FIFA World Cup: Netherlands, Germany, Japan in Action on Game Day 10

Match Day 10 brings giants to the stage as teams look to secure their qualification spot while others hang on dearly for a spot in the same. The Netherlands will take on Sweden as the Oranje are looking to find their own while Graham Potter’s Sweden has already secured their first victory of the tournament. Giants Germany take on African superstars Ivory Coast after both secured their first victory and will now look to confirm a knockouts spot. Ecuador takes on Curacao as they hope to exploit debutants to secure 3 precious points, but will have to be wary after a stellar start from Curacao kept them on equal footing with Germany for a few superior minutes. Japan will look to use their attacking prowess to put goals behind Tunisia, after a draw against the Netherlands left them with much to play for, while Tunisia will be happy to cause some upsets and find hopes for a spot in the knockout round.

Netherlands Vs Sweden (10:30 PM)

The Oranje will look to stage a comeback against a high flying Sweden after their 2-2 draw against underdogs Japan. As the Swedes put 5 behind Tunisia, they will look to secure another victory to confirm a knockout spot. Looking like the favourites to come out on top, Netherlands will look to find their defensive footing to take that important step towards knockouts as Sweden will look to overpower with their attacking prowess in the face of a 3-man-defence. A fight for the all important 3 points, both giants of group F will look to fight tooth and nail and find stability and form before the knockout stages come into play.

Germany Vs Ivory Coast (01:30 AM)

European giants Germany take on Les Éléphants of Africa, Ivory Coast for what promises an entertaining match up. A massive 7-1 victory against Curacao that caught all the headlines last week will show that the German squad is back to its expected classic prowess as they try to book a spot in the knockouts. A last gasp goal from Ivory Coast against Ecuador has given them a strong base to work upon but a lot more will be required of the African squad as they face an intimidating German squad. Ivory Coast will look to cause some upsets and manufacture an interesting situation if they win against Germany in their quest for a knockout spot for the first time ever.

Ecuador Vs Curacao (05:30 AM)

An early shock goal by Curacao defender Livano Comenencia against Germany will show that the island nation is not here to just accessorize the world cup pool but to put up a fight. Ecuador might consider themselves unlucky to be on the losing end of the 1-0 result against what was a tight match against the Ivory Coast. In what could be a more level playing field for Curacao, Ecuador might be the only opponent they find themselves up to task with after an impressive start against Germany. Ecuador at the same time, will look to avoid an uncomfortable 90 minutes, not unlike against the Ivory Coast, but dominate and secure their victory from the start. A match for survival, both teams will play with all their heart in the hopes of securing a ticket to the next round.

Tunisia Vs Japan (09:30 AM)

Asian giants Japan will take on Tunisia, perhaps the weakest team in group F as they look to secure 3 important points on the back of a draw against the Netherlands. In the aftermath of 5 goals conceded against Sweden, Tunisia might need to go back to the drawing board and work on their defence. Holding their own against a side that was considered favourites in the first game; the Japanese squad has consistently proven themselves on the big stage and will look to treat Tunisia with the same fierceness. Tunisia will consider a few more upsets in the group stage to stage a last ditch effort towards knockouts, hoping to breach the group stages for the first time.

Match Day 9 - Haiti, Turkey out of the World Cup

Match Day 9 proved fatal for Haiti and Turkey as they found themselves knocked out of the world cup unless some bizarre results came up. Brazil dismantled the Haiti defence effortlessly, with Matheus Cunha scoring a brace and Real Madrid Superstar Vinicius Junior scoring the third goal for the Seleçãos. Turkey dominated a game decided by an early goal that would be their undoing. The United States was victorious against Australia, putting 2 in the net to secure their spot in the knockouts. Scotland tried their absolute best to match the might of Morocco but was eventually outclassed as the Moroccans held onto their sole goal from the early minutes.

USA Vs Australia (2-0)

The United States hosted Australia at the Seattle Stadium as both nations fought tooth and nail to secure a spot in the knockouts. An early own goal in the face of defender Cameron Burgess’s deflection broke the chains early in a match that promised strong emotions on the big stage. For the second consecutive match, the USA had the opposition contribute to their score, perhaps showing the home town advantage. Alex Freeman would score from a deflection in front of goal, among shouts of offside. A VAR check would confirm that Freeman was not in fact offside, doubling the co-hosts’ lead. A second half that saw the Socceroos attack more fiercely and gain a few shots on goal would all be in vain as none would be converted and the USMNT secure their spot in the knockouts.

Morocco Vs Scotland (1-0)

An early ball in behind for the Moroccans proved to be the only goal scored as Ismael Saibari put it behind the Scottish keeper. With an influx of attacks from both sides that followed for the next 90 minutes, Morocco was able to hold onto their frail lead with a stellar defence. Not to be deterred by the early strike, Scotland turned up to the game, matching African giants ball for ball. With only 40% possession for the game, the Scottish defence was still able to keep the Moroccans from putting another in the net. Morocco would eventually show their class as they finished with twice as many shots with more than 200 passes over Scotland. A match that could’ve well been one-sided was anything but as Scotland did their best against the might of Morocco, eventually getting outclassed by them.

Brazil Vs Haiti (3-0)

Tournament favourites Brazil took on Haiti at the Philadelphia Stadium as they try to recover from a game 1 draw. With changes in the line up, Matheus Cunha started in the front as Brazil hoped to convert chances created in front of goal. Proving Brazil head coach, Carlo Ancelotti right almost immediately, Cunha would score twice in the first half. Converting stellar passes that unlocked an infantile Haiti defence, Cunha and Vinicius Jr. would give Brazil a 3-0 score line by the end of the first half. Playing with little pressure, Haiti also did not lay back and mounted attack upon attack to test the Brazilian defence. The defence stepped up as multiple shots were blocked and cleared in the box, squashing an unexpected attacking prowess from the island nation. Brazil would comfortably hold onto their 3 goal lead till the end of 90 minutes, signalling a comeback to their dominance on the field.

Turkey Vs Paraguay (0-1)

Over in the San Francisco Bay Area, Turkey took on Paraguay as both teams looked to keep their qualification hopes alive. An early long strike from Matias Galarza secured the sole goal in this match. An early shock to the Turkey players, the attack was relentless as they pushed for a goal to equalize and play for survival. With a dominating performance as Turkey had almost 80% possession, 33 shots and almost 500 passes over the Paraguayans, a goal wouldn’t materialize for Turkey with them getting knocked out of the tournament. Highlights of the game would also include a red card under new rules for the FIFA world cup. Miguel Almirón would be booked with a red card as a VAR review caught the winger talking to a player from the opposition with his hand over his face. Among standing questions of racism on the field after repeated complaints, FIFA introduced the new rule to combat past instances of players covering their mouths among doubts of racial slurs being spoken. Paraguay would play the whole of the second half with 10 men but would still hold fast against a very strong attack to hold on to the fragile lead.

(This article was written by Arnav Madhura, a student of Krea University, interning with Deccan Chronicle.)