Football

[dillwyn]

Dec 4, 2022 2:02:11 GMT Helmut83 said:

Dec 3, 2022 22:53:57 GMT dillwyn said:

looking good Helmut83 ?

I wouldn't say so, Dillwyn. In the first half, absolutely nothing happened except for one single chance that Messi converted into a goal. In the second half the game was better, though the two goals came from accidents. Being honest, the fact that a relatively limited team like Australia pushed us to the brink (that chance at the very end was dramatic and could have changed the story) makes me nervous about having to face tougher opposition like the Netherlands. Credit to the Aussies though, not everybody was expecting them to put up such a spirited fight.

How did you see it? A neutral could probably provide with a clearer point of view.

I think it is the result rather performance to take heart from. The turn-around times for these games are so very short (2.5 - 4 days depending on how you measure it) and as a result Argentina had key players rested/not fit. Australia put up a terrific desperate fight at the end but that came from not killing off the game at that strange 2-0 scoreline, Argentina did more than enough and the best team won IMHO. Netherlands will be a close contest you both have so much going for you.

Interesting to see the players demeanour on the pitch, from first hand experience the stadiums are certainly cool. Seeing a quote from christian erriksen "It sounds strange in itself to say that we’re playing in an air-conditioned football stadium. [The air] felt more like it was damp, there was something about the oxygen."When you did a sprint, it was a little harder to get your breath back compared to normal". Both games yesterday, you could see the players blowing hard, seems conditions are having a big impact and could account for some of those upsets in the early stages. No doubt as the tournament progresses this becomes more and more about squad depth.

[Timeblue]

Come on England

[Horacewimp]

Looking good at halftime

[Timeblue]

Apart from the first half hour we looked good. Started off a bit cagey and nearly paid the price but Bellingham and Henderson soon put that to bed with the first goal. Kane finished off a great move from Foden and it was effectively game over, soon after half time Saka made sure. Bring on Les Blues,it should be a cracker with Mbappe on scintillating form but we can beat them if the back 4 stay alert. England have only conceded 1 goal from open play so far and scored 12.

[Helmut83]

Congrats, England! I'd say so far it's the team that's looking in best form in the tournament. Of course, from quarterfinals on it will be all powerhouses, so losing against France is a possibility (particularly given how hard it is to control Mbappé), but so far England has looked really scary and have positioned themselves as candidates to the title.

Interesting what Eriksen said about the air conditioning, Dillwyn, I was ignorant about it making a difference in the fatigue of the players. On the other hand, playing with 35°C takes its toll too. Thanks for your analysis about Argentina's game, it makes me feel better that a neutral thought Argentina was a clear and deserved winner because I hadn't seen it so clear.

[dillwyn]

First half Brazil looked almost unplayable last night, you can see why they are favourites on that form

[dillwyn]

wow what a result that was... the type of performance that will long in the memory ... well done Morocco --- best 0-0 ive seen in a long long time

[dillwyn]

Justice was done in that second match. Tense and magnificent

[tremblinwilbury]

[Helmut83]

Dec 9, 2022 21:59:41 GMT dillwyn said:

Justice was done in that second match. Tense and magnificent

Yeah, I thought Argentina did more to win it in the whole. The Netherlands only remembered they could attack once they were 0-2, and once they got the equalizer then they stopped pressing and attacking, which was dumb IMO. The last 5 or 6 minutes of extra time were all Argentina, and the Netherlands were never really close to winning it.

What left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth was the shameful display of lack of class by many Argentinean players once the game was over, lack of greatness in the victory. They had behaved exactly the same last year in the semifinal of the Copa América against Colombia and now repeated the shitshow. It makes it harder to cheer for them when you know they are a bunch of classless assholes.


Good luck to England tomorrow! That game promises to be a blockbuster.

[Helmut83]

Dec 6, 2022 10:36:01 GMT dillwyn said:

First half Brazil looked almost unplayable last night, you can see why they are favourites on that form

Somehow Brazil still finds ways of losing when their players are, as a whole, much, much better than anyone else's.

[dillwyn]

Unlucky England last night, with France missing 5 first team members I thought last night was going to be your night but Football is pretty unforgiving isn't it.
This tournament feels like the changing of the guard, the older incredible world superstars falling one-by-one to be replaced with exciting young teams.
England appear to have a bunch of excellent young players and a classy manager, getting it to gel will always be difficult with such an embarrassment of riches. Similar to Brazil and Portugal

The difficulty I had watching is the same reason I don't watch premiership football, more and more players throw themselves to the floor in in the most overly-dramatic fashion I think it is actually counter productive.
It is across football as a whole but particularly noticeable last night for some reason. You could see the ref believing less and less on their antics.

Morocco are the clear story of this WC, underdogs in every way yet yet rolling on and on ...amazing

my guess is Argentina v France Final ... again too close to call.... I hope you get your results Helmut and Messi gets his well deserved crown. ...I think Croatia will beat Morocco in the 3/4th playoff... as I think injuries/tiredness will have finally taken their toll

[dillwyn]

Helmut83 ... Magnificent!

[Horacewimp]

Congratulations on reaching the final Helmut83 bring on Morocco France.

[Helmut83]

Thank you, guys! I thought it was a solid, comprehensive victory. Even when being 0-0 the game was pretty even and although it was opened with a PK, during the rest of the game I think Argentina justified the difference by being the best team for quite some margin. Croatia was undoubtedly a great team but playing extra time for two rounds and beating Brazil sure take its toll. Kudos and recognition to Luka Modric, a world class player and an all time football great.

Also I was glad to see that the Argentine players behaved civil and didn't repeat the shitshow of last game.

Now all the odds are on France winning the other semifinal, but surely odds weren't in Morocco's favor when they faced Belgium, Spain and Portugal, and here they are...