Day 11 Review

England v Panama

Prediction: 3-0 England

Result: 6-1 England

Panama came into the game thinking they needed to get a result after Belgium already were sitting on 6 points and England on 3. This meant giving up some defensive stability for more attack and they paid for it. A quick goal from a smart corner play and followed by a Penalty just minutes later saw Panama fall apart. Although they had a good attack or 2 they lacked the quality up front to even hit the target. Another smart set piece and penalty saw England go into halftime 5-0 up. The first time England have scored more than 3 goals in a half since their 1966 World Cup winning side.

A very lack luster second half. Kane capped off his hattrick before being substituted and Panama broke the World Cup duck with a good goal. England seemed too scared to concede more and instead of attacking to get a 7th just passed the ball around the back for the majority of the half.

Belgium and England are now both through and Panama and Tunisia will do battle to avoid bottom of the group. Seeing how Panama celebrated their goal even at 6-1 down, I'm excited to watch them both.

Japan v Senegal

Prediction: 2-0 Senegal

Result: 2-2

An even first half that was devoid of many chances, Senegal breaking the deadlock through some terrible defending and goalkeeping, a deflected save straight into Mane's knee that went straight in. Japan then had to chase the game and were able to get in behind the African defence with long balls to their front men. Inui equalising with a great curled shot. Those 2 goals really the only 2 chances of the half.

What was basically a mirror of the first half. Both teams creating some chances but no real clear cut ones. The only clear cut chances were however converted. Once again Senegal took the lead off some poor defending then Japan found a way to strike back.

A draw means neither team are yet guaranteed next round football and have everything to play for next week.

Colombia v Poland

Prediction: 2-1 Colombia

Result: 3-0 Colombia

A quite uninspired first half with neither team getting shots on target until the 40th minute which resulted in Colombia breaking the deadlock. Once again Lewandowski was left alone up front and never got involved int he game nor received good service form his midfield.

The 2nd half Poland pushed a little harder for the equaliser and Lewandowski had to come back to his own half to get the ball and try and inject himself more into the game but to no avail. Colombia were too quick in their passing and movement for the Polish defence who were carved apart 2 moire times for a comfortable 3-0 scoreline for Colombia.

Colombia now all but book their spot in their next round whilst Poland will only have pride to play for in the final game.

Round 2 Wrap-Up
Correct Scores: 1/16
(2-0 Brazil)

Correct Results: 11/16

Incorrect Results: 5/16

And So Ends Matchday 2

 Vs 

The final game in Group G seens England against Panama. Panama had an ok showing last time out against a very strong Belgium team and managed to hold a them to 0-0 until the 2nd half. A much stronger showing especially when you consider how Belgium dismantled Morocco yesterday.

England were stout in defence but pretty poor going forward. Sterling was not is usual self and failed to add anything to the England attack. Unlike the England of old, this team has some grit and will to win. Enter Harry Kane. This is the first english striker in a very long time who is a genuine finisher and poacher. Just what England need.

Although Panama showed they can hold out Belgium for long periods, you can't really seeing them doing it for 90 minutes against any kind of competent attack. England bagging all 3 points will end this group and send both themselves and Belgium through. 3-0 England.

 Vs 

Japan had a mixed game last time against Colombia, although Colombia went down to 10-men within the first 5 minutes, Japan could not control the game and eventually conceded and equaliser in the first half. They seemed to be overawed by the occasion and couldn't handle the swift penetrating attacks of Colombia.

Senegal were inspiring against Poland in both attack and defence. They didn't give an inch and attacked with ferocity and a well drilled plan. They look by far the strongest African team at the Tournament and will need the fly the flag for their continent as most the other African nations are now knocked out.

Japan although they sit on 3 points after beating Colombia, unless they improve dramatically that will be their only 3 points they get. If Senegal produce the same quality they did against Poland this shouldn't be a contest. 2-0 Senegal.

 Vs 

Colombia were unfortunate to be down to 10-men so early which scuppered any kind of hope at winning the game and playing to their plan. They had to substitute their attacking winger who was causing problems for Japan in order to get a defensive replacement on the field. Falcao showed his age not being able to outrun defenders when the long balls came in, but they still looked confident and managed to equalise even with a man down. If they stay with their full team for this game, they will have hopes for  a win.

Poland were very poor in their first game both defensively and in attack. Lewandowski was a no show and didn't help Poland that much. Their midfield and defence also made alot of unforced errors which eventually led to conceding the goals. They know they need to improve and probably will improve against a much more dynamic attack from Colombia.

