30-6-14 world cup blog

In the first of the knockout matches on Saturday Brazil got through after winning on penalties after a 1-1 draw with Chile with Neymar saving the day. In the other round of the knockouts Cameroon beat Croatia 2-0 with goals from James Rodriguez and Brazil will play Cameroon in the quarter final?  

NETHERLAND V MEXICO

Both teams had had their chances before the first water break of the tournament. Dos Santos scores at the start of the second half a long ball in a nice little flick back and it falls to Dos Santos who was time to control the shot and hit it beyond the keeper. 1-0 Mexico. A beautiful corner as the lay back comes onto Sniders foot and he puts it in the net 1-1. Robben gets the ball and is at the bottom of the box he is fouled there and Netherlands get the penalty. Huntalar scores and Netherlands go through to the quarter finals.

COSTA RICA V GREECE

Greece seem to have more of the game than Costa Rica. Polanios his ball into Brian Ruis as he takes the ball from the cross and hit it like he scuffed it but the ball goes into the bottom corner. Oscar Duarte is sent off for a double booking. Samaras puts the ball into the box the keeper saves a Greek shot and Papasthopolos gets the reaction shot and puts it in the net with seconds to spare Greece equalise. It all goes to a shoot out. Greese had their chances to score in extra time. Fernando Santos the Greek coach had been sent off  

All 7 penalties were scored in this penalty shoot out Gegas shoots for Greese ands Navas saves. Michael Umana scores to put Costa Rica through into the quarter final of the    

 

 

27-6-14 world cup blog

PORTUGAL V GHANA

RONALDO KNOWS THAT THEY ARE OUT

It does look like Ronaldos chance to win this with a few chances for him. Mountinho passes the ball to Coentrao on the wing and the ball is put into his own net by Boye Portugal lead 1-0. A peach of a cross from Ghang leaves Gyan on his head puts him on top of the table for African goals scorers at the world cup. Nani puts in a cross not delt with by the keeper and just falls to Ronaldo who volleys it into the net to get his 50^th goal but he doesn’t celebrate.

Portugal wins 2-1 but are in third on goal difference

USA V GERMANY

KLINSMAN IS VERY HAPPY AS BOTH HIS TEAMS ARE THROUGH

Germany has had a few shots in the first half. The USA has had a few chances later in the first half. Germany take the lead when they get a corner and Mertesacker takes a header and Muller takes the volley which gives him the leading goal scoring record on his own. 

KOREA V BELGIUM

DEFOUR RUINS HAPPY DAY FOR BELGIUM

Belgium player Defour being sent off for a 2 footed tackle. Origi gets the shot which is reaction saved by the keeper and put into the net by Vertonghen.

ALGERIA V RUSSIA

SIMINI HAS MAGIC LIGHT IN HIS EYES

Gluskakov with a perfect cross onto the head of Kokerin 1-0 Russia. Russia did look much the stronger at the start of the match. Russia definitely had a big chance at the start of the second half as they had a one on one opportunity with the Algerian keeper. Brahini hit the ball into the box and Slimani gets the header to score the equaliser but you do wonder if the referee would have done better if the laser was not shone on his face. Algeria have gone out of the group stage for the first time.

BARRYS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GROUP STAGE  

This is the first time at a world cup that 2 African teams have reached the last 16 it is also the first time since 1998 that no Asian team have reached the last 16.

As much as England would wish that it was them, my failure of the world cup goes to Spain so much expectation such a surprise that they did not win.

My surprise team of the group is Costa Rica.

Player of the group is Lionel Messi or Nemar as they are the teams that look best placed.

Goal of the group stage goes to Dutch man Robin Van Persie.

LAST 16 PREDICTIONS

Brazil v Chile

The Brazil team I feel is too strong to loose this match but I do think that it will be an interesting moment possibly won by a moment of Neymar magic.

Netherlands v Mexico

The Mexicans I think have an advantage in this match but I feel that the players that the Dutch have had is much stronger I say 2-1 Netherlands.

