USA 1 x 1 Korea
The US played the first half intelligently as the weather there (particularly today) was very hot and humid, so, within measure they allowed the Koreans to run more with the idea that they would get tired.
They did not and Korea pushed relentlessly and yes, The US was lucky Korea did not score more goals.
The big mistake the US did (as many teams do, --in my eyes inexplicable), is they trench down with only a one goal advantage.
The US had a brilliant move with their goal on a counter-attack and there was no reason for them to stop doing that. As I said, the first half was played a lot better than the second half, when they gave up the mid-field and as a result, theyt were simply erased from the attack.
No doubt Friedel was the hero tonight.
I am going to put this down to a little inexperience, although Arenas should have known better. In addition, the changes of the players could have been a little earlier as some of them did look a tad tired. To me that was a surprise as I have always seen them very fit. The weather without a doubt played a factor in this game.
Do not forget that they are playing at Korea's home and that is always a factor, It is possible to overcome, but it is always a factor.
Korea was very fast but quite incapable of realizing the various efforts that went wasted. In the end, it could have been a lot worse for the US and in stead they saved a point.
Qualifying for the next round is still open and much depends on what happens between Poland and Portugal.
In my opinion the US should beat Poland, which no doubt it will help, but as I said, we need to see the rest of the games in that group at this point it is still very open. |
