World Cup 2014 – Scout Notes – Matchday 3, Day 2

Diego Godin heads Uruguay into the knockout stages in a narrow win over 10-man Italy. A late penalty from Georgios Samaras helps Greece get the better of Ivory Coast, Jackson Martinez scores twice as a much-changed Colombia hammer Japan, while Costa Rica clinch top spot in Group D after a goalless draw against England:

Costa Ricans At the Summit
Jorge Luis Pinto made a couple of changes for yesterday’s clash with England. Continuing with a 5-4-1 formation, the Costa Rica boss drafted in Roy Miller for Michael Umana at the back and replaced Christian Bolanos with Randall Brenes on the left of midfield – knowing that a draw would see them top the group, Pinto’s side contained their opponents comfortably on their way to a second consecutive clean sheet. Bearing in mind they conceded a single goal over the group stages, the Costa Rican defence may well persuade some to invest ahead of a very winnable match against Greece in the first round of the knockouts.

England Bow Out with a Point
With their exit already confirmed, Roy Hodgson named a much-changed XI from the side that lost to Uruguay. Only Gary Cahill and Daniel Sturridge kept their places in the starting line-up but despite already-qualified Costa Rica offering little in the way of attacking intentions, England were simply unable to make the breakthrough in another poor display – Hodgson’s side had 56% possession yet managed a single effort on target in their final match of Brazil 2014.

In the FIFA McDonald’s game, Frank Lampard led the way for recovered balls for England, with nine to his name, while Jack Wilshere (seven), Phil Jones (six), Luke Shaw and Gary Cahill (five apiece) were next in line. For Costa Rica, six players managed five or more – Giancarlo Gonzalez was top with nine, Oscar Duarte and Celso Borges produced six apiece, while Cristian Gamboa, Roy Miller and Yeltsin Tejeda all registered five.

Godin Nods Uruguay Through
A late winner from the Atletico Madrid centre-half was enough to steer the South Americans into the last 16 at Italy’s expense yesterday evening. Uruguay were unchanged from the side that saw off England in Matchday 2 and went into the match knowing they had to win to progress – firing 14 attempts on goal, with five on target, they certainly offered more going forward than the Italians, though their task was made somewhat easier when Claudio Marchisio was dismissed just before the hour mark. Godin’s header – from a Gaston Ramirez corner – clinched second spot in Group D for Oscar Tabarez’ side, who are now set to face Colombia in the last 16, though they may well be without Luis Suarez after the Liverpool forward was involved in another biting controversy. If the ref confirms he missed the incident, FIFA could well be set to dish out a severe retrospective punishment, which would considerably lessen their prospects of progressing and subsequent Fantasy appeal.

Italy Stumble Out
Cesare Prandelli shifted from 4-3-3 to a 3-5-2 formation in the knowledge that a draw would be enough to take them through. The Italy boss made four changes for the 5pm kick-off, drafting in Mattia De Sciglio, Leonardo Bonucci, Marco Verratti and Ciro Immobile, with the latter partnering Mario Balotelli up top but the alterations made little impact as his side turned in a thoroughly lacklustre performance. Italy managed just one shot on target all match – from a total of only five attempts – and failed to score for the second successive group game; with a single goal to their name and no shut-outs over the three fixtures, Prandelli’s side have massively underperformed as Fantasy assets and got their just rewards as Godin’s effort ensured they’ll be taking an early plane home.

In the FIFA McDonald’s game, Giorgio Chiellini registered 10 recovered balls for the Italians. Andrea Barzagli was next in line with nine, whilst fellow centre-half Leonardo Bonucci and playmaker Andrea Pirlo managed six, with Marco Verratti just behind on five. Godin was Uruguay’s main man with 10, with Egidio Arevalo Rios, Jose Maria Gimenez and Alvaro Gonzalez (all six) and Martin Caceres (five) also impressing.

Colombia Cruise Past Japan
With his side already through, Jose Pekerman made eight changes for last night’s clash against Japan. Keeper David Ospina, left-back Pablo Armero and wide man Juan Cuadrado retained their places and the latter once again justified our Fantasy faith by netting a spot-kick opener in a 4-1 demolition. Fellow Fantasy favourite James Rodriguez climbed off the bench at half-time to continue his exceptional form by netting for the third match in a row, with the Monaco man also providing a pair of assists in a dazzling 45-minute display. Jackson Martinez’ brace perhaps gives Pekerman food for thought ahead of the weekend encounter against Uruguay, whilst a potential suspension for Suarez may well persuade more to invest in Pekerman’s in-form side ahead of the knockout stages.

Ozazaki Consolation Not Enough
Japan made two alterations for last night’s game, with Toshihiro Aoyama and Shinji Kagawa coming in for Hotaru Yamaguchi and Yuya Osako. In a dire end to their tournament, Keisuke Honda added to his goal in the opener against Ivory Coast by providing an assist for Shinji Ozazaki’s solitary strike, with the latter belatedly showing the form that saw him score 15 times in the Bundesliga last term.

In the FIFA McDonald’s game, Maya Yoshida’s 11 recovered balls were top for Japan, with Makoto Hasebe Atsuto Uchida next best on eight and five respectively. Carlos Valdes was Colombia’s top performer with nine, while Santiago Arias (seven), Fredy Guarin and Eder Balanta (six) and Alexander Mejia (five) also stood out.

Samaras the Hero as Greeks Sneak Through
A last-gasp spot-kick was enough to defeat Ivory Coast 2-1 and send Fernando Santos’ side into the next round. The Greece manager made a trio of alterations to his starting XI, bringing in Giorgos Karagounis, Lazaros Christodoulopoulos and Dimtrios Salpingidis for Konstantinos Katsouranis, Kostas Mitroglou and Ioannis Fetfatzidis in a bid to boost his side’s prospects after they had failed to score in each of the first two matches. Ultimately, though, Greece benefitted from their opponents’ defensive frailties – Andreas Samaris slotting home after a Cheick Tiote error prior to Samaras’ 90th minute penalty. Up against Costa Rica in the knockouts, though, their defensive know-how may persuade one or two to take a punt – if both teams continue in the same vein, a low-scoring affair looks the likeliest outcome.

Gervinho in the Points Again as Ivorians Crash Out
In his first start of the tournament, Didier Drogba was unable to prevent his side from slipping to defeat. The former Chelsea man was one of three changes for the Ivorians, with Salomon Kalou and Kolo Toure also coming in for Wilfried Bony, Max Gradel and Didier Zakora, but Drogba failed to deliver when it mattered most. Instead, it was left to Bony to climb off the bench to net the Ivorians only goal, with Gervinho providing the assist – the latter earned attacking returns in all three of the group games, having found the net in the first two matches against Japan and Colombia.

In the FIFA McDonald’s game, Giannis Maniatis produced eight recovered balls, with Kostas Manolas and Vasilis Torisidis next best on five and four respectively. Ivory Coast made just 25 over the entire match – midfielder Serey Die and centre-half Sol Bamba were tied at the top with six apiece.