2014 World Cup

[Stuttgart88]

Some are causing a stink over it, but I loved Krul's behavior during the shoot-out. Reminded me of Van Der Sar in the 2008 CPL final, telling Anelka he knew which way Chelsea had been told to put their penalties.
I thought it was unsportsmanlike and the ref should have booked him the first time.

[osarusan]

I thought it was unsportsmanlike and the ref should have booked him the first time.

Yeah, it's a fine line isn't it. Some keepers make a point of handing the ball to the penalty-taker, or even go so far as to shake hands/fist bump them. Some referees seem to be more lenient that others on it too.

Did anybody notice that for the last penalty (and maybe others) Krul stood noticeably off-centre, to psyche the taker out some more?

[Stuttgart88]

Yes, I saw that.

If Krul had said to me he knows what way I'm going to kick it I'd have said, that's funny, cos I don't yet.

Anyway, this blog piece by Paul Wilson which was published in Sunday's Observer (the first of two mini articles in the link) absolutely nails what I think about this World Cup, and international football vs club football in general. I also fully agree with his easy acceptance of football's flaws and why they are normal, which is important to me given all the guff and attention directed towards Robben and Suarez and pretty much every indiscretion that ever happens on a football pitch.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/jul/05/world-cup-champions-league-fifa

[Stuttgart88]

What was that about? Ray miss his flight or being treated in hospital for over negativity syndrome?

Houghton to return home due to ill health

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/liverpool-hero-ray-houghton-cancels-3822554

[NeverFeltBetter]

Jesus, can't people stop feeding the Ann Coulter troll? It's amazing how many people latched on to her clickbait.

[geysir]

I think the omens were the opposite. All the favourites won the last 12 games, most stumbling across the line. Costa R had scored 5 out of 5 in their last shoot out. Most unlikely they could do that again plus Krul (since presumably that had been his job) had studied that shot out until he was blue (or orange) in the face. Had a great chance to win it in the last minute and the fates decided otherwise. So "the fallen" great powers fill the final 4 places. Couldn't be better.
It was unusual though, typically one of the favourites doesn't win through their QF.
The Dutch bucked a trend.

[DannyInvincible]

If Van Gaal rated Krul a better penalty-saver, I'd imagine Cillessen would already have had an idea from practicing penalties in training that he'd be substituted if a shoot-out ever looked likely. There was much made about how insulting it might have been for Cillessen, but he's a professional and should know his strengths and limitations. If the swap was done purely to psyche out the Costa Ricans, that's fair enough; I don't see any reason to make such a hoo-ha about it. Nor was it in any way revolutionary. Plenty of managers, including Martin O'Neill, have employed the tactic in the past.

Just on Costa Rica's Bolanos, I knew I'd seen him before somewhere; he stood out as a pretty slick midfielder when Shamrock Rovers played Copenhagan in the third qualifying round of the Champions League three years ago.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Krul saved 2 of 20 penalties in his Newcastle days apparently, do I don't think he is a great penalty saver by nature. But his training regime with the Dutch could have been 90% penalties, and studying potential kickers habits. He saved two and picked the right side for every other one. That can't be coincidence.

[geysir]

I have a notion that our old nr 2 Dean Kiely was better at saving penalties than Shay.
But I have no idea what Dean's penalty record was.
Shay saved 9/62 in the epl.

[Stuttgart88]

Anecdotal evidence tells us that in training Niall Quinn was best of all of the Irish at the time. I think he used to bet that he'd save one out of 3 pens from any teammate. Years back I think it was Owls Fan who posited here that Shay was poor at penalties, always diving early and usually the wrong way. I agreed.

EPL or other league stats might be misleading. In league football the keeper faces the team's best penalty taker. In a shoutout it's unlikely that more than a couple of a team's 5+ takers are regular penalty takers.

[Stuttgart88]

Is this guy Irish?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-28205082

If Irish, his son will probably be next FAI CEO

[BonnieShels]

Is this guy Irish?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-28205082

If Irish, his son will probably be next FAI CEO


RTÉ were quick to note his nationality.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0707/629190-world-cup-official/

[geysir]

I think they were quicker than the BBC calling whale sized (yorkshireman) Paddy Kenny an irish international.
Good to see RTE are on their game.

