FiFa Files - 7

The World Cup in 2014 saw only seven Spurs players participate, slightly down on the previous event four years earlier. This was in part due too no Tottenham men being included in the England squad. The players that did travel represented five different countries equaling  our best ‘international spread’ since 1998.

---

Our look back at what happened 'last time around' and Group E saw France captained by Hugo Lloris beat Honduras 3-0, Switzerland 5-2 and finish with a 0-0 with Ecuador to proceed.

Spurs had a foot in two camps in Group H. The opening match saw Belgium beat Algeria.  Vertonghen, Chadli and Dembele, all playing alongside future Spur Alderweireld. Facing them was Bentaleb as the Belgium’s won 2-1, (top). Belgium one of the dark horses for the trophy then beat Russia 1-0 with only Vertoghen appearing from the bench after half an hour to be booked.

They finished the group with a 1-0 win over South Korea, Vertonghen captain for the day scoring the only goal against a side that included Son.

Algeria won their second game against the South Korean side 4-2 and finished with a 1-1 with Russia, which meant both our sides would go forward, Bentaleb played in both games and being booked once.  

Left - Paulinho V Columbia

---

While in Group England lost to Italy and Uruguay and drew with Costa Rica to end their group bottom.

Group A also saw two teams of interest. The hosts Brazil opened with a 3-1 win over Croatia. Paulinho appeared for the home side. The Croatians included Pletikosa, Corluka and Modric.  They followed that with a 0-0 against Mexico (Dos Santos) before a 4-1 win finish over Cameroon, Paulinho playing in each game.  Cameroon had started with a 0-1 against Mexico. Assou-Ekotto being in the team who kept his place in the 0-4 defeat to Croatia but was involved in a fight with a team mate during the match appearing to head butt him.

The round of sixteen saw Brazil (with Paulinho an unused substitute) beat Chile but they needed a penalty shootout to do so, as Chile hit the post with their last kick of the game.
France beat Nigeria 2-0.

Left - Vertonghan's goal

---

Algeria without Bentaleb lost 1-2 to Germany in extra time.  Belgium did progress beating the USA 2-1 again in extra time, with Clint Dempsey captain and Yedlin coming off the bench.  Vertonghen played this game with Chadli joining him as a substitute in extra time.  

The quarter finals and France lost to Germany by the only goal. Paulinho returned to the Brazilian side that beat Columbia 2-1. The following day the Belgium players went out to Argentina 0-1. Jan Vertonghen again being joined by Chadli late in the game.

The last Spurs interest was in the semi-final when Brazil met Brazil. Paulinho came on at half time but by then Germany were 0-5 up and would go on to win 1-7. Paulinho did start the third place playoff game which Holland won 0-3. Vorm came on as a substitute goalkeeper very late in the game.  This meant Holland had used all 23 players in the squad. The final would see Germany beat Argentina by the only goal.

The Tottenham involvement in previous competitions was told in the Flying Down to Rio series. 
That, the other  FiFa Files and the Connections series can all be found at -
http://www.indiaspurs.com/blog/hotspur-towers-the-international-index

COYS
Keith Harrison.
t- Keith 16024542
f - https://www.facebook.com/keith.harrison.9659
My profile / archive is @ http://www.indiaspurs.com/keith_harrison.html