Quote:
Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle
The Khazakstans (spell?) of the soccer world in soccer get elliminated years before the actual World Cup begins because the competition in soccer is so deep they get filtered out in the zone qualifications.
The soccer model needs to stop being used as a comparison for international hockey. Agreed it's the gold standard, but the hockey situation is completely different. Soccer, the most popular and universal sport in the world, hockey a regional sport that we love, but doesn't come close to the depth of competition. To your point, maybe one day, but right now the nations that can't compete don't get better by coming to World Cups to lose to Canada 10-0. Their development will come in other ways.
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Kazakhstan (number one exporter of potassium!)
But also to your point I don't think getting spanked would discourage fans. I'd love to see Argentina or Germany crush Canada live (in footy.) Seeing superstars up close would probably grow the game, if anything.