With the first round of group matches finished , time for all the Managers to do some honest soul searching to decide upon what they got right, what they didn't and, most importantly the changes, if any, that they need to make, to improve the prospects of their charges advancing; not to mention in an uncomfortably large number of cases,to secure their own job futures!
At this admittedly early stage, and based upon their first round performances, I think that Spain, Belgian and Mexico, (yes Mexico ) should be optimistic regarding their chances of progressing to the latter stages of the tournament. I was disappointed with the unusually dour and cautious style of football Brazil produced against Switzerland but, on reflection, probably I did not give Switzerland enough credit for their performance. So my top four performers, and tournament favourites, at the end of Round One are Spain; Belgian; Brazil and Mexico.
Given their rankings, I think the most disappointing first round performers were, undoubtedly, France, Germany & Uruguay. I think all three , but particularly Germany, will have to improve substantially, if they are to be considered as serious contenders.
As the host country, I suppose I should express my view of Russia's prospects. Certain to qualify from Group A, their next opponents will be either Spain or Portugal. If the former, they have no chance and, if the latter, next to no chance. My opinion is on the strict proviso that their opposing team, ( whether Spain or Portugal), does not fall victim to a spate of red cards , or penalties; nor their star player suffer a game ending injury from a foul not picked up by the referee or Statto's VAR.
Ooops, forgot to mention! Tomorrow, I will submit,for the approval of Statto and my other supporters, my comments upon England's first round performance , and the changes I would recommend. =D>

Having just watched the Morocco v Ronaldo game, I would suggest that if the host country were to progress and meet Team Ronaldo in the last 16 they would have a better than average chance of progressing. The players wearing the same shirts as Ronaldo seem to have decided that they do not need to turn up as CR7 will do (just) enough in every game to get them through. Spain were far better than Portugal in the opener and if Morocco hadnt got stage fright every time they got into a shooting position they would have easily won this encounter.
Luckily for Portugal CR7 got ONE of his 6 or 7 shots on target and that was all it needed.
Crowd entertaining themselves with Mexican waves told the story

Well said Mathusala who care who speaks in what language or want to know about ice Hockey or Curling its about World Cup Football.

Now what was that you were saying, Laan Yaa Mo, about this topic of the "2018 World Cup in Russia" ?( football, that is.), :-" [/quote]

A quick perusal of my comment will inform the reader that the New World English-speaking countries do not do well in the other World Championships either thereby reinforcing your comment.

Not much of a feast of football yesterday..

Uruguay stuttered past Saudi Arabia to book a place for themselves & Russia in the next round & condemn Saudi Arabia & Egypt to an early exit.
I must say that Russia have been the surprise to me in this group. I expected Egypt to be the second placed side rather than Russia but the hosts have not only done it, they have done it in style. It is a pity that neither side have much to play for in the final Russia v Uruguay match as I would have liked to have seen a competitive game in order to get a better idea of just how good the hosts are..

Ronaldo also rolls on but the game will not give much comfort to the European holders' supporters. As Statts has already said, they do not look much of a side, the number 7 excepted & if the Morocco side had anyone with a tenth of his ability in front of goal then they would have probably won this encounter. As it is they are off for an early bath & World Cup exit.

Spain didn't fair much better in their game against Iran. They had a huge possessional advantage but, until Costa scored a fluky winner, rarely troubled the Iranians. The goal caused them to come out of their shell & they were desperately unlucky not to get the equaliser. But Spain are top of the group by a better disciplinary record than Portugal & only need a draw against Morocco in order to progress. Still they will need to play considerably better than this to stand any chance of clinching the cup..

A week of late nights taking its toll so last night I settled for just the early kick off game.
Apart from giving Ronaldo a free header in the 4th minute,Morocco were by far the better side.If they would have had a guy with an eye for goal upfront they would have won comfortably.
I was very disappointed with Portugal.How did that shower win Euro 2016 on that showing ?
I agree with the Honourable Member for Newcastle North East that the Russians will fancy their chances if they play Portugal in the knockout stage.
Wins for Spain and Uruguay in what sound like pretty dour encounters......glad I missed them.

On paper,at least,some better games tonight.....
Denmark v Australia 7pm Thai
France v Peru 10pm Thai
Argentina v Croatia 1am Friday morning Thai

Some may jest about Ronaldo but his game can't all be a fluke, he's pretty good when it counts, that gem coming from a non fair dinkum soccer follower.
There have been plenty of greats over the years who looked to be lazy but just stood up when it counted so they didn't feel guilty on pay day.

Today the dead certain results to come from a professional tipster.

Australia
Peru
Argentina with Messi firing.

Thanks Mr Zid for the terrific action shots of some supporters.

