The alarm has been sounded, forcing these giants to get up immediately and release their wrath on the two remaining matches in the group stage in order to make it through to the round of 16.
By
Yulvianus Harjono
·4 minutes read
AFP PHOTO/TOBIAS SCHWARZ
A fan of the German team wearing the colors of the German flag gestures prior to the Russia 2018 World Cup Group F soccer match between Germany and Mexico on June 17, during a public viewing event in the "Fanmeile" area in front of Berlin\'s landmark Brandenburg Gate.
VATUTINKI, MONDAY – Major teams and fan favorites of the 2018 World Cup are like giants slowly awakened from their slumbers. Fans were shocked by the bad performances of Germany, Argentina, Brazil and Spain in their respective first matches at this year’s global sports event. The alarm has been sounded, forcing these giants to get up immediately and release their wrath on the two remaining matches in the group stage in order to make it through to the round of 16.
Germany is under the most pressure. The defending champion underperformed in its match against Mexico and was defeated 0 to 1 in the first Group F match on Sunday (17/6/2018). German media, which closely followed “Die Mannschaft” in Russia, called the defeat a “crestfallen” moment. It was Germany’s first defeat in a World Cup first match since 1982.
Argentina, Brazil and Spain, on the other hand, have managed to snatch one point each in their respective group matches thus far. Spain had a tie with Portugal, 3-3. Argentina tied with Iceland, 1-1. Brazil tied with Switzerland, 1-1. These results were far from ideal for teams of their stature.
After its defeat by Mexico in the first Group F match on Sunday, Germany seemed to have isolated itself in the Spa Vatutinki hotel in a Moscow suburb. Its members spent one day away from the eyes of the world to boost their morale and self-confidence.
This is in contrast to the Mexican team, which, engrossed in euphoria over the victory, has given wide access to international journalists to cover its practice sessions. Germany, meanwhile, avoided the press all throughout Monday (18/6). FIFA issued a statement that the team was taking a day off on Monday. However, Kompas found that the defending champion did do some light practice in Vatutinki.
The practice session at Moscow’s CSKA Academy was closed to fans and journalists. Germany also cancelled the day’s press meeting. Journalists were not allowed to enter the hotel where the German players stayed. The three-starred hotel’s front gate was under heavy police guard.
“Currently, the team is focused on recovery. They only did light practice. As you all know, they have just had a match last night. They need some peace,” a German squad official said in Vatutinki.
No need to panic
In a press meeting at Luzhniki on Sunday evening, German coach Joachim Löw said the team would rise from the defeat. “There is no need to panic. Our team has enough experience to overcome situations like these. There is still a chance. We will rise,” he said.
Yes. There is no need to panic. This is the psyche of the giants. Spain once felt it after it was defeated by Switzerland, 0 to 1, in the first match of the 2010 World Cup. After the defeat, RFEF technical director Fernando Hierro, now the Spanish coach, gathered his players, boosted their motivation and told them not to blame one another. Consequently, the “La Furia Roja” squad ended up becoming world champion in South Africa.
German football fans also displayed a sense of optimism and noted that the defeat was not the end of the world. “We are champions. What’s done is done, but Germany will fight again and win,” said fan Kai Arndst at the Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday.
Germany has almost a week to prepare for its second match against Sweden on Sunday (24/6) at 1 a.m. Western Indonesian Time. Sweden is currently at the top of Group F after defeating South Korea, 1 to 0, in Nizhny Novgorod on Monday. Germany now stands at the bottom of the group.
The Spanish team has also pledged to improve its performance. Striker Diego Costa said he was optimistic the team could perform better and reap full points in its Group B match against Iran on Wednesday. “We have shown that we can fight. This is good for our future,” Costa said in an interview in the mixed zone after the match against Portugal on Friday.
In the Group G match on Monday evening, Belgium won against debutant Panama, 3 to 0. Kevin De Bruyne’s work ethos and creativity ignited the match. His assist toward Romelu Lukaku seemed like witchcraft. Lukaku scored two goals in the match, after an earlier goal by Dries Mertens.
However, Belgium’s power will truly be put to the test in the match against England on June 29. Panama, with its low level of creativity, is clearly no match for Belgium.
