The Group Stages [Matches 1-23].
Continuing with our report from Issue 19 of the Coachbuilder’s Column, we look at the first week of the competition, taking us from Match 1 [14 June] to Match 23 [22 June], Moscow time. For my purposes, I’m using Australian Eastern Standard Time [AEST], in my summary of matches played up until the early hours of Friday morning [22nd June].
The FIFA 2018 World Cup got under way with the Opening Ceremony, at about Midnight, on the morning of 15 June here. I didn’t see those proceedings, , but I did watch most of the opening match featuring World Cup hosts, Russia, against Saudi Arabia.
Match 1; Russia versus Saudi Arabia. [Group A]
These were the two lowest ranked teams at the Tournament – on FIFA rankings, Russia in 70th spot, and Saudi Arabia 67th. In the Group they have drawn, Russia would go into this first match [played at 1 am AEST] with high hopes of getting through to the next round for the first time in more than 30 years. If they were going to win a game, this was their big chance against the Saudis who have come into the tournament following on from three successive losses to Italy, Peru and Germany.
Russia went into this game, played at 1 am, Friday, 15 June [AEST] at the 80,000 capacity Luzhniki Stadium [described as the crucible of Russian and Soviet sport, without a victory in over months, so there would be a lot of pressure on the host team prior to this match. Despite a brief threatening move by the Saudis early in the 2nd half, the Russians didn’t let their home crowd supporters down, going on to a convincing win over the luckless Saudis – Russia 5, Saudi Arabia 0
There was no TV coverage by either SBS or Foxtel of Games 2 and 3 – but this supporter found BBC radio descriptions [in English] on SBS Radio 2.
Match 2: Egypt versus Uruquay [Group A]
Played at the Central Stadium, Ekaterinburg [new capacity of 35,000], at 10 pm AEST, 15 June – described as a weak looking Group A, especially following Saudi Arabia capitulation earlier this morning, Egypt’s success may well have depended on the availability of star player Mohamad Salah who suffered a shoulder injury in Liverpool’s Champions League final loss to Real Madrid three weeks ago, and has been battling to get fit on a day by day basis. Meantime, Uruquay’s top scorer – Luis Suarez – has insisted he is a much more mature player since sparking controversy in his previous two World Cup tournaments. The Barcelona forward prevented a certain goal for Ghana with a deliberate handball on the line in 2010, and then infamously bit Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini in Brazil in 2014.
As for the match, this was the first of two last minute wins . At halftime, with the scores locked at 0-0, Egypt would probably have been feeling satisfied to have reached that point without conceding a goal to the highly fancied South American team. However, it was in the 89th minute of the match, that Uruguay scored against a brave Egyptian team, – with the Jose Gimenez late talley from Sanchez being enough to seal the win. It was the first opening match win for Uruguay since 1970………..Final score: Uruquay 1 Egypt 0
Match 3: Morocco versus Iran [Group B]
Scheduled for 1 am [AEST] Saturday 16 June – Iran in the days leading up to this match, found their preparation disrupted, as they were without boots. Their supplier, Nike, could not provide any because of Donald Trump’s re-imposition of economic sanctions against Iran. The team called for assistance from FIFA, other team numbers, or by making purchases from Russian shops. Apart from that, Iran headed into the match after a difficult build-up, with friendlies against Greece and Kosova being cancelled. However, there was some confidence – they knew much about the Moroccan team but doubted the opposition had much knowledge about the Iranians.
The match was played at St. Petersburg Stadium, apparently designed in a modern ‘space-ag’ format!! In the first match for Group B, Iran waited until the 96th minute to open the scoring, sealing their win. An own goal in the 6th minute of stoppage time was what it took for Iran to scrape a victory from Morocco. Morocco has still never won their opening World Cup match, while the result gave Iran a rare win at the World Cup finals competition. Final score: Iran 1, Morocco 0.
Match 4: Portugal versus Spain [Group B]
This game was played at the Fisht Stadium in Socchi, at 4am [AEST] Saturday 16 June. I’d watch a replay later in the day, but it proved to be the best game of the tournament so far, with the teams not separated at the end of the match, and predictions that Portugal, in particular, could go far in this tournament. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Spain’s Diego Costa traded goals back and forth until Nacho took a beautiful strike from distance to give Spain their first lead in the 58th minute. In the end however, Cristiano Ronaldo created the highlight of the match, by completing a hat trick of goals in the 88th minute – a free-kick that clinched a valuable point from the match for Portugal to earn the draw. Both Spain and Portugal will both receive one point in the standings. Final score – Portugal 3; Spain 3.
