Toni wakes up with Brace

Luca Toni finds the form that has deserted him during the early stages of the world cup and bags 2 goals against plucky Ukraine.

After scoring early it appeared that Italy would salt away the game with their usual stifling defense. Instead Ukraine showed some fighting spirit and made Buffon bring his A game. After two second half strikes from striker Toni, Italy are through to the semi finals, where they will meet archrival Germany.

Italy was the logical choice to get to the semis. The game versus Germany will pit two old enemies on the World Cup semi final stage. Italy will look to replicate what it did in 1982 when it defeated, then West Germany, 3-1 to win their last major tournament. A factor that will not be lost on this years version.

I keep wondering when Germany's run will end, and the home field advantage will not make up for a pourous defense. I thought it would be against Argentina (again I really believe had Messi been in the game for the Extra Time that Argentina would be through). But this might be the game. Italy has, as always a stout defense, something Germany traditionally had but not this version. And if Toni takes momentum from this game and carries it over, he will prove too much to handle for the German defense. I think the home crowd will once again push the Germans but this time their shining star will burn out.

Italy 3 - Germany 1.....

Lehmann send Argentina packing

The home field advantage sees host Germany through after a cautious match against Argentina. Ending in penalties.

This game could have been very different had Abbondanzieri not needed to be substituted for in the 71st minute. This would or should have allowed Argentina to bring in Messi late in the game. Argentina need to be questioned with regards to their match management. Unless Riquelme is injured you should not remove him since he can control the tempo. And why not find a way to get your most dynamic player on the field - Messi? Too many teams want to sit on a one goal lead way too early in the game. Argentina started going defensive with over 20 minutes, too much time to allow the Germans to threaten your goal. As Extra Time approached it was clear that both teams were tired and both teams were making mistakes.

Germany won the way they know how to, playing for PKs and winning in front of a home crowd. Ashamed that Messi did not get a run at a very shaky German defense. Argentina will limp home wondering what could have been. Never lose with one of your best players on the bench.....

World Cup 1/4 finals, the tension builds

A day away from what could prove as a great 1/4 round for the world cup. Aside from the Ukraine-Italy game, the other three matches should prove fascinating football. Some early thoughts:

• Germany-Argentina - 5 world cups between them. One team playing at home, one team displaying a wealth of talent. Germany has proven many wrong by making a good run to the 1/4 finals, after a lackluster pre-World Cup campaign, Klinsmann has appeared to focused his team and have them playing inticing football. With Klose and Podoloski clicking up front, they have proven dangerous going forward. Ballack has demonstated some creativity in the midfield. Frings has demonstrated his ability to bomb the net from the outside. Their defense has not really been tested, outside the two goals from Costa Rica they have not really been threatened (missed PK aside). However, they have yet to play a team like Argentina. Will they be able to control the game when Riquelme et al are running at a very suspect defense? I think this game will be very entertaining, Germany will take much energy from the home field fans. However, I think that the offensive talent on the Argentinian side will overwhelm the poor German back line. Those that point to the Mexico game say that Argentina looked vulnerable, I would say pay attention to the end of the first half of that game and parts of the second, Argentina looked like they were moving the ball at will. Prediction - Argentina 2 Germany 1.
• Italy-Ukraine: On paper this is the worst of the 4 matches. And I have to agree, I think that Italy have not had a "perfect" game yet. They did play the Czechs well, but they had a man advantage for much of the match. Needed a fortunate penalty against a tough Australian team. I think that Ukraine does not have the bloodline needed to challenge Italy. Granted Shevchenko remains a top 5 stiker and overall player, he will be dangerous no matter how much knowledge the Italian players have of him due to his years at AC Milan. Italy has too much talent and experience: Italy 2 Ukraine 0
• England-Portugal: This one should be a great match...were it not for an irrational referee forcing Deco and Costinha to sit out this game. I think that Portugal will still give England fits. England has done just enough to progress, but at least they are progressing. Rooney is fully fit, but might still remain rusty in the flow of the game. The English midfield has not found its rythm yet, and the defense has been shakey. Portugal still have some heavy hitters in their midfield - Maniche, Ronaldo, Figo. The loss of Deco is huge, and cannot be underestimated. He gave Portugal a midfield general who could control the middle of the pitch, allowing Figo to play wide and giving Ronaldo a carte blanche to run free all over the pitch, without Deco we will have to see how Big Phil manages his strategy. I still think that Big Phil is much more intelligent that Sven. While on paper England has more talent, Portugal has a better game plan. Prediction: Portugal 1- England 0.
• France-Brazil: A mouth watering match up, many would have predicting this to happen in the finals. Alas we will have to see one of the recent world cup winners out after the 1/4 finals. I need to step away from my bias and look at this objectively....well as objectively as possible. Brazil has appeared to be sleep walking to this stage, granted they have sleep walked to score 10 goals in 4 games...scarey. They still have a wealth of talent and at least 2-3 more gears, has Adriano really showed us what he is capable of, how about Ronaldino? On the other side, France has been building, at least appearing to build each game, and not just on the score sheet (scoring 0-1-2-3 goals progressively). Les Vieux (the old ones) appear to have kicked it up a notch. Vieira has been a monster the last 2 games, Zidane looked solid last game. Yet their remains some issues - Henry needs to have the ball fed to him sooner, as well as staying on sides more. Zidane will need to play quicker balls as well. This game will be won at the midfield, no surprise there. Similar to 1998, when Deschamps, Djorkaef, Petit and Zidane controlled the midfield against Brazil....the French will have to do so again to have any chances of winning. I think the French defense will be tested by the individual talent of the Brazilians, but I think the Brazilian defense which is suspect will also be tested. Both goalies do not instill the greatest confidence.....Predictions: I think this game will be back and forth, both teams testing the other. France played a great game against Spain and will be asked to do so again versus Brazil, Brazil are living off their individual talent and we are all waiting to see them kick it into the next gear. I think France keeps playing at a high level, and I think the competition gets Brazil to kick it up a level making for a great game - France 2 Brazil 2 goes to penalty shots....which I rather not fathom a guess on.....my stomach cannot take it....
  

