This was a heartbreaking loss for the US, but if you're a fan of the national team, then you couldn't be prouder of Tim Howard's performance. If he didn't save those 15/16 shots, then the game could've easily snowballed from an extremely close game to a curbstomping.
With the last match of US vs Belgium the phase comes to an end. A good game from both sides (and I gotta hand it to Howard; he saved the US a lot of times). This means that all the teams which came first in their group pass to the next round.
World Cup will take a 2-day break starting today before the quarterfinals. First match is Brazil vs Colombia, with France playing Germany next.
Oh, so Columbia is on the World Cup? Didn't knew that. XDDDD
So, let's see. Who do you see going into the Semi-finals?
Code:
Brazil vs. Colombia = [b]WINNER HERE[/b]
[b]Reason:[/b]
Netherlands vs. Costa Rica = [b]WINNER HERE[/b]
[b]Reason:[/b]
France vs. Germany = [b]WINNER HERE[/b]
[b]Reason:[/b]
Argentina vs. Belgium = [b]WINNER HERE[/b]
[b]Reason:[/b]
Brazil vs. Colombia = Colombia Reason: I think Brazil should have left the WC the previous round. The whole team relies completely on Neymar Jr. and/or Julio Cesar, which is something that can turn back to them anytime now.
Netherlands vs. Costa Rica = Costa Rica Reason: I put my country here because of preference, but it's going to be close. The Netherlands would have lost the match against Mexico if only the Aztecs haven't folded back at the end of the match and the flop from Robben. I think that Costa Rica, as long as it plays the same way as vs. Italy, it'll take over the match.
France vs. Germany = France Reason: Both teams have a full-fledged team made up. Both have their flaws, of course, but I kind of sense a bit more teamwork from the French. Sure, individuality is important, but being individual individually its just bad.
Argentina vs. Belgium = Belgium Reason: Basically for the same reason as the Brazil vs Colombia match. Argentina = Messi, and Belgium played a fantastic match against USA, closing up the match marvelously. If they do it again or even better, Argentina will fall.
Oh, so Columbia is on the World Cup? Didn't knew that. XDDDD
So, let's see. Who do you see going into the Semi-finals?
Code:
Brazil vs. Colombia = [b]WINNER HERE[/b]
[b]Reason:[/b]
Netherlands vs. Costa Rica = [b]WINNER HERE[/b]
[b]Reason:[/b]
France vs. Germany = [b]WINNER HERE[/b]
[b]Reason:[/b]
Argentina vs. Belgium = [b]WINNER HERE[/b]
[b]Reason:[/b]
Brazil vs. Colombia = Colombia Reason: I think Brazil should have left the WC the previous round. The whole team relies completely on Neymar Jr. and/or Julio Cesar, which is something that can turn back to them anytime now.
Netherlands vs. Costa Rica = Costa Rica Reason: I put my country here because of preference, but it's going to be close. The Netherlands would have lost the match against Mexico if only the Aztecs haven't folded back at the end of the match and the flop from Robben. I think that Costa Rica, as long as it plays the same way as vs. Italy, it'll take over the match.
France vs. Germany = France Reason: Both teams have a full-fledged team made up. Both have their flaws, of course, but I kind of sense a bit more teamwork from the French. Sure, individuality is important, but being individual individually its just bad.
Argentina vs. Belgium = Belgium Reason: Basically for the same reason as the Brazil vs Colombia match. Argentina = Messi, and Belgium played a fantastic match against USA, closing up the match marvelously. If they do it again or even better, Argentina will fall.
Oh, so Columbia is on the World Cup? Didn't knew that. XDDDD
So, let's see. Who do you see going into the Semi-finals?
Code:
Brazil vs. Colombia = [b]WINNER HERE[/b]
[b]Reason:[/b]
Netherlands vs. Costa Rica = [b]WINNER HERE[/b]
[b]Reason:[/b]
France vs. Germany = [b]WINNER HERE[/b]
[b]Reason:[/b]
Argentina vs. Belgium = [b]WINNER HERE[/b]
[b]Reason:[/b]
Brazil vs. Colombia = Colombia Reason: I think Brazil should have left the WC the previous round. The whole team relies completely on Neymar Jr. and/or Julio Cesar, which is something that can turn back to them anytime now.
