Team Focus: How Did the USA Really do at the World Cup?
by Graham Ruthven
at vendredi, juil. 4 2014 15:30
If the 2010 World Cup hinted at the potential for football in the United States, 2014 came close to realisation. Nearly 30,000 fans watched the USA’s last-16 clash with Belgium at Soldier Field, Chicago, with countless open-screenings also drawing supporters all over the country.An estimated T...
Team Focus: France's Strength in Depth Can Lead Them to Glory
by Ben McAleer
at jeudi, juil. 3 2014 16:00
Team Focus: Agüero Injury Could Prove a Positive for Argentina
by Martin Laurence
at lundi, juin 30 2014 17:00
Argentina were pre-tournament favourites with many ahead of the World Cup in neighbouring Brazil reason for one reason. Their firepower.While the doubts over Lionel Messi's ability to step up on the biggest stage possible at international level have certainly been allayed, it's been somewhat of a on...
Team Focus: Highest Rated World Cup Group Stages XI
by Ben McAleer
at vendredi, juin 27 2014 17:15
136 goals were scored in the group stages of the 2014 World Cup, a significant improvement on South Africa 2010 where the ball hit the net 101 times in the opening 48 games. European giants Spain, Portugal, Italy and England all crashed out at the first hurdle, while Brazil, Colombia, Chile and Arge...
Team Focus: England Improve but Lack Defensive Dynamism
by Martin Laurence
at jeudi, juin 26 2014 11:54
The inquest as to why England suffered their first group stage exit from a World Cup since 1958 is already in full swing. Many thought that the team may well struggle after a tough draw but there is still understandable disappointment at falling at the first hurdle.There were some obvious downfalls ...
Team Focus: Colombia's Fearsome Attack Living Up to Expectations
by Ben McAleer
at mercredi, juin 25 2014 16:15
The more said about Colombia during the 2014 World Cup, the better - that's the feeling amongst fans and pundits alike. The South American nation has, unsurprisingly, taken the tournament by storm, with their brand of attacking football winning them the admirers they deserve. The 4-1 win over Japan ...
Team Focus: Costa Rica’s Surprise Package Status Down to Flawless Tactics
by Martin Laurence
at mardi, juin 24 2014 15:09
If holders Spain were the shock fallers at the first hurdle, the surprise package to emerge and progress from the group stages of the 2014 Wolrd Cup are undoubtedly Costa Rica. Jorge Luis Pinto's side know that, having beaten both Uruguay and Italy, they could yet top Group D without needing a point...
Team Focus: Germany's Adaptation of the 'False 9' Can Steer Them to Glory
by Ben McAleer
at samedi, juin 21 2014 09:00
Team Focus: Chile's Bid to Become the World & People's Champion
by Martin Laurence
at vendredi, juin 20 2014 17:06
Chile have no right to be as good as they are. That may be a sweeping statement but look at the individual components of their team and most are hardly world-beaters, despite recently becoming world champion beaters after a convincing 2-0 win over Spain.The likes of Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez w...
Team Focus: Hodgson's Archaic Approach at the Root of England's Problems
by Miguel Delaney
at vendredi, juin 20 2014 11:46
It was supposed to be so different this time. To some degree it was different, except not in the manner intended. England are now facing up to their first group-stage exit since Euro 2000, and their worst performance at a World Cup since 1958.Those are the bald facts. The more brutal truth is that t...