World Cup 2014 – Group H Update

Last but no means least, a look at Group H and the second round of games that took place and with a look to the impact that the final fixtures will have.

Belgium 1-0 Russia

• Stadio Maracana, Rio De Janeiro – Attendence 73,819
• Referee – Dr. Felix Brych
• Belgium goal – Origi (87)
• Bookings – Witsel, Alderweireld, Glushakov

The group once again kept up with the frantic and dramatic pace that the World Cup has so far exuded in the first two group phases. Belgium and Russia met in a game that was most likely going to decide the winner of Group H.

An incredibly lifeless first half however proved to be one of the least entertaining halves of football in this year’s competition. Both teams were defensively sound with neither willing to take a chance to get ahead early on. Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen was substituted due to injury on the half hour and replaced by Jan Vertonghen.

The best (and relatively only) chance of the first half fell to Fabio Capello’s Russia when Alexander Kokorin headed wide of Thibaut Courtois’ near post from just six yards out. A chance that would later come back to haunt them.

The second half brought about changes to the teams with the introduction of Divock Origi who had impressed in Belgiums victory over Algeria and Eschenko replacing Kozlov for Russia. No change in the format of the game led to more substitutions with Mertens being replaced by Mirallas and Dzagoev taking Shatov’s place.

Within seconds of coming on Mirallas hit the post. Just two minutes later Eden Hazard’s low pass was side footed home by the young Lille star Origi which single handedly sent Belgium through to the next round with one fixture remaining. Kerzakhov’s introduction proved meaningless for the Russians who will now have to beat an inform Algeria side to qualify.

Algeria 4 –2 South Korea

• Porto Alegre – Attendance: 42,732
• Algeria Goals – Slimani (26) Halliche (28) Djabou (38) Brahimi (62)
• Korea Goals – Seun Hung-min (50) Koo Jae Chol (72)
• Referee – Wilmar Roldan
• Bookings – Lee Yong, Han Kook-Yung, Bougherra

In my last group update I said ‘you cannot write off the Desert Foxes of Algeria in this group’ and they have proved me right. They showed exactly why, becoming the first African team to score more than three goals at a World Cup Finals and scoring more goals in their preceding seven finals matches combined.

The first half was dominated by Vahid Halilhodzic’s side which he had made five changes from the opening defeat by Belgium and his reshuffle had the desired impact. Islam Slimani flicked in the first goal just before the half hour after a long through ball, before Rafick Halliche’s header saw the African’s two goals up in just thirty minutes.

South Korea’s lapsed defending cost them once again just before half time when Abdelmoumene Djabou sidefooted in a third giving Algeria a three goal half time lead.

The South Koreans rallied at the beginning of the second half when Sun Heung-min rolled a low shot in to the net giving the Asian side a glimmer of hope of getting back into the game. Algeria showed quickly that a comeback would not be on the cards, the goal brought an attacking change from Korea that saw Kim Shin-Wook replace Park Chu-Young.

Minutes later Algeria secured a fourth and decisive goal when Brahimi restored his side’s three goal advantage when he played a one two with Feghouli before slotting past Jung. More Korean changes saw Lee Keun-ho and Ji Dong-won enter the fray.

Korea were able to capitalise on a goal mouth scramble and net a second with just fifteen minutes left as confidence grew in the Tageuk warriors. Vahid Halillhodzic sensed this before making three quick defensive changes to help secure his sides win with Belkalem, Ghilas and Lacen enforcing a weary Algerian side to see out the six goal thriller.

Looking Ahead

Belgium will be absolutely delighted with their victory as it means guaranteed qualification. However, both of their laboured performances will be a concern to Marc Wilmotts whose side will need to seriously improve in time for the knock-out phase of the competition, otherwise the Belgians will soon find themselves on the plane home.

Algeria will look to use the momentum gained in their comprehensive victory to secure qualification for themselves against Fabio Capello’s Russia in which a draw will be enough for Vahid Halillhodzic’s side to take them to the last sixteen.

Russia will need to beat Algeria in order to qualify for the last sixteen after blowing what should have been a well earned point against Belgium. South Korea have a very tall order should they wish to qualify, defeating Belgium would be their first task and then in doing so will have to better both Algeria and Russia’s goal difference of which they have the worst.

I see Algeria joining Belgium in the last sixteen from this group. Russia have offered very little to suggest that they will progress and South Korea were woeful against Algeria and do not think much will change.

As It Stands