27 replies to this topic

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Boy the Mexico - Portugal match is a good one. Usually these third place type games fall into one of three types.

1. Neither team gives a crap and the play is sloppy and boring.

2. One team cares and the other doesn't and it turns into a route not worth watching unless you are a big fan of the team doing the routing.

3. Both teams want to do their best.

 

This game is type #3. Lots of quality chances by both sides. But so far (67th minute) only Mexico has found the back of the net. Both keepers (Ochoa for Mexico and Rui Patricio for Portugal) have made some really good saves and both teams have had some great chances that they just couldn't convert most going just wide. 

 

Overall a very entertaining match.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Finally, in the first minute of add on time, Portugal ties it up with a terrific cross and a beauty of a finish for Pepe. 1-1.  Looking like headed to 30 minutes of extra time. Sweet. More good soccer to watch!

[BSLSteveBirrer]

What an interesting extra time.

 

In the first 15 minutes Mexico handed the ball in the area and Portugal drilled the penalty into the back of the net 2-1.

 

Then a Portugal player kicked above the waistline and hit a Mexican player earning his second yellow so sent off.

 

Then early in the second set of 15 a Mexican player kicked high into the shoulder of a Portugal player earning him his second yellow and a sendoff (should have been a direct red anyway) so teams playing 10 v 10.

 

Then with about 4 minutes to go Mexico got a terrific chance hitting a hard shot low to the corner but Rui Patricio came up big, again, and saved the shot.

 

Then with about a minute left Mexico got another chance but the shot was wide from point blank range. The Mexican player felt it should have been a penalty as he claimed he was pushed. There was contact but it was minimal and the referee correctly ruled no foul. However then it got heated. Osario, the Mexican coach, went ballistic (not the first time in this tournament). He was screeming at the oficials and ran up to the fourth official. Bumped into him and was screeming directly into the fourths ear.  So the referee (again correctly) sent Osario to the dressing room. This is not something you see very often at all. But it was warranted and I am sure FIFA will fine and/or suspend Osario. Simply can not have that kind of behavior on the field.

 

So it ended 2-1 for Portugal. What a fun game!

[Dupin]

Germany is so deep.  I fully expect them to repeat at the World Cup next year.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Might be their B team, but they seem pretty excited by their win...   this Confederations Cup mattered to who was on the field.

[BSLChrisStoner]

SI: Germany’s victory in Confederations Cup a lesson to soccer world

[BSLSteveBirrer]

German football has always been about fitness, both physical and mental, and teamwork. They are so incredibly deep right now and this goes right along with the article I wrote the other day about just who are the US MNT "best eleven." Although I answered the question the key is to really recognize that it indeed does DEPEND on a lot of factors, not the least of which is the particular opponent in the game you are preparing for.

 

Hats off to Germany, they deserved the Cup. Now lets see if they can make it three major Cups in a row next summer in Russia. Lots can and will happen over the next year but I wouldn't bet against them.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Yup FIFA spanked his butt. Suspended for 6 matches!! I usually don't like FIFA and their corruption. This time they got it right.

 

 

Then early in the second set of 15 a Mexican player kicked high into the shoulder of a Portugal player earning him his second yellow and a sendoff  So the referee (again correctly) sent Osario to the dressing room. This is not something you see very often at all. But it was warranted and I am sure FIFA will fine and/or suspend Osario. Simply can not have that kind of behavior on the field.