2018 World Cup in Russia

Post by **goodison** » June 17, 2018, 7:10 am

Soccerroos needn't feel too bad over their loss to France, at least their rugby and cricket teams also lost to Ireland and England respectively. 3 team losses on one day. How often does that happen?

Post by **marjamlew** » June 17, 2018, 8:02 am

Not too worried about the above Davy but me bloody footy team got done too. It's such a shame that whenever a game of soccer captures the imagination of the wider sporting public in Australia that the result is decided by some devious greasy Euro-trash scumbag doing his best Greg Lougainis impression, as this unfortunately reinforces the stereotypical view that soccer is a game where cheats do prosper regardless of VAR. Honourable losses are for losers - we shoulda kicked the sh1te out of the frog bastads

Post by **Zidane** » June 17, 2018, 9:35 am

I'd watched a couple of the Aussie World Cup qualifiers plus a friendly against Thailand and I thought Australia were pretty poor and this match would be easy for France.....how wrong I was !

A very dubious penalty awarded to France.Even after the slow motion replays it wasn't clear and giving it after using VAR was wrong imo.Surely the benefit of doubt should have gone to the defender if it wasn't clear ?
But justice appeared to be done a few minutes later when confused French defender,Umtiti,appeared to think they were playing the Aussies at cricket and made an amazing attempt to stop the ball going over the boundary for six !

How you can think you can get away with a blatant handball in the area like that beggars belief !
The winning goal.....very unlucky with a deflection like that....bad luck to the Aussies again.

Argentina have some decent players but look like a team of individuals not a team.A lovely goal by Aguero and Iceland were hanging on in the second half but when the score was 0-0 the Iceland no.8 (Bjarnason) missed a gilt edged chance and we could have had an England type upset on our hands...….Messis penalty miss not withstanding.

Victories for Denmark and Croatia but didn't watch either game.

Tonight,Costa Rica v Serbia (7pm Thai),Germany v Mexico (10pm Thai) and Brazil v Switzerland (1am Thai Monday morning).

Post match analyses from Bob Helmsson and reviews of VAR from eagle eyed stattoundsson after the games

Post by **mathusalah80** » June 17, 2018, 11:08 am

BobHelm wrote: ↑
June 17, 2018, 6:43 am

wc1.png

The France v Oz game pretty much covered by other scribes here; some more emotionally than others!

Just a couple of additional observation. I thought Aaron Mooys was, outstandingly, the man of the match. Not a bad accolade, considering two of the opponents he outplayed were Kante & Pogba. =D> Perhaps City should exercise their option to buy him back.

I considered that the only difference between the two sides, on the day, was Australia's lack of even just one forward possessing the close ball control to capitilise on the chances they created. At 1-2 down, and under 15 minutes to go, there existed the perfect scenario for the introduction of legend Tim Cahill. Incredibly, the Manager elects to send on a nineteen year old, for his first international appearance, plus another substitute of substantial mediocrity!

Cahill, Australia's greatest ever, and most experienced player, ( who has scored 5 of the total of eleven goals ever scored by Oz in the world cup), is left sitting forlornly on the bench.

WHY? Prior to the next game, someone should let the Manager know that quitting is not the Australian way.

According to the above reports, I made the correct decision in deciding to forego the 'pleasure?' of watching Argentina v Iceland.
I did elect to watch both the Denmark & Croatian, very drab, games to the bitter end. I considered it worth enduring the pain to have the privilege of watching Eriksen & Modric providing master classes in the now rarely seen, art of team play maker.
So, as Bob has indicated, onwards to the entry of two of the bookies favourites', into the fray. Hopefully Bob, Statts will forgive you for having omitted to include England in that category! :-" :-"

Post by **stattointhailand** » June 17, 2018, 12:08 pm

Well at least Engerlund are not the only team with a total inability to "play out from the back" I've managed to watch all of 2 games and most of a couple of others together with highlights of the rest ........ someone up there doesn't want me to see too many games ......... lecky off half way through opener, bar loses link half way through another, lack of tuk tuk home meant Spain v Port was 3 - 2 when I got home, and TV reception outage due to a storm 30 mins before Oz game meaning missed first 20 mins

