but gone on their knees, begging for the match to be stopped.
roshiq
06-14-2014, 10:38 AM
My Prediction...:danger:
WARNING: SPOILER ALERT!! [::big grin::]
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p433/sanjidparvez/WC14PredictionSP_zps8f5245e0.jpg
_____V_____
06-14-2014, 10:40 AM
My Prediction...
Too optimistic, R.
I predict a Germany vs Argentina final, or to please the crowds, a Brazil vs Argentina final. ::wink::
roshiq
06-14-2014, 10:59 AM
Too optimistic, R.
I predict a Germany vs Argentina final, or to please the crowds, a Brazil vs Argentina final. ::wink::
Believe me, if Brazil & Argentina can make it to the final then I'll be also one of those happiest football fans in the world...that's a dream-final, man! And about Germany-Argentina...I won't see that for sure! I can't tolerate another 90s final or 2010's brutal outcome anymore.
Thing is, from Italy'90 to South Africa'2010...Argentina disappointed me heavily. And from the recent records, I wanted but actually can't expect promising results from neither Argentina nor Brazil.
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06-14-2014, 08:02 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 6:
URUGUAY - 1
(Cavani 24' PK)
COSTA RICA - 3
(Campbell 54', Duarte 57', Urena 84')
Wow! Who saw that coming?! The much-fancied Uruguay in practically their home turf getting their socks beaten off?! Must have been one heck of a second half!
And to think they didn't play Luis Suarez because they didn't fancy their opponents highly, and thought it might be a cakewalk. BIG mistake.
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Final Scoreline for Match 7:
ENGLAND - 1
(Sturridge 37')
ITALY - 2
(Marchisio 35', Balotelli 50')
Expected result. England's young guns are still a bit raw and the Azurri are way too experienced when it comes to WC finals. Combine that with the red-hot form of Mario Balotelli, and it would have been curtains for the boys across the pond.
Having said that, they couldn't equalise in the next 40 minutes, even with Rooney?! *shaking head*
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Final Scoreline for Match 8:
IVORY COAST - 2
(Bony 64', Gervinho 66')
JAPAN - 1
(Honda 16')
Another expected result. Credit to the Japanese for scoring the first goal so early, but the Coast boys are relentless. Two back-to-back goals within 2 minutes says a lot about their firepower. Still, a closer result than they would have expected.
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06-15-2014, 09:57 AM
Final Scoreline for Match 9:
SWITZERLAND - 2
(Mehmedi 48', Seferovic 93')
ECUADOR - 1
(E. Valencia 22')
What a fantastic nail-biter! Ecuador did a surprise by blasting into the lead, and hung on to it till half-time. The Swiss needed an early equaliser, and they got it within the first 3 minutes of the second half. Then some fantastic soccer flowed for the next 44 minutes, with both teams attacking and counter-attacking, until just 30 seconds from the final whistle, the substitute Seferovic took full advantage of the break and a wonderful right pass to home in the winner.
Heartbreak for Ecuador, but they have themselves to blame for missing some great chances. Full marks to the Swiss for coming back from behind and winning the match - they are 6th in FIFA rankings for nothing.
And now, let's see how the French fare against lowly Honduras.
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06-15-2014, 12:52 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 10:
FRANCE - 3
(Benzema 45', 72', Valladares 48' OG)
HONDURAS - 0
Aggressive and physical as it can be, at the maximum.
But Honduras surely learnt a lesson today - they would have benefitted hugely if they had stuck to playing soccer, instead of a rough game which was a mix of rugby and kickboxing. Granted, the men in Blue are notorious for playing rough as well, but that wasn't an excuse. Being reduced to 10 men after Palacios was sent off for tackling Pogba twice in quick succession, they never really stood a chance, specially with Karim Benzema in such relentless form. His 2nd goal was a delight to watch.
Cheer for Argentina for me, will you folks? This tired old man needs his beauty sleep.
_____V_____
06-15-2014, 08:59 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 11:
ARGENTINA - 2
(Kolasinac 3' OG, Messi 65')
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA - 1
(Ibisevic 85')
Looks like it was a closer match than initially thought. Match might have ended in a draw if it wasn't for that very early own goal. Nevertheless, credit to B & H for keeping Argentina in check and stretching them to the distance.
Will watch the replay later today, just to see Messi's goal.
_____V_____
06-16-2014, 10:02 AM
Final Scoreline for Match 12:
GERMANY - 4
(Muller 12' PK, 46', 78', Hummels 32')
PORTUGAL - 0
Nope, Germany wasn't as dominant as that scoreline suggests. The match was very physical and aggressive in the first half, and Portugal's Pepe paid for headbutting an apparently "injured jaw" Muller, by getting a red card. Muller was clearly playing by crying foul, because right after the headbutt, he jumped right up and both players bad-mouthed each other continuously. Muller exchanged a lot of heated words with an "injured" jaw, didn't he?
Either way, that unsavory incident played some part in the match (it was after Portugal was trailing 0-2 and it was still the first half), but Portugal's defense was really poor to have allowed Germany so many times into their goal. As for Cristiano Ronaldo, he had only one good chance of note, that too in the 89th minute through a free kick, but it was parried out by the German keeper.
Not Portugal's day. They'll have to tighten up their defence and concentrate on their attacking moves by giving C.Ronaldo a bit more support upfront, else they might be looking at an early exit.
The Germans were relentless, although not as dominating as everyone expected them to be. Hopefully with the next few matches, they will return to their dominant ways. Muller was clearly the hero of the match, scoring the first hattrick of goals in WC 2014.
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06-16-2014, 04:32 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 13:
IRAN - 0
NIGERIA - 0
Two disappointing teams playing out a boring draw, the first one of WC 2014! Glad that I went to bed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Final Scoreline for Match 14:
GHANA - 1
(Ayew 82')
USA - 2
(Dempsey 1', Brooks Jr 86')
Rejoice, States fans! Your team has started it's WC Finals campaign with a win! With the fastest scored goal of the WC so far, right in the 29th SECOND from kickoff, the US team seems like it's out to impress. Ghana equalised in the 82nd minute but 4 minutes later, the US got their 2nd (and winning) goal through a thundering header which effectively sealed the match.
Let's see how the US team now performs against the heavyweights of the group - Germany and Portugal.
Sculpt
06-16-2014, 10:02 PM
Rejoice, States fans! Your team has started it's WC Finals campaign with a win! With the fastest scored goal of the WC so far, right in the 29th SECOND from kickoff, the US team seems like it's out to impress. Ghana equalised in the 82nd minute but 4 minutes later, the US got their 2nd (and winning) goal through a thundering header which effectively sealed the match.
Let's see how the US team now performs against the heavyweights of the group - Germany and Portugal.
Say, V, what country do you call home? UK?
neverending
06-16-2014, 10:12 PM
Say, V, what country do you call home? UK?
http://horror.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49915&highlight=life+pictures
Say V, why you dissin' us 'Mericans like dat? Every other match you report, the victor is in the top spot, but USA wins, and they're on the bottom.
::stick out tongue::
roshiq
06-16-2014, 11:41 PM
Say V, why you dissin' us 'Mericans like dat? Every other match you report, the victor is in the top spot, but USA wins, and they're on the bottom.
::stick out tongue::
Final Scoreline for Match 3:
SPAIN - 1
(Xabi Alonso 27' PK)
NETHERLANDS - 5
(Van Persie 44', 72', Robben 53', 80', De Vrij 64')
Final Scoreline for Match 6:
URUGUAY - 1
(Cavani 24' PK)
COSTA RICA - 3
(Campbell 54', Duarte 57', Urena 84')
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Final Scoreline for Match 7:
ENGLAND - 1
(Sturridge 37')
ITALY - 2
(Marchisio 35', Balotelli 50')
FYI: There's a 'home & away' thing in "Soccer"!::stick out tongue::
neverending
06-16-2014, 11:55 PM
Okay, you got me there.
http://horror.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49915&highlight=life+pictures
Say V, why you dissin' us 'Mericans like dat? Every other match you report, the victor is in the top spot, but USA wins, and they're on the bottom.
::stick out tongue::
Because he hates our freedom!
_____V_____
06-17-2014, 06:17 AM
Say, V, what country do you call home? UK?
India.
Say V, why you dissin' us 'Mericans like dat? Every other match you report, the victor is in the top spot, but USA wins, and they're on the bottom.
FYI: There's a 'home & away' thing in "Soccer"!
And a FIFA world rank system as well.
Because he hates our freedom!
http://www.riseuplabs.com/admin/images/games/game_big/web-banner.png
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06-17-2014, 09:56 AM
Final Scoreline for Match 15:
BELGIUM - 2
(Fellaini 70', Mertens 80')
ALGERIA - 1
(Feghouli 25' PK)
A story of two halves, really! Algeria were clearly the better side in the first half, after converting the penalty call in the 25th minute. The Belgians looked frustrated and demotivated, until a string of substitutions in the second half seemed to boost their morale. None better than Fellaini, the Manchester United midfielder, who thumped home the equaliser in the 70th minute. Belgium kept pressing again and again, and Mertens blasted in a high, curling winner from the edge of the box which had the keeper beaten high and dry.
And that was how the final scoreline stayed. Algeria might have been disappointed by the end-result, but Belgium did dominate the second half by quite some margin.
And now for the mouth-watering prospect of the day (night) - BRAZIL take on MEXICO!!
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06-17-2014, 12:58 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 16:
BRAZIL - 0
MEXICO - 0
What a superbly contested draw!! Full marks to Mexico for stretching Brazil to the goalless draw for the whole duration of 90 minutes, and the hero of the match was undoubtedly Mexico's fantastic goalkeeper, Ochoa, who pulled off some of the most stunning saves you will ever see in soccer matches! If not for him, the score could have easily read 4-0 in Brazil's favor, or maybe more.
Brazil were disappointing. The opening match did bring their lacklustre approach to the fore despite their winning it, and this match only compounded it. The only two Brazilian players on the field with any intent, Dani Alves and Neymar, didn't get much support from the rest. It was a display of some fantastic soccer moments from Neymar, and some poor stuff from the rest.
In the end, Mexico will be delighted to have drawn with Brazil and share points. Brazil, by their high standards, should have won it. This was their first draw in group stages in WC Finals since 1978, and their recent run of 10 wins on the row finally comes to an end.
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06-17-2014, 09:06 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 17:
RUSSIA - 1
(Kerzhakov 74')
KOREA REPUBLIC - 1
(Keunho 68')
Reports say it was a dull match, and the Russian keeper blundered badly to hand Korea the lead. Thankfully, Russia equalised six minutes later and that's how the scoreline stayed at the end.
Both teams get 1 point each, in only the 3rd drawn tie of the first one-third of the group stage of the WC 2014.
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06-17-2014, 09:23 PM
Well, the first one-third of the WC 2014 has come to an end, and it has been a superb WC so far. Results in 14 out of the 17 matches mean it has been a keenly contested one between all teams, and only 2 matches have had reports of being dull draws.
Surprise results mean some pre-tournament favorites now have a really uphill task ahead of them to get to the next stage, while some heavyweights have really asserted their dominance over the rest. As for a few who have won with small margins, let's hope they are warming up to the task ahead.
A review of how the favorite teams are faring:-
Red Hot! - The Netherlands, Germany, France, Columbia.
