Rio de Janiero - 2014 Fifa World Cup Thread

[Nachos Jones]

Pretty much the same as you Nachos but I'll come out of the cellar and pick Belgium over USA.

Belgium have not impressed me at all, lack cohesion. I think that under Klinsmann, the USA are tactically superior and will pick Belgium on a counter attack.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

What Belgium have done is beaten teams who were happy to grind it out against them, whilst they picked off South Korea with ease once the Koreans came out of their shell. And did this with 10 men. Also defended very well when needed.

I think the US have shown as many weaknesses as strengths, if Belgium stay as solid as they have been so far then they should take it

[J.Benson II]

I've been impressed with Belgium. Not spectacular or as entertaining as they ought to be, but they look hard to beat and robust.

[westisbest]

Belguim have missed their Villan 

[Lowlandbrit]

Haven't been impressed with Belgium, but USA have a very poor squad and haven't looked comfortable since Altidore got injured.

[westisbest]

Apart from Dempsey & Howard, the 2 best players, I think Jones has done ok, scored a great goal v Portugal.
 
The rest seem to be average to poor.
The last minute of play v germany was good to watch, and should have scored, not that it matterd in the end.
But they seem to have a good team spirit, which definatly helps.
Also a great following.

[compelling and rich]

usa are pretty average but make up for it by working there arses off and being decent athletes, if only we had he same mind set (unfortunately we think were better than we are)

[Pal Joey]

Exactly c & r.
I'm quite impressed with their ranking. Obviously have the right backing, are good athletes, work well as a unit and seem quite fearless.

I just think Belgium will have that little bit more class and have more players with big game experience. They are quite cool under pressure and have been quietly performing well as a unit as well - nothing too fancy though.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

usa are pretty average but make up for it by working there arses off and being decent athletes, if only we had he same mind set (unfortunately we think were better than we are)

That is slightly nonsense though. You can only really get to the top level by being more aspirational than the USA, who are fighting to be there more than trying to play.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Great story about Giorgios Samaras. Makes a nice contrast from the recent headlines garnered by Suarez and the Ghanaians.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/scottish/celtic/video-celtic-fan-jay-beatty-11-forced-to-decline-giorgios-samaras-world-cup-invite-30389974.html

[Duty281]

The BBC are asking if Chile can cause the ultimate upset tomorrow.

See, I don't think it would be that much of an upset if Chile were to win tomorrow. They've played well in their group, and have already faced difficult opposition.

Brazil have struggled through against average opposition, and I think that, combined with the great pressure they are under, will see them exit tomorrow.

I think it will be a cracking game, though, and has the potential to be tie of the round.

Brazil 1-2 Chile is my prediction.

Uruguay, in the other tie, will be desperate in their own pathetic way to get a perceived version of justice for Suarez.

Fortunately, that scummy team who have brought shame on the football world as a whole, should be brushed aside by a more physical and quicker team, who also possess greater firepower.

And then one would rather hope Uruguay never qualify again, and never darken the door of world football.

Colombia 2-0 Uruguay, for that one.

Knockout football, can't wait!

(In my best Dale Winton voice) Gosh, isn't it exciting?!

[lorus59]

There is something I have always been curious about when watching the World Cup or the Champions League. When a player is substituted, they always give the distance he covered and the team average. It is almost always more than the team average. Is the goal keeper included in the team for this statistic?

[SecretFly]

There is something I have always been curious about when watching the World Cup or the Champions League. When a player is substituted, they always give the distance he covered and the team average. It is almost always more than the team average. Is the goal keeper included in the team for this statistic?  

Thus why he's being substituted................ I think it might be an optical illusion of sorts as the players getting subbed would by definition mostly be the ones who have run their heart out. The other guys who might be below the average get to the final whistle more. I'd assume there is something of that in your observation.

[compelling and rich]

There is something I have always been curious about when watching the World Cup or the Champions League. When a player is substituted, they always give the distance he covered and the team average. It is almost always more than the team average. Is the goal keeper included in the team for this statistic?  

Thus why he's being substituted................ I think it might be an optical illusion of sorts as the players getting subbed would by definition mostly be the ones who have run their heart out. The other guys who might be below the average get to the final whistle more. I'd assume there is something of that in your observation.

players like centre halfs very rarely get subbed off and will also not cover half as much ground as cm or full backs. i doubt the gk distance is taken into account but im sure the cb distance brings the team average down

[Ent]

They probably only show it when they've run more and ignore it when they haven't.

[Champagne_Socialist]

Typical South American Hissy Fit if they do, didn't Argentina go home once?

Didn't England threaten to not go to the World cup if ferdinand was banned in 02?

Banned for what?

Drugs I believe

Oh yeah. That was the 2004 euros. I don't think England were refusing to go. Could be wrong?

