Summary of the 2nd Round
Jul. 4th, 2014 11:43 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
catalyst2Given that all the quarter finalists are decided, I thought I would look at each of the teams left and see how well they are performing.
Brazil - They had to go all the way to penalties to win their game so it wasn't a decisive win by any means. Chile found it all too easy to shred the Brazil defence. Brazil really don't look like they have found their rhythm yet. If they do, watch out.
Colombia - one of the few teams to win their game without extra time and with a 2 goal margin. They did win that game well and James Rodriguez is in fine form. I felt that they dropped back into their 11-man defence way too early and a sharper team than Uruguay might well have made them pay for that error in judgement.
Netherlands - Another team who won their game without extra time but it was the 94th minute before they scored the winning goal. With Robben and Van Persie in the form they are in, they could go far but Mexico did manage to make them look ordinary for long stretches of the game.
Costa Rica - Definitely the surprise team to get through. Whilst they looked really good in their group games, they looked ordinary against Greece and only went through because Greece looked even more ordinary. If they continue like this, they will be out fast but if they regain that earlier form, they could go on.
France - The third side to have won their game without extra time and only the second to win by a 2 goal margin but their attack looked impotent for long stretches against Nigeria. France do play that high pressing game well so that may could get them through but only if a forward (or two) gets sharper.
Germany - They seem to have collective lapses in concentration at times but have yet to get really punished for that. When they are focused, they are good and a number of players are linking very well, a key component for their style of football. They do seem to be getting better with each game so that may be a good sign for their next games.
Argentina - For all the brilliance of Messi and Di Maria, Argentina really haven't got a cohesive team going yet. They really struggled against Switzerland and no-one, barring the the dynamic duo, have really stood out yet. That said, Messi and Di Maria are still absolute magic to watch and are probably each good enough to carry Argentina through at least one more round.
Belgium - clearly able to be a volume-based attacking team (shoot enough times and eventually something goes in), their defence is well-organised without any brilliance, they are a good prospect to move on. However, shut down their volume of shots significantly and Belgium could be in trouble.
Brazil - They had to go all the way to penalties to win their game so it wasn't a decisive win by any means. Chile found it all too easy to shred the Brazil defence. Brazil really don't look like they have found their rhythm yet. If they do, watch out.
Colombia - one of the few teams to win their game without extra time and with a 2 goal margin. They did win that game well and James Rodriguez is in fine form. I felt that they dropped back into their 11-man defence way too early and a sharper team than Uruguay might well have made them pay for that error in judgement.
Netherlands - Another team who won their game without extra time but it was the 94th minute before they scored the winning goal. With Robben and Van Persie in the form they are in, they could go far but Mexico did manage to make them look ordinary for long stretches of the game.
Costa Rica - Definitely the surprise team to get through. Whilst they looked really good in their group games, they looked ordinary against Greece and only went through because Greece looked even more ordinary. If they continue like this, they will be out fast but if they regain that earlier form, they could go on.
France - The third side to have won their game without extra time and only the second to win by a 2 goal margin but their attack looked impotent for long stretches against Nigeria. France do play that high pressing game well so that may could get them through but only if a forward (or two) gets sharper.
Germany - They seem to have collective lapses in concentration at times but have yet to get really punished for that. When they are focused, they are good and a number of players are linking very well, a key component for their style of football. They do seem to be getting better with each game so that may be a good sign for their next games.
Argentina - For all the brilliance of Messi and Di Maria, Argentina really haven't got a cohesive team going yet. They really struggled against Switzerland and no-one, barring the the dynamic duo, have really stood out yet. That said, Messi and Di Maria are still absolute magic to watch and are probably each good enough to carry Argentina through at least one more round.
Belgium - clearly able to be a volume-based attacking team (shoot enough times and eventually something goes in), their defence is well-organised without any brilliance, they are a good prospect to move on. However, shut down their volume of shots significantly and Belgium could be in trouble.
