CBusAlex
Footballguy
Side note: Concacaf is undefeated against teams ranked in the FIFA top 10 (2-2-0).
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
***Official 2014 World Cup Thread*** (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter NewlyRetired
- Start date
msommer
Footballguy
Don't think it is possible but it would be an awesome match for Maracana in the quarterfinals
Jaysus
Good times!
Whoa, that David Villa goal was slick: http://gfycat.com/MeatyVapidAbalone
Suck it Cristiano: http://gfycat.com/EarnestFluffyIndianskimmer
Speaking of which, Torres with the simple touch that Chelsa was looking for all year: http://gfycat.com/HandyInformalKiwi
Iniest to Mata: http://gfycat.com/PertinentClutteredIbis
Suck it Cristiano: http://gfycat.com/EarnestFluffyIndianskimmer
Speaking of which, Torres with the simple touch that Chelsa was looking for all year: http://gfycat.com/HandyInformalKiwi
Iniest to Mata: http://gfycat.com/PertinentClutteredIbis
CBusAlex
Footballguy
I think it's more an aversion to change on FIFA's part than anything else. Most other tournaments with a group stage use H2H as the first tiebreaker.QuizGuy66 said:This. The thought is that the object of the game is to attack and score more goals that the opposition. This is why the tiebreaker is set up in this fashion. It's a matter of taste.-QGTed Lange as your Bartender said:IvanKaramazov said:Encourages goal scoring?
Native
Footballguy
Hard to say. On the one hand, yes lots of mid and lower-tier teams have improved.
Colombia: Even without their star striker Radmael Falcao, Colombia is hitting on all cylanders. Their young players are all immensely talented and have been scoring regularly in the WC until now. The Colombian stars command some of the highest transfer fees in the world and its showing on the field.
Belgium: Belgium has a "golden generation" of players all hitting their prime right now and making huge amounts of money for the top clubs in Europe. Guys like Hazard, Witsel, De Bruyne, Lukaku, Fellaini, Miralllis, Courtois etc are playing regulalrly (for the most part) on some of the best teams in the world. Its not cooincidence that the national team has improved as a result and its no wonder they are already through. They havent been banging in goals, but they are formidable.
Algeria: More than 2/3 of their players were actually born and raised in France and grew up playing in the French league. Might explain how a former after-thought of a team suddenly can explode for four goals vs South Korea. That did NOT happen four years ago.
Costa Rica: Dont think ANYONE saw this one coming. They were pedestrian in the games leading upto the World Cup. The fact that they piled three on Uruguay and shutout Italy has to be the story of the tournament. Have they improved? I guess so, based on their remarkable results, but there was no writing on the wall with the Tico's. Shocking story.
On the flip side, squads like England and especially Spain failed to impress. So to your question, I dont know if its correct that more teams "improving" is the reason why more goals have been scored. Because there have been an equal number of disappointments. But it sure has been fun to watch.
El Floppo
Footballguy
Good stuff andy- I was lamenting Muntari's loss because I've loved how he's played in the WC... but the reality is, we need Ghana to lose or tie, so Pepe coming back helps. Is Coentrau out for the WC?
Totally agree about Portugal's visual state even after scoring the tying goal- looked defeated. They know their WC is over unless they are able to beat Ghana and have the US lose big to Germany. Both of which are possible.
Bronx Bomber
Footballguy
so how many of us will be playing hooky from work on Thursday to watch this US game live?
Celph Titled
Footballguy
Mexico was considered to be on the rise before their near-disastrous qualifying campaign last year, but Herrera seems to have righted the ship somewhat.
Switzerland too, probably to a lesser extent than Belgium.
Switzerland too, probably to a lesser extent than Belgium.
The Gator
Footballguy
Celph Titled
Footballguy
9.1 overnight, btw.
fatguyinalittlecoat
Footballguy
I think the key is not that teams get better, but that there is more parity, allowing more teams to play less conservatively.
