World Cup Tournament 2018

[OwlsFan]

They liked better when they gave it a go . Rodriquez would have made a big difference if he was fit and protected by the ref . 4 Years ago the Brazilians thought he was dangerous enough to kick him throughout the game and got away with it .

Brazil are somewhat better this time but not miles better .

Would that be the Rodriquez who the director had a fixation with ? Ridiculous the number of times the camera went on to him sitting, looking at the game.

[OwlsFan]

Interesting FIFA judging Panels including Peter Schmeichel in the BEST FIFA GOALKEEPER AWARD JUDGING PANEL :O https://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards/news/stars-join-the-best-2018-judging-panels

[NeverFeltBetter]

They way they kept cutting to him for every save Kasper made during the Croatia game was a bit much, but I guess the idea of a father and son both being well-regarded international goalkeepers was too much to ignore.

[NeverFeltBetter]

At the risk of more famous last words, France appear to be heading to the last four without a large amount of fuss, with Uruguay huffing and puffing to have any kind of initiative in the game. Another goalie howler appears to have settled it.

Time to start talking about how likely the remaining teams are to win. France look better than I thought they would, scoring lots and dominating the pace of games. A worse team might have panicked and faded away after going behind in the Last 16 but they passed that test. Conceding three against Argentina raised some question marks about the defence, but they look a lot stronger in the 1/4s.

[osarusan]

Yeah, Uruguay couldn't even lay a glove on them. France look very composed and also look they have more gears left in them.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Huge faith shown in Fellaini by starting him, after he helped save the day against Japan. Five minutes in, elbows Neymar in the back of the head.

[NeverFeltBetter]

That was a fascinating game in terms of Belgium's set-up, keeping Hazard, Lukaku and De Bryne up-front, even while Brazil were laying siege at the other end. At times in the second half it seemed like they were just one decent pass away from killing the game dead, but it was so risky given Brazil's pace and ability to cut through the flanks. Hazard was immense, Lukaku was rubbish. Presumably people will view the France/Belgium winner as the favourite.

Neymar was an embarrassment, diving to try and win a penalty and then in a rush to get the game re-started when he realised the ref was about to go to VAR and catch him out, then claiming he was elbowed in the back near the end. And limping around whenever it suited him, until he has the chance to suddenly race with the ball at his feet. Brazil generally were poor, inept when they weren't cutting through down the left and struggling to deal with the counter-attacks. They've come along from the disaster of four years ago, but this squad isn't winning a World Cup.

Four European semi-finalists. Happened in '34, '66, '82 and '06.

[osarusan]

Thought Coutinho wasn't great, gave the ball away so much in the second half.

Belgium were better for most of the game, and should probably have finished it on the break but never made the right pass.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Very routine win for the English. Sweden did make a few good chances in the second half that shows the England back four is vulnerable, but Pickford is looking very reliable if all else fails.

The Swedes just weren't in enough of the game. Very poor defending for both goals, and the forwards didn't perform. It's obvious to say, but they could have used a Zlatan type.

[osarusan]

England made that look very easy indeed, made Sweden look so limited. They are very good at smothering the opposition midfield.

Interesting to see how they will fare against Modric and Rakitic if Croatia beat Russia.

They make games kind of dour, and you end up thinking that the teams they beat weren't actually that good after all...but I think England make them look that way.

[pineapple stu]

Not sure what to make of them tbh. They weren't great in either knock-out game, but their opponents were actively poor in both instances. Did England win, or did Sweden/Croatia lose?

But obviously at this stage, they could well go the whole way. I'm still thinking the France-Belgium semi will provide the winner

[pineapple stu]

"The last time I saw a team playin in all black was my favourite team, the College of Technology, in the Colleges League"

Glorious

[NeverFeltBetter]

I thought Croatia were the second best team coming out of the group stages, after Belgium, but I'm no longer as impressed. Against Denmark and now Russia they've dominated possession, put together some good passing moves, but they seem either incapable of pulling the trigger when required or finding goal when they do. Even their equaliser was a bit of a fortunate break. If they do win, perhaps they'd have more luck against a less defensively-minded team like England, but as it stands they don't seem like Champions in the making.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Croatia it is, but they looked battered by the end of the 120. Will they have the legs for England?

