Keep It Up
There have been several memorable goalkeeping performances in the 2014 World Cup so far — some for better reasons than others.
With the blistering start to the World Cup seeing 48 goals netted in just 16 games during the first group phase, it’s only right to look at one of the most crucial factors in the goalscoring equation, the goalkeepers themselves.
Guillermo Ochoa put in arguably the performance of the World Cup so far in Mexico’s 0-0 draw with hosts Brazil last night, repelling all six of Brazil’s shots-on-target, much to Neymar’s chagrin as he looked to pick up where he left off against Croatia. The Mexican ‘keeper is out-of-contract and his heroics in Fortaleza have likely earned him many new suitors and a healthy signing on fee wherever he does end up after the tournament.
Ochoa’s brilliance has been the exception rather than the rule in an action-packed opening round, the reason many, including myself, may rate his efforts higher than those of the Golden Boot holder and Golden Boot leader Thomas Müller, who began his World Cup with a hat-trick against Portugal is because of the latter team’s poor rearguard. Whilst none of Müller’s strikes can be said to be the result of goalkeeping errors tournament stalwart Rui Patrício will be disappointed at the two the Bayern forward notched from open play.
The Portuguese #1's task was made more difficult after Pepe’s sending off however his decision to try and smother Müller’s second with his feet proved to be one of folly, his shin being no barrier to the German’s effort. Andre Schurrle’s 78th minute cross-cum-shot was then parried straight to the feet of the obliged Muller by Patrício, compounding Portugal’s misery.
Another goalkeeper whose goal was put under excessive pressure due to the stupidity of a team-mate was Honduras goalkeeper Noel Valladares as Wilson Palacios earned two well-deserved yellow cards in the first half of Honduras’ defeat to France. Valladares is highly regarded in Honduras and is seen as somewhat of a tournament specialist, a reputation founded on his performances with the national side at the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup and his man-of-the-match showing which sent Switzerland home in a 0-0 draw in South Africa 4 years ago. He could not save Karim Benzema’s spot-kick but made a couple of good saves in a first half dominated by Les Bleus.
Valladeras may have been pissing in the wind in his attempts to keep the French out but that is not to forgive the error that killed off and slim hope of a Honduran fightback. The 37-year-old fumbled Karim Benzema’s volley over the line after it had rebounded of the post. The first real use of goal-line technology in the tournament became the talking point, somewhat saving the veteran goalkeeper’s blushes.
On the other side of the coin, Keylor Navas was in inspired form for Costa Rica who beat Uruguay by a two goal margin despite one fewer shot on target. The Levante goalkeeper has a reputation for being nigh-on unbeatable on his day and may secure himself a big-money move if he picks up where he left off in tomorrow’s match with Italy, where you’d imagine he’ll be called upon repeatedly.
Whilst Navas had no chance of saving Edinson Cavani’s penalty against Uruguay, Croatia’s Stipe Pletikosa has more to rue about Neymar’s equaliser from the spot in a 3-1 defeat for his side. The 6'4" Croat got two hands firmly on the strike but succeeded in only pushing the ball higher into the net, Russia’s Igor Akinfeev also found the Brazuca difficult to keep a hold of — if Pletikosa made the ball looklike a wet bar of soap, Akinfeev made it seem as if that soap had been used to manufacture the plastic explosive and Lee Keunho had lit the fuse and sent it his way. Neither Akinfeev nor Jung Sungryong seemed to be able to catch the Brazuca ball which has so far escaped the criticism the Jabulani incurred at WC2010.
The dynamics of the football cannot be said to be to blame for what was possibly the tournament’s worst showing by a goalkeeper. Iker Casillas made an early stop from Wesley Sneijder’s one-on-one effort but that’s where his night peaked as the Netherlands terrorised the Spaniard on their way to a resounding 5-1 victory.
Casillas’ positioning can be faulted for Robin van Persie’s astounding equaliser but that would be to take away from the Dutchman’s feat — something no-one should do. Holland’s third came as a result of Real Madrid’s #2 failing to claim a free-kick swung into the six-yard box from the Dutch left allowing Stefan De Vrij a tap-in, of sorts. A heavy first touch from a routine backpass gifted van Persie his second then Casillas’ humiliation was completed by Arjen Robben as the Bayern man rounded him with ease.
The 31-year-old was not aided by a shambolic defensive performance and the defences of this 2014 World Cup have plenty to answer for, too. However, the volume of goals has made for a thrilling tournament so far, therefore long may the incompetence continue.
