419 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

Smart and crafty. He knew he needed to get into the box. Then he was either going to be fouled, or get a shot or pass away. And what a pass.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 13 December 2022 - 12:34 PM.

[Ismo07]

Hindsight tells us Group F really was the group of death.

 

Exactly...  Shows Canada in a better light...

[Victoria Watcher]

Well, fully expecting a France win today, but looking forward to any possibilities.

[AllseeingEye]

Exactly...  Shows Canada in a better light...

 

The issue for Canada was never performance on the field - which is not what any critic I saw or read was commenting on - but rather John Herdman's coaching decisions particular the tactical ones. Not to mention the ridiculous 'eff Croatia' remark which was his worst blunder. Anyone who has ever played organized sport at any level, even little league baseball, knows you don't go out of your way to inflame, poke them in the eye or otherwise give the other guys even more incentive to kick your ass. He'll learn though presumably and if he comes back I would expect he'll apply what he's learned and be a better coach for it.

 

As far as on the field play we did about as expected except # 2 Belgium - obviously nowhere near the number two team in reality - gave us a bit of false hope considering how well Canada played them. Croatia? We had two chances, zero and none, given our lack of top tier experience. Croatia beat Brazil...they're rather good, so no surprise Canada was in the deep end of the pond in that game. And as everyone is finding out Morocco, ranked 21 spots ahead of Canada in the world rankings is more than full value for that ranking. They'll move up almost certainly into the top 10.

 

With some smarter and better coaching decisions Canada could well have had an outstanding tournament that no one could question. Baby steps. We'll get there as long as Herdman learned a few things and ideally if more of our players can get experience at top tier-first division-premier league Euro club teams. Croatia has something like 14 such players. We have 2. Makes a difference.

Edited by AllseeingEye, 14 December 2022 - 06:53 AM.

[Ismo07]

The issue for Canada was never performance on the field - which is not what any critic I saw or read was commenting on - but rather John Herdman's coaching decisions particular the tactical ones. Not to mention the ridiculous 'eff Croatia' remark which was his worst blunder. Anyone who has ever played organized sport at any level, even little league baseball, knows you don't go out of your way to inflame, poke them in the eye or otherwise give the other guys even more incentive to kick your ass. He'll learn though presumably and if he comes back I would expect he'll apply what he's learned and be a better coach for it.

 

As far as on the field play we did about as expected except # 2 Belgium - obviously nowhere near the number two team in reality - gave us a bit of false hope considering how well Canada played them. Croatia? We had two chances, zero and none, given our lack of top tier experience. Croatia beat Brazil...they're rather good, so no surprise Canada was in the deep end of the pond in that game. And as everyone is finding out Morocco, ranked 21 spots ahead of Canada in the world rankings is more than full value for that ranking. They'll move up almost certainly into the top 10.

 

With some smarter and better coaching decisions Canada could well have had an outstanding tournament that no one could question. Baby steps. We'll get there as long as Herdman learned a few things and ideally if more of our players can get experience at top tier-first division-premier league Euro club teams. Croatia has something like 14 such players. We have 2. Makes a difference.

 

Ah well I have seen people saying how disappointed they were..  Probably people who do not watch much of the game.  Of course it's baby steps..  We will now host and I think this visit and hosting we will look better in 8 years...

[AllseeingEye]

They're down 0-1 but "damn" I am so impressed with Morocco: these guys came to play and right now are getting the better than France. Continually attacking with the French a little back on their heels right now. Go, um,.... "Atlas Lions"??

[AllseeingEye]

Ah, not to be: a French sub scores the 2-0 goal only 44 seconds after coming into the game, the second fastest goal in WC history made by a substitute. Still Morocco has given a strong account of themselves in this game especially in the second half. Good for them....

[Victoria Watcher]

Yes. That was good.

