A Classic Match-up!
posted by The Blue Devil @ 1:58 PM
Lakenheath Old Boys
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Lakenheath Old Boys
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
Contributors
Previous Posts
- Protests in Brazil Cast a Shadow Over WC Preparations
- How Many Goals Will They Score?
- Today in Confederation Cup Action
- US v. Honduras Live!
- All Songs Considered Best of 2013 So Far....
- The Confeds Cup Starts Today
- Fill the word in the blank quiz
- Where is English Football?
- Another Summer Day of Crucial Internationals
- The Premiership Managerial Merry-Go-Round
158 Comments:
Good afternoon, Bob. Brazil vs Italy is on ESPN and Mexico vs Japan is on ESPN 2.
Afternoon, MUR - I'm settling in here at Blue Devil HQ for the match.
The teams are about to come out at Belo Horizonte:
Italy: Buffon; Abate, Bonucci, De Sciglio, Chiellini; Candreva, Aquilani, Marchisio, Montolivo; Diamanti; Balotelli. Subs: Sirigu, Maggio, Astori, Giovinco, Gilardino, El Shaarawy, Barzagli, Cerci, Giaccherini, Marchetti.
Brazil: Julio Cesar; Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Marcelo; Gustavo, Hernanes; Hulk, Oscar, Neymar; Fred. Subs: Jefferson, Fernando, Lucas Moura, Dante, Filipe Luis, Jean, Rever, Bernard, Jo, Jadson, Cavalieri.
Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)
I'm settled in at Chez Goldstein on a typically hot, humid summer day.
Muggy and over 80 degrees are not exactly winter conditions in Brazil.
Brazil win the group if the match ends in a draw.
I found some cachaca at the local wine store here in Fred-town, so I'm enjoying a refreshing caipirinha (the national cocktail of Brazil) this afternoon. You can tell who I'm rooting for, eh?
Is there any scenario under which Italy won't qualify for the semis?
Great form ,mate. I still have leftovers from last night.
Both Brazil and Italy have already qualified. It's just a matter of playing for first and second place.
Andrea Pirlo and Danielle De Rossi are not in the starting lineup for Italia.
It will be interesting to see what Italy look like without De Rossi and Pirlo - their two key players.
Mexico vs Japan is underway.
Brazil vs Italy is underway.
Good call from Ian - that 1982 match was probably one of my favorite World Cup matches of all time.
You mentioned the 1970 and 1994 World Cup Finals, but there was also that classic match in 1982 that we watched in England.
Oh - Montolivo with a suicidal backpass there but Fred couldn't find Oscar.
The Italians really on the rack early doors - Hulk with a sharp shot that Buffon has to tip away.
An early Brazil corner as Italy made two last ditch tackles a great save from Buffoon.
The corner is cleared.
Another corner for Brazil as Oscar's volley is deflected wide.
ANother corner taken by Neymar. A wasted short one.Oscar won it back as Italy cannot clear then finally do.
Italy making some critical errors at the back.
In the other match Mexico in white shirts and red shorts while Japan in all navy blue. Great save by Ochoa from Endo
They did against Japan too.
Did you hear that Raffa Benitez became the new manager of Napoli? Who was born there?
Japan dominating in the other match
That would be my home town - good move by the Neapolitans, I reckon.
Thiago Silva heads out a free kick from Diammanti for an Italy corner.
The corner is headed away
I agree. Raffa's first task is to keep hold of Cavani, who is wanted by Citeh and Real.
Sideshow picks up a yellow for a couple of fouls on Balo in quick succession.
Sideshow receives his requisite yellow for a foul on Balo.
Webbie officiating in the other match
Naughty by Danny Alves on Diamanti, the former Hammer
Marcello getting in on the thuggishness.
This one has settled into a more cagey affair.
It finished Desmond between these sides in a friendly in Geneva in March
Both matches have. A draw favors Brazil.
Side Show goes down injured,
Ian said that Brazil have not lost a competitive match at home since 1975. WOW!
Looks like Sideshow now has a dead leg. He's been in the wars this tournament. Broke his nose in the last match.
Endo drags a shot wide for Japan and wide by Balo for Italia
Oh - Marchesio found Balo in the box but Sideshow somehow blocked him out. Good recovery.
He sure has and should be next summer or is it Winter, albeit a humid one.
Ian says Sunderland are in for Jozy - haven't they learned from his experience at Hull?
Brazil is so big that the cities in the northeast like Belo Horizonte are still sub-tropical in the winter months- only 15 degrees away from the Equator in terms of latitude. Matches in Sao Paolo and Rio should be cooler.
I think he has improved since then as he scored 30 goals in the Dutch Eredivisie. I think he's a different player since then.
Oh - Marcelo dazzles with a run into the box but the play breaks down.
Oh - Marcelo dazzles with a run into the box but the play breaks down.
Should be , but not frigid by any means. Just not so muggy. More tolerable.
He's on a hot streak, for sure, but I wouldn't take a risk on him. He's only been scoring against rubbish Dutch sides and rubbish CONCACRAP sides.
