Thursday Jun, 26 2014 World Cup Matches

Portugal Vs. Ghana

The vote of no confidence, the current world footballer of the year gave his team, will spur them to show that they are no average team. Ghana will feel the brunt of Ronaldo's teammates' fury. Not that Ghana isn't a good enough team, in fact on the contrary, last edition's quarter-finalists are excellent. But they suffer from the same defensive naiveté that affects African teams at this level. Ghana's eye-ball-to-eyeball performance against the Germans, assures them that they can compete with the very best.

Prediction: Portugal 2 vs. Ghana 1

Man to watch: Gyan

Germany Vs U.S.A 

Team U.S.A has developed the penchant of exceeding expectations and are hugely underrated because of the perceptions that their citizens do not take soccer; as it's called, seriously. Millions of dollars have gone into building the soccer culture in the homeland. And with South Americans sipping through the border to reinforce their league, the MLS is as competitive as any in Europe. The Germany will want closure and avoid any embarrassment which will dent their mystique of invincibility. Besides they remain one realistic hope of Europe winning the tournament in South American soil for the first time. They may abandon the false nine system and revert to the trusted arrow head in attack with Klose at the tip. Either way, Team U.S.A remains resilient especially with Tim Howard in goal.

Prediction: Germany 1 Vs U.S.A 1

South Korea Vs Belgium

No disrespect to the Koreans but Belgium will win this. Eden Hazard will like to share in the adulation currently meted out to Messi and Neymar. 

Prediction: South Korea 1 Vs Belgium 3

Algeria Vs Russia

The Algerians have a best chance of the African teams, of   joining Nigeria as the second African team to progress to the second round. But they will face a stiff test in the Russians. Not that the Russians have overly impressed. The Capello-tutored don't score many goals and have to win this game.Sadly, they won't. 

Prediction: Algeria 2 vs. Russia 1

In a tournament, full of goals, it was disappointing is a match go goal-less. If Super Eagles and Iran were pugilists, maybe the match might have been called off in round 4. That was how frustrating it was. The Iranians parked the bus and hoping against hope that they could get one on the break. They almost one did, via a corner kick. If not for the acrobatics of Vincent Enyeama- the mercurial Nigerian goal keeper, the effort, would have been the smash and grab, the Iranians had set-up to get. Sadly, The Super Eagles, a team previously renown in its glory days as a fearless attacking side, lacked the quality,tactics and personnel to break the iranians down. Lets see if there are lessons to be learnt from the match.

1. Keshi Keeps Ignoring the Startling Obvious to his detriment.

Ambrose is not a right-back . Every one can see. His crosses are so poor to say the least. He is much better as a centre-back. It's time to move him to his natural position in the centre and plug Azeez or anyone else that has good delivery as right back or play with 3 centre backs. The Super Eagles are too slow in the final third. It is just so plain to see. Yet nothing gets done to remedy this. 

2. Emenike needs a Partner.

Like Batman, Emenike misses his robin, Ideye Brown. Since it's too late to bring him in. Keshi needs to improvise with someone else. Maybe Osaze could suffice. His contribution in the match was very good though it could also be said that much of the iranian resistance had wilted away in the Brazilian scorching heat by the time he had come in as a second half substitute. Either way, a creative side kick should partner him upfront.

3. Forget Dribbling, Coordination

This is the world cup! Very few teams are going to allow a player waltz their through their defenses. For goodness sake, speed up the play in the final third. Also it helps conserve energy in the very hot atmosphere in Brazil. Moses, Musa and Emenike start their runs from their half and when they get the opponents final third get tired and their legs give in. 

4. Set Pieces 

The ability to convert set pieces is one of the big factors that differentiate world-beaters from lesser teams. For example, The U.S.A won their game against Ghana by converting a corner kick as well as Italy in their match against England. But anytime, Nigeria have dead ball situations, nothing becomes of it. In fact, it is wasted. 

5. There are Positives.

There were positives to take away from such a poor performance.

The Super Eagles improved defensively, Mikel and Onazi played well together in midfield. If it had been an open game, maybe we could have seen a better performance from the Super Eagles. In future games, hopefully against Bosnia, there will be a willingness for both teams to have a go at each other. 

So far so good.