World Cup 2014 – Scout Notes – Matchday One, Day Two

Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben both score twice as Holland humiliate defending champions Spain. Alexis Sanchez grabs a goal and assist as Chile edge past a spirited Australia, whilst Oribe Peralta fires the only goal of the game as Mexico kick off their campaign with a narrow win over Cameroon:

Dutch Front Two Tear Spain Apart
Louis Van Gaal’s decision to dispose of the usual 4-3-3 formation and roll out a 3-4-1-2 against the defending champions proved stunningly decisive. The Holland boss opted for Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben up front and both players were pivotal in a 5-1 drubbing, firing a couple of goals apiece in a performance that easily could have seen either score more.

With Wesley Sneijder tucked in behind the front two, Van Gaal could well continue with the current tactical set-up ahead of a game against Australia – boosting Robben’s chances as an out-of-position prospect across many Fantasy games, with the Dutch heavily backed to deliver. While some feel Van Gaal will revert to a 4-3-3 for the remaining two matches, the success of last night’s system will surely force him to reconsider, with the performance of Daley Blind from left wing-back another highlight – the Ajax man has featured in a number of pre-season articles as a budget option and justified our show of faith by providing a pair of assists from the flank.

In the FIFA McDonald’s game, many of Holland’s players racked up a number of recovered balls – right wing-back Daryl Janmaat led the way with nine, Nigel de Jong and Bruno Martins Indi (seven apiece) and Ron Vlaar, with five, were the standout contenders.

Spanish Defence a Huge Disappointment
So often a source of clean sheet returns in recent international tournaments, Vicente del Bosque’s were humbled by the rampant Dutch. Second best to their hungry opponents all night, Spain only had a solitary Xabi Alonso penalty to show for their efforts in the 5-1 rout, with major question marks now raised over their players’ prospects.

Considering the standard of performance last night, changes can surely be expected in what is already a vital clash with Chile. The likes of Iker Casillas and Diego Costa were particularly poor and given that wins for Holland and Chile next time round would see Spain tumble out already, del Bosque looks to have major decisions on his hands over the next few days. In the FIFA McDonald’s game, only two of Spain’s players managed five or more recovered balls – defenders Sergio Ramos and Cesar Azpilicueta, with six and five respectively.

Peralta Fires Mexico to Victory
Top scorer in qualifying with eight goals, the 30-year-old continued the predatory form that has many labelling him the best forward outside of the European leagues. Peralta’s solitary strike midway through the second-half proved the decisive moment as Miguel Herrera’s side got their campaign off to a win and, with a clean sheet also accrued, served up the points at both ends of the pitch.

Herrera’s decision to withdraw Peralta with just over 15 minutes remaining suggests he could look to rest his star striker in the latter stages of matches and turn to the likes of Javier Hernandez to take advantage of tiring defences -a tactic which is detrimental in games like PlayON, which rewards points for every five minutes played. Fellow striker Giovanni dos Santos managed the full 90 minutes by comparison and was unlucky not to get amongst the goals – he found the net twice but both efforts were disallowed due to incorrect offside decisions.

Little to Cheer About for Cameroon
Registering a single shot on target all game and one effort inside the box, the Africans offered little threat going forward, with Samuel Eto’o left far too isolated as the lone striker. A disappointing display at both ends of the pitch saw Mexican carve Cameroon open time and again, with only those dubious offside decisions and heroics of Charles Itandje between the posts preventing Mexico from registering a more comfortable victory.

In the FIFA McDonald’s game, Aurelien Chadjou made the most recovered balls (10) in the heart of defence and with Mexico’s Rafael Marquez next best on seven, centre-halves were the winner in this one. Looking forward, investment in Cameroon seems an unwise move already – yesterday’s poor performance will ensure we steer clear of Volker Finke’s outfit, with upcoming opponents Croatia and Brazil looking strong shouts to take advantage of such a shaky backline. Indeed, the upcoming fixtures suggest the Mexico defence is also unlikely to earn many new investors in spite of their clean sheet, though Paul Aguilar and Miguel Layun owners will be happy to hold after both were utilised as wing-backs in a 5-3-2 – the latter had two efforts on goal and was unlucky not to collect an assist, after Javier Hernandez’ missed sitter late in the game.

Sanchez Key for Chile
Alexis Sanchez was the hero for Jorge Sampaoli’s side after playing a part in two goals in a 3-1 win over Australia. Having opened the scoring within 20 minutes, the Barcelona wide man then supplied an assist for Jorge Valdiva’s (playing in “the hole” behind a front two) second before sub Jean Beausejour added a very late third. Lining up in a 4-3-1-2 formation, Chile were boosted by Arturo Vidal’s recovery from a knee injury – the Juventus midfielder was named in the starting XI but was subbed off on the hour mark as he steps up his match sharpness. Certainly, his services will be needed for the upcoming clashes with Spain and Holland – a schedule that may even persuade some to overlook Sanchez in spite of last night’s heroics.

In the FIFA McDonald’s game, three of the Chile back-four – Gonzalo Jara (eight), Mauricio Isla (seven) and Gary Medel (five) – registered at least five recovered balls, with central midfielder Charles Aranguiz also producing five.

Cahill Goal Scant Consolation for Australia
In terms of starting XI at least, there was no surprises amongst Ange Postecoglou’s selection to face Chile, with Tim Cahill leading the line for the rank outsiders. The former Everton man served a reminder of his goal-getting abilities by netting his side’s only strike in a battling performance – Australia had more attempts on goal than the South Americans and are certainly showing they are not just there to make up the numbers. Nonetheless, with a rampant Holland and wounded Spain to follow, there’ll be few willing to invest at this point. Certainly, Postecoglou looks likely to freshen up the right-back berth after Ivan Franjic – who supplied the assist for Cahill’s goal – succumbing to a hamstring injury early in the second-half.

In the FIFA McDonald’s game, the recoveries rule saw defenders Jason Davidson, with seven, and Matthew Spiranovic, with five, and central midfielders Mark Milligan and Mile Jedinak (seven and five) prosper, whilst right winger Matthew Leckie impressively registered six, via a resolute display down the flank.