2018 World Cup - Page 73 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

nfotiu · 06-26-2018, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

Group F? 3 teams still all with a chance of going through and top spot still up for grabs.

This afternoon's group D games could get pretty crazy with all 4 teams still in it. I don't see Argentina being the lock everyone seems to think they are and Croatia not having much to play for may come into play.

FireGilbert · 06-26-2018, 10:02 AM

A good effort from the Roos but otherwise a disappointing Cup. They cannot score and will need a change of direction to take the next step.

CroFlames · 06-26-2018, 10:07 AM

The combined populations of Croatia and Island is about 4.4MM people.

I wonder if that's the tiniest combined population of any match in WC history. Uruguay traditionally has done well in tournaments, but they've always played against countries with at least a few million I would imagine.

Flamenspiel · 06-26-2018, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nfotiu

This afternoon's group D games could get pretty crazy with all 4 teams still in it. I don't see Argentina being the lock everyone seems to think they are and Croatia not having much to play for may come into play.

Nigeria will win that game and qualify. I am pretty sure that Croatia will rest their starters as they win the group unless Nigeria wins by more then 5.

SuperMatt18 · 06-26-2018, 10:55 AM

Must win game for Argentina and it appears they have moved to a 4-4-2 or potentially a 4-2-3-1. Aguero and Dybala both start on the bench, Higuain starts.

Senator Clay Davis · 06-26-2018, 11:00 AM

I expect Argentina to quit pretty easily, no way do they want to spend more time around Sampaoli. Wouldn't be at all shocked if Nigeria stomped them today.

GirlySports · 06-26-2018, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CroFlames

The combined populations of Croatia and Island is about 4.4MM people.

I wonder if that's the tiniest combined population of any match in WC history. Uruguay traditionally has done well in tournaments, but they've always played against countries with at least a few million I would imagine.

I think so. Paraguay vs Trinidad or Paraguay New Zealand would be 2nd.

Locke · 06-26-2018, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Must win game for Argentina and it appears they have moved to a 4-4-2 or potentially a 4-2-3-1. Aguero and Dybala both start on the bench, Higuain starts.

Are they taking a dive? Why not just bench Messi while they're at it.

In my ideal world Croatia and Iceland go through but I wouldnt mind seeing Nigeria advance.

Really I just dont want Argentina to advance.

Beninho · 06-26-2018, 11:12 AM

Argentina wins 3-1, Messi reminds everyone who he is.

Senator Clay Davis · 06-26-2018, 11:16 AM

It'd be hilarious if Argentina won 2-1 and then Croatia laid down so Iceland won 3-0. In fact, let's hope that happens.

Locke · 06-26-2018, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beninho

Argentina wins 3-1, Messi reminds everyone who he is.

I'd be more confident of that happening if the rest of the team werent complete hot garbage.

Their strategy is flawed, their tactics are bad and their defence is terrible. The only reason Messi is 'the problem' is because everyone is expecting him to do everything.

TheIronMaiden · 06-26-2018, 11:23 AM

Nigeria wins this games, and moves on to win the world cup.

Locke · 06-26-2018, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Nigeria wins this games, and moves on to win the world cup.

I'm not sure they have the horses for that necessarily, but it would be nice to see some African teams go deep.

Flamenspiel · 06-26-2018, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beninho

Argentina wins 3-1, Messi reminds everyone who he is.

I don't see this, this Argentina team reminds me of the France team that self destructed a couple of world cups ago, right up the management chain in fact.

Locke · 06-26-2018, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flamenspiel

I don't see this, this Argentina team reminds me of the France team that self destructed a couple of world cups ago, right up the management chain in fact.

I see where you're coming from, look at this Argentina team, they've got some of the best offensive talent in the world: Messi, Aguero, Dybala, Higuain but the dropoff after that pretty steep.

Senator Clay Davis · 06-26-2018, 11:37 AM

And with Aguero and Dybala on the bench, and Higuain one of the biggest international chokers...it's basically Messi.

Flamenspiel · 06-26-2018, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

I'm not sure they have the horses for that necessarily, but it would be nice to see some African teams go deep.

I think generally the african teams have great skill and physical strength, they also have some very intelligent midfielders. The only thing they lack is some of the high powered financial team infrastructure that Germany, France, Spain and Brazil have.

I mean the Germans built and managed an entirely new resort in Brazil that helped them win the world cup. That effort in addition to the re-organization down to the roots of German football (initiated by Klinsman) is not something that an african country can do at this time. France and Spain did this earlier and I believe this cost runs in the 100s of millions...

Locke · 06-26-2018, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flamenspiel

I think generally the african teams have great skill and physical strength, they also have some very intelligent midfielders. The only thing they lack is some of the high powered financial team infrastructure that Germany, France, Spain and Brazil have.

I mean the Germans built and managed an entirely new resort in Brazil that helped them win the world cup. That effort in addition to the re-organization down to the roots of German football (initiated by Klinsman) is not something that an african country can do at this time. I believe this cost runs in the 100s of millions...

You're absolutely right, the African countries are wildly disorganized and that plays a lot into a big tournament like this.

I remember in Brazil didnt one country have to fly a bunch of cash in at the last minute so their players could get paid? I forget which country that was.

And while the infrastructure is an important element to a tournament like this, I also find that the African teams tend to be tactically naive compared to their competition and that they try and compensate for that through their talent and fitness levels.

GirlySports · 06-26-2018, 11:54 AM

Asian teams are the opposite. Extremely organized and nothing else.
All Asian teams finished last in their group in 2014. At least this time both Saudi Arabia and Iran beat their respective African opponents. And Japan might advance.

Locke: It was Cameroon, it's always Cameroon.

Locke · 06-26-2018, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Asian teams are the opposite. Extremely organized and nothing else.
All Asian teams finished last in their group in 2014. At least this time both Saudi Arabia and Iran beat their respective African opponents. And Japan might advance.

Locke: It was Cameroon, it's always Cameroon.

Its always Cameroon.

I'm going to try and catch the 2nd half of the Argentina game. Go everyone but Argentina.