Ronaldo said bye bye to World Cup 2014!

Cold and a lit bit of rain gave the Germans no pain as they beat USA 1-0 yesterday after a very important match.USA despite losing progresses to the next round while Nigeria and Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal is on way back to their respective destinations.So,today lets discuss what went wrong in Portugal's squad or what made a team like USA qualify to the next round despite being the weakest team in the group.And whether Germany has the capability to hold the world cup again.

Yesterday Germans were extremely good with almost 68% possession of the ball and the Americans really haven't tested the German players except some of the sparkling individual performances from them.Germans were attacking quite frequently and made it a heck of a day for goalkeeper Howard.Then at 55th minute the Attacking Midfielder Muller scored his 4th goal after heading a rebound which made it clear that Germany is playing with utter determination this year and that they had something big going on in their squad.USA were tired  running after the ball for almost all the time.But their hard work paid off when they heard the news from the other match of the Group as Cristiano Ronaldo scored against Ghana and they were triumphed even after loosing 1-0 against their opponent on the afternoon.So Germany and USA both qualified.

Former German legendary Striker and current USA coach none other than Jurgen klinsmann said that "It was huge for us to get away from this group and actually qualified to the next round.Everybody said we have no chance but we took that chance and we moved on and now we really want to prove a point". Forward Clint Dempsey was also very happy with the situation and told media that "In the end  we did enough to go through-we always believed we could qualify through to the next round if we played well and we have.It was a great moment for the USA fans also as they were very proud of what their team has done.

But what happened to the other side of the world?What happened to Portugal?I think what went wrong is nothing but the lack of co-ordination and the team based on a one man hope.Portugal Coach Bento has admitted that Portugal didn't played enough well to qualify to the round of sixteen and that they deserve what they got. Bento also added that it was the match against Germany which decided our fate as we lost our confidence though i am happy that we have been able to show what we are in the next two matches against USA and Ghana but somewhere we fall shot.

Yes,i totally agree with you there Mr. Bento as me too thinks that it was Germany because in that match everything went wrong with Portugal.First of all they were playing with Numerical inferiority and then some injuries happened which kept important players out of the match and then a huge defeat like that can make any team emotionally weak.So, i think that Portugal would take lesson from these world cup and would definitely try to develop themselves and the upcoming players for the next big tournaments.Congratulation to Germany and especially to USA for their advance in the competition.Hope for the best.

                                                                                                                       Anuttam Chatterjee

Messi Scored twice to help Argentina qualify round of sixteen.

Though Argentina were already through to the round of sixteen yet they showed some performances against Nigeria in their 3rd match in the group stage.Thanks to Messi to show his incomparable talents.But if i am praising Messi and forgetting to mention the name of Ahmed Musa then it would be a great injustice.Because scoring twice to get a comeback score and that too against team like Argentina is somewhat astonishing.So,it was a nice and electric football match that has surprised all of us as per as my concern.So,lets see what happened in the match.

The game started in the presence of thousands of Argentinean fans and it became even more joyous for those who were present in the stadium at that moment and also for those who were supporting Argentina from all over the world.Messi who turned 27 on 23rd scored the goal in a rebound at 2minutes in starting of the game.But amazingly or i must say shockingly just 40 seconds after Nigeria with a beautiful counter attack and that curl shot from Musa Nigeria scored their first goal to level the match 1-1.Argentina after that were i think took every chance to score a goal but Nigeria was defending at their best.Though it didn't last for long when Messi took a beautiful free kick to make the score 2-1 before half-time.

Just after starting of the 2nd half  Nigeria played a quick counter attack and it was Musa again who scored another scorcher and level up with Nigeria.But this time it didn't took Argentina long to get a lead as Marcos Rojo score his first international goal with his knee touch.Soon after that Messi was substituted and he got a huge applause from the Crowd after all he is in form.Another guy to watch in the match was Angel Di Maria who was in extremely good form looking at his on target shots and dribbling skills.Other than that Higuain was also at his top gear though i think he has to improve his finishing skills.

Another point to be highlighted is Argentina's Defense which is a big hole in the teams management criteria.If Argentina is not doing anything about their defense then it might be a problem for them in the knockout stages of the tournament.While in other matches France drew their match with Ecuador.Switzerland won 3-0 against Honduras and Iran lost their match against Bosnia.So as things stand after Group C and Group D matches France,Switzerland,Argentina and Ecuador has qualified for the round of sixteen.Most probably Argentina is facing Switzerland in the round of sixteen and France will be facing Nigeria.I have feeling this year that it might be Argentina's year but then finger crossed and hope for the best.

                                                                                                                            


Anuttam Chatterjee

England and Italy played their last match in world cup 2014

Big Guns as we tell them those who have helped revolutionized the football playing style none other than England and Italy said goodbye yesterday to world cup 2014 after failing to qualify in the round of 16.England who were sure enough after their match against Uruguay that they are out of the world cup were playing for the consolation match against the most surprising team of world cup Costa Rica(Who had already beaten Big teams Italy and Uruguay) and drawn the match with them.