Modric was incredible.

[osarusan]

Modric was superb, really.

Pleased that Croatia went through, but Russia's honest endeavour was quite endearing by the end though.

[Stuttgart88]

Croatia it is, but they looked battered by the end of the 120. Will they have the legs for England?

Modric was incredible.Hopefully Putin, gracious in defeat, will arrange for a quick visit to the lab in Sochi they used during the Winter Olympics!

[tricky_colour]

Well the France Belgium game looks like the final, I can see them beating each other into the ground and the losing in the final to England.

I fancied Belgium pre-tournament, that have certainly got the players. They are unbeaten, have came back from 2-0 down
and also hung on v Brazil. So they have every chance of winning it, or maybe Irishman Harry Kane will lift the cup????

[samhaydenjr]

A little food for thought about the Croatian team and how it relates to Irish football - 21 of Croatia's 23-man squad got their start in the Croatian Leagues, and not just a few games as teenage sensations before being picked up by clubs abroad - multiple seasons, scores of games for most of them. Of the other two, Perisic was a youth player at Hajduk Split while Rakitic was born and raised in Switzerland where he started his senior career. So is the Croatian League a massive league, relative to the LOI, that can afford to hang on to star players for longer? Well... while there are a couple of big clubs and games between these teams attract large attendances, the average attendance for the league as a whole is generally under 3000, only a matter of hundreds more than current LOI Premier averages.

So while the LOI is starting to become a viable option for young Irish players to start their careers before moving to bigger things, it would only take an average increase in attendance of about 1000 to make it a really professional league with the resources to hang on to young talent for longer, which would allow teams to go further in European competition, which would give more resources to hang on to young talent... While Cork City's figures are good, they should be aiming for 4500 as their smallest crowd. In Dublin, a city of over a million people, surely Rovers and Bohs should be able to attract average crowds of at least 4-5000, with the expanded Tallaght filled for Dublin Derbies and title challenge games while Pats should be close to capacity of Inchicore. Limerick should be aiming for 2500, while Sligo are capable of 2500-3000 averages, as they have done before. Once the Brandywell expansion is completed, Derry should aim to come close to capacity for every game. Waterford should also be close to capacity, on average, as they're challenging for a European spot. If this could be achieved and combined with the national youth leagues, then we'd have a proper system for nurturing talent.

[pineapple stu]

I think that's a little simplistic. An increase of 1,000 per game in the Premier, while it would help of course, wouldn't come near to turning us into the Croatian league, which is exceptional for player development. Gate income is only a small part of clubs' income streams, and they all need to increase, and they're presumably all lower than in Croatia - corporate sponsorship, TV income, European income and, most importantly, transfer income.

Even then, Croatia will have an advantage because it's a low-cost economy, so a European win bonus or a decent transfer fee will go further.

[seanfhear]

One thing the Croatians have is that bar Modric they are fine Physical Specimens .

Paddy is generally physically smaller than he thinks he is ( except after a few Pints )

This doesn’t seem to hold as much for the Uruguayans but they are football mad and will resort to anything to win for their Country .

You should have seen them 20 / 30 years ago before there was cameras everywhere . Actually they have done well to reign themselves in in these cameras everywhere days .
I suppose having Brazil and Argentina as local competition forces them to raise their game and use all available methods .

They are two fantastic footballing countries and we should learn all that we can from them .

