Saturday Jun, 28 2014 World Cup Matches

Brazil Vs. Chile

No pun intended, but Brazil should not expect an easy game from Chile. The Chileans defeated the defending Champions, Spain and will look to ruin Brazil's party at Rio as well. Neymar and co. have it all to do. The huge expectations of their fans could either be a burden, if the core line remains goal-less for long periods in the match, or a shot in the arm, if Brazil takes an early lead.

Prediction: Brazil 2 vs. Chile 1

Man to watch: Neymar

Columbia 1 Vs Uruguay 1 

This is a match that could be decided by penalty shoot-out. Uruguay will be without their enigmatic leader, Luis Suarez. From the Italy game, Uruguay have improved from the shock result of losing to Costa Rica. The Columbians are a different proposition. They won their group, with maximum 9 points and are a very balanced side. But Uruguay left a group of Death of some sorts. That experience will only make them stronger opponents.

Prediction: Columbia 1 Vs Uruguay 1

After the first round of matches, half of the contingent to tournament will advance to the next round, while the rest will be on their way home. Surprisingly, amongst those going home are Spain- the defending World Champions and four time winners, Italy. Costa Rica and Greece, less fancied teams are amongst those that are in the round of 16. From the second round onwards, is a series of elimination matches, with all to play for. No more tie games. It's win or you go home. As simple as that. Every stage in a tournament such as this, has its fair share of Heroes and Villains. This article will be highlighting the heroes. It is a more positive story to write.

1. Vincent Enyeama(Nigeria) - Goal Keeper.

Kept two clean sheets in Nigeria first games against Iran and Bosnia. His nervous smiles during their game against Argentina belied the fear of facing the mercurial Messi. This allowed 3 goals to go past an otherwise immaculate goalkeeper. Winning and losing lies in the finer details and Vincent has made the most saves by any goalkeeper in this competition. This stats might be helped by the fact that he is the last resort behind a not-so-strong Nigerian defense. And what a pillar he has been for them.

2. Silva Thiago (Brazil)

Buoyed by their vociferous home fans, the PSG man is replicating the form that made him the most expensive defender in the world.

3.Sakho Mamadou (France) - Defender

Liverpool's Sakho has quietly gone about his business in this world cup. The French captain is solid in defense and has provided the much need strong foundation for France to build their world cup ambitions on. He is amongst the Top 10 players in this world cup with a Castrol index of 9.47.

4. Van BuyTen (Belgium) - Defender

The Belgians have been very solid so far. Nothing to fancy except for the occasional forays of Eden Hazard. One man responsible in holding the fort at the back is Van BuyTen. With a Castrol index of 9.58, he has done so effectively.

5.Javier Mascherano (Argentina) - Midfielder

Barcelona play with a false nine system in attack. Some might also believe that they also use a false five in defense. At Barcelona, Mascherano is a centre-back despite his small statue. But with his national team, he plays his favored destroyer role in midfield protecting his back-line. The all-action midfielder is probably the only decent defender in a vulnerable Argentine defense.

6. Bradley (U.S.A) - Midfielder

Is the Top runner in the tournament, covering the distance of 38019 meters. The American is a 

battler in midfield. and his tenacious,  never-say-die attitude will certainly help the Americans move forward.

7. Robben Arjen (Netherlands) - Midfielder.

We will place Robben in an advanced attacking role. His speed and guile has been defenders' nightmare. The Spanish found out the hard way. With his deadly left foot, Robben tortured Spain in that group's opening match that sent shock waves around the world.

8. Andrea Pirlo (Italy) - Midfielder

Italy's midfield mastero is a different sort of defensive midfielder. He is crafter, dictating the pace of the game. Had Uruguay not knocked, Italy out of the world cup, Pirlo 's precision passing and deft touches would still be on show.

9. Thomas Muller (Germany) - Forward.

Muller is a poacher extraordinaire. With four goals in the tournament so far and a hat-trick against Portugal as well as the winner against U.S.A.

