World Cup 2014 – Group H Update

We take a look at Group H which is perhaps the least inspiring of the competition but there are still two second round places up for grabs.

Belgium 2-1 Algeria

• Estadio Minerio, Belo Horezonte – Attendence 56,738
• Referee – Marco Rodriguez
• Belgium goals – Felliani (70), Mertens (80)
• Algeria goal – Feghouli (25 pen)
• Bookings – Vertonghen, Bentaleb

In a World Cup that has so far provided more than three times the amount of goals that were scored at the same stage in 2010, as well as shock results and last minute goals, this years competition has been absolutely enthralling and the first game of Group H followed suit.

A Belgium side who are under immense pressure kicked off their campaign against the least favoured team in the Group, The Dessert foxes of Algeria. As many games have shown us so far this one didn’t exactly start by following the script.

The African side went into the game with high hopes and without fear knowing that this would be a tough campaign. After an even first twenty minutes the game was brought to life when Tottenham defend Jan Vertonghen foolishly hauled Sofiane Feghouli down, who himself then converted the resulting spot kick.

The penalty saw Algeria end a run of 506 minutes without a goal at the World Cup Finals and the half ended with a frustrated Belgium side unable to break down a steady defence.

The second half brought about the first substitution which would inevitably change the entire complexion of the match. Napoli midfielder Dries Mertens replaced Nacer Chadli on the left wing which immediately began to inspire some more creative play for Wilmots men. Romelu Lukaku’s uninspiring performance saw him replaced by 19 year old Divock Origi and finally Manchester United’s Marouane Felliani replaced Moussa Dembele on the hour mark.

Within five minutes of being on the pitch, Marouane Felliani rose highest after finding a gap in Algeria’s tiring defence and his looping header put the Belgians a goal up.

The game was turned on its head within ten minutes as Kevin de Bruyne caught Feghouli in possession and a lovely ball to Eden Hazard saw him get to the edge of the area before slotting it into the path of Mertens who slammed the ball home to an eruption of relief from the Belgium bench.

Felliani came close to adding a third for Belgium but was unable to keep his header down and saw his effort tipped over by Rias Mbolhi.

Russia 1 –1 South Korea

• Arena Pantanal, Cuibia – Attendence 37,603
• Referee – Nestor Pitana
• Russia Goals – Kerzakhov (74)
• Korea Goals – Lee Keun-Ho (68)
• Bookings – Shatov, Ki Sueng-Yeung, Koo Jae-Cheol, Son Heung-Min

The World Cup has it’s bad games and with only two draws in the finals so far, the first score draw was played out between Russia and South Korea in a dismal affair that lacked quality or attacking prowess. Fabio Capello’s Russia, on paper, were the favourites for this one.

An even first half saw chances few and far between with South Korea coming closest to an opening goal. A free kick from distance was unexpectedly driven at goal by Bolton midfielder Lee Chong-Yeung and spilled by Igor Akinfeev it was almost followed in by Son Heung-Min.

Russian Alan Dzagoev was the first substitute introduced into the stalemate however a good passage of play for Korea saw Lee Keun-Ho’s speculative effort spilled into the net by veteran keeper Igor Akinfeev, in what will be a fairly big talking point.

Substitutions were immediately implemented again by Capello in order to undo the damage and it didn’t take long for substitutes Denisov and Kerzakhov to have an impact on the game. After a monumental scramble in the box, Kerzakhov finally managed to toe poke a loose ball home for the equaliser.

Looking Ahead

All of the teams in Group H will be looking to improve in their next game. 

Belgium top the group as expected but a better performance is required if they want to progress in the tournament. Algeria are the only team to have come away from the first round of games with no points so will need to bounce back knowing that another loss is likely to see them out of the World Cup.

Russia take on Belgium in their next match and will be looking to cause an upset if they want to achieve topping the group. Finishing as runners up will most likely reward them with a match against the in form Germans.

South Korea are not to be counted out either and were unlucky not to secure all three points against Russia. However, with the easier fixture of Algeria next up, the Taeguk Warriors will be looking to get a stranglehold on the group that could see them as favourites to qualify.

As It Stands