Won but scope for improvement - Brazil, Argentina, Italy, Belgium, Mexico.
Taking their chances - Chile, Ivory Coast, Switzerland, USA, Costa Rica.
Lost but can still do well - England, Cameroon, Ghana, Japan, Ecuador, B&H, Algeria.
Uphill task ahead - Spain, Uruguay, Portugal, Croatia, Australia, Greece, Honduras, Nigeria, Iran, Russia, Korea Republic.
roshiq
06-18-2014, 03:10 AM
Final Scoreline for Match 16:
BRAZIL - 0
MEXICO - 0
What a superbly contested draw!! Full marks to Mexico for stretching Brazil to the goalless draw for the whole duration of 90 minutes, and the hero of the match was undoubtedly Mexico's fantastic goalkeeper, Ochoa, who pulled off some of the most stunning saves you will ever see in soccer matches! If not for him, the score could have easily read 4-0 in Brazil's favor, or maybe more.
Brazil were disappointing. The opening match did bring their lacklustre approach to the fore despite their winning it, and this match only compounded it. The only two Brazilian players on the field with any intent, Dani Alves and Neymar, didn't get much support from the rest. It was a display of some fantastic soccer moments from Neymar, and some poor stuff from the rest.
In the end, Mexico will be delighted to have drawn with Brazil and share points. Brazil, by their high standards, should have won it. This was their first draw in group stages in WC Finals since 1978, and their recent run of 10 wins on the row finally comes to an end.
As it seems, Mexico will move into the 2nd round as the 2nd in Group A and that means Ochoa will be tested again with far tougher challenges against the Netherlands. Disappointed with both the team. The Mexicans should have at least make some attempts to enter into the Brazilian d-box & then make the shots on target, instead of taking those long-range shots that mostly missed the bar.
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06-18-2014, 10:05 AM
Final Scoreline for Match 18:
AUSTRALIA - 2
(Cahill 21', Jedinak 54' PK)
THE NETHERLANDS - 3
(Robben 20', Van Persie 58', Depay 68')
What a match!! Easily THE match of WC 2014 so far.
Both teams looked hungry, relentless and really eager to win, which made it 90 minutes of fantastic, breathless, attacking soccer. Where Australia dominated the first half for the most part, even when Robben gave Netherlands the lead in the 20th minute and almost within seconds Tim Cahill equalised, Netherlands shifted gears from the moment Australia went ahead through Jedinak's penalty kick and thumped two goals in equally emphatic fashion - one from Van Persie to equalise again 2-2, and then Memphis Depay's long ranger curled away from the Aussie keeper to thunder into the nets.
The last 25 minutes was a superb example of frentic soccer at it's finest. The scoreline could have read 3-2 in Australia's favor, before Netherlands went ahead 3-2 themselves. And at least 2 other chances by the Netherlands went goalless - once they missed a great opening right in front of goal, and one of their thundering shots was kept out by the Aussie keeper.
Final scoreline could have easily read 5-3 in Netherlands's favor, but as things stand, the Aussie boys get full marks and full brownie points for giving it their best shot, that too against one of the top teams in the world right now.
Now, all eyes are on the Spain vs Chile match. If Spain win, Australia still have a faint chance (they have to win against Spain). If Chile win, both Australia AND Spain get knocked out of WC 2014.
roshiq
06-18-2014, 10:43 AM
For a glance, it looked like Netherlands were playing against BRAZIL! ::smile::
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06-18-2014, 01:07 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 19:
SPAIN - 0
CHILE - 2
(Vargas 20', Aranguiz 43')
For a team who were playing a must-win match, Spain made some errors right at the start - they persisted with Diego Costa when they needed Torres, and their overdependence on players like Xabi Alonso, Sergio Ramos and Costa proved to be their undoing. Playing an ageing side largely in the tournament, they were never a match for the younger, attacking and furious-for-a-win oppositions.
The first half itself started in some pace, but it was the Chileans who were at them from the beginning. The two goals in the first half demonstrated which team had come in with the intent to win - and that just about summed up Spain's game and attitude for the game. Passes given away, shots wide of goal, not converting easy chances, made them look completely jaded and demotivated. Too bad, because their fans hung on faithfully, somehow hoping for a Spanish miracle till the final minute of extra time.
A special mention must be made of the Chilean keeper, Bravo, who kept out at least 3-4 sureshot hits at his goal. The frustration built up continuously, and the Spaniards did themselves no favors by not converting much easier chances.
The World Cup Winners of 2010 have been knocked out, and they have taken the Socceroos with them as well.
R.I.P. Spain. Goodbye Australia. The first two casualties of the WC 2014.
Angra
06-18-2014, 01:22 PM
What a surprise.
Not only is the first team out 2010 World cup Winners but also European cup Winners 2012.
I'm happy right now. :)
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06-18-2014, 06:25 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 20:
CAMEROON - 0
CROATIA - 4
(Olic 11', Perisic 48', Mandzukic 61', 73')
Must have been a kickass match for Croatia. Cameroon is now the 3rd side to have been KOed out of the WC.
Need to catch the replay later in the day.
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06-19-2014, 10:04 AM
Final Scoreline for Match 21:
COLOMBIA - 2
(Rodriguez 64', Quintero 70')
IVORY COAST - 1
(Gervinho 73')
Tell you what, the moment of the match was none of those 3 goals scored, but an inocuous-looking hit towards the Ivory Coast goal from the middle line by Quintero which almost, ALMOST converted into one of the most fantastic goals in soccer history, and which was stopped by the keeper very awkwardly.
Either way, the first half had little of note except for a horrid miss by Gutierrez in the 26th minute, which could quite possibly be one of the worst misses in soccer history. Even a little kid could have converted that chance!!
The second half became really hectic, with both sides going for bust. Quick goals by Colombia's youngsters set them to a 2-0 lead, before Gervinho got one back for Ivory Coast through a stunning display of soccer talent, beating the entire defense of Colombia single-handedly.
Unfortunately, a lot of ill-tempered clashes in the final 10 minutes (including added time) ate up the time of what could have been a great finish. As it stood, Colombia won and go top of the group.
And now for the humdinger of the day (night) - ENGLAND VS URUGUAY!!
ShankS
06-19-2014, 12:34 PM
Roooooney COME on!!!!
_____V_____
06-19-2014, 01:13 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 22:
URUGUAY - 2
(Luis Suarez 39', 85')
ENGLAND - 1
(Rooney 75')
What a fantastic match!! Easily one of the best two matches the WC 2014 has provided so far, the other being the Netherlands vs Australia match last night.
And what a difference a world-class player can make for a team. After their shock defeat in the opener to Costa Rica, Uruguay desperately needed some encouragement and motivation - and nothing better than to get their best player off the injured bench and playing!! And what a fruitful decision it turned out to be.
It was a game full of chances, passes and close shaves, really. England came close to scoring twice in the first half itself, when Rooney's shots went very close over the bars (free kick) and thumped into the bars! Equally, Rodriguez's close ranger went inches over the bar, barely missing out! And finally in the 39th minute, Uruguay and Luis Suarez celebrated. Cavani's cross found him in perfect position to head the ball in. 1-0 Uruguay!
England pressed back really well during the second half, and were denied at least 3 times by fantastic saves by Muslera, Uruguay's keeper. But England and Rooney kept on and on, and finally were rewarded in the 75th minute. Rooney finally scored in the WC Finals for England, and what a crucial goal it was. 1-1.
As if that spurred Uruguay ahead, Suarez notched up a gear above and thumped in a second goal 10 minutes later. Uruguay were up 2-1, and although England tried their best in the final 10 minutes (including added time), they were simply not good enough to get the 2nd equaliser.
3 crucial points for Uruguay, none for England. All is not lost for them though - if Costa Rica defeats Italy, they still have a chance. If it turns out to be otherwise, England are out of WC 2014.
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06-20-2014, 07:52 AM
Final Scoreline for Match 23:
GREECE - 0
JAPAN - 0
Both teams needed a win, and only managed through to a draw. It won't help either team's chances now.
Doesn't seem like Japan can beat Columbia which is in red-hot form, and Ivory Coast will clearly get the better of Greece.
Still, let's wait and see.
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06-20-2014, 10:03 AM
Final Scoreline for Match 24:
ITALY - 0
COSTA RICA - 1
(Ruiz 44')
What a massive, massive upset!!
Before the match, the odds of winning for minnows Costa Rica over giants Italy might have been 90 to 1. As things finished in the end, they emerged as true giant-killers. Italy deserved to lose though - their play simply lacked the will to win. Their game was dreary and drab, bordering on boring. They never looked even at one instance of dominating the game. Instead it was the minnows who dominated both halves.
Balotelli's eye-rolling miss at the 32nd minute mark was basically the summation of Italy's game - in front of the open goal with even the keeper almost beaten, and he kicked the ball wide!
The 43rd minute saw another VERY controversial decision of this WC 2014, when the referee didn't award a penalty kick to Costa Rica despite a glaring foul by Italy's defenders on Campbell inside the penalty area. That egged the Costa Ricans so badly that they built up a near-perfect passing game and Ruiz thumped one home in the very next minute.
The refereeing in this WC has again fallen down to low standards, after a couple of decent matches in-between. A legitimate tackle by the Costa Rica defense saw the referee awarding Italy a non-deserving free kick. Thankfully no damages were done.
The second half proved to be more drab than the first. It seemed as if Italy has come to Brazil to enjoy a vacation, and not to play for wins. Costa Rica came close to scoring again, this time thwarted by Buffon's antics. But the minnows held on to their lead till the end, and ended up a much deserved winner than their gigantic opponents.
Italian football has really been a downer in recent times. If Italy gets knocked out soon, it won't be a surprise.
Still, credit where credit is due. Well done, Costa Rica!! You have really earned your reputation tonight of being true giant-killers. Two thumbs up!
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06-20-2014, 08:24 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 25:
SWITZERLAND - 2
(Dzemaili 81', Xhaka 87')
FRANCE - 5
(Giroud 17', Matuidi 18', Valbuena 40', Benzema 67', Sissoko 73')
Crushing win for France. Had to go to bed after the first half, when France were leading 3-0 and had the Swiss completely drilled through like Swiss cheese. Twin goals within 66 seconds started the fray, and the French just kept on pressing forward since then. Even when the Swiss keeper kept out a Benzema penalty kick (a surprising moment!), France got a 3rd goal 5 minutes before the first half's whistle.
I predicted more goals in the second half, and there were four more - 2 for France and 2 for the Swiss, who tried their best to get back some, but it was a classic case of too little, too late. The Swiss keeper must be commended for saving a lot of thundering French shots, else the scoreline could have been even worse.
France are peaking at the right time. They look hungry and ruthless, two qualities which should take them far in WC 2014. Watch out, other teams!
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Final Scoreline for Match 26:
HONDURAS - 1
(Costly 31')
ECUADOR - 2
(Valencia 34', 65')
Ecuador needed this win, to keep their chances alive in the tournament. And their main forward, Enner Valencia, came to the party after they had conceded a goal in the 31st minute. A goal each in either half meant victory for their team, the first being a slider which beat the keeper, and the second a thundering header which netted home.
Even the fouls by Honduras couldn't keep them from smelling defeat yet again, and that is good because their team doesn't look talented in soccer, but talented at scoring fouls!!
