2014 World Cup

**BonnieShels** · 05/07/2014, 7:02 PM

Of course it doesn't.
Thoroughly deserved of their QF place.

But what I'm actually criticising is the manager here. Wilmots was hailed for his tactical nous and he showed today that he has very little.

Also it's the Posh Test.

The Paul effect involves misplaced manbags.

**Stuttgart88** · 05/07/2014, 7:18 PM

Well said Geysir.

Did all 8 of the last 16 winners also win their groups? Now all the fancied teams have won so far. It's not a bad thing per se. 3 games each decided by one goal. Only one chance left for a shock, but there often is one.

I still think each of the teams that have won through are far from perfect which is what makes it interesting.

It's funny how people think Belgium have not done anything much despite losing a QF to Argentina by one goal. They won 3 group games and won one outright AET. In context, Ireland have only won 2 out of 13 games in World Cups, excluding the Romanoa penalties. We herald the Belgian youth set up. It just shows how damned hard it is to succeed on the world stage.

While I think we're right to demand more from our qualification efforts, beyond that it's bloody hard unless you get a lucky draw. We should stop the self flagellation sometimes. We can't all be Costa Ricas although there are lessons to be learnt too.

**Stuttgart88** · 05/07/2014, 8:03 PM

Breaking football news of massive global significance: Rovers beat Pats. Get in!

**pineapple stu** · 05/07/2014, 8:04 PM

Hamilton on his own on commentary. Strange

**TheOneWhoKnocks** · 05/07/2014, 8:23 PM

What an inch perfect pass by the much maligned Dirk Kuyt! ****e effort by Van Persie.

**centre mid** · 05/07/2014, 8:35 PM

Very one sided affair this match although Dutch finding it hard to break them down. BTW the Belgian youth policies haven't even begun to pay off yet, they will dominate European football for a few years much in the same way the Spanish did. The real dividends are being seen with their under 17-18's only now. Not sure Wilmots will be at the forefront but he has played his part.

**Stuttgart88** · 05/07/2014, 8:56 PM

Haven't Spain won everything in sight at underage level? So, isn't it more fair to say that Belgium ought to be competitive for years to come, rather than dominant?

Anyway, our European U19 semi finalists from 2011 must mean good things

I love that Navas dude. Still, Barcelona have been on the lookout for a new keeper since Valdes announced his plans to leave - although he failed a medical at Monaco. If Navas has been that good in Spain surely they'd have felt he was worth buying. Instead they went for a young German and the Chile keeper.

**centre mid** · 05/07/2014, 9:02 PM

You're right Stuts should have prefaced that with potentially.

Navas been top drawer again tonight. Wonder why George is on his lonesome tonight in Salvador?

**Stuttgart88** · 05/07/2014, 9:03 PM

According to BBC quote a few babies born in Costa Rica have been named after Navas and Campbell recently.

I'd love to know the circumstances under which that Costa Rican bloke Yeltsin was named. Was his dad a corrupt alcoholic who liked swimming in his local river fully clothed?

**Stuttgart88** · 05/07/2014, 9:21 PM

Bbc just naming the clubs the Costa Rican back 4 play for. None is of any great status. But I just watch them looking to develop play when they are in possession. I can't help but feel that even defenders are told to appreciate and yearn for the ball in their formative years whereas in our culture it's all about "get rid".

I remember more than 20 years ago I was playing right back in an AstroTurf office vs office game, and my mate who was playing left sided centre back had the ball. I was screaming for it because I was in space but he played a stupid hoof forward instead. I gave him a look but he said, sorry, on telly they say never to play the ball across your own goal. Nuff said.

**centre mid** · 05/07/2014, 9:28 PM

To be fair I think thats changing now, see a lot of kids games here now and the smaller numbers and pitches have started to eradicate that mentality. Pity it's about 20 years to late.

**Stuttgart88** · 05/07/2014, 9:34 PM

One factor not to be dissed in among all the talk about technical skills, tactical nous blah blah blah is athleticism. TOWK rightly pointed out that not only are the best midfielders good ball players, they're athletes too. Andrews was an athlete but a limited, albeit very game, footballer. We have decent footballers but not all are athletes. One thing these Ticos have going for them is that they all seem very athletic. Lean yet strong and quick, and very quick reactions.