Matt Doherty's World Cup diary | 6 December
Tue 06 December 2022, 12:45|
Tottenham Hotspur
Matt Doherty continues his World Cup diary as we reach the final Round of 16 ties in Qatar...
Now capped 33 times by the Republic of Ireland, Matt initially had 12 Spurs team-mates in Qatar - now five in the quarter-finals - plus experience of playing against a number of countries and players still in the competition. After negotiating the group stage, he will now give his insight in the knockout stage with two Round of 16 ties a day until Tuesday.
Yesterday’s results
Croatia 1-1 Japan (Croatia won 3-1 penalties)
Brazil 4-1 Korea
Today’s matches
Last 16 - Morocco v Spain (3pm)
Last 16 - Portugal v Switzerland (7pm)
What caught my eye yesterday
Matt: "I know I said I thought that Croatia-Japan would be a close game, but I didn't expect it to go to penalties. I thought Croatia would go through, the experience they have, I just thought Croatia would have too much guile, too much experience and it kind of prevailed in the shoot-out. Ivan scored a great header, classic wing-back, gets across the back post, what a header that was! Brazil were electric in that first half against Korea, 4-0 up. Richy and co, they looked like they were having the most possible fun you can have on a football pitch, scoring goals, dancing, laughing. What more can you ask for? Unfortunately for Sonny and Korea, I thought they'd get beaten, just not like that. I guess we'll welcome Sonny back here next week and try to cheer him up a bit. For Brazil, that's a warning to everyone else in the tournament that they've arrived."
What I’m looking forward to today
Matt: "Spain-Morocco, that's not an easy game for Spain, at all. I guess it depends what team Spain put out. If Morata plays, Spain probably win. If not, I'm not sure. I think they really need him, I like his movement and quite like him as a player. I expect Spain to get through a close game, potentially extra time. Portugal-Switzerland has the potential for extra time and penalties as well. On paper, it's not 50-50, but in terms of how the teams play, Portugal have more individuals, Switzerland it's all about team and team ethic, togetherness. It will be tight. You know what? I can see Switzerland scraping though."
If you only watch one game today
Matt: "I'd probably got for the evening game, Portugal-Switzerland, a good, tight game, hopefully some goals."
Player to watch
Matt: "Today, I'm going for the Switzerland striker Breel Embolo, strong, fast, looks like a disaster for central defenders! He plays for Monaco. I've watched him for a number of years, now, so I know what he's capable of."
My predictions
Spain 2-1 Morocco (possibly after extra time)
Portugal v Switzerland - I'm just going Switzerland in extra time, if it goes to penalties, Portugal to win.