[NeverFeltBetter]

It's been noted elsewhere that a record number of goals have come from set-pieces this time, no doubt a result of VAR and ref's pointing to the spot for pushing and shoving in the box. You saw throughout the quarters, but especially England/Sweden and Russia/Croatia, defenders stepping off from attackers, leaving them more room to manouvre and threaten. You wouldn't call it a potential revolution in the game, but it seems likely set-pieces are going to take on an even bigger importance at the highest levels. It's a great benefit to England for sure, and you'd imagine it should be for Belgium, what with Lukaku and Fellaini in the team, though they seem to favour speedy counter-attacks for their offence.

[Stuttgart88]

Shane Duffy would be Golden Boot at this WC if he was in England's team!

In Duffy, Clark, Kevin Long and Lenihan we have players who attack a good dead ball delivery very well. Lenihan really impressed in that regard against USA.

[pineapple stu]

It's been noted elsewhere that a record number of goals have come from set-pieces this time, no doubt a result of VAR and ref's pointing to the spot for pushing and shoving in the box.
I don't know how much of it is down to VAR. We've seen a lot of pulling and tugging, and penalties for that given without resort to VAR. The VAR may be helping, but not to that effect, I think.

I think a bigger issue is simply that it's getting harder and harder to break down well-organised teams, so it's simply more likely that goals are going to come from set-pieces. As a result, I would say teams are putting a lot more effort into them in training. (The same goes for 25-yarders actually)

[Stuttgart88]

I think that's largely true Stu. Shots and set-pieces were overwhelmingly more prominent than well worked team goals, although there have been few of them now too.

One thing that stood out for me after game series 1 and 2 was that well-drilled teams were hard to break down but that a good quality old fashioned 9 was worth its weight in gold. I was amazed Spain took Costa off against Russia. Despite their limp performances I think Germany would still be there if they had a Bierhof or Klose on the end of the chances Gomez and Hummels missed across all their games. Giroud hasn't scored yet but his addition to the team has made France a better team and Lukaku has been a total handful and when Fellaini has filled the 9 space he's been effective. Kane has been quietly impressive though his goal count is flattered by his penalties.

I think there has been a less obvious dominant common theme since the k/o phase began. Teams have gone about their tasks in their own way.

[NeverFeltBetter]

I see Croatia have sacked a coach after the "glory to Ukraine" video. It doesn't seem like he was a vital part of the squad (RTE says he was an "observer" at the tournament), it couldn't have waited till after the tournament was over? Even if he was a minor player, seems like something bound to **** at least some members of squad off.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Think George Hamilton has mistaken a different black player for Paul Pogba five or six times tonight.

[pineapple stu]

So France into the final, and now probably favourites to win.

But a poor game overall typical of the growing trend in international football anyway (don't want enough top-level club football to comment). Two very disciplined defences giving very few chances, and a game ultimately settled by a set-piece.

This World Cup had a good spell in the middle, and it's had more than its share of games which have been dramatic rather than memorable, but overall, I think it's not been a great tournament. Too one-dimensional to be a classic for me.

[seanfhear]

So France into the final, and now probably favourites to win.

But a poor game overall typical of the growing trend in international football anyway (don't want enough top-level club football to comment). Two very disciplined defences giving very few chances, and a game ultimately settled by a set-piece.

This World Cup had a good spell in the middle, and it's had more than its share of games which have been dramatic rather than memorable, but overall, I think it's not been a great tournament. Too one-dimensional to be a classic for me.
France more than capable of boring fans and the opposition to death . Without Mbappe's (?) pace they would be a real bore fest .

Would we be better if they don’t win it ?

For all the good players that Belgium have how did they end up with having Fellaini out on the left in the second half . These are the situations where you need flying ( or skill full ) wingers that can cross the ball . Unfortunately teams don’t use these types of wingers enough to have them on call the they need them . Any rule change that could encourage / make it down right compulsory to have wingers would be great for entertainment .
Some sort of Refuge / amnesty area from off side near the sideline . I love good wingers . who doesn’t.........

Bring Back Wingers .....