[DannyInvincible]

Hadn't really had opportunity to post about previous round of games, but had meant to mention an incident in Argentina's game against Belgium where Messi had four Belgians hacking away at him just outside the Belgian box a few minutes before half-time. He was eventually brought to ground and the referee only then awarded a free. It annoyed me that he had to fall to the ground before the ref saw fit to act as je was clearly being impeded.

In saying that, I can see why a ref might hold off until a player hits the ground as he can potentially play advantage otherwise. Once a player is brought down though, there's no longer any potential for an advantage; the attack is well and truly over.

Tonight, I can't see anything other than a German win. The crowd (and ref) can only get Brazil so far in this World Cup and, without Neymar and Silva, they'll be seriously lacking in the mentalitee stakes.

[Stuttgart88]

Did you notice that in the same incident Messi handled the ball to get it under control? Not deliberate, but one of those where he took it with his bicep while trying to chest it down.

[geysir]

I'll be up for Brazil tonight, there's a good outside chance, but it's Germany's to lose, as is said.
I was very impressed with Germany against France but you never know, they might well contrive a defeat from the jaws of victory. Against Algeria their defence was needlessly dicing with tactical suicide with Mertesaker holding a very high line against sprint champions. They risked everything to beat Ghana after drawing level, when it wasn't needed, you wouldn't catch Italy doing that.
Enjoy the game.

[BonnieShels]

I'll be up for Brazil tonight, there's a good outside chance, but it's Germany's to lose, as is said.
I was very impressed with Germany against France but you never know, they might well contrive a defeat from the jaws of victory. Against Algeria their defence was needlessly dicing with tactical suicide with Mertesaker holding a very high line against sprint champions. They risked everything to beat Ghana after drawing level, when it wasn't needed, you wouldn't catch Italy doing that.
Enjoy the game.

I didn't see that coming. :P

Germans looking nervy in the opening minute.

[BonnieShels]

Ah... The wheels are coming off.

And that tackle from Lahm... Beauty. *swoon*

[pineapple stu]

Could see tee Germans getting three or four here.

[pineapple stu]

Klose. Legend.

Delighted for Brazil after the World Cup they've had. About the only team not to come out and play.

I now hope the Germans get five or six.

[pineapple stu]

Maybe I'll make that seven or eight?

This must be worse than 1950. Brazil will never host a a world cup again.

[gastric]

Shock, horror! This is humiliating, like a training run.

[cornflakes]

Brazil look worse than us!

[gastric]

There should be a mercy rule to save Brazil from their own fans. Bonnie where are you, you have got to be enjoying this!

[pineapple stu]

Germany away in a couple of months is looking a fun game.

Hilarious shambles and all that Brazil have been, Germany have been a joy to watch. Coming out to attack with simple, precise and effective football. A great way to cap a great World Cup.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

F***ing hell. How many chances do the Brazilian defenders want? They had umpteen opportunities to clear the ball for all of those goals.

Why isn't Daniel Alves playing?

And why the hell aren't Kaka, Robinho and Ronaldinho in the squad? Those players at 50% of their capabilities are better than the muck savages they brought with them. What the hell have they accomplished?

[BonnieShels]

There should be a mercy rule to save Brazil from their own fans. Bonnie where are you, you have got to be enjoying this!

Finally a game to come close to NED-ESP.

Alan Hansen is useless.

[Closed Account 2]

Wow... They held up Neymar's shirt at kick off, they'd do well to throw in his towel at half time

[BonnieShels]

Dunphy has just said that this is the first decent team that Brazil have played apparently. They had the weakest side of the draw apparently.

Sorry, who did Dunphy tip for the World Cup?

[DannyInvincible]

Germany have been almost too efficient for my liking! Ruthless.

Brazil's record defeat was a 6-0 loss to Uruguay back in 1920. Germany should score a few more here. If they're bothered to expend further energy, that is. That Brazil squad is a team of head-the-balls.

