World Cup Digest: Day 2
Credit:
Day 2 of the World Cup and, after yesterday's opening ceremony and festivities, today was purely about football, which is what we have all really been waiting for. Many questions were posed in the run up to the World Cup and today we could finally receive some answers. Which Argentina would turn up? Who would be England’s number one? Could Greece alleviate their countries financial troubles with a World Cup run like Ireland's in 1990? Would the World Cup ball cause more problems...?
Four minutes into the English match against the United States, and it looked like Fabio Capello had gotten it spot on, with Emile Heskey involved in the goal, and Steven Gerrard leading by example. It also seemed like the pundits and bookies had it right.
Everyone but the Americans appeared to know what was supposed to happen, but as the game went on a speculative shot by Clint Dempsey rocked the English to the core and possibly ended Rob Green’s World Cup participation and, indeed, his entire international career.
Capello’s team selection was exposed, as Gerrard and Lampard failed to link and dominate midfield, the route one tactic to Heskey produced only one effort which the Aston Villa striker spurned and the great victory that all and sundry predicted never materialised.
Not to undermine the Americans, but Oguchi Onyewu, who is currently a squad player at AC Milan, will have certainly raised a few eyebrows with his dominance in the rearguard and the previously unknown MLS player Robbie Findley is another to watch as his speed caused the English defence a lot of trouble.
The first full day of football began early with embattled Greece facing off against a much-fancied South Korea and it was the Koreans who dominated and went on to secure only their second ever World Cup win on foreign soil. In what is a sub plot to the main story in Group B, Korea, it has to be said, took a massive step towards qualifying as runners up, the goal difference being another factor after Argentina’s one goal win.
The Greeks' reliance on the long ball tactic somewhat undermined the arguments about the ball and it’s unreliability in the air, but then again they didn’t hit their targets which such efforts. But, over the course of the day, it became more apparent that dead ball specialists will be most troubled with this new ‘streamlined’ football. Getting it up and over the wall seems to be quite easy but making it come down is the difficult task.
Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest footballer on the planet was to grace the World Cup stage when the Argentines took on Nigeria, but would he be curtailed by Maradona, whose tactical knowledge is ropey at best, or would he be allowed do what he does best?
It appears though, that Argentina mean business and, only for Nigeria’s 'keeper Enyeama, Messi may have had at least a brace, but it took a great Gabriel Heinze effort to beat the on-form keeper. For all their attacking prowess the Puma’s displayed some defensive frailties at right back with Gutierrez playing out of position and looking unnerved.
The one overall image taken though from the match, is the love which Maradona exudes from his players and despite a very dodgy qualifying campaign they now appear to be a unified unit who are justifying many people's picks for World Cup success.
Day 2 is over and Day 3 now awaits, but one thing is for sure, despite the annoying Vuvuzelas this is going to be a highly contested and exciting World Cup competition.
Four minutes into the English match against the United States, and it looked like Fabio Capello had gotten it spot on, with Emile Heskey involved in the goal, and Steven Gerrard leading by example. It also seemed like the pundits and bookies had it right.
Everyone but the Americans appeared to know what was supposed to happen, but as the game went on a speculative shot by Clint Dempsey rocked the English to the core and possibly ended Rob Green’s World Cup participation and, indeed, his entire international career.
Capello’s team selection was exposed, as Gerrard and Lampard failed to link and dominate midfield, the route one tactic to Heskey produced only one effort which the Aston Villa striker spurned and the great victory that all and sundry predicted never materialised.
Not to undermine the Americans, but Oguchi Onyewu, who is currently a squad player at AC Milan, will have certainly raised a few eyebrows with his dominance in the rearguard and the previously unknown MLS player Robbie Findley is another to watch as his speed caused the English defence a lot of trouble.
The first full day of football began early with embattled Greece facing off against a much-fancied South Korea and it was the Koreans who dominated and went on to secure only their second ever World Cup win on foreign soil. In what is a sub plot to the main story in Group B, Korea, it has to be said, took a massive step towards qualifying as runners up, the goal difference being another factor after Argentina’s one goal win.
The Greeks' reliance on the long ball tactic somewhat undermined the arguments about the ball and it’s unreliability in the air, but then again they didn’t hit their targets which such efforts. But, over the course of the day, it became more apparent that dead ball specialists will be most troubled with this new ‘streamlined’ football. Getting it up and over the wall seems to be quite easy but making it come down is the difficult task.
Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest footballer on the planet was to grace the World Cup stage when the Argentines took on Nigeria, but would he be curtailed by Maradona, whose tactical knowledge is ropey at best, or would he be allowed do what he does best?
It appears though, that Argentina mean business and, only for Nigeria’s 'keeper Enyeama, Messi may have had at least a brace, but it took a great Gabriel Heinze effort to beat the on-form keeper. For all their attacking prowess the Puma’s displayed some defensive frailties at right back with Gutierrez playing out of position and looking unnerved.
The one overall image taken though from the match, is the love which Maradona exudes from his players and despite a very dodgy qualifying campaign they now appear to be a unified unit who are justifying many people's picks for World Cup success.
Day 2 is over and Day 3 now awaits, but one thing is for sure, despite the annoying Vuvuzelas this is going to be a highly contested and exciting World Cup competition.
About P.J. Murray
P.J. generally covers Drogheda games at HD Park and can generally be found at any Dublin ground when of a loose end on a Friday night. View Full Profile