World Cup Love and Loathe: Project Blue Lock, Tartan Army Takes Over Fenway, Ivory Coast Introduction
The Samurai Blue earn their point, Germany's weak link is exposed, Amad Diallo silences a "road" crowd, and VAR gets even more complicated
With the World Cup underway, here’s a column of some of the most important moments of this summer’s World Cup. With inspiration from The Mismatch, my favorite basketball podcast, here are the things I’ve loved about the days’ round of matches, and things I’ve loathed watching. It will be a tournament ot remember, have this be your morning companion as well (Until the LA Galaxy is back in action).
Love: Japanese Belief
The Japanese National Team found a way to fight back against the Dutch twice and steal a point to open up their World Cup campaign. It was notable for two reasons.
This isn’t the strongest possible Japanese side due to the absences of Kaoru Mitoma, Takumi Minamino, and Wataru Endo. All are out due to injury and can easily lift the ceiling of their team given their talents across the pitch. Any team losing its best three players would likely play below expectations. However, the Samurai Blue kept fighting and truly earned the point.
The other notable thing about this point was how Japan got the game-tying goal. There were many crosses sent into the box despite the Dutch defense having Virgil Van Dijk, Mickey Van De Ven, and Jan Paul van Hecke. It was going as you expected, with the Netherlands winning 21 out of the 28 aerial duels on the night.
The Japanese felt confident in their style of play despite the lack of results in the air. But Koki Ogawa won a header from a corner, and the accidental deflection of Daichi Kamada tied the game in the 88th minute. There is nothing else other than to commend Japan for finding that breakthrough moment despite the odds not looking great in your favor.
Loathe: Leroy Sane
The German National team scored a touchdown and converted a successful extra point on Curaçao. It was a dominant showing for the German National team in Houston.
Despite the goals and players having their moment, Leroy Sane stood out for the wrong reasons. His performance can be summed up as doing nothing on the group project but still getting an A.
He was too sloppy in the final third with the ball at his feet. His shooting was not on point during one-on-one opportunities. He was clearly the visible weak link on the day the Germans were humming. If he can’t put up a good performance against Curaçao, I can’t imagine once the Germans start playing other teams.
Love: Ivory Coast Road Win
The World Cup provides teams to showcase their fans’ pride in their country. Ecuador took over Philadelphia and painted the stadium in the Yellow of La Tri. At first glance, you would think this match against the Ivory Coast was being played in the heart of Quito.
The Ivory Coast didn’t have the 12th man on their side. The chants of the South Americans added more pressure on top of the Ivorians’ first World Cup appearance in 12 years. It truly looked and felt like an away match for the African side.
Past are the days of Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure. It’s a new generation with potential superstars. It was Amad Diallo who silenced the crowd and gave the Ivory Coast all three points in the 90th minute of the match. It felt like they won a game on the road and spoiled the start for a team that many believe (including me) can make a deep run this summer.
It was a night 12 years in the making for the Ivory Coast. This victory adds an interesting wrinkle to how Group E might play out now.
Loathe: Sweden’s VAR Goal
My opinion on VAR over the years has been that it’s taken a lot out of the game slowly. It’s added wrinkles and awkward moments that haven’t been part of the game until now. That moment showed up in Sweden’s 5-1 win over Tunisia.
Mattias Svanberg had his goal wiped away late in the second half. It was clear that he was offside. But we got an unusual and interesting VAR review.
The Trionda ball has been engineered with sensors inside it. They can detect when the ball has been kicked or anything that touches it. Svanberg was offside, but the ball detected it had been touched by Alexander Isak before Svanberg’s shot. Because of this, it started a new phase of play in which Svanberg was then onside during the ball. In the replay its so hard to say conclusively that Isak touched the ball.
If not for the detectors in the ball, that goal would easily be ruled out. I hate that this adds another element to what can be reviewed. It adds more grey area for the referee to think about.
VAR was meant to fix massive mistakes and correct human errors, but now it’s micromanaging the game. And like with many people, micromanaging is a massive pet peeve of mine.
Clip of the Day
The Scots are making their mark on America. After getting all three points on Saturday, the Tartan Army left a huge impression at one of the cathedrals of America’s pastime.
A random summer Boston Red Sox game had the flair and passion of the World Cup thanks to the Scots. Fans flooded Fenway Park to experience the Great American Game on Sunday night. For one lucky fan, he got to experience catching a home run on the iconic Green Monster.
Prediction of the Day
Another day with four games, but my eyes float towards the match between Belgium and Egypt.
I predict that Omar Marmoush and Mohammed Salah will combine for a goal and lead the African side to victory. This isn’t the Belgium of a few years ago, which was one of the top sides in the World. This is the moment for Egypt’s two attacking stars to steal the headlines.