Netherlands vs. Costa Rica = Costa Rica Reason: I put my country here because of preference, but it's going to be close. The Netherlands would have lost the match against Mexico if only the Aztecs haven't folded back at the end of the match and the flop from Robben. I think that Costa Rica, as long as it plays the same way as vs. Italy, it'll take over the match.
France vs. Germany = France Reason: Both teams have a full-fledged team made up. Both have their flaws, of course, but I kind of sense a bit more teamwork from the French. Sure, individuality is important, but being individual individually its just bad.
Argentina vs. Belgium = Belgium Reason: Basically for the same reason as the Brazil vs Colombia match. Argentina = Messi, and Belgium played a fantastic match against USA, closing up the match marvelously. If they do it again or even better, Argentina will fall.
I hope everyone recharges battery this two days, because if Costa Rica goes vs. Netherlands with the same energy as in the Extra Times vs the Greek, well... It won't be good.
Brazil vs. Colombia = Colombia Reason: Colombia plays way too better than Brazil. And they haven't needed of any kind of extra time or PKs, they win withing the 90 mins range.
Netherlands vs. Costa Rica = Costa Rica Reason:We lost for that flop... if not we would have won, so I expect Costa Rica winning
France vs. Germany = Germany Reason: The Nazis areGermany is pretty good this year, I totes hope they win. c:
Argentina vs. Belgium = Argentina Reason: Argentina is way better than Belgium, they haven't been so good, but they are good.
Brazil vs. Colombia = Brazil Reason: I actually did not expect either team to get this far. And, I don't really have a preference. My reason for going with Brazil out of these two would be because Brazil is the host country.
Netherlands vs. Costa Rica = Netherlands Reason: The Netherlands is one of my favorite teams, has some of my favorite players, current and past, and they are doing well. They have the ability to get to the final. Unless they end up against Germany, at some point, I will be cheering for them. Before this WC, I had never seen Coast Rica play, nor do I know anything about their team or players. Although they have been playing well, I just don't think they can make it past some of the best teams.
France vs. Germany = Germany Reason: Germany's National team has been one of my favorites for years, and has some of the best players in the world. They are lucky to have a benchful of players that could easily be starters, plus they have one of the best goalkeepers in the world. They have been an amazing squad for many years now, but could never just quite make it. They have been close so many times, and I really want them to win. Although they have not been at their best in this WC, they have the potential to win it. As for France, I do not think they have what it takes to win. Had this been 2006, I would say otherwise. They have since lost their momentum. They have built it up again, but not enough to be one of the best teams. France's best players are long since gone or are injured. Only having a few good players will not be enough.
Argentina vs. Belgium = Belgium Reason: I am not a fan of Argentina or Messi. I feel that Argentina is much like Portugal, who rely heavily on one player. Belgium has won all of their matches at this WC. They are doing really well, and I am proud of my mother's motherland. I did not have much faith in Belgium when they made it into the WC. But, like Coast Rica, they have surprised us all. If any of the underdogs can make it to the final, I would suspect that Belgium can.
Eron said:
Reason: The Nazis areGermany is pretty good this year
I find this comment really uncalled for. Many of Germany's players are not of German heritage, some are even Polish or have ancestry that would have clashed with Nazi ideology. And, most Germans were NOT Nazis. I would suggest that you refrain from any racist or stereotypical comments, especially in a FIFA World Cup thread. FIFA reminds us to be friendly with each other and to stop racism. Even as a joke, I would suggest that you refrain from making such comments.
Brazil vs Colombia
I really can't say. Brazil has a lot of great individuals, but lacks teamwork. Colombia isn't exactly big on great players (not that they aren't good, just not great), but I admire their teamwork in all their matches until now. I think it will be a close match.
