TFT Issue 125!
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Toulon Tournament Reviews
Colombia vs Ivory Coast
This game ended 4-1 to the South Americans and it was thoroughly deserved. Ivory Coast proved that their shambolic defending against Italy wasn’t a one-off as they capitulated at the back yet again. They paid no attention whatsoever to James Rodriguez, which is suicidal as he’s already arguably the most impressive player in the whole tournament. Ivory Coast were suitably punished as Rodriguez tore them apart again and again although I do have to feel for the Ivorians because Colombia’s opening goal wasn’t a penalty, in my view. The defender won the ball and it rolled to the keeper who picked it up before the defender’s stupidly high trailing leg clattered into the Colombian. It was a stupid thing of him to do and probably worthy of a yellow card but similar to pushing at a corner – it wasn’t a penalty. However, that luck was reversed when Ivory Coast scored the last goal of the game following a hideous own goal following a lack of communication in the Colombian defence and the ball rolled past the goalkeeper, who leapt on it but both he and the ball slid helplessly toward the goal. The linesman gave a goal but from my perspective, that ball didn’t cross the line but there’s the balance of luck for the Africans. Aside from that, Colombia still dominated them and exploited their feeble offside trap time and time again. Cardona scored one of the goals of the tournament from the edge of the box to pile further misery upon their African opponents and Colombia thoroughly deserved their win. I can’t believe Ivory Coast are so bad this year but they’ve really surprised me by giving up to such a degree. They’ll do well to get anything from their final game in the tournament.
Italy vs Portugal
Happily, this fixture went a little more like it should have done as we saw more true colours of Italy than we did in their “training match” against Ivory Coast. Italy have actually really impressed me in the tournament as I didn’t expect anything near what they’ve shown so far but they’ve looked sharp, innovative, and composed – fair play to them. I’ve been especially impressed with their attackers although I must confess that I’m surprised we’ve not seen Borini start both games as he’s looked excellent each time he’s featured. Borini scored a sublime goal against Portugal in this game and it was going to take something special to carve a way past Nuno Assis and co. as they defend stoutly and did for most of the game. Italy did create a few chances but failed to capitalise on most of them. Borini, however, engineered himself a little room from a difficult angle and slotted home a beautiful finish; one of the goals of the tournament, for me. Italy played with great spirit and desire in the first-half and looked set to win the game as Portugal had yet again failed to start their only actual good striker – Balde. However, Portugal did in this game what they did against Colombia – they came out of the traps second-half and started to pressure Italy. In fact, as unlikely as it seems, I’d actually call some of Portugal’s spells “bullying” such was their dominance over Italy. Italy still had some dangerous counter-attacks but Portugal finally showed their own ability. They still failed to score time and time again until they brought big Balde on though. I’ll never know why he didn’t start this game after his great display coming off the bench last match but there we go. He came on today and got on the end of a cross and equalised, which created a frantic end to the game but it ended 1-1 and I think the scoreline was fair. Portugal must start Balde or they may even struggle to score against Ivory Coast because their finesse is just not good enough, irrespective of Ivory Coast’s shoddy attempts at defending. Italy will play a very interesting game with Colombia as their final group game – I can’t wait for that one.
Featured game
Bolivia vs Paraguay – away win at 6/5.
Today’s featured game is the International Friendly between Bolivia and Paraguay in South America.
You won’t find me often opposing Bolivia at home due to their notorious altitude advantage but I’m going to do so tonight. Why?
Well, although the majority of Bolivia is at a great height, there are some parts that aren’t. One of those places is a city called Santa Cruz, which is actually very low-lying; almost “ordinary”, if you will. Happily, this game tonight is being played in Santa Cruz so this is very much a level playing field for both teams.
Quality-wise, Paraguay are a lot better than Bolivia and that explains why the odds on Paraguay are dropping. I mean, Paraguay do miss a few experienced defenders here – Bonet, Rodriguez, Manzur, Caceres etc. – but their attack is largely entact with only SL Benfica striker Cardozo missing out. Paraguay still have a lethal trio with Santa Cruz, Barrios, and Haedo-Valdez in attack and that’s more than enough to score goals here. Paraguay are very well-organised and very efficient, just as we all saw in the last World Cup and I expect them to do a job on Bolivia tonight
Bolivia are extremely tenacious hosts and will not give up for anything so Paraguay can forget having an easy evening in Santa Cruz. However, despite all their bravado, Bolivia do lack quality in key areas of the team and it tends to show. Goals come from Moreno or nowhere; creativity comes from Campos or Vaca or nowhere. Their goalkeepers are weak and often make mistakes and their defence’s positioning is often very questionable. I like their work ethic and their ability to score goals against all odds but in Santa Cruz against a superior Paraguayan team, I just can’t see them getting a result here.
For me, the value is on the away win tonight, although approach with caution as it is only a friendly.
Verdict: Paraguay to win at 6/5.
Toulon Tournament Today
Hungary vs Mexico – Mexico to win at 6/4.
I expect the odds to dive on Mexico at somepoint today because they’re simply much better than Hungary and I’m amazed that currently the bookies have these two sides both at 6/4 to win. Are they really reading so much in to the first game of each side? Hungary beat China 3-0 by taking their chances but it wasn’t a highly-polished display and there defence were caught out, according to reports – it’s just that the Chinese weren’t good enough to capitalise on it. Mexico actually gave France a decent game but were simply outplayed by a better team on the day, although I will admit Mexico’s defending lent France a helping hand from time to time. Nonetheless, Mexico looked good going forward and did trouble France and I expect that to show against Hungary today. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few goals today but for me, Mexico are a must take at 6/4 – they should be no longer than 11/10, in my view.
France vs China
Bookies aren’t giving odds on the handicap for France here and I can understand why as I fully expect them to pulverise China today. France were incredible against Mexico and against easily the worst side in the tournament on their own turf, I fully expect France to run riot here. I’ll be surprised to see China score here as they couldn’t score against Hungary despite opportunities being given to them by the Hungarians so I doubt they’ll penetrate the French backline. The French attack looks smooth, efficient, and incredibly lethal. These games may only be eighty minutes long but I fully expect France to win this by at least two goals today so take what handicap you wish with that in mind.