Thursday, 19 June 2014

World Cup Day Seven: Holders Humiliated, Again

Sorry this post is a little late today, I'm still trying to get over the incredible events of yesterday. What an amazing match and the official end of an era.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves and start with another match, Cameroon v Croatia. This was a goalfest, and a glorious one at that. Let's be honest here, bar Samuel Eto'o, Cameroon have no world class players. Yes, they've got players who ply their trade in the upper echelons of European football but none of them a consistently fighting for titles at those clubs. Croatia, on the other hand, have a wealth of experience in title challenges and the difference between the two sides was very much on display throughout this emphatic victory.

Wow, there were a few great teams on display yesterday. Australia may be the lowest ranked team in the tournament but you wouldn't have guessed it after the match yesterday. An incredible end to end game against a team that dismantled the reigning champions only a few days ago. The Dutch, to their credit, contributed to one of the most enjoyable and entertaining matches of this tournament, which is saying something. The winner wasn't especially late which meant there was still over twenty minutes of football to watch. Twenty minutes which didn't lose the tempo of the previous seventy. It's a shame to see Australia out of the World Cup, but the Netherlands are joined by Chile in the last sixteen.

Talking of Chile, they were imperious in their ruthless attack against the reigning champions who are out at the first hurdle. Spain were poor, they've looked poor for a while now. They're old and tired. The tiki taka style of playing hasn't worked for them. They need to get rid of the old guard and bring in fresh blood. Players like Xavi and Iniesta are looking past their best so why would you play them and not Fabregas or Cazorla? Pathetic is the best way to describe them, fully undeserved of qualifying. Chile will enjoy the next match and so they should. I reckon they will get to the semis the way they're playing.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to watch England play Uruguay. Why would you play Jordan Henderson? He's shit! More tomorrow.

No comments:

Post a Comment