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***Official*** 2018 World Cup thread (and Drinking Guide) (2 Viewers)

GregR said:
Yeah, this is the stuff that gets to me.  I enjoy soccer but it makes me grind my teeth after watching a couple of games of it.

Obviously efforts to deal with it haven't worked.  They don't call it.   Had the guy in... think it was the Russia game, took a total dive outside the box, no contact with him at all.   If they really wanted to end the diving they could at the least give a post-match yellow when it was so obviously a dive.

I don't seriously think they'd adopt my proposed rule, I'm just chatting out of frustration.  
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First, I think this aspect of the game has gotten better. It used to be worse. Second, you see the same thing in basketball, for example. Finally, I don't know about the WC, but players will get retroactive cards for diving. That's part of why you see less of it now. 

Some countries/cultures do it more and actually consider it part of the game while others are against it.

In the end, no one who watches likes it, but just enjoy the other 90 minutes of the game for what it is.

 
gianmarco said:
First, I think this aspect of the game has gotten better. It used to be worse. Second, you see the same thing in basketball, for example. Finally, I don't know about the WC, but players will get retroactive cards for diving. That's part of why you see less of it now. 

Some countries/cultures do it more and actually consider it part of the game while others are against it.

In the end, no one who watches likes it, but just enjoy the other 90 minutes of the game for what it is.
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:goodposting:

I'd add to the last bit, lots of people -in countries where diving is more an accepted part of the game (central, South America, most of Europe) would laugh at you for complaining about this stuff. You're then allowed to kick them in the nads and laugh at them.

ETA... I think this universal hatred of diving and embellishments is a distinctly American bugaboo. Aussie too. Used to be England before the epl was over run with continentals.

 
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Chaos Commish said:
I've always felt any athlete writhing in pain needs to be removed for a quick medical examination before returning. You know for his safety. 
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At least if they're grabbing their head/face.  Concussions a not to be messed with.

Was it a Moroccan player the other day that was trying to stumble back into the game like a drunk fighting his friends when they try to make him leave the bar?

 
Zipped through yesterday's games...

ARG... Lol at whoever complained about Messi needing a second gear. Other than choking on the pk...and barely missing with several other shots, thought he was his usual otherworldly self. But so much of the rest of the team is static, I don't get it...whether it's because he's doing too much or them...dunno. also so slow moving the ball- Iceland  looked very happy to let them laconically knock it 10-20 yards and take a lot of touches on the ball. sum of the parts, as in qualifying was way below the quality of the individual parts. Credit to Iceland too- very organized, hard working and still skillful with numbers committed on rare moments going forward.

I really liked how Peru played, super skilled, quick and direct. disappointed to see them lose but will be rooting for them. Bunch of fun players- really liked Carilllo as a guy to watch.

Big day today!

Happy father's say, all!

 
Feels like so far, all the games have been at a much higher tempo, often with high press...than I'm used to seeing in previous world cups where teams spend a lot of time feeling exhotyer out and trying not to #### up in the knock out rounds.

 
American teams having a hard time.

Lets see if it ontinues with Costa Rica and Brazil.

Peru, Argentina, Uruguay 

2 goals 3 games. 

 
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El Floppo said:
Feels like so far, all the games have been at a much higher tempo, often with high press...than I'm used to seeing in previous world cups where teams spend a lot of time feeling exhotyer out and trying not to #### up in the knock out rounds.
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I bet the weather has a factor.  It is hard to press in Brazil's heat and humidity compared to Russia where the conditions are easier on the players.

 
wow, what a horrible offside call on the bike.  This is exactly why VAR does not work fully for me.  Had that ball gone in, it could not have been fixed and a fabulous goal would have been wiped out.

 
NewlyRetired said:
wow, what a horrible offside call on the bike.  This is exactly why VAR does not work fully for me.  Had that ball gone in, it could not have been fixed and a fabulous goal would have been wiped out.
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Wait, why not? I thought it was fairy game to review offside on a goal.

 
Jaysus said:
Wait, why not? I thought it was fairy game to review offside on a goal.
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As I understand it once the flag goes up, VAR can no longer be used, which is why they instruct the AR's to keep the flag down unless sure.

If a goal is scored and no flag raised, then VAR can be used to disallow the goal.

It is the classic soccer conundrum.  They always seem to find ways to hurt the offense.

 
Jaysus said:
I went straight to ITV coverage when I noticed her doing the lineups. Am I awful for not even giving her a chance?
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I like Derek Rae - he seems to be just fine on his own doing the play-by-play and color.  Understated in his call, and dropping in useful tidbits of information.

If I could somehow mute Aly, it would be an enjoyable call.  And, yes, I know this is sexist, but her commentary feels like the equivalent of watching a women's soccer match - its the same game, but at about 60% of the men's game.  She does not sound like she really follows the game, and does not really "know" anything about these teams/players - so every time she tries to add something it sounds forced.

I am all for women getting an opportunity - but this feels more gimmicky than choosing her on merit.  Get more women involved calling league matches and then it will grow organically. 

ETA - I should add, my chief complaint against many American announcers is that they feel too forced in their commentary - which I suppose is just as much the fault of less experience as anything.  Contrast that with Jorge from yesterday - he talked non-stop, but it never felt forced.  I guess its experience.