Oscar picks up a cheap one against Aquilani.
Sunderland's concern should be losing Mignolet to Liverpool. But for him, the Black Cats would have been relegated instead of Wigan.
Not a lot of room inside the Italian box for the Brazilian forwards to operate.
Fred is called offside.
Free kick to the Brazis.Hulk or Danny Alves to take.It's alves and poorly cleared by Italy before Aquilani clears it.Then Neymar plays in Fred, who is offside.
I agree - I'm surprised that more sides aren't in for Mignolet. He's quality.
Oh - Neymar was clear through but dragged his shot wide of the mark.
Good point about Jozy, but Steven Fletcher is their only goal scoring threat. That is why they struggled. Even if Jozy scores a few that will take the pressure off of Steven Fletcher and may be just enough for them to survive. Sunderland took a nose dive once Fletcher was injured.
Montolivo injured and looks like being replaced by Jacquerini.
Sorry. Giacherini on and Buffon punches away a corner.
Neymar's really getting hammered now.
Neymar is fouled by Abate . Fred wins a Brazil corner.
Neymar fouls Abate and is deservedly booked as that was retaliation and much harder than the one committed by Abate. Really poor by Neymar
Big Phil will not be pleased that Neymar lost his cool.
Christian Maggio is about to come on for Abate , who was really injured by that horrible challenge from Neymar. Now he is on.,
Neymar fouled by Maggio. If Neymar retaliates then it's an early bath
The free kick is not cleared but Thiago Silva had a shot deflected straight to Buffon.
Side Show is injured again and may need to be subbed. Joe Mou will not be pleased.
Dante, the Bayern defender, on for the Side Show. Less attacking than Side Show, but more solid at the back.
It's really the emergency room out there now. Disappointing turn to this match. A lot of kicking.
Marcello puts Hulk down the left and his cross is cut out for a corner.
Buffon pushes out the corner from Neymar.
I agree, Bob. Less thuggish in the other match, but equally disappointing.
Was that Kobe Bryant playing with his cell phone in the crowd?
OH! Guardado headed a cross from Torres-Nilo against the post . Then had a shot deflected to the keeper. Mexico starting to get on top.
Now it's Marchisio into the book for a foul on wee Oscar.
It certainly looked like Kobe but Ian didn't recognize him.
Marcello wins a corner. Claudio Marchissio was booked for Italy.Brazil take it short.
Ian is a numpty at times.
The other match started 68 seconds before this match.
Oscar blocked a shot from Neymar!
True - I'm not sure that Ian follows the NBA.
Now it's Gustavo into the book.
Luiz Gustavo booked for ma hold on Marchissio. Despite Big Phi's protests, the right decision.
Two minutes of stoppage time. It is 0-0 at halftime in the other match, where no stoppage time was played.
GOAL! Dante scores on a rebound after that free kick!
GOAL !!! DANTE SCORES HOS FIRST GOAL FOR BRAZIL , IN STOPPAGE TIME.
Inswinger that the Italians had a hard time defending. Buffon saved the initial header from Fred and Dante netted the rebound.
1-0!
Great save by Buffon from Fred off a header from a free kick by Neymar and Dante was alert at the far post to put away the rebound.
Halftime and 1-0 to Brazil.
Brazil is on course to win the group and probably face fellow South Americans, Uruguay, in the semis.
The second half is underway between Mexico and Japan
Scolari having words with the Uzbek ref in the tunnel. He coached a year there after being sacked by Chelsea and may know the ref, but needs to shut it.
The second half is underway between Brazil and Italy.
Chicha had a shot blocked and wanted a pen for hand ball, but did not have a case
We're back on at Belo Horizonte and Brazil are off to a quick start once again. Oscar with a toe poke at goal.
Oscar has a shot easily saved by Buffon after a nice give and go with The Hulk.
Kawashima with a great reflex from a close range header by Moreno off a Mexican corner.
Japan cannot get out of their half nor keep possession early in the second half.
GOAL !!!! 1-0 MEXICO AS CHICHA SCORES WITH A HEADER
Mexican fans will a deep breath of relief from Chicha ending his goal drought.
It started in the back with short passes then a cross field ball from Reyes down the left to Guardado and Chicha scored with a header unmarked at the near post. He doesn't need to be asked twice about those types of chances.
GOAL! Giaccherini drills home the equalizer for Italy. Great flick on by Balo but the Brazilian defenders sat off him as he strode into the box.
1-1!
Gustavo shot over from a free kick then
GOAL !!! 1-1 AS gIACHERRINI TIES IT UP FOR ITALY . ROUTE ONE STUFF AS A LONG GOAL KICK WAS HERADED TO BALO WHO VOLLEYED A PASS TO GIACHERRINI, WHO GOT BEHIND THE BRAZI DEFENSE ANDF SCORED WITH A NICE FINISH
Great run by Marcello and puts Neymar as he is fouled about a foot outside the box by Maggio.
