A clash of cultures and portents for july

Holland will play Portugal and Argentina, Mexico. These matchups are going to provide a massive clash of footballing cultures. To explain this further, I will first discuss the group stage encounters between Mexico and Portugal, and Argentina and Holland.

For Mexico, this was a game they needed to win. Not necessarily for qualification, but to assert themsleves as a real contender for the latter stages, and also as a confidence booster after a lacklustre draw with unheard of Angola. For Portugal, their first round ambitions were already fulfilled and they rested key players on yellow cards. So one would have expected Mexico to come out play a fast-paced, short passing style, which they did. But what was surprising was Portugal's adventurousness. They played as if this was their first game, with everything to play for. And the lack of star attacking midfielders Deco and Ronaldo was in way evident. After a blistering start from Mexico, Portugal wrested the advantage when Maniche slotted home a perfect delivery from winger Simao Sabrosa. They then dominated the next 30 minutes as Mexico watched on, stunned. Portugal were awarded a bizarre penalty when Rafa Marquez inexplicably handled a corner. Simao took the penalty, and despite Sanchez guessing the right direction, scored a deserved goal.

Mexico hit back against the run of play through rising star Fonseca and went into halftime 1-2. Perez was redcarded for dissent early in the second half making Mexico's task near impossible. But they fought admirably, playing an expansive game with Marquez looking solid at the back after being asked to play as a holding midfielder (????) in the first half. The Portuguese however, tightened their midfield and played a cultured possession game. Both teams continued to create opportunities, with the best falling to Mexican forward Omar Bravo who missed a penalty. The second half remained scoreless, but the Mexican fans were still cheering at the end as word had come through that Angola drew with Iran ensuring qualification for the Central Americans.

This match was an exciting affair with both teams showing flair, aggression and a desire to entertain. It is no co-incidence that one team is coached by an Argentine (78 world cup winner La Volpe, the wolf) and the other by the record-breaking Brazilian Scolari (10 world cup in a row as coach). Both teams come from footballing cultures that value entertainment and bravado over effeciency. A high-scoring draw or loss is often considered superior to a dour win in these countries (not at the world cup of course, this applies to football in general). Hence the consternation in Mexico when the supreme showman Cuahtemoc Blanco was dropped by Lavolpe.

In contrast, the Holland-Argentina clash was one for the purists; the tacticians, strategists and technical coaches. It was an absorbing 0-0 draw. That may sound like an oxymoron, but that would be an injustice to these two fantastic teams. Both sides were "understrength"- that is, they rested players on yellow cards. But the actual strength of the two sides was not really effected, certainly not in a negative sense anyway with Argentina probably looking stronger than previously with Messi and Tevez playing in front of Riquelme. This is a massive testament to both teams who like real challengers.

But back to the game...At the 90th minute, a statistic went up on the TV screen saying "possession ARG 50:50 NED" whilst the ball was being contested at the halfway line in a midfield tussle. This image pretty much summed up the game for me; one of the tightest midfield battles I have ever seen. Argentina and Holland have supremely talented midfielders, both defensive and offensive midfielders, and both sets came prepared to play. Neither side had a clear cut opportunity in the whole match. This shows that the screen provided in the middle third of the field was so tight that when the ball did get through the defenders were already in position to deal with ease with any threat. Both teams tried to play a possession game, but the oppressive pressing ensured that neither team enjoyed long, unbroken possession, which players like Riquelme, Cambiasso, van der Vaart and Sneijder thrive on. In the end, they had equal share of the ball. Argentina enjoyed a slight territorial advantage because of the speed and tenacity of Tevez in particular, but it came to naught as the Dutch smothered any promising move before the Argentines could properly excecute it. In desperation, there were even uncharasteristic long balls.

But all in all, a fantastic game of attrition. Both coaches attempted some tactical adjustments with players starting deeper or wider, but neither side cracked. I feel that if the Dutch enforcer van Bommel had played, Argentina would have struggled a little more, but the Dutch midfielders Cocu, van der Vaart and Sneijder were superb, just like their counterparts Cambiasso, Rodriguez and Riquelme. This game is a portent for what is to come in the latter half of the world cup. I think after having watched this game (have no doubt, all teams in contention would have watched closely) coaches will tighten their midfields. They will insist on cutting off supply lines to the playmakers. Uncompromising anchormen like van Bommel will be the key men in the knockout matches. To put it in crude terms, BRING IT ON!!!!

So, the clash of cultures. As you can tell, Portugal and Mexico will be playing quite differently to Holland and Argentina. On first glance, it would appear that the expansive game of the former will leave them vulnerable to counter-attacks from the latter. Also, the superior midfield strength of the Dutch and the Argentines should deny their opposition playmakers sufficient quality ball to be effective. But, both Lavolpe and Scolari would have seen replays of the ARG:NED match and will know what to expect. So dont be surprised if both Mexico and Portugal sit tight and wait long periods of time before looking for the decisive onslaught. Petit and Costinha for Portugal will be the key men for Portugal as they will be responsible for unleashing Deco and co. at the opportune moment. Mexico do not have the same quality to rely upon, so Marquez and his defensive line will be required to act more frequently against Argentina one feels. But these second round matches will probably be the pick of the round along with Brazil vs any of the Group E teams.