Match 5: France versus AUSTRALIA [Group C]
In a match, described by one media outlet as the ‘Princes versus the Paupers’ [on the basis of transfer fee values for the respective team players – the Aussie players ‘valued at $50million, against the estimated $1billion for the French team], it was perhaps hopeful optimism on my part to suggest that was one thing in Australia’s favour – France are traditionally slow starters in major tournaments. In 4 of their last 8 major events, France failed to score with a record of 3 wins, 1 loss, and 4 draws, and 2 of those wins were sealed with last minute scores. The Australians, going into this match, felt that if they could avoid conceding an early goal, they would give themselves a strong chance of continuing France’s opening game record.
Before looking at the outcome, a brief look back at Australia’s four previous World Cup appearances.
- 1974 [Germany]: Lost 0-2 to East Germany; Lost 0-3 to West Germany; Drew 0-0 with Chile.
- 2006 [Germany]: Won 3-1 over Japan; Lost 0-2 to Brazil; Drew 2-2 with Croatia. Second Round: Lost 0-1 to Italy [from a last minute penalty].
- 2010 [South Africa]: Lost 0-4 to Germany; Drew 1-1 with Ghana; Won 2-1 over Serbia.
- 2014 [Brazil]: Lost 1-3 to Chili; Lost 2-36 to Netherlands; Lost 0-3 to Spain
In any case, the 2018 opening match for the Socceroos was played at the Kazan Arena, ay 8 pm [AEST], on Saturday 16 June. As it eventuated, Tim Cahill, the Socceroos all- time leading goal scorer and veteran of 3 World Cups, did not make it onto the pitch in this game. Irrespective of the pre-match ‘one-sided’ nature between the two teams, more than 7000 Aussies turned the Russian city of Kazan, hoping their team could defy the odds.
By halftime, the score was 0-0 – Australia had managed to hold the French out, and looking reasonably confident of continuing that way. However a penalty shot 58 minutes in, gave France the opening goal, yet 4 minutes later, Australia responded in similar vein, with an equalising goal from a penalty shot. However, at 81 minutes, a brief lapse on defence [that’s all it needs], and a goal to France, gave them back the lead.
It could be described as a brave performance, pushing France to the limit, though I found the commentator’s comment of a ‘fantastic’ effort by Australia a little annoying – ‘they didn’t win’!! However, the view is, second spot in the group, behind France, is up for grabs – Australia’s two other opponents in the group would play each other a few hours later. Final score: France 2; Australia 1.
[local paper headlines on Sunday morning included – So far from disgrace – Van Narwijk proud of valiant team – Unlucky defeat’s upsides – Roos suffer hi-tech torture – Bad luck boys, bring on the Danes – Paupers but Aussie fans don’t care].
Match 6: Argentina versus Iceland [Group D]
This game was played at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow, at 11 pm [AEST] Saturday, 16 June
Argentina’s Lionel Messi [the five time world player of the year] did not go into this game taking Iceland lightly – “Iceland showed they could compete with anyone at the last Euros” he said. Yet there was criticism of his team [which lost the 2014 World Cup to Germany] claiming that too much was focused on Messi against a ‘band of grafters’ who pride themselves on teamwork [and revel in their underdog status].
From one report – While the result was not on the scale of that Iceland produced to eliminate England from Euro 2016, it was a major boost for the tiny nation, who retain hopes of advancing from a group that also includes Nigeria and Croatia. The island nation of 330,000 is the smallest country to ever qualify for the finals but emphatically showed they can mix it with the heavyweights.
In front of a raucous crowd at the 45,000-capacity venue, Iceland launched into some early physical challenges and rattled Argentina. Argentina must regroup before facing Croatia on Nizhny Novgorod on June 21, while Iceland face Nigeria in Volgograd on June 22. As for Lionel Messi – he is yet to win a major international tournament and time is running out with his 31st birthday looming. A credible performance by the under-dogs – with the final score Argentina 1; Iceland 1.
Match 7: Peru versus Denmark [Group C]
This match was played at the Mondovia Arena in Saransk [at 2am, Sunday 17 June , AEST] between Australia’s other two opponents in this group. Peru were relieved that their star forward Paolo Guerrero was available following the overturning of his 14 month ban for taking cocaine, after a successful last ditch appeal.. With France the Group C favourite [with due respect to the Aussies], neither team wanted to drop points in this game. As with the earlier game, there was no television coverage for this writer, and I’d slept through most of the radio broadcast. Yussuf Poulsen ruined Peru’s first appearance at a World Cup finals for 36 years on Saturday with the winning goal for Denmark to seal a 1-0 victory in Saransk. Final score – Denmark 1, Peru 0.
