Official World Cup 2014 Qualifying Thread (Blame It On RIO)

[VANFLAMESFAN]

2-0 Brazil.

Portugal v Brazil in the final on Saturday. I wanna say it's going to be something special, but Portugal's style of play all tournament has not led me to believe it will be a free flowing game. Brazil hasn't been spectacular either for that matter, but definitely more pleasing to the eye than the Pork Chops.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Guess no one is really paying attention to it.

Portugal haters will be happy to know that Portugal IS GOING TO THE FINAL!!

Portugal scored 2 first half goals and did their best Greece 2004 impression and sat on it and won 2-0.

Portugal has yet to concede a goal in 6 games.

Portugal's diving and time wasting was pretty disgusting in the second half. Even I was getting frustrated by it and i tend to defend anything they do.

Portugal to play winner of Brazil-Mexico(scoreless in 2nd half in a brutal match) on Saturday in Bogota.

If Portugal were to win, it would be their third title at this prestigious youth tournament.

So I take it you aren't confused as to why so many of us can't stand your team. Par for the course.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by valo403

So I take it you aren't confused as to why so many of us can't stand your team. Par for the course.

Well if it were par for the course, I would understand. But the diving by the senior national team is nowhere near as bad as some here make it out to be. Especially when comparing to the rest of the nations. The Dutch, Italians, most from South America are just as bad, if not worse. The Copa America was a disgrace to the game. Uruguay was disgusting.

At the end of the day, people see what they want to see, especially when they're looking for something. I'm guilty of this, just as much as anyone, but that's just natural when you have an emotional investment in a team.

Today's second half was an embarassment, but far from the norm.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Guess no one is really paying attention to it.

Portugal haters will be happy to know that Portugal IS GOING TO THE FINAL!!

Portugal scored 2 first half goals and did their best Greece 2004 impression and sat on it and won 2-0.

Portugal has yet to concede a goal in 6 games.

Portugal's diving and time wasting was pretty disgusting in the second half. Even I was getting frustrated by it and i tend to defend anything they do.

Portugal to play winner of Brazil-Mexico(scoreless in 2nd half in a brutal match) on Saturday in Bogota.

If Portugal were to win, it would be their third title at this prestigious youth tournament.

I wonder who VFF cheers for.

I also wonder if he could have shoehorned the word 'Portugal' into that post any more times, or is 7 times in 8 sentences the absolute limit? I think he can do better....

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by Locke

I wonder who VFF cheers for.

I also wonder if he could have shoehorned the word 'Portugal' into that post any more times, or is 7 times in 8 sentences the absolute limit? I think he can do better....

Didn't even realize I did that.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

2 hours till kickoff. CANT WAIT!

FORCA PORTUGAL!

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Brazil win 3-2 in extra time. They tied it with 12 minutes left to force the extra 30 mins.

Great game. Pretty even, plenty of scoring chances, lots of drama. Someone had to lose, too bad for me, it was Portugal.

Portugal hadn't conceded all tournament and I think they read their press clippings and especially their keeper, Mika. He was pretty shaky the whole game and totally made a mess on the winner. That shot/cross had no business going in the net. Shame that was the winner, but that's soccer.

[GirlySports]

Yup and that's U-20 level, lots of mistakes in pressure situations.
The 2nd Portugal goal I think I could have saved

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Oh yeah, the 2nd Portugal goal was probably uglier than the winner. I failed to mention that.....weird huh.

[shermanator]

Canada has set it's roster for Phase 2, it's not too different from their Gold Cup squad, but they should win their group based on the quality of their opponents:

1- GK- Lars Hirschfeld | NOR / Vålerenga Fotball
2- D- Nik Ledgerwood | GER / SV Wehen Wiesbaden
3- M- Mike Klukowski | TUR / Manisaspor
4- CB- Kevin McKenna | GER / FC Köln
5- D- André Hainault | USA / Houston Dynamo
6- M- Julian de Guzman | CAN / Toronto FC
7- M- Terry Dunfield | CAN / Toronto FC
8- M- Will Johnson | USA / Real Salt Lake
9- M/F- Tosaint Ricketts | ROM / FC Politehnica Timiþoara
10- M- Simeon Jackson | ENG / Norwich City FC
11- M- Josh Simpson | TUR / Manisaspor
12- D- Ante Jazic | USA / Chivas USA
13- M- Atiba Hutchinson | NED / PSV Eindhoven
14- F- Dwayne De Rosario | USA / DC United
15- D- Dejan Jakovic | USA / DC United
16- F- Olivier Occean | GER / SpVgg Greuther Fürth
17- M/F- Iain Hume | ENG / Preston North End FC
20- D- Jaime Peters | ENG / Ipswich Town FC
22- GK- Milan Borjan | TUR / Sivasspor

Link: http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2011/...canada_roster/

And some opinon from Gerry Dobson of Sportsnet: http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2011/...son_on_canada/

[shermanator]

Bumping to attempt to build some hype.

Canada's first match is this Friday at 6 pm against St. Lucia. The game is on Sportsnet One, and the Calgary Voyageurs will be at Fiddler's Courtyard on Edmonton Trail watching the game, in case anyone wants to go support them with fellow Canadians.

[troutman]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Lucia

2009 census = 173,765

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by troutman

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Lucia

2009 census = 173,765

St. Lucia would be an awesome destination to travel to watch Canada play. I can get down with this view.



And some info on their football team, ranked 187 in the FIFA ranking currently:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_L..._football_team

Interestingly enough, the small island has a top flight domestic league whereas Canada does not...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Lucia_Gold_Division

[Bill Bumface]

Does anyone know of online viewing options? I'll be out of town for the weekend but really want to catch this.

[GirlySports]

probably live stream on sportsnet.ca

[shermanator]

Bumping again. Anyone watching at Fiddler's Courtyard?

[CofR]

I would go but I'm working. I'll certainly go there for other matches though, I'm new to following soccer so I think watching it in a setting like that would be good to help me learn.

[Mango]

Two goals in less than 10 minutes between Canada and LCA. Weak goal for Lars to let in.

[Resolute 14]

Yeah, that goal against was horrible. It also killed all momentum for the Canadians.

[Mango]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Yeah, that goal against was horrible. It also killed all momentum for the Canadians.

Agreed. They had a great start too. The Canadians pass well but are lacking finish.