Costa Rica V Greece

I do not think either team expected this but I feel that Costa Rica will be the stronger team as they are on more of a roll.

Colombia v Uruguay

I would see this game as a draw and it being settled by penalties which I think Colombia will win as I do not think Uruguay have that piece of magic from Suarez to win this.

26-6-14 world cup

ARGENTENA V NIJERIA

 

MESSI SHOWS HE IS ONE OF THE GREATS

Lionel Messi get a goal but it should have went to Di Maria as he hit the ball off the post and Messi puts it into the net. 1-0 Argentina Babatunde runs down the wing and finds Musa on the wing and hits a shot which goes beyond the goalkeeper to the opposite side of the goal 1-1 Nigeria. Messi hits a perfect free kick but one of the things was it a free I am not that sure. The perfect 1,2 between Echejile and Mussa  allowed Mussa to put the ball in for the equaliser. Good corner from Messi and Rojo bounces the ball off his knee to get the direction to put it in the net Argentina lead 3-2.

BOSNIA V IRAN

DJECKO SHOW HE CAN CONTROL THINGS

Dzeko gets the ball and is able to run with it and control it before taking a perfect shot into the bottom corner of the goal 1-0 Bosnia. Iran loose possession before Dzeko gets the ball and feeds it to Pjanic to make 2 for Bosnia. Iran create a goal from a corner that Bosnea get away from danger twice but it falls for a cross and Goochamannejahd to give Iran some hope. Saihovic lays the perfect pass to Vrajevic who kills of Iranian hopes.

This Puts Argentina on top with Nigeria in second spot.

EQUADOR V FRANCE

HUGE FRENCH DISAPOINTMENT

This was the game that France never really got started from but they did have their chances to win this match. Ecuador had a couple too but the French coach should be disappointed with this

SWIZERLAND V HONDURAS

A DAY OF SHAQRI AS THIS IS HIS PERFECT DAY

The ball was on the left as this all started from a throw in and passed around before Shaqri who takes on and beats his defender who is right beside him got the ball controlled it and hit it into the opposite corner I wouldn’t mind seeing that again. A quality Swiss break and a 1, 2 with another attacker left Shaqri one on one with the keeper and he puts it in the net. Rodriguez gets the ball down the opposite wing Vermich gets it and puts in the lay back and Shaqri taps in the ball to make it 3.   

BARRY PERDICTIONS

USA V GERMAMY

I would like to see the USA win this as for people like Kinsman but do feel that Germany will win but the USA will score maybe 3-1 Germany   

PORTUGAL V GHANA

I think that this will be an entertaining score draw 2-2 as I think both teams have got the quality to score but rely too much on Ronaldo

ALGERIA V RUSSIA

This could be a bit of a boring game with few chances

SOUTH KOREA VBELGIUM

If South Korea scores on this match I will be surprised I see this as a 3-0 to Belgium

  

25-6-14 world cup day

ENGLAND V COSTA RICA

 

ENGLAND GET RESULT BUT DESERVED MORE

England got a 0-0 draw but they should be more satisfied with this match than any of the others. They had chances created by Rooney, Sturridge and Shaw and had most of the big chances in this match. Costa Rica have had a couple but seemed quite satisfied with the draw that they got. From an English perspective they should be happy.

URUGUAY V ITALY

 

SUAREZ BIT URUGUAY INTO LAST 16

 In the play off between Italy and Uruguay. Mario Balotelli was booked for kicking a defender which meant he would not play in the last 16 tie.  Claudio Marcisio was sent off for a hard tackle on the Uruguay defender which looks harsh to me .Suarez had bitten Ciol but the referee did not see it. Perfect corner and perfect header from Godin to make it 1-0 to Uruguay.  

GREECE V IVORY COAST

THE DEATH OF ZEO

Tyote looses possession for Ivory coast a quality 1,2 and Samaras gets the goal that gives Greese the lead. Gervinio lays the ball back to Wilfred Bony the Swansea city player who equalises for the Ivory Coast. Samaras goes down from a tackle from Zeo and he puts the penalty away right at the death final score 2-1 Greece.

