The World Cup Previews

I am very excited about this year’s world cup final in Germany. Unfortunately, we missed many games as our final examinations at Newcastle took place at the same time. In addition it turned out to be very disappointing and boring as a half of teams, which normally play an exciting football, defeated unexpectedly in the first group stage.
Anyway, this year World Cup is held in Germany, one of the nations that won the final. It can be most attended and watched games in the world cup history. Here, I am going to make a personal review on games:

Group A: Germany, Costa Rica, Poland and Ecuador
A1(the first place in Group A)- Germany
A2 (the second place in Group B)- Poland
Undoubtedly, I select Germany as the team that goes to the final tournament by getting 7 to 9 points. Germany is very luck to have such weak opponents. Ecuador played the most wonderful football in home games at the altitude over 1000 meters during the qualification run by beating Brazil and Argentine comfortably. They have great midfielders like Luis Valencia. However, they have never proved in away games. It is very much dependent on a Colombian coach who should concentrate on mental training and let players adapt meteorological conditions well in advance. Poland is a boring opponent but I think they will play well to get the second place.

Group B
B1- England
B2- Sweden
England will be qualified to the second stage before the last match against Sweden. There would be little chance that they are disqualified in this stage though it can be interesting if it occurs. England will maintain a boring tradition of 4-4-2 formation using direct and long passes.
Viewing recent friendly matches, Sweden seems to have a big problem when they cannot score. Sweden may be placed in a difficult position to win against England in the last match to be qualifying to the next stage if they lose some points in the first two games.

Group C
C1 – Argentine
C2- Netherlands
Although I choose above two countries to be qualified, it can turn out to be the other two opponents who are qualified for the second stage. Both Argentine and Netherlands do not have a strong defense. Serbia plays an unattractive football in deed. But it can steal a victory with 1-0 score against both teams. 3 teams in this group have world-class strikers such as Lionel Messi, Van Nisterloy and Drocba. The most goals can be scored in this group. There is no boring games in this group.

Group D
D1 – Portugal
D2 – Mexico
The starting lineup of Das Quinas will be: Ricardo, Ricardo Carvalho, Marco Caneira, Miguel, Nuno Valente, Maniche, Costinha, Luis Figo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Deco and Pauleta. If I were Scolari, I will definitely bring Quaresma and Moutinho. Viana is missed out because he did not prove himself in his club as well as the national team.
There is no doubt about winners of this group. Portugal and Mexico. Portugal beats Angola with 5-0 and Iran with 3-0. Probably, Mexico will not lose points before facing Portugal.
Tactically, Portugal can lose the last match in order to avoid Brazil till the final. However, I believe that Felipe Scorali will not use this tactics.


Group E
E1- Italy
E2 – USA
Even if Totti does not recover early enough to play in world cup, Italy will go through the first stage. Czech Republic is beaten by USA and has to say good-bye to Germany in the early stage like Portugal in 2002. It can be everyone’s surprise. Observing a friendly match, Japan vs. USA, I became confident that all the US players physically strong and trained well as a team. It is not easy to beat them when they enter the competition in a good physical condition.

Group F
F1 – Brazil
F2 – Australia
No one probably opposes that Brazil goes through this stage as the top of Group F. Some Japanese media says that other three teams have an equal chance to qualify to the next stage. Optimistic one says that Japan will beat both Croatia and Australia. But I am very realistic. The chance is narrow. Australian players are not only physically strong but almost all of them play in major leagues in Europe. We have some strikers who play in Europe but none of them play in games constantly. The Japanese football federation chose some weaker Western countries to play friendly matches for preparation. Yet they were beaten by Latvia and USA. Drew against Bosnia and Ukraine. A single victory against Norway does not prove anything much. The last game against Ecuador was so poor. The Colombian coach did not bring great midfielders: Valencia, Lala, Franklin Salas, Delgado did not come. The secondary team traveled to Japan and spent more than 2 days to arrive. Yet we got a narrow victory in the end of second half. Anyway, if we win against Australia in the first match, we may do good games and be qualified to the next stage.

Group G
G1- France
G2- Korea
France is still dependent very much on Zidane. If he goes to Germany in a good physical condition, no tiredness and injury, France will go to the next stage. The second place will be taken by South Korea.

Group H
H1- Spain
H2- Can be any team
After a continuous terrible performance game after game at their qualifying campaign, Spain has got a great luck. There is almost no threat at all to be sent home in this stage.

The second stage
Germany (A1) vs. Sweden (B2): 2-2
A chance of winning is even. Definitely, Sweden has superior firepower; Ibrahimovic and Henrik Lasson. German key players are Bullack and Shweinshteiger. Having home crowd and great support, Germany will win after the penalty shoot-out. German fans enjoy a lot of beers and sausages this night.

Argentine (C1) vs. Mexico (D2): 3-2
The game starts with furious attack from the Argentine side and Mexico defends well. The first goal scene is created by Lionel Messi, cutting in from the right side and makes final pass to Crespo. 1-0.
Mexico bounds back with Jorgetti’s header. The game becomes very exciting. In the end, Argentine’s firepower overcomes Mexico’s defense. Argentine goes to the next stage.

