Football world cup Group H discussion (Esp/Sui/Hon/Chi)

[pass first]

I think this is the most undeserved victory of any team in the tournament to date, if it stays 1-2.

[JRG]

This ending is Bleh

[pass first]

This ending is Bleh

Chile has stopped taking risks. Can't blame them with a man down and two goal margin for elimination.

It sucks Spain get off the hook and we get robbed of Brazil-Spain..

hopefully Chile does well vs Brazil though.

[JRG]

This ending is Bleh

Chile has stopped taking risks. Can't blame them with a man down and two goal margin for elimination.

It sucks Spain get off the hook and we get robbed of Brazil-Spain..

hopefully Chile does well vs Brazil though.

As a portuguese i def wanted chilie instead of spain but oh well. Honestly Spain doesnt look like the super power I was expecting and could see Portugal possibly beating them.

[pass first]

This ending is Bleh

Chile has stopped taking risks. Can't blame them with a man down and two goal margin for elimination.

It sucks Spain get off the hook and we get robbed of Brazil-Spain..

hopefully Chile does well vs Brazil though.

As a portuguese i def wanted chilie instead of spain but oh well. Honestly Spain doesnt look like the super power I was expecting and could see Portugal possibly beating them.

I agree. I was kind of hoping for Brazil-Spain because it would be a battle, maybe suspensions and a Spain win. I fear them less than Brazil. Portugal showed today the improvement was legit. They're not great imo right now but I can see them countering to victory regardless, maybe against any opposition this tournament even.

How are those matches btw? As neighboring countries, is it extra heated?

[JRG]

I think Portugal can be legit if the coach puts in the right players. Thats up to him. I can def see them upset Spain. At the end of the day Brazil is always the most dangerous. Even when they have a bad game doesnt matter these guys can turn it on every world cup. Its infuriating really. Win when they need to.

Of course any 2 countries neighbouring each other always allows for major sparks and braggign right in a way. Portugal along with Spain and NEtherlands im sure you know have always been known as those big teams to kind of always come up short on big stage. I think both of them playing each other is an opportunity to kind of shed that label a little more. Even Spain winning the Euro they need to make a run here to more or less shed that label. Going to be good either way. I like the Chile Brazil matchup too.

[Von Oswald]

How are those matches btw? As neighboring countries, is it extra heated?

Nah, it's pretty friendly, at least for the spanish side. Versus France or Italy... well, it's another story.

[pass first]

Of course any 2 countries neighbouring each other always allows for major sparks and braggign right in a way. Portugal along with Spain and NEtherlands im sure you know have always been known as those big teams to kind of always come up short on big stage. I think both of them playing each other is an opportunity to kind of shed that label a little more. Even Spain winning the Euro they need to make a run here to more or less shed that label. Going to be good either way. I like the Chile Brazil matchup too.

Yeah I know. I think Spain are the most likely to choke out of the three though. Portugal and Netherlands just came up short for different reasons, in Dutch history often the coaching wasn't perfect and sometimes bad luck, especially '98. '02 we missed the tournament entirely which was an outrage. Were in Portugal's group actually, lead in Portugal but gave away two goals in 10 minutes including a penalty then lost 1-0 at Ireland. I still think we would have been favorites, Kluivert and Van Nistelrooy in their primes with Stam, F de Boer, Davids, Seedorf, VD Sar... that was the only real choke on WC level, well maybe since the 70s.

[JRG]

Of course any 2 countries neighbouring each other always allows for major sparks and braggign right in a way. Portugal along with Spain and NEtherlands im sure you know have always been known as those big teams to kind of always come up short on big stage. I think both of them playing each other is an opportunity to kind of shed that label a little more. Even Spain winning the Euro they need to make a run here to more or less shed that label. Going to be good either way. I like the Chile Brazil matchup too.