_____V_____
06-21-2014, 10:07 AM
Final Scoreline for Match 27:
ARGENTINA - 1
(Messi 91')
IRAN - 0
All it took was one moment of Messi brilliance in added time to save Argentina the blushes from what would have been a disappointing draw.
Full marks to Iran for keeping Argentina out for the whole duration of 90 minutes, plus pressing down on them more than once to go close to scoring a goal themselves!! Clearly, they were the better team in the second half. Argentina by and large disappointed throughout the game, squandering many chances + hitting the ball wide of goal more than once. The collective Argentinian radar seemed to be off-radar for the duration of the game, until the first minute of added time when Messi unleashed a very special bit of Messi magic - hitting the ball from way out of the box and curling it inward towards the far corner of the post, beating the Iranian keeper by mere inches to net the winner.
But if Argentina disappoints like this, they might not go too far. Messi can't bail them out everytime like he did tonight. Time for them to do some introspection and get a bit more aggressive, rather than their lackadaisal approach for tonight's game.
_____V_____
06-21-2014, 07:11 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 28:
GERMANY - 2
(Gotze 51', Klose 71')
GHANA - 2
(Ayew 54', A. Gyan 63')
Must have been one heck of a second half!
According to reports, Ghana could have easily upset the heavyweight team, if not for that spectacular equaliser by Miroslav Klose who came off the bench to score straightaway. The first half produced plenty of chances but no goals, and actually Ghana build up more pressure than Germany.
But all the action was in the second half. Germany went ahead in the 51st minute through a chancy header, but Ghana equalised merely 3 minutes later through Ayew's header as well. The shocking moment of the match came in the 63rd minute when Asamoah Gyan put Ghana ahead 2-1!! Klose was brought in the 69th minute through a late substitution, and that move paid off as he got the equaliser for Germany.
And so it stayed till the end. Ghana must be delighted to have drawn against one of the top teams of WC 2014, while Germany might be ruing of not being a bit more aggressive and pressing for the win. As it stands, all 4 teams in Group G are now under pressure to win their remaining matches.
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Final Scoreline for Match 29:
NIGERIA - 1
(Odemwingie 29')
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA - 0
Both teams needed a win badly, but it was Nigeria who came out on top. Reports say that the refereeing was again questionable in this match, since it disallowed a wonderful B&H goal in the beginning itself! There were plenty of shots on goal by both teams, but no cake. Nigeria held on to their solitary goal advantage till the end, and emerged the winner. 3 hard-earned points for them.
B&H are now KOed out of WC 2014.
_____V_____
06-22-2014, 09:55 AM
Final Scoreline for Match 30:
BELGIUM - 1
(Origi 88')
RUSSIA - 0
87 minutes of dull, dreary soccer and just when one thinks that the match is destined to finish as a 0-0 draw, Origi punches a hole through the defence in front of goal and crosses one in. And that one goal helps Belgium scrape past Russia in a very dull contest.
After their inspiring first match win, Belgium looked flat and disinterested in this one. They have qualified for the Last 16 stage with this win, but need to really pull up their socks if they have to go further ahead.
Angra
06-22-2014, 03:41 PM
Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!
USA - Portugal 2-1
10 minutes remains.
Angra
06-22-2014, 03:43 PM
I wanna see Ronaldo cry.::big grin::
Angra
06-22-2014, 03:59 PM
Ronaldo didn't cry. I did.
2-2
Portugal managed to score with 15 seconds left of the match. That's just cruel.
::sad::
_____V_____
06-22-2014, 08:50 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 31:
KOREA REPUBLIC - 2
(Heong Min 50', Jacheol 72')
ALGERIA - 4
(Slimani 26', Halliche 28', Djabou 38', Brahimi 62')
What a match! Algeria had already impressed in their opening encounter against Belgium, and this was the sort of performance they needed to further boost their morale and chances of getting into the next round.
Thundering goals in the first half itself saw them jump to a super-quick 3-0 lead, and although Korea got one back within 5 minutes of the second half, Brahimi's right-footer secured their 4th goal and the match, despite a second goal by Korea in the 72nd minute. Korea kept pressing through the remaining time, but couldn't have much luck.
If Algeria qualifies for the Round of 16, it will be their first ever shot at the knockout rounds.
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Final Scoreline for Match 32:
USA - 2
(Jones 64', Dempsey 81')
PORTUGAL - 2
(Nani 5', Varela 95')
Looked all over for Portugal until the final minute of added time, when Varela thundered in a header into the US goal to spare them the blushes and escape with a tied draw.
Portugal were off to a quick lead on a hot, humid afternoon - a defensive error helped Nani ease one in to make the scoreline 1-0, and which stayed so when the first half ended. US went on the aggressive in the second half, and were rewarded with goals from Jermaine Jones and Clint Dempsey, whose goal looked like sealing the match for the US and securing a Round-16 spot, until Cristiano Ronaldo's perfect pass found Varela's header in the dying moments of the match and levelled the score again.
Still, USA must be happy to have got a point, while Portugal's chances still hang on tenterhooks. They must win big in their final encounter
_____V_____
06-22-2014, 09:41 PM
Two-thirds of the Group Stage of WC 2014 has been completed, and it continues it's superb run, with plenty of goals and very few scoreless draws.
Plenty of surprises have come in this round of matches, with some teams already having packed their bags and booked their tickets for their trip home. None more surprising than the defending champions, Spain, who looked completely out of sorts from their 2010 heydays. Another strong favorite exiting was England, who did very little to boost their chances in their two matches.
Let's see how the teams are performing:-
Red Hot! - The Netherlands, France, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica.
Winning, Need Improvement - Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Belgium, Mexico, Nigeria, USA.
In Middle - Italy, Ecuador, Algeria, Ivory Coast.
Still A Chance - Uruguay, Portugal, Croatia, Switzerland, Ghana, Japan, Greece, Honduras, Iran, Russia, Korea Republic.
KNOCKED OUT - Spain, England, Cameroon, Australia, Bosnia & Herzegovina.
roshiq
06-22-2014, 11:21 PM
Australia - Spain & Netherlands - Chile
Cameroon - Brazil & Croatia - Mexico.
And the final leg of Round 1 starts from tonight! Hope to see all close & some exceptionally great matches ahead. Brazil really needs to improve a lot as they're going to face either Netherlands or Chile in the next round. Both the Dutch & Chileans already shown enough qualities to destroy Brazil's campaign for WC'2014!! Except the AUS - SPN match, hoping the rest 3 matches will be crackers & very competitive.
My favorite Uruguay is going to face ITALY in their final group (of Death!) match...and it'll be Live or Die game for them. From the track records, it seems Italy most probably will go for a draw & that will be enough for them (as they're having 0 goal difference, whereas Uruguay is on -1!!) to move into the next round. Hoping to see Suarez shines for another time & Cavani joins with him in their scorer list and take Uruguay into the 2nd round where they'll face lesser challenging teams like Colombia or Ivory Coast (neither able to impress me much).
_____V_____
06-23-2014, 06:33 AM
Matches to watch for in the final leg
The last leg of the group stage will see 2 matches being played at the same time, so let's have a look at which ones we should end up watching:
Group B:
Chile VS Netherlands - Both through, but #1 & #2 in the group? Cracker.
Australia VS Spain - Both teams knocked out, playing for pride.
Group A:
Croatia VS Mexico - Whoever wins goes through. Cracker.
Brazil VS Cameroon - Cameroon already out, but Brazil won't want to lose.
Group D:
Italy VS Uruguay - Desperate for both, more for Uruguay. Cracker.
Costa Rica VS England - England already out, so inconsequential.
Group C:
Colombia VS Japan - Japan need to win, but Columbia look too strong.
Greece VS Ivory Coast - Winner moves to next round. Cracker.
Group F:
Bosnia&Herzegovina VS Iran - Iran would be desperate to win, B&H out.
Argentina VS Nigeria - Nigeria would press for a win. Cracker.
Group E:
Honduras VS Switzerland - Honduras have nothing to lose. Swiss need to win. Cracker.
France VS Ecuador - Not safe just yet for France. Ecuador would press for a win. Cracker.
Group G:
Ghana VS Portugal - Portugal need to win big, so does Ghana. Cracker.
Germany VS USA - Both teams not secure yet. Desperate times. Cracker.
Group H:
Algeria VS Russia - Algeria need to win, so does Russia. Cracker.
South Korea VS Belgium - Korea needs a win, but against Belgium? Doubtful.
Matches marked in BOLD and with "Cracker" are must-watches.
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06-23-2014, 10:02 AM
Final Scoreline for Match 33:
THE NETHERLANDS - 2
(Fer 77', Depay 92')
CHILE - 0
The first half was pretty much a stalemate, except for a wonderful run by Arjen Robben which culminated in a cross kick which went inches past the goal post, and Chile also came close to scoring as well. Neither team was overly aggressive, and just feeling out each other's strengths and weaknesses.
Robin Van Persie was not playing this match, since he was suspended due to two yellow cards in the earlier games.
It was Netherlands who shifted gears in the second half. They started pressing forward more, and were suitably rewarded late in the second half when Leroy Fer sent the ball in quite nicely to make it 1-0. The score was supposed to stay the same but substitute Memphis Depay and Arjen Robben had other ideas. A break from a Chilean corner kick had Robben speeding through towards the Chilean goal, and his perfect cross found the outstretched leg of Dupay, past the Chilean defense and the keeper. 2-0 Netherlands, and with only a minute or so of play left.
Netherlands win, and top Group B. Chile will have to be content with being #2, and might face Brazil in the Round of 16, if Brazil win their encounter against Cameroon.
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Final Scoreline for Match 34:
AUSTRALIA - 0
SPAIN - 3
(Villa 36', Torres 69', Juan Mata 82')
Ah! This was how Spain used to play. Funny that all 3 goal scorers were not a part of the starting eleven in either of the first two matches which Spain lost and got knocked out of the World Cup. A class apart, David Villa and Fernando Torres have always been reliable performers, and it was surprising to see them warm the benches while Spain lost critical games. Torres & Villa should have been a part in the last game against Chile, at least.
Well, Spain will head back home with this consolation win, and wondering "What if...?" As for the Socceroos, they will leave Brazil licking their wounds and their heads held high. They played well and did their part in keeping Group B exciting.
Goodbye, both of you.
_____V_____
06-23-2014, 02:07 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 35:
CAMEROON - 1
(Matip 26')
BRAZIL - 4
(Neymar 17', 35', Fred 49', Luiz Roza 84')
This was more of the Brazil of old - dominating all through the first half and then extending their lead to leave no chance of a comeback by the opposition.
While the hugely talented Neymar ensured a super-quick goal for the lead, Cameroon equalised soon after, making it a delectable contest. Neymar showed why he's so dangerous inside the box yet again by crossing in the nicely-fired pass, and Brazil headed into half-time leading 2-1. Almost as soon as the 2nd half started, Fred headed one in and Brazil were leading 3-1 quickly. Cameroon held on to their defenses while Brazil kept attacking, and substitute Luiz Roza hammered the final nail into Cameroon's coffin in the 84th minute.
Brazil win convincingly and by a big margin to emerge Group A winners, and head into the Round of 16 to face Chile.
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Final Scoreline for Match 36:
CROATIA - 1
(Perisic 87')
MEXICO - 3
(Marquez 72', Guardado 75', Hernandez 82')
Must-win match for both teams, although Mexico were sitting tight, even with a drawn result.