The one OUTSTANDING thing that I have noticed is that nearly every team is trying to build from the back and nobody has players good enough to do it. The times the ball gets turned over is unbelievable (three times in less than 10 mins by the Aussie left sided defenders)
This world cup is quickly earning its place in the History books as the one where VAR ruined football but is also (hopefully) going to be the death knell of the completely illogical idea of playing out from the back $\:D/$

Post by **mathusalah80** » June 17, 2018, 1:37 pm

stattointhailand wrote: ↑
June 17, 2018, 12:08 pm
Well at least Engerlund are not the only team with a total inability to "play out from the back" I've managed to watch all of 2 games and most of a couple of others together with highlights of the rest ........ someone up there doesn't want me to see too many games ......... lecky off half way through opener, bar loses link half way through another, lack of tuk tuk home meant Spain v Port was 3 - 2 when I got home, and TV reception outage due to a storm 30 mins before Oz game meaning missed first 20 mins
Case of the devil looking after hs own, Statts?
The one OUTSTANDING thing that I have noticed is that nearly every team is trying to build from the back and nobody has players good enough to do it. The times the ball gets turned over is unbelievable...
I totally agree with you Statto.
However, I thought Mooys, Modric & Eriksen, made a pretty good fist of their roles in that method. albeit from the general defensive midfield area. Where the breakdown consistently occurred/ continues to occur, is, as you so correctly write, in the inability of the surrounding players to master the system. When Rannieri, and his Leicester team ran riot, and embarassed all the world wide 'expert' managers, by winning the EPL playing 'simple, fast & direct,' football, I felt sure there would be a knock on effect of at least some of the major clubs returning to the basics of football. It is currently being proved, at this tournament that, several years on, I was overly optimistic.
This world cup is quickly earning its place in the History books as the one where VAR ruined football but is also (hopefully) going to be the death knell of the completely illogical idea of playing out from the back $\:D/$
Like you, I hold very strong views on the merits, OR OTHERWISE, of so called team formations systems, VAR, and the totally out of hand cheating & time wasting, in all it's forms , and the ever decreasing control referees have over games, in which they are officiating. So better I avoid expressing my views, for fear of giving myself a heart attack; and thus not being around to have good laugh at your expense Statts, when 'Harry' lifts the cup. $\:D/$ $\:D/$ $\:D/$ a
/quote]

Post by **stattointhailand** » June 17, 2018, 5:24 pm

I hope you are right about 'arry ..... and that my decision to watch this world cup expecting mediocrity at best from Engerlund instead of the usual expectation/hopes which have failed me for 50 years will have paid dividends

Post by **stattointhailand** » June 17, 2018, 8:02 pm

I wonder where our African cousins were when that nice Mr Collini gave his talk about NOT raising the flag if its only marginally offside ..... let play continue he said .......... we can look back later 'e said

What the f*** was that imbicile running the line doing flagging the Serbian forward for offside when it wasn't even "marginally offside", he was clearly being played ONSIDE by a defender on the other side of the pitch ........ Would VAR have overruled him if the shot had ended up in the net ? It should do as VAR is here to make sure that incorrect decisions are overturned and the correct decision made

Post by **stattointhailand** » June 17, 2018, 10:52 pm

HT Germany 0 - 1 Mexico

And even the Jeermans prove that trying to play 3 at the back is a total waste of time.

Defenders are there to defend ..... not to play bl**dy football

If Low doesnt change things at half time this could get pretty nasty for the master race who were ripped open five or six times in the first half

Post by **Laan Yaa Mo** » June 18, 2018, 5:44 am

Good on Switzerland for hanging in with Brazil and tying them. I have been happy with the results so far, and have nothing to complain about. Now, let's see if Sweden and England can add to my dream of having favourites advancing.

