2018 World Cup

[browna]

Helm again. Such a treat.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I'm worried now that Russia has got a sniff of the knockout round, they will employ some type of shenanigans to keep them there. The surge in nationalism will benefit Putin and he'd hate to lose that.

Anyone else think this? Please tell me I'm overreacting due to my bias today.

you are over-reacting. Russia only survived because Spain are poop.

[Bagor]

Nice header although keeper should have had it.

Reacted, then hesitated.

*edit*. Actually, maybe not.

[Mango]

Good thing Dele ducked.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Bagor

Nice header although keeper should have had it.

Reacted, then hesitated.

*edit*. Actually, maybe not.

Yeah, it was a thumping header by Maguire.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1015604644729352192

[savemedrzaius]

Ok I'm a football novice but why is it such a good idea to do dump and chase in football? Why not try and keep possession? Always seems like they might have something going but they just boot the ball into a mass of players and it gets headed out.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

When a player is clearly offside the flag should go up a lot quicker, it doesn’t do anyone any good to let an offside player come in and shoot (like Sterling)

Sterling should’ve scored that second chance, could be a huge miss

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by M*A*S*H 4077

When a player is clearly offside the flag should go up a lot quicker, it doesn’t do anyone any good to let an offside player come in and shoot (like Sterling)

Sterling should’ve scored that second chance, could be a huge miss

Should have passed after the first stop


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[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by savemedrzaius

Ok I'm a football novice but why is it such a good idea to do dump and chase in football? Why not try and keep possession? Always seems like they might have something going but they just boot the ball into a mass of players and it gets headed out.

Because this is what happens when two not very good teams play. The difference in quality between this match and the Belgium-Brazil one is staggering. Hopefully Croatia comes out of the Europa League side of the bracket, otherwise we're probably in for a crappy final.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by savemedrzaius

Ok I'm a football novice but why is it such a good idea to do dump and chase in football? Why not try and keep possession? Always seems like they might have something going but they just boot the ball into a mass of players and it gets headed out.

The field is big so dumping the ball behind the defenders and chasing it will stretch them out. Remember offside is not like hockey where you have to wait for the puck to cross the blue line before you can enter. In soccer once the ball leaves your teammates foot, you can run anywhere.


If you just keep possession then the other team just defends with 11 players and there is nowhere to go.


You are correct that most of the time the ball goes into a mass of players and then just clear it and it seems pointless, but the one time they don't, that's when you pounce. Or there could be a foul in the box for a penalty.


Soccer is a lot of work for not much reward. A low scoring game where you have to try and create the one chance out of a hundred and finish it.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I'm worried now that Russia has got a sniff of the knockout round, they will employ some type of shenanigans to keep them there. The surge in nationalism will benefit Putin and he'd hate to lose that.

Anyone else think this? Please tell me I'm overreacting due to my bias today.

As much as people enjoy the Russian Conspiracy theory, and I'm one of them, its kind of hilarious, lets not pretend that somehow England have gotten the laughably easiest route thus far.

Shenanigans? Or just dumb luck with a little strategy thrown in?

[d_phaneuf]

Dele!

[Senator Clay Davis]

^^Well I'm not sure what shenanigans England could have gotten outside the draw. They've simply played a bunch of mediocre to poor teams and have done just enough to survive. Kinda similar to Portugal in 2016, who never really looked that impressive but just did enough. That said if they get to the final they'll be playing either Belgium or France, who are vastly superior on talent, and who will both be battle tested.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Locke

As much as people enjoy the Russian Conspiracy theory, and I'm one of them, its kind of hilarious, lets not pretend that somehow England have gotten the laughably easiest route thus far.

Shenanigans? Or just dumb luck with a little strategy thrown in?

England were just smart to lose the last game against Belgium.

And Joe Hart is not in net.

[spuzzum]

Imagine a world in which England wins the WC and the TML win Lord Stanley. Might have to move to Mars.

England with a good 2nd goal against mighty Sweden.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Locke

As much as people enjoy the Russian Conspiracy theory, and I'm one of them, its kind of hilarious, lets not pretend that somehow England have gotten the laughably easiest route thus far.

Shenanigans? Or just dumb luck with a little strategy thrown in?

Not England’s fault that Germany couldn’t do what they were supposed to and win their group.

Also Colombia were no slouches but some luck for England that James couldn’t play

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

^^Well I'm not sure what shenanigans England could have gotten outside the draw. They've simply played a bunch of mediocre to poor teams and have done just enough to survive. Kinda similar to Portugal in 2016, who never really looked that impressive but just did enough. That said if they get to the final they'll be playing either Belgium or France, who are vastly superior on talent, and who will both be battle tested.

Originally Posted by GirlySports

England were just smart to lose the last game against Belgium.

And Joe Hart is not in net.

Precisely my point, similarly to Russia they're just playing the Tournament Game. Theres no shenanigans on either side, its just a little luck and some strategy.

[savemedrzaius]

Sweden sucks...

[GirlySports]

The tournament game will be crazier with 16 groups in 2026. They want to introduce shootouts in the group stage to avoid meaningless or set up games.

[savemedrzaius]

I hate the English goalie. He looks like a chav and acts like one too.