FIFA World Cup Football Week 5
It was Germany who had the last laugh. In a tense final that went
to extra time , Germany found the winner
through diminutive Gotze . Gotze showed perfect technique to chest down a cross
and slam it for the winner. Till then it was Argentina which had more chances. Germans had more possession close to around 64 % . Messi was so well marked that he hardly got
free space .Germans, I think were well prepared for the entire tournament and it was no surprise that they won this title .
And I think that they will not end with this. The team is very young ( yes it
has veterans as well but more of the youngsters ) and is a sure bet to retain
the title in 2018 in Russia four years from now. Do not laugh this off – See my link from the
2010 FIFA final – How true it was the Germans will be ready for this title and
that Thomas Mueller will be a star in the 2014 eidtion ?
Gotze is just 22 and the average age is around 26.. So I bet that they will be
there in Russia defending their title.
The two semifinals were
contrasting. Germany just overran Brazil in the first semifinal --- If
one thought Neymar would be missed , it was not just Neymar , the entire Defence of the Brazilian team went missing from their duty on that day. Germany could have pumped in
few more goals but just missed them in the run of play. Brazilians simply did
not have a plan . David Luiz their stand in captain was the man for the occasion
for the Germans. Luiz found himself most of the times out of position and
whatever he did ended up with Goal scoring opportunities for the Germans. A
through thrashing ( 7 -1 ) that will haunt Brazilians for a long long time to come. And
it did not end with that . In the match for the third place , Dutch again put
them in place with a resounding 3-0 victory. Brazil simply did not have it in
them to play well and it was a cake walk for the Dutch. A lot regrouping needs to happen with the
Brazilian team if they are going to win any more trophies on the future.
In the other semifinal , Argentina played for extra time and
penalties. While the Dutch tried hard , it was clear Argentina wanted to go the
extra time and to the penalties. Dutch did not have the services of Tim Krul who
helped them out in the penalty shootout with Costa Rica as they ran out of their
substitutions . With Argentina’s goalkeeper
making two crucial saves , it helped them in to the final.
Overall an exciting tournament – clearly South American
sides like Chile , Columbia and of course Costa Rica providing surprises and
progressing well beyond expectations.
For the 2018. I still believe that Germany will keep its due and watch out for the USA team ..They will have a good tournament
as well. Spain will bounce back , few African nations will cause stir but will
not get to the Podium.
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