Match 8: Croatia versus Nigeria [Group D]
This game was played at the Kaliningrad Stadium at 5am, Sunday, 17 June [AEST].Nigeria are the youngest team in the tournament, and had to face up against a Croatian team powered by one of the tournament’s strongest and most experienced midfields. A strong group, including Argentina and Iceland, the Nigerians had hopes of getting something out of the game for the sake of the young team. The experience of Croatia would prove the difference, with Oghenekaro Etebo’s own goal and Luka Modric goal gave Croatia a winning start in their World Cup campaign, and also enabled them to grab top spot in Group D at the points table, after the first game of the group [played earlier] between Argentina and Iceland ended in a 1-1 draw. The African team [the ‘Super Eagles’] were disappointed with the loss – acknowledging that Croatia had performed better, and their team had made some basic mistakes. The final score – Croatia 2, Nigeria 0
Match 9: Costa Rica versus Serbia [Group E]
This match took place at the Samara Arena, at 10 pm, Sunday 17 June [AEST].
Serbia captain, Aleksandar Kolarov scored a spectacular free-kick from 25 yards to give Serbia a deserved victory in their opening World Cup Group E match against Costa Rica.leaving Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas clutching at thin air as he desperately scrambled across goal. Costa Rica only sporadically threatened the Serbia goal during the game, with an early header over the crossbar from unmarked defender Giancarlo Gonzalez their best effort. With games against Brazil and Switzerland to come, this was a key match for both nations to press their credentials to reach the knockout stages. Final score was Serbia 1; Costa Rica 0.
Match 10: Germany versus Mexico [Group F]
Played at the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, at 1 am on Monday, 18 June [AEST].,
This game provided a bit of an upset – GERMANY became the third defending champion in the last 16 years to lose its opening match at the World Cup, falling to Mexico 1-0 on Monday morning (AEST). Hirving Lozano scored the lone goal in the 35th minute. “I don’t know if it’s the biggest victory in (Mexico’s) history, but one of the biggest for sure,” Lozano said. “It’s great to start on the right foot when you are playing the world champions.” The Germany coach Joachim Loew was straight to the point: “We played very badly.”
France in 2002 and Spain in 2014 were the other defending champions to lose their opening matches. Neither of those teams advanced from the group stage. It will be interesting to see how Germany comes back on this occasion. The final score: Mexico 1; Germany 0.
Match 11: Brazil versus Switzerland [Group E]
Played at the Rostov Arena at 5am on Monday, 18 June [AEST].
Brazil failed to win it’s opening World Cup match for the first time in 40 years, having to settle for a draw with the Swiss team. From ABC News – Brazil joined the host of big guns who have failed to fire in their opening World Cup game as lax defending from a corner allowed Switzerland to cancel out Philippe Coutinho’s spectacular curling strike and grab a 1-1 draw.
The five-times world champions took a deserved lead midway through the first half in the Group E game when Coutinho’s irresistible long-distance shot cannoned in off the far post, but Tite’s side, who had looked so impressive in the tournament build-up, failed to build on their advantage. The highly organised Swiss hit back early in the second period from one of their few chances as Brazil’s Casemiro and Miranda switched off and the unmarked Steven Zuber barely had to leave his feet to nod in Xherdan Shaqiri’s whipped corner.
Brazil went all out in pursuit of a winner and came agonisingly close to finding it but had to settle for a point and joined fellow tournament favourites Germany, Spain and Argentina in failing to win their first game. Final score: Brazil 1; Switzerland 1
At this point in the tournament, the broader Australian population of soccer fans were suddenly given a lifeline of coverage – the vastly restricted coverage being supposedly provided by the Optus Network [which prevented the majority of Australian supporters from seeing most matches live] had technical problems. By the end of Tuesday’s competition [Moscow time], because of ongoing difficulties faced by Optus, a welcome and surprising agreement had been reached – EVERY match during the group stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup will be available to Australian football fans on SBS, or for free on the Optus Sport streaming platform. Optus made the bombshell announcement Wednesday afternoon that it would give SBS shared responsibility for delivering the World Cup to Australia after a massive failure of technology left thousands of fans without access to football. “The FIFA World Cup is the absolute pinnacle of football, a sport that Australians are deeply passionate about,” said SBS Managing Director Michael Ebeid. “SBS looks forward to continuing to simulcast games, together with Optus for the next ten days.”
