Just a couple of groups left and the second round ties are starting to take shape. Two third placed teams are already through. The bottom half of the draw looks like a minefield already. It can get worse depending on the results of Group F!
In this post, I’ll cover the matches played in Groups B, C
and D and look ahead to the last two remaining Groups; E and F.
Match Reviews
Group B
Russia vs Wales
Spain’s performance against Turkey had received rave
reviews. If anything, Wales’s performance in this match, matched or even
surpassed the Spanish. They were imperial in their attacking and use of the
ball. The triumvirate of Bale, Ramsey and Allen wreaked havoc against the
Russian defense. Russia, still in with a chance of qualification, tried to
create chances of their own. But their forward advances left enough space at
the back for the Welsh to exploit. While Joe Allen kept possession and
controlled the midfield, Ramsey played the attacking midfielder role to
perfection, finding Bale on numerous occasions. Bale, on his part, played the
channels and found lots of space in behind the Russian defense. He left Russian
defenders for dead as early as the half an hour mark. The Welsh breakthrough
came relatively early, as Allen played in Ramsey with a precision through ball.
Ramsey placed in past the keeper. The second goal came about after Bales
through ball took a deflection from a Russian defender and fell kindly to Neil
Taylor. The defender isn’t the likeliest to find himself in the penalty box,
but he took his chance expertly. On the side, Neil Taylor’s mother is a Bengali
and my parochial pride is aroused! I’ll follow his career closely now.
The second half no different as Wales looked to put the
result beyond Russia’s reach. The Russian goalkeeper, Akinfaeev made a total of
8 saves. Otherwise, the result could have been humiliating. He was powerless to
stop Bale, who found himself one-on-one with the goalie half-way through the
second half. He scored taking his tournament tally to 3 goals, the joint top scorer.
While other superstars were faltering, Bale were rising to the challenge. The
match ended 3-0 to Wales, capping off the most complete team performance of the
Euros so far.
My Prediction:
Russia 0-1 Wales
Final Score:
Russia 0-3 Wales
Slovakia vs England
Both teams would be assured of an automatic qualification
place with a win. Lose, and they faced the prospect of finishing 3rd
in the group and a potential clash with Germany. A lot was on the line. England
came out firing, keeping more of the ball and creating better chances. They
failed to score, however, as dogged Slovak defending smart saves kept them out.
The Liverpool duo of Lallana and Clyne were the creative sparks. Sturridge was
off-colour in his wide role, another questionable tactic by Hodgson. Slovakia
never looked like breaking through. It was apparent that they had come here to
take a point. The English grew more and more frustrated as the game went on.
In the second half, Nathaniel Clyne’s honesty probably
robbed England of a penalty. He was tripped as he broke into the box, but he
opted to stay on his feet, and his shot was saved. Had he gone down, the
referee might have given a spot-kick. Martin Skrtel was a rock in the Slovak
defense, intercepting crosses and making numerous blocks. The English
substitutions failed to make a similar impact as in their previous games
against Wales. Once again, England had failed to break down a defense despite
dominating. Their fans were left frustrated as they finished 2nd in
the group behind Wales. A possible outing against Portugal could materialize in
the second, depending on results.
My Prediction:
Slovakia 1-2 England
Final Score: Slovakia
0-0 England
Group C
Ukraine vs Poland
Poland needed a big win to overturn the Goal Difference
deficit they had to Germany. They did not have much of the ball in the first
half. Ukraine kept possession but only managed two attempts on target. They
were quite wasteful in the final third. Poland, though, managed just one. They
would have to pick up their game in the second half, if they were serious about
getting top spot in the group. They did exactly that early on in the second
half. Jakub Blaszczykowski drove a shot from inside the penalty box to give
Poland the lead. The Poles had more of the ball following the goal but could
not extend their lead. Ukraine had a couple chances late on, but a lack of
attacking quality let them down. Poland were moving on in the tournament while
Ukraine were going back home.
My Prediction:
Ukraine 1-1 Poland
Final Score: Ukraine
1-1 Poland
Northern Ireland vs
Germany
Incredibly, the Northern Irish could finish above Germany
with a win here. The Germans were hoping to prevent any upsets. They started
with real desire and created chance after chance. Three clear cut opportunities
were squandered, with mishits and saves foiling them. Finally, after 32 minutes
and about 5 attempts on goal, Thomas Mueller, with his back to goal, set up
Mario Gomez who scored via a small deflection. There was a sense of relief as
the Germans were finally ahead. They looked likely to extend their lead too
with more opportunities in the first half that went astray. Mesut Ozil must
have been wondering why the forwards on his team cannot score from his incisive
passes!
The second half followed the same pattern with the Germans
on the attack for most of it and Northern Ireland defending doggedly. 1-0 was a
precarious score-line for the world champions. Nortehrn Ireland came into the
match a bit more in the latter part of second half. But they could not mount a
serious challenge to the German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. This match was a story
of missed opportunities for the Germans, but Poland’s narrow win meant the
Germans retained 1st position in the group.
Group D
Czech Republic vs
Turkey
This was a game of contrasts. Czech Republic played, Turkey
won. Czech Republic created chances, Turkey scored goals. Czech Republic
dominated possession, Turkey dominated the headlines.
The game began with the Czechs creating a couple of chances.
They were undone by poor finishing and good goalkeeping. 10 minutes in, and
with literally their first attack, Turkey broke down the left flank. Emre Mor
was allowed to run with the ball after getting to a through pass. He squared
the ball to the center of the area, from where Yilmaz finished smartly to
continue his goal-scoring form from before the tournament. The Czechs continued
creating the better chances but without reward. Turkey extended their lead in
the middle of the second half when Mehmet Topal, starting in a marginally
offside position, set up Ozan Tufan who drilled a fierce shot past Petr Cech.
