OT: Association Football Thread III (All Soccer Talk Here!)

[Kocur26]

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

RIP in pepperoni Mexico

 

[jniklast]

Lol Poland can still advance on some fair play points. What kind of ridiculous rule is that.

Better than drawing of lots. I mean how else are they supposed to decide if every result is equal?
Didn't matter in the end, but I don't find it that ridiculous.

 

[sbjnyc]

Better than drawing of lots. I mean how else are they supposed to decide if every result is equal?
Didn't matter in the end, but I don't find it that ridiculous.

Its inevitable when the format each team plays 3 games in a low scoring sport.

 

[inranger94]

Play a mini match. 60 minute match. Deciding on who got less yellow cards doesn’t make sense or fair.

 

[Kocur26]

Belgium’s window just closed.

 

[romba]

Play a mini match. 60 minute match. Deciding on who got less yellow cards doesn’t make sense or fair.

Or use SOG? Seems better than fair play.

 

[jniklast]

Or use SOG? Seems better than fair play.

Why? Fair play is something that should be encouraged. Shooting from anywhere, just to lead in that statistic not necessarily. I mean how would've Mexico and Poland's games looked yesterday if that were the decider? Just belting it from anywhere all the time?

I really don't get the problem with the fair play decider as a last resort and much prefer it over using some other random statistic. And playing a mini-match (or penalty shootout) just isn't logistically possible in such a short tournament.

 

[nyr2k2]

The problem for me with the fair play rule is that the issuing of yellow cards in football is one of the most arbitrary f***ing things in the sport. Some referees hand them out like candy while other referees are watching dudes have their ankles broken by awful challenges and they're giving stern warnings. It's just hard for me to accept going from things that are objective and quantifiable to one of the most subjective things in the sport.

Now, do I have a better solution? I don't know there is a great solution. But the fair play rule seems ridiculous, to me anyway.

 

[CasusBelli]

At least Germany showed up today. Let's see if that persists in the second half.

 

[inranger94]

How the hell did they allow that goal for Japan

Imagine Costa Rica coming back in other game. Both Spain and Germany will be out

 

[mrmovies779]

I don't follow soccer...how huge of an upset would it be if Japan holds on vs Spain??

 

[CasusBelli]

LOL Neuer

I don't follow soccer...how huge of an upset would it be if Japan holds on vs Spain??

Think of a mid-tier AHL team beating the Avalanche

This German team is cursed

 

[CasusBelli]

Please take out Muller. I beg you. It’s not 2014 anymore.

 

[inranger94]

lol Costa Rica. So close

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

LOL Neuer


Think of a mid-tier AHL team beating the Avalanche

This German team is cursed

Not quite, Costa Rica beating Germany would be tho

 

[CasusBelli]

Germany should be ashamed of itself. Good start but no intensity. Underperforming superstars without cohesion and creativity. Very disappointing.

 

[Fitzy]

So Japan beat Germany and Spain but lost to Costa Rica?

What a f***ed up world cup

 

[inranger94]

Lol Spain guys look they’re going to cry. You’re still in it.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Chadpan loses to Costa Rica but beats Germany and Spain

 

[bl02]

The irony is that the Germans helped Spain but Spain did them no favors.
If Costa RIca wins Spain and Germany head home

 

[Machinehead]

Germany deserved better.

Massively boned by the xG monster in this tournament.

 

[JCProdigy]

Need more of our boys in EPL or at least competitive Bundesliga, La Liga and even Serie A sides. The tricky bit is that you can’t develop national players if no one wants them, but no league wants players from uncompetitive counties. Maybe Pulisic can change that; Donovan and Howard certainly helped.

It's weird bringing this up now when the starting XI for the Iran game all play overseas. Also there are a couple of guys that should make the team for the next cup that are playing oversees. The only "core" player that isn't at the WC right now and plays in MLS is CB Miles Robinson who tore his Achilles.

The problem for me with the fair play rule is that the issuing of yellow cards in football is one of the most arbitrary f***ing things in the sport. Some referees hand them out like candy while other referees are watching dudes have their ankles broken by awful challenges and they're giving stern warnings. It's just hard for me to accept going from things that are objective and quantifiable to one of the most subjective things in the sport.

Now, do I have a better solution? I don't know there is a great solution. But the fair play rule seems ridiculous, to me anyway.

Yeah, for example in the US V Iran game, the ref is known for not dealing out cards and it came to fruition in the game. I think it was Holden or someone else on the FOX panel (BTW I've loved the panel) who mentioned the idea of corner kicks as a breaker. Maybe possession time would be a good one if you had to get down that far.

So Japan beat Germany and Spain but lost to Costa Rica?

What a f***ed up world cup

I'd say what a wonderful world cup! The craziness adds to the fun. Watching both games simultaneously today, you had, at different times, any combination of the four teams advancing. It was awesome to watch unfold.

You want f***ed up? What until the next WC where the field expands to 48 and they're talking about groups of three and possible PKs before the game for extra points in case of ties....and of course it's the Cup where US hosts and will have probably the most talented team they've ever had at a WC.

 

[I Eat Crow]

Germany didn't impress me one bit this tournament. No go to guy up front and their best winger was on the bench for most of it (Sane). The iron curtain in the back just wasn't the same as in previous years. A menacing back line on par with the Howedes-Hummels-Boateng/Mertz-Lahm days, they did not have.

Brazil, France, England, and honestly Japan have impressed me most this tournament, in that order.

 

[inranger94]

Why would you take out your best players when you know you’re not in yet. Bone head move by Uruguayan coach.