COLOMBIA V JAPAN

RODREGEZ THE STAR OF THE DAY

Marnez into Ramos in a position where nothing can happen Penalty Cuadrado puts it away on 7 minutes. Ozakaki gats the goal from a wonder cross from Honda Japan equalise on the last moment of the half. Rodriguez lays it off to Martinez who puts Colombia into the lead again. Rodriguez gets the ball beyond the halfway line and passes to Martinez just inside the box that shoots from an angle and scores. A great pass into Rodriguez who takes on and dummies the Japan defenders before putting the ball in the net Colombia win 4-1.

BARRY PREDICTIONS

NIJERIA V ARGENTENA

In my opinion Argentina are one of the teams that can win this world cup and a win over Nigeria will help in their momentum. I feel that Argentina will win 3-1.  

BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA V IRAN

This is the match of the mimeos and I would think that Bosnia would have more but would not be surprised with a draw.

EQUADOR V FRANCE

France looks to be the man on form so I feel that this could be a simple win for them.

HONDURAS V SWIZERLAND

I feel that this will be a score draw 2-2 as there is not that much difference and does look like the tournament of the Americans.

24-6-14 world cup blog

BRAZIL V CAMEROON

 

NEYMAR SITS ON TOP OF THE WORLD

Brazils tie with Cameroon is their 100^th tie in the world cup and Brazil have never gone out of the world cup since 1966.  Gustavo wins the ball off the Cameroon defender and puts in a cross to Nemar who has a simple tap in1-0 Brazil. Cameroon definitely had their chances to get back into it and they took one as a quality ball came in and Joel Matip was able to get his boot onto it. Nemar puts himself on top of the goal scoring charts a beautiful kick pass by Marcello and Neymar gets the ball controls it and runs before taking the shot and scoring. Fernandinho getting the ball for the cross into Fred who should be offside. What a passing move finished off by Fernandinho who makes it 4-1 to Brazil.

Neymar scored the 100^th goal of the tournament this year.

MEXICO V CROTIA

 

MEXICO HAVE DISAPOINTMENTMENT IN THE AIR

Rafael Marquez gets the perfect header from the perfect corner to make it 1-0. Hernandez to Peralta expecting the 1,2 but Guradado gets the shot to make it 2-0 Mexico. Good corner and good flick by Heralta to Hernandez 3-0 Mexico. Good ball into Ratatich who lays it off to Peratich to make it 3-1 and Croatia get a red card also which did not help there cause as it was in the 90^th minute but it was not that important.

NETHERLANDS V CHILE

 

IT’S TIME TO GET THE FER

Yan Martin puts in the cross to Leroy Fer who gets the goal that the Dutch attack deserved. Chile deserved a penalty when ball was in the box and a poor tackle on Sanchez. Beautiful breakaway pass to Robben who crosses to Depay who gets ahead of the Chillan defender to score with seconds to spare.

AUSTRILIA V SPAIN

 

SPAIN SHOW THAT THEY STILL GAVE CLASS

There was nothing on this game except pride for Spain as they had never lost all 3 games at a world cup. Iniesta gets the ball down the wing Guan Fran crosses to Villa who scores to make it 1-0 to Spain. Juan Matta to Inesta who gets a beautiful pass into Fernando Torrez 2-0 Spain. Cesc Fabrigas gets the ball to a wide unmarked Juan Matta who puts it in the net.

LAST 16 MATCHES

 

These are now guaranteed last 16 matches

BRAZIL V CHILIE I feel that a good Chile team could beat Brazil and this is a tie that would suit them best

NETHERLANDS V MEXICO Anything can happen in this match

BARRYS PREDICTIONS

COSTA RICA V ENGLAND

Any person who follows football knows that the best case scenario for England here is a draw as Costa Rica has got momentum 1-0 Costa Rica

ITALY V URUGUAY

This is a match between 2 quality players Balotelli and Suarez to look at it but I think that Italy will have more in defence to win this match 2-1

GREESE V IVORY COAST

I feel that the Ivory Coast will win this match as they have too much quality 2-0

