Liverpool FC Forum

by **Owzat** » Sun Jul 11, 2010 9:52 am

The germans failed to score twice in this World Cup, lost both games 0-1. Defences that succumbed too easily they beat easily, sticking four past the aussies, England and Argentina, then three past Uruguay. That is no coincidence, the aussies made too many defensive mistakes, England gifted the Germans the first two goals and Argentina were poor defensively. Yesterday the Uruguayan keeper spilled a shot for the first and the winner came from a poor defensive attempt at a clearance by Godin (?)

I reckon 2/3 or more of the German goals in this World Cup came from defensive errors, 2+ vs Argentina (sliding tackles not getting the ball in the box), three vs England (poor positioning by defence), two vs Uruguay (as above), can't remember how many of the aussie goals but they were poor defensively etc

But you can say the Germans were efficient in forcing or capitalising on those mistakes. If Reina pumped the ball forward into such a wide gap we'd be calling him a genius and he'd get an assist, but because it was against England, Neuer's (?) assist is down to poor positioning despite the keeper and rest of the Germans seeing and exploiting it. Cuts both ways I guess, but had the defence been on the ball then that long ball would have been dealt with - in fact James started to come and tracked back so it could still have been dealt with, Reina would have dealt with it

by **fivecups** » Sun Jul 11, 2010 10:04 am

bigmick wrote:Yep I'd agree with all of that Ben. Ozil actually looked out on his feet against Argentina to me, and he looked even more ill at ease last night. Muller who has been one of the finds of the tournament for me was also a big loss.

To be fair though, Spain were that good it's stretching the point to think it would have made that much difference. The midfield three were absolutely mesmerising with their pass and move, and just about my only criticism would be they try and walk it into the net too much. The Dutch have their work cut out in the final, and if it was me I'd switch Robben and Kuyt so the little 10M short board specialist can get at Sergio Ramos. They could do a lot worse also than carefully study the videos of how Inter Milan deservedly rolled Barcelona over. These teams can be beaten like any football team, but when they play like that or are allowed to play like that, feck me it isn't easy.

Don't know if you got Mark Lawrenson's commentary but in the second half he called Spain's play 'powderpuff', I burst out laughing at that one. I think Guy Mowbray must have as well because Lawro challenged him on it. Hilarious.

Was anyone else surprised that Joachim Lowe allowed Spain so much time to pass the ball around midfield and to control the game? Germany beat both England and Argentina precisely because they were the ones in control of the match. I think the Dutch will be pressing them at every opportunity tonight and Spain won't be able to settle into their usual rhythmn. They can use the Inter approach as a model.

by **Owzat** » Sun Jul 11, 2010 10:23 am

Interesting fact, attribute to vuvuzelas if you like

Least goals per game at World Cups

2.212 : 1990 (115 goals, 52 games)
2.286 : 2010 (144 goals, 63 games*)
2.313 : 2006 (148 goals, 64 games)
2.516 : 2002 (161 goals, 64 games)
2.538 : 1986 (132 goals, 52 games)
2.553 : 1974 (97 goals, 38 games)
2.672 : 1998 (171 goals, 64 games)
2.684 : 1978 (102 goals, 38 games)
*2010 final yet to be played

It is evident that the goals per games have dropped the more games played, even though the competition has increased the numbers of CONCACAF, African and Asian sides entering. All FOUR of the World Cups since they expanded to 32 teams feature in the seven lowest scoring World Cups, maybe a reflection of the increased defending standard, or perhaps a lot of sides trying to grind out results.

The first five World Cups had the most goals per game, 1930 having the fewest of said five with 3.889 and 1954 the most with 5.250 goals per game. 1970 had the most goals per game of what you might loosely call the 'modern era' with 2.969 goals per game.

Despite the increase in numbers of African sides at the World Cups in 1998, a record six African sides this World Cup, their scoring rate has been far from impressive and their progress minimal

A very African World Cup?

Games : P20 W4 D6 L10 F17 A24
Goals per game for : 0.850
Goals per game against : 1.200
Goals per game aggregate : 2.050

Ghana won two of the four games the continent of Africa won, and participated in five of the 20 games played scoring five and conceding four. Ivory Coast and South Africa only won their last game when the tournament was all but over for them, Cameroon, Algeria and Nigeria all went home winless and having scored just five goals in nine games between them. Someone, possibly Jordaan, has come out and said this World Cup is a success due to attendances, but is that the only measure? And of course that could simply be down to ticket sale policies. The dire noise that is vuvuzelas and the lack of a real atmosphere, coupled with another poor show (overall) by Africa as hosts and lack of goals makes me suggest it isn't the best. We will have a first, the first time Spain or Holland has won the World Cup, but overall I think there have been way too many minuses - and I'm not basing that on England's overall tournament minus of goal difference!

If vuvuzelas are "atmosphere" does that mean the drone of cars on a motorway give it "atmosphere" ? Or the noise of a pneumatic drill gives a street "atmosphere" ? Or indeed when fire alarms go off in buildings? Or car alarms out in streets/car parks?!? It is one single MONOTONOUS drone, that isn't music or atmosphere, it is noise. Music involves multiple notes/chords, not one long drone of the same note. I hope sports venues/bodies are quick to ban them, there's bound to be some idiots 'think' they are great.

by **Owzat** » Sun Jul 11, 2010 10:40 am

fivecups wrote:Germany beat both England and Argentina precisely because they were the ones in control of the match.

Germany beat England because England made too many defensive mistakes which cost them three goals

Goal one vs England : route one right down the middle to where CBs should have been, James had the chance to come out and clear but decided to track back into goal

Goal two vs England : defence again dragged sideways by a zig zag passing movement and the RB came across to cover the gap leaving the scorer free inside the box to put through James' legs at his near post

Goal three vs England : Barry loses possession, Johnson well out of position and no LB cover before James' touch on the ball is not enough to stop it

Goal one vs Argentina : no real marking from the free-kick allowing free header

Goal two vs Argentina : numbers over because of missed tackle and noone tracking back, defender swings leg at cross but misses and unmarked goal as keeper is caught in no-mans land (too close to his near post so unable to cut out pull-back)

Goal three - limp challenge on edge of six yard box, neither keeper nor other defender could cut out the pull-back with weak challenges

Game was over by the fourth goal in both games, but neither side defended the first three goals well. Argentina had the stuffing knocked out of them by the early goal, England probably more so by the equaliser that wasn't given, but that doesn't excuse them giving away three soft goals and thus increasing the pressure on themselves

Goal three vs Argentina :

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