Btw, I watched the match on Dutch TV, props to the Dutch commentator who was totally objective and agreed with Russia being the better side. Class! He also believed it was a PK on Zhirkov (?).
Russia has been the most fun team to watch and also the most frustrating to watch.
Today the frustration levels were lower. They couldn't finish off the Dutch and put the game away (deservedly), but their defensive tackling and aggression with the ball help make up for it. (Though the coverage on set pieces made me think of Portugal. )
If Hiddink can keep the team delivering on what makes them so fun to watch and reduce what makes them so frustrating to watch, this could be their Cup to win.
Since everyone's praising Arshavin and Hiddink to no end (and they deserve it) I'm gonna take another route and show some love for Pavlyuchenko. He was fantastic today. Scored a goal, hit the bar, was a willing runner and just never stopped. Well done lad.
Since everyone's praising Arshavin and Hiddink to no end (and they deserve it) I'm gonna take another route and show some love for Pavlyuchenko. He was fantastic.
They never had to face being a goal down. Look at the first goal against Italy, it was lucky, not even RVN could believe that it was given (kept looking at the linesman). Holland's game is being a goal up, that's why they seemed so demanding in the group stage.
They never had to face being a goal down. Look at the first goal against Italy, it was lucky, not even RVN could believe that it was given (kept looking at the linesman). Holland's game is being a goal up, that's why they seemed so demanding in the group stage.
They never had to face being a goal down. Look at the first goal against Italy, it was lucky, not even RVN could believe that it was given (kept looking at the linesman). Holland's game is being a goal up, that's why they seemed so demanding in the group stage.