Los Ticos Brave the Penalty Shoot-Out and Make History

World Cup ·

Costa Rica reached the quarter finals of the FIFA World Cup Finals for the first time in their history as they beat Greece on penalties following a frantic finsh to matters in normal time.

BY NISAR KHAN / WAQAR HUSSAIN

COSTA RICA 1 – 1 GREECE
Costa Rica won on penalties (5-3)

Mexico 1 – 0 Cameroon

Oribe Peralta (62′)

Friday 13 June 2014

Kick-off: 5pm BST (UK time)

Estádio das Dunas, Natal

Group A, World Cup Game #2

– See more at: http://www.tsmbrazil.com/2014/06/WorldCup-Game2-MEXCMR_13.html#sthash.P8bOtK6q.dpuf

Costa Rica 1 – 1 Greece

Bryan Ruiz (51′) Sokratis (91′)
Penalties: CRC 5-3 GRE

Sunday 29 June 2014

Kick-off: 9pm BST (UK time)

Arena Pernambuco, Recife

Round of 16, World Cup Game #52

A turgid first half saw Dimitrios Salpingidis register the most significant chance on goal, denied by the onrushing Keilor Navas who kept things goalless. There were half chances scattered around the course of the initial 45, but none would prove to sustain the conviction to threaten goal.

Greece were employing the counter attack as their primary source of goalscoring – as the Caribbeans looked to dominate in possession.

From the set-pieces Greece were posing the largest threat with Samaras’ header being thwarted moments after the interval. It would however be the Costa Ricans that opened the scoring.

Bolanos picked out the captain, Bryan Ruiz, to net his second goal of the tournament as his side-footed attempt bulged in from the perimeter of the box.

However, it would appear to be an unfortunate descent thereafter. Oscar Duarte was sent off, leaving the Group D winners defensively vulnerable.

In stoppage time, Costa Rica had just held on – but it would not be enough, as Sokratis got on the end of a parried shot to equalise and book 30 more minutes in Recife.

Greece were unusually attacking as extra-time commenced. Threatening and forcing Costa Rica on the backfoot, they did everything but score, forcing penalties.

There was some immaculate penalty taking, with everyone successfully converting until an amazing save by Costa Rica keeper Keilor Navas, emphatically keeping out Gekas’ penalty.

It was all poised for Michael Umana to score the final penalty that would seal the win, continuing the Costa Rican dream.

Netherlands now await Costa Rica, who will be touted as the outsiders to make the semi finals.

GET INVOLVED with your opinions. Use the comments section at the bottom of the article, send us an email, Tweet us your views or post thoughts to our Facebook page.

WRITE FOR US as we are now recruiting more writers. If you are interested in showcasing your sports writing / journalism skills, and have a passion in writing in our wide range of sports, learn more at this page.

Complete Coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup »

TSMBrazil.com

 – We live for this.

Share This Post:

Connect With Us!

/**/

Follow @_TheSportMatrix /**/

Samaras Crushes Ivorian Dreams With 93rd Minute Penalty as Greece Historically Make Round of 16

World Cup ·

Georgios Samaras scored from the penalty spot in the 93rd minute to make history as Greece progressed to the Round of 16 and broke Ivory Coast hearts.

BY NISAR KHAN

GREECE 2 – 1 IVORY COAST

Mexico 1 – 0 Cameroon

Oribe Peralta (62′)

Friday 13 June 2014

Kick-off: 5pm BST (UK time)

Estádio das Dunas, Natal

Group A, World Cup Game #2

– See more at: http://www.tsmbrazil.com/2014/06/WorldCup-Game2-MEXCMR_13.html#sthash.P8bOtK6q.dpuf

Greece 2 – 1 Ivory Coast

Andres Samaris (42′), Wilfried Bony (74′), Georgios Samaras (Penalty, 93′)

Date June 2014

Kick-off: 9pm BST (UK time)

Estádio Castelão, Fortaleza

Group C, World Cup Game #39

Vibrant Ivory Coast fans provided an eccentric atmosphere from the outset, with the Africans searching for a win to progress from Group C. The first few minutes consisted off inaccurate long balls from either side, either being headed out or strolling conveniently towards the respective goalkeepers.

Gervinho was looking poised to trouble down the right wing early on as Greece were halted. First, Gervinho lost control and Yaya Toure mis-kicked out for a goalkick, there would be some excellent defending to deny Yao Kouassi, after Drogba broke through with an enticing flurry of fluid football.

