The World Cup was something that all football fans were awaiting eagerly, and now with 50+ matches having been completed and the teams trimmed for 32 to 8, it’s time for a reanalysis of some of the pre-tournament predictions, a general recap of the world cup (group stage and 6 round of 16 matches) and the best players of the tournament.
As I mentioned earlier Brazil , Germany and Spain were the pre-tournament favourites. However, only Brazil can still after the round of 16 safely hang on to the tag of favourites . Spain have been laughably eliminated in the group stage and Germany have been hit with so many injuries (Reus , Gundogan , Shmelzer , Bender , Gomez, Gotze and Podolski). Not that their fit players are bad, but they are all being played out of position with only the central defence and the goalkeeper in their position!
New favourites for the tournament after Brazil have changed now.
1. France (Neil approves!): This team has looked unstoppable in all their group matches and also in their round of 16 clash vs Nigeria. They are up against Germany next in the quarters. The writer feels that France will go through this fixture with ease. Sure, make your jokes.
2. Argentina: Messi has been unstoppable and they have been playing well the entire tournament. They are 1 of 4 teams to get through the group stages with a grand total of 9 points. Di Maria is yet to set the tournament on fire and will be looking to do so soon. Dangerous signs?
3.Netherlands: Bloody hell, this team. They destroyed the defending champions 5-1 and have been playing an awesome brand of attacking football. They are 1 of 4 teams to get through the group stages with a grand total of 9 points. They have an extremely easy quarter final against Costa Rica. Also, United got van Gaal, so I’m inclined to favour the Dutch more.
Predicted semi finals line up: Brazil, Netherlands, Argentina and France.
Players have also impressed for their countries. I must admit, I didn’t have the first clue who Ochoa was until Mexico played Brazil.
Best Goalkeeper: Guillermo Ochoa and Victor Enyeama
Best Defender: Rafael Marquez , Oscar Duarte
Best Midfielders: Arjen Robben, James Rodriguez
Best Forwards: Lionel Messi, Thomas Muller
No World Cup or major tournament is generally free of controversies.
1. The biting incident of Luis Suarez: What was particularly amusing about this case was his refusal to apologize, until Barcelona came sniffing around and Suarez took the bait and admitted his guilt.
2. Allegations of match fixing (Cameroon): I really hope this isn’t true.
Every World Cup pops up some wild cards, but this WC has been frankly, bananas. The amount of surprises in it make you wonder if the word “underdog” has become obsolete in football.
New favourites for the tournament after Brazil have changed now.
1. France (Neil approves!): This team has looked unstoppable in all their group matches and also in their round of 16 clash vs Nigeria. They are up against Germany next in the quarters. The writer feels that France will go through this fixture with ease. Sure, make your jokes.
2. Argentina: Messi has been unstoppable and they have been playing well the entire tournament. They are 1 of 4 teams to get through the group stages with a grand total of 9 points. Di Maria is yet to set the tournament on fire and will be looking to do so soon. Dangerous signs?
3.Netherlands: Bloody hell, this team. They destroyed the defending champions 5-1 and have been playing an awesome brand of attacking football. They are 1 of 4 teams to get through the group stages with a grand total of 9 points. They have an extremely easy quarter final against Costa Rica. Also, United got van Gaal, so I’m inclined to favour the Dutch more.
Predicted semi finals line up: Brazil, Netherlands, Argentina and France.
Players have also impressed for their countries. I must admit, I didn’t have the first clue who Ochoa was until Mexico played Brazil.
Best Goalkeeper: Guillermo Ochoa and Victor Enyeama
Best Defender: Rafael Marquez , Oscar Duarte
Best Midfielders: Arjen Robben, James Rodriguez
Best Forwards: Lionel Messi, Thomas Muller
No World Cup or major tournament is generally free of controversies.
1. The biting incident of Luis Suarez: What was particularly amusing about this case was his refusal to apologize, until Barcelona came sniffing around and Suarez took the bait and admitted his guilt.
2. Allegations of match fixing (Cameroon): I really hope this isn’t true.
Every World Cup pops up some wild cards, but this WC has been frankly, bananas. The amount of surprises in it make you wonder if the word “underdog” has become obsolete in football.
Costa Rica: The Los Ticos were a part of a group where everyone had designated them as the wooden spoon winners of a group consisting of 3 former winners (England, Uruguay, Italy). Yet, they somehow managed to finish on top and concede ONE goal along the way. Simply sensational.
Columbia: When the world got the news that Radamel Falcao would miss the World Cup, everyone were dubious on Rodriguez carrying the team on his own. Fast forward to today, and James Rodriguez is currently the leader in the Golden Boot race with 5 goals.
The writer feels that the final will have Netherands take on France and the the two South American teams Brazil and Argentina will vie for the bronze medal position.
But this World Cup has been pretty topsy-turvy, so we could be laughing at this days from now.
-Reubyn RF
Columbia: When the world got the news that Radamel Falcao would miss the World Cup, everyone were dubious on Rodriguez carrying the team on his own. Fast forward to today, and James Rodriguez is currently the leader in the Golden Boot race with 5 goals.
The writer feels that the final will have Netherands take on France and the the two South American teams Brazil and Argentina will vie for the bronze medal position.
But this World Cup has been pretty topsy-turvy, so we could be laughing at this days from now.
-Reubyn RF