As far as I am concerned, this kind of arrangement should have been in place from the beginning of the tournament. But of course these days the power and greed of money over-rides what the broader population wants!!
Match 12: Sweden versus Korea Republic [Group F]
Played at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium at 10 pm, Monday 18 June [AEST].
From NDTV Sports – Sweden on Monday defeated South Korea 1-0 thanks to a penalty from captain Andreas Granqvist that was awarded after the referee took the help of VAR. Post the 65th-minute goal, the South Koreans tried really hard in the latter stages of the match to find an equaliser but were repelled by a stubborn Swedish defense. The penalty to Sweden was awarded after Kim Min-woo brought down Viktor Claesson with a clumsy challenge in the box. The referee ran to the sidelines to view the video of the incident and immediately pointed to the spot. Granqvist coolly slotted away the penalty to give his team a much-deserved lead. The Swedes were resolute in defence and denied South Korean attackers Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan any opportunity to score Final Score: Sweden 1: Korea Republic 0
Match 13: Belgium versus Panama [Group G]
Played at the Fisht Stadium,Sochi, at 1 am, Tuesday 19 June [AEST]
Belgium went into this game with the absence of some injured defenders. That didn’t stop them – the match was described as a professional performance against very limited opposition, after what some described as a worryingly sluggish start by Belgium, followed by three second half goals, which saw off Panama who are unlikely to trouble future opposition. Final score: Belgium 3; Panama 0
Match 14: Tunisia vs England [Group G]
Played at the Volgograd Arena at 4am, Tuesday 19 June [AEST].
England went into this match confident of being able to match the most formidable opponents , despite having managed only 6 knockout wins at major tournaments since 1966 – claiming it has the calibre of those players in its team. After the win early in the evening by Belgium, . England would need a convincing win to overtake Belgium at the summit of Group G. In the game, Tunisia threatened to take one point from it until the closing stages. Harry Kane’s stoppage-time winner ensured England started their World Cup as he scored his second goal of the game with a clever header, and Gareth Southgate’s side recorded England’s first win in the opening game of a major tournament since they beat Paraguay in the 2006 World Cup…Final Score: England 2, Tunisia 1.
Match 15: Colombia vs Japan [Group H]
This game was played at the Mordovia Arena, Saransk, at 10 pm, Tuesday 19 June [AEST]. Japan sacked its coach 71 days before the World Cup, but was still confident of proving its doubters wrong, going into tonight’s match. After this match, an interesting report from Fox Sport – ‘JAPAN showed once again why they have the best fans at the World Cup after they stayed behind to clean up the stadium following their win against Colombia. The Asian nation earned their first World Cup victory on European soil after edging out their South American opponents to win 2-1 in their Group H opener, And the fans celebrated in style by tidying up the ground — just as they had done during the World Cup in Brazil four years ago. Supporters took bin bags with them to the game against Ivory Coast in 2014 — and despite losing — stayed to clean up after themselves. Final score: Japan 2, Colombia 1
Match 16: Poland vs Senegal [Group H
This game was played at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow, at 1 am, Wednesday 20 June [AEST]. It was Poland’s first World Cup match in 12 years. While Japan became the first Asian nation to topple a South American opponent at a World Cup in the opening game of the night, then it was Senegal who became the first African nation in Russia to score. Senegal completed the chaotic night after defeating Poland 2-1 amid a sea of pure carnage. Poland secured a late goal off of the head of Grzegorz Krychowiak in minute 86, but despite some heavy pressure in the dying minutes they were unable to secure the draw. Final Score: Senegal 2, Poland 1.
