The Importance of Playing Defense: Ireland v Croatia

     On a day where solid defense (the calling card of Ireland under Giovanni Trapattoni) would have won the day, it was the mental lapses of the back four that cost The Boys in Green an important opening day result. A sloppy clearance and a bad bounce were the difference in this surprisingly open fixture.

     To say that Ireland deserved a point would be misleading. Croatia is a more talented side and it showed through in the second half as they put together a few moments of brilliance that stretched the game out of reach. A nice build up with some nifty passing by Croatia in the early moments of the second half led to an unlucky bounce as a Mario Mandzukic's header caromed off the post and Irish goalkeeper Shay Given's face, and buried itself into the back of the net. That play ended a run of about 20 minutes where Croatia took control of the game.

     The match started poorly for the raucous supporters of Ireland as the team conceded a goal in just the third minute of play. Croatia dominated the ball to start the game and eventually a bad deflection off a blocked cross led to the first of two Mandzukic headers that ended up in the back of the net. Croatia maintained possession off an early corner and Darijo Srna worked his way down to the touchline and put in a cross that deflected off the back of defender Stephen Ward and right to the waiting Mandzukic. It seemed as if Shay Given was slow to react and he may have had his vision hampered by congestion in the box.

    Ireland was clearly stung from conceding early but gradually imposed themselves on the game. From about the fifth minute on, the game opened up and started moving end to end. Ireland is known for sitting back and waiting for the counter but they got out an chased the game to some success. They had a clear advantage down the wings for most of the first half with Vedran Corluka being victimized on the right side of the Croatian defense. In the 19th minute Corluka brought down Irish striker Kevin Doyle outside the right corner of the Croatian penalty area. A beautifully weighted ball by winger Aiden McGeady found the head of Irish defender Sean St. Ledger as he ducked in behind the last of the Croatian defenders. News from the commentators darkened the day as it was announced that Ireland has only once scored more than one goal in a game in a major finals.

     After the first 30 minutes Croatia settled into their game and started to threaten again. In the 33rd minute Croatian playmaker Luka Modric drilled a shot from about 20 yards out that ended up going straight at the goalkeeper. Striker Nikica Jelavic and midfielder Ivan Perisic had a nice one/two that Perisic volleyed just wide of the goal in the 36th minute. Just before halftime Ireland conceded a second goal. Modric switched from his right to his left foot at the top of the Irish box and fired a left footed shot that pin-balled its way through the Irish defense. The ball fell at the feet of Ireland's Stephen Ward and he side footed his attempted clearance leaving the ball clean at the feet of Jelavic who has proven since January that he will not miss from close range. Apparently 41 of Jelavic's last 44 goals have been scored with one touch. Now that is a striker.

     Throughout the second half Ireland pressured the Croatian defense as they tried to force their way back into the game. Croatia defended calmly and competently and goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa was only forced to make one tough save. As an Irish fan I'd be remiss to not mention the clear penalty kick call in the 62nd minute against Croatia that was turned down by the referee.

Croatia Man of the Match - Mario Mandzukic - He was johnny on the spot today.

Ireland Man of the Match - Keith Andrews - The lone bright spot throughout the match.

PandasNeedATrophy

It's been quite some time since I've put my timeless thoughts on the internets for all to cherish. There have been many reasons for the time away but the main issue was boredom. This blog had no direction. From a plea for a calming of our foreign policy to a solitary defense of Albert Haynesworth, I was writing what was at the front of my mind when I plopped myself into my chair. It led to some brief forays into the intriguing and some extended stays in the dull. Thus is life. Nah, let me stop. The reason I'm dusting off the 'ol blog is because of the happenings in soccer over in Europe. With the insanity that was provided this season across the continent, of course I would be remiss to not throw my two cents in. I am a massive Manchester United sta... fan. There, it's been said. I'll do my best to remain unbiased in articles not directly involving the Red Devils, USA, or Ireland. On with the show gents.