Croatia surprisingly were not that aggressive as they were in the previous game, and Mexico actually came close to scoring at least 3 times in the first half, one of which was a real thunderbolt of a shot which blasted back from the bar! Halftime score was 0-0, and it was a deadlock. Mexico again came out as the aggressor in the second half, and their persistence paid off as Croatia made some huge defensive lapses to allow the Mexicans not once but twice in quick succession to let them go 2-0 up very quickly. And when Hernandez headed the 3rd Mexican goal in, it was all over for Croatia. A feeble goal back didn't help much in the dying minutes, and neither did a red card which made Croatia go down to 10 men.
Mexico won convincingly and rightfully so, as clearly the better team of the contest. They move into the Round of 16, where they face the Netherlands.
ShankS
06-24-2014, 08:23 AM
hmmmm which shall I watch... England in a pride match v Costa Rica, or two sweaty semi clothed blond girls battling it out at Wimbeldon ::big grin:: choices, choices
_____V_____
06-24-2014, 10:08 AM
Final Scoreline for Match 37:
COSTA RICA - 0
ENGLAND - 0
As many as NINE changes in the England squad for this game, but none of them could find a single goal among them in the 90 minutes of match time. England had many chances of going ahead, but squandered them. Costa Rica on the other hand were happy enough to play out the draw. Having already qualified for the next round, all they needed was a point out of the game, really.
England were already out of the WC, and tonight they pack their bags. Costa Rica move into the Round of 16 as Group Winners, and deservedly so.
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Final Scoreline for Match 38:
ITALY - 0
URUGUAY - 1
(Godin 81')
What an ill-tempered and controversial match this ended up being. Italy needed a draw and a point to move ahead, while Uruguay needed to win.
Seemed like the Italian coach had drilled the draw into his players' heads so badly that they did everything in their power to ensure the draw - defiantly defensive, fouls galore, kicks, slaps, elbows, shoulders, literally everything rained on the Uruguayans to keep them away from the Italian goal. The normally lightning-fast Balotelli was also very subdued, and a grossly unfair head-hit went unpunished as he got only a yellow card for it. Pirlo took a moment of the referee's concentration lapse in reverse-"slap"ping Luis Suarez which left the young talent literally stunned for a few minutes. Suarez was so frustrated that he went to headbutt a defender, and might have got his teeth involved as well. He was very, very lucky to escape that incident, because the referee didn't see it.
Anyway, Italy paid dearly for this very defiant foul-riddled defensive play, when Marchisio was red-carded for a horrible tackle in the 2nd half. Italy went down to 10 men, and as if that spurred Uruguay on, they started pressing forward and Godin headed in THE goal of his career in the 81st minute to give Uruguay the much-needed lead, and the eventual win.
Wrong tactics by the Azurri cost them the tournament. They should have gone for a win instead of being uber-defensive. As things stood in the end, Uruguay enter the Round of 16, breathing a huge sigh of relief, while Italy, angry and defiant at many decisions of the referee while being guilty of quite a few unpunished fouls themselves, will be packing their bags to catch a flight home.
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06-24-2014, 07:12 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 39:
JAPAN - 1
(Okazaki 46')
COLOMBIA - 4
(Cuadrado 17', Martinez 55', 82', Rodriguez 90')
Well, I was sleeping so can't comment on how the game actually was, but it must have been a scorcher for Colombia fans. Half-time ended at 1-1 so it was anybody's game, but it's evident that Colombia upped their play several notches and scored thrice in the second half to leave Japan reeling.
Japan are out of the WC, while Colombia storm into the Round of 16.
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Final Scoreline for Match 40:
GREECE - 2
(Samaris 42, Samaras 93' PK)
IVORY COAST - 1
(Bony 74')
Absolute heart-break for Ivory Coast!
After the equalizer in the 74th minute, they must be really fancying a draw going into extra time after the full 90 minutes were over, until Greece was awarded a penalty kick and thundered in a last-gasp goal to snatch the win.
Until then, it was sure that the Ivory Coast boys will be through to the Round of 16, and Greece were on their way out. That one goal reversed the fortunes of either team. Now Greece go through to the R-16 stage, while Ivory Coast had to pack their bags.
roshiq
06-25-2014, 12:08 AM
It's pretty inevitable that Suarez will be banned from at least this major tournament and that's gonna be a big blow for Uruguay. It's really frustrating to lose such a talented striker for this sort of freaking-stupid kind of act in the field.::mad::
roshiq
06-25-2014, 01:29 AM
::big grin::::big grin::
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p433/sanjidparvez/SUAREZ2_zps7b656dd5.jpg
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p433/sanjidparvez/SUAREZ_zpsa55dc080.jpg
Angra
06-25-2014, 04:33 AM
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p17/Kasper_76/imagejpg2_zps78596082.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p17/Kasper_76/imagejpg1_zps31f91c6c.jpg
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06-25-2014, 10:08 AM
Final Scoreline for Match 41:
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA - 3
(Dzeko 23', Pjanic 59', Vrsajevic 83')
IRAN - 1
(Ghoochannejhad 82')
Iran needed to win, and win big, to equal Nigeria on points and have a better goal difference. Instead, it was Bosnia & Herzegovina who played the party spoilsport by being the aggressor throughout the game and keeping Iran on their toes.
First goal came in the 23rd minute and Iran went into the half-time break trailing 0-1, and when the second goal happened with a little over 30 minutes on the counter, Iran was all but out. They needed at least 4 goals, but were thwarted by the Bosnian defense. A very late Iranian goal seemed to down the deficit somehow, but the immediate Bosnian goal back within a minute sealed Iran's fate.
Consolation win for Bosnia & Herzegovina who were already out, and they take Iran home with them.
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Final Scoreline for Match 42:
NIGERIA - 2
(Musa 4', 47')
ARGENTINA - 3
(Messi 3', 46', Rojo 50')
All Nigeria needed from their final match was a draw to keep Iran out, and the game started in spectacular fashion.
Lionel Messi thundered in a ball in the 3rd minute itself, and Nigeria's Musa pulled one back on the break in the 4th minute itself, both goals scored within 80 seconds of each other. It was the first time in World Cup history that both teams scored a goal each within the first 5 minutes, and so this match went down into the record books.
When Messi got another one in just seconds before the half time whistle, it seemed like the second half will have plenty of more action in store. Musa thundered one back into the Argentinian goal to make it 2-2, as both teams were not relenting even one bit from each other. Marcus Rojo headed in the 3rd for Argentina to take the lead again, and the attacking soccer by both teams continued till around the 60th minute. News of B&H leading 2-0 over Iran must have filtered down here then, because Lionel Messi was immediately substituted and Argentina looked like pulling their shutters down from then onwards. Nigeria kept at it for a while, but both teams looked content from the final result, and although it ended as a loss for Nigeria, both teams secured places in the Round of 16.
Spectacular match, if only the attacking had continued for the entire duration. Special mention must be made of the Nigerian keeper for keeping plenty of Argentinian thunders out, else the score would have been much worse than it actually ended with.
Finally Argentina found their toes and are looking ominous with Messi in really dangerous form. If they continue like this, they should be real contenders for the title.
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06-25-2014, 07:45 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 43:
ECUADOR - 0
FRANCE - 0
Strangely, the French were very subdued in this game, compared to the sizzlers they dished out in their earlier two games. It was Ecuador who threatened many times to go into the lead and upset the heavyweights, until a Antonio Valencia red card stopped them dead in their tracks. France by and large dominated the midfield play, and also knocked on the goal's door a few times, but as they say, "close, but no cigar".
France through, Ecuador out.
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Final Scoreline for Match 44:
HONDURAS - 0
SWITZERLAND - 3
(Shaqiri 6', 31', 71')
Keep a huge tab on Xherdan Shaqiri, guys. The man has suddenly burst into red-hot form and might cause a few upsets in the elimination stage, if the Swiss are serious about going ahead. His thundering hat-trick of goals in this match ensured Switzerland went through to the Round of 16 on the strength of his brilliance alone.
Swizterland now face Argentina in the eliminator. Should be a real cracker of a game, with Shaqiri and Messi facing each other.
roshiq
06-25-2014, 10:07 PM
Finally Argentina found their toes and are looking ominous with Messi in really dangerous form. If they continue like this, they should be real contenders for the title.
Seriously...do you really think so?? They played little better than those first 2 match but still not convincing enough to call them 'real contenders for the title', IMO. Like Belgium (H) & Colombia (C), they haven't been tested with some good & quality challenge from their opponents so far; whereas teams in Group A, B, D & G already played against far better teams in general in round 1. But yeah...they will able to manage a win against the Swiss, I think.
Angra
06-26-2014, 01:34 AM
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p17/Kasper_76/imagejpg1_zpsf8c9334b.jpg
Still funny. ::cool::
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06-26-2014, 10:05 AM
Final Scoreline for Match 45:
USA - 0
GERMANY - 1
(Muller 55')
USA started this match needing only a draw to ensure their R16 spot, and even though they lost it 0-1, they still made it to the Round of 16.
Germany were their usual attacking self for the first 25-odd minutes, but resolute US defense saw them fall back and be content with possession and midfield play. The second half turned out to be more rewarding when Thomas Muller converted a brilliant pass to him into a clear goal, taking Germany ahead.
The US didn't press enough, and reports of Portugal leading Ghana by a slim margin made both teams play ultra-defensive till the final minutes. A few more chances by Germany weren't tried with conviction for converting, so the match stayed that way.
Germany win, and both teams move ahead to the Round of 16.
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Final Scoreline for Match 46:
PORTUGAL - 2
(Boye 31' OG, C. Ronaldo 80')
GHANA - 1
(A. Gyan 57')
This was the more exciting contest of the two. Portugal needed to win big, and their fortunes depended more on the Germany-USA match than their own. The heavier defeat Germany inflicted on the USA, the better chances Portugal had of going through. A 4-goal difference was huge, such was the impact of their huge-margin opening loss to Germany.
Portugal pressed on right from the outset and were very aggressive, unsurprisingly given the task on hand. Cristiano Ronaldo's THREE fantastic chances for goal were thwarted by the Ghana keeper, else Portugal would have been 3-0 within the first 30 minutes already. As things stood, a blunder by the Ghana defense had Portugal in the lead, and that's how they went through to the half-time break.
But then came the stunner in the second half. Asamoah Gyan thundered in an equaliser in the 57th minute, which must have broken quite a few of the Portuguese fans' collective hearts. None more so than the keeper, who was replaced by another keeper, because he had become quite disconsolate for allowing the equaliser. Portugal attacked and attacked, but still they couldn't bring more goals to the table. A very late Cristiano Ronaldo goal in the 80th minute, his 50th goal for Portugal in international matches, awarded Portugal the win, but it just wasn't enough for them to go through.
Portugal won the battle, but lost the war. Both teams bow out of WC 2014.
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06-26-2014, 10:07 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 47:
ALGERIA - 1
(Slimani 60')
RUSSIA - 1
(Kokorin 6')
The last two matches of the Group stage of WC 2014 proved to be decisive, and dependent on each other's results as well.
Russia started off in spectacular fashion. Attacking right from the outset, they were quickly ahead 1-0 in the 6th minute itself. The scoreline stayed the same till the half-time whistle, although Algeria had turned aggressor by then. The only all-muslim team in the WC, they were rewarded for their persistence when Slimani headed in the equaliser in the 60th minute.
