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From Costa Rica to Holland, five World Cup teams with element of surprise From Costa Rica to Holland, five World Cup teams with element of surprise
(about 1 hour later)
Costa RicaCosta Rica
Costa Rica are the revelation of the tournament and it is difficult to remember such a surprising progression to the knockout stage. Many anticipated Costa Rica would frustrate one of their more illustrious Group D opponents through their use of an extremely deep back five and a well-organised, industrious midfield line.Costa Rica are the revelation of the tournament and it is difficult to remember such a surprising progression to the knockout stage. Many anticipated Costa Rica would frustrate one of their more illustrious Group D opponents through their use of an extremely deep back five and a well-organised, industrious midfield line.
No one, however, expected this. They went behind early against Uruguay but proved capable of commanding the midfield zone and pushing the wing-backs forward to overlap, with Cristian Gamboa charging down the right flank energetically. They dominated the game and turned a 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 lead.No one, however, expected this. They went behind early against Uruguay but proved capable of commanding the midfield zone and pushing the wing-backs forward to overlap, with Cristian Gamboa charging down the right flank energetically. They dominated the game and turned a 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 lead.
Already in command of the group, they could have parked the bus against Italy in their second group game. Instead, they defended extremely high up the pitch, risking being embarrassed by Mario Balotelli’s pace. They rode their luck when the Milan striker missed a one on one but pushed players in behind the Italian midfield and again a rampaging wing-back provided an assist – this time Júnior Díaz from the left.Already in command of the group, they could have parked the bus against Italy in their second group game. Instead, they defended extremely high up the pitch, risking being embarrassed by Mario Balotelli’s pace. They rode their luck when the Milan striker missed a one on one but pushed players in behind the Italian midfield and again a rampaging wing-back provided an assist – this time Júnior Díaz from the left.
By the time they faced England, they needed only a point to top the group and could concentrate on defending. They have conceded only one goal in three matches, from a penalty, and Jorge Luis Pinto has proved to be an excellent tactician. By the time they faced England, they needed only a point to top the group. They have conceded only one goal in three matches, from a penalty, and Jorge Luis Pinto has proved to be an excellent tactician.
ColombiaColombia
Colombia generally played a 4-4-2 throughout qualification but the absence of Radamel Falcao actually encouraged José Pékerman to play one fewer striker. Falcao is a superb pure poacher but needed a more selfless partner to take a hold-up role, bringing others into play.Colombia generally played a 4-4-2 throughout qualification but the absence of Radamel Falcao actually encouraged José Pékerman to play one fewer striker. Falcao is a superb pure poacher but needed a more selfless partner to take a hold-up role, bringing others into play.
In Falcao’s absence, that selfless workhorse became a lone striker. Teófilo Gutiérrez’s finishing has been inconsistent but the fact Colombia are now playing a 4-2-3-1 system has brought the best out of attacking midfielders James Rodríguez and Juan Guillermo Cuadrado, two of the tournament’s star players.In Falcao’s absence, that selfless workhorse became a lone striker. Teófilo Gutiérrez’s finishing has been inconsistent but the fact Colombia are now playing a 4-2-3-1 system has brought the best out of attacking midfielders James Rodríguez and Juan Guillermo Cuadrado, two of the tournament’s star players.
Rodríguez, in particular, has been magnificent. He has thrived in the central No10 position, rather than drifting inside from the left. In the wins over Greece and Ivory Coast, he repeatedly dropped deep to collect balls away from his marker before spraying passes into the left-back zone for Cuadrado to chase.Rodríguez, in particular, has been magnificent. He has thrived in the central No10 position, rather than drifting inside from the left. In the wins over Greece and Ivory Coast, he repeatedly dropped deep to collect balls away from his marker before spraying passes into the left-back zone for Cuadrado to chase.
He also headed the opener from a corner against Ivory Coast and pressed high up the pitch to rob Serey Die and set up the second goal for Juan Fernando Quintero. The 4-2-3-1, and his central role, has made him arguably the World Cup’s best performer so far. He also headed the opener from a corner against Ivory Coast and pressed high up the pitch to rob Serey Die and set up the second goal for Juan Fernando Quintero. The 4-2-3-1, and Rodríguez’s central role, has made him arguably the World Cup’s best performer so far.
HollandHolland
Perhaps we shouldn’t be too surprised about Holland’s approach. It has basically been about two major concepts – switching between a back three and a back four to retain a spare man at the back, and using heavy pressing in midfield. Both these features are classic traits of a Louis van Gaal side. Perhaps we shouldn’t be too surprised by Holland’s approach. It has basically been about two major concepts – switching between a back three and a back four to retain a spare man at the back, and using heavy pressing in midfield. Both these features are classic traits of a Louis van Gaal side.
The commitment to both concepts has been staggering, however. Against Chile, Van Gaal ended up using Dirk Kuyt as a left wing-back because he was so determined to keep a spare man in the centre of defence, shifting Daley Blind inside. Against Australia, he switched from a back three to a back four once he realised his players were not coping with a front three.The commitment to both concepts has been staggering, however. Against Chile, Van Gaal ended up using Dirk Kuyt as a left wing-back because he was so determined to keep a spare man in the centre of defence, shifting Daley Blind inside. Against Australia, he switched from a back three to a back four once he realised his players were not coping with a front three.
