Football World Cup 2014

I reckon the dutchies are merely a counter attacking side. When they get that opportunity (ie v Spain) they can look good but when they need to make the running they are a bit clueless

Yeah, they'll always be a threat on the break - Robben's pace when running with the ball is immense.

But they're carrying a lot of ordinary footballers, particularly in the midfield.

Although the same could be said for their semi-final opponents, Argentina. They started the tournament as Messi plus cameos from Di Maria and Aguero. But they're pretty much down to Messi or bust now.

Not sure myself - Argentina played a brilliant game, tactically, against the Belgians. The pressed them high and flooded the midfield enough that the Belgians couldn't bring the ball out of the defence, they couldn't move the ball around in the midfield and ended up having to revert to long ball tactics. Individually, they weren't particularly good, apart from Messi. Just don't rate them. Whereas the Dutch - yeah they were ordinary, but were still clearly the better side. It was some utterly terrible finishing that kept Costa Rica in it.

Brass Monkey wrote:Not sure myself - Argentina played a brilliant game, tactically, against the Belgians. The pressed them high and flooded the midfield enough that the Belgians couldn't bring the ball out of the defence, they couldn't move the ball around in the midfield and ended up having to revert to long ball tactics. Individually, they weren't particularly good, apart from Messi. Just don't rate them. Whereas the Dutch - yeah they were ordinary, but were still clearly the better side. It was some utterly terrible finishing that kept Costa Rica in it.

Phenomenal goalie. And very resolute defence.

If Costa Rica had known how to feed possession into attacking positions, they might have got a couple of goals against a nervy Dutch cover, and won. Instead of throwing away the possession they kept seizing and immediately booting it speculatively in the direction of anyone going forward. It was only in the last 15 mins of ET they believed in themselves and got shots on goal. (But they should clearly have had a penalty. A shocking miss by the referee team.)

Robbie was a horror show. The Robbie Horror Picture Show. And he was constantly fouling in his typical sneaky ways - easily double figures. The speedy Plunging Cockroach is always a threat, as everyone agrees, but he can be 90% contained, and was. It was only the mightily impressive Sneijder who was the clear difference between the teams. (And then van Gaal.) Great strikes, and crosses.

I think Argentina are now starting to play better than Holland. True, Holland always have van Gaal.

But we'll see. The Dutch might fluke it. A couple of penalties. Petrushka in excelsis. Or more legitimately, goals from the Mighty Wes.

England's tactic at the next World Cup should be to take Joe Root as sub goalkeeper and get him to sledge the opposition before they take their penalties.

Not sure why Root gets everybody's arses up, but he clearly does, so Rooty it is.

Yeah, that was a disgrace.

Will Krul start punching Argies next game and then shrug his shoulders incredulously, absolute RvP/AR "victim look" on his face?

- What?? What's illegal??? Ball's not even in play, ref!!! And I never touched him!!! He dived!!! The other guy too!!!

And maybe get Broady or someone in reserve, to go walkabout for up to a minute before each delivery ...

PeterCS wrote:
Phenomenal goalie. And very resolute defence.

If Costa Rica had known how to feed possession into attacking positions, they might have got a couple of goals against a nervy Dutch cover, and won. Instead of throwing away the possession they kept seizing and immediately booting it speculatively in the direction of anyone going forward. It was only in the last 15 mins of ET they believed in themselves and got shots on goal. (But they should clearly have had a penalty. A shocking miss by the referee team.)

They may have mugged a couple of goals. Most of the possession was Costa's final third. They just didn't build up the play before getting their shots off. They were content to smash it from 25 yards and hope for the best. Yeah, Rica's defence was tight though - good man/man and stepped up nicely for offsides - Navas again was outstanding (reckon there'll be a flavour of the month in signing Central American keepers) - but it was the complete lack of cohesion between RVP, Robben and Depay that almost made the Dutch pay the price. It was like they had never played together. OK, they've been forced into this change, but it's not working.

Stoopid body clock. Still woke up at 2am ready to watch football and then stayed awake the rest of the morning. At least they had replays

Ho Lee Fark!!! It's a massacre by the Germans!!!!! 5-0 after 32 mins???? FMD.

So Brazil are clueless without their captain and Neymar???

        

Wow, I've just seen the 5 goals. The Brazilians are total headless chooks at the back, and the Germans look like they are having a training run.

Live blog with vids of goals

Blitzkreig!!

excellent, since I picked Germany in the work comp and the leaders picked Brazil

In a macabre case of mistaken identity, the body of actor Gene Hackman has been discovered lynched in a Brazilian part of town.

Captainless, starless and rudderless, with Admiral Waveyerarmsabout overseeing the demise of his fleet, Brazil look completely at sea.

Hella funny! I'd have stayed out and got ruined in celebration of such hilarity, if I did that sort of thing anymore.

Brazil finally - finally - playing like Brazil, 5 and a half games in.

Fark me, just tuned in to see the sixth.

Cracking 7th. Virtual insanity. Men against boys. An all you can eat carvery. Hella funny.

How exceptionally humiliating - the Brazilian fans are doing the ole for the German team.

PeterCS wrote:Unless they get a less impressionable ref, the Germans may also struggle to beat the homers. I expect it to be a close call, at least.

(Klose, but no cigar?)

Good luck with that.

Utter humiliation. Kroos' second the funniest, Schurrle's second the best. Ozil costing Neuer a clean sheet.... didn't know that yellow traffic cones could score goals

An 8 goal thriller - just was the WC needed.

tricycle wrote:Ozil costing Neuer a clean sheet....

Poor keeping for a change.

Klose but no Cesar?