Russia squandered a lot of chances to take the lead and seal the game, and in the end, the drawn tie ensured Algeria of a spot in the Round of 16, for the first time in their soccer history.
Not like it will be easy for them in that eliminator, because they go on to face Germany.
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Final Scoreline for Match 48:
KOREA REPUBLIC - 0
BELGIUM - 1
(Vertonghen 78')
The Belgians seem to have come into WC 2014 with one basic rule - do just about enough to ensure a win in all matches. It reflects in all their 3 matches they have played so far. Defending with their teeth, and scoring late second-half goals have proved to be fruitful for them, and although they have full 9 points from 3 wins, they have been the least impressive among all the Round of 16 qualifiers.
Korea needed a big win in their final match, but odds were against them specially when facing formidable unbeaten opponents. And Belgium's golden rule came to the fore again - a late second-half goal by Vertonghen sealed the win, and sent Korea out of the WC.
Belgium move into the Round of 16 stage, where they meet USA.
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06-27-2014, 04:48 AM
The Group Stage is over, and there have been some remarkable results. Some of the heavyweight contenders have been knocked out, while some pretenders and outside-chancers have advanced on.
Specially for 2 teams, their heavy losses in their respective openers proved to be their downfall from the tournament - Spain losing 1-5 to the Netherlands, a result from which they could never recover, and Portugal losing 0-4 to Germany, which stacked up all the odds against them.
One team which made a remarkable comeback even after losing it's first match was Uruguay, whose final match has become notorious for a really bad, unsavory incident.
Anyway, here's a look at how the favorites fared:-
KNOCKED OUT IN THE GROUP STAGE
Spain - You would think that the defending champions would start off as real favorites, but as if there was some seething revenge planted in the collective Netherlands' minds (who had lost the 2010 WC Final to the Spaniards), they got a real drubbing in their opening fixture itself. And when they went down 0-2 to Chile, it was all over. A consolation win against Australia did nothing to their cause in the end. 1 win, 2 losses.
Portugal - With arguably the second-best soccer player in the world in their ranks in Cristiano Ronaldo, you would think that Portugal were real contenders for the title. Instead, the rest of the team played mediocre soccer and even the fighting-for-fitness Ronaldo could do little for their cause. A heavy defeat against Germany in the opening fixture, followed by a surprising tied draw against the USA, all but sealed their chances. They needed to win really big in their last match to have any hope, but even that didn't happen. A close 2-1 win against Ghana wasn't solace enough. 1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss.
Italy - The Azurri had lifted the WC in 2006, and came in with mixed reactions - their overtly defensive play received criticism from some quarters, while their late finishes were the stuff legends were made of. They started well by beating England 2-1, but the surprise moment came when they went 0-1 down to Costa Rica. Needing to win in their last fixture against Uruguay, they were literally bitten out of the reckoning - a solitary Uruguayan goal and a chunk of Luis Suarez teeth ensured that the Italians caught an angry flight home. 1 win, 2 losses.
England - The side with one of the best domestic cup competitions in Europe in the English Premier League, couldn't do their chances a lot of good. Much was dependent on their defense and Wayne Rooney, and neither delivered while it mattered the most. Incurring a loss in their opener against Italy, they lost to Uruguay 2-1 in Luis Suarez's comeback game, and when they needed a win to have any hope, Costa Rica held on to a fighting 0-0 draw for them. Promised too much, delivered too little. 1 draw, 2 losses.
Other KOed teams who fared adequately -
Ecuador (1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss),
Ivory Coast (1 win, 2 losses),
Croatia (1 win, 2 losses),
Bosnia & Herzegovina (1 win, 2 losses).
Rest of the KOed teams and their performances -
Russia: 2 draws, 1 loss,
Ghana: 1 draw, 2 losses,
Korea Republic: 1 draw, 2 losses,
Iran: 1 draw, 2 losses,
Japan: 1 draw, 2 losses,
Australia: 3 losses,
Cameroon: 3 losses,
Honduras: 3 losses.
this is how the Round of 16 Eliminators stacks up:
Round Of 16
Match 49: [28/06/2014] BRAZIL (A1) - CHILE (B2)
Match 50: [28/06/2014] COLOMBIA (C1) - URUGUAY (D2)
Match 51: [29/06/2014] THE NETHERLANDS (B1) - MEXICO (A2)
Match 52: [29/06/2014] COSTA RICA (D1) - GREECE (C2)
Match 53: [30/06/2014] FRANCE (E1) - NIGERIA (F2)
Match 54: [30/06/2014] GERMANY (G1) - ALGERIA (H2)
Match 55: [01/07/2014] ARGENTINA (F1) - SWITZERLAND (E2)
Match 56: [01/07/2014] BELGIUM (H1) - USA (G2)
PREDICTIONS:
#49 - Brazil seem to be the favorites, but don't count the Chileans just yet. They are quite capable of springing a surprise upset (remember they beat Spain, the defending champions). Still, one would favor Brazil here.
#50 - In Greece, Ivory Coast & Japan, Colombia haven't been really tested yet. But can the buoyed Uruguayan team, minus Luis Suarez who has been banned due to the biting incident in the last match, overcome them? Will Cavani & Forlan shrug off indifferent form and be inspiring? Should be a evenly contested, keen-for-win match. No predictions just yet.
#51 - The Netherlands are in red-hot form, and trust them to make short work of Mexico. Odds stacked with the Dutchmen in this one.
#52 - Greece just about squeezed through by beating Ivory Coast in their last encounter. But that will be tough to keep the high-flying Costa Ricans away. Despite the draw against England, Costa Rica have delivered when it matters the most (Uruguay & Italy would know). Costa Rica edging ahead in this.
#53 - France too are in heavy-duty form. Heavy wins against the Swiss and Honduras have been keeping their flags flying high. Despite the dull draw against Ecuador in their final encounter, France would be looking forward to making short work of the Nigerians, who haven't been too impressive in their way in. France all the way here.
#54 - The other team who started in spectacular fashion but have gone off the boil for a bit - Germany - would be looking forward to this encounter with relish. First-timers Algeria don't seem like they can match the Germans punch-for-punch, specially when it comes to KO games. Germany ahead in this.
#55 - THE match of the Round of 16, IMO. The Swiss have shown some remarkable promise in their matches, specially in their last one where their striker Shaqiri got a hat-trick of goals. Argentina haven't been TOO convincing in their wins, with Messi magic leading from the front and propelling them forward, and Di Maria, Higuain & Mascherano looking very promising in their last game against Nigeria. Their defense still needs tightening up, and unless they do so, the Swiss just might spring a real surprising upset here. 60-40 in Argentina's favor here.
#56 - Belgium's been doing "just enough" to win till now, with a single goal difference in all their three matches. The USA have promised much in all their 3 games, drawing with Portugal and stretching Germany to the distance. Should be a great encounter with the US attacking and Belgium tightening their defense. Again, 60-40 in Belgium's favor.
If results go as predicted, we are looking at a humdinger of a match in the Quarter-Finals stage itself -
GERMANY taking on FRANCE.
Let's see how the Round of 16 unfolds (from tomorrow night), and which teams go through.
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06-28-2014, 11:13 AM
Final Scoreline for Match 49 (Round of 16 #1):
BRAZIL - 1 (3)
(David Luiz 18')
CHILE - 1 (2)
(Alexis Sanchez 32')
What...a...match!
And what a beginning to the Round of 16 knockouts! Hats off to Chile for stretching the pre-tournament favorites all the way to the distance into a penalty shootout. This from a team who have never gone the distance in a WC match, specially extra time and penalty shootouts, and have lost 9 out of their last 10 encounters against Brazil.
When David Luiz fired in the first goal for Brazil in the 18th minute itself, it looked like Brazil would be dominating the entire match. Instead, Chile got a stranglehold on the match and started to squeeze the free-flowing play of Brazil, and got the equaliser through a nonchalant tap by Sanchez. First half ended 1-1, with promise of plenty of goals to come.
But the second half in almost all it's entirety belonged to Chile. They dominated possession and starved Brazil of the ball and chances at goal. Brazil came close to scoring twice, but Jo missed an easy chance to tap the goal in and Hulk's nicely finished "goal" was deemed a handball by the referee, which replays suggested was a legitimate goal.
Kudos to Cesar for keeping a thundering header out as well, else Chile might have gone 2-1 up.
Full time ended at 1-1, and both teams looked tired by then. The extra time halves yielded no goals, and after 120 minutes of play, the score stayed 1-1. And it was time for the first penalty shootout of World Cup 2014.
David Luiz netted the first shot easily in, Brazil went ahead 1-0.
Cesar blocked Chile's first shot from Pinilla, and it stayed 1-0 Brazil.
Brazil's 2nd shot went wide. 1-0 Brazil.
Cesar saved Chile's 2nd shot! 1-0 Brazil.
Marcelo, Brazil's 3rd shot, shoots in. 2-0 Brazil.
Chile's 3rd went in as well. 2-1 Brazil.
4th shot was taken by Hulk, and saved. 2-1 Brazil.
Chile's Diaz coolly slotted their 4th in. 2-2 draw and sudden death time...
Neymar thundered the 5th shot in. 3-2 Brazil.
Chile's Gonzalo Jara shoots and beats Cesar all ends up, but his shot hits the right bar!!
BRAZIL END UP WINNING 3-2 ON PENALTIES!!
Chile, despite their valiant efforts and superlative show, are out. Brownie points to them for putting up such a fight.
Brazil still don't look convincing enough. Their defense and their possession of ball play still needs a lot of improvement. An attacking team like Netherlands, France or Germany can still beat them, if they don't tighten up certain aspects of their game.
Either way, Brazil are the first team to enter the Round of 8 - the Quarter-Finals. They will now await the winner of the Colombia vs Uruguay match.
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06-28-2014, 08:30 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 50 (Round of 16 #2):
COLOMBIA - 2
(James Rodriguez 28', 50')
URUGUAY - 0
The soccer world has found a new superstar - Colombia's James (pronounced Ham-esh) Rodriguez. What a fantastic young talent he is! You just have to watch his shot to score the first goal in the 28th minute to see the spark of talent the kid carries - the cross to him was deftly bounced off his chest, and as the ball fell towards his left foot, he unleashed an audacious thundering curler which had the Uruguayan keeper, Muslera, completely beaten. It hit the underside of the post and thundered into the nets, and at that moment, a brand-new soccer superstar was born. He has already scored 3 goals coming into this match (out of Colombia's 10 in the group stages), and now he went past Neymar, Messi & Muller to be the tournament's leading scorer with 5. A strong contender for player of the tournament, this kid.
As for Uruguay, the question of how they will fare without Luis Suarez was answered last night. They were completely at sea, and even the multi-million dollar man, Edison Cavani, did little for their chances. It's only befitting that the better team went through, and through that piece of young brilliance, it was Colombia in the end.
Round of 8 match promises to be a cracker - Rodriguez's young, raw talent will be tested against Brazil.
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06-29-2014, 10:12 AM
Final Scoreline for Match 51 (Round of 16 #3):
THE NETHERLANDS - 2
(Sneijder 88', Huntelaar 94' PK)
MEXICO - 1
(Dos Santos 48')
What a cracker of a match!!
