10' KOR Yeom K.H. (YC)
16' ARG Park C.Y. (og) (1-0)
33' ARG Higuain (2-0)
34' KOR Lee C.Y. (YC)
45' KOR Lee C.Y. (2-1)
54' ARG Gutierrez (YC, Misses next match)
55' ARG Mascherano (YC)
74' ARG Heinze (YC)
76' ARG Higuain (3-1)
80' ARG Higuain (4-1)
Looks like Argentina is back to their old selves, and Higuain had one of his "on" days to make up for his dreadful performance against Nigeria. Korea was rather humbled, and another day goes by where Maradona's image can stay (somewhat) unscathed. Assuming Argentina takes full points from Greece, the Korea/Nigeria will determine who goes through. As odd as it sounds, Maradona was right; the initial cautiousness of most teams caused a lack of goal scoring. Seems like that's changed.
ARG Verdict: A fantastic performance. Higuain showed his brilliance, and another goalless day for Messi will keep people riding on him, but he looks amazing as usual. Argentina is the first team to qualify for the next round, and they looked great doing so.
KOR Verdict: About what I expected, maybe giving up an extra goal that I thought. Still I thought this was an accurate performance from them and about what should be expected from them in any game. They were just overpowered by superior opposition.
Man of the Match: Gonzalo Higauin (ARG)
Nigeria 1-2 Greece
15' GRE Papastathapolous (YC)
16' NIG Uche (1-0)
33' NIG Kaita (RC)
44' GRE Salpingidis (1-1)
60' GRE Tziolis (YC)
71' GRE Torosidis (1-2)
88' GRE Samaras (YC)
89' NIG Ogbuke (YC)
Certainly not what I expected to see at all. After Greece's miserable opener against South Korea, I thought Nigeria would walk all over Greece. Prior to today, Greece had never scored (therefore they hadn't won either) in a World Cup match, so a groundbreaking match for them. Also Greece followed suit with a lot of teams at this world cup playing an extra center back, and it paid off for them. Nigeria got a fairly soft goal off of a free kick where the goalie dived the wrong way on a ball no one touched, but Nigeria made the mistake of allowing Greece to continue to come forward instead of trying add to their lead. The game unraveled for them after Kaita pushed a Greece player after the ball was knocked out of play, getting sent off for it. What no one else seems to see however, is that the player took one of the biggest dives I've ever seen. It was so obvious I wasn't sure how he didn't earn a yellow for his theatrics. Regardless, Greece's newfound confidence allowed them to steal a few from the lackluster Nigerian defense.
NIG Verdict: A disappointing show from the Super Eagles. Enyeama continues to be a solid shot stopper, but he can't catch the ball for his life. They need to reevaluate themselves for their crucial match against Korea. If they and Argentina win, they advance, so expect a lot of out the Super Eagles.
GRE Verdict: A stark contrast from their opener, Greece showed a lot of creativity on the ball and attacking prowess (though they were a man up). I don't expect them to do anything against Argentina, however, unless the Albiceleste decide to play it cool and alter their placement inthe bracket.
Man of the Match: Dimitro Salpingidis (GRE)
Mexico 2-0 France
4' MEX Franco (YC)
45+1' FRA Toulalan (YC, Misses Next Match)
48' MEX Juarez (YC, Misses Next Match)
49' MEX Moreno (YC)
64' MEX Javi Hernandez (1-0)
78' FRA Abidal (YC)
79' MEX Blanco (pen) (2-0)
82' MEX Rodriguez (YC)
Yet another subpar performance for Les Bleus, held scoreless yet again. Mexico netted their first on a borderline offside breakaway on a lovely through ball to Javi Hernandez from Rafa Marquez, and their second on a penalty when Eric Abidal took down Cuahtehmoc Blanco in the box. Very positive showing from Mexico, starting a little rusty, but finding their footing and taking the game over.
MEX Verdict: Very positive showing. Defense held, clean sheet, creative and incisive ball movement. . . it seems that every spanish speaking country (except for Spain) is playing very well. Javi Hernandez showed why Manchester United has signed him, and other youth played well. The elder statesman Cuahtehmoc Blanco netted one of the best penalties I've seen and their prime player, Rafa Marquez was an excellent playmaker. This sets up a very interesting Group A clash between Uruguay and Mexico.
FRA Verdict: What a way for France to ring out the era of Raymond Domenech; completely wracked with every single one of their failures under him. Unable to put finishing touches on the ball, shaky in defense, no positive number one keeper, players being told to play out of position. . . France needs a miracle to come out of this one.
Man of the Match: Javi Hernandez (MEX)
No comments:
Post a Comment