10. Messi (Argentina ) - Forward

Four goals in the tournament so far. Could he single-handedly win this tournament for his home country like Maradona did in '86? His team have not played well and depend on him to make the difference. He does so in flying colors.

11. Neymar (Brazil) -Forward 

The poster boy of the tournament has certainly lived up to expectations as well. With four goals in the bag so far and the hopes of an entire nation on his shoulders, Neymar is making light work of the pressure. So far he has shone with lower ranked teams. Lets see if he can replicate his magic against stronger teams as Brazil advances in the competition.

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

Wednesday Jun, 25 2014 World Cup Matches

Nigeria Vs. Argentina

This match has become a regular fixture at the world cup since 1994. Every time these two teams play, Argentina wins it, by a goal margin. With Argentina already through to the round of 16, maybe they will rest key players. The Nigerians need just a draw to qualify. As we saw in the games involving Italy and Cote d' Ivoire, playing for a draw could have dire results. The Super Eagles showed great organization in their last match. An upset today would not be beyond them.

Prediction: Nigeria 1 vs. Argentina 1

Bosnia-Herzegozenia Vs Iran 

Iran will finally come out attacking because they have to win. While the Bosnia are already out of the tournament. But will want to leave with a win. An open entertaining game is in stall, something Iran has avoided so far. We will see why.

Prediction: Bosnia-Herzegozenia 2 Vs Iran 0

Honduras Vs Switzerland

After the hammering, the Swiss got from the French, a strong response is all that is needed to make the next round. Honduras although out of it, would not want to be the wiping boy of the group. The Swiss have it, all to do. They require a favor from their European neighbors, France, to inflict a loss on Ecuador, as well as coming out unscratched by the means of  getting either a draw or a win against their opponents, Honduras.

Prediction: Honduras 1 Vs Switzerland 2

Ecuador Vs France

Both matches in Group E are delicately balanced. France is guaranteed a place in the next round but neither Switzerland or Ecuador can advance until the last whistle is blown.  Ecuador are a good team and will be a sterner test for the French than the Swiss. France is enjoying a resurgence in this world cup unlike the horror show in 2010. And in Benzema, they have a world class striker that could carry them all the way to glory.

Prediction: Ecuador 1 vs. France 1

LeBron James' agent, Rich Paul, has informed the Miami Heat that James will exercise his early termination option and become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Grantland's Zach Lowe breaks down everywhere LeBron James could possibly land, as well as the Heat's remaining options. Story

Opting out does not mean that James has decided to leave the Heat, sources said.

James, a four-time NBA MVP, had until June 30 to decide whether to opt out of the final two years of his contract with the Heat. He was scheduled to make $20 million next season and had two years and about $42.7 million remaining on his deal.

After Miami's season-ending loss to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, James told reporters he would take a vacation with his family before considering his contract options.

James did indicate that he welcomed the opportunity to become a free agent and have the same level of flexibility he was afforded in 2010, when he signed with Miami after spending his first seven years in Cleveland.

"Being able to have flexibility as a professional, anyone, that's what we all would like," James said last week. "That's in any sport, for a football player, a baseball player, a basketball player, to have flexibility and be able to control your future or your present. I have a position to be able to do that. ... There's a lot of times that you're not in control of your future as a professional."

ESPN NBA Insider Brian Windhorst covers LeBron James' choice to opt out of his contract, whether Carmelo Anthony and James will team up and the Instagram post by James' wife.

In his four seasons in Miami, the Heat have gone to the NBA Finals four times, winning two championships. James could join Shaquille O'Neal as the only players in NBA history to lead their team in total points scored in the NBA Finals and then play for a different team to start the following season, according to Elias Sports Bureau. O'Neal played for the 2003-04 Los Angeles Lakers, who lost to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals, and then was traded to the Heat in the offseason.

If James leaves, he would also be leaving a historic opportunity on the table. Only one team in NBA history has appeared in at least five consecutive NBA Finals, the Boston Celtics, which reached 10 straight from 1957-66.