Italy (E1) vs. Australia (F2) : 1-0
Italy tries to show their mode of new attacking football but Australia defends superbly and scores is 0-0 in the end of in the first half. Italy changed tactics to traditional catenacio. In reverse, Australia creates many changes. However, a small mistake gave a chance for Gattuzo to intercept the ball. He passes to Pirlo. Pirlo makes a long direct pass to Totti. Totti and Giraldino make short passes to remove markers. A quick shot on goal. Italy steals a victory in one chance.

France (G1) vs. Ukraine (H2) : 3-1
The old Le Blu system with Zidane works perfectly in the game. They scores three goals in the first half. Shevchenco scores a goal in the end of the second half to avoid a shameful defeat. Although France beats Ukraine comfortably, the players get tired in the second half.

Poland (A2) vs. England (B1) : 0-2
Rooney and Owen creat one goal each to eliminate Poland. On the stadium English fans are happy. After the match 30 English hooligans are arrested by German police at night.
In the next day, the English Football Federation receives a severe warning from FIFA.

Portugal (D1) vs. Netherlands (C2) : 2-0
The same card is drawn again in this tournament as well. Cristiano Ronaldo and Figo change their side from right to left and vice versa to create chances. Pauleta find a net on the right corner by putting Figo’s cross ball Cristiano Ronaldo has created four goals in the first stage but there is no luck in this game. Scorali put Gipsy, Ricardo Quaresma on the pitch. It is a gamble for Scolali because Dutch gradually create some chances to score. Scolari’s miracle happened again. Quaresma passes two defenders with sharp dribble and made a shot into the Dutch goal. Dutch hope has disappeared.

USA (E2) vs. Brazil (F1): 1-3
A Brazilian coach, Pereira puts Ronaldo, Robinho, Ronaldilho and Kaka for an attack. Ronaldilho and Kaka creates a lot of chances but unlike the group stage, Ronaldo misses every opportunity to score a goal. With everyone’s surprise, USA score the first goal after 30 minutes. The champion is now under threat. Pereira substitutes Adriano and Ronaldo is out of pitch without a goal. Brazil attacks furiously but American defense is very tough. After 20 minutes Brazil levels with Adriano’s header. USA lost their concentration and concedes two more goals. The game is over.

Korea (G2) vs. Spain (H1): 0-1
Spain has made nine goals in the group stage. Many Spanish regarded Aragones, a Spanish coach as “Mono”, a stupid monkey in their qualification run with a severe lack of goals. Now, people admire him for a great success in the group stage. But monkey is monkey. In this game, they suffer from goal-less ninety minutes. The players who save a team is not a beloved Raul Gonzales but new generation players. Torres, Reyes and Fabregas.


Quarter Finals
Germany vs. Argentine: 1-3
Germany tries hard to win this game taking 1-0 lead. However, German young and inexperienced defense can not hold Argentin's firepower. Pequerman, finally put Lionel Messi, who has recovered injury. Quickly they turn over the game to 2-1 and before the final whistle, he assisted the third goal.

Italy vs. France: 2-1
France takes their lead with Zidan's header. French fans chanted and remined the final of 98. However, the most aged team gradually lose their possession. Most of Frenchmen is out of gas just after the whistle of the second half. They allowed two goals.

England vs. Portugal: 1-2
An uncomfortable start for Portuguese. They concede a goal in the first ten minutes. However, they gradually increase their ball possession to 60% of the game. Deco takes a corner and Ronaldo's header finds the net before the second half.
The second half continues the same. Rooney is not fully recovered. That was very much crucial to the game. Figo makes a brilliant shot just outside the penality area. England's hope has vanished. Again Sven Golan Ericksson can not overtake great Felipe Scolari. Another drama takes place on the street of a German city. A number of English fooligans have arrested by German police.

Brazil vs. Spain: 2-0
Spain creates a number of chances to take a lead in the first half. Some shots squad over the goal and anothers hit the goal post. Again Spanish show indecisive performance which were indicated in the preliminary matches. One strike by Adriano. Another by Ronaldinho. Brazil looks unstopable.

Semifinal
Argentine vs. Italy
Argentine hold a 60 percent of ball possesion but Italian defense is strong. The first half result is 0-0.
In the middle of the second half, an Italian defender steal a ball and pass it to Pirlo who quickly pass it to Totti. He advances with a dribble and before Argentine defense react, he kicks a ball over the defender drawing a slow loop and Luca Toni hit it hard. 1-0!

