OT: World Cup 2022 (Human Rights Optional) - Let's Get Stoned!

[Appleyard]

i notice a lack of cricket in there lol

i also assume cricket, while not to the level of hockey, is a more expensive sport to get into than footy or rugby

Yeh, football costs no money, rugby too, but with cricket... you will probably go through 3 bats a year and good bats cost maybe ~300-400 dollars. You will go through 2-3 pairs of shoes a year as a fast bowler too. And pads need changing every year. Etc. And have to travel more to play even in local leagues.

Plus aside from being a fast bowler no other role really requires you being an athletic freak aha.

A lot best young players in England are Asian (Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi) but due to the cost, as well as structural barriers and racism (and cricket clubs being very "alcohol" heavy places)... well... not many make it.

It is a sport that is very middle class... albeit some of our best players ever are from nothing!

 

[Appleyard]

I didn't mean freaks to minimize the skill aspect of soccer, but having the best athletes in the country playing the sport is a good start. It's the same with football. There are countless wide receivers that could run 4.2 who didn't have ball skills or didn't know how to run routes that never amounted to anything. But get enough of the best athletes in the country together and you are bound to find the physical freaks who also have the technical abilities to excel in soccer. Unicorns would have been a better term.

And I only mention football because in the US HS system, the soccer and football seasons overlap so kids have to choose one or the other and obviously the financial incentive is much better in football as has been pointed out. Looks what the US Women's team accomplishes internationally where football obviously isn't an option.

I know what you mean! But I think also that is part of what makes soccer pretty special.

A lot of world class players are very, very "normal" in terms of base genetic material. Look at a guy like Modric. One of the best ever to do it but small, slow, and pretty "unathletic". Someone like Pirlo too... not "small"... but barely ever ran, smoked every day... but you dont have to be big, strong, fast, or even in more than "good" shape to be amazing. Because skill is so, so much more important than everything else. Messi is/was literally disabled and a midget aha.

Whereas in NFL and NBA especially? Unless a freak to begin with skill just does not matter. (apart from, funnily enough, maybe for a QB! Albeit 90% ever to play have still been freaks)

If you are ~5'3 and run a 14 second 100m... what other high end sport can you play? Pretty much none. Probably 90% of the population "could" be soccer pros in theory. With NFL? That might be 10%... NBA? Maybe 5%.

And as a result the pool of guys who can make it and be very skilled is pretty much wider than any other sport.

 

[Chinatown88]

Les Bleussssssss

 

[Jack Straw]

How do you leave Mbappe of all people that wide open?

 

[kudymen]

I can't express how much I went from liking to disliking Mbappé in a span of 1 year

 

[Starat327]

I can't express how much I went from liking to disliking Mbappé in a span of 1 year

I'm glad I'm not the only one.

 

[Chinatown88]

EZ for Les Bleus

 

[Halladay]

That goal by Henderson was against the run of play. Senegal missed a few sitters. Beautiful counter though.

Another counter goal, just like the Dutch yesterday. Kane scores.

 

[JXC]

That goal by Henderson was against the run of play. Senegal missed a few sitters. Beautiful counter though.

Another counter goal, just like the Dutch yesterday. Kane scores.

Senegal, like the US yesterday, “deserved better” at the half.

 

[Curufinwe]

Mbappe is going destroy Maguire

 

[Halladay]

Looks like Southgate has finally realized that playing your most talented player (Foden) is how you score goals. Kane has been great dropping deeper and creating chances. Jude also has been wonderful.

Mbappe is going destroy Maguire

I think it will be more of a Walker/Stones combo that will be on him. Walker is the past has played him well but age maybe catching up with him as he has looked slow.

 

[kudymen]

I'm surprised by Kane. Surprised but I love it

 

[FLYguy3911]

Predictable results in the Ro16 so far. Heavyweight matchups in the Quarters though.

 

[JXC]

Predictable results in the Ro16 so far. Heavyweight matchups in the Quarters though.

Could be an epic final eight.

I think JPN v CRO will be good one tomorrow though

 

[Striiker]

Just found the best gif I’ve ever seen

 

[ellja3]

Could be an epic final eight.

I think JPN v CRO will be good one tomorrow though

Oh, for sure it will be. Hoping for at least one Asian team in QF and surely this is the best chance, not the Brazil game, haha.

 

[Curufinwe]

I think it will be more of a Walker/Stones combo that will be on him. Walker is the past has played him well but age maybe catching up with him as he has looked slow.

If I was Mbappe I would stand next to big head all game long.

 

[Chinatown88]

I believe in the power of anime.

 

[ellja3]

Damn, really open football in first 5mins

 

[Appleyard]

Mbappe is going destroy Maguire

Tbh it will be Stones that marks him more due to the side they play more. They will also use Walker as a RB/CB in that game... or at least should do, and also use Rice to rotate over at the 2nd level, which they even did vs Senegal, to help out. Though he is not as fast as he was (Walker).

Going to be tough though.

Shame that Southgate only wants to use Macguire, did not take Tomori, and White has gone home... as Tomori/White for me would be the 2 CBs that would want alongside Stones vs the faster teams.

 

[Chinatown88]

LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

[Halladay]

Excellent Japan.

 

[Appleyard]

Japan vs South Korea QF would be fun aha.
Though cant see Brazil losing to South Korea.

I can see (maybe biased) Morocco beating Spain. They might have a better back 4 than the Spanish.

 

[Starat327]

Japan vs South Korea QF would be fun aha.
Though cant see Brazil losing to South Korea.

I can see (maybe biased) Morocco beating Spain. They might have a better back 4 than the Spanish.

I caught a line of 1:6 on Morocco to beat Spain, and I took it. Im not overly confident that Morocco will do it, but i certainly dont think it's outlandish, either. spain hasnt looked all that phenomenal other than beating up a mediocre CR team.

 

[Appleyard]

I caught a line of 1:6 on Morocco to beat Spain, and I took it. Im not overly confident that Morocco will do it, but i certainly dont think it's outlandish, either. spain hasnt looked all that phenomenal other than beating up a mediocre CR team.

Mazraoui-Saiss-Aguerd-Hakimi
Bounou

if have a good day... can keep a clean sheet vs anyone even under pressure. I think tbh they have the best wing back duo in tournament in terms of going both ways. Both are world class.