TFT Issue 123!
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Reviews of Toulon Tournament games yesterday
Colombia vs Portugal
As I mentioned pre-game, the odds were completely wrong for this game and it’s a shame that Colombia didn’t make the bookies regret it.
For the whole of the first-half, Colombia were on top in this game, making darting runs down the flanks and causing problems. They had more energy than Portugal and were far more dangerous going forward. Portugal had a few attacks themselves but their chances/half-chances were squandered by Caetano and Oliveira as both displayed a complete lack of the killer instinct required in frontmen, which is unsurprising as Portugal rarely produce such players. Colombia wasted a good chance as Candelo delayed his volley following a beautiful ball over the Portuguese defence from Rodriguez and the Portuguese defence ended up blocking the shot. Rodriguez soon broke the deadlock and gave Colombia a deserved lead, albeit in somewhat fortuitous fashion. Rodriguez himself escaped his marker and controlled a long ball to him in the Portuguese box well but was felled as he used his body to shield the ball. There was fairly minimal contact and Rodriguez did make the most of it but it was a foul. Rodriguez confidently smashed home the penalty in the far side of the goal. Colombia continued to dominate the first-half with Portugal occasionally breaking forward with very little impact.
Things changed a little in the second-half with Portugal trying to pressurise their South American opponents more and it partially worked. Colombia had proven to be weak as far as distribution from their back four goes and Portugal had obviously been told at half-time to try and exploit that, which partially worked. Colombia rather stupidly decided to sit back and play the patient game rather than getting a killer second goal. Portugal continued to push and threw on Camara (or “Sana”) and Balde to replace Pele and Caetano and it was those substitutes that changed the game. Portugal had been ineffectual in their attacking methods all game due to not having a proper striker or height but Balde presented both and the difference was immediately apparent with Portugal causing trouble from corners and Balde himself nearly scoring one of them. Colombia couldn’t get to grips and Portugal looked more dangerous. Colombia subsequently brought on Muriel for Zapata and Cardona for Candelo to freshen up their counter-attacks which worked occasionally but the South Americans weren’t intent enough on attacking to capitalise upon that. Portugal brought on Brigido and Alves to try and force a goal in somwhere and they eventually triumphed with Balde unsurprisingly nodding home from a cross. The game then really opened up with both sides pushing for a winner but neither really doing sufficient damage due to poor decision-making in the final third most of the time.
Summarised – Colombia should have won the game, in my view. They were too cowardly in the second-half and invited Portugal to attack them whilst a second goal would have won them the game. Portugal have some good midfielders, as I mentioned pre-tournament, and they can knock it around nicely. However, there isn’t a guy in their squad with an instinctive striker’s finish other than Balde so if he’s not playing, I don’t fancy Portugal to score. Caetano and Oliveira worked hard and both have pace and ability to beat men but zero ability off-the-ball and aren’t clinical. Colombia are a lot more incisve than Portugal, especially down the flanks (Escobar was a real threat at times in the first-half) but Portugal did a pretty decent job on Rodriguez so Colombia didn’t quite create as many chance as they’d have liked. Zapata was more prominent in the second-half than the first-half but Colombia weren’t interested in attacking enough to take advantage of it.
Best players on the park – Nuno Reis, Rodriguez, Murillo, or Balde. Nuno Reis was the rock that Portugal’s defence really needed and Colombia had trouble getting the better of him, especially Zapata in the first-half. Colombia had a little more joy in the second-half but every time the ball got free in defence, he was there to sweep up the mess. Rodriguez – well, the Porto midfielder ran the show when he could, basically. Portugal were understandably terrified of him hence the tight marking and seeing what he did when he wasn’t marked, it’s no surprise they tried to “do him in”. Murillo was efficient and reliable at the back for Colombia, sweeping up loose balls – good display. Balde changed the game for Portugal during his cameo appearance. He held the ball up well, won it in the air, beat men, and caused big problems from set pieces – he has to start next match or Portugal are stupid!
Ivory Coast vs Italy
Well, I genuinely thought the bookies had priced this incorrectly pre-game but having seen the game, the bookies were absolutely right to list Italy as such favourites. The scoreline was 0-2 by the final whistle and Ivory Coast couldn’t have complained if it was 0-6. Ivory Coast have no ability in defence whatsoever – marking, tackling, composure, positioning – none. They were at fault for both of Italy’s goals, actually giving them the second one as one of their players dawdled on the ball before falling over and subsequently losing possession. Ivory Coast offered a little in attack in the second-half but nowhere near enough. Italy could have and should have scored a lot more although I can’t credit that to them being superb, good as they were – Ivory Coast were simply horrendous in defence. Italy literally squandered four or five good chances to increase the scoreline and to rub salt in the wound, Ivory Coast had Traore dismissed in the second-half for a second bookable offence due to a stupidly high tackle.
All in all, I don’t feel we’ve learned much from this game as Ivory Coast performed nowhere near their best and Italy did what any side would have done in their position. Hard to pick an individual for my man of the match because it was more of a training session than a match but Paloschi’s movement and finesse for the first goal impressed me so probably him.
Featured game
China vs Hungary – Hungary to win at 13/10.
I appreciate that a lot of Hungary’s team haven’t played together at this level together before and their defence is a tad vulnerable but the core of this team is built around Soproni Liga outfit Ujpest so the majority of the team do know each other well. Hungary have got some good players in this team, especially Gosztonyi, and they’re more than capable of winning this game. I’d be the first to admit that my knowledge of the Chinese youngsters is limited at best but on the few occasions that I’ve seen Chinese youngsters playing in the past, they’ve always looked rather poor, especially in front of goal. Typically, Chinese sides are quite good at keeping the ball and even quite decent at the back but generally are very ineffectual in front of goal and I don’t expect anything other from them today. For me, this should be a pretty easy game for Hungary and I can’t quite believe they’re at 13/10 to win this game today – they should be much shorter, by my reckoning.
Verdict: Hungary to win at 13/10.
Toulon Tournament games today
France vs Mexico – over 2.5 goals at 7/10.
I’m expecting a very good game between two good attacking sides here. Mexico have brought some very good players to the Toulon Tournament, especially young striker Erick Torres. Mexico have a great deal of offensive power in this squad and I thoroughly expect them to attack the hosts without fear. France themselves always have good youngsters and this batch is no exception. However, they’ve also got a good offensive side although their defence is a bit susceptible, especially in the full-back areas. For me, this game has over 2.5 goals all over it but I can’t say I’m keen on the 1×2 market here – France look too short.
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals at 7/10.