Excepting the very last match between Netherlands and Costa Rica three other quarter finals of Brazil World Cup 2014 failed to impress being a bit anticlimax to the very entertaining and enthralling contests seen prior to quarter finals.
All favorites however from this stage managed to go through into what are expected high voltage semifinals of European and South American soccer giants appearing against each other. Brazil will play Germany and Argentina faces Netherlands. After some many ups and downs three out of four pre-tournament favorites Brazil, Argentina and Germany are through to the semifinal. The only exception is the last time losing finalist Netherland replacing reigning Champions Spain in the last four.
The semifinals create all sorts of possibilities. There can be all European final, can be all South American Final or can be Europe South American football war. Brazil and Argentina for their continental advantage are in a little bit favored position. But Brazil losing Neymar and Argentina handicapped from Di Maria and Aguero possibly not available have somewhat neutralized that advantage. Three of four Brazil, Argentina and Germany shared among them ten of the previous world cup. Only Netherlands of the four never won it being losing semifinalists in three previous occasions including in 2010 at South Africa. Netherlands winning it will be a new record otherwise for three others it will be adding new feather to their cap.
Brazil: Germany Semifinal Preview:
Brazil always appears in the world cup with the favorite tag. They not only won a record five times in the past but it also is the only team to qualify for all 20 world cups so far. This time they are in HEXA mission in their own territory. Germany has won the cup three times and is considered the most consistent football team in world stage. They have quality, depth and experience to challenge the best of the best. Though the unexpected exit of young Brazilian prodigy Neymar served a telling blow to Brazil’s cause the match is expected to see entertaining football with very little to choose between the two sides. It is almost impossible to choose a firm favorite. Brazil has better organized defence (Marcelo, Daniel Alves, David Luiz and Dante) even without suspended captain Thiago Silva and Germany has opportunist strikers in Thomas Mueller and Miroslav Klose. Compared to the very mobile forwards German defence looked vulnerable in matches they played so far. Ghana and Alegeria asked many questions. Brazil attack will lose some bite in absence of Neymar but as tournament progressed more and more Brazilians started participating in the teams attack raising their game to a step higher progressively. Both teams however have issues in the midfield. War hardened veteran Brazilian boss is yet to prove his point of not considering Robinho and Kaka in the squad. Bernard and Jo have not been used yet. Anyone who has listened to Neymar making a tear soaked appeal to his team would acknowledge that his comrades will have additional motivation now to commit their best in the match.
Brazil looked far more aggressive in the match against Columbia after their ordinary showing and to some extent lucky escape against Chile. In that action packed match Brazil could successfully break the Colombian momentum playing a tough match of sometimes ugly physical. But in the process they lost Neymar through injury and Captain Thiago Silva getting suspension with a second yellow card. But the match proved one point that Brazil and Scholari knows how to change gear and when. Brazil even now a formidable opponent and beating Brazil in Brazil will require a lot of character. Mere quality and skill may not be enough.
Germany had ups and down in five matches they have played so far. They started with a bang in the first match against Portugal destroying their aspirations of their European contestants in the group match. Then keeping to their tradition of playing a second match of world cup out of character they struggled to hold a very impressive African side Ghana. Germany also could only scarp through with a 1-0 win over USA in topping Group G early a pre-quarter date with yet another African team Algeria. Germany should thank their luck in getting over spirited Algeria 2-1 in a hotly contested match. German team complaining of viral infection before their Quarter Final against France looked tired and exhausted. Perhaps playing in extremely heat and humidity in Brazil took toll of unaccustomed German team. But though Germans could win by the barest Margin against France they did not actually look like losing the match at any stage of the match. Germany has very effective strikers and goal getters. Thomas Mueller and Miroslav Klose can score from even half chances. Khedira and Schweinstegier will require acting as bride between the defence and attack to carry German hopes a bit more strongly. German defence will have to get smarter as Brazil will take much difficult examination of them with fast furious attacks coming from all direction. Brazil will possibly bring in Bayern Munich defender Dante in place of Thiago. He knows lot more about Mueller and co from his German League experience .Philip Lahm, Mersut Ozil and Boateng will have to step up their game to neutralize Brazilian probable avalanche. It will be a classic contest between the two evenly matched team. Anybody’s game we would say with Brazil enjoying a little bit of home advantage.
Argentina : Netherlands Semi Final Preview:
Before the tournament started it was a popular question can the arguably the best player now playing football and one of the best ever played the game little Master Lionel Messi can be a Maradona? Can he carry his strong Argentina team all the way on his small but able shoulders like his predecessors did twice in winning the world cup almost single handedly. Well Messi the magic has so far done this in his own magical way. True the team did not look very impressive in any of the five matches they played so far winning every match by the barest of margin but a little midas touch of left foot of little master made all the difference. Messi can make all the difference in any match does not matter how tight it may be. But even he may find it a tough going against the most inform team of the tournament a very eager Netherlands. Two of the fabulous four (Messi-Di Maria, Higuain and Aguero) Di Maria and Aguero are out of action changing the balance of the match a little. Argentina including Messi looked a bit subdued against young energetic Belgium. But then again Argentina really did not look like losing and from a piece Messi magic Higuain scored the all-important goal. Against a very powerful Netherland side playing dynamic total football Argentina will have its work cut out. Absence of Di Maria and Aguero beside Messi will be clearly felt.
Netherland on the other hand started very impressively igniting fire to World Cup 2014 with a massive 5-1 battering of reigning champions Spain. They were also one of the four teams which include Argentina, Belgium and Colombia proceeding to second round with three straight wins. They also scored the highest number of goals ten to be exact in the group matches conceding three (two in one match against Australia). They had to sweat and toil against Mexico in their only difficult match so far. Agents Costa Rica they had to overcome a dogged Costa Rica and their luck in overcoming them in penalty shootout. Perhaps on another day Netherland could run away with a flurry of goals from several opportunities come their way. Robin Van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder are three fearsome strikers in World Football. They will definitely be hunting for goals and if fortune favors them a bit they win shock Argentina. With Di Maria being ruled out from the present world cup with injury and Aguero possibly not fit again Dutch defence will have to police only Messi in the match as Higuain is still not looking at his best. But who know whether moments of Messi Magic can change the game. Though billions of Messi and Argentine fans will dream for an Argentine win possibly Netherland will win the match.
As has been discussed above an all European or all South American final are possibilities, it will be fair that the two continents are equally represented in the final at Maracana. Will world Football welcome a new World Champion with an Orange Revolution? Will Brazil achieve its HEXA Dream? Will Magical Messi lift the cup? Will German Engine go all the way? Only destiny will decide. At this stage we can only say World Cup Brazil 2014 is delicately poised.
BDST: 0934 HRS, JUL 07, 2014