Allez les Bleus....Allez les Bleus

WOW....that is about all I can say about the France - Spain game.

France emerges with a tough fought 3-1 victory to face Brazil.

Where to start,

first I have to tip my hat to Domenech (who I much critised in the past). He game out and appeared to instruct his team to play defensive, behind the half for the first 20 minutes. This gave Spain the false sense of control as their back line passed the ball around w while France was content in sitting back and watching, jumping on loose balls and throwing together some counter attacks.

Even after Spain went up 1-0 on a penalty, France kept their cool. A masterful Vieira opts not to play Henry, who was in an offside position, but rather holds for a second later to free Ribery alone. Ribery cooly dribbled Casillas and slotted home the equalizer. France almost broke through again when Spain bungled their defending and were it not for a misunderstanding between Henry and Ribery one might have broken through alone on Casillas again.

The second half resembled the first with the tension mounting. Zidane and Vieira looked masterful contolling the midfield, Ribery was causing the Spanairds problems. However Spain made the proper changes and brought in Garcia and Joaquin. Both looked dangerous, Joaquin deftly cutting the ball inside the box only to see his shot hit the outside of the net, must say that Barthez had covered the corner well.

As the game drew on it appeared that extra time was in the cards, however a silly foul on Henry by Puyol, on replay it is clear that Henry sells the foul, but Puyol did obstruct Henry. Zidane then finally hit a dangerous free kick into the box (Zidane's corner kicks left much to be desired). Vieira, inexplicably was left unmarked and thumped home a heavy header that was deflected into the net, this time no Koreanesque non call, this one was clearly in.

France then were under seige as Spain looked to eqaulize. Finally Domenech made some smart substitutions, bringing in a fresh Wiltord for Henry. Wiltord was the key man in springing Zidane for the coup de grace - a beautiful solo effort for the third goal.

A few intial thoughts:

• Spain played well, but did not have the finishing touch needed to score from the run of play. They will continue to live with the moniker of not being able to step up in the big games. A moniker that is unfair, they were in this game and could have broken through the other way. I do have to question Raul playing behind the stikers, he was invicible and was not controlling the field.
• France played a great game plan, Vieira, Zidane looked inspired and the defense held their ground. Sagnol played a huge game clearing out crosses and marking Torres. The volume of play in the midfield was evident when Gallas and Thurman were rarely called upon to clear up any mistakes. The one issue is keeping Henry focused and not lazy, wandering back from off sides positions. But he remains the type of stiker that only needs one clean ball and can finish.
• Keeping cool, France kept their cool after being dominated on the possession as well as the score sheet going into the end of the first half...they were rewarded with the Ribery goal. France kept their cool in the second half when Spain pushed, a good sign from a team that at times looked shakey against the Swiss and Koreans.
  
• The end of the game - the French players demonstrated a joy and happiness rarely seen from this team since the 2002 world cup debacle. I credit much of this to Ribery. After he scored he demonstrated the unbriddled joy of a young player who scored his first international goal, on the world cup stage none the less. His mad dash from the Spanish goal to the French touch line awoke some emotions in the French. The goal by Vieira inspired a mad full team celebration. Once the game was over you could see that this was much more than a victory, but a relief and a renewed sense of joy. France need to keep this attitude if they have a chance against Brazil.
  
• The ref, of all the games this referree was the best, he controlled the game. Rather than start handing out cards in the first few minutes (similar to our Russian friend in the Portugal-Holland match) he chose to instead speak to players. I must admit some of his later cards were questionable...but overall he allowed the game to be played rather than being the focus.