Source: http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/story/_/id/11127329/lebron-james-opt-contract-miami-heat

Tuesday Jun, 24 2014 World Cup Matches

Italy Vs. Uruguay

A draw will suit the Italians while the Uruguayans must win. Therefore the stage is set for an explosive march. As usual, the italians will approach the game as a chess match, lying deep in wait for Uruguay's surges, to catch them on the break. The key to beating any italian team, is to score first. Uruguay have the firepower to do that in their talisman, Luis Suarez. But should the italians be the one to take the lead, it will difficult.

Prediction: Italy 2 vs. Uruguay 1
Man to Watch: Luis Suarez

England Vs Costa Rica

A very disappointed England will want to win this game for their fans. This world cup was coined as their year, due to the promising young talents in their ranks. Sadly it was not meant to be, as they fell to back-to-back defeats to Italy and Uruguay respectively. Doggy defending cost them dearly in this world cup. But defending starts from the forward line. One might argue that starting with four attackers was not the best strategy. Anyways, they will face a Costa Rican side that has qualified for the next round and have little to play for. 

Prediction: England  1 vs. Costa Rica 0

Japan Vs Columbia

The Columbians are a very slick side that showed that they can compete a very balanced group. They showed a lot of class and maturity in their last match against the Ivorians. Against the Japanese, it should be same 'ol, same 'ol.

Prediction: Japan 0 vs. Columbia 2

Cote 'd Ivoire Vs Greece

Greece is renown for their counter-attacking play and dogged defending. The thing about counter-attacking play is that it requires a competent goal-poacher for completeness. Greece don't score goals therefore it must be back to formula. On the other hand, the Ivoirans are an assembled of the best talents Africa has on offer. Over previous tournaments, they have flattered to deceive. Never going beyond the group stage. A situation, they blamed on the strength of the group. Now in an easy group, they need a point to advance. And they will get more than that.

Prediction: Cote 'd Ivoire 2 vs. Greece 1

Nigeria defeated the Bosnians by a lone goal in a must win game , to have a very good chance of qualifying to the second round. It was a must win match because the statistics does not favor the Super Eagles in their battles against the Argentines. Any result other than a win would have put the Nigerian team in a precarious situation because they would have to then win their match against Argentina. Facing the likes of Messi is not a very good preposition. However, the Super Eagles were much improved and deserved their victory over the Bosnians who looked a bit jaded. There were a few lessons learnt in the match.

1. Organization Trumps Individual Brilliance.

Prelude to the match, we warned that the winner would be the team that had the better organization. The Super Eagles heeded the advice and showed great team work and organization in their game. It was vast improvement from the individualistic, uncoordinated raids seen against Iran.  Gone were the numerous solo runs that went nowhere which was supplanted by quick combinational play. Had the trio of Musa,Emenike and Osaze been more ruthless with their finishing, the scores might have been higher.

2. Heat will be A Factor
Throughout the course of the tournament, the conditions have been harsh. So it was interesting to see the Super Eagles adjust their tempo according. Over the course of the tournament, the handlers have to consider the conditions, a friend and not foe. And use them against their opponents. 

3.Synergy In Attack
Many-a-times during the match, the strikers preferred to try for goal when there were better positioned team mates waiting for a pass.
It is understandable that scoring in the world cup is a highlight in a player's career, but it is better to win games than attain individual glory and lose. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

4. A Chain is only as Strong as its Weakest Link
Micheal Babatunde, Yobo Joseph - are pretty good players but they don't inspire a lot of confidence. Yobo's situation is more interesting because he was a very good defender at one point in his super eagles career and like fine wine, everyone felt his game would improve as his aged. Like it did for the Cannovaro's and Maldini's of this world. Sadly, this has not been the case. He remains Nigeria's weak link in defense while Micheal seems to be very confused in possession at the other end. Strengthening the weak links is imperative for continued success.

5. Notable Mentions
Mikel and Onazi, combined well, just like in their first match against Iran, although they were more adventurous this time. The work ethic and composed play exhibited by Osaze is worth mentioning. He has really matured as a player. If this attitude is kept, there is no reason why the Super Eagles will not fly high in Brazil,