Smart USA think tank has plotted a five point’s game plan to tide over Belgian Challenge in the pre-quarter final match. Many of my Bangladeshi American friends view Belgium a friendly foe and less difficult opponent than their Group H mates Algeria, Russia and South Korea. Let us see what is the plan?
Plan 1 Pressurize Belgian Midfield
The Belgium midfield is less formidable and definitely less technically adept than the German mid field. USA competed almost equally with German midfield in their 0-1 defeat against Germany. Mid field operators of the United States can pressurize the Belgians in the midfield creating more space for the men in front. Kyle Beckerman and Jermaine Jones must endeavor to narrow the zone of operation of Belgian mid field numbers to cut off the counter attacking opportunities.
Plan 2: Counter Attack with Better Venom
USA created few potential opportunities against Germany from sharp counter attacks. Similar or better chances against Belgium may come their way. USA must be considerably more prompt and better composed to avail such opportunities.
Plan 3: Starve Hazard of the Ball
USA may find it a bit difficult to mark a player like Hazard given the manner in which he drifts about the pitch,. USA midfield must strive to narrow his area of operation and starve him of possession. That can come from hassling his teammates passing into him, or shutting off the angles for passes into feet. If Hazard impact can be neutralized the United States have a chance.
Plan 4: Target the Full-Backs
As evidenced in group matches the main weakness in this Belgium team lies at full-back which the United States must exploit. Whether it is Brad Davis, Graham Zusi or Alejandro Bedoya who occupy the wide berths, they need to be very direct and unyieldingly relentless. The heart of Belgian defence can be opened up with enough with sufficient quality and as Vertonghen and Alderweireld are both prone to making errors.
Plan 5: USA Must Remain Patient
USA must not hurry. They must keep in mind that Belgium has scored late goals in all their games, showcasing patience in their player and intelligent utilization of substitutes. The United States must try to emulate. If the match drifts with a deadlock with ten minutes to go, Belgium will be under pressure to unlock pushing forward for getting the winner; that will be opportunity USA must try to cash on.
Well likewise Belgium must have done their homework and Surveillance on USA as well. They must have plotted their plan as well to send US troops back home before Obama planned US withdrawal from Afghanistan starts. It will be game on.
This Belgian side is the product of Years of well-planned age group grooming. They hardly required to press their feet on the accelerator in their group matches and still won three out of three. Tonight Soccer World may see a different Belgian team altogether.
We do not want to displease my Bangladeshi American and American fiends much. But realistically Belgium is a much better team and at this level better team usually survive.
We predict a 2-1 win for Belgium.
BDST: 1440 HRS, JULY 01, 2014
