This post is dedicated to the 6,500+ workers who lived and died in brutal conditions during construction of the stadiums for the World Cup. Qatar and FIFA don’t recognize their contributions, but I do.
Japan vs. Croatia
This was the more intriguing of the matchups today, with the surprising Japanese taking an aging but wizened Croatia side. It was thought by many that Japan would be the more industrious team, and given their spectacular results against Spain and Germany, many had them favored to beat Croatia. But this match ended 1-1 after 120 minutes, and we had our first penalty shootout of the tournament which the Croatians won 3-1.
This looked like Japan’s match to lose in the opening 45 minutes, though. They were dominant in terms of possession and chances created. They got their opener just before halftime, when a cross from a nifty corner-routine fell to Daizen Maeda, who slotted home from close range with Croatia keeper Dominik Livakovic beaten. The Blue Samurai were good value for their goal too, and many figured they would go on to wrap it up given the rather listless effort from Croatia up until that point.
The second half was an odd one though, in the sense that the Japanese were still probably the better side, but the Croatians had figured out how to slow them down significantly. They had more possession in Japan’s final third, but for the first 10 minutes or so there was no opening to be had. But the Croatians found themselves level on 55 minutes thanks to a very well-placed header from winger Ivan Perisic. An aerial cross from defender Dejan Lovren was played into the box, and Perisic did well to get goal side of his marker and head the ball down and away from Japan keeper Shūichi Gonda. It was a goal almost from nowhere, but the experience of Croatia shined through there. At this level of football, it is suicidal to switch off defensively, even for just a second or two.
The match finished after 90 minutes at 1-1, although Japan were probably still the more attack-minded side. That carried on into extra time as well, and Japan had one or two half chances in that period as well. It was clear by the end though that they were physically spent. They had run themselves ragged, and I was concerned about their physical and mental fatigue going into the penalty shootout. Croatia were not quite playing for penalties, but they certainly seemed less enthusiastic about getting the ball forward.
That concern was well-founded, because what I saw from Japan was a series of 3-4 of the worst penalty kicks I have ever seen taken. No power, no placement, no venom in any of the shots. Livakovic was the Croatian hero on the day and credit to him for making three key saves, but any keeper worth his salt would have saved those. Croatia’s penalty takers weren’t spectacular either, but they did happen to convert more of them than Japan did.
The lesson from this match is that sometimes there is no justice in football. You can be the more attacking and endeavoring side, but if you don’t convert enough of your chances, the opposition can get right back into a match fairly easily. Croatia were fairly negative today, but in the end their experience in penalty shoot-outs shown through. They did just enough to win, and sadly that was all that was needed. Japan need to take great pride in what they achieved at this tournament. They played some great football and shocked the powerhouses with their industriousness, tactics, and neat passing. If they can get themselves a world-class striker with that same work rate, they will be a threat to anyone. A credit to them and their supporters for a very classy display the past few weeks.
Brazil vs. South Korea
This one was over before it barely got started. The 4-1 victory for Brazil today was a statement – a message to the rest of the teams left in the tournament that they are confident and expect themselves to lift the Jules Rimet trophy in a few weeks’ time. A dominant display from the South Americans, particularly in the opening 45 minutes.
Winger Vinicius Junior got the samba party started just 7 minutes into the game when he swept home a delightfully-placed finish into the opposite corner from the left side of the box. The Koreans had left him perilously unmarked, and although they got themselves in the way of Vinicius rather quickly, he showed great composure to place his shot into the far corner instead of just blasting it. A goal that early was the worst possible situation for South Korea, as their game plan was undoubtedly to defend as well they could and take chances on the break. But now they would be forced to chase the game, and you don’t want to have to chase the Brazilians.
There was more calamitous defending on 13 minutes though, when Brazil striker Richarlison went down in the Korean penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot. VAR replays showed a minimum amount of contact on Richarlison, but there was contact nevertheless and the penalty decision was allowed to stand. Star forward Neymar stepped up to the spot, and after a bit of a delay he slotted it home past keeper Kim Seung-gyu. The shot didn’t have a ton of power on it, but the placement (low and away from Kim) was perfect. Neymar will likely be Brazil’s all-time leading scorer once this tournament is over, and that is an illustrious list to be at the top of.
Richarlison himself then got in on the act on 29 minutes, and this was probably Brazil’s best goal of the day. Fantastically precise teamwork and passing around the Korean penalty area. Richarlison juggled the ball on his head about 20 yards in front of goal before finding a teammate on the edge of the area. The ball was then played to center back Thiago Silva, who found the continuing run of Richarlison and he finished with his left from close range after taking a touch for control. That’s not a very good description, but there was so much intricacy to the goal it’s about the best I can do. A fantastic example of team football and the South Koreans were hypnotized by it. I don’t blame them – everyone who saw them do it was hypnotized by it.
Vinicius then turned provider just before half time, when his looping cross over the top found the late run of attacking midfielder Lucas Paquetá. There was a lot of congestion in the box and it was unclear who Vinicius was crossing it to at first, but Paquetá arrived just as the ball was coming down and finished to the right of Kim in South Korea’s goal. It was the perfect seal on a near-perfect half of football for the 5-time World Cup winners. South Korea looked thoroughly dejected, and understandably so.
Brazil obviously took their foot off the gas in the second half, and being four goals to the good you can understand why. They were still running at the Koreans and creating chances, but the impetus on display in the first half was missing from the second. The Koreans got a consolation goal on 76 minutes thanks to a good strike from midfielder Paik Seung-ho, but that was the only major action the second half. The result never looked seriously threatened, as Brazil were just happy to pass it around amongst themselves and keep the Koreans at bay.
But yes, a statement of intent from manager Tite and his players today. This was their best performance of the World Cup so far, and I have a feeling they are going to continue in this dominant fashion. If they weren’t favorites to win the tournament before today, they certainly are now. It was obvious that they have way more talent than South Korea, but I was disappointed with South Korea’s tactics today. I thought they were going to park the bus and hit Brazil when the opportunity presented itself, but that bus seemed to have a flat tire today. Absolutely naïve defending for the first and second Brazilian goals. And once they were 2-0 down, it was basically over. They couldn’t get close to Brazil in attack, and they couldn’t keep them out in defense. That is a recipe for a beatdown.
Quarterfinals – Brazil vs. Croatia – Friday, December 9th – 7 AM PST
4-4-2 