@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
@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.
@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:
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
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
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.
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.
Refreshing to see them attack
Really enjoyed that
Very good summary
Not invested in this soccer world cup in the slightest. I might tune in though if England actually reach the final (yeah right). So I've not been following it at all really but I saw a headline today about a guy getting red carded for covering his mouth. This rule presumably to stamp out the hiding of racist language. Seems a bit draconian to me but the rules are the rules. However the thing that shits me and this is probably the main part of my not following soccer anymore is that the guy that was spoken to told the ref.
I mean. Whining to the ref just to get an opponent sent off. FFS where is your dignity?