World cup

[mshills]

GAME ON NOW

[scruffynick]

8 minutes ago, mshills said:

It is very effective and not taking anything away from the Dutch — they have played very smart and disciplined, exactly what they need to do. They will be a tough out if they play like this against (probably) Argentina.

 

I am already pumped for the Next WC. Keep coach B, and if all our 20 yr old midfielders are healthy we should have a good squad. 

Gone interesting now....come on USA....Ryan has earned his stripes today in goal 

[mshills]

Man that is a heart breaking sequence there. Ouch. 
 

Congrats to the Dutch, very good match there. 

Edited December 3, 2022 by mshills

[Petethreeput]

My days playing were sweeper/stopper days and this isn’t a should have post bc not sure how different it would be against the flat back, but I did have some frustration with the US.

 

It felt like they would work hard to get into dangerous parts of the field, but not get into the final 12 yds.  They would stop short about 18 out and try to play an aerial cross. A 50/50 ball.  I would have loved to see them drive the end line and play crosses on the ground.

 

Good for them, best US team we have put together, shame it’s over.

[mshills]

I don’t disagree with that point at all. Aerial 50/50 balls and set pieces are great but we are missing a big, tall, SKILLED player to be the primary target. 
 

Easy to say this of course. Who wouldn’t want someone 6’5” with ball skills? Virgil van Dijks aren’t that easy to find!

[golfortennis]

Anyone else the feeling that a)the tv broadcaster is contractually obligated to show the FIFA president a certain number of times per match, and b)he looks like some old Roman emperor watching the Christians be fed to the lions?

 

Never ceases to amaze me how many people supposedly want to see a suit sitting there watching a game. 

[ode]

22 hours ago, mshills said:

I don’t disagree with that point at all. Aerial 50/50 balls and set pieces are great but we are missing a big, tall, SKILLED player to be the primary target. 
 

Easy to say this of course. Who wouldn’t want someone 6’5” with ball skills? Virgil van Dijks aren’t that easy to find!

We have plenty of talent and guys with good ball skills, but weak to finish in and around the goal.  Kept thinking  during the game ... would have been nice to have Altidore or Dempsey.....forget about 6'5"....I'd take someone who is tough and can finish.  That being said we got smoked in transition and they scored 3 easy goals with guys who were unmarked!

[golfortennis]

1 hour ago, ode said:

We have plenty of talent and guys with good ball skills, but weak to finish in and around the goal.  Kept thinking  during the game ... would have been nice to have Altidore or Dempsey.....forget about 6'5"....I'd take someone who is tough and can finish.  That being said we got smoked in transition and they scored 3 easy goals with guys who were unmarked!

 

Is Altidore hurt, too old, or kind of no longer good enough for a national team?

[Petethreeput]

9 hours ago, golfortennis said:

Anyone else the feeling that a)the tv broadcaster is contractually obligated to show the FIFA president a certain number of times per match, and b)he looks like some old Roman emperor watching the Christians be fed to the lions?

 

Never ceases to amaze me how many people supposedly want to see a suit sitting there watching a game. 

Altidore wasn’t that great. He was given a pass his finish rate wasn’t great. I was amazed at how they would walk around his misses.

 

Want a finisher?

 

Finishers come from freedom.  Freedom to challenge, risk, and to do the stuff that would get someone else benched.

 

Cue Ted Lasso and over coaching, now…

Edited December 5, 2022 by Petethreeput

[Qqq123xx]

Well my picks to surprise.....Serbia failed and Switzerland got to round of 16. 

 

And what's been said for like forever....the U.S. need to find finishers. Sorely lacking. 

[scruffynick]

The most stress free England knock out game in my life time, usually put through the ringer....with a gallon of ale to get by. Anyway, can't see France being like that on Saturday night. My Mrs is her Xmas works do so that should be fun for her, watching Blackburn rovers then England 😂😂 she might be a bit legless my midnight 

[scruffynick]

The most stress free England knock out game in my life time, usually put through the ringer....with a gallon of ale to get by. Anyway, can't see France being like that on Saturday night. My Mrs is her Xmas works do so that should be fun for her, watching Blackburn rovers then England 😂😂 she might be a bit legless my midnight 

[Cellis]

2 great matches today. Good for Morocco to knock off a giant and big props to the manager of Portugal for making some very promising changes to the lineup. Another 2 great games of this World Cup I must say!

[scruffynick]

Wow bye bye Brazil, they aren't dancing now. In truth they aren't the best Brazil side, especially when your centre forward nearly went down with Everton last season, and can't get a game at spurs. Croatia where simply better, that midfield is outstanding.....I'm delighted for them 

[mshills]

Can't believe what I've just seen.

[NRJyzr]

I was shocked by that last 10 min of regulation and 10 min stoppage time, Netherlands pulling two goals out of old school, route one, footy.  

 

Then, at the end of extra time, an attempted olympico that forced a save, and a shot off the post.

 

And Martinez announcing his presence with Authority in penalties for the Argentine win.

 

That was quite a ride.

 

Edited December 10, 2022 by NRJyzr

[grm24]

Really sad news from the WC in Qatar. Premier soccer journalist Grant Wahl from the USA passed away during the Netherlands/Argentina game. So sad. He was 49 years old. Just devastating news. Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.

 

https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/35221443/american-soccer-journalist-grant-wahl-dies-49-qatar

 

Update.

