June 19, 2018
History made: Asian (Japan 2) team beats South American (Colombia 1) first time in 17 World Cup matches
Football mavens had the easiest task to handicap this match before the first whistle. An Asian team has never beaten a South American in World Cup history in 17 tries. Colombia was favorite by any calculation: James Rodrigez, and Radamel Falcao on offence and Quadrado in the middle the experienced Osmina in goal and a clear physical advantage. A synch? Not so. Rodrigez injured on the bench, a deliberate handball (automatic Red card) by Colombia in the 3rd minute. 1:0 Japan, Colombia down to 10 men. Japan emboldened and deliberately slowing the game down to force Colombia to over extend. Once again it is clear the referees are under instructions to call the tamest of contact. In the 36th minute Radamel Falcao fooled the referee twice in a row with theatrical dives the second resulting in a goal from a cleverly taken free kick. With 9 penalty kicks in 5 days and 4 goals scored from direct free kick so far (compared to only 4 in all of the 2014 World Cup) is a perfect illustration of the close calling. Where is a VAR when you need it? A review of Falcao’s dive would have negated the call and the goal.
Japan though made history by being the first Asian team to beat a South American team in a World Cup match. A well -deserved goal from a perfect header off a well taken corner earned Japan the points. Japan’s tactics of slowing down the game with accurate long passes (lateral and backward included) wore down the 10 men Colombians. Watch out for Japan, disciplined, cool hard working all attributes for a possible ascend. The (too) frequent foul calls and time-wasting substitutions are causing all games to extend by 5 minutes. This is not good for the game. It gives a moral and energy boost to the team that is behind and causes extra caution by the team that is ahead and thus prone to mistake. There should be a rule of no substitutions after 3 minutes or so before time. Anybody?
Yet another underdog story Senegal 2 Poland (with Lewandowski and co.) 1
I must admit that I knew nothing about Senegal before today except for Liverpool’s Sadio Mane. I was therefore impressed with their poise, patience and controlled passing. A 1:0 at half time was a just outcome. Once again, the favorite Poland did not live up to expectation. Kudos to Senegal for their energy, tenacity and belief necessary ingredients to beat a more technically superior and more experienced team. Probably one of the most enjoying and balanced matches so far in terms of tempo and end to end action Poland goal from a free kick on 85 was a result of yet another soft contact call. If this was the tying or winning goal it would have been a travesty. Senegal deservedly walked away with the points.
The Russian Bear is Howling! Russia first to make it to round of 16 3:1 over Egypt
Russia looked dangerous at the start of the match, but Egypt grew into it and by half time were giving as much as were taking. Saleh looks recovered and his one chance on the turn was a good sign for Egypt. The significance of this second-round match especially to Egypt cannot be underestimated and explains the ferocious battle that took place in the first half. Goals are not going to come easy and the first by either team may be decisive. Sure enough an own goal followed by two in succession sealed the deal for Russia. Home court advantage is playing a big part. Russia is 8:1 in the first two games. Who would have thought? Like Messi in Barcelona versus his performance for Argentina so is Saleh who needs the quality of his Liverpool teammates to be as prolific as he is in the EPL.
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