 
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I decided to give the commentators a chance for the early game, and they seemed fine at first, until they started speaking.

No wonder people are having trouble getting into games, and not getting the rules or tactics of the game... this is brutal.

I switched to The ITV feed too.

 
charvik said:
I decided to give the commentators a chance for the early game, and they seemed fine at first, until they started speaking.

No wonder people are having trouble getting into games, and not getting the rules or tactics of the game... this is brutal.
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Derek Rae is far from brutal.  He has been calling games all over the world for 20 plus years.  Every American who watches the sport knows his voice and he is extremely well respected by fans and in the industry.

 
Sinn Fein said:
I seem to recall someone saying they liked Aly Wagner as a commentator - whoever you were, get your ears checked.
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I'd love to know what Derek Rae thinks of working with her.  I've always liked him.  And if I'm being honest, I'm not hating her - more just tune her out.  

 
Planning on leaving the ITV coverage on for a while now, but somebody will send out a smoke signal if that crazy insane cranked up Mexicaned dude is doing the Brazil game, right?

 
Sinn Fein said:
Contrast that with Jorge from yesterday - he talked non-stop, but it never felt forced.  I guess its experience.
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That was my biggest problem with him.  There's constant action in soccer, I don't need somebody talking to me the entire time - it's annoying (IMO).  Let the game breathe and add to it - your job isn't to be the center of attention or to make the game entertaining - that's the players job.  If you get a crap game then sure, turn on the schtick.  Anyway, my last comment about it - a lot of folks seems to like it and I'm cool with that.

 
El Floppo said:
ARG... Lol at whoever complained about Messi needing a second gear. Other than choking on the pk...and barely missing with several other shots, thought he was his usual otherworldly self. But so much of the rest of the team is static, I don't get it...whether it's because he's doing too much or them...dunno. also so slow moving the ball
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It reminded me of a lot of games when Barcelona had Cesc-Iniesta-Messi together against a good, organized defense.  Particularly in 2012.  When your best attacking players are all occupying the same spaces on the field near the middle (and aren't a particularly aerial threat), it is much easier to play compact and stop them.  Without good wing play or a target man, they become stuck.  

The tactical remedy for Argentina would be getting Messi either on the right wing or closer to a 9.  Make runs and movement to drag the defenders out of position.  But, when his team struggles, he drops deep too often to get the ball.  It requires too much on the wings and Argentina doesn't have a reliable #9 to make it work.

If Croatia get a goal early and settle into defense, this will be a short tournament for Argentina. 

 
AAABatteries said:
That was my biggest problem with him.  There's constant action in soccer, I don't need somebody talking to me the entire time - it's annoying (IMO).  Let the game breathe and add to it - your job isn't to be the center of attention or to make the game entertaining - that's the players job.  If you get a crap game then sure, turn on the schtick.  Anyway, my last comment about it - a lot of folks seems to like it and I'm cool with that.
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I guess I looked at it like he was the background soundtrack to the match - you could simply listen to the tone of his voice and understand what was going on without paying attention to anything he said.

I liked Jorge's call, and as I noted, I like Derek Rae - very much what you are talking about - letting the game call itself, interjecting sporadically.  I think in both cases though, none of the commentary feels forced.  Neither feels like they are reading from a cheat sheet they created just for the game.

 
Slapdash said:
It reminded me of a lot of games when Barcelona had Cesc-Iniesta-Messi together against a good, organized defense.  Particularly in 2012.  When your best attacking players are all occupying the same spaces on the field near the middle (and aren't a particularly aerial threat), it is much easier to play compact and stop them.  Without good wing play or a target man, they become stuck.  

The tactical remedy for Argentina would be getting Messi either on the right wing or closer to a 9.  Make runs and movement to drag the defenders out of position.  But, when his team struggles, he drops deep too often to get the ball.  It requires too much on the wings and Argentina doesn't have a reliable #9 to make it work.

If Croatia get a goal early and settle into defense, this will be a short tournament for Argentina. 
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Icardi says hello.

 
Even if I wasn't a Germany fan I would be saying Eff Mexico!  And Eff all these CONCACAF HONK commercials and talking heads.

DEUTSCHLAND!
DEUTSCHLAND!
DEUTSCHLAND!

 
Slapdash said:
It reminded me of a lot of games when Barcelona had Cesc-Iniesta-Messi together against a good, organized defense.  Particularly in 2012.  When your best attacking players are all occupying the same spaces on the field near the middle (and aren't a particularly aerial threat), it is much easier to play compact and stop them.  Without good wing play or a target man, they become stuck.  

The tactical remedy for Argentina would be getting Messi either on the right wing or closer to a 9.  Make runs and movement to drag the defenders out of position.  But, when his team struggles, he drops deep too often to get the ball.  It requires too much on the wings and Argentina doesn't have a reliable #9 to make it work.

If Croatia get a goal early and settle into defense, this will be a short tournament for Argentina. 
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Spot on. If Suarez was born 100 miles further south, that team and their tactics would be remarkably different.

 
GregR said:
Day two and I'm already to the point of thinking up rules to lessen diving.

How about, "If a fouled player is deemed to have not tried to keep his feet, the ball shall be moved 10 meters away from goal before being put into play.  The same for any fouled player who covers his face when his face was not contacted."
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:lmao:

 
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