Brasil '14 - Day 12
posted by The Blue Devil @ 11:59 AM
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!
Monday, June 23, 2014
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
- Brasil '14 Predictions Game - Group Stage Update
- Brasil '14 - Day 11: I. Believe. That. We. Will. Win!
- Brasil '14 - Day 10
- Brasil '14 - Day 9
- Brasil '14 - Day 8
- Match 19 - Spain v. Chile
- Match 18 - The Netherlands v. Australia
- Brasil 2014 Predictions Game - Group Stage Update
- Match 16 - Brazil v. Mexico
- Match 13 - Nigeria v. Iran
128 Comments:
Here are the line-ups for this afternoon's match-up:
Netherlands: 1-Jasper Cillessen; 2-Ron Vlaar, 3-Stefan de Vrij, 5-Daley Blind, 7-Daryl Janmaat; 6-Nigel de Jong, 20-Georginio Wijnaldum, 11-Arjen Robben, 10-Wesley Sneijder; 17-Jeremain Lens, 15-Dirk Kuyt
Substitutes: 4-Bruno Martins Indi, 8-Jonathan de Guzman, 12-Paul Verhaegh, 13-Joel Veltman, 14-Terence Kongolo, 16-Jordy Clasie, 18-Leroy Fer, 19-Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, 21-Memphis Depay, 22-Michel Vorm, 23-Tim Krul
Chile: 1-Claudio Bravo, 4-Mauricio Isla, 17-Gary Medel, 18-Gonzalo Jara, 2-Eugenio Mena; 20-Charles Aranguiz, 21-Marcelo Diaz, 5-Francisco Silva, 16-Felipe Gutierrez; 7-Alexis Sanchez, 11-Eduardo Vargas
Substitutes: 3-Miiko Albornoz, 6-Carlos Carmona, 8-Arturo Vidal, 9-Mauricio Pinilla, 10-Jorge Valdivia, 12-Cristopher Toselli, 13-Jose Rojas, 14-Fabian Orellana, 15-Jean Beausejour, 19-Jose Pedro Fuenzalida, 22-Esteban Paredes, 23-Johnny Herrera
Chile get us underway against the Dutch who are finally wearing their iconic oranje kit.
Predictable changes with RVP dropping out and Lens and Kuyt coming in.
Characteristically intense pressing by Chile, forces Cillessen into rushing a clearance. A throw-in for Chile, halfway inside the Netherlands half.
Chile play the ball out from the back, having dominated the possession for the opening few minutes, albeit without creating anything in the way of chances. The ball ends up with Cillessen in the Dutch goal, taking a goal-kick.
Still 0-0 in the Spain v. Aussie match.
Another free-kick, this time for Chile, after a foul by Jeremain Lens. This match has been very scrappy, but Chile have had the better of it.
Just a reminder that Chile must beat Holland here today to avoid the top team in Group A (presumably Brazil).
A lot of carping from the Dutch camp about having to play this match before Brazil plays their last match. Brazil will have the advantage of knowing what they must do.
Diaz over yet another Chile free kick. Corner comes out of it.
A training pitch routine that ended with a shot over the bar from Gutierrez.
Robben with a menacing run down the right now. His shot was blacked.
Robben with a menacing run down the right now. His shot was blacked.
First yellow of the day goes to Chile's Silva. The Dutch are really carving him up with balls down the left.
Sneijder goes with a direct shot at goal from the free kick. Easily recovered by the keeper.
Villa's Ron Vlaar now getting a bollocking from the ref for dissent.
Still 0-0 in both of these matches, with half an hour gone. Not the typical fireworks that we've become accustomed to in this tournament.
Oh - Robben with a great cross over and De Vrij just couldn't direct the header on target. That's a potent line of attack for the bigger Dutch against the tiny Chileans.
Some argybargy now between Kuyt, who's playing a deeper role than usual, and Alexis Sanchez.
