markjazzbassist Posted June 27, 2014 Report Share Posted June 27, 2014 Last 16 - my preferred teams to go through in bold: Brazil v Chile - to see Neymar again Colombia v Uruguay - to see James Rodriguez again Netherlands v Mexico - not to see Arjen Robben again Costa Rica v Greece - they will make more of a game of it than Greece France v Nigeria - not to see France again Germany v Algeria - so there is at least 1 European team through with a chance of winning the whole thing (but maybe no realistic hope of doing so?) Argentina v Switzerland - Argentina are more entertaining than Switzerland Belgium v USA - I Believe....... Very surprised to see Europe lose so many, so much for the European dominance! Maybe the Americas aren't so bad after all! Africa and Asia really do need some allocation removed though. They just can't seem to ever do that well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted June 27, 2014 Report Share Posted June 27, 2014 Haha Defensively he was actually very good, he chipped in with some really good challenges as the game went on just showing his knack fo nicking the ball of someone when they looked likely to shoot. Attacking wise though he was wasteful. Still amuses me when people claim he is best as an attacking midfielder! Agree with that wholeheartedly; amused me more when someone said recently that his first touch was poor! Rarely seen anyone control the ball on his chest better, great skill. Bailey 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zequist Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Very surprised to see Europe lose so many, so much for the European dominance! Maybe the Americas aren't so bad after all! Africa and Asia really do need some allocation removed though. They just can't seem to ever do that well. Africa's problem is that none of their countries have been able to establish sustained World Cup success - they get to the second round or the quarterfinal at one World Cup, and then flame out at the next one; there's no consistent run of form. Nigeria (1994, 1998, 2014) and Ghana (2006, 2010) are actually the only African countries that have ever qualified for the knockouts more than once. Cameroon had that Cinderella quarterfinal run in 1990, and do you know what their record is in the five World Cups they've qualified for since? 1 win, 4 draws, and 10 losses! And those three countries (along with Algeria) have been the continent's most successful World Cup sides over the last 32 years (Senegal had that one good quarterfinal run, but they haven't qualified for another World Cup before or since). Contrast that with CONCACAF, which admittedly doesn't have much depth but its top teams come to play at just about every World Cup. Since 1986, Mexico is 7-for-7 in reaching the knockouts, the USA is 4-for-6, and Costa Rica is 2-for-4 (and one of the times they missed was in 2002 when they tied for second in a group that produced TWO semifinalists that year - champs Brazil and Turkey - but got eliminated on goal differential). There was one small bit of progress this year, however - this is actually the first-ever World Cup that's seen Africa put two teams in the second round. Quinn31 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibdane Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Africa's problem is that none of their countries have been able to establish sustained World Cup success - they get to the second round or the quarterfinal at one World Cup, and then flame out at the next one; there's no consistent run of form. Nigeria (1994, 1998, 2014) and Ghana (2006, 2010) are actually the only African countries that have ever qualified for the knockouts more than once. Cameroon had that Cinderella quarterfinal run in 1990, and do you know what their record is in the five World Cups they've qualified for since? 1 win, 4 draws, and 10 losses! And those three countries (along with Algeria) have been the continent's most successful World Cup sides over the last 32 years (Senegal had that one good quarterfinal run, but they haven't qualified for another World Cup before or since). Contrast that with CONCACAF, which admittedly doesn't have much depth but its top teams come to play at just about every World Cup. Since 1986, Mexico is 7-for-7 in reaching the knockouts, the USA is 4-for-6, and Costa Rica is 2-for-4 (and one of the times they missed was in 2002 when they tied for second in a group that produced TWO semifinalists that year - champs Brazil and Turkey - but got eliminated on goal differential). There was one small bit of progress this year, however - this is actually the first-ever World Cup that's seen Africa put two teams in the second round. Good post! Quinn31 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornish Steve Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Here's my wish for this first knockout round. Mexico beat Netherlands with a controversial goal in stoppage time. Louis van Gaal loses it, wrestles the referee to the ground, and is banned from managing any team (including United) for five years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC11 Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 You have to say, the way Robben is playing the Dutch have got a real chance to win it. I still think Germany but Holland are my dark horse now. Robben has really stepped up this tournament. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Why is Keown insisting it's Luizs goal just because he was there! Clear own goal Brazilian calamity to concede Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markjazzbassist Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 If chile win I can forsee riots in brazil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Who does Fred steal a wage from? He's terrible! Would be good as a Freddy Mercury tribute though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 If chile win I can forsee riots in brazilwill FIFA allow them to lose it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markjazzbassist Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 will FIFA allow them to lose it? Good call. Yeah should be interesting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Apparently Howard Webb didn't get FIFAs memo Good call, brave man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 What a save from Caesar! Great move from Chile, Brazil opened up too easily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Another great save to keep Chile in the match! Cracking game Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msloan78 Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Brazil have got some amazing players, but clearly no depth up front if Fred and Jo are anything to go on. How the hell is Jo anywhere near this squad!?!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC11 Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Chile so unlucky there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Chile so unlucky there! Yeah. Bit sad about it to be honest; could so easily have won it in the last minute of extra time and if that last pen had been half an inch to the left it'd have gone in. Probably good for the tournament that Brazil still in it but a shame. Great game from Howard Webb incidentally. MC11 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 What a game. Denied by 3-4 inches twice. Absolutely gutting for the Chileans, they were fantastic MC11 and Romey 1878 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Clever corner routine by Columbia in the first half that unfortunately the officials screwed up on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mogsy Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Wow James Rodriguez for Colombia, what an amazing first half volley, and a great second half goal, Colombia looking really good Romey 1878 and Matt 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Wow James Rodriguez for Colombia, what an amazing first half volley, and a great second half goal, Colombia looking really good Decent chance against Brazil in the next round you have to say, been impressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mogsy Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Decent chance against Brazil in the next round you have to say, been impressed. Yeah I'm not impressed by brazil at all, very average, can't see them winning it at all. Cavani is really poor, Uruguay are definitely a one man team! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evilweevil666 Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Yeah I'm not impressed by brazil at all, very average, can't see them winning it at all. Cavani is really poor, Uruguay are definitely a one man team! Agree with the sentiment, but this is a little unfair. Godín is unreal. Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mogsy Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Agree with the sentiment, but this is a little unfair. Godín is unreal. Ok two man team!! evilweevil666 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markjazzbassist Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 i see colombia beating brazil unless the refs give it away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 Godín is unreal. Absolute knob jockey though. His moaning about everything just made me hope for someone to deck him. Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markjazzbassist Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 rooting for costa rica today, they are our regional competitors and i love an underdog. in the other match i'm rooting for mexico, because they are also our regional competitors and also because I want Louis Van Man U to lose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubecula Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 Regarding the World Cup as a whole, any team still in it can win it. But only one will. So Who do you think will win it using your head? and who will you support using your heart (until they get knocked out obviously) I have decided that I want Kevin Mirallas to have a winners medal to show off to the lads with, so I will (from this day onwards) support Belgium in the world cup) I do think that Argentina will win the competition though. Mirallas 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirallas Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 I got a hinge that Netherlands will win tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC11 Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 Great goal by Dos Santos. Dutch all over the place here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.