[NeverFeltBetter]

Plenty of mis-firing players last night on both sides. De Bryne, Lukaku, Fellaini, Chadli for the Belgians, Giroud and Griezmann to a certain extent for France, Mbappe wasn't stellar either. Maybe just the nerves or the fatigue setting in. Thought Pogba put in an under-rated shift, and Hazard has staked a claim to Player of the Tournament, he carried Belgium for large parts. I think France will seriously benefit from the extra day rest/prep.

[OwlsFan]

Plenty of mis-firing players last night on both sides. De Bryne, Lukaku, Fellaini, Chadli for the Belgians, Giroud and Griezmann to a certain extent for France.

I don't think Giroud was mis-firing. He's just cr+p (probably get a hat-trick now in the Final). It could be a great BREXIT Final if England get's through. I'd like an England vs France Final. I expect England to beat Croatia and lose to France in the Final.

[seanfhear]

Belgium lacked something from the Bench or was it Martinez ?

Jeez without Mbappe the French would be very boring . I actually don’t want to see them win it . Will England or Croatia be able to score against them and if the French score first they will close up shop and rely on Mbappe to get a second .

Against the French in the Final hopefully the other team will score 1 or 2 first . I mean the French have Mbappe and Griezman . Do they need to be so negative . Unfortunately it has got them to the final .

[osarusan]

What I think I am seeing is teams that don't fancy their chances of getting back into it if they go a goal down, so we getting so many teams that go for the 'keep it tight and disciplined' approach while hoping to nick something...which just adds to the original problem.

[Stuttgart88]

I was really impressed by France and don't buy into the boring tag. Only both keepers kept the score down. Lloris/Varane between them kept out 2-3 goals in the first half. Courtois made a strong save from Pavard. Two very accomplished teams were up against each other and I thought it was a gripping contest. Negating Hazard is a skill in itself and I think Kante, Pogba, Varane, Pavard, Mbappe and Lloris were all really good yesterday.

Giroud is due a goal. Hopefully 3. I think he is valuable to the team in what he does. He focuses defenders' attention and allows Griezmann and Mbappe space. He is a good target man but his finishing was poor. If they play England they'll need their big guys on the pitch. If they play Croatia, I won't care!

[NeverFeltBetter]

I'll second the thoughts on the keepers last night. Lloris' save from Alderweireld was the best in the tournament in my opinion.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Croatia already look gassed. Their cross-field balls and crosses into the box are terrible, and they're struggling to deal with Sterling's pace a half hour in. The English should really win this easily enough.

[pineapple stu]

Indeed!

[pineapple stu]

Indeed!!

Looking like a rematch of England B v Belgium B on Saturday so

[NeverFeltBetter]

Man, I wasn't crazy was I? The Croatians looked wrecked at half-time, were much the better in the second half, looked wrecked again in the first half of ET, then much the better in the second half. Just conserving energy I guess? I don't know, either way, an excellent comeback.

Once the English conceded they really didn't know what to do. It was similar when they conceded against Columbia, I don't think they (currently) deal very well with adversity. The set-piece magic vanished after the first five minutes, Kane and Sterling were anonymous for large stretches, even Pickford was making mistakes. And Modric, holy God, talk about running the midfield.

Loving Vida's kid running barefoot on the pitch.

Hope Croatia win, but three straight 120 minute matches, and a day less to rest...they can't can they?

[osarusan]

What happened at half time? England turned defensive or Croatia made changes? Croatia got on top and never really relinquished it. I though even in the first half of extra time England weren't really better, just not worse.

Are Croatia just a bit more experienced and battle-hardened as a team?

Modric was superb again. In the last 2 games, he has truly stepped up.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Experience counted for a lot, definitely. After the second Croatian goal, England spent so much time in their own half passing it around, like they were waiting for the Croatian midfield to open up and let them through. There was no one trying to rally them, make things happen, the way Modric has constantly been doing for Croatia.