Don't you just luv VAR

Ball gets crossed into the box guy heads ball. trajectory of ball changes about 120 deg and hits guy on the arm 18 ins away. Ref looks, no way is that a pen, was ball to hand not hand to ball and far too close, couldnt have got out of the way
VAR gets game stopped while ref goes and looks at pretty pics on TV, which still shows exactly the same thing but for some inexcusable reason he then changes his decision and wrongly awards a pen and gives the guy a yellow which means he also misses the next game

VAR is SUPPOSED to correct "Clear and obvious errors" not overturn the correct refereeing decisions

Like to see the socceroos win, but fairly

Yeah Statts we were kissed on the dick by a fairy with that decision. Would be terrible to see a side win or lose a world cup on a call like that one.
Would have loved to see Timmy Cahill come on for a run after Nabut popped his shoulder as I reckon he would have been half a chance to get on the end of one of those crosses. Onward and upwards or sideways whatever the case may be.

Denmark 1 Australia 1
The way the game started I thought the Aussies were going to get well beaten.They got back into the game,though and were then awarded what can only be awarded a "fortuitous penalty !"
If they were on the wrong end of a VAR decision against France they were certainly on the right side this time around.
How the ref can study slow motion replays and then change his mind,in this instance,is beyond belief !
Denmark probably had a better call for a penalty in the first 5 minutes of the second half......
But the Aussies finished the stronger of the two sides and if they had a top class striker they would probably have won it.
Peru v France coming up at 10pm.....definitely need a Peru win.......

Perhaps they are saving Tim for the last game (a la Salah )

What is it with the Aussie coaching staff ?......

There are millions and millions of people all over the world every day attending meetings/Seminars/Conferences and just about ALL of them know how to put a name tag on. It's not that difficult really, hold ribbon in front of you, put head through the loop ........ far be it for me to suggest that they were obviously used to wearing womens handbags.. BUT .... just sayin'

Agreed with your Peru win Zid, but more coz I want to see some more Peruvian Totty on TV ....... every time I see the froggy/jerry fanny I think of hairy armpits :-&

Should this presenter be upset with this football fan interested in pretty women, or should she just see it as boys being boys?

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/foo ... 09476.html

Just watching the final or should I say the Death Throws of The Argentine team going against Croatia 3-0 down. Ive got to say this is the worst iv'e ever seen from Messi doing nothing, to Cabberero shocker. They were like a ship floundering in a gale without a Rudder, and a captain already abandoning his ship.

Laan Yaa Mo wrote: ↑

June 21, 2018, 11:20 pm

Should this presenter be upset with this football fan ..........

Now what was that you were saying, Laan Yaa Mo, about this topic of the "2018 World Cup in Russia" ?( football, that is.), :-"

Denmark are a tough outfit to play against - they hadn't conceded a goal in their previous 5 games. There might have been controversy in the Australian equaliser but it was a decent performance by them. They are probably out of the World Cup but have certainly not disgraced themselves.

France are through to the next round & Peru exit the competition. Certainly no decent performances by the French yet, but they have got the job done. Before the contest started one of the pundits said that France probably had the most skilful team at the competition but also the least tactically aware manager. That seems to be the case so far,,,

A terrible performance by Argentina allied by another good showing by Croatia. 5 goals for, none against, after 2 games is good form. Argentina could exit here. They will be praying for a draw in the other Group D game & then to thrash Nigeria in their last game, although even that might not be enough to see them through.

mathusalah80 wrote: ↑

June 22, 2018, 6:55 am

Laan Yaa Mo wrote: ↑

June 21, 2018, 11:20 pm

Should this presenter be upset with this football fan ..........

Now what was that you were saying, Laan Yaa Mo, about this topic of the "2018 World Cup in Russia" ?( football, that is.), :-"

To be fair to Uncle Tilo,you could say this is relevant as the lady was reporting on the World Cup for German TV......
"A female sports reporter was groped and kissed while filming a live World Cup broadcast from the Russian city of Saransk.
Footage shows Julieth Gonzalez Theran, a journalist working for the Spanish language division of German broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW), being grabbed by the man who then kisses her on the cheek."


As for last nights other matches..... Peru are out....and their football team as well.Another side that play decent football but lack a top class striker.
France look much better with Giroud in their team......much under appreciated by the likes of Wenger and Deschamps.

Dont cry for me Argentina....well,I think many of their fans will be after last nights putrid performance.....absolutely awful.....Croatia werent much better till they took the lead after an absolute howler by the Argentinian keeper,Caballero....should make Karius feel better,if nothing else !

mathusalah80 wrote: ↑

June 22, 2018, 6:55 am

Laan Yaa Mo wrote: ↑

June 21, 2018, 11:20 pm

Should this presenter be upset with this football fan ..........

Now what was that you were saying, Laan Yaa Mo, about this topic of the "2018 World Cup in Russia" ?( football, that is.), :-"

You seem to be getting cranky in your old age, Khun mathusalah80

The tournament is hotting up.
As an unbiased sometime supporter of the soccer game and an avid reader of the Nostradamus chronicles, I can now confidently make the statement that, the stage is now well and truly set for the socceroos to rightfully take their place in the next round.

France to improve immensely and dominate the Danes 2-1 and naturally the socceroos to spank Peru.
Go the aussies.

Actually Panama could be the dark horse to progress if they can pull a win or draw from their next game.