Beyond Saving Goals

As a part of World Cup 2014 closing posts,

And as I much promised I'd talk a lot about,

I think it's just the time to have a tribute

To the best goalkeepers.

Let's save time about how astonishing goalkeepers are in this World Cup, by quoting one of the best living football players -whose tweets and stuff were really becoming my enlightenment along the cup- that I looked after

"The quality of goalkeeping at this World Cup has been extraordinarily high." -- Gary Lineker

See huh? All these times, I didn't say it just by basing on my naked thoughts about football--even a pro agreed to what I thought! Man, I really have to actually go to Mr Lineker and show all my analysis towards the World Cup, who knows he'll make me his apprentice.

So!

From Beto to Fernando Muslera, Claudio Bravo to Diego Benaglio, lots of crazy goalkeepers appearing in this World Cup are... Crazy. Like seriously, they played well! Lots of matches ended up with no score, or tied, but then those kind of matches were a hell lot more entertaining because the keepers are... Crazy!!

Out of those many good keepers, of course, I have a set of GKs I favorited.

Ecuadorian Alexander Dominguez and Nigerian Vincent Enyeama are two that I like from the underdog teams. I saw Dominguez's great game against France, and Enyeama's best game was against, oh what are the odds, France as well! One more from the underdogs, that now has become the whole world's dear, is Keylor Navas. He's just plain good.

Pic's from here, here and here

From moderate team, I vote for, who else, but Guillermo Ochoa. His game against Brazil, was like the one giving me the 'slap in the face' made me realize that this World Cup's goalkeepers are crazy asses. While out of keepers from top teams, duh I don't wanna be seemed too shallow and mainstream but, my fave one is like everybody else's fave one. Manuel Neuer. Oh but in my defense, I adored him since 2010, especially after I explored that he was born on March 27th. Yes, we shared the same birth date and that's the reason why I like him.

Ochoa's pic's from here, Neuer's from here

But then, it's not called 'favorite' if I have many that I like. So I made a decision that I do have one goalkeeper that I like the most. The one that truly won my heart by giving such crazy, constant game from the very beginning to the day he lost. Lost with dignity, because he also stole everybody else's heart. Yes, I made tons of posts about him so you might've known, it's

Tim Howard

Tim's pic, from here

Sick. Really.

I think I said this before, but who cares I'm gonna say it again:

Your performances, my idols, really altered my perceptions about goalkeepers.

Before this, goalkeepers are something I -and probably most watchers in the entire globe- took for granted. You don't do much. The best you can do is just preventing your team from losing, not to drive your squad to winning. But now, I see it differently.

Your roles remain the same: conducting saves, not attacks. But the saves you made, could actually boost your team mates to produce. Keepers don't literally score goals, but your passion move everybody else to want to score goals.

I realized that in the match of USA vs Belgium, where Tim Howard's saves could actually gave spirit to Julian Green's closing goal. Then I was so sure about everything after Brazil vs Germany, where Julio Cesar's devastation led to more conceded goals from Germany and lacking of goals to Germany.

Well.

Thanks guys for making this cup so different.

Thank you all for bringing it to a whole new level.

You didn't just save your goal, your match, your team,

You also saved my excitement

The Rising Underdogs

You might got bored already reading word "underdog" in this blog. To be honest, I am too. But what can I do, this World Cup has surprisingly highlighted underdogs team like I never seen before!

It all started in the round of 16.

Each of Chile, Nigeria, Algeria, Switzerland and USA -oh God, USA, I missed them already- gave too much things to be handled by their match-mate. Great games happened when small teams met big ones, when we got to see like Brazil, Uruguay, France, Germany and Argentina were like working their asses off to show that they were big. But the greatest game was, when underdogs met each other. Costa Rica vs Greece, Belgium vs USA. The last match was even too good to be missed.

Then proceed to the quarter final round.

Only Colombia, Costa Rica and Belgium survived.

Once again, all three out of four matches, that has underdogs in it, turned to be extraordinarily awesome -the other match consisting big teams France and Germany, apparently, damn dead. Not even one big team facing those three, could win easily. Brazil should lost Neymar, and Argentina, well, for me they won by luck. Even Netherlands, one team that has clean sheets over the first rounds they played, should be forced to play extra time and ended up in the penalty shoot-out against Costa Rica.

Costa Rica.

I should've been so mad at this team. They were also one of reasons why England couldn't go on to the next round. But I forgot about dramas in Group D already. Logic over emotion. They actually played well. The captain was capable, the manager was crafted, the keeper was--oh, the keeper. I don't know what else to say, I talked too much about too many too good keepers in this World Cup. Maybe this screenshot could describe how I felt.

Costa Rica.

Trapped in one of the hell group, eventually became the hell itself. They can even proceed further than any of their group mates which were all European giants. And their game last night, which started really slow and dull, but ended up with a massive climax, marked the rising of underdogs.

