The quarters
And so we are down to 4 teams.
Germany vs. Argentina
It was actually a poor match and the tactical conservatism of Jose Pekerman eventually undid all the good work Argentina has done in this World Cup so far. Rather than to chase that elusive second goal to kill off the game, Pekerman uncharacterisitcally removed Riquelme and Crespo, the focal point and the targetman of their attack. If there is one thing certain about Germany and the World Cup, it is that one goal up against them is never enough. One Goal Not Enough. Miroslav Klose is proving to be the man of this tournament with that brilliant header to bury Diego Maradona back in his footballing grave. 10 goals, it is now for the Polish-born striker in the World Cup finals but the very first he scored against top class opposition. Lionel Messi, so brilliant every time he came on for the Argentineans was overlooked in favor of Julio Cruz who, to be fair, didn't have that bad an afternoon. It was also the tired legs of Juan Pablo Sorin who had such a fantastic World Cup who lost that bit of energy in his legs to keep up with the momentum of Miroslav Klose for that equaliser. Seeing how the Germans dispatching their spot kicks with ease, teams facing them in the semis and finals will be hoping they can finish Germany off in normal time. Nerves of Mercedes steel these Germans have, coupled with an ominous looking Jens Lehman who looks ever so calm and nonchalant between his posts. It looks increasingly promising that Germany will reach their second consecutive World Cup final and possibly their fourth World Cup trophy.
Italy vs. Ukraine
Ukraine never looked like they will beat a well-orgainsed Italy especially with captain marval Fabio Cannavaro thwarting all types of aerial or ground attacks. Fabio Cannavaro is quite simply the best centre back in this World Cup and they are unlikely to concede another goal given his devastating form. It doesn't matter who he partners really, his immaculate reading of the game and his leadership qualities give his fellow defenders the confidence and reassurance to do their jobs. Totti's last minute penalty against the Australians really exorcised the ghosts of 2002 when he got sent off and sent packing home when Italy crashed to a 2-1 defeat against South Korea. Totti, in my opinion is right up there with the likes of Riquelme, Kaka, Ballack in the playmaking department and the match against Germany in the semi-finals may very well be the stage to shine for Totti. Luca Toni's two goals against Ukraine must have done marvellous things to his morale and he will be hungry for more. Luck had a big part to play for Toni to not score earlier in this tournament. He is Peter Crouch version 1000, the same frame and similar height with more muscle, tenacity, skill and flair. It's a real pity that he has only scored 2 goals so far.
England vs. Portugal
Firstly, I think Wayne Rooney's sending off was ridiculous. His reputation probably had a hand in the sending-off and maybe also his hooliganish looks. Like what many papers had said, the referee should already have called for the foul in Rooney's favour when 3 Portugese defenders tried to dispossess him. As the whole world saw from their television screens, Rooney stamped on Carvalho's crotch and when Christiano Ronaldo came to add theatrics to the scene, Wayward Wayne shoved him and quite rightly so. C.Ronaldo's gamesmanship is disgraceful and intentional but who wouldn't want Rooney sent off in such an important game that decides the fate of two sucess-deprived countries? The shoving itself did not constitute a red card much less a yellow card, the stamp on Carvalho was probably unintentional and Rooney simply couldn't get out of the way. Rooney 2006 was not Beckham 1998 when the latter tripped Diego Simeone as retaliation, like I said, Rooney's reputation got the better of him and players like Ronaldo knows exactly how to exploit that.
England's exit from this World Cup should be a relief for most England fans with the ousting of Sven Goran Erikkson. It is not with ludicrousness I say that England has the strongest first 11 in this World Cup. They boast 4 players who have finished on the top 3 FIFA awards as well as European Player Awards: Michael Owen, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. If the team needs leadership, they have the captains and vice captains of the top clubs in English football: John Terry, Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard. The most expensive defender: Rio Ferdinand. The most complete leftback in the World: Ashley Cole. They also have what the Brazilians fear most: Wayne Rooney. The manager with so much talent at his disposal is unable to get the best out of his players.
