Semi Finals pt2: Brazil v Germany | Argentina v Holland

Hahaha! 
So I had predicted that Brazil was more likely to beat Germany in yesterday's match. And boy was I wrong.

Still, I am not afraid to make a prediction for this game either. So here it goes:

Argentina would beat Holland!

There I go again.
But this time, I am more sentimental with my analysis than anything else. After all, I have liked Argentina since the 90s. But my affection for the Albeceleste became even more potent when Lionel Messi arrived on the scene.

So I won't give much analytic reasons for saying Argentina would win this game, except that I want Messi to be at his best, and I hope he is at his best. And if he is at his best, then it is most likely his team would be on the winning side.

Because, just like the Roberto Baggios, the Ronaldo DeLimas, the Zinadine Zidanes and the Diego Maradonnas of this world, Messi is one of those players who can single-handedly win a big match.

Unfortunately, the match has started while I was tyoing this, so I will stop here for now, and continue later. Enjoy the game. :)

Semi Finals pt1: Brazil v Germany | Argentina v Holland

So many people have said to me that they think Germany will thrash Brazil in the first semi-final to be played tonight.

But all I can say to that is "we shall see"!

No wait! 
I never say that! No way!
How would I be able to brag after the match if I said "we shall see"?
I mean, what shall we see exactly?

It is better to be an analyst who makes judgments than one who constantly lives in the fear of being wrong. This is why I call myself the "True Football Analyst". hahaha

Okay, so Germany:
Well, I never bought into the German machine myth I must say. I have seen great German footballers come and go. But to me it's no different from seeing great Italian footballers come and go, or great English players come and go.

Wait a minute! Have there ever been any great English footballers? I don't think so. 
Sorry about that David Beckham. Say hi to Tom Cruise and Calvin Klein for me.

So Germany had a decent team at the 2010 World Cup. Everyone thought they would win that world cup after beating Argentina 4-0 (every one except me of-course - damn I never ever read matches by the final score-line. NEVER!). The German threat was not at all diminished by the fact that Spain only beat them by 1-0 (eventhough I still remember that that was the most one-sided football matches I ever saw featuring two powerhouses).

But I made my judgment about Germany when I saw them at the Euro 2012. Their game against Italy was again the most one-sided Euro cup game at that level. It ended 2-1 in favor of Balotelli, Montolivo and co, but my friends agreed with me that it could easily have been 6-0 before Mezut Ozil got that consolation penalty.

So if there was ever a time that Germany could prove themselves, it is this world cup.

1. Neymar is injured. That is a huge blow to the Brazilians. Huge. 
2. If they pass Brazil, and Argentina (4-0) beats Holland, then it should be easy for them to take the trophy. Or is it now?
3. They have gotten a boost (in my opinion) by the fact that tiki-taka has been learned (and very well too) by all of the German players who play at FC Bayern Munchen. There is some evidence of this as Joachim Lowe has followed Pep Guardiola's example of trying Philip Lahm in a central midfield position.
4. The young squad of 2010 have gained much more experience and have been kept essentially together.

Nevertheless, despite all of these advantages, I can only say that yes, Germany should be a more confident force this time around. I still doubt that they will be able beat Brazil and lift that cup. Especially if Argentina beats Holland.


Now Brazil:
The biggest news about them is that they've lost Neymar, thanks to that dreadful challenge by Zuniga of Colombia.

What makes Neymar so special to me is that despite his young age of 22, and despite how much pressure he has had to deal with, starting with those annoying remarks of comparison with Lionel Messi by Pele, then considering the enormous and increasing weight put upon the entire Brazillian team and Neymar especially by the Brazillian fans. And the fact that the entire world criticizes them (unfairly in my opinion) about their victories not being convincing enough. These things made me develop a huge respect for Neymar, who somehow managed to keep a calm head and play some dazzling football before he got injured.

I also wont be the least bit surprised if the other Brazillian attackers who have been under the young shadow of Neymar raised their games on this occasion. Especially Hulk, who has been growing in confidence and gradually returning to his known level of skill with each passing game.

