Fergie's World Cup Chewing Gum #8

Tim Howard (FIFA World Cup)

Tim Howard (FIFA World Cup)

Mystery Doc's Word

Goalkeepers. They're the lads who no one really envy's but the lads who are perhaps the most important play in a football team. This World Cup has shown us a pretty attacking brand of footy which has also brought out the best in many of the world's top goalies. All the 'stonewall' type of jokes or comments have been used with guys like Tim Howard, Manuel Neuer and even the likes of Julio Cesar impressing between the pipes.

With all this attacking footy, you get the feeling that the sides with the best defence will be the most successful. While there are quality defenders emerging such as Raphael Varane for France it's guys like Dirk Kuyt for the Dutch who for me epitomise how teams can defend with a sheer work rate and effort that is unmatched. With there being so much attacking talent on display, the teams with guys who are keen to get stuck in and ensure that there is no easy passage will do reasonably well. 

Now is the time for some convincing displays from the top teams. They've all kinda encountered some tough matches whether it be thanks to a enthusiastic opposition or thanks to themselves not quite being up for the match but it's crunch time. The Quarter Finals are awesome because the pressure is increased and this is where you'd expect the best of the best to rise above the others. I don't mean players, I mean teams. Can Neymar and Messi carry their teams through some tricky matches? Throw James Rodriguez in to that mix as well. I prefer the more team orientated stuff and I have a feeling that there are a few more complete teams still in this World Cup.

Wildcard's Word

Jolly good. The US Mens National Team (#USMNT) did so well, much better than expected at the World Cup, but come on, it was time. They had to go. Being a kiwi, I’m all for countries embracing the glory of football, but the Americans were getting close to unbearable. All that patriotism and “I Believe!” rubbish was bad enough (what a terrible motto!), but worst of all was the Americanised way that they reported on the game. Overreliance on stats, misplaced prepositions (scoring ‘on’ his first touch, instead of ‘with’ it) and a complete lack of comprehension for the concept of stoppage time. Also, calling it ‘extra time’ instead of ‘stoppage time’. Different things, buddy. In footy, the ref controls the time. Time does not control the ref.

I don’t know who’s gonna win. I just can’t figure it out. I can’t even narrow it down from the remaining 8 (OK, maybe not Costa Rica). Brazil are hosts, they have Neymar. But can a team with Julio Cesar win a World Cup? A team with David Luiz at centre back? Argentina keep barely scraping by, but they’re scraping by because of Lionel Messi’s spots of genius. Colombia aren’t a typically fancied team, but they’ve arguably been the best at the tournament. France look slick and suave, Germany well-prepared and determined, Netherlands ruthless on the counter, Belgium a defensive wall with flair up front. To be honest, it doesn’t matter if teams haven’t looked completely convinciong in getting here – the point is they got here. And making the World Cup quarter finals is an achievement beyond what many of these players will ever again achieve. You don’t win a Wolrd Cup accidentally. Whoever comes out on top will deserve it. I guess it’s best if I just put the pundit’s cap back in the drawer and just sit back and watch the most entertaining World Cup I’ll probably ever see. 

Best of Social Media

"World Cup Spoiler Alerts"

Hi-5s

Lionel Messi (Argentina) – Oh, man, he’s been good. It was someone else (Angel di Maria) that saw the Argies through with the last goal this time, but Messi was the man who created it. Man of the Match in every one of his games this tournament. Is this Messi’s time?

Paul Pogba (France) – One of the standouts for Young Player of the Tournament. Pogba was everywhere against Nigeria with his long strides and forward runs. Plus he scored a goal. Top work, Son.

Hugs

Tim Howard (USA) – You actually can’t play a whole lot better than that as a goalkeeper. A record 16 saves (since they started measuring saves in 1966) for Timid Timmy, but he needs a hug for the fact that he had to make 16 saves in the first place. More defence would help.

Thomas Muller (Germany) – Coz this is just straight embarrassing. The crowd cheered louder at this than at any of the goals. It looked at first like maybe it was a deliberate ploy to put the oppo off but his stumbling recovery and sprint forward makes that seem unlikely.

Mauricio Pinilla (Chile) - The guy who hit the crossbar in the dying moments against Brazil has gotten a tattoo of the moment he hit the crossbar in the dying moments against Brazil. "One centimetre from glory"... poor fella.

Slaps

Chris Wondolowski (USA) – Whoops. Seconds remaining in regular time and Wondo somehow slips the offside trap (lazy/tired defending) and finds himself in the position every kid would dream of: ball landing at his feet, goal in front of him, with the chance to win the game for his country… and he misses.

Cameroon Match Fixing Rumours – We don’t need this.

Golden Boot Watch

5 - James Rodriguez (Colombia)

4 – Lionel Messi (Argentina)

4 – Thomas Muller (Germany)

4 – Neymar (Brazil)