Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Germany were considered favorites to beat Iran, Nigeria, and Ghana respectively, how exactly did things go?
Group F: Argentina vs. Iran
Result: 1-0 victory for Argentina
Goalscorers: 90+1' Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Bookings: 53' Javad Nekounam (Al-Kuwait), 73' Masoud Shojaei (Las Palmas)
Lineups
Argentina (4-3-3)
Sergio Romero (Monaco); Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Federico Fernandez (Napoli), Ezequiel Garay (Benfica), Marcos Rojo (Sporting CP); Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Angel di Maria (Real Madrid); Lionel Messi (Barcelona, captain), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Changes from last match
Change in formation from 5-3-2 to 4-3-3 (dropping a center back, Hugo Campagnaro, and adding a forward, Higuain). Also Gago replaces Maxi Rodriguez in the starting lineup.
Subs:
Rodrigo Palacio (Inter) 76' for Gonzalo Higuain
Ezequiel Lavezzi (PSG) 76' for Sergio Aguero
Lucas Biglia (Lazio) 90+4' for Angel di Maria
Iran (4-2-3-1)
Alireza Haghighi (Sporting Covilha); Jalal Hosseini (Persepolis), Amir Sadeghi (Esteghlal), Pejman Montazeri (Umm Salal), Mehrdad Pooladi (Persepolis); Andranik Teymourian (Esteghlal), Javad Nekounam (Al-Kuwait, captain); Ashkan Dejagah (Fulham), Masoud Shojaei (Las Palmas), Ehsan Hajsafi (Sepahan); Reza Ghoochannejhad (Charlton Athletic)
Changes from last match
Change from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1. Khosro Heydari replaced by Shojaei.
Subs:
Khosro Heydari (Esteghlal) 76' for Masoud Shojaei
Alireza Jahanbakhsh (NEC) 85' for Askhan Dejagah
Reza Haghighi (Persepolis) 88' for Ehsan Hajsafi
Iran put in a lot of effort to frustrate one of the favorites for the World Cup, and the fact that a team like Iran prevented a team like Argentina from scoring until the second half stoppage time may cause a few to no longer consider Argentina favorites for this title. With this win Argentina are through to the final 16 but they haven't been playing well so far this tournament. If it hadn't been for Sead Kolasinac's own goal and two instances of Lionel Messi magic, Argentina would have 1 point instead of 6. That is how close it has been for this team and for their fans who certainly have high expectations for the two time world champions, it definitely won't do. Iran will likely be accused for parking the bus again but there was more to it than that. Iran had some decent moments offensively and were very unfortunate to not be given a penalty when Pablo Zabaleta fouled another English based player Askhan Dejagah in the penalty area, but there was no penalty. If it was given, unless Sergio Romero did what Diego Benaglio did in Switzerland vs. France (save the penalty), Iran could've lead 1-0. A valiant effort indeed and it was a close run thing but unfortunately close just isn't enough. Both sides will be disappointed from this match, but Iran are not out. A win against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Argentina defeating Nigeria, and then the goal difference could see Iran through to the final 16 for the first time in their history. For Carlos Quieroz, his job is to figure out how to replicate this performance, except getting a goal or two next time around. For Alejandro Sabella, his job is to figure out why Argentina aren't playing as well as they should be.
Group G: Germany vs. Ghana
Result: 2-2 draw
Goalscorers: 51' Mario Gotze (Bayern Munich), 54' Andre Ayew (Marseille), 63' Asamoah Gyan (Al-Ain), 71' Miroslav Klose (Lazio)
Bookings: 90+4' Sulley Muntari (AC Milan)
Significance of bookings: Sulley Muntari will be suspended for Ghana's next match, vs. Portugal
Lineups
Germany (4-5-1)
Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich); Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Benedikt Howedes (Schalke); Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich, captain), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Mario Gotze (Bayern Munich); Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
Changes from last match
Only change is Thomas Muller and Mesut Ozil switching positions
Subs:
Shkodran Mustafi (Sampdoria) 46' for Jerome Boateng
Miroslav Klose (Lazio) 69' for Mario Gotze
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich) 70' for Sami Khedira
Ghana (4-2-3-1)
Fatau Dauda (Orlando Pirates); Harrison Afful (Esperance), John Boye (Rennes), Jonathan Mensah (Evian), Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus); Sulley Muntari (AC Milan), Mohammed Rabiu (Kuban Krasnodar); Christian Atsu (Vitesse), Kevin-Prince Boateng (Schalke), Andre Ayew (Marseille); Asamoah Gyan (Al-Ain, captain)
Changes from last match
In goal, Adam Kwarasey is replaced by Dauda. Daniel Opare replaced by Afful; Jordan Ayew replaced by Kevin-Prince Boateng
Subs:
Jordan Ayew (Sochaux) 52' for Kevin-Prince Boateng
Wakaso Mubarak (Rubin Kazan) 72' for Christian Atsu
Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese) 78' for Mohammed Rabiu
Subplots galore! Rematch from the 2010 Group D encounter, Schalke teammates Benedikt Howedes and Kevin-Prince Boateng go head to head, but of course a big attention grabber are the Boateng brothers going against each other once again. This time this story had a different ending. Both sides failed to score in the first half but there were plenty of opportunities (interestingly, Ghana became the first team in this tournament to play two different goal keepers, and their choice to go with Dauda seemed to be a good one who looked more composed than Kwarasey did against the USA; it helped that he did get scored on in the first 30 seconds of the match). Then Germany drew first blood with a goal from Mario Gotze, but Ghana fought back to get a 2-1 lead before Miroslav Klose came on to score a goal that would not only save Germany from defeat and give both sides a point but would make history. It was Klose's 15th World Cup goal, tying Brazil's Ronaldo's record. It was a proud moment for him and German football, a big honor to match Ronaldo's feat indeed. But the World Cup's not over yet...could Miroslav Klose go one better and break Ronaldo's record? German fans hope he can, Brazilian fans hope he won't, and American fans will be happy with this 2-2 draw because if the USA beat Portugal, USA will be through to the Round of 16. A win would've been nicer for Ghana but a point means they are not out, but anything less than a win against Portugal in their final group match would mean they would be.