At the end of the day it boils down to one game, and the Brazillians definitely have the talent. And for me, I just don't see what everyone sees in the German team that makes them so phenomenal.  

So in terms of predictions, I can't predict who will win, or join those people who even go as far as predicting the score line (that's just crazy - even if it ends up being correct, honestly!). 
What I can predict is that I will say that Brazil should have more possession (and that is more possession beyond the halfway-line). They should also create slightly more more chances. And I would expect them to likely be rewarded with the first goal at some point. 
Not to say that Germany cannot get the early goal through some counter-attack/defensive error, or some set-piece that catches the Brazillian defenders in an awkward position.

All-in-all I give the Brazillians a better chance of winning. But we know that football can be an adulterous b#tch sometimes.

Anyway, enjoy the game. And please share your comments and your predictions. Especially those of you that disagree. ;)

Watch out for 
Semi Finals pt2: Brazil v Germany | Argentina v Holland
Coming soon.

Also check out the amazing True Football Analysts Community 

Uruguay vs England: But Looking Back At Spain vs Chile

Joe Hart is on fire! 

But is anger was not against Uruguay or Italy, it was against a ballboy. 

Watch that ►►here

But meanwhile, Luis Suarez will feature for Uruguay against England today. Hence Joe Hart and England would probably need to reserve more of their passion for trying to stop the likes of Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan, who will be looking to make amends for their misses against Costa Rica. 

Worry about Suarez alone at your peril lads.

Spain Left Very Big Shoes To Fill

Now the former champions, Spain may have been eliminated, but all the nations who are currently gloating need to realize that ONLY one country can go on to lift the World Cup this year. Only one of them can begin to contemplate replicating the greatness that Spain achieved. 

The truth is that Chile were spectacular! Especially Alexis Sanchez and Fiorentina’s Juan Vargas.

In fact, Uruguay is one nation that is closer to replicating Spain’s greatness than all others; because they already hold a continental trophy after winning the Copa America in 2011. 

So if they win this World Cup, they would need to win the next Copa America if they really wish to gloat.

Meanwhile, Italy need to beat Costa Rica to be sure of qualifying tomorrow. I am hoping to see more of Torino's Ciro Immobile and maybe a debut for Napoli's Lorenzo Insigne in that game. 

But the most intriguing game for me would be Colombia vs Ivory Coast where my favorite young footballer, James Rodriguez will be on display. Also to watch, Didier Drogba and the brilliant Fiorentina-based, Ronaldinho-like ball juggler, Juan Cuadrado.

We hope that Ivory Coast will keep the African hope alive.

Lots of great matches today. But try to check out my last post on recent matches in the 2014 World Cup….

And oh yes! by the way, I strongly disagree with CNN's choice of goal of the tournament so far! 

Tim Cahill of Australia’s goal is NOT the goal of the tournament in any way!!!

Leo Messi and Arjen Robben’s (against Australia) goals were WAY MORE technically difficult and beautiful. Even Robin van Persie’s header against Spain was better than that volley.

So what do you think?

Ivory Coast v Colombia, Cameroun v Croatia : Getting Ready For Action

Just Relaxing And Sharing My Thoughts
On The World Cup So Far

As I look forward to the crackers between Cameroun & Croatia, then Ivory Coast vs Colombia, I would be personally paying close attention to Samuel Eto, Rakitic, and Kovacic. While in the other game I am particularly interested in Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba, and James Rodriguez (pronounced Hamez by the way). Nevertheless let me scribble a few thoughts about some of the games I have seen so far....

Ghana 1 - USA 2

He may not be as skillful as Edin Hazard, but Clint Dempsey was impressive as his US side beat Ghana 2-1 despite the support of the juju man that was supposed to be charging the Ghanian team's spiritual batteries.
There is a very interesting article about this Ghanaian Voodoo man by the way.
He was my man of the match, eventhough the evergreen Asamoah Gyan was also special. The youngster Andre Ayew was great as well, so also were Kwando Asamoah of Ghana and Sean Bradley of the USA.

