Rio de Janiero - 2014 Fifa World Cup Thread

by J.Benson II Wed Jul 02, 2014 4:02 pm

First topic message reminder :

Maybe Toure just never saw Mexico's game against Cameroon or Bosnia's game against Nigeria?

by CFCNick Thu Jul 10, 2014 8:33 pm

Just seen this, not sure if it's been mentioned already, Mascherano said he tore his bumhole in the game.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Thu Jul 10, 2014 9:26 pm

Had a smile on my face most of the day that this Van Gaal Dutch side were out. Must hope he gets a good start at United or he will revert to dull, results only football

by Ent Sat Jul 12, 2014 2:12 pm

3rd place play off tonight.
Does anyone care?

by Lowlandbrit Sat Jul 12, 2014 2:27 pm

Van Gaal's already said he thinks it's pointless, and I can't imagine Scolari's looking forward to it much. Must make someone money though.

by mystiroakey Sat Jul 12, 2014 2:29 pm

Non event- waste of time. extra game that club managers fans dont want. and the players wont to be as far away from football as they can for a week.

LVG will probally not play RVP at all so he isnt injured for the coming season.

The players wont tackle hard and will pull out quickly. If anyone does get injured there will be some very annoyed people

by Nakatomi Plaza Sat Jul 12, 2014 2:40 pm

I don't care who wins, but disagree it's a non event. The 3rd/4th play off is usually a more entertaining game than the final.

by mystiroakey Sat Jul 12, 2014 2:42 pm

I will admit to never watching one.

I watch 90% of games but can never remember watching a 3rd 4th play off.

by Guest Sat Jul 12, 2014 3:26 pm

Yeah, it's meaningless but actually the games are far more exciting than the tight, tense final. In 2010, wasn't it the Uruguay/Germany game which ended 3-2 & even 2006 wasn't bad, from what I remember. Some of the players in reserve just want some action & are eager to impress. I'd go Holland to just edge this with the youth they have.

by kingraf Sat Jul 12, 2014 3:37 pm

This could be a decent match, no inhibitions. Brazil may be on the road to another beatdown

by **Pal Joey** Sat Jul 12, 2014 3:53 pm

Yeah, thinking it might be a 5-1 or a 4-2 win for the Netherlands. Both teams have nothing to lose really. Holland have more options in attack whilst that Brazil defence looks terrible!

They should go hell for leather. Hope it's an up-tempo, end-to-end kind of tussle with plenty of shots on goal and a screamer or two in the mix.

Agree John. That Uruguay-Germany match was a cracker. Also remember Belgium-France in '86 was a superb game. Even Turkey-Korea in '02 had plenty of attack/counter attacking phases and was an exciting game to watch.

by Knowsit17 Sat Jul 12, 2014 4:11 pm

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:Had a smile on my face most of the day that this Van Gaal Dutch side were out. Must hope he gets a good start at United or he will revert to dull, results only football

I was severely disappointed, after a flaming start the Dutch needlessly went off the boil.

It should probably be noted though that the World Cup and the Prem are two entirely different entities which generally elicit different responses. The latter is win all you can and the former is do all in your power to not lose. This could hardly have been more apparent this year in particular. It's the reason I have a lot of respect for players and coaches who are brave enough to throw caution to the wind and play with flair and fluidity at this level (Germany). It can, however, be slightly misguided to judge a Prem coach based on his World Cup record or vice versa.

by westisbest Sat Jul 12, 2014 5:58 pm

Yeah, was gutted Holland are out.

by Fernando Sat Jul 12, 2014 8:56 pm

Brazil: Cesar, Maicon, Silva, Luiz, Maxwell, Gustavo, Paulinho, Ramires, Oscar, Willian, Jo
Holland: Cillessen, Kuyt, De Vrij, Vlaar, Martins Indi, Blind, Clasie, Wijnaldum, Sneijder, Robben, Van Persie

by Guest Sat Jul 12, 2014 9:08 pm

Surprised Vorm has not been selected & RVP is playing. LVG clearly couldn't bear having a side managed by him, lose to this woeful Brazil side. Still a shocking Brazil side, even with changes.

by Nachos Jones Sat Jul 12, 2014 9:14 pm

Well as a Dutch fan, I really hope they win and the sure as hell will give it a good go.

by Hammersmith harrier Sat Jul 12, 2014 9:14 pm

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:Had a smile on my face most of the day that this Van Gaal Dutch side were out. Must hope he gets a good start at United or he will revert to dull, results only football

You are aware that isn't his usual style of play don't you?

Injuries to Strootman and Van Der Vaart meant he had to employ a drastic change in tactics to accomodate the players he did have, no central creativity is a fairly big problem. You seem as is expected to want to run him down purely because of where he's going rather than what he's done and he isn't renowned for playing for all intents and purposes a back five. You make do with what you have and Netherlands had two world class players that's it.

by Nakatomi Plaza Sat Jul 12, 2014 9:17 pm

I'm looking forward to seeing Clasie in action. He's been hyped by a few, and I thought he looked decent on Wednesday in his cameo.

by kingraf Sat Jul 12, 2014 9:44 pm

James Rodriguez is hovering at about 5/1 to win the golden ball.

