FIFA World Cup 2022
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Lots of quite mediocre teams in this World Cup makes for lots of close games and some "upsets". Most of these Round of 16 games could go either way so I'm predicting lots of Extra Time and a few penalty shootouts.
I'm not shifting from my pre-tournament prediction of a France-Brazil final. England look the third best team in the competition IMHO. Huge opportunity for them to get the monkey off their back.
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@MiketheSnow said in FIFA World Cup 2022:
@KiwiPie said in FIFA World Cup 2022:
That South Korea goal was quite bizarre. There are 6 minutes of stoppage time left and yet every Korean player is back for a defensive corner - I was shouting at the TV, keep a couple up field. Anyway it is cleared to Son who has no team-mate anywhere near him and is surrounded by 7 or so Portugal players. Hwang of Wolves sprints box to box in legendary fashion, Son nutmegs a defender to find him and a fantastic finish.
Lukaku had a higher xG (expected goals) in the 2nd half v Croatia than Morocco for the whole group stage.
On the ball is in or out debate - I learnt it when I did a ref's course many years ago. The issue for me is that like close offsides, it is impossible for the naked eye to adjudicate - hence why the ball is often given out as soon as grass is seen between ball and line.
On Japan. They did virtually nothing except play a low block for 90 minutes out of 100. For the 10 minutes after half-time they pressed with the whole team and Spain were dumb enough to try to play out from the back with a keeper who doesn't have the skills. Got their 2 goals and sat back again.
From a football point of view, I'm sad the Germans are out as they are great to watch. Musiala is a fantastic talent but the whole team is a defensive liability including Neuer. I'm not all that thrilled to watch 2 hours of a team playing 10 at the back and the other team trying to break them down.
Netherlands v USA. Can see this one going to extra time unless Gakpo can keep up his goal a game thing.
Argentina v Australia. Argies should be comfortable.
France v Poland. Poland are awful, France should stroll this with some magic from their front 4.
England v Senegal. Senegal very dogged but England should have enough.
Japan v Croatia. Japan will fancy this but Croatia are canny. Extra time
Brazil v Korea Republic. Wonder if Brazil will pick both Martinelli and Vinicius as they are their best 2 wide players and the 2 for the right (Raphinha & Antony) are show ponies. 0-0 after 90 wouldn't surprise me.
Morocco v Spain. Fancy Morocco for this one.
Portugal v Switzerland. Another extra time I reckon.QF for me
Netherlands v Argentina
Japan v Brazil
England v France
Spain v PortugalUSA V Australia
Croatia V Brazil
England V France
Morocco V Portugal -
Holland wearing Aussie colours looks silly. Wear orange!
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The states with a striker woujd be very dangerous.
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@Billy-Tell i'm impressed with their midfield. Dogged. Just don't know what to do in the last third.
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@broughie said in FIFA World Cup 2022:
@Billy-Tell i'm impressed with their midfield. Dogged. Just don't know what to do in the last third.
Slightly naive on defence and no striker but they have the makings of a decent team for their home World Cup.
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Aussie making a good fist of this.
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Apart from Messi x 1, Aussie have been very comfortable. Defence mega disciplined. Need to find some way to knick a goal. Set piece seems most likely.
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All that good work for a minutes moment by the keeper
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@Billy-Tell your posts are the kiss of death :-).
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