Match 17: Russia vs Egypt [Group A]
To be played at the St. Petersburg Stadium, at 4 am, Wednesday 20 June [AEST] It would prove to be an exuberant night for the home fans who were given plenty of reasons to cheer as Russia backed up its 5-0 opening win against Saudi Arabia with a 3-1 victory over Egypt. Russia scored three goals in a 15-minute span early in the second half to set up a 3-1 win over Egypt, moving the host nation to the brink of the World Cup’s knockout stage. Final score: Russia 3, Egypt 1
Match 18: Portugal vs Morocco [Group B]
To be played at the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow at 10 pm, Wednesday 20 June {AEST]
Portugal is closing in on booking a spot into the round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup in Russia after hanging on to beat Morocco, 1-0 to move to four points in Group B. Portugal’s in form player – Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 4th goal of the tournament, just 4 minutes into the match, and while his team was basically restricted from any further scoring, the team from Morocco was unable to find the goals themselves. Final score: Portugal 1 Morocco 0
Match 19: Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia [Group A]
This game was played at the Rostov Arena, at 1 am, Thursday, 21 June [AEST]
An early goal by Uruquay’s Luis Suerez, led his team to a hard fought victory over Saudi Arabia, and helped to book his team’s place, with Russia, in the knockout stage, while Egypt and Saudi Aravia will both be eliminated. Suarez scored the winner in his 100th international appearance. Uruquay now play their hosts on June 25 to determine top spot in their Group. Final score: Uruquay 1 Saudi Arabia 0
Match 20: Iran vs Spain [Group B]
To be played at the Kazan Arena, at 4 am on Thursday, 21 June [AEST]
From the UK Telegraph, the following summary of this game is most apt – ‘Spain beat Iran 1-0 here in Kazan. But rarely can a victory have been as hard won. Iran were simply magnificent in their collective obduracy. Rarely can the old coaching maxim of don’t leave anything on the pitch have been so played out as it was by this Iran team. Against their elevated opponents, the players of Iran gave their all, several of them collapsing to the turf on the final whistle, exhausted by their heroic effort’. Unfortunately, to no avail. Final score: Spain 1 Iran 2
Match 21: Denmark vs AUSTRALIA [Group C]
The one we have been waiting for since last Saturday night – played at the Samara Arena. A couple of the headlines in Australian media before the game – ‘Stopping the Danes half the battle’ – ‘Denmark shape as daunting opponents in a game the Socceroos will be desperate to win’ – ‘Denmark pose an aerial threat’………………and so on, suggesting confidence by the Australian public is hopeful rather than high. Australia’s other two Group C opponents played in the match following.
The match was played at the Samara Arena, at 10 pm, 21 June [AEST]
Not a good start, with an early goal to Denmark, but one would have to suggest that the Socceroos held the Danes for the rest of the match, after levelling the scores before halftime, compliments of an Australian penalty goal from the Aussie captain, Jedinek. But the Aussies could not take advantage of that by kicking second goal. I was a bit annoyed by the media [Australian] praise heaped on the Australians for scoring one point from a draw – while that may have still left Australia with a slim chance of making the next round, it has to be admitted the odds are against them. In terms of the way they played [apart from kicking goals – our only two scores have come from penalty shots] Australia probably deserved one point from the game against France, and three points against Denmark. But you can’t win if you don’t get the ball into the net!! Final score: Denmark 1, Australia 1.
Match 22: France vs Peru [Group C]
This was played at the Ekaterinburg Arena, at 1 am, Friday 22 June [AEST] The result here was expected, and possibly aided Australia’s hopes as we go into our third group match. By winning, France joined Uruquay, Croatia and host team Russia in the knock-out rounds, and pushed Peru into an early exit. Despite that, the coach of Peru was appreciative of the support given to his team – “We thank our fans and people [from other countries] will have been surprised by the passion and love our fans have for us….we are sorry that we could not give them a better tournament”. Peru face Australia early Wednesday morning in their final game – a match the Aussies ‘must’ win well if they want any hope of advancing. Final score: France 1, Peru 0
Match 23: Argentina vs Croatia [Group D]
Played at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, at 4 am, Friday 22 June [AEST]
How the great have fallen. Argentina were crushed by Croatia, to all but but send the South Americans out of the tournament, while ensuring Croatia a place in the next round. This defeat means Argentina [one of the pre-tournament favourites] on the brink of a humiliating first round exit, after losing the 2014 Final to Germany.
At the conclusion of Match 23, we have four nations likely eliminated with a number of others, including Australia on the brink of exiting – those eliminated are Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Peru
Group point positions after matches 1-23, completed on Friday morning, AEST, were as follows
- Group A: Russia [6]; Uruquay [6], Egypt [0], Saudi Arabie [0];
- Group B: Spain [4]l Portugal [4], Iran [3], Morocco [0];
- Group C: France [6], Denmark [4], Australia [1], Peru [0];
- Group D: Croatia [6], Iceland [1], Argentina [1], Nigeria [0];
- Group E: Serbia [3], Brazil [1], Switzerland [1], Costa Rica [0];
- Group F: Sweden [3], Mexico [3], Germany [0], South Korea [0];
- Group G: Belgium [3], England [3], Tunisia [0], Panama [0];
- Group H: Japan [3], Senegal [3], Poland [0], Colombia [0]
Arising from games played Friday night/early Saturday morning [AEST], you can add the following points to the teams mentioned above –
- Group D: Nigeria [+3],
- Group E: Brazil [+ 3], and Switzerland [+3]
To be continued!!
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