Muller around 3/1 for golden boot. Put some money on both...

by Nachos Jones Sat Jul 12, 2014 9:46 pm

James Rodriguez, for me, was the player of the World Cup. I really admired how he didn't over react or kick out at the Brazilians when they tried to kick him off the park in the quarters, just got on with the game. Massive respect for that.

by Nakatomi Plaza Sat Jul 12, 2014 9:48 pm

J-Rod should win the golden ball. Mate of mine backed him at 100/1 pre tournament for the hat Golden Boot, so he's praying that Raf is wrong!

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sat Jul 12, 2014 9:49 pm

Hammersmith harrier wrote:
Dolphin Ziggler wrote:Had a smile on my face most of the day that this Van Gaal Dutch side were out. Must hope he gets a good start at United or he will revert to dull, results only football

You are aware that isn't his usual style of play don't you?

Injuries to Strootman and Van Der Vaart meant he had to employ a drastic change in tactics to accomodate the players he did have, no central creativity is a fairly big problem. You seem as is expected to want to run him down purely because of where he's going rather than what he's done and he isn't renowned for playing for all intents and purposes a back five. You make do with what you have and Netherlands had two world class players that's it.

"You make do with what you have" ahhh the defence of the biased. If he can't play better football with a side like that I despair. It was a choice.

I actually like Manchester United, although not the majority of their fans on this site, so I have nothing against him for going to United. But I was severely disappointed with his pig-headed approach. A severe lack of belief in his defenders, ugly approach and defensive football. Some lovely players benched in that side because he was results only. A man scarred by his results as Dutch manager before, a man who thought nothing of Total Football. I would place them in my top five most disappointing teams. Spain first by a distance.

England have about 0 world class players and would have been crucified for playing the way the Dutch did.

More importantly, I said I hope he starts well because IF NOT he'll go dire and dull results football.

by kingraf Sat Jul 12, 2014 9:54 pm

I very well may be wrong, but if I am, good chance my 8/1 on Argentina comes off.

Do worry about Rodriguez with the Golden ball though, Messi is the big name, and he is in the final (journo-types love a story about an athlete fulfilling his "destiny"... and they're the ones voting!!), more importantly, FIFA seems to have a genuine love-in with the lad, still not sure how he won the 2010 ballon d'or.

by The Special Juan Sat Jul 12, 2014 9:58 pm

It's going to Neymar, KR Laugh

by GSC Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:02 pm

Out of the area

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:02 pm

Should be a red, shouldnt be a pen. Swings n roundabouts

by Nakatomi Plaza Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:02 pm

Should have been a free kick and a red card.

by Dave. Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:03 pm

RTE do something great with their coverage of this match - they hand the punditry to the impressionists! And the commentators as well this time!

by GSC Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:03 pm

So, 8-1?

by Ent Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:03 pm

Well that just sums up brazil.

Although the refs got that wrong, red and a freekick not a pen.

by **Pal Joey** Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:03 pm

Van Perrrrrrsieeeeeee!!! converts the penalty.

by The Special Juan Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:03 pm

lol It's gonna happen again.

by GSC Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:03 pm

ITV had a quality start, all the microphones fail and Glen Hoddle unaware Arsenal have signed Sanchez

by Ent Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:06 pm

GSC wrote:ITV had a quality start, all the microphones fail and Glen Hoddle unaware Arsenal have signed Sanchez

They are an awful channel and awful sports broadcaster.

by SimonofSurrey Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:08 pm

Not a red????? 'Worst home team decision of the tournament, among many, so far? Discuss...

by kingraf Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:09 pm

What's the difference (financially) between 3rd and 4th?

by Dave. Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:10 pm

I've actually liked UTV presenting from the beach.

And ITV I feel give a better contribution to everyday stuff through ITV4. But the big stuff is generally done better by BBC. ITV couldn't pull off an Olympics nowadays.

by Nachos Jones Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:12 pm

Some very poor decisions by the ref here already. Never a penalty but very much a red card for Silva and then a yellow for Robben...

by mystiroakey Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:12 pm

kingraf wrote:What's the difference (financially) between 3rd and 4th?

all the top players give there money to charity- but not sure

by Fernando Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:16 pm

2-0 Holland - Blind

Luiz is just picard

Thought he'd have learnt after the other day. Head it over the fking bar man!

by mystiroakey Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:17 pm

That Brazilian defense. Seriously..

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:17 pm

David Luiz hates defending

by GSC Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:18 pm

50m for a defender that can't defend.

by Knowsit17 Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:18 pm

How did Brazil make it this far again?

Have they ever been in a worse state?

by kingraf Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:18 pm

Luiz.... That is all

by GSC Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:18 pm

Gary Neville said it best.

He plays like a 10 year old on FIFA

by GSC Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:20 pm

Regardless of the criticisms of style, Brazil winning in Brazil would've been something special. Now this is just sad.

by Nakatomi Plaza Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:20 pm

Holland are 200/1 to win 7-1 at the minute Laugh

by Knowsit17 Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:21 pm

On the bright side, I couldn't be happier PSG coughed up 40-50m for Luiz.

Evidently they have money where their brains ought to be.

by Lowlandbrit Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:23 pm

Do you think Brazil are more happy that they're not being thumped by Argentina, or afraid that they're going to have to watch Argentina lift the trophy in their house?

by Fernando Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:24 pm

I suspect more happy that their not be trounced by the Argies in the final.

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