[geysir]

Klose needed two chances to dispatch that open goal chance.
This game is a non event after 25 minutes. Even Klose can't be bothered to put in a decent dive.
What's the point in watching the 2nd half? The kitchen sink might have more appeal.

[gastric]

Jeez, lots of empty seats in the stadium.

[bennocelt]

As I crack open another Bavarian Pils, will enjoy this second half, but worried Fred might get Brazil back into this game

[BonnieShels]

Apparently there's lots of trouble in the stands.

[DannyInvincible]

At least we scored when we lost by five goals to this lot!

Andy Keogh > Brazil

[BonnieShels]

As I crack open another Bavarian Pils, will enjoy this second half, but worried Fred might get Brazil back into this game

You must be quaking.

[pineapple stu]

Neuer. Class.

This German performance is what Spain could have been if tiki taka had bite. I think they could match what Spain have just achieved.

[DannyInvincible]

Diving never looks too smart, but trying it when you're 5-0 down (Oscar and Fred) just looks utterly pathetic.

[NeverFeltBetter]

There is a section in Simon Kuper's and Stefan Szymanski's "Soccernomics" where they talk about the real cost of hosting major sporting events for a nation. Almost all the time the talk of long term economic profit is nonsense: nations rarely make back a fraction of the amount of money they put into hosting events like the World Cup. The true benefit, no joke, is really in national happiness, how hosting such a tournament increases the general wellbeing and mental happiness of the nations population (there are many studies). It helps that hosts usually do well, increasing the general happiness and self-esteem of the nation.


Brazil's World Cup has gone horribly over budget, killed workmen, divided the nation, created violent protests, the national team has exhibited a brand of football you could generously describe as "poor" and now they're being eliminated in this fashion. What "happiness" existed to be gained is being destroyed, which might just make Brazil 2014 the biggest White Elephant in the history of sport.

[osarusan]

What's the point in watching the 2nd half? The kitchen sink might have more appeal.

Didn't get to sleep until late, so set my alarm for 6, to get the second half.

Quite the shock when I saw the scoreline....I was tempted to go back to bed.

[gastric]

Irish team to play Germany - Westwood, Coleman, O'Brien, Dunne, Pearce, Wilson. O'Shea, Duffy, Clarke, SSL and oh, Robbie!

[DannyInvincible]

Germany can surely do better than this! How many minutes is it since they've scored now?!

[Charlie Darwin]

Neuer. Class.

This German performance is what Spain could have been if tiki taka had bite. I think they could match what Spain have just achieved.
Based on this performance alone? Germany have the capacity to rip teams apart with their short game (Ireland, Armenia, Brazil) but they've played a very different game for most of this tournament.

[DannyInvincible]

Irish team to play Germany - Westwood, Coleman, O'Brien, Dunne, Pearce, Wilson. O'Shea, Duffy, Clarke, SSL and oh, Robbie!

Any room for Forde as well?

[gastric]

As I crack open another Bavarian Pils, will enjoy this second half, but worried Fred might get Brazil back into this game

Won't happen now with him going off!

[gastric]

Any room for Forde as well?

We'll just drop Robbie who was going to be the holding midfielder!

[pineapple stu]

Based on this performance alone? Germany have the capacity to rip teams apart with their short game (Ireland, Armenia, Brazil) but they've played a very different game for most of this tournament.
True. Arguably the turning point was their full back getting injured, forcing Lahm out of centre mid.

But this style is similar to their club style which is starting to gain traction in Europe too. And this isn't an atypical German performance. Ok, it's against Brazil in a World Cup semi in Brazil, but we all knew Germany could play like this.

Is Thomas Muller on course to be the first player to be top scorer at two tournaments?

[bennocelt]

Won't happen now with him going off!

Did he manage to get one shot on target in this world cup?

[pineapple stu]

If Brazil walk off the pitch now, it ends 3-0, yeah?

[pineapple stu]

Did he manage to get one shot on target in this world cup?
He scored against Cameroon. Granted, he was offside, but the goal stood.