http://siegfriedwalther.blogspot.com/2014/07/germanyvsalgeria-report.html
PREVIEW: R16 Eliminator
Germany vs Algeria
GROUP OF DEATH
Germany have survived the so-called Group of Death, having beating Portugal and the USA, and having drawn against Ghana at the 2014 World Cup.
ALGERIA
They now face Algeria in a round of 16 knockout match. Without any disrespect to Algeria, this is a match which Germany will expect to win. Especially if one considers that Germany did not lose against any of their more fancied Group H opponents.
Germany and Algeria have met once before in the 1982 World Cup. Germany won on that occasion and I don't advise anyone to bet on Algeria having their revenge this evening. Not only do Germany have too much firepower in all positions compared with their opponents, there is also the matter of Germany's record at the World Cup, which is unequalled by any other country.
17 Appearances in World Cup Finals. 3 Wins
- 4 Times Runners UP
- 3rd place on 4 occasions
- 222 goals in World Cup Finals (prior to 2014), More than any other side in the world
- The Only side to play 100 world cup final matches
- Even Brazil, with 5 World Cups, and Italy with 4, have no answer to Germany's record at World Cup Finals.
- Germany have only once failed to reach the last eight in their 17 previous World Cup appearances. That came in 1938, when they were knocked out in the first round by Switzerland after a replay.
- Thomas Muller has scored nine goals in as many World Cup appearances - the same record as Pele after his first nine games in the tournament. Muller has been involved in 13 of Germany's last 23 World Cup goals.
- If Miroslav Klose scores he will surpass Brazil's Ronaldo as the all-time top scorer at the World Cup with 16 goals.
In comparison, Today's appearance by Algeria in the Round of 16 will be its first.
That is not to suggest its impossible for Algeria to win. After all, football is thankfully not played by adhering strictly to record books. Algeria is good enough to cause an upset. But if they did, it would indeed be a massive upset which would be spoken about for some time.
Germany are ranked at 2 in the FIFA rankings whilst Algeria are at 22.
Germany's attack will be too organised and too ruthless for Algeria to deal with. PREDICTION: GERMANY 2-0
PODOLSKI OUT
News is that German striker Lucas Podolski will not feature in today's match. He is out with a leg injury. The experienced 29 year old will probably be replaced by Mario Gotze, who had a run during the second half in the USA encounter.
Players to watch for: Germany:
Thomas Muller who has scored 4 goals for Germany so far.
Philip Lahm: German Midfielder & Captain. The "Engine Room" of the German side.
ALGERIA: Forward: Islam Slimani
A word on the USA game.
I thought the USA gave a creditable performance against Germany, despite their 1-0 loss. It will be good for football if the sleeping Giant of World Football awakes. Enough of the US hiding their talent behind sports that the rest of the world don't play.
See also: http://za.soccerway.com/news/2014/June/29/fifa-world-cup-preview-germany-v-algeria/n342439/
And http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27969924
Also Published on this blog in the last 24 hours: MH370 - The new Australian ATSB theory does not exclude Unlawful cockpit interference.
http://siegfriedwalther.blogspot.com/2014/06/mh-370-new-atsb-theory-does-not-exclude.html
4 Certainties of life
I know that Germans prefer not to be associated with World Wars, but since I am German, I'll allow it. Most people think that Death & Taxes are the only certainties in life.
They are certainties, but there are two more. Three, if you want to have a World War, you're obliged to invite the Germans.
And finally, a World Cup Semi-Final, isn't a semi-final without the Germans. Thankfully that much is usually certain no matter how well, or badly Germany play.
From there onwards, the German Team have to rely on their own skills and not some historical right of passage.
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