Until the 87th minute, which is just 3 minutes away from full time, Mexico were looking at a real upset win and securing a spot in the Last 8 Quarter-Final stage, their last one being in the 1986 WC. But what a turn the events took in the following 9 minutes!!
Netherlands never looked a threat, nor in their stride, all through those first 75-odd minutes. Maybe the hot, humid afternoon was getting badly to them (there were two 3-minute Cooling Breaks in either half at the 30-minute mark, it was THAT hot). It was Mexico who was clearly the better team, in terms of possession, passing and attacks, and they came close to scoring more than once all through the first half, which had ended 0-0. Van Persie, Robben & Sneijder, the golden Dutch trio, were not allowed to even sniff the ball by the strong Mexican defense and midfielders. And when Giovani Dos Santos planted one in the Dutch net in the first few minutes of the second half, it suddenly looked tough for the Dutchmen. After all, this was the team which had held the free-flowing Brazilians to a 0-0 full-time draw.
Up until the 75th minute, things didn't look even remotely in the Netherlands' favor. Then they started pressing forward a lot more, and desperation started to creep in once the 80th minute ticked over. And the continuous persistence paid off big-time when a perfectly timed cross found Wesley Sneijder's left foot and a narrow tunnel through the Mexican defense. The resulting thunderbolt left everyone flat-footed, including Ochoa, the heroic Mexican goalkeeper, who had kept quite a few shots out till then. Surely, one of the best and most critical goals of WC 2014 so far.
It was 1-1 when added time started after the 90th minute (6 minutes were to be added), and a lapse in defensive formation saw Robben run through into the box, where he tripped on the long leg of the Mexican skipper. The referee immediately awarded the penalty kick to the Dutch, much to the chagrin and protests of the Mexican players, one of whom was slapped with a yellow card. Klaus Van Huntelaar came through to take the penalty kick hit, and he scored through one of the perfect penalty kicks you can ever hope to see.
2-1 to the Netherlands in the dying minutes, and that's what it stayed when the long whistle blew. Absolute heart-break for the Mexicans, who did everything for almost the whole duration of the match. But as they say, sheer class needs only a moment to stamp it's authority, and that's what the Dutch and Sneijder did.
87 minutes of Mexico, and 9 minutes of Netherlands. Just about enough. Viva Oranje!
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06-29-2014, 09:19 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 52 (Round of 16 #4):
COSTA RICA - 1 (5)
(Ruiz 52')
GREECE - 1 (3)
(Papastathopoulos 91')
Well, the first half had ended 0-0 and that was when I went to bed, so all the action happened in the 2nd half.
As is evident, Costa Rica went ahead in the 52nd minute, and hung on to that lead till full time was almost over to guarantee them the win, until Greece got the equaliser 1 minute into added time. The extra time didn't yield further goals which meant it was to be decided by penalty shootout. Costa Rica fired all their 5 shots into goal, and when Greece missed one, Costa Rica were through.
They now go ahead to face the Netherlands.
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06-30-2014, 10:01 AM
Final Scoreline for Match 53 (Round of 16 #5):
FRANCE - 2
(Pogba 79', Yobo 92' OG)
NIGERIA - 0
Despite the scoreline, France clearly underwhelmed throughout the entire match. There were several defensive lapses by Nigeria, but none were taken advantage of by the once free-flowing French who have clearly gone off the boil in their last couple of matches.
It took almost 80 minutes for them to find the nets, specially after being dominated for the most part of the first half by the African champions, and it was a special effort by Pogba. Karim Benzema came close to scoring at least twice, but was thwarted both times by Nigeria's fantastic keeper, Enyema, who pulled off 2 of the best saves in WC 2014 so far. The pursuit of the equaliser in the final 10 minutes + added time got a real jolt when Joseph Yobo's leg diverted the ball into his own goal, and the scoreline went beyond Nigeria's comeback efforts.
But overall, not as dominating a performance as France would have hoped to show. They need to improve a LOT in their Round of 8 encounter, specially if it's against Germany.
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06-30-2014, 09:29 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 54 (Round of 16 #6):
GERMANY - 2
(Schurrle 92', Ozil 120')
ALGERIA - 1
(Djabou 121')
Another example of a heavyweight team gone off the boil and stretched to the distance by a comparatively weaker team. Algeria were first-timers, as far as Round of 16 was concerned, but they gave their reputation a real boost by stretching one of the favorites all the way through the Extra Time.
The half-time and full-time score was 0-0, despite some real challenging attacks by both teams. Algeria looked the aggressor all through the first half, with Slimani building up plenty of chances, while Germany put their foot down in the second. Neither team could convert any of their chances until the 90 minutes ran out though. The 2nd minute of Extra Time saw Germany slot one in and it looked to be enough, but in the final minute of the 2nd half of Extra Time Mesut Ozil thundered a second goal which all but sealed the win. Algeria got one back in added time but with seconds left till the whistle, it clearly wasn't enough.
Again, a pretender team has stretched a favorite to the distance. Either the less-fancy teams have upped their game, or the favorites have seriously lost the punch.
Either way, we have our dream Quarter-Final now - it will be Germany taking on France.
roshiq
06-30-2014, 09:46 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 53 (Round of 16 #5):
FRANCE - 2
(Pogba 79', Yobo 92' OG)
NIGERIA - 0
Despite the scoreline, France clearly underwhelmed throughout the entire match. There were several defensive lapses by Nigeria, but none were taken advantage of by the once free-flowing French who have clearly gone off the boil in their last couple of matches.
Final Scoreline for Match 54 (Round of 16 #6):
GERMANY - 2
(Schurrle 92', Ozil 120')
ALGERIA - 1
(Djabou 121')
Another example of a heavyweight team gone off the boil and stretched to the distance by a comparatively weaker team. Algeria were first-timers, as far as Round of 16 was concerned, but they gave their reputation a real boost by stretching one of the favorites all the way through the Extra Time.
Again, a pretender team has stretched a favorite to the distance. Either the less-fancy teams have upped their game, or the favorites have seriously lost the punch.
I've a strong feeling that this European heavyweights just played the 2nd round at the interest of the gamblers! ::mad::
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07-01-2014, 10:44 AM
Final Scoreline for Match 55 (Round of 16 #7):
ARGENTINA - 1
(Di Maria 118')
SWITZERLAND - 0
Either the heavyweights are really playing ultra-safe soccer or have seriously gone off the boil, or the lesser teams have really, really upped the game. Hats off to the Swiss for holding out till almost Penalty Shootout time, and it was again absolute heartbreak for yet another team after playing their heart out for the entire duration of the match.
The Swiss attacked and were clearly the aggressor team all through the first half, and although Argentina turned real deadly in the second half, they were denied goals by some expert goal-keeping by the Swiss keeper. Messi, Di Maria and company were relentless, but the Swiss defense + keeper held on strongly. Full time ended 0-0, and Extra Time was almost over, when a sudden burst of Lionel Messi magic had the Swiss defense beaten, and his perfect cross to Di Maria saw the latter neatly evade the keeper and slot the ball home.
1-0, with 2 minutes + injury time remaining. A moment which Di Maria would savor his entire life, and which caused such a shattering sound of Swiss hearts collectively breaking that you could almost hear it.
Argentina win, and move into the Round of 8. Deservedly? Maybe. Impressive? Nope.
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07-01-2014, 07:55 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 56 (Round of 16 #8):
BELGIUM - 2
(De Bruyne 93', Lukaku 105')
USA - 1
(Green 107')
And even the final Round of 16 match gets stretched to the distance. The more fancy team couldn't score all through normal time, and again it was the lesser team which impressed more. Extra Time is where all the real action happened. I was asleep so can't speak about the details, but it was substitute Lukaku who had a hand in both goals, according to reports. Coming in the 91st minute in place of Origi, he first set up De Bruyne's scoring opportunity, and then thundered one in himself. USA's Green volleyed one in merely 2 minutes later, but the US couldn't find an equaliser in the remaining time.
Hold your head high, USA. You played brilliantly till your exit. As for Belgium, they advance on and bump into Argentina in the Round of 8.
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07-04-2014, 03:12 AM
Quarter - Finals
57: [04/07/2014] BRAZIL (W#49) - COLOMBIA (W#50)
58: [04/07/2014] FRANCE (W#53) - GERMANY (W#54)
59: [05/07/2014] NETHERLANDS (W#51) - COSTA RICA (W#52)
60: [05/07/2014] ARGENTINA (W#55) - BELGIUM (W#56)
The Quarter-Finals, or the Round of 8 as they are more popularly known, kick off from tonight. None of the heavyweight teams have shown a glimpse in the Round of 16 that they will be walking off with the biggest prize in the history of soccer. TBH, the patchy form that some of the favorites have shown, after their tremendous opening wins, has been a cause for worry, both for fans and for team managements alike.
BRAZIL - Have seriously gone off the boil. Barely scraped through via the Penalty Shootout against Chile. Face formidable opponents in in-form James Rodriguez and Colombia. History favors the host team but don't be surprised if Colombia pull off an upset win against them. Should be a cracker!
COLOMBIA - In James Rodriguez, they have found the next real superstar of world soccer. Leading the field in the number of goals scored + possibly the goal of the tournament (so far), he has been a real driving force and inspiration behind the team's tremendous success. Besides, Colombia is the only team who has won convincingly in their Round of 16 match (2-0 over Uruguay). Kickass match in the making!
THE NETHERLANDS - Started off in blazing form, decimating Spain in their opening encounter. A close encounter with Australia, followed by a convincing win over Chile meant they were the THE team to follow in the knockout stages. Unfortunately for them, Mexico dominated almost 95% of the match, and only a late surge in the final 8-9 minutes saw them scrape past the Central American team. Still a pretty formidable force, but will be tested when they take on a buoyed-up Costa Rica.
COSTA RICA - A convincing win over Uruguay, an upset win over the Azurri, but were held to a goalless draw against England. Yet they were good enough in the Penalty Shootout to hold off Greece and book a Round of 8 berth. Could be the least favored team in this bunch right now, since they take on the Oranje giants.
FRANCE - Another team which started in thumping fashion (3-0 & 5-2 wins), but went off the radars when they were held to a goalless draw against lowly Ecuador. The Round of 16 encounter against Nigeria wasn't convincing either, despite the 2-0 result. Fans would be really hoping that Karim Benzema, Pogba & co. perform when it really matters the most - against the Germans. THE match to watch out for.
GERMANY - Coming into the tournament as THE favorites to lift the WC 2014 title, they also started in tremendous fashion by pulverising Portugal 4-0. But a 2-2 draw against Ghana and a tough 1-0 win over the USA meant they were off the boil also. Round of 16 opponents Algeria stretched them to the maximum, but eventually they scraped through. How will they perform against the dynamic French? Tonight we shall find out. DYNAMITE of a match, this!
ARGENTINA - Always the sentimental favorite among fans for all WCs till now, they have promised plenty but have delivered averagely. Even Lionel Messi, arguably the best soccer player in the world right now, couldn't inspire them enough through the group stages. All 4 matches have produced tough wins, and this should be indication enough that they need to tighten up a LOT. The Round of 8 encounter against Belgium will be a real tester. Number 3 in the must-watch list of matches.
BELGIUM - Arguably the least impressive team of the lot (behind Costa Rica, even), they have done just about enough to keep going. Like Argentina, they will need to really produce the goods when it matters the most, because the South American team has the uncanny knack of producing quality football when it matters the most. Still, Marc Wilmots' team will take heart from the fact that their opponents still haven't peaked yet. Should be a good match.
