The Day 4 of the FIFA World Cup promised some volatile action as 4 big teams in Germany, Spain, Belgium and Croatia were scheduled to take the field and though the fortunes see-sawed as the day unfolded, the Day 4 lived up to its billing.
Croatia vs Morocco : Group F ( 0-0 )
The Day began with 2018 Runners Up Croatia taking on Morocco at the Al-Bayt Stadium. Luka Modric led Croatia with their impressive line up and players with proven potential were expected to set aside the North Africans. However the Croats were sucked into a bit of a battle by the hardworking Moroccans and though Modric and his team dominated possession and made some good moves they could not get past the defences of the opposition. Somehow it did not come together for Croats in both halves as Morocco fought hard and defended stoically and surprised the Croats with their moves off and on. The match was hard fought, played at good speed but unfortunately for the Croats it ended up in a goalless draw and they had to settle with a point whereas the Moroccans were overjoyed with the result.
Germany vs Japan : Group E ( 1-2 )
The Khalifa International Stadium ( featured image ), Doha played host to the European Giants Germany and the Asian Challengers Japan in Group E battle. The Germans with a fresh look Team with a healthy mix of youth and experience started as expected and completely dominated possession. The match was literally being played in Japan’s half as the Germans mounted tremendous pressure on the Japanese Goal and eventually a bit of indiscretion from Shuchi Gonda ( though he was brilliant in the match ), Japan’s Goalkeeper led to a penalty which the cool and collected Ilkay Gundogan converted with ease. The Germans were ahead in the 33 rd minute. However no one expected what was about to come.
Japan held on till the close of the first half with the Germans well and truly in control, though it has to be said, that the scoreline would have been much skewed in Germany’s favour had they taken their chances well and not floundered. In the second half both Japan and Germany made substitutions to take the game forward. An ineffective Maeda, Japan’s striker was taken off for Takuma Asano and Ritsu Doan was also introduced by Manager Moriyasu. Hansi Flick, the German Manager too brought in the changes. Gundogan who was controlling the midfield beautifully was replaced and so were Muller and Havertz.
Takuma Asano mobbed
The changes made by the managers affected the the dynamics of the game. While Japan started attacking with fresh legs the Germans suddenly were pegged back with the midfield in particular lacking control. The Japanese attacked and eventually equalised through Ritsu Doan in the 75th minute. The pressure was mounting and then what followed was an exhibition of speed, skill and technique from Takuma Asano. Receiving a long ball from the deep, Asano showed tremendous skill with his first touch on the ball, controlled it, moved with great speed and produced a shot from the narrowest of angles to beat Neuer the German Captain and Goalkeeper. The Samurais were ahead in the 83 rd minute. The Germans tried hard but the Japanese blocked and blocked and eventually the score line read 2-1 in Japan’s favour.
The Germans had themselves to blame. They could have killed the match in the first half itself, but let many chances go by. In the second half too instead of pressing on the gas, they appeared a bit over confident. The changes too did not help. The young German brigade were not all that impressive and the defence led by Rudiger underestimated the speed and guile of the Japs. The Saumarais snatched victory from the Germans in a 30 minute display of exceptional football, the German domination notwithstanding. The loss has left Germany in a tight spot and they will have to beat mighty Spain to progress further. This would be an uphill task.
Spain vs Costa Rica : Group E ( 7-0 )
F.Torres’ brace against Costa Rica
Spain met Costa Rica at the Al Thumama Stadium in their Group E clash. Spain boasting of a starry line up, managed by the great Luis Enrique would have been wary of the Costa Ricans after what had transpired in the Germany – Japan clash. However what ensued as the match began was some breathtaking football from the Spanish and a total decimation of the hapless Costa Ricans.
The young Spanish Team lived up to its potential and pumped in 7 goals from 6 players to announce their stake on the World Title. The Costa Ricans were simply swept away without even a sniff of a chance any time in the match. Olmo, Asensio, F.Torres and teenaged Gavi were exceptional in particular. The Spanish stuck to their South American style of football with short passes and quicksilver movement breaking down defences. Cost Rica had no answer whatsoever. The Spanish virtually ran riot. What a performance.
Belgium vs Canada : Group F ( 1-0 )
The heavyweight Belgium were up against the minnows Canada at the Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan. The Belgians have not been in the greatest of form coming into the Tournament and therefore their match up against Canada was the perfect recipe for them to get going, Again, what immediately followed was a surprise. The Canadians were not overawed by the situation and made the early move. They earned a penalty but thanks to Thibault Courtois ( the best Goalkeeper in the world alongwith Kasper Schmeichel of Denmark ), the Belgians survived.
The Canadians kept pegging on with lovely moves and had it not been for the brilliant Courtois, Belgium would have been at least 2 goals down. However in the 44th minute against the run of play somewhat, Batshuayi slammed in a brilliant shot from a long ball and sent Belgium ahead. The Canadians did try hard in the second half too, coming close to score but their inexperience at this level showed. The match ended in a 1-0 win for Belgium who simply escaped by putting an average performance. Kudos to Canada, they played well and had only Courtois in their way, in this enthralling contest.
The Day 4 was a real humdinger and there is absolutely no doubt that Saudi Arabia’s victory has inspired the so called lesser teams and they too are putting up a strong show. The World Cup is shaping up into an exciting story.
The Day 5 promises to be another exciting day with Switzerland taking on Cameroon in a Group G clash, followed by Uruguay vs South Korea and Portugal vs Ghana in Group H and finally the big boys Brazil squaring up with Serbia in Group G.
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