 

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/world-cup-2022-american-soccer-reporter-grant-wahl-dies-in-qatar-023454691.html

Edited December 10, 2022 by grm24

[scruffynick]

6 hours ago, NRJyzr said:

I was shocked by that last 10 min of regulation and 10 min stoppage time, Netherlands pulling two goals out of old school, route one, footy.  

 

Then, at the end of extra time, an attempted olympico that forced a save, and a shot off the post.

 

And Martinez announcing his presence with Authority in penalties for the Argentine win.

 

That was quite a ride.

 

Big Sam would have been proud of that last 10 minutes.....but why they didn't carry it on in extra time was baffling. Argentina just couldn't cope with it. Old school route one but boy it works 

[scruffynick]

4 hours ago, grm24 said:

Really sad news from the WC in Qatar. Premier soccer journalist Grant Wahl from the USA passed away during the Netherlands/Argentina game. So sad. He was 49 years old. Just devastating news. Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.

 

https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/35221443/american-soccer-journalist-grant-wahl-dies-49-qatar

 

Update.

 

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/world-cup-2022-american-soccer-reporter-grant-wahl-dies-in-qatar-023454691.html

49, that's no age.... frightening really I'm 46 😳 sort of puts the football into perspective 

[mshills]

😳 that is terrible, am also 46, good grief. RIP Grant, awful news. 

[NRJyzr]

8 hours ago, grm24 said:

Really sad news from the WC in Qatar. Premier soccer journalist Grant Wahl from the USA passed away during the Netherlands/Argentina game. So sad. He was 49 years old. Just devastating news. Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.

 

https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/35221443/american-soccer-journalist-grant-wahl-dies-49-qatar

 

Update.

 

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/world-cup-2022-american-soccer-reporter-grant-wahl-dies-in-qatar-023454691.html

 

That is just....  horrible.  At any age, but especially at age 49.

 

😭

 

edit:  I see from other reports that he was 48, his birthday was the day prior....

 

Edited December 10, 2022 by NRJyzr

[NRJyzr]

4 hours ago, scruffynick said:

Big Sam would have been proud of that last 10 minutes.....but why they didn't carry it on in extra time was baffling. Argentina just couldn't cope with it. Old school route one but boy it works 

 

Exactly.  They couldn't handle their height.  Though, it didn't come into play on that second goal.  That was a touch of brilliance, the change of pace on the free kick.  You always expect a hammer, not the lighter touch we saw.

 

That first Argentina goal, the pass from Messi....  ridiculous is the only word I could come up with.  No look 20 yard ball through traffic with perfect weight.

 

Edited December 10, 2022 by NRJyzr

[Petethreeput]

Say you want Portugal in the semis without saying it…

 

Second yellow to Cheddira.

[NRJyzr]

5 minutes ago, Petethreeput said:

Say you want Portugal in the semis without saying it…

 

Second yellow to Cheddira.

 

That was brutal.  🤮

 

But...  full time!  Morocco are through to the semifinals!

 

[NRJyzr]

Tchouameni with an absurd goal, from 28 yards out!

 

[golfortennis]

I have to say, I have heard more than a few instances where commentators, who usually always protect refs, say that the ref isn't having his best game.  I don't know soccer enough to really get into the nitty gritty, but there has been some instances of Hmmmm..... that was an interesting thing to let go.  

 

It seems that teams are allowed to grab, hold, "whatever it takes"...  I've seen clear shirt grabs go uncalled.  

 

I stopped liking the Netherlands soccer team in 06 when they were dirtier than Hugh Hefner against Portugal.  Yesterday did nothing to change my opinion.

 

 

[mshills]

I would prefer a referee err on the side of allowing too much physical play, but it is a balance, as seen in the Argentina match where he was not able to regain control of things. 
 

[golfortennis]

1 hour ago, mshills said:

I would prefer a referee err on the side of allowing too much physical play, but it is a balance, as seen in the Argentina match where he was not able to regain control of things. 
 

 

But frankly it's like hockey though, when you allow that, you take out the skill from the game and don't allow it to decide matches.  Who can get away with more is not a good way to officiate imho.

 

What explanation can there possibly be that the ref needed VAR to award the penalty?  Has the hand of god made a comeback?

[mshills]

The Dutch made the game ugly….and are not playing in the semifinals. 
 

I stand by my preference that I’d prefer the referee swallow his whistle instead of blow it. 

[Petethreeput]

2 hours ago, mshills said:

The Dutch made the game ugly….and are not playing in the semifinals. 
 

I stand by my preference that I’d prefer the referee swallow his whistle instead of blow it. 

It is so nuanced though. When is too much?  The Morocco game today was really enjoyable. The France game?  Not so much. I have French relatives, I don’t care for them. I have been to France, I didn’t care for many of them either, so I am showing some bias, but the ticky tacky BS in the first half after they scored should have resulted in more yellows. Not for aggressiveness, just for repetitiveness.  I played pre-red card for the professional foul, but boy did those fouls slow down the English attack.  It would have permitted the ref to let ‘em play more, and fairly.

 

I don’t watch a ton of soccer bc I hate the diving and the goalie laying in the ground (Lloris anyone?).  Get your rest somehow else.

 

I love the game.  I loved playing.  But until Greizmann got his yellow the game was a slog.  And, I feel awful for Kane missing the PK.  He must fee gutted and he doesn’t deserve that.

 

I did venture to Pkndon years ago and saw Ronaldo live with ManU.  He deserves better too. He was a man amongst boys, and this with Giggs, etc.

Edited December 11, 2022 by Petethreeput