[Stuttgart88]

That reminded me lots of Spurs vs Juventus at Wembley in the CL this year. Spurs were coasting but the difference in experience, technique and sheer know-how told for Juventus when it mattered. Croatia's players had all been there and done that over their careers, and they did it again. Being behind by one goal was nothing to them. They got on the ball, used it well and fought hard. England were never the same after half time but I think a second goal in the first half would have been enough.

[NeverFeltBetter]

I wonder if there will be some serious introspection of why England failed, or if they'll all be swept away by this "Things can only get better" sentiment I'm reading everywhere. There will be less Panama's and more Croatia's in two years. They've undoubtedly over-achieved in terms of final placing, but the best team they beat without the need for penalties was a pedestrian Sweden. I suppose just about anything was better than 2014 and 2016.

[OwlsFan]

Part of me (a small part) wanted a France vs England Final with all the old animosities between the two coming to the fore. It would have been riveting viewing. Now at least I know who I'll be up for in the Final, although despite being on the easier side of the draw, Croatia hasn't managed to beat anyone (including our friends, Denmark) in 90 minutes in the knock-out stages. Flattering to deceive perhaps but then again they had good group wins over Argentina and Nigeria. They were pretty hopeless in the first half and gave away a lot of needless free kicks. Was the second half more to do with England doing an Ireland (i.e. sitting back on a lead) or Croatian dominance ? I wouldn't be optimistic for them but they are dogged and if still within one of France with 20 to go, I wouldn't rule them out but France have to be hot favourites. I agree with Stutts. I don't find the latter boring. I have enjoyed their games but I do think Giroud is overrated. I saw him play for Arsenal in 2015 in a League Cup match against Sheff Wed and he was hopeless. Ok, a bit much to judge him on the basis of one game and looking at Wikipedia, his strike rate is excellent but I think he has been in decline for a few years now (put your money on a hat-trick for him :) in the Final).

I have enjoyed the World Cup, albeit it's mostly the evening games I've seen. Slightly worried about the drop of goals from open play but that's probably just a phase. Disappointed that the African countries by and large set up ultra defensively when they were better than that. Well done to Japan for their attacking play. Brazil favourites despite not having won in Europe since 1958 ?? Baffling. Not as much feigning injury (Neymar aside) as in previous tournaments. VAR by and large a success.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Was I the only one watching the 3rd/4th place play off? The English weren't bothered at all, which makes it even weirder that Southgate played most of the first team. Hazard's goal was decent. Obviously Belgium thought playing for third had some merit.

[pineapple stu]

Nah, I watched it too.

I thought it typified a pedestrian England performance in the tournament tbh. They played well for a game and a half in the groups, but outside of that they were relying almost exclusively on set pieces and a solid defence. A typical Set Piece Athletic performance. Effective, helped by a handy draw (including Rodriguez missing for Colombia), but dull to watch. I imagine expectations now are for a last four spot in Euro 2020 or better, but I think if the underachievers - Spain, Italy, Germany, Holland - can get back on track in the next two years, there was nothing really to indicate that England have improved that significantly to threaten at the next Euros.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Predictions?

2-1 France for me, AET.

[osarusan]

I would love to see Croatia win. I think it would be great for other smaller nations.

And I think they can. I'll go for 2-1 Croatia.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Delighted with that Perisic rocket, since I was worried this would be the World Cup decided by a dive.

[osarusan]

Very very harsh penalty in my opinion. I don't think it could be viewed as being hand to ball (as in, the player deliberately moving his hand into the path of the ball), so then it's a question of the hand being in an unnatural position, which I don't think it was.

And coming back to VAR, I don't think it constitutes a clear and obvious error.

Is that the question the ref asks himself as he watches the replay - 'did I initially make a clear and obvious error which should be overturned?' Or does he disregard his initial decision and just ask 'is this a penalty or not?'

[NeverFeltBetter]

Seen them given, seen them not. It's definitively ball to hand and prevents the ball being in front of the goal. The ref had every angle and replay he needed to decide.

I think it would constitute a reviewable decision regardless, once the VAR informed the ref of the missed contact.