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GDT: 2026 World Cup (of not-hockey)

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Canada the only host nation not to have won their opening game. They were playing the weakest of opponents as well. Canada still have never won a WC game. Bosnia are 63rd ranked in world. By far the lowest rank side Canada has ever played at a WC.

Both the US and Mexico won their opening matches handily.

But I guess I'm told this is OK because Canada had the ball a lot. TSN trying to con Canadians that this was some kind of performance. Needing a late goal to come from behind at home against one of the worst sides in the Tournament.

Anyway if I was in Toronto I would've considered switching to the Bosnia section. Some nice views there. ;)
 
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ujju2 said:
Midfield looked good today imo. Kone and Eustaquio both looked great out there. As for set piece service, imo Ahmed when healthy makes us much more dangerous in that area. Also have to tip my cap to Bosnia - tallest team at the tournament and they looked like it. Won't be the same story against Qatar or even Switzerland.
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Estaquio and who else were taking the worst Corner Kicks I've seen in a WC game. All our set pieces were awful. Much worse than when Canada was in last WC and leadup. Free kicks and they were just passing the ball to the side because they had nothing. They forego several corner kicks and just make a pass instead because apparently they even realize how poor they are trying to service the box. Tell me you didn't notice how odd that was.

You would have had to go far down the stats to find out Bosnia is tallest team. I wonder if it was TSN saying that. ;)

Didn't really matter. or shoudn't have. Bosnia defending was so abysmal they were allowing players to walk the ball into the box when they weren't passing right to David. Terrible defending and we didn't get much.

This was a Bosnia side that played a poor game and should've been ripe for the taking.
 
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Drivesaitl said:
Estaquio and who else were taking the worst Corner Kicks I've seen in a WC game. All our set pieces were awful. Much worse than when Canada was in last WC and leadup. Free kicks and they were just passing the ball to the side because they had nothing. They forego several corner kicks and just make a pass instead because apparently they even realize how poor they are trying to service the box. Tell me you didn't notice how odd that was.

You would have had to go far down the stats to find out Bosnia is tallest team. I wonder if it was TSN saying that. ;)

Didn't really matter. or shoudn't have. Bosnia defending was so abysmal they were allowing players to walk the ball into the box when they weren't passing right to David. Terrible defending and we didn't get much.

This was a Bosnia side that played a poor game and should've been ripe for the taking.
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I don't recall one single corner kick from Canada in the first half that lead to a scoring chance. Hopefully Davies is back soon.
 
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McAsuno said:
I don't recall one single corner kick from Canada in the first half that lead to a scoring chance. Hopefully Davies is back soon.
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Between 10 corner kicks and almost as many free kicks and deep throw ins I don't know they generated anything. Best scoring chance Canada had was a Bosnia player misdirecting the ball right to David, perfectly, in the box, who acted like it was a hockey goal he was trying to score in. He laugh out loud side foot scuffed the ball on what ought to have been a sure finish. He even had time.

The goal we scored was a nice play by Larin (strangely subbing instead of starting) but bounced in off Bosnia defender. He was shooting right at goalie as well.

Canada doesn't do a little better and theres going to be more big questions about the Billions of Tax Dollars invested in this.
 
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Drivesaitl said:
Between 10 corner kicks and almost as many free kicks and deep throw ins I don't know they generated anything. Best scoring chance Canada had was a Bosnia player misdirecting the ball right to David, perfectly, in the box, who acted like it was a hockey goal he was trying to score in. He laugh out loud side foot scuffed the ball on what ought to have been a sure finish. He even had time.

The goal we scored was a nice play by Larin (strangely subbing instead of starting) but bounced in off Bosnia defender. He was shooting right at goalie as well.

Canada doesn't do a little better and theres going to be more big questions about the Billions of Tax Dollars invested in this.
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Yeah, I was watching the whole game at work. 1st half was so irritating to watch due to the offensive black hole attempts from the amount of corner kicks they had. They better play a lot better against Qatar next Thursday.
 
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Drivesaitl said:
Do you watch much soccer? Its different than hockey. Sometimes the strategy in Football is just to bend but not break, wait for chances and leap on the counter. If you've seen Canada much they are absolutely ripe for this too. Any team scouting us know we give up clear breakaways every game. Which are, or should be automatic GA.

Canadas Possession, such as it is is meaningless inasmuch as the finish is non existent and frankly the service to box is poor.
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No. I admitted earlier in the thread that I am but an occasional observer of soccer only.

I appreciate your insight in helping me better understand.
 
Drivesaitl said:
Do you watch much soccer? Its different than hockey. Sometimes the strategy in Football is just to bend but not break, wait for chances and leap on the counter. If you've seen Canada much they are absolutely ripe for this too. Any team scouting us know we give up clear breakaways every game. Which are, or should be automatic GA.