The England team is over-reliant on David Beckham's delivery but the complete omission of Beckham would mean losing England's most potent weapon. Lampard and Gerrard, unfortunately, cannot pay together on the same team. I would omit Lampard and put Gerrard in the middle of the park. Aaron Lennon if fit and gets more games at Tottenham should start for England. Flank play is something much lacking in England's arsenal. Lennon plays in a style similar to that of Arjen Robben but less selfish than the Dutchman. Joe Cole will be dropped too, his stepovers so easily forgettable and that wondergoal he scored against Sweden was overshadowed by their poor defensive display that night. England will need a faster rightback than Gary Neville to balance the left side of Ashley Cole to penetrate the flanks. England needs a hardman in the middle to partner Gerrard, a destroyer, someone to foil attacks and yet a good passer.The likes of Joey Barton of Manchester City comes to mind. Another bad boy in the England team to take some attention off their most creative player, Wayne Rooney. Wayne Rooney should play in the role he does in Manchester United and that is the second striker who sometimes become a fifth midfielder. Effectively, the formation switches from 4-5-1 when defending to 4-4-2 when attacking. The targetman up front will not be Mr. Peter Crouch but someone who is faster, stronger and a good header of the ball. Dean Ashton, James Beattie, Marlon Harewood and Darren Bent will all have been better choices. Someone to muscle it out with defenders, leaving Rooney to run at them. Stewart Downing, a natural left-footer should do better under Steve McClaren and if he reproduces his club form in country, he would be a player to watch out for his pace and the quality of his crosses. Another candidate for the left side of midfield will be Theo Walcott. Speed demons rushing down the flanks will open up space in the middle for Rooney and Gerrard to operate. And when the legs begin to tire, David Beckham can then come in for set pieces when the tired defenders have to check John Terry and Rio Ferdinand. You don't need to please everyone, get the right players for the right job. Frank Lampard will then be like Juninho Permubacamo of Brazil.
France vs. Brazil
The French are now the dark horses for the World Cup. Eliminating Spain and Brazil with majestic performances from the one and only Zinedine Zidane, how the romantics will love Zizou signing off such an illustrious career with a second World Cup medal. After all, this man deserves it more than anyone else. For he represents the skills, tricks and flair of South Americans, the power, balance and tactical astuteness of the Europeans, the quiet Frenchman is quite the chrarismatic figure on the field, a living legend who has already won everything there is to be in football. He will be remembered for a long time even if he does not win the World Cup after this performance against Brazil. There is really one Zinedine Zidane. The French team plays with less arrogance compared to the past French teams in major tournaments and that could really help them to be focused. Over-confidence has always led to the downfall of big teams and France 2006 certainly has their feet on the ground. They were written off at the start after mediocre displays in the group stages, they have stumbled and fell but the team is getting stronger and they have really nothing to lose and nothing to prove. All the French players want to win the World Cup for Zinedine Zidane but ultimately it is Zizou who will win the World Cup for them.
Germany vs. Argentina
It was actually a poor match and the tactical conservatism of Jose Pekerman eventually undid all the good work Argentina has done in this World Cup so far. Rather than to chase that elusive second goal to kill off the game, Pekerman uncharacterisitcally removed Riquelme and Crespo, the focal point and the targetman of their attack. If there is one thing certain about Germany and the World Cup, it is that one goal up against them is never enough. One Goal Not Enough. Miroslav Klose is proving to be the man of this tournament with that brilliant header to bury Diego Maradona back in his footballing grave. 10 goals, it is now for the Polish-born striker in the World Cup finals but the very first he scored against top class opposition. Lionel Messi, so brilliant every time he came on for the Argentineans was overlooked in favor of Julio Cruz who, to be fair, didn't have that bad an afternoon. It was also the tired legs of Juan Pablo Sorin who had such a fantastic World Cup who lost that bit of energy in his legs to keep up with the momentum of Miroslav Klose for that equaliser. Seeing how the Germans dispatching their spot kicks with ease, teams facing them in the semis and finals will be hoping they can finish Germany off in normal time. Nerves of Mercedes steel these Germans have, coupled with an ominous looking Jens Lehman who looks ever so calm and nonchalant between his posts. It looks increasingly promising that Germany will reach their second consecutive World Cup final and possibly their fourth World Cup trophy.
Italy vs. Ukraine
Ukraine never looked like they will beat a well-orgainsed Italy especially with captain marval Fabio Cannavaro thwarting all types of aerial or ground attacks. Fabio Cannavaro is quite simply the best centre back in this World Cup and they are unlikely to concede another goal given his devastating form. It doesn't matter who he partners really, his immaculate reading of the game and his leadership qualities give his fellow defenders the confidence and reassurance to do their jobs. Totti's last minute penalty against the Australians really exorcised the ghosts of 2002 when he got sent off and sent packing home when Italy crashed to a 2-1 defeat against South Korea. Totti, in my opinion is right up there with the likes of Riquelme, Kaka, Ballack in the playmaking department and the match against Germany in the semi-finals may very well be the stage to shine for Totti. Luca Toni's two goals against Ukraine must have done marvellous things to his morale and he will be hungry for more. Luck had a big part to play for Toni to not score earlier in this tournament. He is Peter Crouch version 1000, the same frame and similar height with more muscle, tenacity, skill and flair. It's a real pity that he has only scored 2 goals so far.