They nearly pulled out of a qualifier against Turkey, but that was all, I believe.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/turkey/1443628/England-strike-off-after-Rio-appeals-to-team.html

So basically the England team did exactly the same thing that the Uruguay team has threatend to do.....

[Nachos Jones]

In the aftermath of the Suarez incident, I would like to pose a question. How do you think Fifa will react if the following scenario occurs.

Chile are leading 1-0 in the last seconds of the match. Neymar picks up the ball, runs into the penalty box, messes up and dives to win a penalty and have a Chilean player red carded. Penalty is converted and Brazil go on to win in extra time due to a man advantage.

How do all think Fifa will react?

[Lowlandbrit]

Neymar picks up the ball, runs into the penalty box

I'd imagine there'd be outrage, because that's clearly handball.

[LastDamnation]

Brazil 1-2 Chile
Colombia 3-1 Uruguay

[Fernando]

'I lost my balance, falling on my opponent. I hit my face against the player leaving a small bruise on my cheek and a strong pain in my teeth.' Was apart of Mr Suarez's defense case.

Brazil 4-2 Chile
Colombia 2-0 Uruguay

[Derbymanc]

I don't think anyone will care Nachos as diving has become a part of the game and the only ones that get super horrified by it is us.

Even our esteemed G.Neville think's we're daft not to at least start looking at it properly.

[LastDamnation]

Paulinho dropped for Fernandinho, about time

[Fernando]

Brazil
Julio Cesar, Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Fernandinho, Marcelo, Hulk, Fred, Neymar, Oscar, Luiz Gustavo.

Chile
Bravo, Mena, Isla, Silva, Sanchez, Vidal, Vargas, Medel, Jara, Aranguiz, Dias.

Fred could do well against the dinky Chilean defense.

[kingraf]

It hurts my brain to process that Luke Shaw is worth more than Thiago Silva.

[Nachos Jones]

I don't think anyone will care Nachos as diving has become a part of the game and the only ones that get super horrified by it is us.

Even our esteemed G.Neville think's we're daft not to at least start looking at it properly.

Maybe you're right there but I cant stand the diving from this Brazilian team. They epitomise all that is great about football and all that is bad.

[Derbymanc]

Diving is probably my biggest bugbear (although people making excuses for Suarez is now getting close   )

I think we should have retroactive punishment and if a player is found to have dived he's given a 1 match ban (1st offence), 2 match (2nd) etc etc. If you stuck to it it would eradicate it completely as no team wants to lose their best players due to play acting.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Incredible scenes

[Duty281]

Right come on Chile, I want a team with decent fans to win.

Not the pathetic, fickle support that Brazil offer.

[Derbymanc]

C'mon Chile, the Brazilians will be knackered after that   

[Duty281]

Yay...Howard Webb's reffing!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Norfolk's Darren cann #represent

[Duty281]

"Win or go home."

Brazil are already home, Guy.

[Nachos Jones]

God I hope Chile win.

[Nachos Jones]

No card!!!!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Crying that I have work at half five

[Duty281]

Crying that I have work at half five

Your doctor says you are too ill.   

Won't clear up for another couple of weeks!

[Duty281]

Already signs that Chile's physical, direct approach is causing Brazil some problems.

Having an English ref may help as well!

[Pal Joey]

No penalty thank God.

[Duty281]

Well done Howard Webb, you've got some balls.

No conspiracy, you see, to anyone who thought there would be.

[Nachos Jones]

Great call Howard Webb, that was never a penalty and simply a dive. Hulk is big enough and strong enough to not go down there.

[Nachos Jones]

Brazil just seem quicker than Chile.

[Duty281]

Neymar's struggling.

And neither team look secure at the back.

[Nachos Jones]

Smeg

[Duty281]

Oh damn. Chile are such a little team, in terms of height.

[kingraf]

Anyone read this piece on why Neymar didn't join Chelsea?

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/neymar-pele-persuaded-me-not-to-move-to-chelsea-9570061.html

"‘This is the chair of the great national sports hero.
Since Ayrton Senna’s death, this chair is vacant. If
Neymar Jnr stays in Santos and refuses Chelsea’s
proposal, he will give his first step to sit in this
chair.’ lol.

[LastDamnation]

Who is this co-commentator? So biased...

[Nachos Jones]

How has Neymar not seen a card? He is diving at every possibility and is having nasty little digs. Brazil really do get given a lot of leniency by ref's.

[LastDamnation]

How has Neymar not seen a card? He is diving at every possibility and is having nasty little digs. Brazil really do get given a lot of leniency by ref's.

Should have seen red vs croatia

[Nachos Jones]

How has Neymar not seen a card? He is diving at every possibility and is having nasty little digs. Brazil really do get given a lot of leniency by ref's.

Should have seen red vs croatia

Its really frustrating to watch. An excellent player,, well an unbelievable player but is such a cheat and he continually gets away with it.

[Nachos Jones]

Another example of making and acrobatic dive

[Sponsored content]