So the last of the group games has just finished, and there is a much
needed day off tomorrow before we get to the business end of the World Cup,
starting with Netherlands v Mexico on Saturday afternoon.
I won’t pretend that I’ve seen every kick, but of the 48
group games I’ve managed to see 28 live, another 11 in full recorded, listened
to 3 others on the radio and seen highlights of the other 6. So, after the
first round of matches, here is my ranking of every team. Obviously the best
team might not win and the top 16 won’t be those who went through. This isn’t
based on anything beyond the three group games that each team has played in the
2014 World Cup.
The first 16 are below, I’ll post the top 16 tomorrow, along
with a prediction of how the knock-out phase will work out.
32. Honduras
When they played the pre-tournament friendly against England
everyone thought they were a dirty side, but it turns out they really were going
soft on us. Offered nothing in their three games, except cynical fouling and
31. Iran
Played arguably the dullest game of the tournament against
Nigeria, unlucky not to get something from Argentina but missed a couple of
clear cut chances. Other than that happy to sit back, defend and offer very
little going forward. They did manage to provide the Iranian President with a
nice photo op though.
30. Cameroon
Had an unlucky draw, but an even worse defence. Conceded 8
goals but should have been into double figures apart from poor decisions. Alex
Song summed things up with the most stupid sending off in World Cup history
against Croatia.
29. South Korea
Played out two fairly dull draws and got taken apart by
Algeria in the space of 15 minutes. Have fallen a long way since 2002, no real
strength in any position. Lack of physical presence in the final third of the
pitch.
28. Japan
Really struggled to hit their stride, losing against Ivory
Coast after taking the lead and being unable to break down an organised Greek
team before being ripped apart by Columbia. Lacked an ability to control the
ball and make the final cutting pass.
27. Australia
No quality but plenty of fight and guts in a group that
virtually every team would have struggled against. Ran Chile and Netherlands
close before folding against Spain, but did score the goal of the tournament through
Tim Cahill.
26. England
Low expectations which were far from reached. Sloppy
defending in the first two games and a blunt attack apart from two counters
which produced the goals. So-called star players came up woefully short and tactically
inept decisions from the manager.
25. Spain
Worst ever defending Champions at a World Cup, never
recovered from the demolition Netherlands inflicted on them. The two centre
backs looked like they had walked into the ground off the street and the attack
gave little to lift the spirits.
24. Russia
Typical Fabio Capello team, well organised but lacking
inspiration and at times pretty tough to watch. Only goal of the tournament
came from some very poor Algerian defending , and spent most of their first two
games happy to see time out in midfield, even when losing to Belgium.
23. Ivory Coast
Looked unsettled by the Drogba problem, even when beating
Japan in the opening game. Ran Columbia close and unlucky to go out after a
last minute Greece penalty. Needed a couple of the Premier League stars to step
up and make a contribution.
22. Portugal
Didn’t help themselves by getting torn apart by Germany and
having Pepe sent off for a head-butt. Lucky to get a point against the USA
before beating a demoralised Ghana team. Always likely to be a one-man team but
even Ronaldo couldn’t help them, and his tantrums told the story.
21. Greece
Played exactly how many thought they would, well organised
at the back apart from the mauling by Columbia and offering very little going
forward. Very fortunate to go through but cool head from Samaras to score the
last minute penalty.
20. Ecuador
Nearly caught Switzerland cold in the first game, but lack
of ambition against France illustrated by a reluctance to bring a striker off
the bench even when needing a win. Struggled without their home altitude to
protect them, only just got past a very poor Honduras team.
19. Italy
Clinical finishing to capitalise on two mistakes against
England but offered little in the other two games, causing Costa Rica and
Uruguay few problems. Pirlo didn’t look as good as we had hoped, and the
forward line never really came to the party.
18. Ghana
Unlucky not to have taken more from their first two games.
Not especially tight at the back but always looked strong going froward. Unfortunate
that the curse of the World Cup team split hit them this year, and couldn’t
pull off the miracle they needed against Portugal.
17. Nigeria
Looked well organised and some promising players in
midfield. A little blunt going forward but did come alive through Musa against
Argentina in the last game. Well organised at the back in front of a solid
keepr, only breached by Messi, which is nothing to cry about.
The next batch will be up tomorrow….
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