Hello and welcome to it Offside: your daily review in anticipation of the World Cup. The biggest surprise of the 18th day was that it had only one match and it was one that would have made cricket fans feel like they were watching the first round of an ICC tournament if Cricket Canada had not been disbanded due to corruption linked to gangs.
Commentary: Canada 1-0 South Africa
In cricket there is a recurring saying: the goal was there. Canada had more goals, South Africa used it to seek extra time and penalties, but Stephen Eustaquio had other ideas. Alphonso Davis changed things up when he came on in the 75th minute and immediately raised the mood like maple syrup on pancakes. Canada is through to the Round of 32 where they will face the not so strong Dutch or Morocco.
Matchday: Brazil vs Japan
June 29, 10:30pm ISTIn ‘Kill Bill’, Hattori Hanzo makes a page for the Bride and tells her: “If on your journey you will meet God, God will be cut off.” The Japanese team looks sharp, like a samurai sword or Shogun is about to save the empire, but now they are facing the football gods in Brazil, even though God has been MIA since 2002.
Warrior WatchBrazil’s Vinicius Jr looks on fire, as if driven by thousands of racist chants. With another star, Takefusa Kubo, injured, Japan will look to Daichi Kamada for inspiration.Military policyJapan will try to make the game more controlled, with quick passes and sudden breaks. Without Kubo, Daichi Kamada should be the brain between the midfield and attack, while Junya Ito gives them a big advantage.
Brazil’s plan is simple and dangerous: get the ball to Vinicius Jr before Japan can establish its form. If Japan loses the cheap price, Brazil will punish one loose license.The most important battle is the success of Japan against the Brazilian aggression. Japan needs rhythm. Brazil needs grass. Whoever gets their wish wins the match.Dinner table conversationJapan have already beaten Germany, Spain and England in recent years, and upset Brazil in a friendly. The smart money will be in Brazil, but Japan is a country that has continually returned to impossible odds. If he can survive the atomic bombs, he can upset the Samba boys.
Matchday Action: Germany vs Paraguay
June 30, 2:00am ISTGermany arrive with four World Cups, a squad full of shiny components, and a sense that there is something in the machine. Paraguay is like Billy Butcher with a crowbar but with the eternal belief that he can still kill the Homeland c****.Warrior WatchGermany will look to Jamal Musiala for magic, because even the best German machine needs someone who can paint outside the lines. Paraguay will bring back Miguel Almiron, whose moves can surprise teams.Military policyGermany need the ball, tempo and space for Musiala and Florian Wirtz to finally turn promise into punishment. If they win early, this could be a great workout for Germany. Paraguay’s plan is simple: close the middle, slow down the match, win the offense, and make Germany impatient. Then release Almiron into the air and watch as the fear moves faster than the ball. The most important battle is the control of Germany against the chaos of Paraguay. Germany needs rhythm. Paraguay needs mud. Whoever gets their wish wins the match.Dinner table conversationThe smart money will be in Germany, because history, talent and wisdom all show that way. But Paraguay always fights back. Expect them to be successful at work.
Matchday Activities: Netherlands vs Morocco
June 30, 6:30 am ISTJohan Cruyff’s Total Football is now a museum with a better light than the Dutch back. The Oranje are still dangerous, but they don’t get carried away like they used to. Morocco, meanwhile, has gone from plucky underdogs to one of Africa’s proper heavyweights.To paraphrase Rick Blaine: of all the knockout ties in World Cups, the Dutch deserved to get into this one.Warrior WatchThe Netherlands will look to Cody Gakpo to improve and Virgil van Dijk to keep his composure. An additional emotional thread is Gakpo’s loss of the baby. Morocco will look to Achraf Hakimi to inspire, Brahim Diaz to create, and Ismael Saibari for the priceless type that spoils Europe’s slumber.
Military policyThe Dutch want football, width and pace enough to make this seem like a football philosophy again. The problem is that they score free goals but they keep the door closed. Morocco’s plan is to stay strong, spring through Hakimi and Diaz, and make any Dutch interest feel like it’s on the borderline. The important battle is the control of the Dutch against the Moroccan nerves. The Netherlands needs rhythm. Morocco needs a clean break and a crowd that is starting to believe in 2022 again.Dinner table conversationMorocco will always have Qatar, but it will need more than a memory. The Dutch will always have Cruyff, the orange shirt and enough talented defenders to build a dam, except right now the Dutch swamp is still coming out. If Hakimi and Diaz find the cracks, this could be the end of Oranje’s beautiful run. Play again, Sam: football, heartbreak and one attack in Morocco.