2014fwc_tsg_report_15082014_neutral
2014fwc_tsg_report_15082014_neutral
2014fwc_tsg_report_15082014_neutral
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84<br />
Confederation analysis<br />
next round ahead of Portugal thanks to their<br />
superior goal difference. They were unable to<br />
overcome Belgium in the round of 16 though,<br />
as a hard-fought battle over 120 minutes<br />
ultimately ended in a narrow victory for the<br />
Red Devils. Honduras proved themselves to<br />
be committed and stubborn opponents, but<br />
in their first match against France, their hopes<br />
took a blow shortly before half-time when<br />
Palacios saw red and Les Bleus took the lead<br />
from the penalty spot. Los Catrachos held<br />
their own against Ecuador, only to be hit on<br />
the counter-attack in the second half and<br />
again left empty-handed, and an early Swiss<br />
goal in their third match set them on the road<br />
to another defeat.<br />
Overall, CONCACAF teams have made<br />
impressive progress. Good development<br />
work has seen the gap between the teams<br />
narrow, which automatically means that<br />
there is healthy competition and an improved<br />
standard of football.<br />
South America<br />
As the host confederation, South America had<br />
set its sights on bringing the World Cup back<br />
to the region, especially as for the first time<br />
since 1930 CONMEBOL had six representatives<br />
in the mix.<br />
Hosts Brazil were not entirely convincing<br />
with their attacking game not quite clicking<br />
into gear and some coordination problems<br />
obvious in defence. Nevertheless, they<br />
survived the group stage without too many<br />
problems. The round of 16 saw them pitted<br />
against Chile, and the hosts needed some<br />
steely nerves, as well as an outstanding<br />
performance from goalkeeper Júlio César,<br />
before they prevailed on penalties. They<br />
then upped their game to see off Colombia<br />
in the quarter-final. The hosts’ win came<br />
at a heavy cost, however, as they went into<br />
the semi-final without two key players –<br />
Neymar and Thiago Silva – who were lost<br />
to injury and suspension respectively, with<br />
Neymar eventually sitting out the rest of<br />
the tournament. An incomprehensibly poor<br />
performance against Germany meant that<br />
Brazil did not have the chance to play for<br />
the title on home soil, and they were also<br />
unable to bounce back in the match for third<br />
place. Chile were another of the surprises
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