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USA will surely go through? They barely made the Hex...Mexico are the only guarantee of those six. Panama are probably the weak link (though will be tough in Panama City) and the other four teams are probably all about equal. It will come down to winning at home and the US is the easiest road trip.Quote:
Originally Posted by Metrostars
You'd have to assume the Yanks have an extra gear, surely? Though it is fun seeing them barely scrape by against Antigua and Barbuda. :)
Japan pi$$ing over everybody in their qualifying group so far. The other group is tighter than I'd expected, although the two at the top are the teams you'd expect to be there.
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/prelimi...ngs/index.html
Yes they should qualify easily probably second to Mexico. Despite their mediocre showing, they still won their group which shows how poor the other teams in this region are. Plus I'm not sure what you mean about the US being the easiest road trip. They are unbeaten at home in qualifying since 2001 and usually win all their home qualifying games. I know you hate everything footie related in your country but you are a little naive sometimes.Quote:
Originally Posted by theworm2345
I wonder was naive your first choice of word there? :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Metrostars
I'd have thought Honduras have a real shout at that 3rd place but you don't mention them Metrostars? Mexico/US will finsih 1/2 in no particular order
Panama could well prove the dark horses of the group - they usually perform strongly in Gold Cups, even if their qualifying group was the weakest of the three. Fourth placed side meets the Oceania winners, so should be favourites for qualification.
I expect Mexico and US to qualify but it's hard to guess who will be 3rd/4th. I think the remaining 4 teams all have a legitimate chance. I'd like Jamaica to do it, I like those Caribbean islands! Also, playing in Central America is no picnic for any team so Panama, Honduras and Costa Rica will hard to beat at home.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
Japan do have a quality side at the moment, I think they will do well at the World Cup.Quote:
Originally Posted by osarusan
You are in for a rude awakening. They might well qualify (I'm not saying they won't) but playing in the US is far easier than traveling to any of the Central American countries or The Office in Kingston not least because any of the above sides will have large ex-pat communities in the US. Also, being unbeaten at home and being dominant at home is not the same thing (just ask Stan). The US right now is probably somewhat like Mexico in the 2010 Qualifying campaign (I think it was 2010), except the competition is better this time. I really couldn't care less if they qualify or not, seeing as I don't particularly like any of the Central American teams either, plus they always flop at the World Cup anyway so I could enjoy that then. Jamaica have a good shot at Qualifying but they will have to play to their potential, which they certainly don't always do. The JFF (as with many Caribbean football governing bodies) is not particularly well run (though it is compared to any others in the Caribbean) so a lot will depend on if they can get their **** together. They will benefit from a weaker Costa Rica side than usual as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by Metrostars
The US always flop at the World Cup? They're as much overachievers as we are. Second round in 2010 before being edged out by Ghana and knocked out in the quarters in 2002 courtesy of a German handball.
Flopping is relative, obviously. Considering the ridiculous expectations the people here have and the ease of Qualifying from CONCACAF in the past, yes, all but 2002 have been flops.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
That's like saying Ireland flopped at the Euros because the public expected us to take a scalp. In the eyes of the world, we performed about as well as expected, whereas the US generally do better at World Cups than their talent would suggest.
As I said flopping is relative. You can call it whatever you want, I'll enjoy anything that sees the arrogant ****s who "support" the team when the World Cup comes around (and even the odd ones during qualifiers) brought down a peg. The indignity when they lost to Ghana (Ghana! Do they even have electricity there? I think the guy who scored is their Prince. I was looking at their roster on FIFA...they have a few players whose rating is in the 60s! Its OK though, we still tied with England and they're, like, the best team in the world. I mean, they even have David Beckham, one of the best ever.)!Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
Anyway, speaking of Ghana, I am looking forward to the return of CAF Qualifying as thats hands down the most intriguing Confederation...you never know what will happen.
I've lived here over 20 years and I've never heard a US fan talk like that. I've gone to a few US games locally and from my experience with US fans, the average US fan is.... just like your average fan any place else. Maybe it's something in the water in Chicago. Don't they dye it green for every Paddy's day?Quote:
Originally Posted by theworm2345
Hmm...in that case it seems to me like your hearing may be going the way of your judgement.Quote:
Originally Posted by Metrostars
It seems to me that you just hate Americans as opposed to the USA team, in which case you're no different to about half of your fellow countrymen and 90% of the rest of the world! :)
Support your feckin country man, jaysus!
Why should he? Like every Irish soccer fan supports the national team...
Admittedly his 'logic' seems a little twisted?
Wrong. The average American does not care (or sort of/pretend to care) in the least about soccer. The vast majority of the people who "support" the team seem to be these sort of yuppie, suburban douchebags who tend to either be sort of Hipsters or Bros (if you know the terms). Would you like me to go on?Quote:
Originally Posted by SkStu
Yes please! You're just not a fan of football fans of the team then. Why would that stop you from supporting your country? It makes no sense to me.Quote:
Originally Posted by theworm2345
So which side of the argument are you coming down on, jaysus? I would venture that those weirdos that don't support the Irish national team don't actively want to see the team lose every game.Quote:
Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy
In isolation, I suppose that, theoretically, I might be able to support the team. I did not always hate them. I remember watching the 2002 World Cup and hoping they would win those matches, but not really getting excited over them. I never really felt any great attraction to the team even then though. I may have not been happy when they lost to Germany but my real support was for Ireland. I can't even really remember liking any of the players then either. In the years following that though after I had the misfortune of really interacting with people who called themselves supporters of the team was when the dislike really came on. That, coupled with my general apathy (or even dislike in some cases) towards many of the players on the team, is what fuels it.Quote:
Originally Posted by SkStu