It was quite a thrilling match. The one that mattered yesterday, to decide which team it would be that goes in to the Quarter Finals along with Portugal in Group A.
It was a tough call. Was it going to be Turkey or would it be the Czech Republic that goes through. Last Euro's semi finalists were solid through qualification, yet it would be a close call.
The Czech's have injury worries. Absolutely no one can deny that. Rosicky out is probably one of the biggest blows for the Czech Republic. And because of this, the Czech team lacked teeth. They dont have the finishing powers to step up and win a game.
They have an ageing striker in Jan Koller, who though he scored, is way past his prime. I never considered Koller to be one amongst the best strikers in the world. This, and the fact that the Czech midfield isnt even close to what it once used to be, compounded their difficulties. There was a time when the Czech midfield meant players from the top clubs in Europe. In contrast, nowadays you have Marek Matejovsky who plays with recently relegated Reading.
Turkey won 3-2, with a brace from Nihat. The second of his two was an absolutely stunning goal, put past the hapless Petr Cech. Cech was responsible for the first of Nihat's goals, fumbling a routine cross. This goes to show that even the great Petr Cech is human.
The Czechs may have won had they had a little bit extra in them. The fact that Turkey split open their defence many times in the second half, showed the lack of a hunger on the part of the Czechs. I dont think they were quarter final material anyway, because of their limited attacking options.
Bruckner played very defensively in the second half against a Turkey side that was keen to score a goal. Here lies the difference that a gamble might've made. Van Basten took off his defensive players when France was searching hard for a goal and brought on Robben, a move that might have cost him the game, but didnt. He won the game, comfortably. Bruckner should've brought on Milan Baros to play alongside Koller so that Czech's could retain the ball better and pass it around.
When will coaches learn that playing defensively doesnt always win you a game?
Showing posts with label Euro. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Euro. Show all posts
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Total Football
Group C, the group of death! Or so it was called before Euro kicked off. Both World Cup finalists, Holland and Romania (who finished on top of Holland after the qualifiers). Most people said that Italy and France would make it to the group stages. Well, it seemed most likely. After all, look at the squad that both the teams have. France has the likes of Henry, Vieira, Flamini, Makelele, Nasri, Benzema etc and Italy have Del Piero, Cassano, Luca Toni, Pirlo and the lot.
However, the Dutch have stolen the spotlight in this group. They have already made their way to the group stages by beating both the World Champions and the Runners Up. Not by a margin of 1-0, or 2-1, but thumping victories that took both these teams to the sword! The Orange Army beat Italy 3-0 and France 4-1.
Holland versus Italy was dubbed as the perfect Attack V/S Defence game. Contradictory to modern football, Attack won. With ease.
It was counter attacking football to the core. It was a brilliant breakaway, some brilliant movement by the Dutch, the quick legs of people like Sneijder and Van der Vaart and some good covering up work by the likes of Engelaar and De Jong (who?)
The first goal that the Oranje scored seemed to be covered in controversy. I do not wish to comment on it, but all I can say is that the referee called on side, and so did FIFA. Now we put that matter to rest. But birthday boy Sneijder scored a superb goal. He put it in through virtually NOTHING, and that too against Buffon!
The Dutch are a brilliant attacking force, it isnt funny! Rafael Van der Vaart, Sneijder, Kuyt and look at who comes off the bench, Robben and Robin Van Persie, Huntelaar (if you want a Ruud Van Nistelrooy type player up front).
Not to mention Van Nistelrooy, who has really mastered the lone striker role. It isnt all about the goals anymore for Van Nistelrooy, though of course, he will score from his regular tap ins and we saw against Italy, but he's matured as a player.
Much has been said about Spain's 4-1 victory against Russia, but you must look at it logically. Spain beat Russia 4-1, and beat Sweden 2-1, whereas Holland beat ITALY 3-0 and FRANCE 4-1!
Dutch Masterclass, and the Mastermind behind it is Marco Van Basten.
Go Orange!
However, the Dutch have stolen the spotlight in this group. They have already made their way to the group stages by beating both the World Champions and the Runners Up. Not by a margin of 1-0, or 2-1, but thumping victories that took both these teams to the sword! The Orange Army beat Italy 3-0 and France 4-1.
Holland versus Italy was dubbed as the perfect Attack V/S Defence game. Contradictory to modern football, Attack won. With ease.
It was counter attacking football to the core. It was a brilliant breakaway, some brilliant movement by the Dutch, the quick legs of people like Sneijder and Van der Vaart and some good covering up work by the likes of Engelaar and De Jong (who?)
The first goal that the Oranje scored seemed to be covered in controversy. I do not wish to comment on it, but all I can say is that the referee called on side, and so did FIFA. Now we put that matter to rest. But birthday boy Sneijder scored a superb goal. He put it in through virtually NOTHING, and that too against Buffon!
The Dutch are a brilliant attacking force, it isnt funny! Rafael Van der Vaart, Sneijder, Kuyt and look at who comes off the bench, Robben and Robin Van Persie, Huntelaar (if you want a Ruud Van Nistelrooy type player up front).
Not to mention Van Nistelrooy, who has really mastered the lone striker role. It isnt all about the goals anymore for Van Nistelrooy, though of course, he will score from his regular tap ins and we saw against Italy, but he's matured as a player.
Much has been said about Spain's 4-1 victory against Russia, but you must look at it logically. Spain beat Russia 4-1, and beat Sweden 2-1, whereas Holland beat ITALY 3-0 and FRANCE 4-1!
Dutch Masterclass, and the Mastermind behind it is Marco Van Basten.
Go Orange!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)