The pressing, meanwhile, has been relentless. In the amazing 5-1 thrashing of Spain in Holland’s opening game, the wide centre-backs, Bruno Martins Indi and Stefan de Vrij, tracked Andrés Iniesta and David Silva into absurdly deep, central positions – past the midfielders and into the opposition half. It was highly risky, with Spain creating a couple of chances in behind the Dutch defence, but it worked brilliantly.The pressing, meanwhile, has been relentless. In the amazing 5-1 thrashing of Spain in Holland’s opening game, the wide centre-backs, Bruno Martins Indi and Stefan de Vrij, tracked Andrés Iniesta and David Silva into absurdly deep, central positions – past the midfielders and into the opposition half. It was highly risky, with Spain creating a couple of chances in behind the Dutch defence, but it worked brilliantly.
The victory over Chile was notable for the amazingly strict man-marking in midfield, too – Nigel de Jong, Georginio Wijnaldum and Wesley Sneijder stuck tightly to their opponents, being dragged all across the pitch, but denying Chile time on the ball. The victory over Chile was notable for the strict man-marking in midfield – Nigel de Jong, Georginio Wijnaldum and Wesley Sneijder stuck tightly to their rivals, being dragged all across the pitch, but denying Chile time on the ball.
GreeceGreece
OK, it was standard Greece in the first two games, where they didn’t manage a goal. They were easily defeated by Colombia, then ground out a goalless draw against Japan when down to 10 men, relying on set pieces for chances. Admittedly, it was standard Greece in the first two games, where they did not manage a goal. They were easily defeated by Colombia, then ground out a goalless draw against Japan when down to 10 men, relying on set pieces for chances. However, in their final group game against Ivory Coast, Greece were transformed. They pressed high up the pitch, forcing the Ivorian midfielders into careless passes and dangerous turnovers. Giorgos Samaras was superb, thriving in his lone centre-forward role rather than out on the left, playing neat passes to encourage onrushing midfielders forward.
However, in their final group game against Ivory Coast, Greece were transformed. They pressed high up the pitch, forcing the Ivorian midfielders into careless passes and dangerous turnovers. Giorgos Samaras was superb, thriving in his lone centre-forward role rather than out on the left, playing neat passes to encourage onrushing midfielders forward. Greece attempted some spectacular long-range shots, hitting the bar twice, and their incessant counterattacks were often led by the two full-backs, Vasilis Torosidis and José Holebas, who carried the ball out of defence purposefully and efficiently. Hopefully, Greece will continue in this fashion against Costa Rica in the second round – but caution might prevail.
Greece attempted some spectacular long-range shots, hitting the bar twice, and their incessant counterattacks were often led by the two full-backs, Vasilis Torosidis and José Holebas, who carried the ball out of defence purposefully and efficiently. Hopefully, Greece will continue in this fashion against Costa Rica in the second round – but cautious might prevail.
AlgeriaAlgeria
Algeria were the most underrated side before the tournament started, boasting some talented, energetic young midfielders. Some bookmakers rated only Iran as less likely to win the competition, which seemed peculiar, considering the obvious potential within Vahid Halilhodzic’s side.Algeria were the most underrated side before the tournament started, boasting some talented, energetic young midfielders. Some bookmakers rated only Iran as less likely to win the competition, which seemed peculiar, considering the obvious potential within Vahid Halilhodzic’s side.
Algeria rather tricked everyone with their opening performance against Belgium – a 2-1 defeat. Halilhodzic would have been delighted with a point against the Group H favourites and therefore instructed his side to play a very deep, defensive, reactive counterattacking game.Algeria rather tricked everyone with their opening performance against Belgium – a 2-1 defeat. Halilhodzic would have been delighted with a point against the Group H favourites and therefore instructed his side to play a very deep, defensive, reactive counterattacking game.
Surprisingly, Algeria struck early, with Sofiane Feghouli winning a penalty on the counterattack before then converting it himself. The defensiveness inevitably became more obvious and Algeria were only undone by Belgium’s desperate plan B, which involved hitting crosses towards the huge pairing of Divock Origi and Marouane Fellaini.Surprisingly, Algeria struck early, with Sofiane Feghouli winning a penalty on the counterattack before then converting it himself. The defensiveness inevitably became more obvious and Algeria were only undone by Belgium’s desperate plan B, which involved hitting crosses towards the huge pairing of Divock Origi and Marouane Fellaini.
That isn’t Algeria’s natural game, however – they usually press high and play quick passing combinations. This was obvious in the 4-2 victory over South Korea in their second group game, one of the best team displays of the tournament so far and a huge contrast from their opening display. That is not Algeria’s natural game, however – they usually press high and play quick passing combinations. This was obvious in the 4-2 victory over South Korea in their second group game, one of the best team displays of the tournament so far, and a huge contrast from their opening display.
A draw against Russia will seal their progression but Algeria should continue to play on the front foot.A draw against Russia will seal their progression but Algeria should continue to play on the front foot.