JAPAN V COLOMBIA

This match I feel could be a draw and I think that it will be but I can see goals 2-2

 

  

 

world cup 23-6-14

USA V PORTUGAL

 

USA LOOSE IMPORTANT POINTS IN LAST GASP HEADACHE

Postiga crosses the ball into Nani who taps it in fro slightly wide but no one decided to come near him, 1-0 Portugal. The USA must have been worried as Portugal was having a lot of shots at their target. Good corner Portugal gets the ball out and Jones for the USA equalises with an amazing shot. Clint Dempsy puts the USDA ahead but this was more to do with the passing that the USA was able to achieve. As they were able to get it to the right into the centre and cross from the left for the goal. 2-1 USA but was he offside. Portugal equalise. Ronaldo puts in a perfect cross and Vargela equalises. for Portugal.

BELJIUM V RUSSIA

BELJIUM SHOW WHY THEY ARE THE OUTSIDERS

Belgium has had a few chances in this match against Russia. Hazzard with an amazing down the wing crosses it to Origi who puts the ball in the net and secures Belgium’s passage to the next round.

ALJERIA V S KOREA

ALJERIA FIRST AFRICAN TEAM TO SCORE 4

Benjani with an amazing pass behind the half way line allows Stimani to beat 2 Korean defenders to score the goal 1-0 Algeria. Perfect cross perfect header for Haliche to take Algeria to a 2 goal lead. A perfect long ball and lay off to Djabou to make it 3-0 Algeria. Hungmin pulls one back as he chest the ball of his back and gets an angle to score from Koreas first shot. An amazing passing move by Algerria ends wit a 1, 2 with Brahimi and put in the net to make the score 4-1 Algeria. Hangmin puts the ball in the net to give Korea some hope but this was a very impressive passing move by them.

20-6-14 world cup blog

ENGLAND V URUAGUAY

 

ITS SUAREZ TIME

At the start of the match between England and Uruguay. England were getting a few free kicks which ran to good goal scoring chances but none fell. Uruguay’s first goal came from a ball to Carvini passed from midfield passed right onto the head of Luis Suarez. Uruguay's Cahill just couldn't get his head to it, they lead 1-0. Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge both had chances to equalise. Sturridge gets himself beyond 2 defenders to pass to Glen Johnson who puts in a peach of a cross for Rooney to tap in England still have hope and gets his first world cup finals goal. Direct ball from the goalkeeper up a little on flick from Carvani and the perfect Suarez control and shot from an angle to make the score 2-1 to Uruguay. All England can do now is hope.

COLOMBIA V IVORY COAST

 

RODREGEZ PUT COLOMBIA INTO DREAMLAND

Both teams had good chances in this match but the first goal came from a set piece, the perfect corner and the perfect header by Rodriguez but I wonder if Boka was fouled for the Ivory Coast in the making of that corner. Rodergez gets the ball of the Ivorian and passes to Cuterez who passes to Quintero who scores his first ever international goal Colombia lead 2-0 on 70. What a goal by Gervinho taking on 3 tackles from a wing position and scoring an incredible individual goal 2-1.

JAPAN V GREESE

 

GREESE CAN STAND WITH 10 MEN

Kastouranis is sent off for 2 bookable offences and the second does look to me like he should be sent off for it. Both countries had their chances to win this match. The way that the group stands it looks like both countries will be running a lot on hope rather than expectation.

BARRYS PREDICTION

ITALY V COSTA RICA

I do think that Italy will set up defensively here and in the worst case get a goal. I feel that Balotelli will score that goal to give England some hope of getting out of this group. I think that neither team will want to loose this match. I do think that you can not ignore Costa Rica as I think they are a lot better than people think.

SWIZERLAND V FRANCE

Again a narrow win here I am going for but I feel that France have got the quality to win this match. But I do think that the Swiss will make it difficult to play.

HONDURAS V EQUADOR

I feel that this might be a no score draw. I think that this game will turn a few times as one country has control and then another but I do not think that there is the star in either team to make a win.