The group of death got underway yesterday, but there was a continued focus on caution as the most anticipated opening group game between Ivory Coast and Portugal petered out to a scoreless draw. This saw the continuation of an opening group game trend – carefulness.
Other than, dare I say, Pim Verbeek’s decision to play players out of position in an untried structure and formation, most World Cup teams have focused on playing with a compact defence and a level of care.
Uruguay and France played out a scoreless draw as neither team wanted to open up too far defensively.
Australia’s group rivals Serbia and Ghana both played a cautious style with only a late handball and resulting penalty deciding the encounter.
Surprisingly, it was only Italy who let fly with their tactics late in the game against Paraguay.
Boss Marcello Lippi might have been chasing the three points as an uncharacteristically attacking Italy piled on the pressure.
The caution is underlined through a relatively low 23 goals in 14 games.
Portugal and Ivory Coast moved the ball superbly across the park, but there was no endeavour – say for example – for a full back to get more attacking and leave their flank exposed.
The Portuguese were too narrow with all their play directed through the centre of the pitch where captain Cristiano Ronaldo and Deco, along with their other attacking teammates were.
Ronaldo moved to wide areas for the final 20 minutes with some effect.
Ivory Coast didn’t whip in their corner in the dying seconds, opting to play it short and hear the final whistle.
Cautious? Don’t want to get hit on the counter attack?
Some teams have opened the game up in the second period – 15 of the 23 goals have been scored in the second half.
Expect to see some more goals and goalmouth action with teams searching for results in upcoming games, and throwing caution to the wind.
Have you enjoyed the first 14 games? Has there been too much caution?
Goal of the day: Maicon (Brazil) – not quite sure if it was a deliberate shot or a cross, but it went in from an almost impossible angle thanks to some delicate curl as he put his hat in the ring for goal of the tournament.
Love to be: Winston Reid (New Zealand) – what a day for the 21-year-old, scoring a late goal to secure a first ever World Cup point for the Kiwis.
Hate to be: Ivory Coast and Portugal – a draw wasn’t a bad result, but a win would’ve been better. It now comes down to goal difference in games with heavyweights Brazil and a resilient Korea DPR.
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
You're good value. As for a 4-6-0, many will say that because the Socceroos played without a renowned striker - Tim Cahill and Richard Garcia are midfielders. If you look at the heat maps of these two guys, although Cahill was sent off - both played as strikers. Although a striker would usually drop a little deeper if they aren't getting the ball - which they weren't. It was a 4-4-2 for mine, or a 4-4-1-1.
Al
Guest
Besides gifting the Koreans a goal right before half time, Argentina have been absolutely sparkling and have been a joy to watch.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Dejan Research? I'm confident both Andy and Art would know that I don't need to research basic facts like that, I'd know that straight off the top of my head. I can assure you I have a very good recollection of all WCs all the way back to 1978. You have made the argument that this one has started cautiously, and I responded that they all start cautiously, and they finish cautiously! (which is why two of the last four WC finals have required pens). Show me a team that wasn't cautious, and I'll show you a team that exited relatively early (Brazil 1982 and 1986). Some manage to go far, but ultimately, are undone by a lack of caution (France 1982). Germany and Italy tell us that caution will get you far almost each and every time. Brazil had to learn the hard way, and ulitmately caution delivered them a 1994 world cup in a very un-Brazilian manner. As a general comment, let me say that the analysis of the recent Australian game has been nothing short of atrocious from expert and mug punter alike. Absolutely everyone swallowed this line about playing 442. Mick from Newie was the first I saw to question this accepted wisdom, and it was at that point that I decided to provide the exact details of what Pim had attempted - a far better analysis than I have seen anywhere. Lo and behold, what do I see? Only this morning, all of a sudden, Fos is referring to a 4-6-0!! (he too originally talked about 442) I'm glad to see that he is reading the Roar!! Also, I'm quite proud of the post that Art put up referring to the WC being an antidote to insomnia, I'm sure 99% of all Australians would find something in it with which they can relate. The essence of all great posts is that there is a deep meaning and truth, even when viewed from a variety of perspectives. I'm glad that you guys continue to follow my sparkling career. That board you refer to, being only 7 months old, already has 262 threads and 18,125 posts, which ain't too shabby. I've made such a splash that I have been head-hunted to join the Geelong Gumbies for the next season of Sweet FA. It's the proudest moment in my life.
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
Harvey, for a reason - other than it was against Australia. Podolski - Neill error with offside trap. Shot at Schwarzer, just too much power. Klose - Schwarzer error - came, didn't take ball or man. Muller - pick of the lot, one of finest finishes at tournament so far in the area. Cacau - tap in after cut back - nice move, but opposition was dead and buried and below its best all game. With Maicon, I can (somewhat) agree he deliberately curled it with the outside of his boot. But he clearly looks up toward the centre of the box to incoming players before putting his head down and cross-cum-shooting. For mine, he was trying to cut it across the goal area with his laces for power and a deflection - from defender or teammate.