El Floppo
Footballguy
Sand
Footballguy
That ball was head height at about the 8 yard line. Perfect depth - really hard for a goalie to move out that far. You see lots of goalies look like fools trying to punch balls like that and whiff. IMO Howard didn't have much of a chance to come out there.
As much as folks are whining about Bradley in here many are overlooking how insanely good that cross was. You probably won't see a better struck cross in the WC this time around.
Celph Titled
Footballguy
SaintsInDome2006
Footballguy
QuizGuy66
Footballguy
Rebump for the late games.QuizGuy66 said:Bumping this from 50 pages ago.Here's your Group A and B scenarios.
Group B:
Netherlands are 1st with a win or tie, 2nd with a loss.
Chile are 1st with a win, 2nd with a tie or loss.
Spain will come in last if they lose or tie against the Socceroos.
Group A:
Cameroon - are out of it and will be looking for players, on their own and other team, officials, and ball boys to punch and or head-butt all game.
Croatia - make it through with:
1) a win vs Mexico,
or 2) a tie and a Brazil loss (they will win the tie-breaker on superior goal differential)
Mexico - make it through with:
1) a win or tie vs Croatia.
or 2) a loss and a Brazil loss where Brazil's margin of defeat is 2 or more goals greater than Mexico's margin of defeat
or 3) a loss and a Brazil loss where Brazil's margin of defeat is 1 goal greater than Mexico's margin of defeat and Mexico outscores Brazil by at least 3 goals.
Brazil - make it through with:
1) a win or tie vs Cameroon
or 2) a loss and Croatia loss
or 3) a loss and Mexico loss and Brazil's margin of defeat is the same or less than Mexico's margin of defeat
or 4) a loss and Mexico loss and Brazil's margin of defeat is 1 goal greater than Mexico's margin of defeat and Mexico fails to outscore Brazil by at least 3.
1st Place:
Croatia get top with a win and a Brazil tie or loss
Mexico get top with:
1) a win and a Brazil loss or tie
or 2) a tie and a Brazil loss
or 3) a win and a Brazil win and Mexico's margin of victory is 2 or more goals greater than Brazil's margin of victory
or 4) a win and a Brazil win and Mexico's margin of victory is 1 more than Brazil's margin of victory and Mexico outscores Brazil by at least 3.
Brazil get top with:
1) a win and a Mexico loss or tie
or 2) a tie and a Mexico tie
or 3) a win and a Mexico win and Brazil's margin of victory is the same or greater than Mexico's margin of victory
or 4) a win and a Mexico win and Brazil's margin of victory is 1 less than Mexico's margin of victory and Mexico fails to outscore Brazil by at least 3.
So there you go
-QG
And actually fixing a mistake - Brazil are out if they lose and Mexico/Ecuador ends up in a tie. They will be behind Croatia on goal differential. If Cameroon somehow takes a miracle lead it'll be interesting if Mexico and Croatia get a little friendly.
-QG
-QG
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Jaysus
Good times!
bagger
Footballguy
realize I have some quarter end meeting with accounting at 10 am PST....am going to be blazing through that meeting to get home by game time. Numbers look great!
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
It certainly seems, to me, that more teams are playing with two strikers or with the more attacking variant of the 3-5-2 (which can be a very attacking formation OR a very defensive one depending on whether you turn the wing backs loose or not). But its hard to draw a lot of conclusions.
I will say that in the last 8 to 10 years, the quality of attacking players appears to have improved beyond that of the defenders. By which I mean that a guy like Robben, who is a "top 10" attacking player, strikes me as a better player than a guy like Varela, who is probably a top 10 defender. Or even Kompany. A whole generation of once great defenders seem to be getting old or losing form all at once.
I will say that in the last 8 to 10 years, the quality of attacking players appears to have improved beyond that of the defenders. By which I mean that a guy like Robben, who is a "top 10" attacking player, strikes me as a better player than a guy like Varela, who is probably a top 10 defender. Or even Kompany. A whole generation of once great defenders seem to be getting old or losing form all at once.
El Floppo
Footballguy
I agree.