England were playing having most of the possession but then again Costa Rica were counter Attacking and were almost scoring goals but thanks to Joe Hart.England had numerous chances but none was converted which make the strikers frustrated.Though England were already out the supporters of England were chanting the names of the players and manager through out the match.Some of them even had placards to show their immense support for their losing team.Later on after drawing the match in a post match interview English Manager Roy Hodgson said that "England didn't deserved the standing ovations and appreciations that they have received from their fans"It also marked the last match for Steven Gerrard in World Cup looking up at his age.All in all i think England needs to develop their team wholly and try their luck in the next big international competition.

But the condition of Italians were somewhat different before the starting of the match yesterday against 2010's 3rd runner up Uruguay.Italy needed to draw the match and 1 points would have been enough for the side to qualify to the next round.Both the team started well though Uruguay was attacking more while Italy were playing defense minded.Lots of indiscipline happened in the match from each of the team.No goals had been scored till the 81st minute when the Uruguayan captain Diego Godin scored a goal to set his team right through the group stage matches to the round of sixteen.Claudio Marchisio

was shown Red card.Costa Rica and Uruguay qualifies from Group C.

In the other matches of Group D Greece and Colombia qualified with Greece beating ivory coast 2-1 and japan was beaten 1-4 by Colombia who won their all three matches.So,as we can see we have already lost three juggernauts this year in the Brazilian world cup as England,Italy,Spain are already in the group stages.So what we will see in the Knockout stages of the tournament may be either very exciting or maybe very Boring as well depends on what happens in that particular situation.But who dares to predict in football matches and that too after seeing some of the small cats beating the big lions.Anything can happen in football and so it will,we can just wait to see it.

                                                                                                               Anuttam Chatterjee

Brazil-Netherland-Mexico-Chile advances to the round of 16

Well,the homeboys and the five times world champions have done it again and this time they will be more proud as they have done it in their hometown.Brazil has qualified for the knockout stages of world cup 2014.After drawing their second match against their south American opponents Mexico Brazil became a little loose both physically and psychologically.But in their 3rd match against Cameroon,Brazil have shown the same confidence that they have shown in Confideration Cup 2013.

The Match started with Brazil having most of the possesion and the first breakthrough came in the 17th minute when Neymar deftly guide the ball to the far corner.But just after 9 minutes with intense attacking from Cameroon the match took away a turn when Joel Matip scored a goal.Cameroon had just started playing well when Brazil become most dangerous than ever and with the support of the whole brazilian supporters chanting the name of the players-Neymar scored his 2nd goal and the match went as 2-1 in half-time.

As soon as the half time started David luiz who recently has been transferred to PSG passed a chip from the far end of the left wing and fred headed a beautiful goal in the 49th minute.In the 2nd half though cameroon created some chances but none of them were converted and then in the 84th minute fernandinho ended the match with a impressive chip into the right corner and Brazil had a cracking Victory over Cameroon.In the other match of Group A Mexico qualifies after beating croatia 3-1.So from Group A both the south American team qualified for the knockout stages.

In the Group B Matches Netherland won against chile with two late goals one in 77th minute by leory far and otherone in extra time by Dempay.Though one of the shocking fact was that chile has a total of 64% of the ball possesion but the only thing that kept them not to score was a good defending from netherland.Though i am not impressed from their performance throughout the match.But the main man to watch was Robben who even at this age was running with the ball passing and dribbling two to three players and then taking a shot.Quite impressive huh?

Whereas Spain won their only and last match against Australia by 3-0 and it was a very emotional moment from David Villa when he scored his last goal for spain as he took retirement from international football.Other two players to score for Spain were Juan Mata and Fernando Torres.So Group A and Group B matches are over and as thing stands Netherland will be facing Mexico in the next round whereas Brazil will be facing Chile.So its goodbye for a team like spain the defending champions and Austarlia was also exciting these year after their way of playing against Netherland.

                                                                                                                          
Anuttam Chatterjee

Cristiano Ronaldo passes to give Portugal a chance

The world says that United states of America cant play Football.Well i think it differently and so does the world will after what a performance they have shown against Portugal whose current standing in FIFA Ranking is 3.Portugal in its first match against Germany lost a whooping 4-0 match,so they were expected to win these match for sure considering the fact that USA is a comparatively weaker than that of Germany.Portugal started the match very strongly as they got the first goal in just 5th minute when defender Geoff Cameron mishit and Nani scored a easy though beautiful goal.

The match was going on very fine as both sets of the team were very organized and it was half time and Portugal was still leading 1-0.But in the second half scenarios were about to change as the Portugal defense were seemingly weak as compare to that of the first half and they paid the price when Jermaine Jones blasted the ball into
the net in the 64th minute of the game.The condition became worse when the Man of USA Clint Dempsey chested a ball into the back of the net after a brilliant play form four of the teammates and USA was leading in the 82nd minute.USA was playing brilliantly through out the whole match and was set to advance in the next round unless and until just 10 seconds left in the match and that too in extra time when the world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo passed a brilliant ball to Varela who headed the ball back into the net and gave Portugal a slightest chance to advance into the competition.This chance also stands for USA too.

