Knock-out stage

Sorry about not keeping up with game by game analysis…I just got to overwhelmed with them all! And then the trip over, etc. etc.

So here are a few short notes on some the final games.

Germany/Argentina: I was convinced the winner of this would take it all, and given how great a game it was the winner deserved to…but obviously Italy had other plans. Basically Argentina lost it by pulling back. With their ability to pass and control the ball they should have played forward the whole game. Then they ran into a wall named Jens Lehmann.

Italy/Ukraine: Italys best game. Ukraine weren’t bad, just totally outmatched.

Brazil/France: Brazil had no answer for Zidane…would anyone? And while not known for their defending, they had to know better than to let Henry run free on a set piece in front of goal! Amaturish…so long, bu-bye!

England/Portugal: What is it with young Manchester United players getting silly red cards in the world cup and killing their teams’ chances to advance? Though, Portugal were always the better team.

Germany/France: More about this game in my travel write up to come, but for now let me say that I spent the final third of the game shouting for Germany to just RUN a bit. They were sluggish on counter attacks and let 6 Azzuri get back to defend every time while they only moved forward with 3 or 4. Ballack was no help in the end and Klose was defended too well, others needed to make a run forward. Oh, and I still hate Del Piero.

Portugal/France: It absolutely WAS a deserved penalty kick. That’s the value of such a quick agile forward like Henry and why you don’t slide tackle in the box. Portugal’s diving was the low point of the tournament for me.

Germany/Portugal: I try to tell the teams I coach that you only score if you take shots! Kick it towards goal and good things happen…just ask Schweinsteiger of Germany. A substitute at only 21 he was not a big name, but by taking 3 shots in almost as many minutes he created 3 goals and landed himself on the cover of every paper in the Germanic speaking world – every single one! See…you shoot and good things happen.

For finals analysis, see my upcoming travel report!