Post by **BobHelm** » June 18, 2018, 6:50 am

: wc.png (11.73 KiB) Viewed 611 times

In the early group E game Costa Rica fielded the oldest ever World Cup team against another former Yugoslavia side, Serbia. The Serbs might not have fielded the tallest ever World Cup side, but they are certainly the tallest in this world cup. There is also a fair bit of skill in the side as well & Aleksandar Kolarov showed that not only Portugal can take a free kick. Tough group to get out of with Brazil & Switzerland being the two games awaiting both sides!!
Not a sparkling performance from Brazil as, their goal apart, it took them 77 minutes to have a shot on target. Masses of individual talent does not a team make & Brazil looked nothing like a team...Still early days & a record of 1 loss in the last 21 suggests that they can only get better..
Still if Brazil had a disappointing start to the tournament, Germany had a disaster. The most worrying thing that this was not a fluke defeat with a lucky goal against the run of play. For most of the match Mexico were the better side & Germany vulnerable & disjointed (as the Beeb said).

On the opening games so far it looks like Spain or Ronaldo for the title

But early days..

Today England & Belgium throw their hats in the ring,

: wc1.png (12.25 KiB) Viewed 611 times

Post by **stattointhailand** » June 18, 2018, 6:57 am

"Today England & Belgium throw their hats in the ring,"

Thank god for that, I thought for a moment we were gonna have to play football

Post by **Zidane** » June 18, 2018, 9:56 am

Costa Rica were a surprise package of the 2014 World Cup but this team appears to have aged and be past its best.Serbia were deserved winners and what a free kick from Kolarov.
Germany....an absolute disaster,particularily in the first half.They couldn't have complained if they had been tonked 4-0.
Switzerland are always a well organized side....not so great if they are chasing a win but good at containing the so called better sides.They were worth a point against a subdued Brazilian team.

Post by **stattointhailand** » June 18, 2018, 2:37 pm

Just in case any of our Udon map members are on holiday in UK at the moment there's a special offer available to help Engerlund in their bid to do well in the World Cup.
To show your support of Everything English you get TWO large pizzas (how much more English can you get

and to wash it down with a 4 pack of that truly English Budweiser beer and all for GBP 5 (approx B 215)

Be nice to hear of any Udon establishments having world cup offers

I wonder if some Polish company have a special offer on London Pride for Polands games

Post by **vlad** » June 18, 2018, 3:14 pm

Be very lucky for Poland statts considering Poland didn't qualify lol.

Post by **Zidane** » June 18, 2018, 3:42 pm

vlad wrote: ↑
June 18, 2018, 3:14 pm
Be very lucky for Poland statts considering Poland didn't qualify lol.

Poland are in Group H,vlad

......start their campaign tomorrow against Senegal,10pm Thai time.

Post by **stattointhailand** » June 18, 2018, 3:49 pm

Just tried to pick a starting X1 for England and failed miserably once again.

Got as far as Butland Walker Cahill AN Other Rose (would have to utilise Dier as CB as I wouldn't trust either McGuire or Stones within 100 mile of the stadium let alone in the team. Having to play Dier at CB means there is no holding midfielder along with the fact that Southgate didnt select any ball playing midfielder to put in the team. At that stage I gave up apart from the fact that Harry Jamie Vardy & Dele Ali would form a fluid front three ..... and NO I wouldnt have Sterling as he needs at least 6 excellent passing midfielders to provide his tap ins (a la Man City) and England dont have one which is why Sterlings England record is so lousy.

Mind you I'm only an amateur

If I had a CV that read coached a Prem team (failed and got relegated), Coached a load of kids with varied success then I would be able to put a more professional team together for a World Cup :-&

Post by **vlad** » June 18, 2018, 3:52 pm

Hands up time im Sorry didn't realize Poland qualified, but because i am moderated now its difficult for my messages to view until im moderated.

Post by **GT93** » June 18, 2018, 4:13 pm

I was chatting to a Mexican today. He was really excited about the the Mexican team. I suppose if they keep playing like that they can win the whole shebang.

Post by **Vlad123456** » June 18, 2018, 4:49 pm

I can see us going far something feels different about this team and a manager that is not stale and old outdated plus its a young squad.

2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia