World Cup Quarterfinals: Match Previews (Day 1)

FIFA are a disgrace and Qatar’s government is repressive and cruel.

I’ve had 2-3 requests for match previews, and now that there are fewer matches to write about it’s become more feasible to do them. Simply too many matches before now! But yes, it’s quarterfinals time and this is very much the business end of the tournament. Bad teams do not make it this far, and every team is here for a reason. Some thoughts and predictions on Friday’s matches!

Brazil vs. Croatia – Friday Dec. 9th 7 AM PST

This is an intriguing matchup for a number of reasons, as 5-time winners Brazil take on 2018 runners-up Croatia. Brazil are probably the team’s best tournament so far, scoring goals for fun up front while being incredibly stout at the back. The third goal they scored against South Korea in their Round of 16 match was nothing short of sublime. It’s insane that striker Richarlison has been a part of two very good candidates for goal of the tournament. Despite a loss to Cameroon in the group stage, Brazil look very strong right now. They have talent by the truckload in the likes of Neymar, Vinicius Junior, Casemiro, and Thiago Silva. Their manager Tite has built them on defense and slowly loosened the reigns on his attackers as the tournament has gone on. But the horses have been allowed to run freely now, and they should continue doing so. As long as they keep their team mentality positive, they should win this match.

That being said, Croatia will not be as easy to dispatch as South Korea was. They boast a very talented and experienced midfield, and as shown in the Round of 16 against Japan, they can conjure up a goal out of absolutely nothing. Croatia’s chances in this match will largely be dictated by how their midfielders – Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, Mateo Kovacic, and Ivan Perisic – all play. Modric in particular will be the one with the team on his shoulders, like he usually do. He is Mr. Croatia and despite his age he will leave everything he can on the pitch for them. If that midfield is allowed time on the ball they have the talent and experience to create chances. A concern for the Croatians is the lack of a dominant center forward. They have not scored many goals this tournament, and the form of the strikers is the main reason why. Brazil can score at will, and I do not know if the Croatians will be able to keep up.

Prediction: Brazil 3-1 Croatia

Netherlands vs. Argentina – Friday December 9th – 11 AM PST

This matchup is going to be terrific, in my opinion. We have two of the traditional major powerhouses if world football pitted against one another, and it just so happens to feature probably the greatest player of all time. It’s also probably the closest one we have to a toss-up in terms of a winner.

All eyes will be on Lionel Messi both at home and worldwide as he leads his team against a well-coached and sneakily-talented Dutch side. Messi is probably at his last World Cup, and there is no way he is going to want to go home in the quarterfinals. He will need to be accounted for every time the Argentines have the ball within 40 yards of the Dutch goal. He scored against Australia in the Round of 16 and it would be unwise to bet against him doing so again. That said, Messi is not the entirety of this team. Argentina made it to the final in 2014 using the tactics of “defense + Messi”, and that defensive prowess has once again resurfaced. The Argentines, led by Nicolas Otamendi and Lisandro Martinez, are extremely physical in defense and will be tough to break down. I also like that Messi has slightly more help in attack and midfield in this tournament talent-wise. The concern is their tactics and team spirit should they start losing. They could be doing everything right in attack except for scoring, but as soon as they go down 1-0 they seem to forget what works for them and they try to play it through their midfield, which isn’t their strong suit.

The Dutch on the other hand are a very curious team. Ahead of schedule, perhaps? I am very familiar with their manager Louis Van Gaal as he used to manage Manchester United, and while his style of play did not usually provide for the most entertaining football, he did win us the FA Cup in 2016. His style at the club level is different from the national team level, though. For the Dutch, he tailors his team selection and tactics to the opposition, as it were. He set up his team to play possession and passing in the group stage, but then against the Americans he sat his men back and let the Americans have the ball, knowing they wouldn’t be able to break them down. The Dutch hit the Americans on the counter for their first goal just 10 minutes in and never looked back. They also used their wingbacks Daley Blind and Denzel Dumfries to great effect. They also have the in-form (and highly sought-after) striker Cody Gakpo up front, with winger/forward Memphis Depay usually up alongside him in support. Factor in center back Virgil Van Dijk, and it becomes clear that the Dutch have more than enough talent to beat Argentina. It will be interesting to see what tricks Van Gaal has up his sleeve to try and neutralize – or at least minimize – the threat of Messi.

Prediction: Netherlands 2-2 Argentina, Dutch advance on penalties

World Cup Round of 16 – Croatia Survive, Brazil in Cruise Control

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

World Cup Roundup – Portugal Escape Ghana and a Goal of the Tournament Candidate

Qatar is still terrible. FIFA is still corrupt. This tournament should not be held there.

Uruguay vs. South Korea

This match ended 0-0, which is a good result for South Korea but disappointing for Uruguay. They have too much attacking talent to be scoring zero goals against a side like South Korea. All credit to the Koreans though for defending well the whole 90 minutes. Lots of attacking intent on display from both sides, but neither side could make a breakthrough.

Switzerland vs. Cameroon

Many people including myself had this pegged as a draw, but credit to the Swiss for grinding out a 1-0 win. Striker Breel Embolo got the one and only goal in this match just after half time, and it was via some very neat build-up play by the Swiss. Embolo slid home a cross from the right virtually unmarked though, and that cannot happen at a World Cup. Cameroon’s defense was nowhere to be seen. Even though it was a momentary lapse of concentration, even just a momentary lapse can cost you the game. It will be very difficult for Cameroon to get out of this group now.

Portugal vs. Ghana

This was probably the most entertaining match of the day, as it was a 5-goal thriller that ended with Portugal winning 3-2. The first half was a snoozer aside from a disallowed goal by striker Cristiano Ronaldo. Things really kicked off in the second half. Ronaldo, freshly released from Manchester United, became the first man to score at five different World Cups when he pushed Portugal ahead from the penalty spot on 66 minutes. The foul on him that led to the goal was dubious at best, but Ronaldo converted when called upon. Ghana found an equalizer on 73 minutes via Andre Ayew, but Portugal were back in front just 5 minutes later thanks to wunderkind Joao Felix. Midfielder Bruno Fernandes found his run with a lovely weighted pass down the right channel, and Felix hit the ball first time past the Ghanaian keeper.

Portugal got a third via another exciting young talent in winger Rafael Leao, who played in his first ever World Cup match today. Ghana gave the ball away in midfield and Portugal sprang into instant attack, with Bruno bringing the ball forward in space. He found Leao off to his left, who opened his hips and re-directed the ball into the far corner with one touch. A very quick and well-executed goal.

Portugal thought they were home and dry being up 3-1 on 80 minutes, but Ghana showed some backbone and got their second goal via winger Osman Bukari on 89 minutes. A long ball was played down the left wing and run onto by a Ghanaian winger, and after shaking off his marker the ball was crossed into the center. Bukari was mysteriously mostly unmarked, and he made no mistake with his header past keeper Diogo Costa.

Portugal almost conceded a third extremely late on. Costa had the ball in his hands in his own penalty area and put it down to kick it out, but failed to see Ghanaian striker Iñaki Williams standing behind him just inside the goal. Williams sprinted out and took the ball from Costa legally, but he slipped at the vital moment and could not get a shot away before the ball was cleared by the Portuguese defense. Costa very nearly cost his team the game with his lack of awareness, and Williams will be ruing that missed opportunity for years to come.

Portugal are good in attack but their defense is suspect, and it’s the same for Ghana. It will be interesting to see how these teams do against the potent attack of the two other teams in the group.

Brazil vs. Serbia

This was the last match of the day, and while the action was somewhat tepid for awhile things eventually got going for the Brazilians, who won 2-0.

Serbia defended really well in the first half and while it was clear that Brazil looked to be the more dangerous team, they couldn’t find a way through. Star forward Neymar was being fouled and harassed every time he was on the ball, and the Brazilians looked very disjointed in attack overall. It just wasn’t quite coming off for them, and the longer it stayed at 0-0 the more it felt like Serbia might get a result from the match.

But striker Richarlison was on-hand to make sure that didn’t happen on 62 minutes, when he scored from close range off a rebounded save. Winger Vinicius Jr. powered a shot towards goal from the left hand side of the box, which keeper Vanja Milinković-Savić could only parry. Richarlison reacted quickest to the rebound and prodded it home for 1-0, sparking wild celebrations in the crowd and on the bench. It’s always a heart-stopping moment when the ball is loose off a rebound, and unluckily for the Serbs it fell almost straight to the opposition.

Richarlison was just getting warmed up though. He got Brazil’s second through a spectacular effort on 73 minutes that sealed the points. He received a cross from the left hand side along the ground, and used his left foot to hit the ball into the air. He turned on a dime with his right leg rising into the air, and he hit the ball on a very sweet volley low and away from Vanja. It was a beautiful display of athleticism from Richarlison and it’s probably the goal of the tournament so far.

Serbia did not really create many chances in response, and by the end it was Brazil more likely to get a 3rd goal than for Serbia to get their first. It was frustrating for Brazil for about an hour, but if Richarlison is going to play like this for the rest of the tournament, Brazil have to be among the favorites to win the tournament. Their team is incredibly deep and also hungry. Brazil have won the World Cup a record five times, but paradoxically have not won it for 20 years. This team has the depth and talent to end that dry spell.