Friday Recap: German Implosions, American Explosions... and the English

After this morning's somewhat underwhelming matches, here are some thoughts on yesterday's matches:

read more...

1-1 Is the Loneliest Number

As an English man living in the States, the pain of last Saturday's draw was even more accentuated by the fact I had to face my American friends and colleagues after coolly assuring them a week earlier that it would be a walk in the park for us - after all how could our great football-loving nation, whose forefathers invented the beautiful game, fail to impress when playing against an opposition who don’t even call the sport by its rightful and proper name.

Alas it wasn't to be. I should be thankful for the bride whose wedding I was at last Saturday - she banned televisions, and in doing so gave me 90 minutes of my life which would have otherwise been painfully wasted! On returning to Philly, even the man who greeted me at immigration couldn't resist a dig as he stamped my passport and proudly told me he went to High School with Tim Howard. I think I mumbled some obscenities about Green and forced a smile ….

If it’s any consolation, it gave me some comfort to discover the Americans still haven’t grasped the intricacies of the scoring when I read the front page of the New York Post the following day …..

read more...

Day 3 Recap - Germany v Australia & Ghana v Serbia

Just a few thoughts on today's other matches before bedtime. I've got to catch up on sleep before tomorrow's Netherlands v Denmark match, though I'm sure the Dutch offense will provide a much-needed jolt of Adrenaline.

read more...

Slovenia v Algeria Soundoff, and Group C Developments

By far the most interesting narrative in this game was the story of Ghezzal, who came in for Algeria in the 2nd half and immediately made his presence felt with threatening headers and boneheaded play. Within a minute of jogging onto the pitch, he garnered a yellow card for grabbing a Slovenian jersey right in front of the referee. A few testy headers (and about 10 minutes) later, and Ghezzal was being sent off with the fastest succession of cards ever issued to a substitute. The play which finished the game for him was a ludicrous American-football style handball, as he looked like trying to catch a long over-the-shoulder pass into the box. Had he not gone off, and had Algeria been able to find his head off of a set piece, they might have been able to tie the game. As it was, though, we got what we expected from this game. Slovenia probably deserved to win, but their goal was a gift of poor goalkeeping from Algeria's Faouzi Chaouchi, and they will have work to do against the England. They are a very organized and disciplined team, that can apparently sit back and wait for attacking opportunities to present themselves. The USA will need to press their attacks and try to throw Slovenia off their system, and even though a 3-way tie is no longer a possibility, all teams will be wanting to play for goal differential, just to be safe.

read more...

Group C Predictions

Group C (in order of FIFA Rankings)
England (8)
USA (14)
Slovenia (25)
Algeria (30)

Group B is an interesting group, pitting a constantly-improving USA against a resurgent England and, to a lesser extent, a well-drilled Slovenia and an altogether unimpressive Algeria. I think this group provides the interesting (and exciting) prospect for a rare circumstance in group play: a three-way tie. England, USA, and Slovenia could each score 6 points, leading to a three-way tie for first place, with the winners chosen on goal differential. Here's how it could happen.

Game by Game Predictions

England v USA (w)

England is the stronger side, to be sure. But, the USA is hungry, and I suspect that England will take the better part of the game to coalesce as a team. The loss of Rio Ferdinand, while perhaps not devastating to the captaincy, is a hole in the defense. His likely replacement is Ledley King. Even if King can fill the technical boots of Ferdinand, England is still playing a central defense that hasn't had much time to get acquainted. The USA will have to capitalize on this early, if they have a chance of winning. If the game goes scoreless into the second half, expect England to draw first blood, with the USA rallying for a tying goal in the 80s. After that it'd be anyone' guess. But the USA will go up early, and England will tie things up just before half time. After a rest at half-time, England and the game will quiet down, until the USA retake the lead, after some well-timed substitutions.
Final result England 1, USA 2.

Algeria v Slovenia (w)
For those of us who are less familiar with the Baltic Peninsula, like me, we can think of Slovenia as another Russia, a team with pace that is supremely disciplined and well-drilled. Slovenia also defeated Russia to qualify for the Cup. Algeria, defeated Egypt, which doesn’t impress me greatly. Basically I think that this is a must-win game for both teams, but I’m not sure how much of a difference this can bring to Algeria’s gameplay. Slovenia should focus on offense, and may give up an early goal, but they’ll pull through.
Final result Algeria 1, Slovenia 2.

Slovenia (w) v USA
After beating England, the USA will not so much underestimate the Slovenians, as be too giddy with their victory over Engalnd to stay in the moment. I fear they will go down early, at which point the match will become a tenacios and close war of defense
Final result Slovenia 1, USA 0

England (w) v Algeria
After a startling loss to the USA, again, England will come back with an imperial vengeance, wiping the pitch with Algeria like it's 1942 in North Africa. Rooney will contribute to to 2 goals, but could get a yellow-card for general douche-baggery. England's defense will have solidified, barring another injury, and the Gerrard-Lampard twins should begin producing plays rather than competing for them.
Final result England 3, Algeria 0


Slovenia v (w) England
Cruising through their bruising of Algeria, England will overcome a determined Slovenia side in a game where England will need to win, and Slovenia will strive to rack up goals for qualifying. With both teams pressing the attack, space will be left at the back for some excessive scoring. England will pull it out, however, and show class under pressure that they will have lacked against the USA.
Final result Slovenia 2, England 3

USA (w) v Algeria

The USA, shocked by their loss to Slovenia, will not take defeat for an answer from Algeria. Likewise, Algeria will not want to go home with absolutely no points, and will play with intense defense. This will keep the game low-scoring, but the USA, as I said, will not take no for an answer. Late in the game, already up 1-0, they will surge through for another goal, knowing that goal differential could make the difference as England battles Slovenia at the same time.
Final result USA 2, Algeria 0


FINAL GROUP RESULTS
1. England (6 Points) GD: +3
2. USA (6 Points) GD: +2
3. Slovenia (6 Points) GD: +1
4. Algeria (0 Points)


So that would be a very interesting progression for Group C, the three-way tie. Unfortunately, I don't really expect that to happen. Any ties in derail that possibility entirely, but it is still an intellectually exciting prospect to consider. Most likely, It'll be England and USA on top, but not a three-way tie. I still bet that USA beats England today, and I will be extremely surprised if Algeria makes any real progress.

read more...