In order of watchability,
#1 - FRANCE vs GERMANY - Cracker. Not taking any sides here.
#2 - BRAZIL vs COLOMBIA - Cracker again. Slightly favoring Colombia.
#3 - ARGENTINA vs BELGIUM - Close one. Going with Argentina.
#4 - NETHERLANDS vs COSTA RICA - Could be a goal-ridden match. Money's on Netherlands.
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07-04-2014, 10:01 AM
Final Scoreline for Match 57 (ROUND OF 8 #1):
FRANCE - 0
GERMANY - 1
(Hummels 13')
Entertaining game. Germany went ahead in the 13th minute through a serious defensive lapse by France and Hummels headed one in, and even though France tried their best to equalise all through the next half an hour, the score stayed 1-0 at half-time. The resumption of play saw a clear foul by Schweinsteiger in the box, which should have been awarded a penalty kick for France, but quite obviously the referee didn't spot it, despite the appeals by all French players. Schweinsteiger was involved in quite a few unnecessary body tackles, and got away with just a yellow card.
Attacking substitutions in the second half didn't help their cause much either, and even with Remy and Giroud on the field, they couldn't find the equaliser till the end of added time between them and Benzema, whose last ditch effort in the final minute was handed out by Neuer, the German keeper, who made 2 great saves to keep France out.
Germany go through to the Semi-Finals yet again, their 4th advance in the last 4 World Cups. France bow out, but with their heads held high. They gave it their best shot, but came up short in the end.
_____V_____
07-04-2014, 10:00 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 58 (ROUND OF 8 #2):
BRAZIL - 2
(T. Silva 7', David Luiz 69')
COLOMBIA - 1
(Rodriguez 80' PK)
Fast, furious and frenetic - just the way me (and most soccer fans) love their football! Two relentless, aggressive and uber-attacking teams at each other, made for some spectacular viewing.
Brazil really upped their game for this match, after the disappointing show in the previous game against Chile. They attacked all through both halves, and captain Thiago Silva took them ahead in the 7th minute itself, converting a Neymar corner kick "accidentally" into a surprise goal. Brazil's skipper was booked in the second half as well, and with the yellow card booking he was already carrying, will now miss the semi-final clash against Germany.
David Luiz's superb long range free kick curled away from the Colombian keeper to thunder into the nets in the 69th minute, and Brazil were up 2-0. Colombia had to do something and fast, but most of James Rodriguez's superb passes ultimately died down, with almost no support from other players. A foul by Brazil's keeper Cesar ensured a penalty kick in the 80th minute which was duly converted, but Colombia just couldn't find another goal to equalise in the next 15 minutes (including 5 minutes of added time).
Brazil were dealt another severe blow in the 88th minute as well. A high knee to the back of Neymar saw the master player go down in agonising pain, and was immediately stretched off the field. Subsequent off-field news is that he has broken a vertebrae, and will miss the rest of WC 2014. A huge, huge blow to Brazil's chances.
Colombia were excellent so far, but simply not good enough when it mattered the most. Brazil now go on to meet Germany in the semi-finals, but now minus Thiago Silva & Neymar, and will require plenty of inspiration and effort to give the Germans a run for their money.
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07-05-2014, 10:01 AM
Final Scoreline for Match 59 (ROUND OF 8 #3):
ARGENTINA - 1
(Higuain 8')
BELGIUM - 0
It had to happen. The predominantly defensive play by Belgium would turn and bite them in the butt, and it did just that.
Trailing 0-1 by the 8th minute itself when Gonzalo Higuain produced one of the best volleys seen in WC 2014 to take Argentina into the lead, the Belgians tried their best but were never in the race. Argentina were free-flowing and aggressive, and most parts of the match went with Belgium continuously hanging on to their defenses. Romelo Lukaku was introduced around the 60th minute, but he should have been a part of the starting eleven if Belgium had to have any chance against attacking play. As things stood, even their best 2 playmakers - Hazard and Lukaku - found the going tough. Couple of near-misses followed, but no cigar for Belgium.
Improvement was needed, specially against formidable opponents such as Argentina. But sadly, improvement was none. The Belgians need to rethink their strategies and build a better attacking formation soon, otherwise they will continue to be cannon fodder for the top teams.
Argentina impressed with their fantastic aggressive play tonight. The score could have been at least a couple of goals more in their favor, but they will take the 1-0 win. Now they await the result of the final Round of 8 encounter to find their semi-final opponents - when Netherlands take on Costa Rica later tonight.
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07-05-2014, 09:29 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 60 (ROUND OF 8 #4):
NETHERLANDS - 0 (4)
COSTA RICA - 0 (3)
Never expected the free-flowing and freely scoring Dutch to have played out 120 minutes of soccer without scoring even once, but it happened in this last Round of 8 match.
Repeatedly thwarted by the Costa Rican keeper and messing up quite a few chances themselves by hitting the bars and missing easy goal-scoring opportunities, they found themselves at the mercy of the Penalty Shootout elimination, a part of soccer in which the Dutch were never strong. Luckily for them, 2 shots in the penalties - from Bryan Ruiz and Michael Umana - were saved superbly by the Dutch keeper, Tim Krul, who had come as a substitute at the end of extra time.
The move proved to be a masterstroke in the end.
Full marks to both keepers, Navas for Costa Rica for keeping Netherlands at bay all through the match, and Krul for saving the crucial penalties.
Netherlands move through to the semi-finals, where they set up an encounter with Argentina.
roshiq
07-05-2014, 10:29 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 60 (ROUND OF 8 #4):
NETHERLANDS - 0 (4)
COSTA RICA - 0 (3)
Never expected the free-flowing and freely scoring Dutch to have played out 120 minutes of soccer without scoring even once, but it happened in this last Round of 8 match.
But still...it was the best & most entertaining match of WC'2014 so far, IMO.
I think it's the first time the Dutch won a penalty shoot out in a WC match...so may be this time the Luck will be on their side after all these sad years and I won't mind to see them win it this time...though Germany comes close next to them but Netherlands have maintained the most solid, fast & clinical performances in this tournament so far. They deserve the title most, IMO.
And although both the team make it to the semi finals but I'm still pretty much frustrated with Brazil & Argentina...mainly the way they have played in this WC so far. If BRA or ARG somehow wins the trophy on Jul. 14 then it'll be a disgrace for the good, fast & entertaining football, IMO.
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07-07-2014, 09:46 PM
And so, it's showtime.
We have now entered the Semi-Finals of WC 2014, and what an entertaining show it has been so far! No less than 159 goals have been scored till now (not counting penalty shootouts), which translates to an average of almost 3 goals per match! Colombia and Netherlands lead the team tally for most goals scored at 12 each, while Colombia's James Rodriguez, the newly shining star of soccer, leads the players tally with 6 goals.
Now, we have BRAZIL taking on GERMANY in the first semi-final, while NETHERLANDS go against ARGENTINA in the other. Despite the strong initial showing by all 4 teams, they have all gone off the boil quite a bit as the tournament progressed for them.
Still, Brazil upped their game quite a bit in their Round of 8 encounter, but have been dealt two crucial blows - Neymar has been ruled out of WC 2014 due to a vertebrae fracture, and their skipper Thiago Silva misses out on the semi-final due to twin yellow-card bookings. Quite simply put, Brazil look a pale shadow of their self without Neymar, and in the rest of the pack, none have been impressive so far - Fred, Hulk, Luiz and the rest simply haven't been up to par. Even the reserve bench doesn't look too impressive, with Willain the likely replacement for Neymar in the starting eleven against Germany. Chances of Brazil look slim.
Germany look the strongest of the 4 teams, IMO. The only team which could challenge them is the Netherlands, so let's hope we have that dynamite match for the Final. Lahm's men look eager and hungry, despite their lackluster wins in recent matches. In Muller, Ozil, Hummels and Schurrle, they have a formidable attacking bunch. Even the substitute bench comprising of Miroslav Klose & Mario Gotze looks strong. Germany also have one of the best keepers of the WC 2014 so far in Neuer, who has been very impressive in pressure-cooker situations.
Netherlands are like the cowboys of the Wild West - free-flowing, aggressive and dominating. In Robin Van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder, they boast of a trio which can take any soccer team to pieces. Huntelaar and De Vrij have been doing their bit as well, while the surprise subsitution of Memphis Dupay in most matches has been a real masterstroke. They look very strong, and the best team to challenge Germany for the title.
Argentina has been disappointing in WC so far. Despite the towering presence of Leo Messi in their ranks, the other 10 players have found the going tough. True, they have sparkled in moments, on and off throughout the tournament, but as a team, they have yet to impress. Gonzalo Higuain found the net in the last match, so let's hope his spirits are high. Rojo has been another notable player for them, but Argentina will miss the services of Angelo Di Maria the most. The attacking midfielder pulled a muscle in the last match and is doubtful for this one. The reserve bench of Argentina is not too strong either. All in all, Argentina relies heavily on Messi-power. If Messi has an off day, I doubt Argentina would leave as the winner from that match.
Chances are that we might see a GERMANY - NETHERLANDS final, and what a match that would be! Every bit worthy of a WC 2014 final, considering the current form of all teams. Fans would want a Brazil - Argentina final, since it's the sentimental favorite, but as things stand now, it might turn out to be the most disappointing final in WC history.
Let's hope that the best two teams go through, and we have a couple of cracking Semi-Final matches from tonight. All the best to all 4 teams.
Angra
07-08-2014, 12:29 PM
Look at all them people cry. And we're only 25 minuttes in. Beautiful..::cool::
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07-08-2014, 12:35 PM
Look at all them people cry. And we're only 25 minuttes in. Beautiful..::cool::
Breathe, Angra. Breathe! ::big grin::
30 minutes of play, and the score reads...wait, read this very slowly...5 - 0 Germany!!
Yes, you read that right.
Yep, again.
Yep, again. Indeed.
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07-08-2014, 09:15 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 61 (SEMI - FINAL #1):
BRAZIL - 1
(Oscar 90')
GERMANY - 7
(Muller 11', Klose 23', Kroos 24', 26', Khedira 29', Schurrle 69', 79')
This, ladies and gentlemen, is called complete and utter demolishing. In a display of brutal soccer which preyed on the host team's non-existent defense, the boys from Deutsche Land struck 4 goals in a span of 6 minutes!! Yes, you read that right.
No, this was no ordinary practice match or a friendly, but the Semi-Final of World Cup 2014.
Indeed, if someone told you before the match started that the scoreline would read 5-0 Germany after the first 30 minutes of play itself, you might tell him to go and get his brains checked. But that's how things happened.
Muller started the rout in the 11th minute by heading the ball in through a neat pass, and the floodgates opened from the 23rd minute onwards. Miroslav Klose got his record-making goal then and went past Ronaldo (Brazil) as the highest goal-scorer in World Cup history. And, as if Germany had suddenly found Brazil's defense with it's pants down, became really brutal. Tear after tear rolled down many a Brazil fans' cheeks, while Germany just blasted them in one after the other - Tony Kroos sent 2 goals in 2 minutes, and Sammy Khedira came in and helped himself to a goal 3 minutes later. It's as if the German boys were lining up, yelling "me! me!", and thumping them in relentlessly one after the other.
