FIFA World Cup 2006
Mexican Wave sinks Iran's hopes
Serbia & Montenegro 0 - 1 Netherlands
Mexico 3 - 1 Iran
Angola 0 - 1 Portugal
It was a group thought to be open to possibilities. Mexico killed any such hopes, as they demolished Iran with a clinical second half. Now, Iran must pin their hopes on a good game against Angola, after trying to match Portugal. As implausible as that may seem, Portugal has shown signs of decay in a lackluster game against lowly Angola by playing without character or courage.
Meanwhile, one wonders how it may feel to be playing for two countries at one time. This will be the last opportunity for the Montenegrin and Serbian players to work alongside each other in one team, after Montenegro voted for independence through a referendum in May. They came into the cup with a reputation for a solid defense, having yielded only a goal in the last ten matches.
However, they could not prevent the brilliance of Arjen Robben from setting Netherlands on the path to a promising World Cup. His effort was a revelation and his fluid interaction with the midfield, combined with the possibility of Robin van Persie and Ruud van Nistelrooy warming up to the task gives Marco van Basten's men hope and the promise of a more consistent world cup. It was in fact the brilliance of van Persie that set up Robben to put a left footer past the attacking goalkeeper Dragoslav Jevric, in the 18th minute.It seems now that with Robben in their wings and a prayer for van Nistelrooy's brilliance Netherlands should get through the group of death. It is early days though and a prediction like this is fraught with danger, but you cannot ignore the beauty in Robben's efforts today.
Cristiano Ronaldo is a very promising talent, but often he seems carried away by his ball skills. Football is as much about skill as it is about planning and execution and Ronaldo will learn this from experience. You do not win games, especially at the world cup through a bits and pieces exhibition of your skills. The game is about committing skills for the cause of the team, and it seems Portugal failed to put up a coherent effort.
In the end they put one across Angola, possibly the weakest of them all, but it was an uninspiring performance. Fillipe Scolari will have a lot of work to do to get his players to do better against Mexico and Iran. Louis Figo was at his brilliant best when he set up the fourth minute goal by Pauleta, but at 34, he can no longer be expected to be consistent over a ninety minute game. Deco missed the first game due to an injury, they will need him back soon, besides an improved attitude if they are to make an impression in this event.
Iran came into the tournament with good promise, but their hopes were dented rather badly by Mexico. The first half though was an even contest. Mexico scored from a free-kick in the 28th; a Gerrardo ball was headed by Franco for Omar Bravo to slot the ball home. Yet, Iran fought on gamely. And eight minutes later, Golmohammadi was in the right place to shoot a corner deflection from Oswaldo Sanchez to equalise.
The second half was considerably duller with Iran content to eke out a draw, but plans do go awry. Ebrahim Mirzapour was slack in clearing the ball and an unprepared Rahman Rezaei lost the ball to Zinha. Omar Bravo did not have much left to do from a clever Zinha pass, to score his second goal. No mistakes there. Spirit broken, Iran was fumbling, when three minutes later Zinha headed one past the defenseless Mirzapour. Maybe, Iran might rue the idea of holding for a draw, as they walked out empty handed from the match.
1 comment:
what did you think of Brazil v Croatia. Seems to have been fairly uninspiring..... except for Kaka goal.
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