However, Greece would subtly show glimpses of an upset with Ivorian keeper Barry having to scramble to collect a troubling cross, and numerous breaks just being consumed.

Georgios Samaras smashed his shot onto the bar, being fouled on the edge of the box. It was the closest chance yet, and a real wake up call for the Africans – that wake up call however, would be put on snooze by Ivory Coast.

With half time approaching, Tiote’s error in a failed clearance fell to Samaris, who was able to sweetly strike it through the keeper, stunning the fans in attendance and putting his side ahead during the interval.

Ivory Coast would improve drastically over the second, as Wilfried Bony smashed home to end a beautifully-built play orchestrated by Gervinho. Back on course for good?

Unfortunately not. 

After an intense buildup, Ivory Coast squandered an unbelievable 4-on-2 chance, before Samaras was fouled in stoppage time.

Samaras stepped up, smashed it past and crushed the dreams of the Africans. 

The final whistle blew, the Ivory Coast keeper was reduced to tears as Greece stunned on the big stage.

Greece are through to the Round of 16? Who would have ever thought? This World Cup comes delivers another shock.

GET INVOLVED with your opinions. Use the comments section at the bottom of the article, send us an email, Tweet us your views or post thoughts to our Facebook page.

WRITE FOR US as we are now recruiting more writers. If you are interested in showcasing your sports writing / journalism skills, and have a passion in writing in our wide range of sports, learn more at this page.

Complete Coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup »

TSMBrazil.com

 – We live for this.

Share This Post:

Connect With Us!

/**/

Follow @_TheSportMatrix /**/

10-Man Greece Close Doors on Japan to Seal Point

World Cup ·

Greece held on against a Japanese rally to apprehend a point from Greece after their captain Kostas Kastouranis was sent off in the first half.

BY NISAR KHAN

JAPAN 0 – 0 GREECE

Mexico 1 – 0 Cameroon

Oribe Peralta (62′)

Friday 13 June 2014

Kick-off: 5pm BST (UK time)

Estádio das Dunas, Natal

Group A, World Cup Game #2

– See more at: http://www.tsmbrazil.com/2014/06/WorldCup-Game2-MEXCMR_13.html#sthash.P8bOtK6q.dpuf

Japan 0 – 0 Greece

Thursday 19 June 2014
11pm BST (UK time) 

Estádio das Dunas, Natal

Group C, World Cup Game #23

After a substantial wait, both teams looked raring to go and register some points on the Group C tally. Japan got the first shot of the game after a minute, with a vulnerability exposed down the left although the shot was blocked.

A subdued resistance from the Greeks, who showed some signs of promise on the counter but were overhauled by Japan.

In the 37th minute, Greece captain Konstantinos Katsouranis was dismissed for a second booking, meaning Greece”s chances in the game were severely jeopardised in the absence of his catalytic presence. He became the first Greek man to be sent off in a World Cup.

However, the 2004 European Champions responded well, with shots stinging the hands of Japan keeper Kawashima just moments later.

As the first half culminated, we were starched of the upbeat action over the first 45 besides the talking point of Greek’s captain being sent off. Mitroglou’s also went off due to an injury, leaving Greece shorthanded. They did, though, finish the first half on a strong point, enough to evade the long chances from Japan that went to waste.

Japan had an array of dispersed chances, including Yoshida creeping onto the end of a ball across, but blasting way over the bar.

The Japanese players were the ones slowing down now. The game was drained of any tempo and was a tedious situation.

TSMiNPUT – Considering this was around midnight in the UK at times I found it a dramatised version of counting sheep. While it may be a harsh analogy, that, combined with my fatigue makes it an interesting variable. I was expecting the Greeks to get completely turned over after the dismissal of their captain, but one thing admired for sure is their resilience to challenge. As for Japan, they were as sleepy as me at times, taking an eternity to recover from injuries. Playing for the draw, not what I like to see. Group C is pretty much sorted after this, neither side was prepared to make that leap. If you’re tired then here’s how you can wake up, go to read the other articles on TSMBrazil.com, that will catapult you back into World Cup fever.

Japan continued to try and thwart Greece late on, but the Europeans were having none of it.

Greece’s hard work could have easily gone amiss, but it was the Japan’s lack of urgency and spark which overshadowed. Greece were against the odds but still got something from the match.

Keisuke Honda’s curling free-kick to the bottom right was pushed away by Karzenis but the Greek keeper looked to be in some pain following a collision when collecting a ball from a cross.

