That's
how they started the game last night and I had my own reasons to believe that
their strategy may not work under the circumstances. When after some 20 minutes
into the game, Andres Iniesta was just walking - while his team was defending -
it was clear that I was correct in my prediction.
It
is impossible for any team that plays at altitude without being adapted to such
condition to sustain the heavy task of pressing high with intensity for the
whole game. Consequently, Spain switched to 'ECONOMICAL' pace mode and their
game became ordinary.
It's obvious that Spain's usual game concept
cannot be successful without pressing high with intensity and they've learned
that the hard way. When in the second half the effects of altitude began to
impair their tactical judgments, more individual errors cancelled their chances
to score and fortunately they did not concede more goals.
Bafana
Bafana took a decisive advantage of Spain's problem and won an important match.
Surely, there are other interesting aspects but more next time.
By Ted Dumitru
