FIFA World Cup 2014

[Who]

That was an incredible turnaround for the Ivory Coast.

Putting in Drogba changed everything for them. No more patient build up play through the middle. Just two target men in the box. Be direct and hit balls into them into the box. Take advantage of physical size over smaller Japan. Bony and Drogba were a handful for the defense. I think lots of defenses nowadays aren't used to playing against two out and out strikers. Happens so infrequently at top level.

Ivory Coast looked much better with Yaya Toure dropping back to holding midfielder instead of creative playmaker.

[ederson]

I didn`t watch the game so i`m curious why Drogda didn`t start.

[KGs Knee]

I think England needs to drop one of the 4 forwards (Sterling-Rooney-Sturridge-Welbeck) and add a read midfielder. I`d bench Wellbeck fow Willshire.

And Rooney must step up. I`ve read that Messi and Rooney have played 16 WV games and have scored in total ONE goal! That can`t be acceptable!

It was an interesting gambit. England certainly looked quite dangerous on attack at times, exposing the weak flanks of the Italian defense. We're it not for the inadequate conditioning of the English side they may well have achieved a better result.

You could clearly see as the match wore on the energy levels of the English attack dropped noticeably, thus allowing the Italian defense to retain it's structure a bit more.

[AngryAndIrritable]

Why Rooney continues to be undroppable for England is a mystery. Apart from one cross for a goal, he was ineffective in the first half and dominated the ball way too much in the second to little effect.

I thought Italy played nowhere near their full potential - a lot of long balls launched toward the striker that weren't anywhere near the target.

England's tactics were a bit of a mystery to me. Playing Rooney and Welbeck as attacking right and left midfielders left the full-backs horribly exposed. (Rooney is average at defensive play, Welbeck is awful at it) Candreva had the run of the right hand side for nearly the entire game.

I still expect Japan to do well despite their loss, although teams will always look to exploit the height advantage against them.

Finally, Greece's presence at this World Cup is a total embarrassment. It's an absolute mystery how they managed to win Euro 2004. Their stodgy, slow, defensive play is looking worse every tournament as their key players get older and weaker.

[TheBigTicket23]

As a dutchman I am still buzzing from our 1-5 win over World champions Spain. Unbelieveble. Crazy atmosphere on the terraces in Rotterdam

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

As a Kenyan I'm rooting for my African brethren. Happy with Ivory Coast's showing so far. Maybe they finally make up for two harsh draws in world cups and make an impact. Cameroon flattering to deceive again, Nigeria, Ghana and Algeria yet to play.

[KGs Knee]

As a dutchman I am still buzzing from our 1-5 win over World champions Spain. Unbelieveble. Crazy atmosphere on the terraces in Rotterdam

I was in Holland just a couple weeks ago, and the buzz about the WC was everywhere.  And by the way, the Hoge Veluwe National Park was awesome, riding the 'white bikes' was cool.

Always liked Holland's style of play, and I've also always been a big fan of Robben.  So long as if you face the Azurri, you go down.   

[ederson]

Finally, Greece's presence at this World Cup is a total embarrassment. It's an absolute mystery how they managed to win Euro 2004. Their stodgy, slow, defensive play is looking worse every tournament as their key players get older and weaker.

it depends upon what you consider embarrassment...

I think the way brazil won the first game was more of an embarrassment.

You fight with what you got.

[TheBigTicket23]

'I was in Holland just a couple weeks ago, and the buzz about the WC was everywhere.  And by the way, the Hoge Veluwe National Park was awesome, riding the 'white bikes' was cool.
Always liked Holland's style of play, and I've also always been a big fan of Robben.  So long as if you face the Azurri, you go down.   '

That's cool Yaya everybody rides bike in our lil country Robben is insane at the moment, he has a good chance to become the best player of the tournament if we come far.
To say something about Italy then, I've always loved the Italian national anthem, it's truely amazing and always sang with so much passion and pride, reminds me of the Celtics
Darmian is not playing for much longer at Torino, kid was a beast.

[AngryAndIrritable]

Greece's record in World Cup Finals is W1 D0 L6. They have never kept a clean sheet or got out of the group stage, despite qualifying comfortably for World Cups, usually from the easiest group in the qualifiers. They haven't changed their grinding, dismal style of play in years despite plenty of evidence to show that Euro 2004 was a complete fluke and that their style of play won't cut it at the highest level. That's pretty embarrassing to me.

Brazil beating Croatia was more on the weak performance of the referee than anything to do with the players. Unfortunately diving is part of the modern game now and it doesn't seem to be getting any better.

[ederson]

Again .... you fight with what you got. Murihno does it with all the talent in the world in his hands

When you are talking about "never got out the group stage" i guess you realize this is the 3 time Greece plays in the wc...

And since you talk about the Euro 2004  .... Portugal lost the host and one of the favourites lost twice to Greece. France and Czech Republic the two other favourites also lost and disqualified. Spain got a draw in the group stages.  The best player in that roster was a bench player for Inter. So yes the individual talent is close to zero but still against Spain-Portugal-France and the Czechs got 4 wins and 1 draw with 6-2 total score.
It was something that will never ever happen again and that is what makes is so great. If you want tocall it a fluke be my guest ....

But i`m sure England , Hungary , Sweden, Scotland , Portugal would love to get their hands on the trophy in every way possible.....

[Casperian]

They haven't changed their grinding, dismal style of play in years despite plenty of evidence to show that Euro 2004 was a complete fluke and that their style of play won't cut it at the highest level.

[AngryAndIrritable]

I have no problem with a team making the most of limited resources. But given how poorly they have performed at World Cups, that would suggest that boring, Mourinho-style football isn't working for them.

They have kept faith with the same old players, playing the same old system and failed in the same old way. "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results".

[Who]

Finally, Greece's presence at this World Cup is a total embarrassment. It's an absolute mystery how they managed to win Euro 2004. Their stodgy, slow, defensive play is looking worse every tournament as their key players get older and weaker.

it depends upon what you consider embarrassment...

I think the way brazil won the first game was more of an embarrassment.

You fight with what you got.

I don't think this Brazil team should be embarrassed by how they played.

This isn't a classic Brazilian team. They just don't have the talent this time round. There is a lack of top class attacking players for Brazil at this moment in time.

I don't think is a team that should be playing open attractive attacking football. I don't think they can win the World Cup playing that style. Not with the players they have at their disposal. I do however think they can win a World Cup playing this physically powerful well organized counter attacking style of play that Scolari has brought in.

I agree that they could switch some of their selections and play more open attacking football but I do not think that would be in the team's interests because, like I said previously, I just don't think that group is good enough to win a World Cup. However, this group and this counter attacking game has a chance to win a World Cup.

Outside of Neymar, I don't think Brazil has any top class players at any other attacking position.

[Casperian]

I agree that they could switch some of their selections and play more open attacking football but I do not think that would be in the team's interests because, like I said previously, I just don't think that group is good enough to win a World Cup.

Which is precisely the reason why Greece play the way they do.