FIFA World Cup

@Pepe said in FIFA World Cup:

@westie_boy and Scotland and CCCP (Russia) just prior to that.

Vs Scotland 5-2
Vs CCCP 3-0
Vs Brazil 4-0

I remember getting up and listening on the radio because the NZ games weren't televised (or we weren't able to watch them all). My memories of the cup included Glenn Hoddle riding the pine for England in favour of the more doughy Ray Wilkins, the French player being taken out in the SF by the German goalkeeper. The guy was stretchered off with multiple injuries, perpetuating the idea that West Germany was the evil empire of football. And Dino Zoff and his Azzurri team winning the cup in great style

Egypt is our next opponent and his ranked 29, lower than Iran.

@Bovidae said in FIFA World Cup:

NZ deserved a point. If only some of those crosses had more quality. Surman immense.

Was a masterstroke putting him at centre back. Didn't see a spot for him in the team otherwise but yeah, he was comfortable there.

If we want someone with a better delivery, then Francis De Vries is the man, but Bazeley does tend to go conservative with selections. I would have maybe pushed Cacace higher up and sacrificed McCowatt. Was also annoyed that Jesse Randall came on so late, he ahould have been introduced at least 10 mins earlier for Singh, who did play well, but was beginning to tire. Randall is perfect to play on the break. I know he's an internet sensation, but Tim Payne was average I thought. Mistimed passes, shaky at times on defence, but there's not a lot of competition at right back so he'll most likely stay there.

Having said all that, it was good. Not expecting much from the next games, but the performance today gives us a glimmer of hope.

@African-Monkey said in FIFA World Cup:

Was a masterstroke putting him at centre back. Didn't see a spot for him in the team otherwise but yeah, he was comfortable there.

I would always have had Surman starting. Boxall showed his age a couple of times with slow reactions.

If we want someone with a better delivery, then Francis De Vries is the man

Except he can't defend at this level. Ironically, the best cross was by Wood.

I know he's an internet sensation, but Tim Payne was average I thought.

Agree. The worst player for NZ.

Iran's first goal was well onside, not even close (unfortunately).

Maybe I know too much about football but while Cape Verde's draw against Spain was admirable, they aren't some tiny minnow - they finished above Cameroon to qualify for the World Cup and they have done well in Africa for a few years.

@MiketheSnow said in FIFA World Cup:

@canefan said in FIFA World Cup:

Not a great angle. I thought the guy in the middle put the goalscorer onside. Need a slide rule shot to see

They have those, didn't show it

there was definitely a square on shot and he's onside, my first reaction was offside but was clear with the better angle

@Windows97 said in FIFA World Cup:

Were the lowest ranked country to qualify for the WC (85), behind Hati (83) that we got thrashed by and Curacao (a nation I didn't even know existed until yesterday at 82nd).
Almost embarressing to be there...

Not a nation. An 'autonomous constituent country' within the Netherlands.

Spose we'll give them a pass, given Scotland and England's presence.

@delicatessen said in FIFA World Cup:

@Windows97 said in FIFA World Cup:

Were the lowest ranked country to qualify for the WC (85), behind Hati (83) that we got thrashed by and Curacao (a nation I didn't even know existed until yesterday at 82nd).
Almost embarressing to be there...

Not a nation. An 'autonomous constituent country' within the Netherlands.

Spose we'll give them a pass, given Scotland and England's presence.

Not until you also let Greenland join FIFA - outrageous that they still haven't been admitted.

you see the sliding tackle is the last touch the pops the ball up for the goal scorer

@SBW1 said in FIFA World Cup:

Egypt is our next opponent and his ranked 29, lower than Iran.

Mo Salah will keep our defence honest

@canefan i want them to go into every game thinking they have a chance of winning, we saw what an early goal can do....but im also going to say such a good performance already means this is pretty successful tournament, could have been three spankings

@canefan said in FIFA World Cup:

@SBW1 said in FIFA World Cup:

Egypt is our next opponent and his ranked 29, lower than Iran.

Mo Salah will keep our defence honest

I suspect some might be after an autograph going into a tackle lol

@Bovidae said in FIFA World Cup:

@African-Monkey said in FIFA World Cup:

Was a masterstroke putting him at centre back. Didn't see a spot for him in the team otherwise but yeah, he was comfortable there.

I would always have had Surman starting. Boxall showed his age a couple of times with slow reactions.

If we want someone with a better delivery, then Francis De Vries is the man

Except he can't defend at this level. Ironically, the best cross was by Wood.

I know he's an internet sensation, but Tim Payne was average I thought.

Agree. The worst player for NZ.

On De Vries, yeah, wouldn't say he can't defend at this level, he's just extremely slow, so he'll be playing very deep, but with Cacace infront of him, it would help plug that side up if he were to enter the game. I think that's why we saw De Vries a couple of times play higher with Cacace as the main left back, as Bazeley is also worried about his lack of pace.