The half-time score read 5-0 Germany, and that's when I went to sleep. Scolari's men wouldn't have wanted to step back into the field for the second half, and could you blame them for that? Completely humiliated, dejected and morose, Brazil's players had lost all of their fighting spirit. As if more punishment was in store, Andre Schurrle came in as a substitute for Miroslav Klose in the 58th minute, and exactly 11 minutes later, converted a superb pass from skipper Lahm to score a goal for himself. And when he penetrated Brazil's defense yet again to score his 2nd goal, Germany's 7th, in the 79th minute, the stadium might as well have gone empty. By the time Oscar got one back for Brazil in the dying seconds of play, not many hands were raised to clap for him or applaud his effort.
Germany 7, Brazil 1. Brazil's heaviest defeat in any World Cup match since 1934, and it put an end to their undefeated streak at home since 1975. One of the most humiliating and sad losses a top soccer team had to endure in their entire soccer history.
Come to think of it, even Neymar and Thiago Silva's presence might not have helped much, either.
Germany look every bit like a set of hungry wolves, ready to pounce. It certainly seems like the 2014 World Cup is theirs for the taking, and now they should be really, really strong favorites to lift it on July 12th.
Angra
07-09-2014, 03:30 PM
Zzzzzzz
What an anticlimax..
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07-09-2014, 09:36 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 62 (SEMI - FINAL #2):
NETHERLANDS - 0 (2)
ARGENTINA - 0 (4)
Fascinating match, with neither team giving the other an inch! Argentina really upped their game for the second-most crucial game of their campaign, and how it payed dividends in the end.
More than the aggression, it was a tale of superb defense by both teams. Time and again, Arjen Robben and Lionel Messi were thwarted and prevented from entering the marked areas. The chances which came were few and far between, specially in the regular halves. At the 90-minute mark, scores were still 0-0.
The Dutch had tried a different 3-2-3-2 formation to be a bit more penetrative and attacking, but that didn't help their cause much. Van Persie had little to do and towards the end, he was doing defensive duties by keeping Messi on check. A dubious offside call for Higuain deprived Argentina of what could have been their first goal, which replays showed was a legit goal. A double change at around the 78th minute to bring in Palacio AND Aguero also failed to materialise much, as neither player possessed the ball enough to make a difference. In the final few minutes, Robben missed a great chance to score as well. The scoreline might have read 1-1 at the end of regular time.
Extra Time didn't have much action in the first 15 minutes, as players started to get weary. Van Persie was substituted for Huntelaar, but even that move didn't help much. Palacio missed a fantastic chance when he headed the ball straight into the keeper's hands, else the match would have ended right then and there in Argentina's favor.
And so we entered the Penalty Shootout. The Dutch went first.
Dutch 1st kick - Saved by Romero, Argentina's keeper.
Argentinian 1st kick - Scored by Messi. 1-0.
Dutch 2nd kick - Scored by Robben. 1-1.
Argentinian 2nd kick - Scored by Garay. 2-1.
Dutch 3rd kick - SAVED AGAIN! 2-1 still.
Argentinian 3rd kick - Aguero takes it and scores. 3-1.
Dutch 4th kick - Kuyt scores. 3-2.
Argentinian 4th kick - Maxi Rodriguez scores. 4-2, and ARGENTINA WIN!!
An entertaining match till the end. Shame it had to be decided by Penalty Shootouts. The Dutch never had good luck with this part of soccer, so they should have shown a bit more urgency in the normal time itself by gunning for the goal. As things stood, Argentina won and are now through to the FINAL where they meet Germany.
As for the Oranje, they are only left to ponder - what if?! The 2010 Finalists bow out in the Semi-Final stage in 2014. They meet Brazil in the playoff for the 3rd place now.
MichaelMyers
07-10-2014, 11:10 AM
I predict the Argentinians will come out sluggish after an extra time match yesterday and one less day to rest. Germany takes it 3-1.
Angra
07-12-2014, 12:18 PM
Another brazilian nightmare has begun. Poor bastards.
roshiq
07-12-2014, 02:19 PM
Can't say how many more times the 5-time winner is going to win the World Cup in future but one thing's for sure...the world of football will always love to talk about & never forget about this 2014 World Cup team of Brazil!:danger:
Angra
07-12-2014, 02:53 PM
Can't say how many more times the 5-time winner is going to win the World Cup in future but one thing's for sure...the world of football will always love to talk about & never forget about this 2014 World Cup team of Brazil!:danger:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p17/Kasper_76/nelson.jpg
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07-12-2014, 08:29 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 63 (3RD PLACE PLAYOFF):
BRAZIL - 0
NETHERLANDS - 3
(Van Persie 3' PK, Blind 17', Wijnaldum 91')
Easy to come back from broken bones, but how do you make a comeback with a broken spirit?
The Brazil team of yore, having suffered a battering from Germany in the semi-finals, came in to showcase their talent one final time in WC 2014 in this match, which many (including myself), say that it should be scrapped from the WC itinerary, as it is an absolutely useless and demoralising fixture. But, more worse things were in store for the South American soccer wizards, and more tears were in store for their hardcore fans.
Brazil were defending like absolute schoolboys! Skipper Thiago Silva returned for this match and in the 3rd minute itself, pulled Robben's shirt hard inside the penalty box, and the Dutchman absolutely flew into the ground. The referee pointed to the spot, and Robin Van Persie converted an easy chance. 1-0 Netherlands in the 3rd minute itself.
Credit to Brazil as well for counter-attacking. At least 3 shots went in front of goal without any contact whatsoever, else it would have been 3-1 Brazil easily. But, as their non-existent and horrendous defense would have it, David Luiz tried to clear a Robben shot but headed it straight into Danny Blind's path who calmly thumped it back past Luiz, into the Brazilian goal. 2-0 Netherlands in the 17th minute.
Brazil missed 2 more chances before the break. The number of misses by their strikers and their sloppy defense made their fans miserable. Even small kids were seen shedding tears and watching the proceedings with open, gaping mouths. No sort of motivation could help them - even the crowd's nonchalant Mexican Wave was of no use.
Second half saw possession and defending from the Dutch, until the first minute of extra time when Wijnaldum converted a wonderful Janmaat-Robben combo to thunder the 3rd goal in. Brazil were playing without any real purpose till then, and the Brazilian players looked sucker-punched out of the game.
Netherlands won comfortably, and became worthy 3rd place winners. As for Brazil, they need to revamp a lot of things without Scolari at the helm now (he's sure to step down). They will have to build a much better team around Neymar, but more importantly, they will need to fix their collective shattered spirits to get back into competitive action again.
MichaelMyers
07-13-2014, 03:49 AM
V, Brazil's week has been scarier than any horror movie made in the past year. Fact.
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07-13-2014, 01:17 PM
105 minutes and no goals. Exciting match so far.
Someone send Angra and Zwoti to play for Argentina, and let's have that winning goal already!
Angra
07-13-2014, 01:55 PM
105 minutes and no goals. Exciting match so far.
Someone send Angra and Zwoti to play for Argentina, and let's have that winning goal already!
Your opinion of what is entertainment is horrendous, V. ::sad::
MichaelMyers
07-13-2014, 04:40 PM
105 minutes and no goals. Exciting match so far.
V not the best way to describe a scoreless tie to an American forum. ::big grin:: Congrats to the Germans. Well fought game today and odds-on favorites to repeat in 2018. I'll check back in on soccer then! ::cool::
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07-13-2014, 10:13 PM
Final Scoreline for Match 64 (THE FINAL):
GERMANY - 1
(Gotze 113')
ARGENTINA - 0
Don't be fooled by that scoreline. It could have ended 5-3 Argentina in normal time, if things had gone the way they should have. Fantastic, fast, aggressive and furious soccer - just the way a World Cup Final should be.
Argentina really upped their game to match the Germans shot for shot, which itself says a huge thing about their game. In fact, in the first half of normal time, it was the Latin Americans who were dominating the crucial parts of the game. 3 attempts in the first 10 minutes which were narrowly close to the German Goal meant that Germany were already on the backfoot. Gonzalo Higuain missed a great chance to make it 1-0 when he was spoonfed the ball by a shocking bit of German defense but he failed to convert it, his over-excited shot going wide. He did find the net in the 32nd minute through a superb sequence of attacking soccer, but the flag was raised. 8 minutes later, Lionel Messi caught the entire German defense napping and almost went all the way, before he overran the ball and Neuer, Germany's keeper, grabbed it. Only a few minutes later, a nicely curved corner shot saw Schuurle rattle the Argentinian goal post. First half ended 0-0, while it might have been 3-1 in Argentina's favor.
The second half started with promise as Argentina attacked almost immediately. The Germans were clearly rattled as they started their bad-mouthing and foul-making tactics after that. Sergio Aguero came in and was instrumental in 2 wonderful attacks on goal, but still no cigar for the Latinas. A few minutes later, Messi missed another fantastic chance to score when his shot went inches past the goal. Could have been 4-1, but it was still 0-0. Gonzalo Higuain again found a superbly passed ball, but was punched/kicked out of possession by Neuer just inside the box. No foul, said the referee, and Higuain punched the air in absolute frustration. By this time, the energies of almost all players had been sapped, and desperation had started to creep in. Higuain was swapped by Palacio in the 75th minute, and the move almost paid off in extra time. Really, it was an example of missed chances by Argentina for the most part of the game. Two close chances by Germany towards the end of regular time meant that the full-time scoreline still read 0-0, when it could have been 4-3.
Palacio's effort might have made it 5-3, or 1-0, whichever way you look at it, yet it remained 0-0. The first half of extra time again yielded no goals, and it seemed like the team who would keep their wits about them, between tiring limbs and weary thought-processes, would win. Aguero was lucky to escape a 2nd yellow (and subsequent red) card when he elbowed Schweinsteiger so badly his cheek burst open and the german oozed blood everywhere. But, as if the pitch was waiting for a blood offering, the deadlock between both teams was broken just a few minutes later. The 113th minute of this fantastic match saw Mario Gotze convert a wonderfully gifted Thomas Muller pass into a goal which he would be telling his kids, grandkids and the entire world for generations to come. In that one telling moment, the chalks were drawn. It was a great pass, and an equally fantastically angled shot which had Romero completely beaten.
Germany 1 - Argentina 0.
The whole of Argentina (and it's fans) prayed feverishly when Lionel Messi got one final chance through a free kick in the final minute of added time, but clearly the pressure of expectations of millions weighed badly on the Tendulkar of soccer's shoulders, and the master of free kicks hit the ball too high, much above the German goal.
And then the final whistle blew.
Argentinians were inconsolable, and must be sobbing all through the night. How close they came to scoring again and again, and would be ruing their missed chances all through the night. They had upped their game considerably and had put up one hell of a fight, but in the end, the one solitary number went against them.
But the moment belonged to the Germans. They had dominated the entire tournament and were deserved and worthy winners of the FIFA World Cup 2014. Mario Gotze must be the most trending individual on all social platforms, as Germany celebrated by lifting the Cup for the 4th time.
Lionel Messi was awarded the Golden Ball (as a consolation, most probably), while German super-goalkeeper Manuel Neuer won the Golden Glove. Colombia's fantastically talented young superstar, James Rodriguez, won the Golden Boot and deservedly so.
And so, the FIFA World Cup 2014 comes to a close.
Until Russia 2018, folks!