The Day 9 witnessed some of the finest matches of the competition so far. Some brilliant football, some ecstasy and some agony and lots and lots of goals. The first two matches of the day accounted for 11 goals and in total 14 goals were scored. The players were in the mood, trying everything they could for their country. The World Cup just lit up on Day 9. Lets have a look.
Cameroon vs Serbia : Group G ( 3-3 )
The first match of the day was played out at the Al Janoub Stadium between Cameroon the Central African Team and the Europeans Serbia boasting of some quality players in their side. It was the second round of the group with both teams desperately looking for a win after losing their first round matches.
The Serbs were the first to get going so to say with their energetic striker Aleksandar Mitrovic ( who has been in fine form for his club Fulham in the English Premier League ) , hitting the wood work of the Cameroon goal. He missed it by a whisker. However it was the African side who drew first blood in the 29th minute when Jean Charles Castelletto scored. The Serbians kept trying and then came a game changing moment. Serbia in first half stoppage time scored twice. A brilliant Pavlovic header and then a superbly directed left foot finish from Sergej Savic. The Serbs were ahead 2-1 at half time. A real turnaround. However much drama was to follow in the second half.
Vincent Aboubakar – The Game Changer
The Serbs were not sitting back on their lead. The Cameroon side on the other hand were playing some loose football. They were easily losing possession for which they had already paid a big price and the same continued in the second half too. In the 53rd minute, some casual play by Cameroon led to Serbia scoring their third with Pavlovic and Mitrovic combining to score. The lead was looking insurmountable for Cameroon and an exit loomed large. But again the match turned with the introduction of Vincent Aboubakar. The veteran striker made a fabulous run on the right flank and played an audacious lob over the Serbian Goalkeeper for Cameroon’s second goal in the 63rd minute. What skill on display. One of the best goals surely. 3 minutes later Aboubakar made another run on the right flank ( his speed just too good for the Serbs ) and passed over to Choupo Moting, who made no mistake. It was 3-3. The Serbs were stunned. The Africans had turned it around.
The next few minutes saw both teams trying harder but none could find the goal and the match ended in a pulsating draw. The Serbs next play the Swiss and Cameroon meet mighty Brazil. It looks tough for Cameroon now, but you never know.
South Korea vs Ghana : Group H ( 2-3 )
The Education City Stadium witnessed the best game of the Day and one of the finest of the Tournament so far. South Korea, the Asian powerhouse clashed with Ghana, the West Africans. South Korea had drawn their previous match against Uruguay and Ghana had gone down fighting to Portugal. It was all to play for and the teams did not disappoint.
The South Koreans dominated the opening period and had 6 corners in the first 16 minutes of the game, but failed to capitalise. After absorbing the initial Korean attack, Ghana turned it on and scored in the 24th minute through M.Salisu in a goal mouth scramble, against the run of play. Buoyed by the goal, Ghana stepped up the pressure and moved beautifully on the field and then they were rewarded again. M .Kudus tapped in a header from the slightest of touches from a brilliant free kick and it was 2-0 in Ghana’s favour at the break. But what transpired after the break was simply enthralling.
South Koreans came out determined in the second half and made some blustering moves from both flanks. Their intensity eventually paid rich dividends when they cored twice in three minutes through brilliant headers from Cho Gue-sung. They matched was poised for an interesting finish with still 30 minutes remaining. The Koreans pushed forward and moved bodies up to go for the kill, leaving just a bit of a hole in their defence. Ghana took advantage of it and in a pacy counter attack from the left scored their third goal from a cool M.Kudus finish. Ghana were ahead again. What then ensued was simply heart throbbing and an edge of the seat affair.
M.Kudus’ brace for Ghana
Both teams stretched every muscle in their bodies and gave everything they could. The Koreans were tremendous in attack and had laid seige on the Ghanaian goal. Their play was nothing short of spectacular, but Ghana defended bravely. They put their bodies in the way and took many blows but did not allow the Koreans to score. The goalkeeping skills of Lawrence Ati Zigi were on display and so was his courage. He denied the Koreans and for me was the man of the match as Ghana held on for a hard fought victory. The Koreans went down in agony. They had given everything. What a match.
Brazil vs Switzerland : Group G ( 1-0 )
After the Goal fest in the first two games, the Brazil – Switzerland tie at the 974 Stadium was a sedate affair. Switzerland were in the field with a totally defensive mindset and could not land a single strike on the Brazilian Goal in the entire match. The Brazilians too were not allowed much space by the stoic defence of the Swiss resulting in a goalless first half. The second half was similar to the first, the only difference being the Casemiro strike in the 83rd minute. The Swiss had almost pulled out a draw.
The Brazilians did show their skill and were much quicker than the Swiss, who were finding it difficult to match the pace. However they somehow managed to hold Brazil at bay for most part of the match. Brazil emerged winners and joined France in the round of 16, but were not convincing enough in this match. With the absence of Neymar, they looked just a bit off colour. The fighting Swiss will have to get the better of the Serbs to qualify for the next round.
Portugal vs Uruguay : Group H ( 2-0 )
With Portugal eyeing the next stage and Uruguay in search of their first win, the expectations of a real humdinger loomed large when both teams took the field at the Lusail Stadium. Both teams were cagey in their approach leading to an uneventful goalless first half, with just one move from the South Americans through Bentancur which was superbly saved by Diogo Costa.
The deadlock was broken in the 54th minute when a lovely cross from Bruno Fernandes for Cristiano Ronaldo curled and sallied over everyone into the net. Sergio Rochet, Uruguay’s goal keeper, probably distracted by the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo infront of him, did not cover the ball and the Portugese were ahead. Uruguay made some good moves, only to be denied by the Portugese defence and the woodwork. In the closing minutes of the match Uruguay unfortunately gave away a penalty which Bruno Fernandes converted with no fanfare. Bruno Fernandes came close to scoring again but hit the woodwork.
Portugal emerged winners while Uruguay who played well in patches will have to beat a strong Ghana to move ahead in the tournament. The Uruguay Team is a pale shadow of the times when David Forlan, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani were in their prime. The Portugese too don’t look that sharp but have a good mix of youth and experience and have somehow managed to come through the group.
What a Day of scintillating football. An exhaustive day for the light hearted. A day to savour.
The Focus now moves ti the critical final matches of the Group stage and there is a lot to play for on Day 10. The hosts Qatar would be in action against Netherlands in an effort to redeem themselves, while Ecuador and Senegal lock horns in a must win game for Senegal. Iran square up against the USA in a tough battle for qualification and Wales take on England. What a day its going to be.
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