WORLD CUP 2014: WILL LEO MESSI BE ENOUGH TO DEFEAT CREATIVE AND WELL-BALANCED BELGIUM?

Argentina is my sentimental favorite in this tournament. Not because of the football (soccer) they play, but because I am of the opinion that Leo Messi like no other player deserves to win his World Cup. Belgium, before the start of World Cup 2014, were and are my dark horse. If they beat Argentina, I believe they would make it to the final as they have more depth than Holland this year (Holland have one of the weakest squads in their recent history, yet their coach, Luis Van Gaal wisely gave up the offensive football the Dutch are known for and stuck to tight defense with rapid counterattacking bursts) and they have Eden Hazard who can unlock all defenses, that is if he does not disappear from the game. For Argentina to win, Leo Messi has to get more support from Gago in centre of midfield, and from Di Maria on the left flank, to open spaces for the little genius. Up to now, Messi had to both create and score, and he can't do it all single-handedly, even though until now he did, except for some Di Maria's help offered in the match against Switzerland.
Belgium have a better keeper in Thibaut Courtois, who despite being only 22 year old, is right now no. 2 keeper in the world, right behind Neuer of Germany, whereas Argentian keeper, Sergio Romero, currently on loan to Monaco from Sampdoria Genoa, has been erratic in his performances despite the fact that while playing earlier for AZ Alkmaar he posted many clean sheets. Defensive four of Belgium appear to be stronger than Argentina's. Yet, both teams have week links in defense, Belgium in Van Buyten, who isn't very mobile, and Argentina in De Michelis who although a good passer, has been prone to mistakes while aggressively pushed by powerful forwards in English Premier League. Apparently Argentina will field in defense Zabaleta, Garay, De Michelis (instead of Fernandez) and Rojo, whereas Belgium will stick with Alderweireld, Kompany, Van Buyten and Verthongen.
Argentina will play probably in 4-3-3 system whereas Belgians will continue with 4-5-1. In midfield Argentina will have Mascherano, Gago and Di Maria roaming the flanks, whereas Messi, Lavezzi and Higuain should form the attack, with a possibility that Higuain might lose his spot to Aguero if he is fit. Belgians in midfield should have Witsel and Fellaini as two holding players, with Mertens and Hazard on the flanks, and Kevin de Bruyne playing behind the lone striker. This lone striker should be Origi, yet one cannot exclude that Mark Wilmots would not start Lukaku as Belgium coach has a penchant for starting substitutes who did well in a preceding match. In conclusion, Belgium has a better team yet Argentina has Leo Messi. If the latter would get some support from Gago and DiMaria, and I believe this time around the support will come, I would have put my money on Argentina.

Janusz Andrzejewski is a New York City based attorney, writing on legal and other important community topics. You can contact him by telephone (212) 634-4250 and through e-mail: janusz@januszandrzejewski.com

WORLD CUP 2014: TEAM USA IN FOOTBALL (SOCCER) DID MORE FOR THE IMAGE OF THEIR COUNTRY THAN ALL U.S. FOREIGN POLICY WIZZARDS IN THIS CENTURY

Yesterday at Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, the national team of the United States in football (sport known in the US under strange name of soccer) has been eliminated from the World Cup 2014 by national team of Belgium, who edged the Americans 2:1 in overtime. It was rather an amazing match of football. Better technically Belgians, studded with such stars of major European leagues in football as Hazard, Company, Mertens, de Bruyne, Lukaku, Witsel, Mirallas, Fellaini, or Courtois, dominated the 90 minutes of the match as well as the first half of the overtime. In the whole match Belgians outshot team USA 37 to 15 out of which Belgians had 24 shots on target whereas the Americans 8. Tim Howard, the U.S. goalkeeper and its only major international star, pulled out incredible amount of 16 saves, some of them astounding, and kept the American team in the game until the final whistle. That the Americans were able to keep the clean sheet throughout 90 minutes of regular time, boggles the mind of many experts. Their defense was out of this Earth, Alamo-like, if one may use the war terminology, considering the total onslaught conducted by the Belgians in regular 90 minutes of the match. However, the Belgians domination tells also the story of battle lost in midfield, controlled totally by creative and more advanced technically Belgians. It was a matter of rules of probability that American defense at some point had to give in to constant attacks of the unwavering Belgians. Eventually, in 93rd minute, the first half of the overtime, substitute Lukaku found with his pass de Bruyne, who with quick move beat American defender and found an opening, which he immediately took advantage of by beating finally Tim Howard with a low shot. Then, in 105th minute, when American team had to live dangerously and left open spaces while attempting to even the score, De Bruyne repaid Lukaku's earlier service by feeding him on the break; the latter outsmarted Howard with first touch shot under the roof. Everybody thought the game was over at this time, Marc Wilmots, the Belgian coach, even took of the pitch his biggest star, Eden Hazard. Jurgen Klinsmann, the German coach of team USA had other ideas though. He comes from the old style German national football team which often trailing was always able to find a way to win. In those times Gary Lineker uttered the famous line: football is a sport played by 22 players, and at the end, the Germans win. Klinsmann inserted into his squad Julian Green, the young Bayern Munich reserves player, who is earning his living and skills by playing in the lower German league. Now, in the second half of overtime, the game took a different turn. Wave upon wave of valiant American attacks brought a quick result in 107th minute, Julian Green was served nicely with a high ball which he struck with a volley into the Belgian net. 2:1!The American now were unrelenting and uncompromised in their desire to even the score, they threw at the Belgian players everything they had, including the kitchen sink. Perhaps they were not that stylish, the experts might say their technic was a bit crude, but no one can refuse their zest and desire to win, the valiant and open effort, bravery, team spirit and never die attitude. Not denying the glorious performance by Tim Howard, Belgian goalkeeper Courtois had to make a save of the day by denying Clint Dempsey who found himself one on one with the Belgian goalkeeper, after creative free kick executed by the Americans. The Belgians held out and team USA were defeated and eliminated, but they won plaudits from all over the world. I have to say that it was the best USA team's display in a world cup, even if they did not repeat the 2002 accomplishment when they advanced to quarterfinals. This team, under the guidance of Jurgen Klinsmann, who wisely enhanced its cohesion by leaving out Landon Donovan, finally caught the spirit and imagination of the whole world, and did much more for the good image of USA in the world than the foreign policy of the United States under several last presidents. Good job, Mr. Klinsmann, and great spirit and attitude, team USA! Thank you.

Janusz Andrzejewski is a New York City based attorney who writes on legal and other important community topics. You can contact him by telephone (212) 634-4250 or through e-mail: janusz@januszandrzejewski.com