Brazil vs. Portugal
The most exciting match of the tournament comes. Scolari and Deco face their home country against. Technic versus Technic. After the kick-off, Brazil quickly advances and go pass Maniche and Costinha easily. The last pass made to Adriano but Ricardo Carvalho close him down before he gets it. Portuguese defense is very tight in the penalty area. However, having Ronaldinho and Kaka in the center, Brasil is deadly enough. Emersson dispossess Deco in the center of the midfield. Brazilian fans chants. Deco quickly recover the ball. Brazilans on the stand boos! Exciting moment!
Maniche loses a ball and Kaka advances with a great speed. No one catches up with him. Before Portuguese defense close him down, He shoots it hard. Ricardo can not reach out! A great goal! 1-0! Portuguese defense gets nervous. Ferreira puts down Ronaldinho in the penalty area. A match official indicates a penalty spot. 2-0!
Scolari makes no hesitation but pull out his first card. The first substitute: Ricardo Quaresma in the right wing. Costinha is out. C.Ronaldo and Pauleta are two top. Scolari increases front men to pressure Brazil defense. Figo and Quaresma beats Brasilian sidebacks and makes a lot of services to the center forwards. Pauleta kick it in. But still 2-1. The games procedes to the final 15 minutes. No progress.
Scolari finallly pull out the joker: the last card. "Felipe Scolari announced next substitute. The number 10, Manuel Rui Costa. The man comes back from 2 year silence. Can he get his last glory in Germany before ending his career or quietly finish it at Benfica stadium! Now the great number ten step into the pitch to face his clubmate, Kaka."
Rui Costa touches the first ball and pass it to Deco. Combination is not bad. Again he gets it and dribble to the right. He swing his right foot and an accurate cross finds Pauleta and he headed in! 2-2! Portugal continues to attack and gets a corner kick. Figo takes it and hurriedly kick it into the penalty area. Pauleta can not finds the net and tumbled down with Brasilian defenders. C.Ronaldo is blocked. Quaresma stays far side and can not reach. One player with Portuguese shirt rush into the ball and crowded area. He made a dive and the ball passes the line! A goal! The number 10 falls down on the pitch. "Rui Costa! A great comeback! He takes his nation to the Worldcup final! First time in history! A lot of Portuguese supporters are crying!"

The Final: Portugal vs. Italy
"The Worldcup final in 2006 is going to be played with two European nations. Portugal and Italy. Portugal has never beaten Italy in their history. Today is the day for them to change the history or Italy will celebrate their 4th victory. We are here to witness this great moment. According to Italian media, the coach Marcello Lippi will absence this important match for unknown reason. An urgent meeting was held between FIFA and Italian Football Federation. The Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi took in charge the matter. In a few minutes the players will step into the stadium. Nobody still knows who will lead Italy. Oh ladies and gentlemen, Italian team has arrived. The first person appeared on the stadium is, oh, can you believe it: It is Roberto Baggio. He leads Azzuri in the final of Worldcup 2006! It is said that he may join the directing board of Inter. Now he is here to get the trophy as the Italian coarch!"
The starting lineup of Italy and Portugal are no surprise. Portugal has Figo, Ronaldo and Deco behind the one top, Pauleta. Italy has Giraldino and Totti to attack. The whistle is blown. The game starts. Totti passes Pirlo. Portuguese advance and chase the ball. The first half has played even. Portuguese hold the great share of ball possession and Italians make several counterattack. Great game! The score is 0-0.
10 minutes after the second half begin, Scolati makes a move. Put Rui Costa and Quaresma into the pitch to increase their attacks. Four midfielders; Figo, Quaresma, Deco and Rui Costa supply a lot of balls to Pauleta and Ronaldo but no goal. Italian defense is strong.
"Cannavaro missed clearing and the ball stops in front of Ronaldo. Ronaldo kicks toward the goal. Bufon reaches out. The ball passed over his finger tip. Gooooal. Portugal leads!"
"Scolari experience as a coarch is well over Roberto Baggio. Now Baggio faces his second agony in the Worldcup final? Or does he have any plan to overcome this situation. The remaining time is just 20minutes. Oh, the official announced a substitution, Number 18, in the Italian side? Who is Number 18??? The Italian coarch gets mad? Oh, Baggio started to take off his tie and shirt. The number 18 appeared on his chest! Oh amazing. There is some rumor that Baggio has continued his training even after his retirement and the press speculated his possible comeback. Here he is in the Worldcup final!"
"Now, remaining time is 10 minutes! after careful warm-up, he steps into the pitch. Does he really change the situation. Portugueses players started to pressurize italian defense to make a decisive second goal! Figo's cross ball was well cleared by Cannavaro. Manich hit it toward the goal from the edge of the penalty area. Buffon punched off. Now, Deco takes a conner kick. Cleared by Nesta. Italians passed it forward. Pirlo kicked to Roberto Baggio. As Portuguese focused on attacks, there are only two remaining. Ricardo Carvalho seized to Baggio. Baggio trapped the ball high to go over the head of Carvalho. He swiftly passed him. Now, one on one situation against Ricardo. Baggio hit it hard. Wow, what a goal! It's a screamer! Ricardo can not move! 1-1"
"Now the situation is reverse. Italians makes short passes to attack. The remaining time is just 2 minutes. Oh, Ferreira pushed down Totti in the penalty area! The official pointed at the penalty spot. I believe Totti himself take the kick. Oh, Totti said no! He is giving a ball to Baggio. Baggio takes it and kick it, Gooooal! Roberto Baggio, now he finally buried his misery of 1998's worldcup final. He has made new history for Italy. Now it is the final whistle. Italy won the world cup. The MVP must be Baggio. Wonderful night in Berlin! The final score is 2-1! "