Netherlands vs Costa Rica
Costa Rica is probably the biggest surprise of this WC. Beating Uruguay and Italy and having an easy tie with England is a remarkable feat for a team greatly unknown to the world. However, in their match against Greece I found them a bit disappointing. Greece might be my country, and they played a good match, but I really don't think they are amazing, and seeing Costa Rica struggle to defeat them undermines my faith towards their team. The Netherlands are stronger than the other teams Costa Rica has faced until now, one of the best teams in the WC. I'm not saying they have no chance, but I think Netherlands are the favorite.
France vs Germany
While France isn't in no way a weak team, I don't think they are as strong as Germany right now. It's a difficult to predict match, but Germany will probably win.
Argentina vs Belgium
Many have praised Belgium's performance in this WC. However, Belgium also had some of the easiest matches around. I'm not trying to degrade any of the teams that played against Belgium, but they weren't the toughest. Argentina is kinda in the same spot, as they didn't have many hard matches either. However, I think they're better than Belgium. Personally I find the comments that the team is too Messie-reliant to be a bit extreme. Argentina has many good players apart from Messie, like Mascherano or Di Maria, and they are a country with a long football heritage. Disregarding them would be wrong. Argentina is not Portugal, and Messie is not Cristiano Ronaldo.
Brazil vs. Colombia = Colombia Reason: Brazil have been far from impressive for me, they were pretty average in the group games and struggled to beat Chile. Colombia on the other hand have been a pleasant surprise, their flair and incisive attacking play has been a joy to watch and I can't see Brazil finding a way to stop them.
Netherlands vs. Costa Rica = Netherlands Reason: Probably the end of the fairytale for Costa Rica, I expect them to defend doggedly but in the end I don't think they'll be able to cope with the quality of the Netherlands.
France vs. Germany = Germany Reason: I expect a tight game here, and they could well end up cancelling each other out. Only reason I've opted for Germany is because I can see a mistake coming from the French defence. Germany to nick it 1-0.
Argentina vs. Belgium = Argentina Reason: Neither side have been that great so far I don't think, Argentina very reliant on Messi and Belgium have only scraped past their previous opposition. Unfortunately I can see a 0-0 on the cards here, Argentina to win on penalties.
Colombia may be hot, but Brazil I think will be looking for an emphatic win after a close shave against Chile. Brazil has the slight edge in terms of players, and I think that'll be the key in a win.
Netherlands vs. Costa Rica. Winner: Netherlands.
While Costa Rica beat a bunch of good teams like Italy, Holland is a completely different beast entirely. Costa Rica should easily beaten Greece, but struggling to beat them raising some red flags, and I think the Dutch will exploit the weaknesses Costa Rica has below the surface.
France vs. Germany. Winner: Germany.
Like Brazil v. Colombia, this match will come down to the power assembled on each roster, and I think Germany has the edge in the matter and will win a close match.
Argentina vs. Belgium. Winner: Argentina.
Lionel Messi is a one-man wrecking crew for Argentina, and will be difficult for the Belgians to match up against or stop. He doesn't have to score (like his previous match against the Swiss), but draw so much attention to himself, it leaves his teammates open for good chances to score.
Germany opened with an early goal from Hummels, and so far, they haven't been threatened. The French really need to pick the pace if they wanna win. The game is currently at 75'.
France attempted to tie up the game with 30 seconds remaining as they had an opportunity through an opening, but the goalie ended up deflecting the ball.
As soon as Germany took the lead they were able to take all of the pace out of the game, it really played into their hands. Having said that, France didn't seem to offer that much in attack throughout, wasn't much urgency in their game even towards the latter stages.
This is indeed going to be an awesome match! I just hope that Los Ticos don't hurry up and play calmed. Another match as the one against Italy and we'll celebrate like there's no tomorrow!! Although this match might also be against the FIFA as well... TT.TT
Brazil may have won the battle, but they just may have lost the war. Losing a crucial lynchpin like Neymar is catastrophic for Brazil. The team used his enthusiasm to pump up themselves up and the entire team ran through him.
On one hand it would be great to see Costa Rica go through seeing as they're underdogs (not to take away from their performances so far) but then again a potential Germany vs Netherlands final would be awesome...I guess I'll try to remain neutral.
