FIFA World Cup 2014: Neuer methods of goalkeepers

Porto Alegre: A superb World Cup for goalkeepers got even better on Monday as Algerian and German short stoppers pulled off save after excellent save to keep their teams in the fray in a last 16 match here. Algerian goalkeeper Rais M’Bolhi walked away with the man of the match award in the end. Germany’s Manuel Neuer could also have won it, for he invented a new role for goalkeepers in the riveting match.

The high-line defence of Germany created acres of space between the box and central defenders for the Algerian forwards to exploit. The Desert Foxes succeeded in causing plenty of problems to their fancied opponents by launching long balls behind the reach of Per Mertesacker and Jerome Boateng. Time and again Algeria’s El Arabi Soudani and Islam Slimani burst forward for potential one-on-one duels with Neuer. But the Bayern Munich goalkeeper averted danger every time by charging outside the 18-yard box for sweeping clearances. Neuer’s anticipation was outstanding throughout the match. Many pundits would have chosen him as the best outfield player of the day. According to a statistic provided by BBC, Neuer had 59 touches in the match and 21 of them were outside his box.

The strategy of Neuer was fraught with dangers. One poorly timed tackle could have spelt doom for his team. But the Bayern star never put a foot __ a tackle __ wrong. It was wonderful to watch a goalkeeper doing so proficiently outside his box. Neuer’s illustrious compatriot Franz Beckenbauer invented the role of sweeper or libero to power Bayern Munich and West Germany to unprecedented glory in the 70s and the legend would have been proud of seeing a goalie following his legacy.

'Elimination adjourned' was the highlight of the German media’s coverage of the Algeria match. If not for Neuer’s heroics, it would have been: Eliminated.