Just a few things I've noticed in the couple of games I've seen so far...
If the first game is anything to go by, expect Brazil to get favourable decisions. Neymar should have been sent off and the penalty he scored was given far too softly. Some abysmal decisions in that game.
Casillas should be dropped in the next game, so should Pletikosa.
Holland are finally looking like the force they always promised to be.
Two dicey penalties in two games - this cup could be decided by whoever does the best 'dramatic death' in the penalty area. If decisions are all going to be this soft, expect penalties to be awarded at a geometric rate throughout the tournament.
Players to watch so far (in the couple of games I've seen) - Rakitic, Neymar, Blind (I'd like to see us buy him), Vlaar, RVP, Robben.
Worst single performance by a player so far - Casillas. Without question. Fully at fault for one goal, largely at fault for two more. Runner up - Pletikosa.
World Cup so far
posted on 14/6/14
I think sneijder also falls into the category of most disappointing, the lad always bottles it on the international stage
posted on 14/6/14
games i've watched in addition to the ones you have mentioned. Mexico vs Cameroon, the mexicans played some nice football, impressed with their passing especially short range & in tight situations. Cameroon were crap enough said. Chile vs Australia, Chile were decent for 20 mins, too much play acting for my liking Timmy Cahill has complained theres an article on that. The Aussie were decent after being 2-0 down played better than England did vs Chile.
posted on 14/6/14
Pique was far worse than Casillas imo.
No excuses for Holland's 4th of course, but it's that goal that made him look like he had a terrible performance. Not sure he did that much wrong for the others. People will always scrutinise him more closely for who he is, but there was nothing he could do about the first - keeper has to come off his line for a one-on-one and RvP took it superbly; no fault for the second, fouled by RvP for the third; and made it as difficult as he could for Robben's last. On the flip side, he made a number of decent saves without which it could've been 8 or 9.
Pique on the other hand was all over the place all night. Played everyone onside for the first; lost out to Robben for the second, dunno if he had a role in the 3rd or 5th, but basically looked a nervous wreck with any ball floated in his general direction. Questions should be asked of ramos too, as is always the case with a CB pairing, but bad as he was too, he wasn't quite as awful as Piqué.
posted on 14/6/14
I'm really not getting the Casillas bashing
he made one mistake and was fouled for the 3rd goal. Otherwise he made some good saves.
posted on 14/6/14
Agree with Kaiser,Pique went awol, Alba left huge gaps ,and Ramos seemed very nervous But full credit must be given to the dutch for the way they didn' allow Spain to settle.I hate to think what LVG will do at Man U next season and thereafter !
posted on 14/6/14
I'm really liking the atmosphere.. can't stand fifa but uultimately it's about the fans!!