News out of the other match. David Villa has fired Spain into the lead. Go figure - you play a natural striker who's fit and you get a goal.
Wow. He was off like a rocket. Exciting player!
Oh - that's quite brilliant. He skipped free of Jara with pace and ran across the left channel and as Lens dragged some defenders wide of him. Just shot wide.
Afternoon, Red Devil. How are things in Tuscany?
Now it's Lens romping forward.
Hello Bob. How was the cook-out yesterday? I got to see most of the second half of US-Portugal, but it was not such a fun night as Julia had a bit of an accident, falling down on her mouth on an iron chair. She chipped her tooth, had a mouth full of blood, and a tough night falling asleep.
We took her to a dentist, and at leas for now, she seems ok.
It's true - Arjen Robben in full flight is impossible to defend. He was actually clocked at the highest speed ever recorded by FIFA on the run for his second goal against Spain.
This game has a strange feel to it. It's a bit subdued on the Chilean side, but the Dutch may simply be a stronger opponent than what they've faced so far.
Sorry to hear about Julia's accident. I hope she's feeling better. Thank goodness for baby teeth, right?
The cookout went well and lots of people asked after you. Bond and I were the ones most glued to the match with the others drifting in and out of the living room and enjoying what came off the grill. It was a typically gorgeous Fredonia summer evening.
It's also odd that no one really knows how to handle the match-ups with Group A opponents. It's assumed that Brazil will top the group but maybe not? They've been pretty unconvincing.
It's amazing that Chile does not get scored on more often in the air. They have two starting defenders who are shorter than 97% of all players at the WC.
Half-time: The teams go in 0-0 just after Gutierrez blew a great chance with a free header from Diaz's free kick. Shame - that would have really opened up the match.
I thought about you a moment ago when the commentator mentioned that Chile are the shortest side in the tournament. You would think that that would be a potent line of attack for the Dutch but, without RVP, they don't really have a big target man.
Brazil has the better goal difference already, so I am assuming they win the group, since even if Mexico wins, I don't see them winning by two goals vs Croatia. Cameroon is weak, disorganized, discordant, and also unmotivated. This is the country that lost 6-1 to Russia in 1994, setting the standard for phoning in a result.
In fact, for a Chilean, I am of average height.
For the US, it looks like they just need to lose less badly than Ghana wins. If Ghana ties, the US is in. If Ghana loses reasonably, we're in.
Germany has essentially qualified, as long as they lose by a close score. If they tie, they should be first, based on goal difference.
I agree. I think the US are now safe, unless there is a dramatic shift. And then probably Belgium, who have been less impressive than I had expected. Two slim wins.
Chile is snake-bitten. The last two times they qualified for the knock-out phase they faced Brazil. Looks like this third time won't be any different. And even when Chile plays well, they always get crushed by Brazil. Usually in the air.
Some in the US (Lexi Lalas, e.g.) are already calling for some Anschluss Fussball on Thursday.
You're also probably right about Group B, so the Dutch will presumably want to avoid a loss. A Chilean goal (from Gutierrez) thus would have really opened things up.
Sunderland's Jean Beausejour coming off the bench for Gutierrez for the second half. He scored the winner against Australia in their opener.
Kuyt floats a cross over but it's cleared out easily.
Casual pace to this second half so far.
As long as things stay the same, the Dutch will not feel pressed to go to the bench for the likes of Huntelaar.
The Dutch fans loving it, despite the boring match.
Cilessen is lucky there as he bundles Sanchez over after the ball gets away from him. Seen them given?
Oh - Sanchez wriggled free of Janmaat and then tried one from an acute angle. Cillessen beat it away.
Chile seem capable of springing a late surprise in this one.
Robben lines one up on his left foot but it's beaten away by Bravo.
Valdivia coming on for Chile. He scored the second goal in their match against Australia.
The disappointing Jeremy Lens coming off and Depay coming on for the Dutch.
So an attacking move from Chile and like for like by the Dutch. No surprises there.