Sweet, Sweet Sixteen Predictions

The fact that I spent my free time watching rounds 2 and 3 meant I was not able to continue with my predictions. Now that the field is narrowed down I shall re-start blessing the masses with predictions as slick as J-Will's passes.

As usual *winner's in BOLD*

EAST REGION:

1 Ohio State v. 4 Kentucky -- Ohio State came out in the third round and got knocked in the mouth by George Mason and their 11-2 run to start the game. They responded by kicking George Mason in the nuts. Kentucky has a young team and a shallow bench. Potential for disaster: High.

11 Marquette v. 2 North Carolina -- UNC beat out a seriously underrated Washington squad but there were mental errors. Marquette overcame a very talented, very well coached, and very familiar Syracuse team. This should be a close game but I still think the Big East is close to as good as advertised so Marquette should have the grit to pull this one out.

WEST REGION:

1 Duke v. 5 Arizona -- Arizona combined determination and poor refereeing (both ways mind you) to beat out flat footed Texas. Duke narrowly avoided disaster against Michigan. I don't see Duke playing poorly in back to back games under Coach K.

3 UConn v. 2 San Diego State -- San Diego State is not the type of team to blow people out. They grind it out and play ridiculous defense. It could spell danger for them if Kemba Walker gets hot at the wrong time, but I think they can harass him to the point where his legs are tired late in the second half. After all he has been carrying UConn since the beginning of the Big East Tourney.

SOUTHWEST REGION:

1 Kansas v. 12 Richmond -- Any other year this would be an ideal upset pick. But Kansas is playing like they want it this year and when Illinois pushed them and made it 56-51, Kansas responded with a 10-0 run and the final score ended up being 73-59. It just seems like their year with all the upsets in the region.

11 VCU v. 10 Florida State -- I'd like to give myself credit for pointing out in my first round predictions that VCU was out to prove people wrong. I'd also like to pat myself on the back for not heeding my own advice and picking Georgetown to beat them in my brackets. I'm not really sure about this game, but I just can't get behind "Florida State is an Elite Eight caliber team"

SOUTHEAST REGION:

8 Butler v. 4 Wisconsin -- I have Wisconsin in the Final Four so that explains this pick. Butler seems to have EVERYTHING fall their way this year so if you are putting money up, it may be wise to pick with them. Their coach is underrated.

3 BYU v. 2 Florida -- This game really hinges on Jimmer Fredette. If he continues to play out of his mind then they can win every game. If not, then no. Just imagine if BYU didn't suspend the Davies kid.

Friday's Round 2 Predictions (Now Streamlined)

After trial and error last night, or simply just error, I've decided to do my predictions by region instead of time of tip-off. Heeeeere we go. *Slick Rick voice*

*winner in BOLD*

EAST:

1 Ohio State v. 16 UT-San Antonio -- Not much to see here... Or is there?

8 George Mason v. 9 Villanova -- Villanova choked away a two-seed last year and ended this year on a cold streak.

6 Xavier v. 11 Marquette -- This should be a good game but I've heard good things about Tu Holloway and Xavier so I'm going with them.

3 Syracuse v. 14 Indiana State -- There ain't no Larry Legend here. There is Scoop Jardine on Syracuse though.

7 Washington v. 10 Georgia -- I like the way this Washington team plays and with a point guard named Isaiah Thomas, I like this team getting to at least the Sweet 16.

2 North Carolina v. 15 Long Island -- It seems crazy yes, but it's just crazy enough to work. UNC starts slow and gets stagnant for stretches, Long Island scores and then scores some more after that.

WEST:

1 Duke v. 16 Hampton -- I don't like Duke but I'm not that crazy.

8 Michigan v. 9 Tennessee -- With the spectre that is the Bruce Pearl saga surrounding this Tennessee team, I don't see them playing very well. Plus Michigan has Tim Hardaway Jr.

