ZAPHOD2319 4,818 Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 2 minutes ago, NikkiCFC said: Why? I'll be cheering for Argentina and Mexico. As a neutral I want all best teams to progress. Germany tomorrow as well. US fans always want to see Mexico lose, it is just part of the rivalry. Argentina federation is so incredibly corrupt, I always like to see them lose. I cannot think of a more corrupt federation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsblubot 3,595 Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 (edited) 10 hours ago, Johnnyeye said: this is one of the most talented crop of players we’ve had in years, and most of them are still young, my only gripe with this team is Fernando Santos stubborness and thinkering, and the lapses in defense, but to call them overrated and not good enough is a stretch. Suppose you may be right in numbers, but perhaps irrelevant to the discussion. Also, if I only had a dollar for every time a NT head coach is criticized.... 😉 If they are too young, then they are only promising and not ready. My 2 points being discussed: 1. Portugal is not a contender. 2. From Chelsea's PoV, while some players may be promising, I pointed out that they'd be a gamble at the moment and that I don't think any Portuguese player would *significantly* improve Chesea atm--no one remotely close to CR7 (who is visibly past his prime) esp in attack. We were talking highly of William Carvalho and Neves not long ago... wouldn't want either even for the bench. As a Brazilian, Portugal usually has my support (Germany too bc mother side), which may make me a bit more critical of them to be fair. Still, I have to call it the way I see it. 5 hours ago, NikkiCFC said: Why? I'll be cheering for Argentina and Mexico. As a neutral I want all best teams to progress. Germany tomorrow as well. I agree with he notion: I prefer the stronger teams to go through. Upsets are bound to upset my eyes later on as we are forced to watch the bad team once again, and they usually don't repeat the initial feat (reason an upset is called that). So, yeah Argentina has players we'd like to watch again (Otamendi aside lol). And they will be tough to beat in the single-elimination stage. heh Mexico has to be the most overrated NT. They are considered a strong footballing nation by decree. And this particular crop of players is no better -- I wouldn't mind not having to watch that team play for a while... they are so bad. Edited November 30, 2022 by robsblubot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsblubot 3,595 Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 Argentina is toying with Poland. Top-shelf performance by them... they will be a nightmare to face in the single-elim. Johnnyeye and Fulham Broadway 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fulham Broadway 17,312 Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 At one point Poland were going through on having 4 yellow cards to Mexicos 7. Should never have been a penalty to the Argies - but the save galvanised them. Poland were so slow - if it had been a boxing match the ref would have stopped it at half time. robsblubot 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZAPHOD2319 4,818 Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 Bye bye Mexico! Three North American teams entered the group stage, one moves on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsblubot 3,595 Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 33 minutes ago, Fulham Broadway said: At one point Poland were going through on having 4 yellow cards to Mexicos 7. Should never have been a penalty to the Argies - but the save galvanised them. Poland were so slow - if it had been a boxing match the ref would have stopped it at half time. 😆 so true. Speaking of penalties, I wrote earlier about that VAR Portugal penally... was the worse I've in a while. I couldn't agree more with Joe Cole (dangerous precedent too may remove moves from the game): "Portugal were awarded a controversial penalty as they beat Uruguay at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The ball hit the hand of Uruguay defender Jose Gimenez in the box but he was trying to break his fall to the ground. Still, the referee pointed to the spot and Bruno Fernandes scored." https://www.eurosport.com/football/world-cup/2022/joe-cole-says-no-way-portugal-should-have-been-awarded-handball-penalty-against-uruguay-at-2022-worl_sto9249361/story.shtml Fulham Broadway 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fulham Broadway 17,312 Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 26 minutes ago, robsblubot said: 😆 so true. Speaking of penalties, I wrote earlier about that VAR Portugal penally... was the worse I've in a while. I couldn't agree more with Joe Cole (dangerous precedent too may remove moves from the game): "Portugal were awarded a controversial penalty as they beat Uruguay at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The ball hit the hand of Uruguay defender Jose Gimenez in the box but he was trying to break his fall to the ground. Still, the referee pointed to the spot and Bruno Fernandes scored." https://www.eurosport.com/football/world-cup/2022/joe-cole-says-no-way-portugal-should-have-been-awarded-handball-penalty-against-uruguay-at-2022-worl_sto9249361/story.shtml Its a paradox that VAR was brought in with the mantra that it was to clear up 'grey areas' of decision making - seems its a tool to create more controversy. Yes - that Ronaldo 'penalty' - one of the worst decisions ever. robsblubot 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikkiCFC 8,319 Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 1 hour ago, ZAPHOD2319 said: Bye bye Mexico! Three North American teams entered the group