Fernando Torres has scored a second goal for Spain. So, they'll certainly now be third in the group.
Oh - Dirk Kuyt had a big chance there. Nodded it wide.
Decent hit from Depay but well saved by Bravo.
GOAL! The Dutch go in front!
It's the supersub Leroy Fer who rises to meet Robben's cross.
1-0 !
It appears that Fer is on Norwich City's books - why have I never heard of this kid?
A lot more urgency from Chile now.
Chile need two goals now in order to avoid a meeting with Brazil.
Juan Mata has added a third goal for Spain. A little too late for them.
The Dutch are a man down as they defend this corner. A chance....
The Dutch are a man down as they defend this corner. A chance....
GOAL! Oh - that was good. Robben roasted the Chilean right back and the other supersub Depay finshes off a great ball across.
2-0!
That's it - Holland march forward into a Round of 16 match against probably either Mexico or Croatia.
Chile finish on 6 points and will definitely give the hosts a good game in the Round of 16.
I'm back after a brief break in the action to follow the Brazil v. Cameroon match-up. Here are the current standings in the group:
Brazil - 4 pts +2GD
Mexico - 4 pts +1GD
Croatia - 1 pt -2GD
Cameroon - 0 pts -5GD
That means that if Brazil match what Mexico do, they'll go through top and will meet Chile in the Round of 16. If Mexico win and have a +2 goal swing over Brazil, they'll top the group and meet Chile while Brazil will face the titanic match-up with Holland. Croatia are up against it but not out altogether. They need a win over to make the Round of 16. If they do that and Brazil lose or draw, they'd top the group. Should be a topsy afternoon.
Here's the team news out of the Maracana tonight:
Brazil: Julio Cesar, Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, Luiz, Marcelo, Paulinho, Gustavo, Hulk, Oscar, Neymar, Serginho Fred.
Subs: Jefferson, Fernandinho, Dante, Maxwell, Henrique, Ramires, Hernanes, Willian, Bernard, Jo, Maicon, Victor.
Cameroon: Itandje, Nyom, Matip, N'Koulou, Bedimo, Enoh, Moukandjo, Mbia, N'Guemo, Choupo-Moting, Aboubakar.
Subs: Feudjou, Assou-Ekotto, Djeugoue, Nounkeu, Eto'o, Makoun, Chedjou, Webo, Fabrice, Salli, N'Djock.
Referee: Jonas Eriksson (Sweden)
Neymar should have a chance to add to his goal tally today and shoot to the top of the Golden Boot stakes. Robben and (through a suspension) RVP missed out on goals this afternoon.
Thiago Silva is on a card, so he'll need to be careful.
Teams coming on to the pitch now.
And we're away now....
The resinstated Hulk picks up an early free kick.
Hey Blue Devil. I'm back for this match. Great goal for Neymar. Don't know why they didn't close him down.
I'm just getting back from some errands. Great game so far, it seems. Two super goals from Neymar and a decent one for Cameroon.
Still 0-0 in the other one. So Brazil and Mexico would go through in that order at the moment.
Brilliant move there by Brazil but Hulk couldn't finish it off.
Half-time - Brazil 2-1 up
Ok. Let's see some more goals
Indeed. I'd love to see a goal explosion in the second half of both games.
Wow. I had never really seen Hulk from up close. He is really bulky!
Hulk skips by Khadeema but then whiffs on his effort at a cross.
Hulk is now upended (who would have thought that that bulk could be brought down?) but the ref waves on.
And then Fred tries his luck.
Apart from Neymar, the front line from Brazil has been fairly lackluster. Apparently Fred is the least popular man in Brazil these days.
Any thoughts about the German performance against Ghana?
GOAL! Fred finally gets off the mark.
Lovely move there starting with a chip from Neymar to Fernandiho who spread it out wide left. The cross over left Fred with a tap in.
Hulk marauding again, dishes off to Oscar, who ran up against a Cameroon wall.
