Round of 16: Belgium - USA - Tuesday 01/07/2014

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BerkeleyBernie

Senior Member
STILL want to see Belgium break out of a trot; does their physio have them all on Valium? De Bruyne, Oriki, Lukaku, Mirallas- all trying to inject some tempo into the game. One could say Belgium is smart playing conservatively, probably been the least physically stretched of the quarterfinalists, but they would have saved themselves the extra half hour if they had put the game to bed in regular time. Credit to USA (especially the spot-on Tim Howard, who barely missed another kick save on the first goal), but one can't help but think that, with a little more edge, Belgium could have broken through earlier, despite the parked bus. A little quicker movement of the ball in transition, and they could have created much less tame opportunities.

Tim Howard was excellent, but Belgium rarely unlocked the USA defense; most shots were right at Howard from outside without much heat. The one excellent piece of play in regular time was the Oriki through ball to Mirallas, putting him through 1v1 with Howard. Maybe it's because their creativity is isolated out on the wings? Hazard and Mertens can't expect much creative combination from the fullbacks Vertonghen and Alderweireld, and the central midfielders, though solid, aren't any more helpful. When Belgium penetrated on the wings (often), they still carried on with the same steady jogging pace; once past one's marker, one would expect a player to up their intensity to penetrate, but they continued as before, like it was a practice match. A bit baffling. I hope, against Argentina, we'll see an edge to Belgium that has been missing (or, as yet, unnecessary).
 

spark

New member
RewardingDeadFruitbat.gif
 

Luftstalag14

Culé de Celestial Empire
Tremendous respect for the USA, especially Tim Howard, who is becoming a WC legend, with a record 15 saves.

Belgium was OK, Mirralas, Hazard and De Byrune were good. They do have a lot of space between their midfielders and their defenders, I hope Messi and Argentina will take advantage of that.
 

Richard.H

Senior Member
Tremendous respect for the USA, especially Tim Howard, who is becoming a WC legend, with a record 15 saves.

Belgium was OK, Mirralas, Hazard and De Byrune were good. They do have a lot of space between their midfielders and their defenders, I hope Messi and Argentina will take advantage of that.

16, not 15
 

Fibonacci

New member
STILL want to see Belgium break out of a trot; does their physio have them all on Valium? De Bruyne, Oriki, Lukaku, Mirallas- all trying to inject some tempo into the game. One could say Belgium is smart playing conservatively, probably been the least physically stretched of the quarterfinalists, but they would have saved themselves the extra half hour if they had put the game to bed in regular time. Credit to USA (especially the spot-on Tim Howard, who barely missed another kick save on the first goal), but one can't help but think that, with a little more edge, Belgium could have broken through earlier, despite the parked bus. A little quicker movement of the ball in transition, and they could have created much less tame opportunities.

Tim Howard was excellent, but Belgium rarely unlocked the USA defense; most shots were right at Howard from outside without much heat. The one excellent piece of play in regular time was the Oriki through ball to Mirallas, putting him through 1v1 with Howard. Maybe it's because their creativity is isolated out on the wings? Hazard and Mertens can't expect much creative combination from the fullbacks Vertonghen and Alderweireld, and the central midfielders, though solid, aren't any more helpful. When Belgium penetrated on the wings (often), they still carried on with the same steady jogging pace; once past one's marker, one would expect a player to up their intensity to penetrate, but they continued as before, like it was a practice match. A bit baffling. I hope, against Argentina, we'll see an edge to Belgium that has been missing (or, as yet, unnecessary).

What match were you watching? USA parking the bus? Hahaha.

And these guys who barely broke out of a trot where crapping themselves at the end. It will be interesting to see them vs Argentina.
 

Jesse1509

Detalles, detalles, siempre detalles
What a game! Very open, but very sloppy finishing. Belgium sucked at killing the match, at 2-0 up they conceded quickly. This could've gone to penalties because Belgium just kept trying to score more goals.

Belgium-Argentina will be an interesting match. Belgium is not a compact team, and neither is Argentina. This could be another open match. If I had to guess now, I think Argentina will win against the run of play, simply because they are far more clinical in front of goal. Belgium's dominance against the USA didn't translate into a comfortable lead after 90 minutes.
 
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