The World Cup Thread.

[whythelongface]

Re: The World Cup Thread.

50mil for Luiz has to be the deal of the Century Chef Im still shaking my head at how he was valued at that price.

Did the Captaincy go to his head? Obviously I don't watch many Chelsea games, but he was absolutely terrible, left flat footed the Entire game.

With the outs Brazil had I expected it to be easy, but 7-1 WOW. Been on the Germans from the start so the 5 bucks I got Im happy with. Expecting it to be Argentina, the Dutch luck will end.

Germany to strong across the board for both teams.

What luck are you talking about??

Sure their last two games were tight but hardly lucky.

[whythelongface]

Re: The World Cup Thread.

Not often that a 7-1 scoreline flatters the loser but it certainly did this morning. That was as inept a defensive performance as I have ever seen in world football. Had Mesut Ozil buried his 1-on-1 with the keeper in the 89th minute as he should have, the scoreline would have ended up being 8-0.

When all is said and done, this was a very ordinary Brazilian squad, the worst I've seen in my lifetime. Reckon they did well to get to the semis to be honest.

Credit to Ze Germans - they were outstanding today in all facets of the game. Huge chance to win on Sunday

Without a shadow of a doubt. They were poor. Silva and Neymar must make a huge difference to their team as they were pathetic. Gee this sets Brazilian football back in a huge way - other countries used to fear playing Brazil but now I am not so sure that would be the case.

[Twodogs]

Re: The World Cup Thread.

Not often that a 7-1 scoreline flatters the loser but it certainly did this morning. That was as inept a defensive performance as I have ever seen in world football. Had Mesut Ozil buried his 1-on-1 with the keeper in the 89th minute as he should have, the scoreline would have ended up being 8-0.

When all is said and done, this was a very ordinary Brazilian squad, the worst I've seen in my lifetime. Reckon they did well to get to the semis to be honest.

Credit to Ze Germans - they were outstanding today in all facets of the game. Huge chance to win on Sunday

Agree strongly on the bolded bit.

[Topdog]

Re: The World Cup Thread.

When all is said and done, this was a very ordinary Brazilian squad, the worst I've seen in my lifetime. Reckon they did well to get to the semis to be honest.

Oh most definitely. They were very very lucky against Columbia, should have had 3 players sent off for their tactics against James. They have been boring and thugs all tournament. Certainly not the Brazil we are used to.

He needs a strong defensive partner eg. Terry or Tiago Silva to cover for him and to keep him in check mentally. Paring him with Dante, who is just as flaky was always going to be a recipe for disaster.

Yep spot on. When he is the "general" you are in big big trouble.

[Sedat]

Re: The World Cup Thread.

Oh most definitely. They were very very lucky against Columbia, should have had 3 players sent off for their tactics against James. They have been boring and thugs all tournament. Certainly not the Brazil we are used to.

Let's be honest, they were extremely lucky to squeak past Chile in the R16. Losing Chile that early in the tournament was a real shame - they could have easily made the semis if luck was on their side that day.

There have been a number of Brazilian teams not win world cups but they always played with great skill, flair and daring. Their 1982 squad was probably the best team never to win a cup (Hungary 1954 and Holland 1974-8 could both mount a strong argument), and they had almost as good a squad in 1986 with Careca and Muller up front, Zico and Socrates in the midfield, and great defenders like Branco and Edinho. They were skilled but ageing in 1990, had a great squad in 1998 but imploded in the final, and have steadily gone downhill ever since 2002. I reckon they have reached their nadir in this tournament - Fred and Jo as strikers is an indictment. Neymar is a wonderful talent but he's just a kid at 22yo - unbelievable pressure to carry an entire team at his age. What do they have coming through?

[LostDoggy]

Re: The World Cup Thread.

What luck are you talking about??

Sure their last two games were tight but hardly lucky.

I didn't mean it in a bad way, I like The Netherlands and actually backed them last WC. I just think since the Group Stage they have been a little lucky to get here. Even though they were dominating at the end they still pinched the Mexican game, then to win in Penalties against anyone needs some luck.

The heat from the Mexican game then 120mins with CR must've took it's toll. I just think it might be to much, but that's only my opinion they could come out and blow Argentina away. I hope for your sake they do as I think the Dutch have a better chance against the Germans, so Good Luck for the Semi.

[LostDoggy]

Re: The World Cup Thread.

He needs a strong defensive partner eg. Terry or Tiago Silva to cover for him and to keep him in check mentally. Paring him with Dante, who is just as flaky was always going to be a recipe for disaster.

Fair enough.

[whythelongface]

Re: The World Cup Thread.

I didn't mean it in a bad way, I like The Netherlands and actually backed them last WC. I just think since the Group Stage they have been a little lucky to get here. Even though they were dominating at the end they still pinched the Mexican game, then to win in Penalties against anyone needs some luck.

The heat from the Mexican game then 120mins with CR must've took it's toll. I just think it might be to much, but that's only my opinion they could come out and blow Argentina away. I hope for your sake they do as I think the Dutch have a better chance against the Germans, so Good Luck for the Semi.