Four minutes of stoppage time were allocated, Japan were searching but Greece were locking up.

The final whistle would blow and a point was fair for each.

Down to 10 men, Greece lock up to get the point, but they have a lot of ground to cover in Group C.

GET INVOLVED with your opinions. Use the comments section at the bottom of the article, send us an email, Tweet us your views or post thoughts to our Facebook page.

WRITE FOR US as we are now recruiting more writers. If you are interested in showcasing your sports writing / journalism skills, and have a passion in writing in our wide range of sports, learn more at this page.

TheSportMatrix.com

 – Sports for the Fans, by the Fans.

Share This Post:

Connect With Us!

/**/

Follow @_TheSportMatrix /**/

Another South American Masterclass: Colombia Fire Past Greece

World Cup ·

Colombia thrived in their element in Belo Horizonte as they cruised past former European Champions Greece to get their campaign off to a flyer.

BY MATT LYNCH

COLOMBIA 3 – 0 GREECE

Eccentric, euphoric Columbia FOX SOCCER

Mexico 1 – 0 Cameroon

Oribe Peralta (62′)

Friday 13 June 2014

Kick-off: 5pm BST (UK time)

Estádio das Dunas, Natal

Group A, World Cup Game #2

– See more at: http://www.tsmbrazil.com/2014/06/WorldCup-Game2-MEXCMR_13.html#sthash.P8bOtK6q.dpuf

Colombia 3 – 0 Greece

Pablo Armero (5′), Teófilo Gutiérrez (58′), James Rodriguez (93′)

Saturday 14 June 2014

Kick-off: 5pm BST (UK time)

Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte

Group C, World Cup Game #5

Another South American masterclass. 

With 99% of the fans packed inside the Belo Horizonte Colombia almost seemed like the home side. With all the pre-match talk about Jackson Martinez not starting the pressure was put onto the shoulders of Gutiérrez of River Plate. With three minutes on the clock Colombia showed how comfortable they were with a scruffy, but incise finish by Pablo Armero from the instrumental Juan Cuadrado who showed great trickery on the right before playing a low ball for Pablo Armero who finished well. 

In the first 25 minutes Colombia were aggressive causing great issues, but for the rest of the first half they found themselves on the back foot. Greece improved after with Georgios Samaras as he darting towards the area from the left before letting fly with an effort that Colombia keeper Ospina did well to keep hold of. This proved to be one of few clear cut opportunities Greece had. On 43 minutes Greece threatened again when Panagiotis Kone let fly from 18 yards to only see his shot well saved by Ospina. 

Moving into the second half Colombia came out with real intention and aggression. Samaras was lucky not get booked after taking an obvious tumble in the penalty area after losing the ball. After that, Colombia turned on the swagger on 50 minutes with the Greek goalkeeper lucky to keep out a blistering James Rodriguez effort. The Greek tactic throughout seemed to be disruptive with fouls common. On 57 minutes Colombia doubled their lead. Gutierrez, leading Colombia’s attack touched in from a James Rodriguez that was poorly defended. 

With the game growing old, Greece were denied an oppurtunity to get back in the game with Mitroglou denied a penalty when Yepes handled in the area. Again on 80 minutes Greece were denied when Samaras shot wide which summed up his poor performance. Just before the referee blew for full time, James Rodriguez sealed victory with a excellent finish from a typical South American goal with quick, silky interchange from Cuadradro and Zuñiga. Colombia were good for most parts and reigned in practically a home game for them.

Match Breakdown

Man of the match: Cuadradro – He was excellent in every good piece of build up by Colombia and involved in all things good for Colombia. 
Flop of the match: Samaras – Failed to deliver and typically a flop when it comes to the important stuff.
Possession: Columbia 46%, Greece 54%
Shots: Columbia 12, Greece 12

What a performance.

Columbia hit the ground running to start their World Cup campaign. It could be a big tournament for the South Americans who kick off with huge momentum.

GET INVOLVED with your opinions. Use the comments section at the bottom of the article, send us an email, Tweet us your views or post thoughts to our Facbook page.

WRITE FOR US as we are now recruiting more writers. If you are interested in showcasing your sports writing / journalism skills, and have a passion in writing in our wide range of sports, learn more at this page.

TheSportMatrix.com

 – Sports for the Fans, by the Fans.

Share This Post:

Connect With Us!

/**/

Follow @_TheSportMatrix /**/