But the main question arises that whether Portugal's way of playing can won them any silverware because according to me i think it wont.The whole team depends on their captain to produce some magic every time Cristiano is a great player but he is acting as both the God and Curse of Portugal because when somebody pass the ball to him the whole stadium expects something from him but its not possible to show skills every now and then and when he fails to do something then the whole media criticizes him instead of the whole team.Portugal should play some organized football-Its not that they don't have good player-Players like Varela,Nani and Eder have that capability-i can also add Moutinho and Pepe who have lots of experience in the game and can help their country to play much better football instead of just relying on one man and playing street football.

However how the things stand right now we can see that both USA and Portugal have slightest chances to advance into the next round depending on how they perform in the next match.Portugal will play Ghana and USA will be competing against Germany both matches are very competitive and it wont be very easy for the both the countries to have a easy way.Cristiano Ronaldo still haven't scored in this world cup and every fan of him from around the world is waiting for him to show his charisma in the next match which will be against Ghana.

                                                                                                                                Anuttam Chatterjee

Iranian defense hold Argentina upto to the Last Minute

The rate of underdogs surprising the big lions in this world cup has become very common in this world cup 2014.Recently after Costa Rica leading the group of death table has surprised the whole world and it was no doubt that teams which are so referred to as underdogs have the capability to show their potential in this world cup against big opponents.So what was happening yesterday in the match Argentina vs Iran.With Argentina producing so much chances from the beginning of the match it was iranian's extreme determination that they defended the match so excellently and bravely.

The match was started with great expectation from Argentina that it will be a easy hunt for them but it was not.Argentian had to burn some oil in order to win the match that too from a goal which came into the extra time.Argentina had a total 70% of the ball possesion with 19 shots and dominated the match and gave very few chances to the iranian attackers to show their capabilities.Throughout the match Messi's performance was excellent as he was moving ferociously dribbling pass the players very easily-giving excellent passes but none of them were converted into goals.

Messi on an interview after the match said that the match was very difficult and praised the defenders of iran.Argentinian coach Sabella also praised the opponents by telling that he never beleived that the match would go till the last minute with so many chances created.He also praised the teams captain lionel Messi - Messi continued on throughout the match,” Sabella said. “He had perseverance, patience, attitude. He always had an eye for goal in his own way.”Messi was playing his 88th international cap for Argenina surpassing Maradona's 87th cap.Sabella told that Messi always performs when he is counted for and no doubt that he has been voted player of the year for four times.


But the question arises was Argentina's performance was up to to the mark?Maybe they are through the group stages but can they hold up to their performance against big opponents in the knockout stages of the tournament.Because if they are waiting for messi to create his magic everytime in every match then its a bad startegy because every day may not messi's day and Argentina should realise this fact and start preparing themselves for converting chances into goal.The ability of Argentina is undeniable for sure but they have to play with more strenght and intensity if they want to lift the famous trophy.
                           
                                                                                                                        
Anuttam Chatterjee

England follows spain out of the 2014 world cup

With already the defending world champions out of the world cup 2014 its now time for the Englishmen to pave their way back to England after Costa Rica beats Italy 1-0 yesterday on a dramatic match.England who lost both their matches to Italy and Uruguay were eagerly waiting for italy to win the match just to give them a chance to enhace through the group stages matches but destiny had some other plans.

It is the first time since 1958 that england failed to qualify through the group stages matches and
the first time they have been defeated in the first two matches.Though England had most of the possesion of the ball through out the two matches both versus Italy and Uruguay but they failed to produced the desire result which was to score goals.This again prooves that only passing cant help you win matches.

Meanwhile the FA has declared the fact that Roy Hodgson job is safe which has tormented the patience of both english media and fans.FA Chairman Greg Dyke and Ivan Gazidis told that roy hodgson has their support( dont know whats going on their mind).On the other hand Ex-big players Rio Ferdinand has also shared his views on the exit of his national team.Former England defender Rio Ferdinand believes a lack of experience cost Hodgson's side, but thinks the tournament will be important for the development of their young players.

England was drawn in so called the group of death of the 2014 world cup.But the suprising fact is that the team which was expected to go out of the world cup easily is the one who are leading the group of death table Costa Rica.Ex English winger Chris widdle told the media that its coaching fault that had cost the world cup for the england team.He said Premeir league is a different league than others-we have everything we have money,facilities but due to unavailaibility of good coacing we failed to produce good young players.

Yes i agree with you there Mr.Widdle because Premeir league has money but they spend it on other country's palyers while in countries like Germany,Itlay,spain it s being used mostly on the development of their own youth department.So i hope England would take a lesson from this world cup and should start preparing themselves for the next big international tournament.As of now they still have a match to play with Costa Rica on tuesday which will end their campaign in Brazil world cup 2014.


                                                                                                                           Anuttam Chatterjee