All 16 matches of the first round of round robin matches are done. My thoughts:
1 - Where are the goals ?
Other than Germany ripping Australia a new one in their 4-0 win, the games have all been tight with few goals far in between. What's going on ? It's not hot, it's not humid, the pitches are fantastic, everyone's had a fair bit of rest as well as practice, so what's the reason.
I think defensive formations, tactics, a lack of risk being taken and everyone generally being a bit out of form. I mean other than Chile and Germany, everyone's looked rusty. And with teams like Uruguay, Denmark, Switzerland and Paraguay generally setting up shop, it has not been easy for their opponents to score a lot.
Despite looking rusty, Brazil looked set for a landslide against North Korea but took their foot off the accelerator once they were 2-0 ahead.
At this rate this is one of the lowest scoring World Cups ever.
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2 - Switzerland upsetting Spain
Big win for the Swiss, not a catastrophic loss for the Spanish but it might be a struggle to top the group and avoid the winners of Group G (most probably Brazil) in the next round, especially since topping the group is out of their hands.
Once again Spain seem on the verge of choking.
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3 - German flair
Yes, the combined age of the Aussie back four was 205 but still, Germany looked crisp, fluid, fast and cull of ideas. Creativity and flair have never been the mannschafts strengths but they showed plenty of both in their opening win. On this form they should win the group at a canter although a speedy team like Ghana should give them some trouble.Ze Germans are coming, Tommy, Ze Germans.
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4 - New Zealand's goal and point
Slovakia are rather good. New Zealand are not. Slovakia scored and looked in control. The Kiwis kept at it. Eventually they scored.
Save a replay of this match. Show it to kids and up and coming footballers.
Mental strength is everything.
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5 - Goalkeeping
Some of it has been steady, Benaglio (SUI) and Muslera (URU).
But some of it has been terrible. Crazy, pathetic, absolutely shocking. Please step up Green and Chaouchi.
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6 - Odd Handballs
Kuzmanovic (SRB) must have had a brain freeze when he clearly handled the ball in the area to conceded the match winning penalty in the game against Ghana.
Abdelkadder Ghezzal must have borrowed that same stash when he collected a long pass with some aplomb, beyond the Slovenian back line.
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7 - Robert Koren and Robert Vittek
I told you they would score.
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8 - Chile
They looked very good, very flexible and very much in control tactically and creatively. Their two hardest games remain, but whisper it quietly, they look like group winners in Group H.
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9 - Asian Ascendancy, African Atrophy
All Asian countries, except for Australia, acquitted themselves very well in their first matches. African teams on the other hand looked sluggish and out of ideas. Ghana was the one exception but they got their winner from the spot.
Could an Asian team win the World Cup before an African one. No.
But the joy of African football (Milla, Biyik, Abidi Pele, Yekini, Amoukachi) is gone.
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10 - Famous Duds
Why is it that bigger name players take a while to get started in their tournament campaigns ?
Robinho and most of Brazil, Rooney, The entire Spanish and Dutch teams, Krasic and Zigic, Ribery were among the disappointments in the first set of matches.
Germany had goals from some old hands but were fired by their recent additions from the U 21s - Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira.
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