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| Olympic Football Tournament | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Apr 20 2008, 07:29 AM (2,346 Views) | |
| SuperEagle | Aug 19 2008, 04:18 AM Post #61 |
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I am so satisfied with how Nigeria are playing now. This is how I've been wanting a Nigerian team to play and we haven't seen this since the 1996 Olympic team. Siasia is making the right moves and you can see how the team celebrated their goals with him that they really care for their coach. The base of this team is the one which lost the 2005 U-20 World Cup Final to Argentina and I would love to get the chance to get revenge for that loss, where Argentina got the benefit of some favorable calls to help win that match. Libero points out something I too wanted to discuss, Nigeria press the opponent very well and force turnovers which they are quickly able to convert into scoring opportunities with a quick counter. This Nigeria team know how to close their opponents down and offensively they attack with variety and like to spread the ball out making it difficult to defend them. And in 1996 Nigeria beat first Brazil then Argentina on the way to the gold medal, this team has the chance to join that legendary 1996 team as gold medalists, whomever they play in the final will know they will be facing a lively and confident team. |
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| xeneize | Aug 19 2008, 06:58 AM Post #62 |
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iOle, ole, ole, ole, ole, ole, ola, Cada dia que te quiero mas! Argentina 3-0 Brazil Brazil were never in this game and after a hard fought first half, Argentina imposed themselves in the 2nd half. And Sergio Aguero scored the first two goals and was fouled for the penalty which Riquelme converted to make it 3-0. A sweet win for all Argentina fans and the opportunity to win a 2nd straight gold emdal in football. I'd call that a good day! Congratulations Supereagle, I know how happy you must feel about your own country advancing to the final. Nigeria played a wonderful game and fully deserved the win over belgium. |
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| shelsoccer | Aug 19 2008, 07:09 AM Post #63 |
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Congratulations to the Nigeria and Argentina fans who post here. I'm really looking forward to the final. We often see teams play very cautiously in a final, but both these teams have such powerful attacks, it's hard to envision a dull final. I only saw the first half of the Argentina-Brazil game and that was pretty dull, with Brazil showing little inclination to attack while doing their fair share of fouling. Guess the latter got worse in the second half (two red cards), but Argentina must have finally (and deservedly) broken down the Brazilians. Nigeria was just plain fun to watch. They come at you from all directions with speed, solid technique and some flair. You see an occasional snapshot when they lose their defensive shape, something they won't be able to afford vs. Argentina. |
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| Johnbuildr | Aug 19 2008, 09:58 AM Post #64 |
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Hard not to root for the team that eliminated the US, Nigeria. The Nigerian team that played Belgium were certainly a different team defensively than the one that played the US, particulary different from the way they played the US in the 2nd half. As Shel points out, they had better bring their 90+ minutes of defensive focus, as well as their skillful counterattacking game if they hope to beat the Argies. I don't believe the final is until Friday, so there is loads of time to rest, unlike most tournaments. Who does that favor, Argentina? |
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Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum | |
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| hobbes | Aug 19 2008, 11:35 AM Post #65 |
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That Nigerian side is a joy to watch. Such speed and vision and they read the game well. I don't think Belgium was very good, but Nigeria was superb on the day. I'm glad to see Argentina advance as well. I didn't see all of that match, but both were quite good games from what I saw. cheers, hobbes |
| Saskatchewan for the CPL: multis e gentibus vires | |
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| rosarino | Aug 19 2008, 12:38 PM Post #66 |
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You have to really wonder about Dunga's job prospects now. Losing a semifinal against Argentina in the Olympics, the senior national team are in 5th place in South America World Cup qualifying and the team play without much flair or spark, that isn't a good recipe for long term job stability. Remember 8 years ago in Sydney when Brazil, in a similar situation in World Cup qualifying then went out in the Olympic quarterfinals, then coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo was shown the door. Should be an interesting final, a repeat of the 1996 title game and a matchup of 2 of the last 3 Olympic champions. Niegria are quick, strong and dynamic but Argentina have plenty of speed too and in Messi and Riquelme they have players who can win a game with a single play. I am also thinking Aguero by scoring twice today has shaken off his slump. But the best part of the final is both teams look to attack, there shouldn't be too much speculation by either team which should provide a good spectacle for the fans. Unfortunately the final, unlike every other game in this tournament won't be played at night but rather in the mid day heat and humidity. |
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| shelsoccer | Aug 19 2008, 03:54 PM Post #67 |
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Dunga the Destroyer has imposed his personal style on Brazil, much to the detriment of Brazil's true nature. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if he's shown the door. |
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| cafetero | Aug 20 2008, 04:12 PM Post #68 |
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Well this is probably true as a Brazilian coach who plays defensively can only stay in his job if he consistently wins, and since Copa America last summer, Dunga has not consistently won with Brazil. Losing 3-0 to Argentina is possibly the last nail in his coffin. Argentina were certainly the better team against a very low key Brazil but where is the discussion here of Aguero knocking in the first goal with his arm? And then with it 1-0, Brazil scored a perfectly legitimate goal only to have it wrongly called back! Those two decisions are reversed and Brazil may have won that game despite their generally poor play. Argentina didn't have many scoring opportunitie sother than the ones they put in. |