Harvey the Scouser
Roar Guru
avoiding all the German goals? with Maicon, it's not a fluke that it curled the right way, a professional footballler will make it curl the right way every time (if that's what he wants to do) a keeper will always anticipate the centred ball from that position, so it's worth a crack if you're close enough in
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
Interesting discussion for the end of the tournament but best goals so far for me: 1 - Maicon (albeit a bit flukey, curled the right way and was a game breaker) 2 - Tshabalala (opening night, top corner screamer) 3 - Forlan (third only because it took a wicked deflection)
Art Sapphire
Guest
Andyroo - Oh dear, imagine if it did happen - would the last person to leave The Roar please switch the light off :)
Al
Guest
Absolutely, really enjoyed watching them play fast, attacking, free flowing football. Sanchez's speed and control over the ball is remarkable, hope to see alot more of him and his side. Anyone reckon that the FFA should make a play for Bielsa?
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
I will refrain from using expletives! I was wondering why someone had such research just to comment on a piece. Good pick up AS - thanks!
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
yeh the finish didn't match the build up but Chile had lots of great moments not just the goal.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
Some of the stuff he says is just rubbish (anything that involves AFL and Football in the same post is best avoided) …but it could be worse we could have figjam and worldcup2022 posting here :P
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
Only problem was that the final finish was lucky given the defender actually kicked the ball into the striker before it found the net. Maicon's "goal" was great.. even though it was a cross.
Art Sapphire
Guest
Dejan - just a word "thank goodness for Germany" was a double entendre from Mr. Football?? 1) For the positive football they played 2) For sticking the knife into Australian team I just went and had a look at the the bigfooty AFL website where our friend does all his work. His opinion of football is contemptible Check it out - in his words "AS I've said a few times, the WC was specifically invented to help all Australian insominiacs - five minutes of any WC game, and you're out like a light, guaranteed, money back if not. And the vuvuzelas are a bargain for the insomniac - it's one pitch throughout, this 90 minute drone, a bit like a soccer game - it's all part of the best cure for insomnia ever invented." You want more proof - check out this site http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=239 Another gem - "Even an amateur aussie rules player can curl a Sherrin far, far more than Beckham.What's more, we can do it either foot. What's more, we can do it under severe physical pressure (unlike, say Brazilians, who drop to their knees even if they can feel the breath of their opponent)." I find it amazing that he keeps watching the WC, considering he finds it so tedious
Al
Guest
The build up for the Chile goal was beautiful, it was a really great goal and imo was goal of the tournament prior to Forlan's strike this morning.
Luke W
Guest
The first round of matches in a WC will always be cautious, because it is the most crucial of the tournament. No team has ever lost their opening game and won the WC, and very few have even progressed from their group after losing their first game. The next two rounds will open up as teams are forced to chase wins.
Al
Guest
I think this world cup has been intriguing tactically wise, for people that aren't ardent football followers such as myself I can understand the "boring" sentiment, however football has never been about cheap and shallow thrills like other codes, it is a technical and strategy based game that requires a real investment to learn its fundamentals before being able to fully appreciate it, specifically for those brought up without it as their main sport.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
France vs Uruguay struck me as a dud with a lack of intensity and too defensive. Denmark vs Holland seemed similar but I still enjoyed it because the quality of play (admittedly not in the final third) was pretty impressive. Portugal vs Ivory Coast finished nil all but I thought that was a pretty good game. As the game bore on it was obvious Portugal were happy enough for a point but their was still a lot of intensity. Chile were pretty good last night but can't help thinking if that team was taken back to 2002 or 1998 when the defences were less crowded that they would be even better to watch. Worrying for the goal average a few of those goals shouldn't have been either...the Slovaks goal was offside and I beleive Fifa have admitted the Argininian goal shouldn't have been allowed.
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
Good point. Seen lots of 4-2-3-1s and 4-3-2-1s that we can whack into a 4-5-1 basket! LoL @ average - it's currently 1.647 per game - it'll lift. Lots of people are complaining about boring etc - although I love the tactical aspect of the game. There has been a couple of games - ALG v SVN, JPN v CMR.. - but the neutral wants to see goals every 45 seconds..
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
Their are a few factors I think. Supreme caution in the first round until teams are facing elimination and perhaps the ball (crosses and free kicks seem less effective) but overall I think it's the tactics. Very few teams play with more than one striker. The fact Spain list to Switzerland is some what more of a problem with football rather than Spain. That's the trend in modern football but it hasn't quite effected club football yet because in Europe their is a growing disparity between teams. The top club in a division is often spending 10x more on players/wages than the bottom club but at this World Cup the worst teams aren't as bad as they used to be. We should get some kind of bonus from Fifa because the 4 goals we shipped is helping out the average :P anyway I expect the average to go up over the next two rounds as teams have to win or have nothing to play for.
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
Wow - nice example (1982). I think a lot depends on other results in the group. It's a tough industry so teams simply want to get through and they don't care how that is. If it's with three draws, then so be it. I don't think the neutral enjoys it though?