Any changes designed to turn matches into goal-fests strikes me as, well, very American, as if the sport can't be entertaining unless someone is scoring every five minutes. Attackers and attacking tactics are just going to have to get better. And there's skill and value in defensive football, and in goalkeeping, even if it isn't making the highlights, and they don't deserve manufactured handicaps.
Author of Never Felt Better (History, Film Reviews).
Yeah, you don't want to Americanise it alright. Since 1962, the goals per game average at the World Cup has been under 3. It's dropped from 2.75 to 2.15 in that time. 2014 was a great tournament until the last 8, and that was up at 2.75 average again, so that's the target I think.
Obviously goals aren't everything; yes, there's value in defending. But it's just that a lot of the games are becoming so similar that's the problem, and it's so hard to break down a defence, leading to defensive teams, fewer goals, and more of the same type of goals.
What is with all of this "Messi's last World Cup" stuff? He's only 30 and hasn't announced an imminent retirement from international football as far as I'm aware, and much worse players have played in tournaments at age 34.
Author of Never Felt Better (History, Film Reviews).
Probably thinking he'll retire from international football again, like he did a year or two ago. But no reason he couldn't play next time alright, although he'd be 35 as it's a winter tournament in Qatar.
Brazil v Costa Rica another dire slog; one shot on target all half. This was one of the best games of the 2002 World Cup; incessant attack and outrageous skill (thinking Lucio's overhead kick goal from a corner in particular). But now it's all been coached out of them.
I wonder if the viewing figures are holding up for the tournament?
Yeah, I think that players are fitter and able to switch between a high press in midfield and then back to the edge of their own box very effectively and quickly, so there is no space or time in either area.Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Finally starting to open up a little bit now. Decent game last night between Switzerland and Serbia, even if Serbia will be rightly livid with the rejected penalty call. Switzerland are the first team to come from behind in the tournament to win; Spain v Portugal was the only other game where both sides had the lead.
Belgium now enjoyably tearing into a poor Tunisia side in a manner which will have England worried. England did this for the first half and only scored once, but then couldn't raise their game at all for the entire second half.
Germany might be about to join France, Italy and Spain in the "Defending champions going out in the first round" club. It's practically the norm now.
I've read the German squad is being badly affected by cliqueism, with the Bayern contingent on the one hand and Ozil, Boatang and co on the other. This stuff with the Turkish President was remarkably ill-timed too, and its showing on the pitch, especially at the back. Low's biggest team talk ever is about to take place.
Would be remarkable if both finalists from last time went out in the group stages this time; very rare event (though it happened in 2010 actually)
Also really opens up the draw to a surprise finalist, which is something we haven't had in many, many years. Would the Czechs in '62 be the last one? Though even they were third in the previous Euros. With Italy and Holland not even qualifying, you could have Argentina and Germany out, and then the top 8 teams would be Brazil, Portugal, Belgium, Poland (who've already lost their first match), France, Spain, Switzerland and England. So easy to see a relative minnow like Mexico, Switzerland or Croatia reaching the quarters, or maybe even the semis. (Haven't looked at the draw to see how that would pan out yet)
Germany well up for this second half. Think this will end 3 or 4-1 now.
I was just thinking that Sweden might well be the dark horse worth looking at: very disciplined at the back, dangerous on the break, maybe the Swiss in the Second Round if things work out. Then they conceded, and suddenly look very flustered.
RTE mentioned they haven't won two consecutive World Cup games since hosting the tournament 60 years ago. But weren't they third in the US?
Author of Never Felt Better (History, Film Reviews).
They drew their last group game, won the round of 16, "drew" the quarters against Romania and won on penalties which I suppose doesn't count, then lost the semis before winning the third-fourth place play off
What a finish. Germany going all out even with ten men was great to see, and the ball just wouldn't go in all second half. Huge let-off for Low, but he risked the lot after the sending off and won.
Germany and Sweden now in opposing shoot-outs on the last day.
Author of Never Felt Better (History, Film Reviews).
Yep; the last four or five games have all been quite decent. Teams have started coming out to play, and it's so much better to watch.
Germany deserved that in the end I thought. But who was it had a shot straight at Neuer a minute earlier when he should have run into the corner? That's what cost them the draw.
Mexico not through yet either. If they lose and Germany win, all 3 are on 6 points, and it would go to goal difference.
Could be looking at a Brazil/Germany second round tie.
Panama the latest to think this is wrestling, not football. Daft stuff. Fortunately the only player they weren't pulling to the ground scored.
I'll admit to being pleasantly surprised at how well VAR has worked, even though I still don't like it too much (and we still have yet to see a goal given/ruled out by it). But it now needs to be used for this. The hint is that some refs might be ignoring the VAR advice, like in Serbia v Switzerland. These refs need to be sat down in front of the decisions they waved away and refused to review to help improve their refereeing. It's absolutely tough being the man in the middle, but this wrestling stuff is out of control at the moment
Don't think it's ever pleased me before to see England doing so well.
Panama are a nasty side. This is just desserts on a Brazil 1-7 Germany scale
Good time to point out that of the 31 countries that made it through qualifying, Panama were the only one with a negative GD.
Japan would be a great team if they could convert more. They should have scored a few times at 1-1, now behind again. Still the likeliest AFC team to progress.
Still cleaner than Harps though.
If Sweden win, they are guaranteed to finish ahead of Mexico I think. At moment Mexico are 6 pts, GD+2, GS3, Sweden are 3 pts, GD 0, GS 2.
If Sweden win by 1, they'll both have 6 points, GD will now each be +1 and GS will improve by 1 in Sweden's favour. Sweden will > Mexico on the head-to-head. If Sweden win by more than 1 then they will be better than Mexico on GD. That late South Korea goal could be crucial.
You'd also assume that Germany will beat South Korea by more than 1. If only by 1, Germany will be +1 GD and it would go to GS. Fascinating group, as is Colombia/Japan/Senegal.
Last edited by Stuttgart88; 25/06/2018 at 8:52 AM.
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