Both these teams sit on 0 points after their first games and both suffered from "idiotic plays" that cost them the game. Both teams showed they have mistakes in them but Colombia showed they are still a force on attack. Both will NEED 3 points to get through this group. 2-1 Colombia.

Day 6 Review

Colombia v Japan

Prediction: 3-1 Colombia

Result: 2-1 Japan

A moment of madness saw Colombia go down to 10-men within 4 minutes of play for a deliberate handball to stop a Japanese shot. So because of this it his hard to judge Colombia's game which degraded into long-balls to Falcao, and Japan's game against 10-men.

Japan were poor in the first half and seemed as if they wanted to sit on their 1 goal advantage from the penalty which was canceled out after a Falcao dive for a freekick which was cheekily kicked underneath the wall by Quintero.



Japan were dominant in the 2nd half finally putting their extra man advantage to good use with good midfield possession but lacked quality to unlock Colombia's defence; scoring the winner from a corner.
Every game in this group will be hard fought with Poland and Senegal coming up so 3 points for Japan here is absolutely huge.
Also of note, they are the first Asian nation to beat a South American nation at a World Cup.

Poland v Senegal

Prediction: 2-1 Poland

Result: 2-1 Senegal

For a game that was very end-to-end in the first half it produced very little shots and no shots on target. The deadlock broken by an off-target shot that was deflected goal-wards. Both teams were quite poor upfront which is strange considering this was the Mane v Lewandowski showdown.

Senegal sat back in the 2nd half just defending their lead and Poland simply were not good enough to break them down. A poor passback from Poland gifted Senegal their 2nd and wrapped the game up. A headed goal from a free kick was good for Poland in order to make sure their goal difference didn't get out of hand.

With Senegal taking on Japan and Poland having to deal with Colombia you can't see Poland getting out of this group anymore. Especially with performances like that.

Round 1 wrap-up
Predicted correct score: 2/16
Iran 1-0 & Sweden 1-0

Predicted correct result: 10/16

Predicted wrong: 6/16

Russia v Egypt

Prediction: 2-0 Egypt

Result: 3-1 Russia

Mo Salah's return was touted as the big turn around Egypt would need. Sadly he was clearly not at full fitness, seeing him dodge challenges that he would normally bust through he did not trust his shoulder 100%. Egypt also played with 2 up front against Russia which worked against them. Last time out they played 5-4-1 basically and frustrated Uruguay without being 100% solid. Changing to a 4-4-2 opened up so many more holes in their defence Russia punished them hard.

Russia were lucky to get the breakthrough with a deflected shot which forced Egypt to attack the game even more than they were which left their defence in shambles. Russia were a lot more solid defensively and more stable in the midfield obviously buoyed from their last performance. Russia were deserved winners and now are 99% guaranteed to get out of the group.

It's sad to see Egypt wait 30 years to qualify for w World Cup and be knocked out by 2 straight losses. They will always think "what if Salah was fit", but I think they went away from their defensive style which almost got them a point against Uruguay which backfired. They did not fight for their right to play and Russia punished them.

Game 16: Republic of Poland v Republic of Senegal

The final game of round 1 sees one of the best African teams against one of the best European teams.\

Poland (The White and Reds) have been a surprise team of late and not in a good way. They failed to qualify in both 2010 and 2014, however have shown a whole new side to their game founded on a strong defence. Now ranked 8th in the world, Poland have had very good results of late. They did not lose a single game in the EUROS losing on penalties to eventual winners Portugal in the quarter finals.

Highlighted by 2 goalkeepers who are finally coming of age in Fabianski and Szczesny, solid defenders such as Piszczek and with one of the world best strikers up front in Robert Lewandowski, Poland have a strong enough team to compete with anyone.

Poland impressed in qualifying only losing once and topping their group.

Senegal (The Lions of Teranga) have by far the coolest FA logo. A team that is surprisingly only at its 2nd ever world cup despite always having very good players. After reaching the quarter finals in 2002, this team of players would like to dream of repeating such a feat.

Senegal made it through qualifying undefeated based on solid defence and a ferocious counter attack. Boasting a team where every single one of their players plays in Europe except their goalie. The tip of the spear is Liverpool's Sadio Mane who is deadly in front of goal. A slew of 0-0 draws in the lead up to the tournament isn't ideal, but as we've already seen, once the players take the field, history means very little.

Both these teams will want to get off on the right foot with an extremely tight group where every team will believe they can make it out, it will either lead to very attacking football so teams can get an advantage or very defensive one in order to not give their opponents momentum. This is a very tough call, with my head saying Poland but my heart says Senegal. 2-1 Poland.