The18 World Cup Kit Championship has come down to the end. With over 64 kits in this tournament, we saw the good, the bad, and the ugly. Let’s just say that, by our standards, the look good, feel good, play good mantra couldn’t be a better tool to predict the outcomes of tournaments.
Quarterfinals:
The Netherlands defeated host-nation Brazil 3-0 yesterday in the 3rd place consolation match in Brasilia. There were many questions about how Brazil would be able to recover following its catastrophic 7-1 defeat at the hands of the Germans in the semifinal and there was no doubt the Brazilians came out flat in this match. Captain Thiago Silva brought down Dutch star Arjen Robben in the box a mere 3 minutes into the match, drawing a penalty. Dutch captain Robin Van Persie stepped up and converted from the spot, giving the Dutch an early lead that they would not vanquish.
If you followed the U.S. Men’s National Soccer team during this World Cup, you probably saw the countless video clips of American cities celebrating after a goal. However, you probably have not yet seen the most genuine fan celebration of this World Cup. Recently, ESPN ran a feature story on a Brazilian fan named Carlos, who is both blind and deaf, but is still able to experience the amazement surrounding the World Cup with the help of two friends.
Hopefully the wounds have healed and you’ve stopped having nightmares about Chris Wondolowski’s missed opportunity for the United States in their 2-1 loss to Belgium in the Round of 16 at World Cup 2014. Starting back in May, ESPN partnered with U.S. Soccer to make a series of episodes that went behind the scenes for the USMNT's preparations for Brazil. From training in Stanford, to the pitch in Arena Fonte Nova against Belgium, ESPN showed us the ins and outs of USA’s adventure. For the final stage of closure, here is the last episode. Thanks for the memories lads.
As well as the USMNT played in this World Cup they still have never reached the promised land and won that elusive trophy. The US Women’s National team, on the other hand, have been ranked no. 1 in the world for six years running and are looking for their third World Cup title in 2015. Yesterday also marked the fifteen-year anniversary of their most recent title.
FIFA announced yesterday that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has been suspended with immediate effect, on account of government interference. The ban means no Nigerian national teams, nor club teams, can participate in international tournaments until FIFA is satisfied that the NFF is in charge of its own affairs.
The World Cup is a giant shop window for some of the planet’s lesser-known players, and Europe’s wealthier clubs have their faces firmly pressed against the glass.
Take, for example, goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, currently a free agent having been released by French second division side Ajaccio: following an outstanding World Cup for Mexico, he’s now in the sights of Liverpool, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid.
Argentina clinched its first trip to the World Cup Final since 1990, after defeating the Netherlands 4-2 on penalties in the semifinal match in Sao Paolo. The contest, a rematch of the 1978 World Cup Final, was in stark contrast to yesterday’s German smorgasbord of goals, as neither side could score in the 120+ minutes of the match. The victory sent the Argentinian fans into a frenzy, as in the days leading up to the match and especially following Brazil’s shocking defeat to Germany, the Argentines were overtly confident in their chances of securing a place in the final.
Talent, skills, speed, defense – bah-humbug! Who needs those when you have superstition, divine intervention and clairvoyant critters? The18 has taken a look at all the most compelling superstitions that tell us who will win the World Cup this year.
Argentina will be without playmaker Angel Di Maria in Wednesday’s semifinal matchup against the Netherlands, and now the Dutch could be without captain Robin van Persie.
RVP had a strong opening to the tournament, but ever since his suspension on yellow cards he hasn’t done much. Perhaps it is the stomach virus he has been battling. The captain trained separate from the rest of the team today, and manager Louis van Gaal believes that RVP’s status is in danger for the bout against Argentina.