419 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

Argentina needs to score here!

.

Messi scores.

[Victoria Watcher]

In groups A B C and D, the groups where all teams have completed 2 games each, only France is 2-0.

[Victoria Watcher]

Some surprising results today.

 

I'm not sure that it means we must technically win today, but if we tie our chances are super slim even if we beat Morocco in our final group game.

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 27 November 2022 - 07:14 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Good start.

[amor de cosmos]

The US men's football team has begun displaying Iran's national flag on social media without the emblem of the Islamic Republic as nationwide protests challenging Tehran's theocratic government continue.
https://www.newarab....republic-emblem
 

The BBC has come under fire over its coverage of Iran v Wales on Friday, with viewers slamming the match pundits' comments as "racist" and "xenophobic".
 
The backlash was related to former player and manager Jurgen Klinsmann's claim that it was "in the culture" of the Iranian side to "work the referee".
 
Klinsmann made several remarks to the same effect in his post-match analysis, saying: "that's their culture".
 
“This is not by coincidence, this is all purposefully. This is just part of their culture, that’s how they play it,” Klinsmann said.
 
“Working the ref, working the opp”, he said, “They make you lose your focus, they make you lose your concentration and what’s really important to you.”
 
*snip*
 
Another of the BBC pundits hinted that the game may have turned out differently "had they had a European referee”.
 
Klinsmann agreed, highlighting the official's Guatemalan nationality.

https://www.newarab....-world-cup-game

[AllseeingEye]

In real trouble now; Canada having awful difficulty with the Croatian forwards - lets face it they are some of the best most creative attacking players in this WC - in our zone. Canada looking confused and slow defending and its cost us two Croatian goals in the span of eight minutes. Our guys look tired and are just hanging on just to get to the half hopefully to regroup. Really needed a win today, even a tie assuming we can get another goal, doesn't help us a lot.

[Victoria Watcher]

Our goaltender hasn’t looked great on any of three goals (one disallowed).

And yes everyone looks tired for some reason.

[AllseeingEye]

Ugh...Stephen Eustaquio is now out likely due to injury suffered near the end of the first half. Not good he is one of our very best midfielders and his loss will be keenly felt. Someone - Davies, David, Lareya? - is going to have to have some kind of special half to spark Canada. If we don't score at least once more we're out.

[Victoria Watcher]

Realistically we likely need to win or we are out. A tie will probably not suffice. A tie and others are ahead of us by 1, 2 and 3 points still.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 27 November 2022 - 09:18 AM.

[AllseeingEye]

And we're done....Croatia 3-1. Our defence is shattered too exhausted to defend and giving the Croats way way too much room. On to 2026 methinks......

[Victoria Watcher]

Can we get 3 goals in the next 5 minutes?

On average we get 1 every 72 years.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 27 November 2022 - 09:42 AM.

[AllseeingEye]

Against this team....sadly no. And now we're losing our composure and getting chippy. Keep your heads held high, above all play hard to the end. Croatia is just too experienced and too talented and its no shame to lose to them. Gotta remember we only have a couple of guys who play on true top tier club teams whereas virtually the entire Croatian team plays on "the big clubs" all over Europe. Experience and maturity-wise Croatia are light years ahead of us and that is just a simple fact. This was always going to be David vs Goliath and today David does not win.

[Victoria Watcher]

The third game might be moot. Not sure any bar will open at 7am just for that. Maybe Irish Times. Bard and Banker is open at 7am already.

Moot.

[AllseeingEye]

Must consider too that that we play in the CONCACAF football zone - which is a long LONG way from playing and winning in the UEFA Champions W-C qualifying rounds.

 

The only true world-class teams in CONCACAF are us, Mexico and the US. That is no one's fault, unfortunately its a function of geography, but it does us a disservice to the extent we're exposed and used to playing Jamaica as opposed to Belgium. Haiti as opposed to Croatia. Netherlands Antilles as opposed to Morocco, etc....

 

Its roughly equivalent to winning the Western (junior) Hockey League and now thinking you're going to challenge for the Stanley Cup at the NHL level. Um....maybe....but, realistically......nope.

[Victoria Watcher]

Yes I agree.

[lanforod]

Perhaps should split into two leagues with South America. Lots of quality there to make a hire and lower tier league. Would annoy lots of smaller nations though.

[UDeMan]

We got our first goal, and let's hope the pressure is now off the team and they can win against Morocco.

[Victoria Watcher]

Just for fun, they should put that BMO guy on the TSN panel at the Morocco game. But just have him play it completely straight, like he’s an analyst.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 27 November 2022 - 12:03 PM.

[AllseeingEye]

Damn my number two team Germany is in serious trouble too, down 0-1 to Spain with about 30 minutes to go. This German team too has been very uninspiring, and is a long way from Germany'a golden generation of a decade ago. I do like the way Spain plays the game, I may have to cheer for them going forward should they prevail today. Germany is just.....meh.

[spanky123]

Sounds like the Canadian coach's taunting of the Croatian team didn't go over too well.

 

https://www.theglobe...t-on-the-pitch/