The Cup From The Couch II

Yes, I know I said I would be providing updates about the World Cup, and that what follows is hopelessly dated, but this last week has seen my computer (and my ISP) let me down badly, so I'm afraid you've ot what you've got. Now that things appear to have returned to something approximating normal, enjoy...or endure...

Netherlands 2 vs Denmark 0

This was a dour, charmless match in which the Danes defended in depth, while the Netherlands played a possession football that was more akin to a training run than to any serious attempt at play-making. Indeed, the crowd became so restless the perennial sign of spectator boredom – the Mexican Wave – made an appearance in force. After 20 mins of stultifyingly dull play, the Dutch bean to pressure the Danish defence, cutting down the right flank and breaking through the centre; but the resulting opportunities were all-too-easily defended. Against the run of play, a 26th minute break by the Danes saw the Dutch goal in serious danger without producing a result; likewise, similar thrusts in the 33rd and 36th minutes. Granted, after half-time, the game became somewhat more engaging – but this due almost entirely to a comical defensive error inside the 1st minute after the restart which gifted the Dutch the lead. Similarly farcical moments in the 50th, 75th, and 81st minutes almost repeated the gift, while the Netherlands made strong attacks in the 58th, 68th, and 72nd minutes without result. Finally, the pressure told: in the 84th minute, the Danish defence cracked at the seams, allowing the Netherlands to score for the second time; while a third goal was only prevented in the 87th minute by a frantic clearance off the Danish goal-line. Mercifully, the game came to an end shortly afterwards; the Netherlands walked away from a technically proficient but aesthetically sterile performance with a 2-0 win and all three points.

Italy 1 vs Paraguay 1

The outstanding feature of this match was the quality of both sides’ tackling and interceptions, a fact made all the more remarkable because of the wind and rains that prevailed during most of the match. Time and again, a player in seeming control of the ball was stripped of possession, or had his apparently clean pass cut off before it reached its target. Italy were the dominant team, and for most of the first half regularly pressed the Paraguayan goal, crossing looping balls from either flank into the teeth of the South Americans’ goal. But a combination of doughty defence by Paraguay and a small amount of fortune frustrated all of Italy’s efforts. The opening score, when it came in the 38th minute, surprised everyone: a rare Paraguayan thrust resulted in a beautifully delivered free-kick, the incoming ball slotted by a neat header into the back of the Italian net. Paraguay 1-0 at the break – who would have thought it? A tense struggle after the resumption resulted in unexploited goal scoring opportunities for both sides, until, in the 62nd minute, a perfectly delivered cross drew the Paraguayan keeper off his line, only for the ball to float into the path of an Italian striker who gleefully chipped the ball home. Thereafter, Italy continually pressed the Paraguayan goal, and after the 75th minute, launched repeated attacks, including an 82nd minute strike that required a brilliant diving save by Paraguay’s ‘keeper. But the South Americans remained calm under pressure, and manfully resisted every offensive. In the end, the 1-1 scoreline befitted a gripping contest in which one of the tournament favourites was forced to work hard in order to salvage equal points.

Cote D’Ivoire 0 vs Portugal 0

This match featured what is arguably Africa’s strongest team at this World Cup in the absence of African Cup holders Egypt, up against the enigmatic but hugely talented Portugal. Portugal dominated the opening stanzas, highlighted by a blistering 10th minute strike on goal the beat the Ivorian goalkeeper cold – but not, alas, the goal upright. A pointless free kick in the 13th minute gifted Cote D’Ivoire with its first scoring opportunity, while a deft 16th minute midfield steal provided a second; both opportunities were squandered. A bit of spite entered the game in the 20th minute, as both teams, seemingly frustrated by their inability to score, indulged in a series of ugly tackles, which in turn produced a flurry of dives, fouls, and bookings. The nadir came in the 28th minute: a crude Portuguese tackle inexplicably went unpunished by the referee, and play had to be halted so the unfortunate Ivorian player on the receiving end could be attended to by medical staff. Cote D’Ivoire started strongly in the second half, producing opportunities in the 47th minute (twice), 53rd minute, 58th and 59th minutes that failed to result in any change to the scoreline. In the midst of this barrage, a perfectly lofted 50th minute cross placed the Ivorian goal in severe danger, while a 57th minute ball from deep in Cote D’Ivoire’s defensive zone again had the defence scrambling. After the 65th minute, Portugal gained the upper hand, but were unable to convert several half-opportunities into anything more substantial; poor crossing from a number of corner kicks aided the Ivorian defence, while a long-range shot in the 78th minute and a free kick in the 79th flew high and wide. After the 80th minute, the match resembled and arm-wrestling contest between two equally matched and equally exhausted opponents, although an 83rd minute thrust by Cote D’Ivoire and an 88th minute counter by Portugal provided brief moments of excitement. The three minutes of penalty time were dominated by Cote D’Ivoire, with several desperate attacks repelled by an equally desperate defence. All in all, it was a slightly disappointing match, in which two teams rich in capacity produced very little of substance.

Talk to you soon,

BB.