The Czech goalkeeper had no chance. What should’ve been a moment to savour for
the Turkish soon turned farcical as flares were thrown on to the pitch once
again. However, unlike the Croatia match, where similar events took place, the
Czechs could not produc a turnaround here. Sivok hit the post with a header and
a couple more chances were missed as the Czechs crashed out. Turkey were still
in with a shot to qualify for the second round, but would have to wait for
results elsewhere.
My Prediction: Czech
Republic 1-1 Turkey
Final Score: Czech
Republic 0-2 Turkey
Croatia vs Spain
Spain would’ve been confident of ensuring top spot in the
group after their assured performance against Turkey. They were up against a
Croatia side without their injured captain Luka Modric. Spain started on the
front foot, creating chances. Their goal came soon enough. David Silva found
Fabregas with a sublime reverse pass from the edge of the area. Fabregas
squared the ball, out of reach of the on-rushing Croatian goalkeeper Subasic,
for Morata to tap into an empty net. The signs were ominous for the Croats.
Despite going behind, they did not lose hope. Croatia started getting more of
the ball. David de Gea almost gifted them an equalizer when he allowed himself
to be robbed off the ball, only for Rakitic’s chip to hit both the bar and the
post before staying out. Croatia’s effort soon bore fruit. Ivan Perisic, so
often the finisher, turned provider, putting in a low cross into the six yard
area. Kalinic scored with a subtle finish with the outside of his right foot
giving de Gea having no chance.
Early in the second half, De Gea almost made a mess of
another cross, as Croatia failed to take advantage of the follow up. Spain were
awarded a soft penalty as David Silva fell over after in the area following
minimal contact. Amazingly, it was Sergio Ramos who stepped up to take the
spot-kick. He hit it straight down the middle making it simple for Subasic to
save. The Croatian goalkeeper was a good two yards off his line when the kick
was taken. The officials should’ve called for a retake but given the nature of
the awarding of the penalty, this was justice served. At the death, Croatia
countered they had broken down a Spanish attack in their penalty box. Ivan
Perisic found space in the box and shot past de Gea. Despite the ball having
taken a slight deflection off the defender, the Spanish goalkeeper should’ve
saved at his near post. Croatia held on, taking first place in the group. Spain
were looking at the unsavoury future of a second round tie against Italy! This
result, coupled with England’s failure to take first place in tehri group,
meant that all big names were now in the bottom half of the draw!
My Prediction:
Croatia 0-1 Spain
Final Score: Croatia
2-1 Spain
Match Previews
Group E
Italy vs Republic of
Ireland
Italy have been super strong tactically and defensively.
They deserved their late win against Sweden in their last game. They are
overwhelming favourites to roll over an underwhelming Ireland team. Despite Roy
Keane’s advice to kick the Italians, Ireland must remember that the Italians
themselves are not shy to play dirty when required. It would be foolish
decision to try to beat the Italians at their own game. Italy should be too
strong and they’re in with a shot to be the only team to go through the group
stages with 3 wins. That was not something a lot of people would’ve predicted
before this tournament got started.
My Prediction:
Italy 2-0 Republic of Ireland
Sweden vs Belgium
At the start of the tournament, by prediction for this match
was a lone goal win for Sweden. Given how they’ve performed, I’ve changed my
prediction to favour Belgium. And yet, there is this niggling feeling that this
possibly being Zlatan’s last international match, we could yet be in store for
something special from the man himself. On form, Belgium should edge this. They
were clinical against Ireland, a team Sweden failed to beat, and were mostly
the second best in most departments on that day. I wouldn’t be surprised with a
surprise result in this match though.
My Prediction:
Sweden 1-2 Belgium
Group F
Iceland vs Austria
Coming in as underdogs, and expected to perform well might
have had a negative influence on Austria. So far, they’ve not produced any kind
of form which saw them qualify for this tournament. With 1 point only so far,
only a win would suffice to keep them in the tournament. Iceland, on the other
hand have had a great tournament so far. After the historic draw against
Portugal, they were unlucky to not have taken any points from the Hungary game.
They would be the team with a better atmosphere at the moment. I do expect
Austria to play better in this match than they already have. But Iceland have
shown that they have the spunk required to compete against stronger teams. I’m
going with a scoring draw in this one, with Austria’s lack of attacking options
and flair likely to mean they waste a lot of chances in this game. This would
also mean Austria crashing out.
My Prediction:
Iceland 1-1 Austria
Hungary vs Portugal
If you’d told the Hungarians a couple weeks back, that they
would be the ones already in the second round at this stage, while their
opponents needed at least a point from this game to stay alive, they’d have
laughed at you. As it stands, the Magyars have played fearless football and
confirmed their progress already. Portugal are in dire straits and face
elimination even with a draw. They should approach this game with the sole
objective of winning. They do have the quality to beat this Hungary team, but
just barely. I think the real Portugal will turn up today and clinch the win
and progress to the second round. Whether Ronaldo plays a central role in that
process, I’m not very certain.
My Prediction:
Hungary 1-2 Portugal
The favourites seem to want to eliminate their rivals early
on and are conspiring to face each other in the second round itself.
Qualifications for Northern Ireland and Hungary are the feel good stories of
the first round so far. Add to this the travails of England and Spain against
the more spirited Wales and Croatia, respectively, and we have an interesting
final two weeks shaping up.
Till we meet again, enjoy the football…
No comments:
Post a Comment