Great save by Kawasima from Dos Santos at the near post. Pushed away for a corner.
Neymar wins a cheap one on the edge of the area and will take....
GOAL! He's done it again! Brilliant free kick!
2-1 Brazil!
What was Buffon doing there while the ball was sailing in?
GOAL !!!! CAN YOU ADAM AND EVE IT AS NEYMAR CURTSL THE FREE KICK IN THE CORNER FROM AN ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE RANGE.REALLY SPECIAL! 2-1 BRAZIL.
Neymar is getting close to a red now as he stupidly tackles back.
Neymar tries to win a cheap free kick and the ref's not sold this time. Great pass from Lou Ferrigno
Neymar has showed us his dark side today.
Great save by Julio Cesar from Balo's free kick attempt.
GOAL !!! 2-0 MEXICO AS CHICHA HEADS IN A CORNER AT THE FAR POST . FREE HEADER AND POOR MARKING.
Chicha has his brace now. 2-0 Mexico.
Actually the corner from Dos Santos was headed on by a Japanese defender to Chicha at the far post and he doesn't miss those types of gifts.
Chicha on a hat-trick and one away from matching Torres with four for the tournament and that's without facing Tahiti.
GOAL! Great finish from Fred for number three!
GOAL !!!! 3-1 BRAZIL. WHAT A FINISH BY FRED.
SImple long ball over the top well controlled by Fred and then he used his strength to power by the defender and finish past Buffon.
3-1 Brazil!
Nice diagonal long ball by Marcello , who found Fred and got behind Chiellini and finished nicely past Buffon.
That pretty much wraps up first place for Brazil and the wooden spoon for Japan.
Dos Santos cut inside the left back, but his shot found the side netting.
Bernard is on for Neymar while Nagatomo, the Inter defender is off injured for Japan.
Not a bad effort from Diamante with the outside of his boot.
Giacherinni wins a corner off of Lou Ferrigno
GOAL - Total chaos in the box as Balo is wrestled to the ground. The ref was going to give a pen but Chiellini knocked it home anyway. Brazil are livid as they stopped playing when the whistle went.
3-2!
GOAL !!!! A BIZARRE INCIDENT AS CHIELLINI SCORES OFF A CORNER. I THOUGHT HE BLEW HIS WHISTLE . DEFINITE RUGBY TACKLE BY MARCELLO ON BALO .ALSO BY GUSTAVO ON BALO.BRAZIL PLAYERS STOPPED AND CHIELLINI SCORED .
Al Shaarawy on for Diamante, the former Hammer.
I don't blame the Brazilians for being upset. If the ref stopped play then he should give the penalty and not allow the goal.
Cleared off the line by Hiram Meier as Japan try to get one back.
Fernando on for Lou Ferrigno.
Fernando coming on late on for Hulk.
Balo wins a free kick off of Hernanes.
Into the wall by Balo and cleared.
Handball by Fred?
OH! off the bar as a header from Maggio hit the bar off as corner. He should have scored.
Italians definitely pushing for the equalizer.
Marcelo gives away a silly one wide right.
GOAL !!!! JPAN AS OKAZAKI SCORES FROM CLOSE RANGE . NICE RIUN BY KAGAWA AND HIS PASS WAS PUSHED ACROSS THE BOX OFR OKAZAKI TO SCORE FROM CLOSE RANGE.
Sharp training pitch routine with a ball to Balo that he whipped to the near post.
Endo credited with the assist as he passed to Okazaki after great work from Kagawa.
Five minutes of stoppage time as Mexico lead Japan 2-1.
Mexico win a penalty and Chicha to take,
THE PENALTY FROM CHICHA IS SAVED THEN CHICHA SHOOTS THE REBOUND AGAINST THE BAR AND IT IS STILL 2-1.
GOAL! Fred nets another rebound - his brace!
Again you have to fault Buffon who parried Marcelo's shot badly and allowed Fred to follow in easily.
4-2!
GOAL !!! 4-2 BRAZIL AS BUFFON FIALED TO HOLD A SHOT FROM MARCELLO AND FRED EASILY PUT AWAY THE REBOUND.
Agreed about Buffon, but Italy cheaply conceded possession in their half.
Into stoppage time.
Into stoppage time now...
Mexico hold on to defeat Japan 2-1 thanks to a brace of headers from Chicha and he missed a pen in stoppage time.
Brazil defeat Italy 4-2.
That's that, then. Brazil finish top and Italy come runners-up, setting up what looks to be these semis:
Brazil v. Uruguay
Spain v. Italy.
That's it for me, mate. Off to do more yardwork on the new place.
I looked at the penalty incident and saw that Chicha won the penalty as he got behind Uhcida who pushed Chicha in the back. A shame that he missed as he would have had a hat-trick and would have been tied in the lead with Torres as leading scorer in the tournament.
Cheers Bob. Same here. It seems that those will be the semi matchups. Great chatting with you. Cheers mate.
Post a Comment
<< Home