Tag Archives: Uruguay

World Cup Semifinals – A Preview and a Look Back

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The World Cup 2010 Quarterfinals was soccer – and sport in general – at its most compelling.  Incalculably high stakes, countries caring about it a little too much – this round contained everything.  The four games were staggering in four completely different ways.

THE STUNNER:

Netherlands 2, Brazil 1: This is the sort of game Brazil wins.  They had NEVER lost in the World Cup after gaining a halftime edge.  They dominated the Netherlands for 45 minutes, and were a spectacular save away from a 2-0 lead and essentially blowing the doors off of this.  However, give the Dutch full marks for hanging in there.

Obviously Felipe Melo will get the goat horns for the first goal – but really that is the goalkeeper Julio Casear’s mistake.  It’s like a fly ball in baseball.  The outfielder ALWAYS has the call.  That play is much easier for Caesar to make, he could have reached it – he has to get to the ball.  Being a goalie is like being an airline pilot – there are no small mistakes.  At that point, Brazil fell to pieces – they lost composure, it did not seem their coach ever prepared them for actually being behind in a game.  Brazil just lost their marbles at the end.

THE AGONY:

Uruguay 1, Ghana 1: In my 25-plus years of watching sports – this was the single worst way to lose possible.  Ghana scored a semi-lucky goal to get the lead, and Uruguay’s super striker Diego Forlan scored the equalizer on a lovely free kick.  But the game was largely unremarkable until the 120th minute and that scrum.  Suarez, who will miss the semifinal, HAD to commit the handball.  I said on facebook that of course he cheated – but I realize cheating is a loaded term implying that the guy is an asshole.  All fouls are cheating – circumventing the rules to gain advantage – one hopes the refs call them.  Suarez had to take the chance – and he got caught.

Either way, it was a 100% chance Ghana would win or a 90% chance.  Ghana had a 90% chance and – you have to get it on the target.  That said the guy who missed it scored in penalty kicks and was the Ghanaians best player – so let’s not get too carried away.  But a couple of dreadful penalties taken completed the crush.  Uruguay deserved it – but with so many South African hearts wanting a continental semifinalist, hard not to be sad.

THE ODDITY:

Spain 1, Paraguay 0: Paraguay almost did it.  They almost stunk the Spanish all the way out of the tournament.  They actually played much more positively than I expected, and gave the usually very precise Spain team real problems.  The oddity came with dueling penalty kicks, and each goalie coming up with a huge save.  It woke up a fairly blah affair – but then Spain kept their patience then David Villa struck again.  Paraguay tried, but not enough firepower.

TRANSCENDENCE:

Germany 4, Argentina 0: I guess the events of 70 years ago prevent Germany from ever being lovable at anything.  But I don’t know.  The youth and positive speed of this group is coming together.  Germany has always been one of the most technically sound sides – but they have never been fun.  This is the exception – Germany is easily the best aesthetic of the tournament – and the goals have just flowed.  They are still technical Germany – witness how they held Argentina off until the Argentinians collapsed under the weight of their futility – but their counter is so positive and they have such speed out wide.  The last 30 minutes they broke Argentina, and just shredded them.  It was a joy to watch – they have been a joy to watch.  I feel dirty admiring and rooting for them to win this now.  But I must be true.

The FINAL FOUR

Uruguay vs Netherlands: The Netherlands have been building to this.  They have the soundness and the flair.  Uruguay has the world class strikers and solidness on defense.  However, their struggles against Ghana and South Korea showed that maybe their power in the group stage was a function of frankly France’s collapse.  The Netherlands should win this, especially with Suarez out.

Spain vs Germany: Without their sterling outside man Muller, Germany will be up against it.  With their youth and vibrance, it is hard to see Germany losing on one level.  But this is still largely the cast that Spain demolished in the Euro 2008 final.  Spain is better on paper – and have been utterly professional since the toe stub against Switzerland.  I want Germany to do it – but they won’t.

World Cup – Quarterfinals Preview

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No more USA, but eight countries to go … tomorrow and Saturday the four quarterfinal matches play out.  As my previous post indicated, my final four of Uruguay, Brazil, Spain and Germany is still alive.  That said – true odds?

Uruguay vs Ghana: The coolest story of the World Cup now.  After breaking my heart by beating the United States, Ghana is holding up the hopes of a continent.  Ghana has not scored in the run of play yet against a decent defense – this worries me.  But they have finishing zip, as the hustle strike in OT against the US showed.  Uruguay is a very solid defense that has been very good when they have stayed positive.  Alvarez’ goal to beat South Korea was magic – I want to believe in Ghana but I can’t.  Home field does funny things though – but Uruguay ought to be in the final four.  Whether it be Sweden in 1994, Croatia in 1998, South Korea in 2002 … it always seems like an upstart is going to make a big run.  This quarterfinal will produce it either way.

Brazil vs The Netherlands: The Netherlands has been labeling this matchup for a long time.  The two teams played a classic in 1994.  Brazil just destroyed Chile in the previous round – but the Netherlands will not be outmanned, and they are built to counterattack.  That said, like 1994, this Brazil team is more pragmatic and capable of suffocating the middle of the field.

