Day 14 in 100 words or less We are told that over 90 per cent of the population is naturally right-footed. Brazil 2014 has only been alive for two weeks and it has already laughed in the faces of many trends and on Day 14, it added another one. A tournament that has seen left-footed geniuses like Arjen Robben and James Rodriguez rise above the rest, added two more left-footed playmakers to the list of stars at this World Cup on Wednesday. Xherdan Shaqiri, who patiently waited for his showcase to get out of Bayern Munich, netted a hat-trick, while Lionel Messi delivered a complete performance for the first time. Argentina 3-2 Nigeria Lionel Messi was very good at the World Cup in 2010, but he didnt score a goal and Argentina went home early. For the next four years, we were told he wasnt good at all in South Africa. For the first two games in Brazil, Messi scored two brilliant goals that proved to be the difference. We were told he was finally delivering on the biggest stage. Except he wasnt. He was, in fact, average for long periods of the game and wasnt as good as he was in South Africa. And then came game number three. Unlike Brazil, still sputtering along in third-gear, Argentina upped their game on Wednesday, delivering a far better performance than their previous efforts at this World Cup. This was helped, of course, by a complete performance from Messi. He scored early, dragging three men towards him, allowing space for Angel Di Maria to run into, before following up and smashing the ball into the roof of the net. It was far from game over, though. Argentina have flaws, more of which we will look at soon. Nigeria fought back to 1-1 and then Messi delivered the best free kick of the World Cup so far, looping the ball over the wall and into the corner of the net. Four goals in three games. At 3-2, he was removed for a rest and it was a break he deserved. Argentina were the real winners of the December draw; their group was perfect for them, full of close but winnable games and that theme continues for them going forward. A date with Switzerland follows and then, likely, Belgium, Ghana or USA in the quarterfinals and, possibly, Netherlands in the last four. All of their South American cousins are in the opposite half, as are Germany, should they win their group. It is quite possible that Argentina will line up inside the Maracana on July 13 without being seriously tested by a legitimate contender at this World Cup. That gives them an opportunity to continue to roll, but will they be good enough by then to cover for their weaknesses? The cohesion of their front three was a mild improvement from games one and two, though Sergio Aguero left the game injured and that might help them going forward because he and Gonzalo Higuain havent been at their best alongside Messi. Although a concern, that isnt the biggest issue for Argentina. Their back four are very unreliable, happy to play deep to stop any pace coming behind them. This, though, is an issue to be exploited by top teams. The midfield three of Fernando Gago, Javier Mascherano and Di Maria desperately need to connect with the front three for the system to work. Gagos movement created Messis first goal in Brazil and Di Marias combinations with Messi were much better on Wednesday. This means the midfield three push forward and leave space in behind. On the first goal conceded, scored by Ahmed Musa, midfielder Michael Babatunde sprinted into space between the lines… Once Musa got into the danger zone, the centre-backs had been split and he was one-on-one with the full back Pablo Zabaleta, before curling the ball into the net. At 2-1, the same thing happened again in the second half. Look at the space in between the lines…. The ball is played into Emmanuel Emenike, both centre-backs are dragged towards him and Musa sprints into the space between the lines. It is an imperfect storm for Argentinas two greatest weaknesses If we look at how they conceded their other goal in this tournament, again from open play, against Bosnia-Herzegovina, it is a familiar story. When the team has to defend, there is a tremendous pressure on seven players to defend properly. Once again, they didnt do that properly. Here, you can see a back four with the midfield three and, the eventual goalscorer Vedab Ibisevic, operating between the lines… Ibisevic makes an intelligent run and, like Musa, allows his teammate to run into the space in between the lines, which forced a centre-back out once again…. Once hes in, he scores easily. Argentina should be the favourites to win the World Cup at this stage. Their best player is on form and the draw has opened up for them but, when not in possession, they look like a broken team and one that could be exposed. It just might be later, rather than sooner, at this World Cup. Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-1 Iran Both teams saw their World Cups officially end in another excellent game in Brazil. Not much will be remembered from the game, except for another fine left-footed strike by Edin Dzeko, a man who clearly deserved to be a goal-scorer in this tournament after harshly having one ruled out for offside against Nigeria. Switzerland 3-0 Honduras Honduras achieved something quite remarkable as their World Cup ended. They beat Cameroon for being the worst team in this tournament with another poor performance. Switzerland, however, did exactly what they needed to do, winning a game by a margin that would have forced Ecuador to win by more than just a goal. Xherdan Shaqiri was the star but he owes a toast to Josip Drmic, who was magnificent playing just ahead of him. Shaqiris goals were exquisite, but Drmics movement and vision contributed to two and the pairs relationship will delight Ottmar Hitzfeld as they head into their next game against Argentina. If any pair can exploit the space in between the lines, it might be these two. The great coach, who retires after this tournament, said he didnt even think it could have been his last game. Honduras will do that to you. Argentina will be a different foe, for sure, but what a glorious challenge it will be for the veteran leader. France 0-0 Ecuador Ecuador became the only South American team to not make the last 16 after a goalless draw in Rio. Goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez was excellent, captain Antonio Valencia was sent off and striker Enner Valencia was a menace once again. However, it seemed the moment they conceded the late winner to Switzerland that it would cost them qualification and so it proved the case for Reinaldo Ruedas side. France, meanwhile, should have scored at least three but didnt get any. Didier Deschamps made a number of changes heading into the match and, much like Chile, Costa Rica and Colombia, it was tough to analyze much from a team already (virtually) through to the next round through two games. What we do know is France have a deep squad, with an in-form star striker, and will be big favourites against Nigeria. How they respond when they go behind in a game may be their biggest test going forward. Man of the Day Nominees Lionel Messi – It feels right when one of the worlds finest players performs like that at a World Cup. Angel Di Maria – A player who is so important to their system, the Real Madrid man was much better today than in the past two matches. Ahmed Musa – Two brilliantly taken goals made the game closer than some thought it would be. Xherdan Shaqiri – It has been the tournament of left-footed wizards and the Bayern Munich man delivered when his country needed him most. Alexander Dominguez – Many Ecuadorian players leave Brazil with their heads held high, including their goalkeeper who put on a clinic at the Maracana. The winner… Lionel Messi – Who else? Again... What comes next? USA vs. Germany and Portugal vs. Ghana (12pm et /9am pt), South Korea vs. Belgium and Algeria vs Russia (4pm et/1pm pt) Burning question for tomorrow Will Fabio Capello let go of the handbrake and allow his creative players to attempt to take his team into the next round? Key stat of Day 14 Lionel Messi scored in all three group games for Argentina. The first player to do that since Omar Corbatta in 1958.
