It was a busy day of action in Brazil yesterday with 4 games taking place to decide the placing’s for both Groups’ A and B.
In the early kick-offs, Spain saw off Australia 3.0 in the dead rubber of the group while the Netherlands overcame Chile 2.0 to seal their position as group winners with a very impressive full set of points. Both games were pretty unremarkable and Chile’s failure to find the net was a personal disappointment although for the tournament, it might be better to see the Dutch avoiding Brazil in the last 16 but that fate now awaits the Chileans who will be hopeful of causing a stir on Saturday’s 6pm kick off against the hosts. Spain got the win they expected but this is a tournament they will want to forget quickly but at least they found some nice goals in their final fixture with David Villa bowing out of the International stage with a fine back-heeled goal. The late games brought much more excitement as Mexico caused a minor stir by racing into a 3 goal lead against Croatia as they threatened to overtake the Brazilians on goal difference to top the group but substitute Fernandino found a late 4th to secure top spot in a comfortable 4.1 victory over Cameroon to bring up my -2 bet on the handicap and with my boy Neymar bagging 2, it was good result for both the hosts and for Bo. Brazil still look very average at the back and in Fred and Hulk they have 2 forwards who are offering very little to bring excitement to the party. Without Neymar, they would have almost 0 chance to win this competition but with the Barcelona man looking so impressive and seemingly enjoying the task of carrying his countries hopes on his slight shoulders (really this is where Hulk should be doing more given his ample frame) and with 4 goals, he has every chance to be top goalscorer at initial odds of 10/1 now shortened to a mere 2/1. Chile will represent very dangerous opponents to the hosts on Saturday and it certainly would not be the biggest shock if the Chileans push the hosts to the very edge in what should be a really great encounter. I expect Brazil to progress in that match but if Chile can find top gear it could turn out to be the upset of the century. Mexico’s victory was highly impressive and I while I tipped up Croatia to win, this was a tie that could have gone either way but the Mexicans ran out worthy winners to send the Croats like their neighbours Bosnia, home after the 1st stage and Mexico through to take on Holland in what should be another fine encounter. The Mexicans came into the tournament without much expectation after a dreadful qualifying campaign that forced them into a playoff with New Zealand having finished 4th out of 6 in their group but they have really turned it around at this year’s tournament and they should run the Dutch close on Sunday although I will be backing the Oranje boys to make it the quarter finals. Today’s action see’s a huge crunch clash between Uruguay and Italy with the Uruguayans needing 3 points to seal their place in the next round at the expense of the Italians who in years gone by could be relied upon to put up a pragmatic and dogged defence style to seal the point they need but this is 2014 and the likes of Maldini and Cannavaro are long since departed and it would be a real surprise (At least to me) if they can play out for the draw they need. I fully expect the Uruguayans to be up for this one and in Luis Suarez, they have a man who is capable of wrecking the Italians dreams. England take on Costa Rica with the Central American’s needing only a point to secure top spot in the group and what a remarkable achievement that would be and the English are looking to restore some pride in their final fixture with coach Hodgson naming a much changed line up. I have yet to finalise my selections but needless to say I quite fancy BTTS in these games with Luis Suarez a cert to feature in my daily anytime goalscorer double. Later on in the evening we see the conclusion to Group C with Colombia looking for the point they need to win the group against a disappointing Japan who need a little miracle to progress while Ivory Coast also require a point against Greece to secure their place in the last 16. The Ivorians should have too much for the Greeks while Colombia and Japan could produce a BTTS occasion with the Asians looking to inject some much needed life into what has been pretty poor fare from a side I expected so much better. I will post a small preview and some final selections later today Comments are closed.
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