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2017/18 (Soccer) Football Thread
- Thread starter Aurious
- Start date
No idea how good this Belgium side actually are. They didn't need to get out of 1st gear in the group and that excellent Japan performance would have troubled anyone in the tournament.
I could see them putting 4 past Brazil or losing by 4.
No team have really been stand out, Croatia struggled against Denmark. Brazil struggled in the opener and for a lot of the Costa Rica match.They also started really good 4 years ago and then bottled it.
Uruguay are obviously amazing in defence but the attack is questionable especially if Cavani doesn't heal.
I could see them putting 4 past Brazil or losing by 4.
No team have really been stand out, Croatia struggled against Denmark. Brazil struggled in the opener and for a lot of the Costa Rica match.They also started really good 4 years ago and then bottled it.
Uruguay are obviously amazing in defence but the attack is questionable especially if Cavani doesn't heal.
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FTFY. Belgium shamelessly pressed in every tall person in their roster in attack after they conceded twice lol. Both equalising goals and almost every on target shot coming from headers.
It is prudent to remember that by the end of it they never did really manage to beat Japan on the the ground (until the final breakaway but that was an all-in final minute scenario). In a WC filled with bullies and drama queens, at show was a real clinic in disciplined, concentrated defending. Motherfuckers were doing full on steals and sliding tackles and barely conceded a foul in the back hot damn. I was left deeply impressed by how consistently Japan managed to punch above their weight, never losing their nerve and constantly making sharp piercing attacks even after losing the miracle lead no one expected them to have in the first place.
If they keep up this attitude and find a way to compete in the air we might have a breakaway contender in 2022.
I love the Japanese style of play, and honestly South Korea was similar. They are very discipline focused, don't take dives or act like drama queens. Very selfless and have great team chemistry. This is the reason why they continue to qualify and perform well, putting up challenges to any team they face. It'd be great to see them get over the hump one year, we'll see.
What undone them was the physical disadvantage though. Japan knew they had no more gas left in the tank and momentum was with Belgium. Pity they don't have the real world Tsubasa who never loses a match ever (besides the grade school game)
The gates opened when Martinez finally did something right by substituting the anonymous and poor Yannick Carrasco, and bringing in someone who could, and did provide plenty of trouble for the Japan defense. Also allowed Kevin De Bruyne to play further forward instead of his usual CDM that Martinez has him play. Need to at least see Chadli start next match, Carrasco has been the biggest liability.
This World Cup has to be scripted.
This world Cup is so crazy, I could even see Russia making the finals.
As an England fan I would have been so angry if we went out. I can't see how anyone could deny Barrios deserved a red, and I can't understand why VAR didn't tell the ref to have a look at it - if the ref goes to see the screen he surely would have given red. Colombia were so dirty, and I'm glad they went out. Watched them vs Poland and they were a joy to watch, but they clearly decided to rely on breaking up the play with fouls and trying to wind England up without Rodriguez.
On another note, England need to do better in the final 3rd. We get into good positions but Alli/Lingard/Sterling aren't performing in the final third, making wrong decisions or just messing it up. I think Sweden should be a much more comfortable match than Colombia but we need to improve.
On another note, England need to do better in the final 3rd. We get into good positions but Alli/Lingard/Sterling aren't performing in the final third, making wrong decisions or just messing it up. I think Sweden should be a much more comfortable match than Colombia but we need to improve.
It's ironic to see this kind of complaint from an english boy after the England simulations in today's game.
They lost their playmaker in James and has no other gameplan.
I would think it is time for Rashford. Sterling doesn't seem to suit the system. 2 goals in 40 games for England is really awful.
Great half by Belgium, Marcelo thinking he is a striker and refusing to defend is really starting to make him a liability for Brazil and Madrid.
Neymar has regressed serves him right for taking the pussy option going off to France.
Neymar has regressed serves him right for taking the pussy option going off to France.
There are more professional divers in this World Cup than in that flooded cave in Thailand.
Imagine if Douglas Costa started the match, things might have actually been different
An all European Semi Final.
I have a simpler thought experiment. Imagine if Brazil hadn't scored an own goal in the opening minutes of the match.