Argentina 2 - Bosnia Herzegovina 1

Lionel Messi may have started slow, but he ended the game in world class fashion. A fantastic goal that would easily contend for goal of the tournament puts Messi in a class of his own as Argentina narrowly edged out Bosnia 2-1. Angel DiMaria was also special in that game.

Neymar was full of colourful tricks when his side took on Mexico, but they were not enough to beat the Mexican Goalie, Ochoa, who bore no resemblance with Argentina's keeper, Sergio Romero. hahaha!
So....Brazil 0 - Mexico 0

So other matches were played, but I have very little time to type this post. Please subscribe to my blog if you want to hear more of my football ranting. 

When I find some more time, I will do some in-depth analysis, and I will be inviting some of you to post your tactical ideas on my blog......so get ready!

After The Last El-Clasico: Xavi & Iniesta

Barcelona's problem is not ENTIRELY their coach.
It is Xavi and Iniesta.

WHY?

OK I will show you.....

(remember first that many Barca fans and board members vehemently crucified Tata martino for benching Xavi in some matches. But I suspect that he was benching Xavi because he knew it would be worse for him if he benched Iniesta. lol. - But I'm sure he knew he needed to bench ONE of them)

Xavi and Iniesta are midfielders.
The Midfielder is the most important role in modern football.

He brings the ball from the back, to the strikers, ensuring that the strikers receive the ball as comfortably as possible (Xavi and Iniesta do that very well - and maybe that is why they are over-hyped by so many people). This is an extremely difficult job because that halfway line is where some of the fiercest battles in football take place. Especially in the first 45 minutes.

Meanwhile, midfielders are also the primary defensive line for the team when it is under attack! Yes I said midfielders, not defenders!
The midfielders should have "softened" the incoming opposition striker so that the defenders would find it easy to disposses him. ATL Madrid does this so freaking well.

Barcelona's defenders look so bad, not JUST because they are always going to join the attack. But also because Xavi and Iniesta are leaving everything to Busquets (and sometimes Pedro & Messi) to do.

You see, in modern football, you are already in trouble when your opponents fullback or defensive midfielder takes control of the ball and has LOOKED UP to see his team mates taking their positions.

3 very accurate one-touch passes can connect carvajal to DiMaria to CRonaldo and there's a goal. Last night it was Isco (dropping to rescue Alonzo) who wins the ball and dribbles out of trouble to pass to Bale, one touch to Benzema (unfortunately behind him :)), then one touch to DiMaria. Goal!!

It is midfielders that can stop this kinds of attacks. NOT Defenders. And NOT the kind of midfielders that Xavi and Iniesta are. And Busquets really can't be expected to do it alone.

You would notice Xavi and Iniesta strolling back so casually after they've lost a ball (expecially Iniesta - looses so many these days lol). DiMaria is no way like these two cats. He gives 150%. He is always up there very close to the strikers, and he is immediately back like lightning to help Carvajal in right back, while Modric is still jogging back (not strolling like Xavi though. lol)

So Modric needs to improve on the defensive side of his midfield play, but Xavi and Iniesta are freakin' hopeless defensively. Even Pirlo is much better than them.

So if you pay attention to the "fine print" of football, you would realize why I insist that selling DiMaria could end Madrid if they don't buy someone like Ramirez or Atturo Vidal (perhaps the best midfielder of all). Obviously they cannot get Koke, Also I see that Gundongan has renewed with Dortmund, and I wouldn't want Roma to sell Florenzi or Pjanic (not that Perez would ever consider going for them, the dumbo). So it would be suicidal to sell one of the few skillful utility players in existence in football,

But only a few people understand that by the time you have CR7, Suarez, Aguero and Bale in attack, and only Modric and Alonzo laboring for them in the midfield, when BVB Dortmund hammers them 4-0 everybody immediately starts blaming the coach whoever it is by then, as if it is the coach that forces the club to go spending 500 million euros on 4 primadonnas!