Argentina vs. Korea Republic Post Match Thread (R)

Against a team that presses the mid and defense will trouble Argentina I think. But the attack is irresistible.

 

Maybe you should read it.

 

a) I'm still not comfortable with Jonás on the right.

b) Micho has to do something about those brain farts.

c) Messi is doing well and can do even better -his role is not scoring but drawing the other team's defense to him, so he can make the crucial pass to the striker.

d) There is a disconnect between Di Maria and Mascherano/Maxi (or Verón). He's not getting enough balls, and seems a bit uncomfortable having to play so far back and behind Messi, who's the guy providing the balls.

e) Pipita must have got his confidence back. That is good. Very good.

f) Tévez is a great player to have for the first half, with his constant pestering of the other team's defense. He's not the player to help break defensive formations, though. He's going to try to dribble through four players instead of making the smart pass, sometimes. And even if he can go through three, the fourth gets the ball from him.

 

Yeah, he played much deeper especially in this game since Veron was out, even hustling back and winning defensive balls. Speaking results, he was instrumental in 3 of the goals. He also won the corner that led Heinze's goal with a great shot. Messi is playing better than he ever has for Argentina.

 

what happened to Samuel?

 

Higuain - best goals/minute ratio this season. Looks like he's keeping up the rate in international play. His movement is great even if his finishing lacks at times.

 

I don't know ... like I said. He didn't win those passes, more or less his name did. And he missed almost 30 out of 60 passes in this game

 

He hasn't got a clue how to organise a defence

 

Go back to the DVR. When Messi shot and the keeper made the kick save, Higuain was slightly offside. When Messi got the rebound from the kick save, a Korean defender trailed him, and Higuain remained stationary. When Messi shot a second time and hit the post the trailing defender was absolutely even with Higuain, meaning that Higuain was clearly not offside.

Higuain put the rebound off the post into the net. The goal was allowed, and the AR made the correct decision. No offside.

Those of you saying he was offside are flat out wrong.

 

Higuain is actually (judging last game, first was a disaster) much better finisher than he was in Madrid this year

 

I think Higuain was level with the GK and the defender close to Messi.

 

We really need to address our weakness on the counter, it's been a major problem for a few years and SoKo was poking holes in it from time to time today. "We'll score one more than you" sounds good but 2007 Copa final is fresh in my memory.

 

Exactly, and even is not offside.

 

Not a total disaster. He had 2 strikes that were not great but at least on target and were well saved by the keeper. He wasted another. But his movement last game was great as usual. He just has that knack for being in the right place. I was very glad Maradona didn't bench him after Nigeria.

 

Which is exactly the way FIFA instructs it's referees. If it's too close to call, give the advantage to the attacking player.

 

This result has helped Nigeria massively.

IF Nigeria beat Greece, they only need a draw against Korea which is very dooable.

 

^^^ This.

But probably it's better not to say too much yet.

Let el Gordo do his thing.

 

Higuain never had much problems with moving around - he lacked that last touch to put the goal in the net. Today I was quiet impressed.

If that was Madrid playing it would MAYBE end 1-1

 

higuain scored 29 goals this year for madrid. he now has 5 in 7 games for la seleccion. he is an elite player no doubt. his finishing is off from time to time, but he ALWAYS get into good positions. i cannot wait to see how much he improves when mourinho gets a hold of him. look what it did to milito...

 

Maradona should definitely rest Messi, Masch, and Samuel. I'd like to see Pastore start.

 

i think it is important to get messi a goal before the going gets tough. play him for 45 minutes, greece looked woeful last time out