Was expexting Bazeley to go with Bindon and Boxall as our 2 centre backs as he had done for many years, but yeah, Surman is a must for years to come now.

@African-Monkey you’ve watched a lot of these players in the AWs how big a loss is Matt garbett?

Mbappe the first of the superstars to show their difference with a worldy earlier.
VAR fails again in same game.
Entertaining match if you get to watch

@Kiwiwomble said in FIFA World Cup:

@canefan i want them to go into every game thinking they have a chance of winning, we saw what an early goal can do....but im also going to say such a good performance already means this is pretty successful tournament, could have been three spankings

That first game has already raised expectations. Possibly unrealistically

@canefan im hoping its dispelled any doubts they had in the back of their mind about scoring on the big stage

@delicatessen said in FIFA World Cup:

@Windows97 said in FIFA World Cup:

Were the lowest ranked country to qualify for the WC (85), behind Hati (83) that we got thrashed by and Curacao (a nation I didn't even know existed until yesterday at 82nd).
Almost embarressing to be there...

Not a nation. An 'autonomous constituent country' within the Netherlands.

Spose we'll give them a pass, given Scotland and England's presence.

So if they win can the Netherlands claim their first WC victory

@bayimports said in FIFA World Cup:

@African-Monkey you’ve watched a lot of these players in the AWs how big a loss is Matt garbett?

Would have most likely started but no massive loss as we have enough cover in his position with guys who are on the same level/guys where we can tinker with the formation if need be.

@Kiwiwomble said in FIFA World Cup:

@canefan im hoping its dispelled any doubts they had in the back of their mind about scoring on the big stage

They should give it a crack against both Egypt and The Netherlands.

*Belgium

@Kiwiwomble said in FIFA World Cup:

*Belgium

Them too

@canefan unless you meant just in the carpark as a power play...you know, prison rules....go straight up to one of the big dogs to assert domenence....which is cool too

Just a mental error on my part. Won't be the last

@KiwiPie said in FIFA World Cup:

@delicatessen said in FIFA World Cup:

@Windows97 said in FIFA World Cup:

Were the lowest ranked country to qualify for the WC (85), behind Hati (83) that we got thrashed by and Curacao (a nation I didn't even know existed until yesterday at 82nd).
Almost embarressing to be there...

Not a nation. An 'autonomous constituent country' within the Netherlands.

Spose we'll give them a pass, given Scotland and England's presence.

Not until you also let Greenland join FIFA - outrageous that they still haven't been admitted.

I'll allow it. 'National' stadium with a capacity of 2000 should suit a travelling contingent of fans wonderfully.

@Windows97 said in FIFA World Cup:

@delicatessen said in FIFA World Cup:

@Windows97 said in FIFA World Cup:

Were the lowest ranked country to qualify for the WC (85), behind Hati (83) that we got thrashed by and Curacao (a nation I didn't even know existed until yesterday at 82nd).
Almost embarressing to be there...

Not a nation. An 'autonomous constituent country' within the Netherlands.

Spose we'll give them a pass, given Scotland and England's presence.

So if they win can the Netherlands claim their first WC victory

Once again, tenuous at best but will let it slide.

@Kiwiwomble said in FIFA World Cup:

View image

you see the sliding tackle is the last touch the pops the ball up for the goal scorer

Defender hit the ball on to the attacker who kicked it forward for the goal scorer

@MiketheSnow either way the goal scorer is behind them both when last touched

Ahh Messi the legend continues

A few goal scoring records to look out for. Messi and Mbappe are only a couple of goals short of overhauling Miroslav Klose's record for most goals in world cups over a career.

Mbappe and Haaland are both off to a fliers with a braces and if they can go deep in the tournament might be worth watching for Just Fontaine's single tournament record of 13 goals. That only took 6 matches (!!!), the maximum available here is (I think) 8.

Muller (14 goals, 13 matches), Ronaldo (15 goals, 19 matches, 3 tournaments) and Klose (16 goals, 24 matches, 4 tournaments) have all acknowledged Fontaine's achievement as the greatest world cup goal scorer, so breaking that record would be something pretty special.

Good read on Just

I didn't realise Belgium's coach Rudi Garcia was soaked by the sprinkler duing a hydration break - I just thought he was an exceptionally sweaty man

Messi hat trick goated

Draws level with Klose. Most appearances, most goals (surely!) and hey, hatrick to start so only 11 more goals for the single tournament record too.

Great comeback by Messi - Mbappe moved kloser to Klose but Messi moved level

Is this just a BBC thing or have FIFA listened?

VAR graphic

Great result for Doctor Congo

Belter
Longtime coming
England fucking about

Kane with his second

This half has had it all

Harry Kane saying I can score goals too. I think that puts him into the top 10 all time in world cups, level with Lineker for the England record.