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Mike Dunleavy Jersey . Joining him in this years class were Switzerlands Patrick Huerlimann and Norways Eigil Ramsfjell. The announcement was made at the world mens curling championship at Capital Indoor Stadium in China.ABBOTSFORD, B.C. - Shots were at a premium for the Abbotsford Heat on Friday night, but Corban Knight made no mistake in making the most of his. The 23-year-old rookie notched a hat trick in Abbotsfords 6-3 victory over the visiting Rockford IceHogs, despite being outshot 48-18 in the American Hockey League matchup. Although Knight admitted his goals werent the most highlight-reel type of goals, he made them count when he got the chance. "It was definitely a relief to get that first one," Knight said. "Then after that it was just kind of one of those nights where things were kind of going well for me offensively … You look at my goals and none of them were really that flashy, so it was just nice to get that off my back and contribute offensively for my team." Knight said his first professional hat trick couldnt have happened without the help of his linemates Sven Baertschi and Tim Miller. "Baertschis been putting up a lot of points and producing offensively," said Knight. "(Millers) the kind of guy where he just brings his lunch pail and just works hard and gets a lot of pucks back. Tonight it was just kind of clicking for us." Miller said theres no mistaking the dynamic between Knight and Baertschi on the ice. "I got the notice in the pre-game skate that I was going to play with those guys," Miller said. "You can tell the talent those two have out there. Its my job to still play physical, try to create room for them in the offensive zone and get to the net." Knight scored back-to-back goals in the first period. The High River, Alta., native tipped a shot from Max Reinhart over Jason LaBarberas left shoulder to give his team a 2-1 edge on the power play at 16:40 of the first period. His second goal came just over a minute later at 18:04 as Miller took advantage on a Rockford turnover in the IceHogs zone, feeding the puck across the crease to Knight, who buried it short side. Baertschi had two goals and three assists for Abbotsford (38-25-7), while Miller picked up a goal and two helpers. "That line had an oppportunistic night — they did a good job finishing," said Abbotsford head coach Troy Ward.dddddddddddd "We thought Miller was our best player … I thought he had his best game by far for the Heat. He just opens up space for those other guys. He played honest, he played hard, and he gives Corban and Sven some space." Joni Ortio stopped 45 of the 48 shots he faced in the victory. "He made some big time saves at really important times, so he was huge for us tonight," Knight said. "I dont think we wouldve won that game without him playing the way he did." Mark McNeill and Alex Broadhurst each had a goal and an assist for Rockford (33-27-9). LaBarbera allowed four goals on 12 shots in the loss, while Kent Simpson stopped five shots in a relief effort. "It was a tough night and kind of weird game out there," said Knight. "The feel of the game was just weird, but fortunately we got the win, so well put it behind us and get ready for tomorrow." McNeill opened the scoring at 3:05 of the first as he powered around Abbotsfords Zach Davies, cut to the crease and roofed it over Ortios glove. Broadhurst and Klas Dahlbeck picked up assists. At 11:25 of the first, Miller picked up Heat captain Dean Arsenes point shot and buried the rebound into an open net to tie the game. Less than a minute into the second period, Alex Broadhurst received a Terry Broadhurst pass from behind the net and quickly put it past the outstretched left pad of Ortio. Knight scored his hat trick goal at 7:28 of the second, flipping the puck on net from behind the goal-line, and squeaking it just between the goal post and LaBarberas left shoulder. Baertschi added to Abbotsfords lead by feeding an intended pass through the crease that deflected off of a Rockford defender at 13:49 of the second. The IceHogs responded on the power play at 16:21 as Brian Connelly fed Adam Clendening at the point, who then fired it through traffic to cut Abbotsfords lead to 5-3. Baertschi added an empty-net goal from centre ice with 0:41 remaining in the game.
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