After the controversy of the opening match and poor refereeing decisions, we went into Day 2 hoping that the football would make the headlines. Football is never as simple as that and Day 2 of the 2014 World Cup provided us with both sides of the beautiful game.
Mexico V Cameroon
The day began with the 5pm kick off between Mexico and Cameroon. Cameroon who were a shambles in qualification, and even in the run up to the Finals, there was talk of player disputes and strikes. Not ideal preparation for a World Cup Finals. The opening half exposed all of these cracks and Cameroon were a shambles. Mexico who were neat and tidy and were well able to keep possession and create chances. In fact in the first half they scored 2 perfectly good goals through ex Spurs and Barcelona forward Dos Santos. Both were deemed to be offside and replays showed clearly both were legitimate goals. Mexico went in at half time in the soaking conditions, I am sure angry and frustrated. However after a sluggish start to the second half they did not let this get to them. Mexico scored a well worked team goal and deservedly took the lead through their experienced striker Peralta. Cameroon were never getting back into the game although they did have half a chance near the end. Mexico started the tournament composed and with a clear game plan and their game against Croatia in the final group game will be the group decider in my view. Cameroon will go home early and may prove to be one of the worst teams in the tournament.
Spain V Netherlands
The second game of the day was a repeat of the last World Cup Final in South Africa, Spain V Netherlands. Both teams had questions marks hanging over their heads coming into the game. Did Spain have too much mileage on the clock, Was tika taka dead ? For the The Dutch it was can their forward three propel their younger defensive colleagues to glory? The expectations in Holland were low amongst journalists and fans alike. The Dutch fans outnumbered the Spanish, close to 5 to 1 and before kick off if you were to say that would be reflected in the score line at the end, you would have been visited by men in white coats, and no not GAA umpires.
Spain chose to prepare for the tournament at high altitude rather than the humidity training, many countries went for. This was either going to be an inspired or a disastrous choice. I think we got our answer here. From the start Holland were in the faces of the Spanish. Not quite as aggressive as four years ago and the right side the rules this time. They did not let Spain dictate the pace of the game in the way they like. Sneijder had a chance early on when he shot straight at Cassilas. This exposed cracks in the Spanish centre back partnership of Pique and Ramos. They looked fragile. However a debateable penatly mid way through the first half for a "foul" on Costa was converted by Alonso. This gave Spain the impression that all was ok and that they were in control and they could have made it 2 with a chance for Sliva towards the end of the second half. However the match was lit up in the 44th minute with a moment of pure footballing genius from Robin Van Persie. A beautiful 30 yard pass from the young Blind with his father watching on, was met by the flying Van Persie's with his head, in a moment that will go down as a classic World Cup Goal. It had shades of Bergkamp and DeBoer from Marseille in 1998. This was the goal that the Dutch needed, to give them faith and confidence in the system that Van Gaal had deployed. The game changed on this moment of genius.
The second half had only just begun when another great pass from Blind this time to Robben, was pulled from the sky with an exquisite first touch and smashed into the back of the net by Robben. 2-1 and Spain were ragged. Although they had a goal disallowed through offside, Spain had lost the one thing they crave in a football match, and that is control. Van Gaal was tactically beating Del Bosque up and Costa and Alonso were withdrawn. However the problems were in other places. Ramos Pique and the experienced Cassislas were all having nightmares and Holland got two goals directly from goalkeeping mistakes. One from when the keeper misjudged the flight of a cross and another when his first touched let him down and Van Persie pounced to slide it in to an empty net. The Dutch fans rubbed it in with cheers of Olés for every Dutch pass. Spain were a shambles and what was most surprising was that the scoreline did not flatter the Dutch. A final goal from Robben which made it 5 and the high fave between Van Gaal and Van Persie that marked the first goal had proved to be prophetic. Spain did lose the opening game of the last World Cup to Switzerland. But this was differnt and felt it. Spain have serious questions to ask themselves. Do they keep faith with Cassilas? Do Ramos and Pique survive for the next match? Do they go back to their tried and trusted strikerless formation? Del Bosque is a great coach and it will be interesting to see how he responds to this setback. For the Dutch everything went right for them in the second half, but Van Gaal seems to have them set up brilliantly that maximises their resources. Their defence will face different tests as the tournament goes on but Group B opened with a bang.
Chile V Australia
The late game on Day 2 was the much fancied Chileans against an Australian team that were written off by many. For many non footballing fans Chile and Australia are sections within the Wine Department of an off licence. The question was, which sort of vintage would both countries produce. For the Australians it was a young team with a couple of experienced campaigners such as Tim Cahill thrown in. Chile according to many reports were about to produce a vintage crop and it in the words of Frank Sinatra, it could be a "very good year". Chile started the much better side and were 2 goals in front after 14 minutes and looked to be running Australia ragged. Slick attacking play with effective one twos were exposing the ponderous Australian defence but gradually the Socceroos started to get back into the game. A trademark header from Tim Cahll before half time gave them hope. Cahill will go down as one of the great headers of the ball. For a guy who is not a giant, his leap and timing are perfection when it comes to winning headers in the box. The second half was open and competitive and Australia were never out of the game and exposed defensive fragilities in the Chilean team. A third goal towards the end, sealed the victory for Chile and put a sheen on a win that was far from simple for Chile. Chile play Spain next and will be seeking revenge for their defeat in 2010. A draw may suit the Chileans but their style of play does not suit playing for such an outcome. It promises to be a cracker.
Day 2 really sparked the opening of the World Cup and if it continues along these lines it should be a great tournament. A stunning result in Salvador for the Dutch will make headlines throughout the world. So far we have had 4 games and only one team has failed to score and there has been a total of 15 goals so far. It could be a "very good year" alright.
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