Argentina vs Germany: The 1986 and 1990 finals rematch.  Argentina’s talent and Maradona’s personality has meshed well.  Messi has not scored but he has dominated.  Tevez, Heinze – it’s scary.  Hell, the hero of the Champions League final does not even start for them.  They are scoring with such ease.  They rattled a young side in Mexico – and Germany is young here.  However, Germany’s quick strike counterattack is the exact style to beat Argentina.  Against England, every German run looked dangerous – they fill the lanes so much, just a more entertaining German side than ever before.  Germany can do it.  I already said they would.

Spain vs Paraguay: I am not sure how Paraguay is here.  On paper this is the mismatch of the quarterfinals.  Spain after losing to Switzerland early has stepped the pace up.  They have that combination of pragmatism and creativity that lets them possess without being silly.  They have an ability to score directly that they did not have in 2006.  They showed it in 2008 at the European Championship.  Paraguay got here by outlasting a Japanese team (which had more offensive power) in a pretty dull affair.  Spain stays composed and suffocates Paraguay.

World Cup Elimination – Day 1

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Uruguay 2, South Korea 1: Uruguay showed domination early, but sagged way too much and played too negatively.  South Korea’s goal was clean – but then when you see the utter beauty of Alavrez’ strike on the game winner – it is clear that Uruguay is really good.  They could be a surprise semifinalist if they win the quarterfinal – but they are NOT underdogs – not anymore.

Ghana 2, United State 1 (ot): Ultimately, the defense was not good enough – certainly not good enough to hold up in a neutral type of game.  Once again a horrible lapse caused the USA to fall behind.  Once again, key strategic adjustments resulted in a dominant second half where the deserving tie goal occured (this time on a correctly called penalty and resulting kick).  However, so much energy and substitutions were used – the wad was blown.  And in OT, the legs were gone, and a harmless looking long ball split the USA back defenders and a goal.  The US needs better finishing – but this side was so much better as an attack side … they struggled badly when they tried to be anything else.  Fun run.

The World Cup Knockout Round

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Like lots of people, I am no everyday soccer fan.  But it’s the WORLD CUP people!!  Despite the relatively miniscule size of the trophy itself (come on, it looks like an Oscar, not a WORLD CUP) – the passion and pageantry are hard not to get swept up in.  For those who pooh pooh soccer – I offer this defense.  This is world class soccer, the games last 2 hours, the halftimes are not filled with idiotic pop singers, and while some of the matches are boring – that describes baseball and the NFL.  ANYWAY, now that the group stage is set, we have ourselves the bracket to consider.  We label the quarters A through D going from the top of the bracket to the bottom.

Quarter A:

Uruguay vs South Korea: South Korea is probably the worst team in the field.  They got smoked by Argentina, survived a tie with a very flawed Nigeria side and beat a pretty horrendous Greek one.  Uruguay is workmanlike and showed strong defense in their group.  Uruguay should win.

United States vs Ghana: The United States has a very winnable game.  Ghana is young, athletic and will have the home field effectively.  That said, if the United State has its shape and keeps its discipline, there will be chances to finish.  The US D was disorganized early but the replacement of Onyewu might have helped a lot.

Really anyone who wins this quarter will be a truly stunning final four participant.  I cannot pick the team I root for to win this quarter – so with that in mind, I think URUGUAY has enough to make a shocking semifinal appearance.

Quarter B:

Netherlands vs Slovakia: Have to give Slovakia full marks for stunning Italy and getting out of the group stage.  However, the Netherlands are another kettle of fish, despite their history of heartbreak.  Hard to see Slovakia’s ride going much further though.

Brazil vs Chile: A South American grudge match, between the most wide open team in the tournament (Chile) and its most talented (Brazil).  Rare is the match where Brazil is the less dynamic side, but that is the case here.  But Chile might not have the manpower to score with Brazil, and Brazil has the defense to suffocate in the middle.

BRAZIL has been the favorite all along, no need to pick otherwise.

Quarter C:

Argentina vs Mexico: A great latin futbol clash – and a horrible matchup for Mexico.  Argentina wants to do the same things Mexico does – possess and attack – but Mexico is just not as good.  Leonel Messi is absolute magic – the best player in this tournament.

Germany vs England: Without Michael Ballack, this is a pretty fun, up tempo Germany team.  The second half against Ghana revealed some real un-German flair, as did their destruction of Australia.  England has the names (Lampard, Gerard, Rooney) but they have just not played well.  Germany could dominate this.  England could also put their shit together – but I just don’t see it.

Argentina is the class of this field – easily the hardest quarter.  Anything could happen, and the social experiment that is Diego Maradona as coach could finally explode.  Hey, no guts no glory, GERMANY.

Group D:

Paraguay vs Japan: Maybe the least sexy final 16 match.  Japan showed some surprising positivity in their win over Denmark – Honda is a terrific striker.  Paraguay is a very stodgy team.  Japan might be able to get to the quarterfinals here.

Spain vs Portugal: You want your grudge match?  Here it is.  Two countries sharing a border.  One country speaking a language that seems like a mangled version of the other.  Two elite futbol sides.  Spain is the 2nd best team in the world – and I think clearly better than #3 by a solid margin.  However, rivalries are rivalries.

This contains the best matchup of the round of 16.  A team that can win it all will get eliminated here.  SPAIN has been targeting this moment all along – and I’ve used my bold pick for Germany.