On the replay, it looks like Fred was in an offside position when he scored. Home advantage, I suppose.
I am not happy with the performance versus Ghana, but I am not surprised. They tied 2-2 with Cameroon in the warmups. Germany's defense is highly suspect, and they attack too much, leaving big gaps in the defense.
I have them losing to France in the 1/8 finals.
That said, the wide open style of play is a lot of fun to watch, so win or lose, Germany is a good bet to watch. It'll be an entertaining match versus the US.
Hulk crushed im like a fly.
I'm loving this tournament because it's been so fluid and open and full of surprises. If it hadn't been for the England collapse, it might be my favorite tournament since 1982.
Are you flipping between games?
Yes - but mainly on the Brazil one.
I can't tell you why these games have been so open. It probably has something to do with that the players are getting fatigued, so they are making mistakes and leaving openings. even in games that started slow, by the second half things usually open up.
Still on a knife's edge between Mexico and Croatia but Brazil are now safe in top spot with the match against Chile to come. That should be lively. Saturday morning (afternoon for you).
I'm considering switching to the other game, since there is something at stake there.
I've also noticed that the referees have been very lenient (probably too lenient) and have held off on calling a lot of fouls and yellow carding players early on. That might have helped the flow of matches.
I cannot believe how tactically naive Cameroon is. It's clear that the #1 option for Brazil is to get the ball to Neymar, but he is often wide open and very loosely marked.
Btw, Kate says "hi" to all and hopes that Julia's okay.
I've noticed that, too. He must be loving this match. Mexico shut him down much more effectively.
I agree, the games have a good flow to them, and diving has not been a fantastic option, though the pros at diving are still doing well (Neymar, Alexis Sanchez, Robben). I'm not saying they are faking it, but they go down easy and attract a lot of contact.
Neymar romping onto that one again, but called offside.
Say hello to Kate. Julia is probably ok. The dentist said she is probably fine, and if not, we'll have to wait a good while (a few weeks) to see whether the tooth changes color (meaning it's dead).
Wide open match now.
Still 0-0 in the other one at around the 70th minute mark. Croatia need to roll the dice.
Neymar is pulled down from behind, but the ref waves on.
Kate wonders if there is any news from Chiara on the tenure-track front?
Strange that Oscar is having such a subdued match. He was the key player in the first match.
MEXICO grabs the lead.
Neymar is taken off as a precaution. He's the current Golden Boot leader, much to the delight of most of us in the predictions game.
That should be enough to put them into the Round of 16 against Holland.
I've switched over as Croatia nearly get an equalizer. It's hail mary time for the Croats.
Guardado seals it for Mexico!
It looks like the department, the dean and - very importantly - the provost are all on board. I think it is a meeting between Terry Brown, John Kijinksi and the President (Ginny) which will decide this. The good thing is that two years ago, it was Ginny's language (non-binding) in the contract that promised to make a reasonable attempt to grant a tenure track line. Hopefully she feels bound by this.
CONCACAF Baby! Mexico scores a second.
Mexico now a goal away from Brazil's GD. Brazil would still top Mexico on goals scored.
weak defending there, but nice goal-line save.
Even on goal difference. 3-0
Great news about Chiara! We both think that's great!
Mexico should go all-out for the 4th goal. Who cares if Croatia scores another 3. If they can get one more, they can avoid the Dutch.
Absolutely - Honduras notwithstanding, CONCACAF teams have been terrific in this tournament.
GOAL! Fernandinho wraps up the win with a toe poke!
3-1. Looks like a Mexico-NL match in the 1/8 finals. I saw this same matchup at the same stage in 1994 in Orlando (the Dutch won that one).
Nice to look Chicharito on the scoresheet.
You're right about the tactics vis a vis Mexico. They need goals.
nice volley
Ok. Now I have both games on dvr, but I'll have to switch back and forth there too.
Have a good night!
So that's it - Brazil will top the group and Mexico will occupy second slot.
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