stage, one moves on. 4 entered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikkiCFC 8,319 Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 Argentina will reach semi final without top opponent. Now Australia and after Netherlands/USA. France will play England in QF. Germany, Portugal will be in other bracket as well. Spain:Brazil most likely will clash in QF. Final before final. And who ever wins should eliminate Argentina in semis. robsblubot 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZAPHOD2319 4,818 Posted December 1, 2022 Share Posted December 1, 2022 1 hour ago, NikkiCFC said: 4 entered. Central American countries are technically a part of North America, but not really looked at that way here, buy both North American countries and Central American countries. They are a part of Concacaf. Fulham Broadway 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsblubot 3,595 Posted December 1, 2022 Share Posted December 1, 2022 1 hour ago, NikkiCFC said: Argentina will reach semi final without top opponent. Now Australia and after Netherlands/USA. France will play England in QF. Germany, Portugal will be in other bracket as well. Spain:Brazil most likely will clash in QF. Final before final. And who ever wins should eliminate Argentina in semis. Mostly agree except bolded part. It's best to forget group stages from now on. I think Argentina will be tough opposition for anyone... reminder that this Brazil squad lost (soundly) to Argentina in the Copa America final playing at home in Brazil. You could see Argentina winning that match from start to finish. France will be a tough one for England too... It's like their strengths match England's weaknesses to the dot. Portugal and Germany (likely) will be tough as well - no easy games anymore hehe. Of course it's a "good" time to play Germany in theory, but they did look strong against Spain... plus loads of depth in the squad, which means they can make adjustments along the way and become stronger. That's another factor from now on: which teams can lose players to injury or even fatigue and remain just as strong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Juan 28,141 Posted December 1, 2022 Share Posted December 1, 2022 Once again the talking point is decisions. VAR is NOT the problem, the problem is the refereeing decisions AGAIN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnnyeye 7,509 Posted December 1, 2022 Share Posted December 1, 2022 14 hours ago, robsblubot said: Suppose you may be right in numbers, but perhaps irrelevant to the discussion. Also, if I only had a dollar for every time a NT head coach is criticized.... 😉 If they are too young, then they are only promising and not ready. My 2 points being discussed: 1. Portugal is not a contender. 2. From Chelsea's PoV, while some players may be promising, I pointed out that they'd be a gamble at the moment and that I don't think any Portuguese player would *significantly* improve Chesea atm--no one remotely close to CR7 (who is visibly past his prime) esp in attack. We were talking highly of William Carvalho and Neves not long ago... wouldn't want either even for the bench. As a Brazilian, Portugal usually has my support (Germany too bc mother side), which may make me a bit more critical of them to be fair. Still, I have to call it the way I see it. I agree with he notion: I prefer the stronger teams to go through. Upsets are bound to upset my eyes later on as we are forced to watch the bad team once again, and they usually don't repeat the initial feat (reason an upset is called that). So, yeah Argentina has players we'd like to watch again (Otamendi aside lol). And they will be tough to beat in the single-elimination stage. heh Mexico has to be the most overrated NT. They are considered a strong footballing nation by decree. And this particular crop of players is no better -- I wouldn't mind not having to watch that team play for a while... they are so bad. I think that Portugal can be a tough match for any top side if they are on their day, but maybe you are right, we are still not there yet, only time will tell. I want to see how we do in the KO stage, we need to play much better that’s for sure. robsblubot and Fulham Broadway 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vesper 30,172 Posted December 1, 2022 Share Posted December 1, 2022 2022 FIFA World Cup, Group Stage Croatia Belgium https://www.sportfacts.net/sports/2022/world-cup-qatar-croatia-vs-belgium-s1/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vytis33 1,270 Posted December 1, 2022 Share Posted December 1, 2022 Ziyech with a goal against Canada. If we're looking to move on from him January might be the time. His stock should be up after this tournament Vesper 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vesper 30,172 Posted December 1, 2022 Share Posted December 1, 2022 https://www.sportfacts.net/sports/2022/world-cup-qatar-canada-vs-morocco-s2/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vesper 30,172 Posted December 1, 2022 Share Posted December 1, 2022 5 minutes ago, Vytis33 said: Ziyech with a goal against Canada. If we're looking to move on from him January might be the time. His stock should be up after this tournament AC Milan want him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vesper 30,172 Posted December 1, 2022 Share Posted December 1, 2022 Mertens missed a semi sitter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vesper 30,172 Posted December 1, 2022 Share Posted December 1, 2022 Pen to Croatia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vesper 30,172 Posted December 1, 2022 Share Posted December 1, 2022 VAR may rule it out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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