WC-MOTD23-P2
Day 23:
Netherlands vs. Argentina: Part 2:-
Argentina were ever reliant on counter-attacks; but they were incapable of utilizing them properly as their lack of a support striker behind Higuaín really killed their offensive approach.
They continuously opted to go wide whenever they went forward, and also continuously sent wayward passes and/or crosses across the opposition’s final third.
Neither team was taking any risks as the half slowly came to an end, with both sides still defending deep and not committing many bodies forward.
Holland showed real intent to win the game with their substitutions and tactical changes; but somehow retreated into their own half slowly and became subdued in their attacking approach.
Meanwhile, Argentina looked to inject more attacking potential into their team with the clock ticking down.
At the end of normal time, it isn’t ludicrous to say that the Netherlands attacked more in the second half and had one or two proper chances at scoring that elusive goal; however, their lack of urgency as the game moved on, coupled with some poor passing and Van Persie's below-average positional play, all hindered their chances going forward.
In comparison, Argentina continued playing with a defensive mindset for the rest of the game; refusing to commit too many players in attack and continuously shifting play out wide.
In the opposition’s final third, their inability to hold onto possession, and the lack of support Higuaín received (in addition to his own slightly average performance) made sure that they were not really going to cause the Dutch many problems at the back.
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The first half of extra time inherited the recurring theme from the first 90 minutes; namely, Holland reverting to playing mostly on the break, while Argentina being seemingly short of genuine ideas going forward.
Both teams’ late offensive substitutions signaled that they were trying to go for a win, with Argentina now seeing more of the ball, but unable to deliver that final pass in the box (a lack of mere physical presence inside!).
The Netherlands, meanwhile, were looking to focus more on physical forward play and delivering aerial balls from out wide.
It was a display of “doses” of offensive movements from either side as neither was able to break the opposition’s defense with a correct final touch in and around the box.
Admittedly, the Argentineans were now attacking from more central areas, but still had difficulties getting behind Holland’s stable backline.
The second half of extra time did not witness a drastic change in the way things had been going so far.
However, Argentina injected a final “boost” of attacking vigor into their game, but wasted two glorious chances in front of goal; mainly due to a shortage of technical abilities at a specific time and place on the pitch, while fatigue also played its role too.
Neither team really invested too much in terms of carving-out a win so a draw after 120 minutes was a fair result for both sides.
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Argentina put-in a great defensive performance (probably one of their best over the last decade), and have a lot of positives to which they can look forward in terms of stability at the back.
In attack, they were largely subdued and, given the nature of how Messi was completely marked-out, missed a true element of creativity in midfield (think Di Maria!).
The good news for them is that they are in their first WC final for over 24 years, and now have a genuine chance at career-defining (for some players) glory!
Following the result of the penalty kicks, it is rather unfortunate for the Netherlands to exit the WC in such a fashion. They played some great games in the group-stage and, apart from the first 80 minutes or so against Mexico, were fully deserving of a place in the final.
The great tactical nous from their coaching staff saw them rise to each challenge they faced; even though, for the most part, that they had a fairly inexperienced and young squad who have not been tested at such a big stage before.
They took their infamous “total football” to a whole new level as they maneuvered their way through many obstacles and were unlucky not to be rewarded at the end of it all.
Nevertheless, they leave the competition with no reason NOT to hold their heads high after some scintillating performances (a lot of credit to Robben, Sneijder, Vlaar and Van Persie), and they will surely be missed in Rio on the 13th of July 2014.
Man of the match: Javier Mascherano: He was absolutely phenomenal all over the pitch, while also rescuing his team-mates time and again with some sharply-timed tackles and clearances.
Honorable mention: Ron Vlaar: The Aston Villa captain also had a great game (apart from the PK miss!) and it's truly sad to see him on the losing end of it all!
Netherlands vs. Argentina: Part 2:-
Argentina were ever reliant on counter-attacks; but they were incapable of utilizing them properly as their lack of a support striker behind Higuaín really killed their offensive approach.
They continuously opted to go wide whenever they went forward, and also continuously sent wayward passes and/or crosses across the opposition’s final third.
Neither team was taking any risks as the half slowly came to an end, with both sides still defending deep and not committing many bodies forward.
Holland showed real intent to win the game with their substitutions and tactical changes; but somehow retreated into their own half slowly and became subdued in their attacking approach.
Meanwhile, Argentina looked to inject more attacking potential into their team with the clock ticking down.
At the end of normal time, it isn’t ludicrous to say that the Netherlands attacked more in the second half and had one or two proper chances at scoring that elusive goal; however, their lack of urgency as the game moved on, coupled with some poor passing and Van Persie's below-average positional play, all hindered their chances going forward.
In comparison, Argentina continued playing with a defensive mindset for the rest of the game; refusing to commit too many players in attack and continuously shifting play out wide.
In the opposition’s final third, their inability to hold onto possession, and the lack of support Higuaín received (in addition to his own slightly average performance) made sure that they were not really going to cause the Dutch many problems at the back.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The first half of extra time inherited the recurring theme from the first 90 minutes; namely, Holland reverting to playing mostly on the break, while Argentina being seemingly short of genuine ideas going forward.
Both teams’ late offensive substitutions signaled that they were trying to go for a win, with Argentina now seeing more of the ball, but unable to deliver that final pass in the box (a lack of mere physical presence inside!).
The Netherlands, meanwhile, were looking to focus more on physical forward play and delivering aerial balls from out wide.
It was a display of “doses” of offensive movements from either side as neither was able to break the opposition’s defense with a correct final touch in and around the box.
Admittedly, the Argentineans were now attacking from more central areas, but still had difficulties getting behind Holland’s stable backline.
The second half of extra time did not witness a drastic change in the way things had been going so far.
However, Argentina injected a final “boost” of attacking vigor into their game, but wasted two glorious chances in front of goal; mainly due to a shortage of technical abilities at a specific time and place on the pitch, while fatigue also played its role too.
Neither team really invested too much in terms of carving-out a win so a draw after 120 minutes was a fair result for both sides.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Argentina put-in a great defensive performance (probably one of their best over the last decade), and have a lot of positives to which they can look forward in terms of stability at the back.
In attack, they were largely subdued and, given the nature of how Messi was completely marked-out, missed a true element of creativity in midfield (think Di Maria!).
The good news for them is that they are in their first WC final for over 24 years, and now have a genuine chance at career-defining (for some players) glory!
Following the result of the penalty kicks, it is rather unfortunate for the Netherlands to exit the WC in such a fashion. They played some great games in the group-stage and, apart from the first 80 minutes or so against Mexico, were fully deserving of a place in the final.
The great tactical nous from their coaching staff saw them rise to each challenge they faced; even though, for the most part, that they had a fairly inexperienced and young squad who have not been tested at such a big stage before.
They took their infamous “total football” to a whole new level as they maneuvered their way through many obstacles and were unlucky not to be rewarded at the end of it all.
Nevertheless, they leave the competition with no reason NOT to hold their heads high after some scintillating performances (a lot of credit to Robben, Sneijder, Vlaar and Van Persie), and they will surely be missed in Rio on the 13th of July 2014.
Man of the match: Javier Mascherano: He was absolutely phenomenal all over the pitch, while also rescuing his team-mates time and again with some sharply-timed tackles and clearances.
Honorable mention: Ron Vlaar: The Aston Villa captain also had a great game (apart from the PK miss!) and it's truly sad to see him on the losing end of it all!
Ahmad Al-Omar - 10. Jul, 01:13