Announcers a bit patronising about “the first African nation” etc.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 14 December 2022 - 01:04 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

FIFA World Cup 2022: Riots break out in Lyon after France beat Morocco in semi-final

 

There is a history of animosity between the French and Moroccans due to more than four decades of French colonial dominance of the North African country from 1912 until its independence in 1956.

 

https://indianexpres...-final-8325630/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 15 December 2022 - 03:31 PM.

[Mike K.]

See?

[Victoria Watcher]

Imagine the riots that would have happened if Germany played England or France or Poland or Netherlands or Belgium etc. etc.

Pretty sure the riots in France had nothing to do with 1912 to 1956.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 16 December 2022 - 05:48 AM.

[Mike K.]

That’s why soccer matches should be limited to Greece vs Italy. No riots. Everyone just goes home to eat and sleep, at 2PM.

[Mike K.]

When I’m Prime Minister I’ll make that a rule.

[LJ]

^Will you make Singh deputy PM?

[AllseeingEye]

Imagine the riots that would have happened if Germany played England or France or Poland or Netherlands or Belgium etc. etc.

Pretty sure the riots in France had nothing to do with 1912 to 1956.

 

The England-Germany thing has mostly been put to rest since the 1960's after that famous exchange "we (England) beat you (Germany) twice at your national sport", lol. English fans cheering externally have been - by their standards - relatively well behaved in recent years after behaving like gorillas for far too long from the 70's  - late 90's. That included the 2006 WC in Germany where there were 'limited' incidents between English-German fans.

 

Within England is another story however at least in Greater London: the Arsenal - Tottenham rivalry is a psychotic fan experience; Arsenal has the largest and rowdiest fanbase within the capital although domestically and internationally its no contest that Manchester U has by a huge margin the largest number of fans globally. Within the UK interestingly, as voted on by various media and FA's, Leeds United fans are viewed as the best most passionate "road" fans in England.

 

Although "incidents" of fan misbehaviour can be found right up to last year, in general - again by their standards, lol - English fans were relatively well behaved from the late 80's to 2009 when there was again a bad riot between fans of that "other" large London rivalry, West Ham United and Millwall. Millwall were the goons I remember from the 70's - they have always had a poor reputation. In Scotland I was told by our cousins in Edinburgh that if you wanted to "get your skull cracked" be silly enough in the ferocious Celtic - Rangers club rivalry to wear the opposition jersey in the other guy's stadium, and see what happens. I passed on that suggestion.

 

But you are correct referencing certain Polish fans; you can find plenty of online vids of their brand of hooligan including large groups of virulent and crazed Nazis complete with the skinhead, leather, and swastika "outfits" and who are violent in the extreme, usually fighting supporters of other domestic Polish First Division clubs. A very long way from Canadians who for the most part placidly sit on their hands politely watching hockey games here....

[aastra]

 

That’s why soccer matches should be limited to Greece vs Italy...

 

With the Macedonian Wars still fresh in the minds of most people? I don't think that would be a good idea.

[Victoria Watcher]

Croatia beat Morocco 2-1 in the third-place playoff on Saturday as the African side’s historic 2022 World Cup ended in defeat.

Despite its best efforts, Morocco could not find an equalizer, finishing the tournament in fourth place to cap off a memorable few weeks in Qatar where it became the first African nation to reach the World Cup semifinals.

Croatia’s third-place finish is its second at a World Cup, having been the runner-up four years ago in Russia.

[AllseeingEye]

France is literally sleep walking through the first 30+minutes of the final and the Argentinians have them right where they want them. Oh and some guy named Messi has scored on a penalty kick, 1-0 Argentina.....

[AllseeingEye]

W-o-w: goal of the tournament thus far IMO, literally about half the Argentine team touched the ball on this one and of course Messi was involved - 2-0 Argentina. Spectacular football skills. The BBC commentators at it again too "France are on the canvas!" I have never seen a WC final so utterly one sided its like the French haven't realized the game has even started.

[Victoria Watcher]

Yes. You have described it well. It’s a bit shocking.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 18 December 2022 - 07:42 AM.