Pierre Boisrond has followed soccer and the World Cup
closely for many years and also writes for other websites. We at PWC are proud to have him as
a columnist. He will share his views about the past, present and future of
the World Cup.
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Coaching decision buried Mexico; Historic Costa Rica in final eight
Day 18 brought us lot of drama and some questionable referee decisions in
both games. The first game was between the Netherlands and Mexico. I predicted Mexico to win by 2-1 but they lost 2-1. This 2014
World Cup has been indeed very exciting. Today, Mexico were ready to send the Dutch back to Amsterdam. I truly think coaching decision
has cost Mexico the game. Many might blame the referee for allowing a soft penalty kick but Mexico were forgiven earlier because Holland
should have been awarded a penalty kick at the end of first half.
In the first half, Mexico had several scoring chances but they could not capitalize on them. The first half ended
0-0 between the two national teams. In one of my day 17 articles, I stated that day 18 would be Giovanni Dos Santos’ day. It was about
to be after he scored a beauty to put Mexico up 1-0 against in the 48th minute. My prediction would have come true had the Mexican Coach
not ruined it for me and a whole nation.
Miguel Herrera, the coach of Mexico, made a crucial mistake by taking out the talented Giovanni Dos Santos with
30 minutes to go to protect a 1-0. I have been through this in the past when Jose Nestor Pekerman substituted Juan Roman Riquelme in
2006 to protect a 1-0 score against the Germans who ended up winning the game. The same has happened to Mexico who ended up losing 2-1.
Dos Santos was playing extremely well and the Dutch were unable to contain him; once he left the field, the Dutch
were terrorizing the Mexican defense over and over again. Once a team is under constant attack, at some point the opponent will find a
hole in that defense. The Dutch persistence paid off when Wesley Sneijder found that hole to bury a magnificent shot in the bottom of
the Mexican net in the 88th minute. The game is now tied 1-1 and Mexico had to question themselves on what had just happened?
Holland had Robben on the field but Mexico did not have Dos Santos. It was Robben who put Rafa Marquez under
constant pressure; Rafa came late; stepped on Robben toe very lightly and the referee awarded Mexico with a penaltly kick that ended
Mexico’s journey to the Maracana.
In 2006 Mexico lost on a “zapatazo” of Maxi Rodriguez of Argentina. In 2014, another “zapatazo” of Sneijder
started the comeback for Holland who were in Jeopardy of not getting through the quarter finals.
Mexico played well but coaching decision has cost them a spot in the quarter finals. I cannot blame the referee
for awarding a soft penalty since he was kind to Mexico at the end of the first half. The veteran Marquez should have known how to defend
Robben.
The second game of Day 18 in the knockout round was between Greece and Costa Rican. I predicted Costa Rica to win the game in regulation
1-0. However, the Greek tied the game 1-1 in injury team. Costa Rica won the game in penalty shoot out 5-3.
Costa Rica are continuing to shock the world and they are on a total mission that is fixed on the Maracana stadium on July 13th. The
Costa Ricans believed in themselves. They have played against tough opponents such as England, Italy, Uruguay and they have shown to all
of us that they are ready for the big dance. They do believe they can beat any team in this tournament. After all, they spank Uruguay,
Italy and tied with England. Today they took care of the Greek under extreme duress - - playing with 10 men for an hour.
They have an excellent team and a superb goalie, Navas. Bryan Ruiz scored for Costa Rica to put them ahead 1-0. The Greek could have
been down 0-2 had the referee seen the hand ball by the Greek defender. Greece continued to have great luck in this World Cup when
they tied the game 1-1 in the 90th minute to send the game to extra-time.
Duing extra-time, the Greek tormented the Costa Rican defense to no avail. They were unable to score, but they were determined to send
Costa Rica home. However Greece would have to.
I must applaud the Costa Rican defense for playing well. However, the hero of the day was the Costa Rican goalie, Navas, who made many
incredible stops and the final stop in the penalty shootout.
Bravo Costa Rica for a job well done! Costa Rica are on a mission. Holland will be next.
My predictions for Day 19 is:
Nigeria 2 - France 1
Germany 2 - Algeria 1
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