Yeah I know. I think Spain are the most likely to choke out of the three though. Portugal and Netherlands just came up short for different reasons, in Dutch history often the coaching wasn't perfect and sometimes bad luck, especially '98. '02 we missed the tournament entirely which was an outrage. Were in Portugal's group actually, lead in Portugal but gave away two goals in 10 minutes including a penalty then lost 1-0 at Ireland. I still think we would have been favorites, Kluivert and Van Nistelrooy in their primes with Stam, F de Boer, Davids, Seedorf, VD Sar... that was the only real choke on WC level, well maybe since the 70s.

I can understand that. Portugal has always been missing a striker. I would bet anyhtign that if Portugal in all those golden years of Rui Costa,Joao Pinto Figo etc we would have one at least one tournament. Be it WC or Euro I believe we would of been a top top contender for one if not more titles. Portugal jsut cant produce strikers and thats our major fault when it comes to tournament time. Seems like if you aint Brazil you have your own issues.

But it incredbile to watch them year in and year out as a favourtie even with the turnover in players. Almost feels like they may as well let in a second Brazilian club into the WC jsut for fun if it were to qualify.

[pass first]

I can understand that. Portugal has always been missing a striker. I would bet anyhtign that if Portugal in all those golden years of Rui Costa,Joao Pinto Figo etc we would have one at least one tournament. Be it WC or Euro I believe we would of been a top top contender for one if not more titles. Portugal jsut cant produce strikers and thats our major fault when it comes to tournament time. Seems like if you aint Brazil you have your own issues.

But it incredbile to watch them year in and year out as a favourtie even with the turnover in players. Almost feels like they may as well let in a second Brazilian club into the WC jsut for fun if it were to qualify.

They're not unbeatable though, and definitely this year they're less impressive than other years, especially compared to when they put us out in '94 and '98.

94: the Romario-Bebeto team, we lost 2-3 in a battle, one alleged offside goal and an unfair Branco free kick. Then 98 by penalties after 1-1, the Rivaldo-Ronaldo-Denilson team. Our full backs were all injured or suspended for the game, and the ref could have given a penalty in extra time for us...

Frustrating definitely, but hopefully revanche will be sweet.

Would you play Almeida up front in Portugal btw?

[and1GS]

This ending is Bleh

Chile has stopped taking risks. Can't blame them with a man down and two goal margin for elimination.

It sucks Spain get off the hook and we get robbed of Brazil-Spain..

hopefully Chile does well vs Brazil though.

As a portuguese i def wanted chilie instead of spain but oh well. Honestly Spain doesnt look like the super power I was expecting and could see Portugal possibly beating them.

If Almeida/Simao start up front instead of Liedson/Danny I think we still have a good shot at beating Spain. They're epic chokers and haven't looked impressive this WC.

[JRG]

I can understand that. Portugal has always been missing a striker. I would bet anyhtign that if Portugal in all those golden years of Rui Costa,Joao Pinto Figo etc we would have one at least one tournament. Be it WC or Euro I believe we would of been a top top contender for one if not more titles. Portugal jsut cant produce strikers and thats our major fault when it comes to tournament time. Seems like if you aint Brazil you have your own issues.

But it incredbile to watch them year in and year out as a favourtie even with the turnover in players. Almost feels like they may as well let in a second Brazilian club into the WC jsut for fun if it were to qualify.

They're not unbeatable though, and definitely this year they're less impressive than other years, especially compared to when they put us out in '94 and '98.

94: the Romario-Bebeto team, we lost 2-3 in a battle, one alleged offside goal and an unfair Branco free kick. Then 98 by penalties after 1-1, the Rivaldo-Ronaldo-Denilson team. Our full backs were all injured or suspended for the game, and the ref could have given a penalty in extra time for us...

Frustrating definitely, but hopefully revanche will be sweet.

Would you play Almeida up front in Portugal btw?

Yes you def play almeida up front. Ive seen Liedson for a long time at sporting and I love the guy but on such a big stage he jsut seems so small for some reason. You have to go with Almeida. PRetty much go back to the Korea lineup and somehow get Pepe in there to start. Ive always been a big fan of him.

If Portugal stutter then you pull Almeida at around the 65 minute mark for Lieidson.

You cant argue 7 goals. Korea or not that is the lineup you have to go with and put Ronaldo back in his normal place and bring back the originals from that game.