After a thrilling meeting between Australia and Holland, the stakes are raised for the second match in Group B. Spain and Chile face off, in what might be the most thrilling match of the tournament yet. Spain and Chile are two attacking sides, and both will throw caution to the wind to achieve the results they need today.
Month: June 2014
Australia vs. Holland (Group B)
The second round of Group B play kicks off with Australia, losers Friday against Chile, taking on Holland, who crushed defending champions Spain. The Dutch were unstoppable that day, scoring five, while the Australians were fortunate to escape with only a 3-1 defeat.
This is only the second game I’ve expected a real thrashing, after Argentina vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina. That match was fairly even and ended only 2-1 in favor of the South Americans, but Australia don’t seem to have the firepower to make me eat my words again today.
Russia vs. South Korea (Group H)
Day Six of World Cup 2014 closes with the final match of the first round, between Group H rivals Russia and South Korea. As I mentioned in the preview to the first match in Group H, which Belgium won 2-1 over Algeria, this is a relatively open group from which each team has a decent chance of advancing.
Brazil vs. Mexico (Group A)
The second round arrives with a bang, as hosts Brazil take on powerful Mexico. Both these teams won their first games; Brazil beat Croatia 3-1, and Mexico beat Cameroon 1-0. Since each side has three points, a win today for either would all but guarantee their place in the second round.
Belgium vs. Algeria (Group H)
Tuesday brings the two remaining matches of the first round, as Group H finally takes the field. First up are Belgium and Algeria, to be followed tonight by Russia and South Korea. Group H may be among the weakest groups in the tournament, but should provide as much excitement as any other. This match will fit that pattern – both Belgium and Algeria are bursting with young players eager to make a name for themselves on the biggest stage.
Ghana vs. USA (First Half Observations)
Five observations from the first half of today’s second Group G match, between old enemies Ghana and the United States.
Ghana vs. USA (Group G)
Our day has finally come! More than four days after the opening match of World Cup 2014, the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) will take the pitch tonight in rainy Natal. Their opponents? Ghana, the old enemy, who effectively knocked the Yanks out of both of the last two World Cups. The Americans will need to banish the specter of those defeats to escape from this so-called “Group of Death,” which also includes the second-ranked (Germany) and fourth-ranked (Portugal) teams in the world.
Iran vs. Nigeria (Group F)
The second match of the day is also the second match of Group F, following yesterday’s unconvincing Argentine victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina. Today, the current African champions Nigeria take on three-time Asian champions Iran. I can’t pretend I know much about these two sides, but read on and you’ll at least be able to pretend you know the little that I do.
Germany vs. Portugal (Group G)
Finally, the fifth day of World Cup 2014 brings the first match of Group G, the vaunted “Group of Death.” Together in this pot are Germany, the three-time World Cup champions and second-ranked team in the world; Portugal, the fourth-ranked team in the world and home of the world’s best player; Ghana, who were cheated out of the semifinals four years ago; and the USA, ranked 13th in the world and on a run of qualifying for seven straight World Cups. Germany vs. Portugal is certainly the biggest blockbuster match in a group full of them.
Argentina vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina (Group F)
The third and final match of this Father’s Day Sunday (Happy Father’s Day, Dad!), and it’s the first encounter I don’t expect to be close. Argentina, as Zonal Marking points out, don’t quote have the quality at the back that they do in attack. Still, Bosnia would love to have defenders of the quality of Ezequiel Garay or Pablo Zabaleta. There won’t be much drama in this encounter, but there’s nothing wrong with enjoying some of the world’s best players ripping apart unworthy competition.
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