The Dutch are known for their high-octane attack, which destroyed France and Italy at Euro 2008 before failing to carry their momentum much further. Today, missing star man Arjen Robben, they were largely held in check by Denmark's packed midfield, but still managed a 2-0 win. It wasn't all that pretty. When your goals are scored by Dirk Kuyt and a member of the other team, you know you haven't put on an attacking masterclass. But this victory is important, as Denmark were considered Holland's main contender for first place in Group E. The clean sheet will give the Dutch defense a morale boost to go along with the statistical one. And the ugly win gives both the Dutch and their detractors evidence of some grit to go with the team's traditional flair. Later opponents, more desperate for goals and points as group play goes on, will be less defensive, and the Dutch, with Robben returning, still have time to put on a show.
Moi, le medecin!
France look awful. No focal point in attack, an underwhelming display from Ribery, and what seems like a general malaise. Everyone from Just Fontaine to Zinedine Zidane has blasted France's play in their opening 0-0 borefest with Uruguay. Coach Raymond Domenech is incompetent, so I feel as worthy as any in putting forward a hard-and-fast solution to France's attacking woes. Here it is...
Give Nicolas Anelka a partner, and make that partner stay central. Anelka has become an unorthodox striker, drifting around the penalty and coming deep to receive the ball and help in the build-up play. Yes, Anelka often played this role successfully as a lone striker at club level for Chelsea, but they are a physical team full of midfielders who get into the penalty area. France have a distinct lack of this type of player, and are struggling to get the ball near to goal. Andre-Pierre Gignac, a physical forward, was introduced late on against Uruguay, but bizarrely seemed to forgo the penalty area as well. Gignac and Anelka in tandem, with Gignac playing as a central out-and-out striker, should give the attack a focus, occupying the opposing center-backs and giving the rest of France's talented attack room to work.
England a contender? Not by this performance, but time will tell.
England's game against the US was supposed to prove one of two things: England's status as title contenders, or the US's real improvement since the last World Cup. The 1-1 scoreline, with the US goal coming courtesy of an all-too predictable goalkeeping howler by Robert Green, seems to leave everything up in the air. But a closer look reveals a flawed England and a very encouraging performance from the United States.
Tim Howard was always going to play well, but I was in no way calm going into this match. I have to say that Bradley's team selection worried me. Matching England's 4-4-2 formation pitted our two central midfielders directly against England's. Michael Bradley/Ricardo Clark v. Frank Lampard/Steven Gerrard? This should have been no contest, and my worries turned to horror when Gerrard blew past Clark for the opening goal. But they did well for the remainder of the contest, largely restricting England's attack to the wings, and crosses sent into the box would always favor our large, physical center-backs. And my anger at Clark subsided when I began to realize the difficulty of his and Bradley's assignment. They had to stop Gerrard and Lampard while also keeping tabs on Wayne Rooney, who loves to drop into midfield from his striker position. Rooney is undoubtedly the Three Lions' best player, and Bradley and Clark share credit with the defenders for his relatively subdued performance. That the US attack didn't do much is also of little worry. Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey were always going to be forced to curb their attacking instincts in favor of subduing England's attacking full-backs, and the added defensive responsibility placed on Bradley and Clark resulted in Altidore and Findley seeing very little of the ball. The US was reduced to counter-attacking, but it still almost brought a win, which gives England reason to worry. Surely, more offensive initiative will be allowed against Algeria and Slovenia.
England's worries are not confined to their obvious goalkeeping problem. Despite dominating offensively, they only managed one goal. While Tim Howard did stop Emile Heskey and Shaun Wright-Phillips one-on-one, Capello had to expect that type of play, now commonplace for the American shot stopper. England did little to breach a US defense that was suspect coming into this tournament, and failed to turn their early momentum into anything substantial. James Milner, for all his supposed versatility, was taken to the cleaners by US right-back Steve Cherundolo, resulting in his absurdly early departure. I have seen Wayne Rooney frustrated, inaccurate, and angry, but never as subdued as during this game. The word is that he aggravated his ankle, and England, in short, is f***ed if his injury keeps him sidelined. Center-back Ledley King also picked up an injury, and Jamie Carragher, his replacement, was almost humiliated by Jozy Altidore, only to be saved by Robert Green, of all people. Matthew Upson will surely start the next game in defense. Defensive midfielder Gareth Barry's return will also add stability in midfield, allowing Steven Gerrard free rein to utilize his considerable attacking skills. If Rooney plays and Barry returns against Algeria, it will be a slightly better match in which to judge the credentials of England's first-choice line-up, but the price of failure against more inferior opposition will certainly be higher.
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