So, I’m actually on a brief vacation and am only weighing in every once in a while for the week, thus explaining why since the U.S./England match, I’ve been a bit incognito. But a couple things that have been discussed among those closely related to me that are also with me watching the matches.
It’s fair to say that seeing Algeria’s Abdelkader Ghezzal and Serbia’s Zdravko Kuzmanovic both harshly punished for their blatant handballs was one of those situations that does inspire faith that another Hand of God won’t decide the World Cup – but then again, the fact that players are still making those kinds of attempts to job the system is still somewhat discouraging, eh?
As for Slovenia ultimately taking advantage of their 11 v. 10 advantage to get a victory, wasn’t Friday’s match against the U.S. going to be huge regardless of the outcome. The Slovenians have three points, but they can’t afford simply to play for a tie because they still have England remaining – which is the same situation they’d be in if they drawn or lost against the Algerians. The U.S. still needs a victory to take a massive step forward toward its own advancement, too.
I’m happy to say that I did predict that Australia would get thumped by the Germans. The way they played against the U.S. on June 5 gave it away. Now, can Germany sustain and build on that performance? Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski had to be running off adrenaline, but Mesut Ozil certainly looks capable of playing beyond his years. Also notable is how calm Jurgen Klinsmann looked discussing the team, as if he expected the outcome all along.
Ghana up, Cameroon down. That wasn’t the way most predictions were headed regarding African squads.
It’s also easier to pile on the Netherlands for a less than stellar win over Denmark, but the Dutch were in complete control for most of that match. The goals will come, especially if Eljero Elia gets more minutes.
Looking forward to the Group of Death.
