World Cup Russia 2018 Thread

Christopher_M posted:

It's one thing to find the players cheating, quite another to find a member of the press advocating it.....     Here are the words of BBC reporter Stephan Shemilt on the BBC site, talking about Switzerland's winning goal in their game against Serbia:

"I've just seen a replay of that Shaqiri winner. Dusko Tosic, the last defender, looks like he's trying to play Shaqiri offside, even though Shaqiri started in his own half. Even after that, Tosic caould have bought Shaqiri down. Surely it was worth doing that with so little time left in the game?"

Utterly shameful.

You're right Chris,God forbid he finds himself anywhere near a team at any level in the future  

Pele was asked if his Brazilian football team could have beaten today's Argentina's squad. "Yes" was his answer, "..probably win 1:0". "Only by one goal?" was the follow up. "You have to remember that we are all now older than 75" was the comeback.

Haim Ronen posted:

Pele was asked if his Brazilian football team could have beaten today's Argentina's squad. "Yes" was his answer, "..probably win 1:0". "Only by one goal?" was the follow up. "You have to remember that we are all now older than 75" was the comeback.

Brilliant 

Its an old'un but a good'un. 

Bruce Woodhouse posted:

In between some great moments I am fed up with all the simulation of injury and diving.

Can anyone tell me another sport where cheating is so widely practised and so accepted?

It looks to be completely endemic in football. I bet it trickles down to the parks and playgrounds too.

Bruce

I have to say again though that I think the refs have been excellent through out and especially where cheating and simulation are concerned. It seems that with the back up of VAR they feel more confident.

Well done, Mexico. They look a decent, well-organised and motivated side. Great support, too. I've always rated 'Little pea'.   

MDS posted:

Well done, Mexico. They look a decent, well-organised and motivated side. Great support, too. I've always rated 'Little pea'.   

Is that Birds eye ‘Little pea’ ?

Yes well done Mexico and still looking forward to the Germans later this evening.

Belgium are looking very, very good lets hope we are already through before we meet them.

What has happened to the Germans??????

Best not write off the Germans just yet

Lucky Germans 

I feel rather exhausted after watching the Sweden v Germany game, such was the enduring tension.  Germany got out of jail but rather because of the needless free-kick conceded by the Swedish sub, his second such error in five minutes or so.  Don't understand where the referee found 5 minutes of injury time.  But you have to credit the resilience of the Germans. That said, if they do get to the qualifying rounds and meet a real quality team they had better have sorted out their defence.

That second goal was pure quality under immense pressure.

Sweden didn't play any football in the second half and most unfortunately paid the price.

Yes Germany deserved to win the game based on the second half and the quality of the Kroos shot.

wenger2015 posted:

Best not write off the Germans just yet

I wasn't writing them off by any means just wondering what had happened to the likes of Boateng and Khadera, the whole mess was very un German but what a goal.

Was Tony Kroos's freekick the best of the tournament so far or was it Ronaldo's or Golovin's?

This Germany Schweden game is the type of game which makes it interesting to watch the WC.

It appears the Germans are bad winners after taunting the Swedish manager and those on the bench immediately after the game, very much unlike the usual more dignified Germany I am more familiar with.

Makes you wonder if their is some truth to the rumours of unrest in the camp?

Not long to wait now...

Even though I am a proud Welshman I never wish ill on the England footie team (rugby union is different), couple of things I would like to see today...

England win in a convincing manner both score and performance wise.

It would also be good to see a few different players scoring and not just Mr Kane.

It is fair to say Belgium have shown their intent and England now need to do the same.

I wish Wales had qualified it would have been great for the country and for the likes of Ramsey, Allen, Bale and Co.

TK421 posted:

Not long to wait now...

Even though I am a proud Welshman I never wish ill on the England footie team (rugby union is different), couple of things I would like to see today...

England win in a convincing manner both score and performance wise.

It would also be good to see a few different players scoring and not just Mr Kane.

It is fair to say Belgium have shown their intent and England now need to do the same.

I wish Wales had qualified it would have been great for the country and for the likes of Ramsey, Allen, Bale and Co.

Agree completely.

Yes, great shame Wales didn’t qualify, they were exceptionally good at the Euros.

Best of luck to England, let’s hope for a good performance from the team and the Officials.

I agree with TK421 that it would good to see some other England players get on the score-sheet, other than Kane. Speaking of which it would be nice to see Sterling justify Southgate's confidence in him. I think he has scored only two goals in 35 games for England which is simply not good enough for a forward.  Looks like the game is going to be played in some heat but I'd still like England play with a high tempo. They know how to do that week in, week out in the Premier League and so should be looking to play to their strengths. 

Bob the Builder posted:

Belgium are looking very, very good lets hope we are already through before we meet them.

And let's hope they play Batshuayi instead of Lukaku and young Eden wants a rest too...

I think we might win this one....it’s always nice to have a relaxing watch for the second half

wenger2015 posted:

I think we might win this one....it’s always nice to have a relaxing watch for the second half

I didn't realize you were playing. How do you have time to post from the field?