Features, Ian John, World Cup 2010 POSTS

It is Germany’s to lose… Isn’t it?

Published by Ian John on July 4, 2010

You should never really bet against some things. Don’t bet against going on holiday in the UK during the summertime and encountering deluges on a biblical scale, don’t bet against politicians robbing you blind while smiling and telling you how much better off you are and certainly never, ever bet against Germany producing their best football when it really matters, namely in the World Cup Finals.

I foolishly did the latter. Bravely predicting that the Germans may well struggle to qualify from their group and that Serbia would prove to be their undoing.

I see that as being half-right. I am a ‘glass-is-half-full’ kind of guy.

So what did the quarter finals teach us?

Holland V Brazil : This game taught me one thing. That Brazil are not quite as good as many pundits had them down to be. Certainly Holland’s first goal was down to some shambolic defending and the way the Brazilians lost their composure when Holland went in front, was rather unbecoming of a team that boasts it plays beautiful football. Felipe Melo’s challenge was agricultural, to say the very least, on Robben and fully deserved the sending off and in the end, Holland were deserving winners and could and should have won by more.

Ghana V Uruguay : So we have South American participation in the semi finals. Brazil? Argentina? Nope. It’s Uruguay. Chiefly down to the fact that Luis Suarez is a better goalkeeper than Fernando Muslera and the fact that Asamoah Gyan ballooned the best chance ever to win a World Cup Quarter Final against the top of the crossbar. Ghana’s defeat was met somewhat dejectedly across Africa, who had adopted the Black Stars as their new heroes, but ultimately the inability to take a penalty cost them dear, not just once, but twice. It would be a theme to be followed in a subsequent quarter final too.

Germany V Argentina : Reading some of the newspaper headlines on the game, I think all the other teams should just go home and crown Germany the champions now. The Germans were fantastic against Argentina. That early goal settled them down and forced Argentina to attack, leaving their extremely dubious defence exposed and Germany’s counter attacking exposed that cruelly, just as it had England in the previous round. Germany looked good, but lets hang on a moment here. Both games with England and Argentina followed a similar pattern, teams chasing the game leaving their defence exposed. Germany clinically took advantage of this. But what happens if Germany go a goal down? Can Germany force the game? I don’t think so. Indeed I think Germany’s defence can be cruelly exposed in the way England and Argentina’s was by Germany in the previous rounds, by a team who has the ability to deny the German’s the ball for long period, strikers who score goals and have real pace and a well organised defence and a top class keeper. Mark my words, Spain may well have a lot to say about who qualifies for that final and I think it is far too early to be crowning the Germans just yet.

Spain V Paraguay : Penalties eh? The incredible David Villa put Spain in the semi final but this was a game of late drama. Paraguay missed the chance to take the lead from the spot, then Xabi Alonso shunned the chance himself just seconds later, albeit with a retaken kick. Spain have reached the semi finals on the back of solid, if unspectacular performances. Many now feel they are second best to the Germans. I disagree. I am confident the Germans can be beaten and Spain are the ideal team to prove this in the semi final.

The Semi finals?

Holland will defeat Uruguay pretty convincingly I feel. Tabarez men have enjoyed a fortuitous passage to the semi finals and I think the Dutch confidence will be soaring after beating Brazil. Holland to win 2-0, Robben and Van Persie to get the goals and Oscar Perez to be sent off in the game. Is it me or is he the most fortunate player not to have been sent off in these finals?

Germany will take on Spain full of confidence but their game plan will unravel somewhat when Silva slots in Villa for Spain to take a lead against the run of play. Germany will try to get an equaliser but Spain will catch them on the break once more to wrap up a win and a place in the final.

So after starting the article saying never back against Germany… I’m backing against Germany… So now you know exactly who to get your money on!

Image Courtesy of ***krmcguire*** on Flickr.com

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