For seventy minutes Argentina played the perfect away game. It looked as if Argentina lost their shape after the Riquleme substitution. They started to defend deeper and Klose's goal was a great piece of opportunism. He anticipated Borowski's flick on perfectly and Franco had no chance whatsoever.
Cruz is on for Crespo and although he lacks Crespo's mobility he is better in the air and harder to knock off the ball.
This one has a penalty kick look about it. The betting column in the Times says that penalty kicks actually favour the away team.
Both countries are 3-0 in WC penalty deciders. Germany has scored 13 of 14 and Argentina 11 of 14 penalties.
I am not certain how much of a factor that this is Argentina's second extra time in six days comes into play today. However, I'll say that mentally they definitely know what it is going to take to excel against a German squad playing with 12 men .......!!!!!!
If Argentina loses, I can see the Argentinian newspapers now. 'PEKERMAN FAILS TO PUT IN MESSI'. Seriously, he's going to be excoriated by the press for botching his substitutions if the Argies go down.
Chris, I fear you may be right. After shaping this immensely talented team into the single greatest World Cup threat of 2006, if this one is lost, I think Pekerman is going to get shafted. Let's hope the best for him because he has obviously done a fine job to this point.
I'm not watching the game but to be honest I don't like the choice of Cruz. I think Saviola or Messi would run the German defenders into absolute fatigue.
Chris,
I agree with you regarding the press, but he had no choice with the goalkeeper.
He also made his subs before the German goal, so his thought process was kind of valid, try to hold on for the 1-0 win.
On a personal note, I hate to see either of these teams go out, they've been the best two performing teams so far, IMHO.
Last edited by ibroxloyal1 on June 30th at 10:15 AM.
Lehman in goal? How much of a factor can this possibly be if this game goes to Penalties? Some may say he saved Riquelme in the Champions League. However, Lehman hasn't really been tested and he's look shaky all tournament. Germany's exhausted their subs, who would you prefer in Goal, Kahn or Lehman?
Kevonanb,
I was surprised when Lehman got the nod as first choice goalkeeper... Kahn by far is the better keeper, in my opinion, especially in pressure situations.
If Argentina lose this one it will be the most talked about substitution since Alf Ramsay took off Bobby Charlton against West Germany in 1970 and Germany then came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2.
Exactly, it's a shame that Pekerman's hands were tied because of the goalie injury, but I also would have put in either Messi or Saviola instead of Cruz. Two of Argentina's stars are warming the bench, in part because Pekerman didn't anticipate an injury to the goalie! It's a shame, but Pekerman may take the fall.
I am quivering!!!!@!
Who's going to take this game? Argentina definitely is taking it to the Germans at this point.
We are in for a nail biting finish!!!!
Like him or not, Balboa correctly observed that Crespo was shot on the pitch ... the best sub at that time was to put in Cambioso or someone else for Hernan and move Riquelme futher forward. Heck, even if Juan Roman sat on the wings, he has the ability to play Tevez in behind.
The third sub would have been held in reserve for the extra periods or to match Neuville and should have been Messi or Saviola, either of which would have feasted off of Tevez terrorizing the right side of Germany's defense by picking up the scraps and running at defenders in the box.
I didn't understand why they played for the one nil in Germany ... because once the momentum swings the crowd becomes a huge factor.
Argentina looked great, controlling the midfield...until they scored. It looked like they sat back and Germany took the momentum. After a few minutes, you just knew Germany was going to score - too much control in the middle. He subs the GK and Crespo - good subs, not much of a choice. I guess Riquelme had to be out of gas, other wise I don't quite understand that sub. The rhythm stopped when he came out. I'd rather have seen Messi in their instead of Cruz. Messi can do a lot of damage on his own, especially with the Germans putting 2-3 guys on Tevez. With Tevez and Messi up front, I think that would have been too much creativity for the German defense. Both of those guys can dribble through 2-3 defenders.
I am the soccer analyst for the Fox Soccer Report and appear twice a week - every Monday and Friday at 10:00 EST. I have also been a regular contributor to the Fox Soccer Channel website since the summer of 2004. Over the last twenty years I have contributed to various radio and television programs throughout North America as well writing about the game for newspapers, magazines and websites.
Thank you to all who take time to visit this blog and especially to those of you who post your comments and thoughts.
PS - If you have questions please post them on the regular Monday blog. I am unable to answer e mails posted to the inbox on this site.
And one more thing. If you have questions or complaints or compliments about programming please contact Fox Soccer Channel or Fox Sports World Canada directly. I have no control over what the stations televise.