Another match suited the end of the round. Too sweet.

They who you didn't even see before. Pic's from here.

It all started in the round of 16, and ended up last night.

With Costa Rica leaving, all four semifinalists now are big teams you might've predicted to crowd the last two stages of the tournament. Could turn to be boring like France versus Germany two days ago, but since it's the semi final round and host country Brazil is also there, things would be somewhat interesting.

What a cup. 60 games full of underdogs giving surprises.

I hope the phenomenon's not only occurred in this World Cup.

It's really, tremendously amazing to see teams you took for granted,

Show their true colors and give a hell of a game to big clubs you favorite.

Excitement I never expected from football

Sweet

I don't know if I told you this but, in this World Cup -yes it's about World Cup again, you like it or not, this euphoria will last at least until two weeks post final match- goalkeepers are like, DAMN GOOD!

I have a plan to talk about the overall goalkeepers, but not now.

This time, I'd love to give a tribute to one of my favorites.

http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/T5JgXpt4q0R/Belgium+v+USA/Itk2z_zsnqs/Tim+Howard

Last night's game. Belgium vs USA.

The last game of the second round of WC2014.

I witnessed something that escalated my adoration towards GKs.

I've been served many good performances of goalkeepers since the very first match. But his game last night, I mean, the value it had as the last game of the round of 16, it was just, emotionally dramatic. He was like singlehandedly facing Belgium. All ten of those players. Attacking since the second minute, intermittently, intensively, long haul or short. But Tim swept everything off the goal.

The god made 16 incredible saves.

The most saves in a World Cup, over 50 years.

The only reason US was still alive, survived til the extra time.

No wonder why Americans were so damn hysterical last night. Twitter was so busy, full of applauds and positive jokes about Howard's blocks and saves. Lol ya, I checked the worldwide timeline regularly. One of the best joke was that name "Tim Howard" should be given to one of US states, replacing one of the Dakotas. Well, forget the Americans. Even I, who has zero relationship with Tim, was driven crazy seeing him last night. I kept convincing myself that he'd definitely be the man of the match. And he was.

No hyperbolic tones added, but that was really a crazy ass game. Aside of Howard's outstanding saves, the second goal from Belgian Lukaku and the revenge goal of American Green were totally meant to be the peak climax and the best closure of not only the match itself, but the round of 16 as a whole.

Crazy satisfying, really.

Sweet survival from the US, really-er.

And lunatic performance, Tim Howard, really-est.

Even Kompany knelt.

The round of 16 has officially ended. Very smooth.

And the ending was the sweetest

Adeus, Ogyam!

I was actually preparing this post if US was sent home.

But apparently, the squad succeeded to go to the round of 16.

So goodbyes were wished to

Ghana & Portugal

Group G

A game to send both home. Sad. Pic's from here.

Ghana was surprisingly... Surprising! I mean, they were inconsistent. Supposed to be one good team, but they lost against the US. Hopes were raising high when they could do a draw match against one strong team Germany. But then last night, they were ruined. I want to blame the referee, because, I don't know, he seemed to do an unfair service. Until Ghana's true devastation happened as the own goal made. Duh, tragic.

And Portugal, if I could I wouldn't want to talk about them in this touching post. But I get to keep the uniformity tho, I talked about Spain as the other loser of Group B so, I have to talk about Portugal too as the loser of Group G. But that's okay because I'd love to say, "EAT THAT!" Well, not to all of them, but to Cristiano Ronaldo, personally.

Lol I don't know why I hate him too much. He's just too overwhelmed, too overexposed. The whole squad was like having no choice but to give all the chances, all the trusts, in his shoulder. But then what, he only scored one goal. Against Ghana who was already mentally dropped. I'm just so happy that he's gone.

As for Portugal itself, well, their walk to going back home was actually shattering for me. The peak was when their keeper Beto was forced to retreat. He insisted not to go, but then he was benched. And cried. A very masculine, buffed and bearded tall guy, crying like a little girl. I'm not mocking. I'm respecting him instead. It was even the most touching scene I ever seen so far in World Cup 2014.

I know what those tears were for. Disappointment.
His stubbornness and resistance not to be substituted,

You owned my heart now Sir.

Pics are from here and here.

Well. Nice games. Both of you.

You didn't deserve to go home, Ghana.

You actually didn't either, Portugal. And I'm sorry.

I don't think I will ever like your Prince Charming Ronaldo.

I'll see you guys in four years from now

With more of my appreciation and stuff.

And oh, of course, more hatred for CR.

Mah Krow, Amigo!

Insanely Crazy

Let me teach you guys a word.

It's my language, famous, can be used in either formal or informal situation, male or female, young or old, it just suits everyone. The Indonesian term of "crazy",

"G I L A"

And why would I bring this up? Because yesterday's Germany vs Ghana, and just now's USA vs Portugal, are simply crazy ass matches.

Klose, Nani, Howard and Muntari

Both ended up draw.