Interesting thoughts. Mexico had the better play and deserved to lead in the 2nd half but tactically after the goal they were poor and Holland dominated the last third of the game and really it was just a matter of time before they scored. Against CR they had numerous chances in the 90 mins but just couldn't penetrate the defence, the keeper or the woodwork. Yes they were lucky that once they got into a penalty shoot out that they won. Fair enough. In both those games I don't think they played poorly and had numerous chances to win by more - this is something they can't afford against Argentina as they need to make the most of their chances.

cheers for the good wishes for the semi.

[The Doctor]

Re: The World Cup Thread.

When all is said and done, this was a very ordinary Brazilian squad, the worst I've seen in my lifetime. Reckon they did well to get to the semis to be honest.

I concur with this, easily the worst Brazilian team I have seen and I have been watching them since the 70's. I've loved Brazilian soccer the whole time and owe my user name to their 1982 captain Socrates, who was renowned for cutting through defences with surgical precision.

Germany were so much smarter, technically superior, and as usual the German temperament despite 200 million people against them was not swayed. They must be the mentally toughest nation on earth!

It was sad to see Brazil so pathetic. This is a team full of over rated and over paid prima donna's. What has happened to the one touch skill they were famous for, or the flamboyance or audacity of their attacking game? Has it been driven out of their psyche? It has been replaced with petulance, Did you notice whenever they went into an attacking situation one of them would fall or dive to try and win a foul or penalty. The great Brazilian sides of the past never had to resort to cheating. But that is what this Brazilian team is. A team full of cheats and imposters and the coach deserves a lot of vitriol for letting this happen. The team focus on Neymar prematch was totally misplaced as if his absence would rally the team to win against the odds. Again the great Brazilian sides did not focus on individuals with such obsession and use it as a cause. The player they missed most was their captain Thiago Silva.

Brazil were once everything that was great or beautiful about the world game but now it is everything that is wrong with it.

[whythelongface]

Re: The World Cup Thread.

Great post Doc. Absolutely true.

[LostDoggy]

Re: The World Cup Thread.

Interesting thoughts. Mexico had the better play and deserved to lead in the 2nd half but tactically after the goal they were poor and Holland dominated the last third of the game and really it was just a matter of time before they scored. Against CR they had numerous chances in the 90 mins but just couldn't penetrate the defence, the keeper or the woodwork. Yes they were lucky that once they got into a penalty shoot out that they won. Fair enough. In both those games I don't think they played poorly and had numerous chances to win by more - this is something they can't afford against Argentina as they need to make the most of their chances.

cheers for the good wishes for the semi.

I agree that they haven't played poorly, in fact they have had a difficult route Argentina will be the 4th 'local' side in a row. To win all 4 would be testament to their football. Aguera is starting on the bench, RVP still has a question mark. Will need everyone on their game, this has Messi written all over it.

Like you said you will have to take your chances, but I do envy your position it would be incredibly exciting.

Argentina $2.45
Netherlands $2.90 After 90m

Actually great value at 2.90

FWIW Golden Boot last chance.

Rodriguez $1.85 6
Muller $3.50 5
Messi $4 4
RVP $19 3
Robben $21 3

Messi and Robben good value. Good Luck. Can't Wait should be a cracking game!

[whythelongface]

Re: The World Cup Thread.

Oh well the dream is over once again. Well done to Argentina probably the slightly better team on the night.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: The World Cup Thread.

Glad to see Argentina go through, should be a cracker v Germany although much depends on di maria/Augero and their fitness status.

Dutch play too defensive for mine, so the neutrals win out with Argentina going through.

[Mantis]

Re: The World Cup Thread.

Dutch play too defensive for mine, so the neutrals win out with Argentina going through.

For everyone except the Dutch!

They highlighted a piece of play in this mornings game when they had 6 defenders and 3 holding midfielders.. FMD!

[whythelongface]

Re: The World Cup Thread.

Glad to see Argentina go through, should be a cracker v Germany although much depends on di maria/Augero and their fitness status.

Dutch play too defensive for mine, so the neutrals win out with Argentina going through.

You are right. It seemed like they started the tournament with the desire to attack especially when the opposition was tiring and it was great, but as the competition went on there seemed to be a more defensive minded approach, or the opposition came to the realisation that the Dutch strength was counter attacking. Both Costa Rica and Argentina (and to a lesser extent Mexico - in the first half) did this very well by themselves playing conservatively and not taking the game on. This way they could sit back and let the Dutch try and find away through their defensive lines, which they invariably couldn't as they did not have the classy midfielders to do so. Thus we ended up with two stalemates in the final game as there was no space for either Argentina or Costa Rica as well and they weren't able to penetrate the Dutch. Tactical football but not necessarily attractive.

The final should be different as there will be more open spaces in particular with Argentina as Germany has better midfielders than Holland and they can pass the ball and look for holes. But also Argentina will be able to do the same as there will be more space available for them as well. Should be a good game.