24 June 2014
JAPAN 1 (Okazaki 46)
COLOMBIA 4 (Cuadrado 17 Pen, Martinez 55, Martinez 82, Rodriguez 89)
Konno chopped down Ramos for the penalty. Okazaki equalised right on half time with a superb diving header, Hondo of course, the one Japanese player with real quality, with the cross. Arias dribbled infield from the right flank, passed to Rodriguez who dropped a shoulder, let the ball run then poked it Martinez and he took a touch before firing through Uchida's legs and past Kawashima. The next two Colombian goals came on the break, Rodriguez play a glorious disguised pass inside two defenders, Martinez feigned to shoot as he trapped the ball with his left foot, which bamboozled Uchida, then he curled a right foot shot into the left corner. Ramos found Rodriguez in space again down the right, turned Yoshida inside out, sending him sprawling onto the turf and as Kawashima came off his line he dropped a lob over his head. Marvellous goal. What a player the boy is.
I'm sure the officials will be doing everything in their power to lube up the Uruguayans for a shafting in the last 16. They deserve nothing more than an ignominious defeat and hopefully they do so without injuring any Colombians who nonetheless could take retribution Colombian style i.e. whacking.
Attendance : 40,340
Assists : Ramos (won pen), Honda, Rodriguez, Rodriguez, Ramos
GREECE 2 (Samaris 42, Samara 93 Pen)
IVORY COAST 1 (Bony 74)
Greece lost two players to injury inside the first 25 minutes, Kone with a thigh injury and goalkeeper Karnezis was replaced by Glykos due to a back problem. Holebas struck the crossbar after a terrific counter attack from an Ivory Coast corner. Tiote underhit a backpass under no pressure whatsoever, Samaris ran past Die, played a one-two with Samaras and hammered past Barry. The first World Cup goal scored by Greece in 331 minutes. Christodoulopoulos crushed Bamba when he feigned to shoot and ran inside but shot horribly wide. Should have been 2-0. Karagounis hit the crossbar with a sensational shot from 35 yards.
Just as a second Greek goal looked inevitable the Ivorians equalised. With his back to play Kalou turned away from two tackles before finding Gervinho on the left of the penalty area and substitute Bony tapped home his centre. Chances dried up at that point then in the first minute of injury time Sio tripped Samaras' as he was about to connect with Holebas' centre and the ref pointed to the spot. A hell of a decision by the ref because Sio sneakily draw his foot away instantly so it wasn't obvious at first if he had indeed made any contact at all. Samaras struck a poor penalty but then it was only Barry in goal so any shot on target would have been enough.
Attendance : 59,095
Assists : Samaras, Gervinho, Samaras (won pen)
19 June 2014
JAPAN 0
GREECE 0
Both teams absolutely stink and shame on the Japanese for failing to beat ten men. Greece actually looked more dangerous in the first half.
Attendance : 39,485
Red Card : Katsouranis 38 (Greece)
Assists : n/a
COLOMBIA 2 (Rodriguez 64, Quintero 70)
IVORY COAST 1 (Gervinho 73)
This was an entertaining game despite the lack of first half goals. Colombia took the lead just past the hour mark when Rodriguez headed in a Cuadrado corner. Rodriguez, who had forced the corner, picked Die's pocket in midfield before releasing Gutierrez and as old man Zokora foolishly advanced from central defence to close him down he played Quintero into the space, 2-0. Gervinho would have scored the goal of the tournament had Colombia's goalkeeper Ospina not been culpable. Boka found Gervinho who was hugging the left touch-line, he broke two tackles as he cut into the box, stepped outside Sanchez, sending his sprawling then whacked a shot inside the left post which Ospina should have saved.
Attendance : 68,748
Assists : Cuadrado (ck), Gutierrez, n/a
15 June 2014
IVORY COAST 2 (Bony 64, Gervinho 66)
JAPAN 1 (Honda 16)
The first goal was made in Milan, Nagatomo centred from a throw-in and Honda stepped away from Yaya Toure before lashing a left foot shot into the top corner. The Ivorian's superior athleticism began to tell but their finishing was an utter disgrace. Drogba replaced Die on 62 minutes and his appearance gave his side a visible lift even if he wasn't involved in the goals. Toulouse's 21 year old right back Aurier, who has been linked to Arsenal (who have typically dithered which now leaves the door open for well the rest of the World) whipped in two fantastic crosses for Bony then Gervinho though Japanese goalkeeper Kawashima should have held the second.
Attendance : 40,267
Assists : Nagatomo, Aurier, Aurier
14 June 2014
COLOMBIA 3 (Armero 5, Gutierrez 58, Rodriguez 93)
GREECE 0
Cuadrado put the moves on Holebas as he ran in from the right, Rodriguez stepped over his centre and Armero's shot went in off Manolas. If there's one area you would expect Greece to be unbeatable in it would be set plays but Aguilar got in between Torosidis and Samaras to flick on a corner and Gutierrez stabbed over from a yard out. Gekas should have pulled a goal back but headed Torosidis' volleyed cross against the underside of the crossbar. Colombia snatched a third on the break. Cuadrado back heeled Armero's pass to Rodriguez and he shot wide of Karnezis.
Attendance : 57,174
Assists : Cuadrado, Aguilar, Cuadrado