Canadas Possession, such as it is is meaningless inasmuch as the finish is non existent and frankly the service to box is poor.
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On that one I think there is a good comparison to hockey: Passing around the perimeter is technically possession, but it's not going to lead to a lot.

Canada struggled to find guys in space or at least inside leverage going towards the net. They were far too slow/conservative with passes, and there wasn't a ton of movement off the ball into dangerous areas, just for support.

Imo this is where they miss a healthy Davies, as he is their attack advancing the ball upfield. It's like downgrading from McDavid to RNH is that role.
 
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brentashton said:
No. I admitted earlier in the thread that I am but an occasional observer of soccer only.

I appreciate your insight in helping me better understand.
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Sorry if it came off the wrong way. I was just annoyed with how TSN were milking the "possession" and "all these corner kicks" Canada was getting. They were playing Bosnia who were playing the most cynical of defending games and just pounding the ball forward or out most of the time they had it. Defensive shell. Even the Bosnia goalie put the ball out of play with kicks around 4x. Should never happen.
 
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Drivesaitl said:
Sorry if it came off the wrong way. I was just annoyed with how TSN were milking the "possession" and "all these corner kicks" Canada was getting. They were playing Bosnia who were playing the most cynical of defending games and just pounding the ball forward or out most of the time they had it. Defensive shell. Even the Bosnia goalie put the ball out of play with kicks around 4x. Should never happen.
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All good. See, I didn’t understand that element of the game. The next match I watch I will have a different perspective.

Someday I’d like to watch a match with someone who can educate me on these nuances.

It’s like basketball, I occasionally go to a NBA game or watch on tv, but I don’t understand the strategy whatsoever. Baseball hockey and American football I’m ok with, but basketball and soccer not at all.

I think I could get into watching UEFA, Premier League etc if I understood more of what’s happening and why. Small steps.
 
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brentashton said:
All good. See, I didn’t understand that element of the game. The next match I watch I will have a different perspective.

Someday I’d like to watch a match with someone who can educate me on these nuances.

It’s like basketball, I occasionally go to a NBA game or watch on tv, but I don’t understand the strategy whatsoever. Baseball hockey and American football I’m ok with, but basketball and soccer not at all.

I think I could get into watching UEFA, Premier League etc if I understood more of what’s happening and why. Small steps.
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Football is better in person and seeing the whole pitch. A beautiful game when you learn to enjoy it. Helps to have played as well but not necessary.

For me even seeing teams be able to pass the ball around effectively and with the end point of servicing the box or build up areas its a thing of beauty. One learns to appreciate the passes forward, back, what they mean, what they are trying to set up, and when you have midfielders that can suddenly make surgical passes into danger areas.

The one thing I appreciate in the sport is that the better and more skilled the players the more beauty there is in the game. This isn't always the case in hockey where defensive systems can just dominate and shutdown everybody, or the goalies.

Just as an aside I love Mexico because it was the first National side that was talented (high as 10th in the world) that I would ever get to see at Commonwealth when I was younger. Back in Concacaf tournaments and Mexico would often enough run up the score on Canada but still fascinating to see the talent. I was at the famous Canada vs Brazil friendly as well at Commonwealth. 51K enthusiastic crowd. Commonwealth works well for Football, a shame no games are being played here.

Also saw several greats in the NASL days when we had the Edmonton Drillers and players like Pele, Beckenbauer were in the league. The NY Cosmos were something else. This around 77 and heady times here with the Eskimos being dynasty, Drillers, Oilers, it was a sports cornucopia and it was the glorious 70's.

Theres some unfortunate aspects of the game though when clubs cynically play for a draw or just to keep game close.

haha. This is bias on my part but Germany vs Brazil WC 2014 Semi is one of the most surgical dismantlings you'll ever see on world stage. A beauty of a game to watch. Football heaven for German fans. 7-1 Germany against powerhouse Brazil.
 
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brentashton said:
All good. See, I didn’t understand that element of the game. The next match I watch I will have a different perspective.

Someday I’d like to watch a match with someone who can educate me on these nuances.

It’s like basketball, I occasionally go to a NBA game or watch on tv, but I don’t understand the strategy whatsoever. Baseball hockey and American football I’m ok with, but basketball and soccer not at all.

I think I could get into watching UEFA, Premier League etc if I understood more of what’s happening and why. Small steps.
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The earlier comparison of passing it around the perimeter is a good one IMO. Having 4 PPs but doing nothing but taking fluff shots from the outside and passing it around doesn't mean much.

Realistically that's a game Canada should be winning, we should be past the point of just celebrating a point in the WC or happy to be there.
 
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