5 Arizona v. 12 Memphis -- Two words, Derrick Williams.

4 Texas v. 13 Oakland --  Mid-major teams with NBA prospects are dangerous come tourney time. Oh wait, teams with NBA prospects are dangerous come tourney time.

SOUTHWEST:

1 Kansas v. 16 Boston University -- Not worth it.

8 UNLV v. 9 Illinois -- Did the Big Ten really deserve 7 teams in the tourney this year? I doubt it.

6 Georgetown v. 11 VCU -- If Chris Wright is healthy and himself this Georgetown team could make it to the Elite Eight. Without a fully healthy Wright, Georgetown could lose here.

3 Purdue v. 14 St. Peter's -- I'm feeling lazy, not much to see here.

7 Texas A&M v. 10 Florida State -- Toss up really. I like the Singleton kid on Florida State, but he has been hurt.

2 Notre Dame v. 15 Akron -- Yawn.

Yesterday: 11-5      Tournament: 14-6

Thursday's Round 2 Predictions

The tourney is upon us. I used two different "strategies" in formulating my brackets this year, neither of which worked last year. I used a numbers "strategy" in which I took personal bias out of the equation, and I also went with my gut. I feel like my gut has become more substantial over the last year so it would follow that it's picks will also be more substantial. Let us hope. On to Thursday's second round match ups.

*winner in BOLD*

 12 o'clock hour:

5 West Virginia v. 12 Clemson -- They had similar conference records but West Virginia plays in the Big East and not the ACC.

8 Butler v. 9 Old Dominion -- Butler has been playing well recently but it seems like Old Dominion is the better team.

1 o'clock hour:

4 Louisville v. 13 Morehead State -- Aside from having an incredibly funny name, Morehead State features 6'8" Kenneth Faried who is averaging 17.6 ppg 14.5 rpg and 2.4 bpg. It will not be enough.

2 o'clock hour:

4 Kentucky v. 13 Princeton -- The benefit of recruiting one and done players is that you end up getting more one and done players the next year.

7 Temple v. 10 Penn State -- I like Temple. I haven't watched Penn State.

3 o'clock hour:

1 Pittsburgh v. 16 UNC-Asheville -- I had to go to the basketball team's ESPN website to see if it was spelled Ashville or Asheville.

4 o'clock hour:

2 San Diego State v. 15 Northern Colorado -- My gut tells me the Final will be San Diego State against Kansas. Ohio State and Wisconsin lose in the Final Four. Interesting... my "research" bracket  has Belmont beating Wisconsin today.

5 Vanderbilt v. 12 Richmond -- I really like Richmond. Kevin Anderson is a beast. So is Vanderbilt's John Jenkins. This should be a fun game no matter how it turns out.

6 o'clock hour:

2 Florida v. 15 UC-Santa Barbara -- Apparently Florida is pretty good. They should win here, but I'm not sold.

7 o'clock hour:

3 Connecticut v. 14 Bucknell -- Kemba Walker.

4 Wisconsin v. 13 Belmont -- Belmont is a trendy pick here. If one of my brackets is right, the other cannot be. In retrospect that seems foolish.

3 BYU v. 14 Wofford -- If BYU hadn't suspended that Davies kid, I would have predicted a San Diego State/BYU Final that rocks college basketball to it's core. One can dream.

9 o'clock hour:

6 Cincinnati v. 11 Missouri -- Cincinnati likes to slow the game down and Missouri plays at a breakneck pace. Normally the tournament favors the defensive team but Missouri's uptempo style comes from their defense. Probably not the most interesting game, but it should be a good one.

5 Kansas State v. 12 Utah State -- Utah State is another popular upset pick. For good reason too. Kansas State seems to have trouble playing well consistently. That is disastrous this time of year.

6 St. John's v. 11 Gonzaga -- If DJ Kennedy didn't go down with a knee injury I think St. John's could have done work. Stupid basketball.

7 UCLA v. 10 Michigan State -- This doesn't seem like your normal Michigan State team and UCLA has some guy that is 6'10" 305.