Both gave us four goals.

Unfortunately when Germany and Ghana played, it was 2 fvcking AM here in Indonesia so... No, I woke up, I did! But I kind of missed most of the nerve-wrecking moments. Don't worry I got to see Miroslav Klose's dramatic and world record-breaking goal. He's insane.

Now for US and Portugal, I didn't plan to miss it.

I think I've told you about me being totally supportive to whoever performing a match against Portugal, haven't I? And since it's also gonna be my second home -amen o Lord- so, I was with the US. But waking up in the minute of 10, which Nani's goal had already been made, I was like "okay, no hope from the US."

But Tim Howard showed me the other way. He really played well, made many important saves, that first goal was just unfortunate. I didn't expect him and the whole US squad to be that strong and tough. They attacked fiercely, and defended consistently at the same time.

Then Jermaine Jones scored. One of rare beautiful goals I ever seen so far.

And Clint Dempsey rocketed everybody's expectations toward the US.

Since after their second goal -their supposed-to-be-offside goal, Uncle Sam's boys started to play defensive. And lol they committed so many insignificant substitutions. Their supporters are practically everywhere, screaming in satisfaction. They were basically, and supposedly, winning.

But the match, as you all knew, ended up draw.

Varela scored in the very last seconds of the match.

Wow.

Aside of how much I hate Ronaldo -that affected to how I also hate Portugal, I must admit that the last goal was the actual climax. Feel like orgasm watching the game ended that way.

But still, to me, US won the game.

Another underdog came unleashed.

Just as I expected.

Wow. Again.

Group G, more like

... Group Gila!

When Void Came Amusing

Back to World Cup, ladies and gentlemen.

I finally started to feel the vibe, I knew it...

So, the cup is not even a week yet.

But I guess I've seen the best match already.

Brazil v Mexico

Tuesday, Jun 17 2014 - Estadio Castelao Fortaleza

Neymar's pic is from here, Chicharito's from here.

They started with the possession from 57 : 43 for Brazil, but constantly increasing to 53 : 47. I found it really tremendous! I mean, it's so obvious that their strategy was majorly defensive, I could see that from how Julio Cesar almost did nothing significant along the game. But possessing almost half of the whole ball? They're dogs! The players were crazy striking, yet on the same time, solid on the back!

But what mind-blew me right through my fvckin head was, the Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. He was so damn sharp, intuitive yet bald! You should've been amazed by how he saved the goal from Neymar's head. Crazy brilliant.

But the best safe happened on 85'. Brazil earned a corner, the ball flew right to the captain's head in front of the goal -seriously in front of the goal, in front of the keeper!- and the unbelievable Ochoa managed to block it anyway. Even from such point-blank range, God, he's something!!

I knew from the start that Mexico

Would be a total pain in the ass for Brazil,

But I never thought they could be this handful!

Yes he can!

Wow, I was totally amazed. Fvckin speechless. I don't think I ever felt so much amused watching a draw match like this. So entertaining from the very beginning. Of course, hats off to Ochoa. And take a bow to Mexico. For me, they won the match. 11 against 60.011, that's crazy amazing!

Best 0 - 0 tie game ever!

Way so much more entertaining

Than matches with too many goals.

And thanks to them too, now I realized

That goalkeepers can't be taken for granted.

Gracias a ti, México!

Trust in Three

Time went by too fast, don't you think?

After yesterday I decided to call England for this World Cup, last night they played. Against Italy. And lost. Time did go fast. But that doesn't mean that I'm doubting my choice. Instead, after last night I got pretty sure that I'm supporting the right one.

You know that I recently lost contact in any updates about soccer world, yes? And that's why I didn't know many things about who's called and who's not, to play in Brazil. So I just happened to know the squad of England, yesterday.

And I just realized that their main fortress, is

I knew how well he's been performing with Manchester City. To be honest I can't even mention who else in England is good in goal keeping. I wanna say Chelsea's Petr Cech, but then he's not British. Seeing Hart's name on the list, it seriously gave me tons of relief before the game started.

And then there were Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, old names ya I believed they'd do their best. But when there's these three names appeared, names I knew well and heard often from the Premier League, but I was pretty sure that they never played for World Cup, I swear it boosted my confident.

The Queen's three knights, I'd consider them as The Real Three Lions.

Raheem Sterling, Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge

O yeah, I'm sure they'll give the best show. England as a whole, with the help of these three stallions. And for last night's game, they seriously performed way better than my expectation towards England. My brother and I agreed that they played like they're possessed with some weird yet powerful phantom.

Although they eventually lost the game. But I don't care, there are two games left to go. Balotelli's goal wasn't impressive enough anyway. And many people even claimed that Italy played dirty but hey, I don't want to find any excuses. Lost is lost but that doesn't necessarily mean that England's as lousy as they usually are.

Spain lost their first game in South Africa.
And they came out to be the world's champion.
Too early to lose hope, England