Cheers, tears and anger...
My most anticipate match last night took off with a bad start. Firstly, i missed the first 25 minutes of the game. Why? A friend, my brother and i decided to watch Superman at 8pm. 'Mana tau', the movie was two hour and fourthy minutes 'tambah pula' the movie only started at 8.30pm. Will blog about the movie in a later post entry.
As soon as my brother and i reached home, we quickly grabbed the remote and switch on the tv. My eyes automatically search for the current scores. 0-0
Then, the match was rather slow. Both teams have opted to play a cautious game. Ballack and Riquelme chose not to be adventurous. They knew, the slightest mistake could cost them the game. Most of the time, the ball was played in possession while sniffing and lurking for a good time for penetrate the defense. There was no risk taking, no creative sparks in the build up. Just plain passing the ball, usually among the midfielders than back to the defenders at the slightest sniff of threat.
The game only came alive when Ayala scored the first goal for Argentina. Threathened by the goal, the Germans change to a more attacking game. Bravely moving forward and taking chances. They also introduced Odonkor (a right winger with good pace and flair).
Contented by the scoreline, Argentina brought in Cambiasso for Riquelme. I knew straight away that Argentina will be playing a defensive game. Bad choice (i thought to myself), especially when it's 20 minutes to the final whistle. True enough, Klose scored the equalizer with a header. 1-1 the game goes to extra time.
Without Riquelme, the Argentinians seem so harmless. Ballack on the other hand was struggling with an injury. Besides corner kicks, there was no real threat during extra time. The game went to penalties.
Before the penalty shoot-out, Oliver Kahn went up to Lehmann. The previous heated rows between them took a new turn to what seems to be a time of encouragement and affirmation. It was a rare sight to see both players smiling at each other with Kahn's arm over Lehmann shoulder. Was i suprised to witness that.... He's (Kahn) human after all.
Lehmann is very good in penalties, he made two excellent saves for Germany. The trick to a penalty save is to predict the direction of the ball by reading the body language of the kicker. Is the kicker running from the left or right? Does he dropped his shoulders when he kicks the ball? Does he lean forward or backward when he kicks? There are lots of ways to interpret these body languages. Lehmann did well. Germany are through to the semifinal.
Cheers for Germany, tears for Argentina. Probably Cambiasso will be singing "don't cry for me Argentina" for missing the penalty. An anger outburst by Ayala and Heinze towards Oliver Bierhoff after the penalty shoot-out. (not sure what's that all about)
Two of my favourite teams are out already, Spain and Argentina. Sigh...
As soon as my brother and i reached home, we quickly grabbed the remote and switch on the tv. My eyes automatically search for the current scores. 0-0
Then, the match was rather slow. Both teams have opted to play a cautious game. Ballack and Riquelme chose not to be adventurous. They knew, the slightest mistake could cost them the game. Most of the time, the ball was played in possession while sniffing and lurking for a good time for penetrate the defense. There was no risk taking, no creative sparks in the build up. Just plain passing the ball, usually among the midfielders than back to the defenders at the slightest sniff of threat.
The game only came alive when Ayala scored the first goal for Argentina. Threathened by the goal, the Germans change to a more attacking game. Bravely moving forward and taking chances. They also introduced Odonkor (a right winger with good pace and flair).
Contented by the scoreline, Argentina brought in Cambiasso for Riquelme. I knew straight away that Argentina will be playing a defensive game. Bad choice (i thought to myself), especially when it's 20 minutes to the final whistle. True enough, Klose scored the equalizer with a header. 1-1 the game goes to extra time.
Without Riquelme, the Argentinians seem so harmless. Ballack on the other hand was struggling with an injury. Besides corner kicks, there was no real threat during extra time. The game went to penalties.
Before the penalty shoot-out, Oliver Kahn went up to Lehmann. The previous heated rows between them took a new turn to what seems to be a time of encouragement and affirmation. It was a rare sight to see both players smiling at each other with Kahn's arm over Lehmann shoulder. Was i suprised to witness that.... He's (Kahn) human after all.
Lehmann is very good in penalties, he made two excellent saves for Germany. The trick to a penalty save is to predict the direction of the ball by reading the body language of the kicker. Is the kicker running from the left or right? Does he dropped his shoulders when he kicks the ball? Does he lean forward or backward when he kicks? There are lots of ways to interpret these body languages. Lehmann did well. Germany are through to the semifinal.
Cheers for Germany, tears for Argentina. Probably Cambiasso will be singing "don't cry for me Argentina" for missing the penalty. An anger outburst by Ayala and Heinze towards Oliver Bierhoff after the penalty shoot-out. (not sure what's that all about)
Two of my favourite teams are out already, Spain and Argentina. Sigh...
posted by Ray at
9:53 am
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