FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group Stage

Post #381 » by **CalamityX12** » Wed Nov 23, 2022 3:12 pm

This makes the Germany v Spain gm a must win for Germany. Pressure!

Post #382 » by **Dirk** » Wed Nov 23, 2022 3:13 pm

Unai Simón; Azpilicueta, Rodrigo, Laporte, Jordi Alba; Gavi, Busquets, Pedri; Ferran Torres, Asensio y Dani Olmo.

Spain, like Germany, has various 'average' players. It's strange how fast their quality dropped.

Alba and Busquets are semi-retired Barcelona players and Torres and Asensio are bench warmers. And more.

duppyy · Post #383 » by **duppyy** » Wed Nov 23, 2022 3:13 pm

Need a Canada Upset to make this an even better day.

Stannis · Post #384 » by **Stannis** » Wed Nov 23, 2022 3:14 pm

Passed out during the Morocco game lol, but at least it was a 0 0.

Caught some of the Japan game at work. But man, Ima have to take some days off. These games have been thrillers!

EArl · Post #385 » by **EArl** » Wed Nov 23, 2022 3:15 pm

What is it with all these damn upsets.

LDNMagic90 · Post #386 » by **LDNMagic90** » Wed Nov 23, 2022 3:19 pm

EArl wrote:What is it with all these damn upsets.

The beauty of the World Cup

LDNMagic90 · Post #387 » by **LDNMagic90** » Wed Nov 23, 2022 3:21 pm

Oh wow Bryan Ruiz is still playing for Costa Rica

Foye · Post #388 » by **Foye** » Wed Nov 23, 2022 3:23 pm

ChumboChappati wrote:2nd goal by Japan is totally Neuer fault.

1) Süles fault - everyone is playing offside and this guy is too fat to get out.
2) Schlotterbeck's fault - dismal defending
3) Neuer - that was the least atrocious fault in that situation

Blame Rasho · Post #389 » by **Blame Rasho** » Wed Nov 23, 2022 3:23 pm

Japan was just better and sometimes it just takes one great half to beat the “better” team. The goalie from Japan was just better than the more known Neuer over the game. He made mistakes and Germany fell asleep sometimes with Japans attacks.

Blame Rasho · Post #390 » by **Blame Rasho** » Wed Nov 23, 2022 3:26 pm

LDNMagic90 wrote:Oh wow Bryan Ruiz is still playing for Costa Rica

It might be something low key, but most Latin American teams are not tall, and having a tall lanky guy who they can do a cross to in a corner is something that does make a difference esp when facing teams from Europe who are just taller. I think he is like 6’2.

Foye · Post #391 » by **Foye** » Wed Nov 23, 2022 3:26 pm

Dirk wrote:Unai Simón; Azpilicueta, Rodrigo, Laporte, Jordi Alba; Gavi, Busquets, Pedri; Ferran Torres, Asensio y Dani Olmo.

Spain, like Germany, has various 'average' players. It's strange how fast their quality dropped.

Alba and Busquets are semi-retired Barcelona players and Torres and Asensio are bench warmers. And more.

True. Like the whole offense is benchwarmers at their club...Dani Olmo, too.

ChumboChappati · Post #392 » by **ChumboChappati** » Wed Nov 23, 2022 3:28 pm

North American teams so far have not produced the desired results even though they have played better than their opponents. USA should have beaten Wales, Mexico should have beaten Poland.

Stannis · Post #393 » by **Stannis** » Wed Nov 23, 2022 3:29 pm

EArl wrote:What is it with all these damn upsets.

Asian weather and home field advantage

Yes, I'm just making this up. Have no idea.

LDNMagic90 · Post #394 » by **LDNMagic90** » Wed Nov 23, 2022 3:31 pm

Blame Rasho wrote:
LDNMagic90 wrote:Oh wow Bryan Ruiz is still playing for Costa Rica

It might be something low key, but most Latin American teams are not tall, and having a tall lanky guy who they can do a cross to in a corner is something that does make a difference esp when facing teams from Europe who are just taller. I think he is like 6’2.

I haven’t watched him play in years, last time I saw him play was for PSV. I remember when he was at Fulham I thought he was a decent player for them, there was a point I wanted my team to sign him. He’s a fun player to watch when he was in his prime.

Stannis · Post #395 » by **Stannis** » Wed Nov 23, 2022 3:31 pm

From what I've seen, I will say the Saudis and Japanese played with a lot of energy and looked really athletic. While Argentina and Germany looked very lethargic to me.

So maybe the quick pace threw them off?

I feel lot of these 5 star teams are used to the other team showing them a lot of respect, which slows down the game. But in these upsets, Japan and Saudi Arabia did not give a fvk. They went at them hard and played their hearts out.

LDNMagic90 · Post #396 » by **LDNMagic90** » Wed Nov 23, 2022 3:37 pm

Stannis wrote:From what I've seen, I will say the Saudis and Japanese played with a lot of energy and looked really athletic. While Argentina and Germany looked very lethargic to me.

So maybe the quick pace threw them off?

I feel lot of these 5 star teams are used to the other team showing them a lot of respect, which slows down the game. But in these upsets, Japan and Saudi Arabia did not give a fvk. They went at them hard and played their hearts out.

With the Saudi Arabia game, Argentina for some reason did not adjust to Saudi Arabia’s high defensive line and they got caught out offside numerous of times. Also the way Saudi Arabia pressed Argentina certainly surprised them, to be fair Saudi Arabia’s manager is one of the most underrated international managers. He’s achieve quite a bit, winning the AFCON with Zambia (who were underdogs) and Ivory Coast.

lambchop · Post #397 » by **lambchop** » Wed Nov 23, 2022 3:40 pm

Stannis wrote:From what I've seen, I will say the Saudis and Japanese played with a lot of energy and looked really athletic. While Argentina and Germany looked very lethargic to me.

So maybe the quick pace threw them off?

I feel lot of these 5 star teams are used to the other team showing them a lot of respect, which slows down the game. But in these upsets, Japan and Saudi Arabia did not give a fvk. They went at them hard and played their hearts out.

I wouldn't be surprised if Germany was somewhat overwhelmed by the heat and thought that they could just ease their way to a win or at least a draw, while using the excuse of having to get used to weather.
As for Argentina, imo Saudi Arabia looked hungry and athletic as you said, basically what you would expect from players that don't get to go up against Messi that often. Argentina wasn't up for the challenge and ended up getting schooled.

Stannis · Post #398 » by **Stannis** » Wed Nov 23, 2022 3:42 pm

I absolutely love when a "5 Star" team gets humbled lol.

I'm Albanian, and when I watch Albania play a team like Italy/England/Germany etc, they never press. They play scared. They show too much respect. And bunker like hell just hoping for a draw.

So it's nice to see the underdogs go at another team hard on the world's stage. And play for the W.

You only live once!

LDNMagic90 · Post #399 » by **LDNMagic90** » Wed Nov 23, 2022 3:50 pm

To the Germans posting in the forum, do you think the problem lies with Hansi Flick? Do you think Joachim Low was a better manager for you guys? Or do you think it’s on the players?

Stannis · Post #400 » by **Stannis** » Wed Nov 23, 2022 3:52 pm

Japan has always been a very skilled team, imo. So while an upset, I don't think it's THAT big of an upset. I have to give them the respect they deserve. They are fully capable of getting these kind of results.

Now with these next two games, if Spain and Belgium don't win.... that would be a HUGE upset.