So the 1/4 finals are set, with potentially three great matches, the Italy - Ukraine game does not get anyone outside of Kiev or Rome excited, althought a Schevcheko vs Italy match up could be interesting. The rest of the matches should prove very interesting. All I hope is that the officiating resembles more what we saw in the France-Spain match rather than the Portugal-Holland one....now I need to catch my breath.

Classy Spanish fans

Good to see the Spanish fans whistling the French national anthem...classy

Last day of the 1/8 finals, viva l'attaque!

So the clock ticks down to the last day of the 1/8 of finals. On tap we have Brazil-Ghana and the big one for me Espana - France.

First some thoughts on Brazil - Ghana. I think that Ghana can give Brazil some difficulties with their speed and overall agressive play. I am still not convinced Ronaldo is 100% fit nor motivated. Yes he scored twice, but against Japan...and the first goal I could have scored (maybe not Thierry Henry cause it required heading the ball into the net), the second goal was a spectacular strike from distance. But if Ronaldo is going to content himself with shooting from that distance, he will run into problems versus a tougher and more aggressive Ghana. The main reason why I think Ghana will lose, and Brazil will win rather easily is the lack of one Michael Essein. With two suspect yellow cards in the first round games he is out. He is the one world class player Ghana have, don't get me wrong they have solid players all over the pitch, but in terms of a top 10 world wide player Essein is the only one. His play, motor, and intimidation could have thrown the midfield balance in Ghana's way, he might be one of the few out there that could take a Kaka or Ronaldinho and shut them down. Without him Ghana plays tough but loses: 2-0.

Now on to what could be the best game of the second round - Espana v France. Aragones has decided to go with a very attacking formation: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Puyol, Pablo, Pernia, Xavi, Alonso, Fabregas, Raul, Torres, Villa. With three striker Spain is sending out the signal that they mean to attack and score often. Xavi, Alonso and Fabregas in the middle also indicates a push forward. With Domenech supposedly lining up with a 4-2-3-1 this could prove interesting. With two defensive/holding midfielders in Vieira and Makelele, France could play a block defense of 6 players (2 midfielders and the 4 backs) Sending Makelele and Vieira roaming to destroy any midfield creativity by Spain, and trusting the back four to block Raul, Torres and Villa.

I think that France can hold this attacking side, the three forwards have not really played all together on the pitch, they might end up getting in each other's way, and Raul is far from his all time best. I felt he was better suited as a late game joker. Xavi and Alonso are solid in the midfield but how good are they at stopping speedy wingers like Ribery and Malouda, this will place tremendous pressure on the 19 year old Fabergas (he can handle it, see his games for Arsenal, but this remains the World Cup). The key is whether or not this opens up space for France to counter attack, and if they can do so quickly through Zidane, something I am not convinced can be done anymore. Henry could potentially have more room to roam, and if he gets the ball quickly could be lethal. I fear that either Malouda or Ribery will have to track back further to get the ball, this will limit their offensive potential. I would also feel better had we had Coupet in goal, he is more likely to keep his calm and not make some gaff a la Barthez.

The key for France is to withstand what will surely be withering early pressure. If Les Bleus can go into half time tied or down only a goal, I think they have a chance to pull one out. But I think the spanish have it right, this is an old team and have not had the luxury to rest their players, attack early try to get an early goal, and see if France can answer....unfortunately I don't think Les Bleus can....

Spain 2 - France 1...Spain scores two early, France pulls one back late through substitute Trezeguet.

Let the French rebuilding begin!

French system - the Maginot Line.....

According the sports daily L'Equipe, France will line up in a 4-2-3-1 against Spain: Barthez - Sagnol, Thuram, Gallas, Abidal - Makelele, Vieira, Ribéry, Malouda, Zidane - Henry.

Ugh...not sure about this line up, if the games versus the Swiss and Koreans showed anything is that this system does a few things:

• Allows teams to focus in on Henry, Ribery has yet to demonstrate he can finish, Zidane has not shown any ability to break down defenses with dribbles, and Henry alone gets boxed in. With Trezeguet teams need to be respectful of his scoring ability, in addition Trezeguet gives France the option to play off him in the air, something Henry cannot do (can you name for me the last time Henry scored off a header?)
• The midfield gets bogged down. While Malouda and Ribery are spark plugs and can cover the entire pitch, Zidane's presence in the middle makes these runs less dangerous to the opposition. When Zidane slots higher, behind Henry, he has not demonstrated the old flair to shot and open up the field.

I realize this is the "safe" option, one that will ensure France has the necessary coverage in the middle of the pitch and has Zidane to orchestrate the game. But not sure that Henry running around alone up front will really scare Spain.

We all know what happened with the Maginot line, hopefully the same does not occur tuesday, alas I fear this is the last game we see Zidane and Thuram (I hold out hope that Makelele stays on)....and maybe (hopefully) the last game we might see Domenech.

Another Red Card!

After 50 minutes the Italians are down to 10 players...granted I am at work and could not see the foul but this is getting ridiculous.