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Tournament Observations: June 18th 2002

The Round of Sixteen

- Germany-Paraguay was one of the better back-and-forth matches of the tournament, the 1-0 scoreline notwithstanding. Surprisingly, Paraguay went against the norm and opened things up offensively early and often; in the first half they actually had the better scoring chances, getting good offensive service from Francisco Arce and Jose Cardoza. Both teams used a 3-5-2 formation, so the midfield was very crowded. Even with four first-teamers out due to suspension, Germany's three-man back line is bending but not breaking: Thomas Linke is really one of the better defenders in the tournament so far. Oliver Neuville's movement off the ball finally paid off in the 88th minute. I wasn't very high on Paraguay going into the knockout stage, but they played quite possibly their best match of the tournament even though they lost.

- England finally managed to score more than one goal in a match, and the three they did score in their 3-0 second round victory over Denmark is actually one more than they had scored in the previous matches combined. The difference this time? Absolutely fantastic service and creativity from the flanks, where both David Beckham and a surprising Trevor Sinclair made things happen throughout and stretched the Danish defense's ability to cover them. Sinclair is especially the find of the England side. His runs down the left flank and ability to make space enough to create scoring chances for the attack have been a revelation -- and to think he was a late ad-on to the roster. Rio Ferdinand along with Linke of Germany are having the best tournament of any central fullbacks, and there is nobody having a better tournament at withdrawn holding midfield than Nicky Butt, who showed his unheralded passing touch in the goal by Owen.

- Despite losing 2-1 in extra time to Senegal, Sweden's Henrik Larsson had one of the better tournaments by a forward. Even though he didn't score a ream of goals his pace and movement off the ball caused opposition defenses to close him down at the expense of leaving others open in the box. Still, Senegal won because they have used the same formula for success throughout this tournament; when not in possession flood the defensive end with bodies, then when getting possession quickly get the ball in the offensive end and let El Hadji Diouf figure out what to do from there. Diouf isn't scoring a ton of goals either, but his runs through the offensive end are allowing Pape Thiaw, Henri Camara and Papa Boupa Diop the space to take scoring chances -- and against Sweden this mattered. If there is anybody out there who says they knew Senegal would do this well before the tournament began they are lying through their sushi.

- I had predicted before the World Cup began that Ireland would defeat Spain in the Round of 16; I came this close to being right. Ireland put on a gutty performance, staying within itself and playing a technically and tactically disciplined match, never allowing Spain to take them out of their game plan. That said, Ireland should work on their penalty shooting, because in the end that is what killed them. Every time Nial Quinn substituted in during this tournament he had an immediate impact, but at 36 he won't be doing it for Ireland again. So if Ireland insist on not having Roy Keane they had better find somebody who can become a consistent ball-hawk in the middle in the very near future. Fernando Morientes is partnering up front with Raul very well, so Real Madrid is still having a banner year. The result notwithstanding, Mick McCarthy did a fantastic job.

- Belgium's organization in the back made for a competitive match with Brazil for 66 minutes -- then Rivaldo found enough room to finish. Still, up until then Belgium arguably had the better scoring chances even though Brazil pressured them incessantly from the beginning. However much coach Big Phil Scolari wants Brazil to play a defensively physical game it just isn't in their make-up, as Belgium showed; their frequent forays into the box were met with Brazilian attempts at ball-winning instead of a hard physical presence. Nonetheless, you always knew that if Belgium wasn't going to score then Brazil would eventually break through; they have just too much creativity and flair not to, and Rivaldo and Ronaldo are working so well together up front. Brazil will attack in waves when employing only three defenders but against England in the quarterfinals three defenders may not be enough.

- A much better defensive effort from the USA against Mexico, and a shock result against a Mexican side that ran Croatia, Italy and Uruguay ragged but just couldn't break the USA defense. USA coach Bruce Arena was clearly prepared to concede the possession, allowing Mexico to come forward in waves. But as with Portugal, Arena put speed burners on the wings in Landon Donovon and Eddie Lewis, both of whom countered and left their Mexican counterparts in their wake. On the two goals scored by the USA the counter-attacking speed on the wings left too many Mexican players well behind the attack, which allowed enough time for Brian McBride and Donovan to finish their scoring chances. Without Jeff Agoos, the makeshift back line of Greg Berhalter, Pablo Mastroeni, Eddie Pope and Tony Sanneh -- who along with Senegal's Ferdinand Coly is quietly having as good a tournament as any halfback -- with a valuable assist from Claudio Reyna constricted the Mexican speed and stamina. Clearly the best thing about the USA is Arena, who clearly is smart enough to come up with a game plan to take on anybody. It will be interesting to see what he comes up with against Germany in the quarters.

- Madd Props to Japan for not only hosting a spectacular World Cup but also for playing fantastic futbol even in as boring a group as Group H. They went down to Turkey in the knockout stage but they didn't go without a fight. Japan arguably had the better attacking opportunities throughout the match but just couldn't finish them. Umit Davala and especially Hasan Sas are having a fantastic tournament for the Turks, but considering they dropped back behind the ball on defense for the better part of 80 minutes after scoring the game's only goal, the Man of the Match was Alpay Ozalan, who made crucial challenges, read the game well and organized the back line to perfection. Turkey withstood a furious Japanese attack for most of the match without ever breaking. Their defensive organization will work well against Senegal in the quarters.

- NOBODY WANTS ANY PART OF SOUTH KOREA! They get behind and they just never give up, so far surviving on the knowledge that as long as they keep it close their work rate, stamina and conditioning will get them the goal they need late. They managed to run Italy ragged, the side that is normally known for its pressing, stamina and conditioning. Guus Hiddink has put together a team that is unrelenting, that can run all day if it has to. So far nobody has been able to withstand the furious Korean pressure. When Seol Ki-Hyeon ran onto a Christian Panucci mistake in the box and scored in the 88th minute, you just knew that in extra time Korea were going to pressure and pressure and pressure until they pried somebody loose -- in this case Ahn Jung-Hwan. All praise to Hiddink, who along with Bruce Arena are clearly the best managers at this year's tournament. All that said, I can't help but think Korea is the beneficiary of the greatest home field advantage in World Cup history. You just get the feeling that if this tournament were being held anywhere but in South Korea they would have crashed out in the group stage.