Group F: Nigeria vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Result: 1-0 victory for Nigeria
Goalscorers: 29' Peter Odemwingie (Stoke City)
Bookings: 6' Haris Medunjanin (Gaziantespor), 81' John Obi Mikel (Chelsea)
Lineups
Nigeria (4-2-3-1)
Vincent Enyeama (Lille); Efe Ambrose (Celtic), Joseph Yobo (Norwich City, captain), Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod), Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough); Ogenyi Onazi (Lazio), John Obi Mikel (Chelsea); Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow), Peter Odemwingie (Stoke City), Michel Babatunde (Volyn Lutsk); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce)
Changes from last match
Yobo, Odemwingie, and Babatunde replace Godfrey Oboabona, Ramon Azeez, and Victor Moses in the starting lineup. Changed from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1 formation.
Subs:
Shola Ameobi (Newcastled United) 65' for Ahmed Musa
Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers) 75' for Michel Babatunde
Bosnia and Herzegovina (4-2-3-1)
Asmir Begovic (Stoke City); Mensur Mujdza (Freiburg), Toni Sunjic (Zorya Luhansk), Emir Spahic (Bayer Leverkusen, captain), Haris Medunjanin (Gaziantespor); Miralem Pjanic (Roma), Muhamed Besic (Ferencvaros); Izet Hajrovic (Galatasaray), Zvjezdan Misimovic (Guizhou Renhe), Senad Lulic (Lazio); Edin Dzeko (Manchester City)
Changes from last match
Ermin Bicakcic and Sead Kolasinac (scorer of the own goal against Argentina) are left off the starting lineup to make away for Sunjic and Medunjanin.
Subs:
Vedad Ibisevic (Stuttgart) 57' for Izet Hajrovic
Sejad Salihovic (Hoffenheim) 58' for Senad Lulic
Tino-Sven Susic (Hadjuk Split) 64' for Haris Medunjanin
Nigeria looked bad against Iran, Bosnia and Herzegovina put in a decent shift against group favorites and powerhouse Argentina, so I was expecting Bosnia and Herzegovina to be the more likely winner between these two teams, but not by much because they seem pretty close in quality, and it would likely take one special moment to make the difference. That moment came from Peter Odemwingie, who scored on his Stoke City teammate Asmir Begovic which not only gave Nigeria a very good chance at making it to the last 16 for the first time since 1998 but it broke Bosnian hearts. That one goal was enough for the Super Eagles to slay the Dragons and make Bosnia and Herzegovina the 5th nation (3rd European nation) knocked out of the FIFA World Cup, along with Cameroon, Spain, Australia, and England. However they certainly went out with a bang and with some controversy. Edin Dzeko did put one past Vincent Enyeama but it was ruled offside. It was a horrible decision by the referee that make the Dragons wish they could breathe fire to show how made they are. Very unfortunate and there have been quite a number of bad referee decisions being made so far at this World Cup that it's getting unnerving. Not to take away anything from Nigeria who played hard and wanted to win but that's not how a team should win. Moving on from that, a good display from Enyeama and Begovic in both goals kept it a low scoring game, Enyeama in particular frustrating Edin Dzeko, who still could've scored aside from that offside goal if it wasn't for Enyeama's brilliance. Bosnia and Herzegovina came to this World Cup as the only newcomers but with a talented group of players that you wouldn't have guessed looked like newcomers, and after all the people in their home nation has been through with floods they were hoping to put a smile on their faces. Unfortunately I don't think a single Bosnian will be smiling. The World Cup is full of emotion, when you win it's the greatest feeling, but when you lose it's the exact opposite. Nigeria worked hard in this match and if you told them they didn't deserve to win they wouldn't believe you, but it is what it is.
Up next
Group H: Belgium vs. Russia
Group H: South Korea vs. Algeria
Group G: United States vs. Portugal
Group H is a very close group, and it is certainly up for grabs. In their opening matches Russia and South Korea found themselves in a deadlock while Algeria made Belgium really work for a narrow come from behind victory. Belgium will definitely have to hit the group running in this next match against the formidable Russians, while South Korea's talented and interesting forwards will hope to find a way through the labyrinth that is Algeria, a very difficult team to break down as Belgium found out the hard way. We know Algeria can certainly take a punch, but this side certainly looks capable of dishing a few out to the Taejeuk Warriors.
USA fans will hope a repeat of 2002 happens in Manaus as they face Cristiano Ronaldo and European dark horse Portugal. Portugal is definitely not a one man show and despite missing a few key players like Pepe and Fabio Coentrao, Portugal will go guns blazing into this match hungry for no less than three points and revenge against the Americans. USA will have a point to prove themselves as they want to show the world some solid proof that this is the group of death because they're in it. USA's victory over Ghana certainly looks more impressive now that Germany were unable to beat Ghana, and Jurgen Klinsmann's team are full of confidence and talent that a win looks very possible. A win would send USA through to the knockout stages and send Portugal out of the World Cup like their neighbors Spain and fellow European teams England and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The biggest question is will Aron Johansson or Chris Wondolowski be enough to fill in for Jozy Altidore? It's definitely going to be a heated match between two passionate teams.
No comments:
Post a Comment