Official World Cup 2014 Qualifying Thread (Blame It On RIO) - Page 33 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

polak · 10-16-2012, 08:46 AM

I'm really not trying to be mean or troll or anything but it's funny how nervous you guys are for a game that is still pretty early in the process.

Hopefully, those who haven't experienced it yet will soon know how it feels to watch your actual team (not just your favorite adopted team) play in a world cup game.

It's like when Canada has a huge elimination game in the Olypmics in hockey. Actually. It's worse for me cause there's a lot more pressure in International Soccer.

Jimmy Stang · 10-16-2012, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GirlySports

yeah it's probably Canada's biggest game since Canada-Mexico 1993 at Varsity.

I still remember the home and home vs. Australia that followed. That one has stayed with me as one of the more traumatic losses, even though I was only 14 at the time.

valo403 · 10-16-2012, 08:49 AM

As if the stakes weren't already high enough, Julian De Guzman has said that his brother will play for Canada if they reach the Hex.

The Big Chill · 10-16-2012, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valo403

As if the stakes weren't already high enough, Julian De Guzman has said that his brother will play for Canada if they reach the Hex.

He actually said that? I bet there would be a good chance Hoillett would play too.

polak · 10-16-2012, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valo403

As if the stakes weren't already high enough, Julian De Guzman has said that his brother will play for Canada if they reach the Hex.

Little prick.
I thought he was going to be a dutch superstar??

Well hopefully we can make it so he can show his worth.

valo403 · 10-16-2012, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

He actually said that? I bet there would be a good chance Hoillett would play too.

Yep, there's an interview up on Sportsnet, he also speculates that Hoillett would be in.

GirlySports · 10-16-2012, 08:57 AM

not surprising, players want to be guaranteed 10 matches and 50/50 shot at the World Cup.

GirlySports · 10-16-2012, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

I still remember the home and home vs. Australia that followed. That one has stayed with me as one of the more traumatic losses, even though I was only 14 at the time.

I was 14 too!

but that road was crazy, get by Australia and they would have faced Argentina in a home and home.

Jimmy Stang · 10-16-2012, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polak

I'm really not trying to be mean or troll or anything but it's funny how nervous you guys are for a game that is still pretty early in the process.

Hopefully, those who haven't experienced it yet will soon know how it feels to watch your actual team (not just your favorite adopted team) play in a world cup game.

I see your point, and it doesn't offend me, but for a Canadian soccer fan this is the biggest game in over a decade. While it would be nice to actually be in the world cup, the implications of a game like this are just massive. A place in the Hex would add a shot of much needed excitement and media interest in the game, "on the fence" players might commit to Canada for their careers, and 3.5 spots out of 6 go through to the World Cup. But it all ends with a loss today.

Canada's place in the football world is different than a lot of established football countries. Games with this much weight only come around once in a blue moon, and while come countries may see anything less than an appearance in the finals of the world cup as a failure, for Canada, advancing to the Hex is a giant step. It's all relative.

And while I also cheer for my motherland (England, but that's one disappointment after another), I would be over the moon if I ever got to see Canada play in the World Cup. Canada making the World Cup, on a relative scale, is more of an achievement than England making the World Cup simply because of expectations and the differences between the two programs.

valo403 · 10-16-2012, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polak

I'm really not trying to be mean or troll or anything but it's funny how nervous you guys are for a game that is still pretty early in the process.

Hopefully, those who haven't experienced it yet will soon know how it feels to watch your actual team (not just your favorite adopted team) play in a world cup game.

It's like when Canada has a huge elimination game in the Olypmics in hockey. Actually. It's worse for me cause there's a lot more pressure in International Soccer.

I'm not sure why the stage matters, it's an elimination game. It's not like a loss just bumps them to a tougher road, it kills the entire thing.

shermanator · 10-16-2012, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valo403

As if the stakes weren't already high enough, Julian De Guzman has said that his brother will play for Canada if they reach the Hex.

He mentioned that Hoilett would join as well. But does that mean if they don't make the hex he turns his back again? I would rather support then players that got to the hex than those who want to join late in the qualifying process. Screw De Guzman. Screw Hoilett. Viva Hume, viva Hutchinson.

GirlySports · 10-16-2012, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valo403

I'm not sure why the stage matters, it's an elimination game. It's not like a loss just bumps them to a tougher road, it kills the entire thing.

yup, plus Canada hasn't even made this elimination game in past campaigns.

In 2002, 2006 and 2010 they were elminated before the final game of the semifinal round.

valo403 · 10-16-2012, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shermanator

He mentioned that Hoilett would join as well. But does that mean if they don't make the hex he turns his back again? I would rather support then players that got to the hex than those who want to join late in the qualifying process. Screw De Guzman. Screw Hoilett. Viva Hume, viva Hutchinson.

So you'd rather that a weaker than possible team be fielded?

shermanator · 10-16-2012, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valo403

So you'd rather that a weaker than possible team be fielded?

Not at all, but de Guzman and Hoillett had numerous opportunities to join the team and turned them down. I guess the following tweer from Jason de Vos sums up my feelings on the situation.

Jason deVos‏@jasondevos
If you ask a girl out and she repeatedly says no, then changes her mind when you win the lottery, do you think she really likes you?

polak · 10-16-2012, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valo403

I'm not sure why the stage matters, it's an elimination game. It's not like a loss just bumps them to a tougher road, it kills the entire thing.

True.
I guess I'm taking it for granted.

I hope I can see this place explode if there is ever a "win and your in" game for Canada

Locke · 10-16-2012, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valo403

So you'd rather that a weaker than possible team be fielded?

I can understand that sentiment, but these guys were basically 'hold-out divas.'

Realistically speaking, if they were that interested in playing in the Hex for Canada they could have played on the team from the beginning and Canada probably wouldnt be having to scratch and claw their way in.

troutman · 10-16-2012, 09:10 AM

Honduras murders: Where life is cheap and funerals are free
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17870673

GirlySports · 10-16-2012, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polak

True.
I guess I'm taking it for granted.

I hope I can see this place explode if there is ever a "win and your in" game for Canada

I would be in tears at the national anthem!

valo403 · 10-16-2012, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shermanator

Not at all, but de Guzman and Hoillett had numerous opportunities to join the team and turned them down. I guess the following tweer from Jason de Vos sums up my feelings on the situation.

Jason deVos‏@jasondevos
If you ask a girl out and she repeatedly says no, then changes her mind when you win the lottery, do you think she really likes you?

I think De Vos's statement is asinine. This isn't love. This is a competitive sport at the highest level. I want the team that gives me the best opportunity to win.

I don't know if De Vos is just trying to stir up attention or if he's really that naive, but international soccer is still a part of the big business machine that the game has become, and committing to a team that has shown little reason to get excited about over a perennial power (even if you're an outsider there) isn't going to be the best business decision for a young player.

valo403 · 10-16-2012, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

I can understand that sentiment, but these guys were basically 'hold-out divas.'

Realistically speaking, if they were that interested in playing in the Hex for Canada they could have played on the team from the beginning and Canada probably wouldnt be having to scratch and claw their way in.

And what happens if they play before the Hex and Canada misses out? They've committed their international careers to a backwater program for the next 5 years.