World Cup 2018: The best party money could buy (until 2022)!

[J.D.]

Re: World Cup 2018: The best party money could buy (until 2022)!

The Belgium/England game is fascinating to me because finishing 2nd is most likely a better draw when you look at the bracket. Finish first and you set yourself up for a date with Brazil or Germany in the quarters.

[burd]

Re: World Cup 2018: The best party money could buy (until 2022)!

Is there always so much diving and flopping in World Cup soccer? Of the few games I watched this weekend, I expected at least half a dozen players to die right there on the grass.

[Stauber1]

Re: World Cup 2018: The best party money could buy (until 2022)!

Is there always so much diving and flopping in World Cup soccer? Of the few games I watched this weekend, I expected at least half a dozen players to die right there on the grass.

Sadly, yes. You learn to tune it out to a certain extent.

Poland was dreadful

Not saying that Poland played well by any stretch, but a lot of it had to do with how **** good Colombia was today. Especially through the middle of the park.

Mexico is a notch above all those teams. I'm just comparing these four because I view them on a similar playing field. The fact we couldn't even qualify, what a terrible cycle for CONCACAF. I know the FIFA world rankings don't mean much but CR is ranked ahead of Australia and Panama ahead of Japan (and South Korea). From what I have seen, I just didn't expect the level of play Australia and Japan have provided. They have had bright spells of attacking play.

The first 35 minutes today, Panama actually was playing England pretty evenly. It's just after 35 minutes England had 3 attempts on goal and scored 3 goals. But in that same period Panama had some pretty bright stretches of possession and some quality looks at goal.
So ok, Panama have not looked good...but not as bad as the score today would indicate.

[Jimjamesak]

Mexico is a notch above all those teams. I'm just comparing these four because I view them on a similar playing field. The fact we couldn't even qualify, what a terrible cycle for CONCACAF. I know the FIFA world rankings don't mean much but CR is ranked ahead of Australia and Panama ahead of Japan (and South Korea). From what I have seen, I just didn't expect the level of play Australia and Japan have provided. They have had bright spells of attacking play.

If you knew anything about world soccer you wouldn’t be surprised by Australia and Japan. They’re two of the best teams in Asia and also have two of the best leagues in Asia. Also they’re two teams with veteran players and plenty of World Cup experience.

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: World Cup 2018: The best party money could buy (until 2022)!

If you knew anything about world soccer you wouldn’t be surprised by Australia and Japan. They’re two of the best teams in Asia and also have two of the best leagues in Asia. Also they’re two teams with veteran players and plenty of World Cup experience.

Yeah, for outsiders (not UEFA/CONMEBOL) it’s basically Mexico, Japan, Auastralia and the US that crash the round of 16.l with any consistency.

[Jimjamesak]

Yeah, for outsiders (not UEFA/CONMEBOL) it’s basically Mexico, Japan, Auastralia and the US that crash the round of 16.l with any consistency.

South Korea can as well, though they’ve fallen a tad bit.

Japan may be in for a US type fall, their lineup is getting older and there doesn’t seem to be as much in the pipeline to replace players. Though they’ll be bolstered by a solid J-League (well, outside of goalkeeping) and a weaker Confederation (yes, weaker than CONCACAF).

[joecct]

Re: World Cup 2018: The best party money could buy (until 2022)!

How each team still in the running can advance to the knockout (playoff?) round:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44587232

[J.D.]

Re: World Cup 2018: The best party money could buy (until 2022)!

If you knew anything about world soccer you wouldn’t be surprised by Australia and Japan. They’re two of the best teams in Asia and also have two of the best leagues in Asia. Also they’re two teams with veteran players and plenty of World Cup experience.

Sorry big guy, guess I know nothing about world soccer. By all means, please keep lecturing me.

[J.D.]

Re: World Cup 2018: The best party money could buy (until 2022)!

Yeah, for outsiders (not UEFA/CONMEBOL) it’s basically Mexico, Japan, Auastralia and the US that crash the round of 16.l with any consistency.

Australia has made the round of 16 one time. Japan twice, one being on home soil. Even South Korea only twice, once on home soil. There's a distinct difference between the US/Mexico and Japan/Australia/South Korea.

[joecct]

Re: World Cup 2018: The best party money could buy (until 2022)!

@SlavaMalamud: Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev has faced two shots on net in this #WorldCup. His save percentage is .000
#workinprogress

[Kepler]

Re: World Cup 2018: The best party money could buy (until 2022)!

Dobroy nochi, tovarisch.

[joecct]

Dobroy nochi, tovarisch.

.250

[Kepler]

Re: World Cup 2018: The best party money could buy (until 2022)!

Russian down to 10 men as the 11th apparently had to leave for a meeting at Trump Tower.

[Spartanforlife4]

Re: World Cup 2018: The best party money could buy (until 2022)!

Saudis beat Egypt 2-1 with goals coming at 45+6 and 90+5.

[Kepler]

Re: World Cup 2018: The best party money could buy (until 2022)!

Has a team ever had < 100 passes in a WC game? That looks like the way Iran is headed.

Still 0-0 after 12 mins. I am shocked. This feels like a 5-nil game.