It Begins
The players are having trouble adjusting to the new ball as they did when previous new balls were introduced. Surely they can't make them any lighter? Goalies can now kick from their hands the entire length of the pitch. Watch for a goalie scoring. The main effect so far seems to be on heading: they can't keep their headers down. It also looks like the ball swerves a bit in flight throwing off their timing on all headers not just at goal. Watch how they're needing 2-3 touches to get the ball under control and how many overhit passes. Plus they're hitting free kicks high. The way it's going no-one will use their instep any more - they'll all be inside of the foot putting a "draw" spin on the ball. The dangerous shots seems to be low ones. Besides Green's gaffe - which was not due to the ball - the Slovenian goal was badly handled after skipping off the turf. The irony with Green's howler was he'd jus shown perfect techique for low shots on a tougher, longer pot shot by Altidore a few minutes earlier. He just failed to "square up".
England's going to be ok. They created enough oportunities to win handily. If they keep getting outside the fullbacks inside the 18 yard line someone's going to connect with the crosses. I was disappointed that Lennon didn't take a few more runs at his fullback. He had 3-4 chances similar to the one when he pulled it back from the byline close to the 6 yard box - the most dangerous play in soccer. Algeria and Slovenia are not in England's league.
Argentina has been the class so far. Nice header by Heinze - notice that he actually had to stoop and that helped him keep it under the bar. Argentina played some great on the ground stuff with Messi much in evidence. One last harp (for now) about the ball - even Messi had trouble a number of times getting it under control. Also - take note inveterate Heskey critics - he fluffed a couple of point-blank chances.