Hey Guys,
I'm sorry I haven't been posting on RTR 2014. I've been really busy and I've been having some time management problems. Don't worry I'll start writing again. Hope you like today's post. Thank You.
The Round of 16
Halfway through the WC, it is now time for The Round of 16. The best 16 teams, of the group stage and deservedly so, want to make an impact in this round. The first 2 games over though, Brasil and Colombia have defeated Chile and Uruguay to enter the the Quarter-Finals. Brasil defeating Chile on penalties,it was a very happening game. Though Brasil the the favorites to go through, was not the Brasil we saw in the group stages. Chile played really well, and didn't deserve to be knocked out so early. But Sampaoli needs to be appreciated for the way he managed Chile.
The other game, Uruguay vs Colombia was a total Colombian dominance. Luis Suarez received a 4 month ban after BITING Italian defender Chiellini on his shoulder, in the group stage. With star striker out for Uruguay, they really were depressed. Colombia taking advantage of this situation, stepped up and defeated Uruguay to enter the Quarter-Finals.
Although this WC has been a delight, it has been nightmare for the some of the European nations. With a total of 13 nations contesting from Europe, only 6 have qualified, and 7 have been eliminated. Spain, Italy, England, some of the top European nations, have already been eliminated. Spain the defending champions got it all wrong against The Dutch and Chile. We saw a poor show of Tiki Taka football from Spain. It was very easy for the opposition to create a counter-attack. England and Italy both the teams from the Group of Death. Italy won the first game but lost by a mere 1 goal in the next games. England had a miserable WC. They were not able to get a single win. Lost the opening games and drew the last one. This WC has seen a very fast game. Really fast, quick passing, orthodox goals and a few things more. The oldies( many in England and Italy) were unable to adapt with the situation and hence became vulnerable when pressure acted on them to perform for their nation. The only oldie, that played really well was Italian mid-fielder Pirlo. His game was Vintage Pirlo. Quick passing, creating the play, free-kicks, long passing was done really well.
Americans. Out of all the teams that contested from the American continents, only 2 were eliminated from the WC in the group stages. It was really a delight for the American teams. Costa Rica, Brasil, Colombia, Argentina all topped their respective groups. The biggest surprise was Costa Rica qualifying from the Group of Death. But no, they really played well. They defended well, beautiful set-pieces, and quick counter-attacks, all that is needed for a good football game, was shown by them. They qualified, and deservedly so.
Not only good football, but it was easy for The American teams to adapt with the conditions. It was I think another reason for a poor performance by Europe.
The Asians also put up a miserable show, all the Asian nations, out of the WC. some good games were seen from them, but they never looked like the winning material. I think that's the only reason for their miserable show and nothing else.
The Round of 16 starts. Brasil and Colombia through already. Many hearts broken, many hearts rejoiced. Let's see who performs on their Road to Rio.
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