I've also seen a real shift in style, tactics and "brand" of soccer in the last 30 years. I feel like fitness and tactical shape has become more of a global thing as the internet has allowed teams and players to be intimately aware of what is going on around the world. Used to be you could count on teams like Brazil to be great moving forward and on the individual tackle, but a mess with their defensive shape. Germany played a fairly stiff, robotic but errorless style. England, more direct to their forwards. etc, etc. But countries have blended all the styles that work best around the world to suit their particular players. They've also become more aware of how important fitness is from a holistic standpoint- diet, hydration, electrolytes (!), smoking, sechs, etc. It wasn't unusual to see guys smoking and not look like they were tip-top fit. Not any more.
fatguyinalittlecoat
Footballguy
Still trying to decide whether to:
1) Watch from my office at work (no booze, no friends, but don't need to take any hours off)
2) Go to the big public big screens with scoobygang (good friend, exciting crowd scene, but will be 88 degrees and people will smell terrible. I assume no booze, I guess I could do some other mind-altering substance before I go).
3) Go to Mexican bar/restaurant a few blocks from work where they're having a going-away party for a guy that's leaving. Advantages include booze and air conditioning.
Last edited by a moderator:
El Floppo
Footballguy
what means this "hookey"
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I don't believe there is any chip in the solution they chose for the World Cup. It is camera based
http://goalcontrol.de/
El Floppo
Footballguy
great cross.
from my days, the GK should own the 6 yard box. So you'd try hit your crosses right at it or just outside to draw the GK out away from the goal and to ideally hit it just out of his reach. Good GKs won't be tempted. That cross was inch-perfect and as has been overstated, Cameron let his man get inside of him to get to the ball first... but still in astonishing fashion (diving header... c'mon- great goal).
TenTimes
Backhoe Operator
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Updated
Confederation Records So Far*: W-D-L (points per game)
South America: 9-1-3 (2.2)
Africa: 3-2-5 (1.1)
UEFA: 7-4-7 (1.4)
Concacaf: 4-2-2 (1.8)
Asia: 0-3-6 (0.3)
======================================================
Asia might get no wins this tournament. Yikes that is ugly.
*Europe vs Europe excluded
Confederation Records So Far*: W-D-L (points per game)
South America: 9-1-3 (2.2)
Africa: 3-2-5 (1.1)
UEFA: 7-4-7 (1.4)
Concacaf: 4-2-2 (1.8)
Asia: 0-3-6 (0.3)
======================================================
Asia might get no wins this tournament. Yikes that is ugly.
*Europe vs Europe excluded
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
I'll probably pre-game and have some option for half time. Can't do anything about the smell, but after enduring your Cheech and Chong hotel room in Houston, you hardly have room to complain.2) Go to the big public big screens with scoobygang (good friend, exciting crowd scene, but will be 88 degrees and people will smell terrible. I assume no booze, I guess I could do some other mind-altering substance before I go).
El Floppo
Footballguy
what time is the game?Still trying to decide whether to:
1) Watch from my office at work (no booze, no friends, but don't need to take any hours off)
2) Go to the big public big screens with scoobygang (good friend, exciting crowd scene, but will be 88 degrees and people will smell terrible. I assume no booze, I guess I could do some other mind-altering substance before I go).
3) Go to Mexican bar/restaurant a few blocks from work where they're having a going-away party for a guy that's leaving. Advantages include booze and air conditioning.
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
Noon Eastern time.what time is the game?Still trying to decide whether to:
1) Watch from my office at work (no booze, no friends, but don't need to take any hours off)
2) Go to the big public big screens with scoobygang (good friend, exciting crowd scene, but will be 88 degrees and people will smell terrible. I assume no booze, I guess I could do some other mind-altering substance before I go).
3) Go to Mexican bar/restaurant a few blocks from work where they're having a going-away party for a guy that's leaving. Advantages include booze and air conditioning.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
noon easternwhat time is the game?Still trying to decide whether to:
1) Watch from my office at work (no booze, no friends, but don't need to take any hours off)
2) Go to the big public big screens with scoobygang (good friend, exciting crowd scene, but will be 88 degrees and people will smell terrible. I assume no booze, I guess I could do some other mind-altering substance before I go).