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| SuperEagle | Aug 21 2008, 10:26 AM Post #69 |
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Very true cafetero, Brazil struggled in that game against Argentina yet still were extremely unlucky not to have at least gone in front 1-0. What is it about Argentinian players and scoring goals with their hands? ![]() It should be an exciting final but unfortunately will be played in the mid day sun which will take away both teams liveliness a bit. I am really enjoying how Nigeria are moving the ball and how they attack their opponent from so many different ways. It makes them all the harder to defend. Ogbuke for em ahs been the revelation of the tournament for Nigeria, although we knew he was a good prospect, he has exploded in this tournament and will soon be making the leap to the SuperEagles. Defensive midfielder Sani Kaita and centerback Dele Ayodele are two other players who've really impressed me and should also soon step up a category. Others like Odemwingie, Nsofor and Apam already are senior team players. In retrospect, it makes you wonder if Nigeria had been able to field as it wanted, goalie Vincent Enyeama, left back Taye Taiwo and winger/forward Ike Uche? Their replacements have played well enough but aren't as good as they are. Overall though I am optimistic about Nigeria's future with this set of players. In the short term, I know Argentina will be a very tough opponent, but Nigeria have defended well and have the speed and variety in their attack to score on them. |
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| rosarino | Aug 22 2008, 10:17 AM Post #70 |
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There hasn't been discussion because Aguero's arm was up against his body and even on replays it still wasn't clear if the ball struck his arm or his chest. So that goal was legitimate. As for the offsides on Brazil's goal, it was a close call but truth is that was one of Brazil's few opportunities in the entire game. Argentina meanwhile were the team pushing the play and creating the goalscoring chances. On to the final where Argentina and Nigeria are starting to make it a habit of reaching. They met in the 1996 Olympic final (Nigeria win) and the 2005 U-20 World Cup Final (Argentina victory in a game featuring many of the players who'll be in this Olympic final.) Nigeria have moved the ball around quickly and dynamically but Argentina can do the same and in Messi, Riquelme and Aguero have three potential match winners. This is the chance for either team to make history and on paper it looks like an exciting matchup but I think Argentina have the weapons to win this match. I feel a big game from Messi coming! |
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| Nkono | Aug 22 2008, 11:40 AM Post #71 |
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Here is a pretty good article from soccernet on the Olympic title game: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story...cc=5901&cc=5901 It gives I think a balanced perspective. I agree with the author that Argentina's defense could be vulnerable to Nigeria's swift attacks. I have liked how Kaita and Ajialore have played in defensive midfield for Nigeria providing cover for the defense and against Argentina their play will I think be key against Riquelme, Gago and Messi. My heart will be with Nigeria in this game but I expect this to be a very close and hopefully exciting final. About my own country Cameroon, I think they reached as far as could be expected making the quarterfinals. I was really disappointed though in their play against Brazil as it was overly physical. The team didn't need to play that way and had the skill if they used it properly to beat Brazil. Instead they wanted to try and intimidate Brazil with rough play. |
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| SuperEagle | Aug 22 2008, 07:10 PM Post #72 |
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We are hours before the Olympic final and I'll also post this article in the Nigeria discussion thread in the Africa forum but here is an informative article about Samson Siasia's success and how it has been based on continuity, preparedness and tactical acumen. It is a good read. http://www.kickoffnigeria.com/static/news/...cle.php?id=2491 nkono, I agree with you that Kaita and Ajiliore's midfield play will be important in the final. But Nigeria have based a lot of their success on all of their field players pressing the opposition and then looking to strike fast once they've regained possession. Look for that strategy tonight. |
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| xeneize | Aug 22 2008, 10:20 PM Post #73 |
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YES, YES, YES! iCAMPEONES! It was a hard fought 1-0 win and Nigeria did a good job in closing Argentina's midfield down but Messi and DiMaria hooked up on the game's only goal. Great pass from La Pulga and DiMaria with a classic chip over the goalie. Two time Olympic champions! It feels great and there are more good things to come. The entire backline were very good and never let Nigeria's speedsters get behind them. I like how Batista coached this team. Nigeria were a worthy opponent but Argentina has the smarts and the ability to win close games like this. |
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| libero | Aug 22 2008, 10:32 PM Post #74 |
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A very tactical final won by Messi's great vision and DiMaria's fine finish. It was a game which could have gone either way but ultimately Argentina made the play that counted. xeneize I think we will see a lot more from both sets of players in the near future. Add a few experienced players here and there to both teams and both Argentina and Nigeria will have good national teams for 2010. |
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| Nkono | Aug 22 2008, 10:50 PM Post #75 |
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I absolutely agree with you libero. A very even game where both teams pretty effectively controlled the other but Messi slipped that pass behind the defense to DiMaria and he knew how to finish it well. Nigeria took Riquelme completely out of the game but Messi despite some good marking against him still was able to create the ultimate danger. Give Nigeria credit for some excellent defensive pressure but in a clse game it was Argentina who found the way to score. Again I agree with libero that the future looks very good for both Argentina and Nigeria. Supereagle, where was Chinedu Ogbuke? I can only assume he was injured as he's been one of the big reasons Nigeria advanced this far. His ability off of the dribble was missed in this one. |
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