England vs. Portugal
Firstly, I think Wayne Rooney's sending off was ridiculous. His reputation probably had a hand in the sending-off and maybe also his hooliganish looks. Like what many papers had said, the referee should already have called for the foul in Rooney's favour when 3 Portugese defenders tried to dispossess him. As the whole world saw from their television screens, Rooney stamped on Carvalho's crotch and when Christiano Ronaldo came to add theatrics to the scene, Wayward Wayne shoved him and quite rightly so. C.Ronaldo's gamesmanship is disgraceful and intentional but who wouldn't want Rooney sent off in such an important game that decides the fate of two sucess-deprived countries? The shoving itself did not constitute a red card much less a yellow card, the stamp on Carvalho was probably unintentional and Rooney simply couldn't get out of the way. Rooney 2006 was not Beckham 1998 when the latter tripped Diego Simeone as retaliation, like I said, Rooney's reputation got the better of him and players like Ronaldo knows exactly how to exploit that.
England's exit from this World Cup should be a relief for most England fans with the ousting of Sven Goran Erikkson. It is not with ludicrousness I say that England has the strongest first 11 in this World Cup. They boast 4 players who have finished on the top 3 FIFA awards as well as European Player Awards: Michael Owen, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. If the team needs leadership, they have the captains and vice captains of the top clubs in English football: John Terry, Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard. The most expensive defender: Rio Ferdinand. The most complete leftback in the World: Ashley Cole. They also have what the Brazilians fear most: Wayne Rooney. The manager with so much talent at his disposal is unable to get the best out of his players.
The England team is over-reliant on David Beckham's delivery but the complete omission of Beckham would mean losing England's most potent weapon. Lampard and Gerrard, unfortunately, cannot pay together on the same team. I would omit Lampard and put Gerrard in the middle of the park. Aaron Lennon if fit and gets more games at Tottenham should start for England. Flank play is something much lacking in England's arsenal. Lennon plays in a style similar to that of Arjen Robben but less selfish than the Dutchman. Joe Cole will be dropped too, his stepovers so easily forgettable and that wondergoal he scored against Sweden was overshadowed by their poor defensive display that night. England will need a faster rightback than Gary Neville to balance the left side of Ashley Cole to penetrate the flanks. England needs a hardman in the middle to partner Gerrard, a destroyer, someone to foil attacks and yet a good passer.The likes of Joey Barton of Manchester City comes to mind. Another bad boy in the England team to take some attention off their most creative player, Wayne Rooney. Wayne Rooney should play in the role he does in Manchester United and that is the second striker who sometimes become a fifth midfielder. Effectively, the formation switches from 4-5-1 when defending to 4-4-2 when attacking. The targetman up front will not be Mr. Peter Crouch but someone who is faster, stronger and a good header of the ball. Dean Ashton, James Beattie, Marlon Harewood and Darren Bent will all have been better choices. Someone to muscle it out with defenders, leaving Rooney to run at them. Stewart Downing, a natural left-footer should do better under Steve McClaren and if he reproduces his club form in country, he would be a player to watch out for his pace and the quality of his crosses. Another candidate for the left side of midfield will be Theo Walcott. Speed demons rushing down the flanks will open up space in the middle for Rooney and Gerrard to operate. And when the legs begin to tire, David Beckham can then come in for set pieces when the tired defenders have to check John Terry and Rio Ferdinand. You don't need to please everyone, get the right players for the right job. Frank Lampard will then be like Juninho Permubacamo of Brazil.
France vs. Brazil
The French are now the dark horses for the World Cup. Eliminating Spain and Brazil with majestic performances from the one and only Zinedine Zidane, how the romantics will love Zizou signing off such an illustrious career with a second World Cup medal. After all, this man deserves it more than anyone else. For he represents the skills, tricks and flair of South Americans, the power, balance and tactical astuteness of the Europeans, the quiet Frenchman is quite the chrarismatic figure on the field, a living legend who has already won everything there is to be in football. He will be remembered for a long time even if he does not win the World Cup after this performance against Brazil. There is really one Zinedine Zidane. The French team plays with less arrogance compared to the past French teams in major tournaments and that could really help them to be focused. Over-confidence has always led to the downfall of big teams and France 2006 certainly has their feet on the ground. They were written off at the start after mediocre displays in the group stages, they have stumbled and fell but the team is getting stronger and they have really nothing to lose and nothing to prove. All the French players want to win the World Cup for Zinedine Zidane but ultimately it is Zizou who will win the World Cup for them.
posted by jingli K at 11:34 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home