3) Go to Mexican bar/restaurant a few blocks from work where they're having a going-away party for a guy that's leaving. Advantages include booze and air conditioning.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Don't know the formula, but I'd guess there's definitely a chance CONCACAF and CONMEBOL pick up half-spots. Let Asia play Oceania in the playoff.
Last edited by a moderator:
El Floppo
Footballguy
hmmm. Might have to watch this from work. not good if so- I'll be freaking the #### out either way... pretty sure the interior design staff will not like what they see.noon easternwhat time is the game?Still trying to decide whether to:
1) Watch from my office at work (no booze, no friends, but don't need to take any hours off)
2) Go to the big public big screens with scoobygang (good friend, exciting crowd scene, but will be 88 degrees and people will smell terrible. I assume no booze, I guess I could do some other mind-altering substance before I go).
3) Go to Mexican bar/restaurant a few blocks from work where they're having a going-away party for a guy that's leaving. Advantages include booze and air conditioning.
eta: oh yeah- andy- WORK.
Last edited by a moderator:
The Gator
Footballguy
noon easternwhat time is the game?Still trying to decide whether to:
1) Watch from my office at work (no booze, no friends, but don't need to take any hours off)
2) Go to the big public big screens with scoobygang (good friend, exciting crowd scene, but will be 88 degrees and people will smell terrible. I assume no booze, I guess I could do some other mind-altering substance before I go).
3) Go to Mexican bar/restaurant a few blocks from work where they're having a going-away party for a guy that's leaving. Advantages include booze and air conditioning.
Celph Titled
Footballguy
Hot-### take by Dan Shaugnessy. Again.
http://screamer.deadspin.com/dan-shaughnessy-has-been-writing-the-same-soccer-column-1594470556
http://screamer.deadspin.com/dan-shaughnessy-has-been-writing-the-same-soccer-column-1594470556
jonessed
Footballguy
msommer
Footballguy
bagger
Footballguy
i thought it was noon PST maybe I am off and have to record it regardless.Looks like I fail at time zones.
Back to ignoring all media for halfa day that day until I get home >.<.
Last edited by a moderator:
One last thought about the clock (ok maybe it won't be the last) - I like the subjectivity involved. I like the idea that a team is going to get one last offensive surge if they start it before time runs out. I like that teams can hold onto hope, instead of seeing the clock tick down to 00:00. I like that teams know they have to defend as long as the ball is still in play, instead of watching a clock.
I wouldn't be offended to see an actual game-clock, but I never thought that was one of the things that needed fixing. I don't think adding a clock really adds to the enjoyment of the game, nor would it shorten the games significantly. Sure, you might avoid SAF-time, but I don't find that to be reason enough to make the change.
I wouldn't be offended to see an actual game-clock, but I never thought that was one of the things that needed fixing. I don't think adding a clock really adds to the enjoyment of the game, nor would it shorten the games significantly. Sure, you might avoid SAF-time, but I don't find that to be reason enough to make the change.
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
I've always enjoyed that aspect as a neutral. This is the first time I've been on the "wrong" side of one of these calls as a fan. Have to say that it didn't bug me much. But I think this stuff evens out.
The Gator
Footballguy
Liverpool/Arsenal from a few years ago that end in a draw? The one where Dalglish told Wenger to piss off...lol
I think that went 5 minutes over an already lengthy stoppage time(carragher knocked out) because of two PKs and hit 102 minutes iirc.
Last edited by a moderator:
B Maverick
Footballguy
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
This is about where I am now...
Especially with the TV revenue and ratings exploding I think the rock is at the top of the hill. It'll still take time to roll down and exactly what it looks like when it comes to rest is still unknown, but the team is solid now and should be solid going forward. There are a handful of teams in the world at any time that will be strong favorites over us, but not all that many and when the coach gets things right and we get a bit of luck we can beat them too.
Last edited by a moderator:
fatguyinalittlecoat
Footballguy
W-T-L
