World Cup 2018

[AFCB_Mark]

We kick off in 2 hours if you're still about SALTIRE

I see Peru won 2-0, was it a decent game? Happy with how Peru look going into the tournament?

 

[Libertadores FC]

I see Peru won 2-0, was it a decent game? Happy with how Peru look going into the tournament?

It was quite a boring match in Peru's worst performance in 2 years. We had little iniative and never got out of first gear. Scotland's goalkeeper Archer made 2 mistakes that led to 2 goals. Scotland didn't even do that well to bunker down, we just played a lazy game.

Overall though I am happy with Peru going into this tournament. A few bad matches here and there but even those we've been able to grind out. I expect us to go through the group stages and then get knocked out by Argentina.

 

[Dirk]

It was quite a boring match in Peru's worst performance in 2 years. We had little iniative and never got out of first gear. Scotland's goalkeeper Archer made 2 mistakes that led to 2 goals. Scotland didn't even do that well to bunker down, we just played a lazy game.

Was enough to beat Scotland comfortably, it seems.

Overall though I am happy with Peru going into this tournament. A few bad matches here and there but even those we've been able to grind out. I expect us to go through the group stages and then get knocked out by Argentina.

Would be nice if Peru advances and when they really have to play Argentina that they'll knock them out too ( remember shameful Argentina vs Peru at the WC 1978). I don't want that we play Argentina again in the final (would be the 4th time then)

btw: Bundestrainer Löw made it clear that Manuel Neuer is #1 for Germany instead of Marc ter Stegen. A bit risky and not everyone is on his side here. Neuer didn't play a competitve match since September 2017 (and even then had only few matches when his foot injury that kept him out months broke out again). We have only 2 (more or less) competitive test matches before flying to Russia.
Against Austria and Saudi-Arabia. I doubt that Neuer will be tested enough against both (but maybe they are proving me wrong). Some suggested that Neuer should play for Austria in Goal in this match to get more practice....but hey, it's not 1938 anymore

Hopefully Neuer doesn't make "a Karius" in the World Cup ( edit: a new entry in the Deutsch-Englisch Dictionary after saturdays CL final )

 

[Libertadores FC]

Was enough to beat Scotland comfortably, it seems.



Would be nice if Peru advances and when they really have to play Argentina that they'll knock them out too ( remember shameful Argentina vs Peru at the WC 1978). I don't want that we play Argentina again in the final (would be the 4th time then)

btw: Bundestrainer Löw made it clear that Manuel Neuer is #1 for Germany instead of Marc ter Stegen. A bit risky and not everyone is on his side here. Neuer didn't play a competitve match since September 2017 (and even then had only few matches when his foot injury that kept him out months broke out again). We have only 2 (more or less) competitive test matches before flying to Russia.
Against Austria and Saudi-Arabia. I doubt that Neuer will be tested enough against both (but maybe they are proving me wrong). Some suggested that Neuer should play for Austria in Goal in this match to get more practice....but hey, it's not 1938 anymore

Hopefully Neuer doesn't make "a Karius" in the World Cup

We are good enough to knock out Argentina if we get them. This version of the Albiceleste is flat and has a lot of players that go MIA. Its not a myth that they are carried by Messi, they genuinely are.

However, I still don't think we will. I think we will find ourselves in a similar situation to Colombia when they faced Brazil in the last World Cup. Better team, but history and quality saw Brazil through. I think the same will happen to us.

I would be delighted with just making it out of the group, never mind reaching the quarter finals. I would be confident normally, but getting Denmark was not ideal.

 

[SALTIRE]

Was enough to beat Scotland comfortably, it seems.

A non-league girls under 18 side could beat us mate, we are beyond woeful.

Had the game on in the background, but wasn't really interested in it and it sounded poor. Had more fun on Reddit than watching that tripe.

 

[Libertadores FC]

A non-league girls under 18 side could beat us mate, we are beyond woeful.

Had the game on in the background, but wasn't really interested in it and it sounded poor. Had more fun on Reddit than watching that tripe.

You didn't miss much. We are a joy to watch on top form, but we weren't on that tonight. Good luck in the altitude of Mexico City later this week.

 

[SALTIRE]

You didn't miss much. We are a joy to watch on top form, but we weren't on that tonight. Good luck in the altitude of Mexico City later this week.

I'll be torn watching it, as Mexico are my adopted team in the World Cup lol!

 

[epic73]

In other news the US of A beat Bolivia 3-0 with a bunch of kids.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Austria beat Germany, slightly surprising

 

[Liam_SWFC]

Austria beat Germany, slightly surprising

The Germans seem to lose these kind of friendlies quite often, but then as soon as the real stuff starts they are well on the ball. Polar opposite of England really.

Quite impressed with our first half today, second half wasn't great but my hope of a quarter final place could be on.

 

[Dirk]

Austria beat Germany, slightly surprising

Not that surprising because we haven't won a friendly yet this year. (Friendlies are a different cup of tea for us than competitive matches in a qualifier or a tournament)
Fair play to the Austrians they were better prepared in the 2nd half (the match was delayed for nearly 2 hours because of heavy rain in Austria and was on the brink to be cancelled) and gave Manuel Neuer are real competitive match (his first match for nearly 8 months and his first match for Germany after nearly 600 days) and he looked sharp as always. That's the positive sign.

Austria (with their new german coach Franco Foda who won his first 5 matches in charge) just won against Russia a few days ago and will play Brazil in a few days. So they have their "own World Cup" after failing to qualify. It was their first win against Germany since 1986.

Sané and Gündogan again with an utter shite performance. Will be interesting to see if Jogi Löw will axe one (or both) on Monday when the deadline for the 23 man occurs.

 

[Carver]

From what I saw of England last night I can say with confidence that we are nowhere near among the best in the world, but that doesn't necessarily mean that we won't be the winning team.

Our defence and organisation is far better than it has been in recent tournaments but the midfield lacks so much creativity and firepower. Also I think we have better options upfront than Sterling. I think a front two of Kane and Vardy would surely be better.

The only way we can not embarrass ourselves again and make the latter stages is if we sit back and try and nick a goal against the better nations.

 

[Leewilson]

From what I saw of England last night I can say with confidence that we are nowhere near among the best in the world, but that doesn't necessarily mean that we won't be the winning team.

Our defence and organisation is far better than it has been in recent tournaments but the midfield lacks so much creativity and firepower. Also I think we have better options upfront than Sterling. I think a front two of Kane and Vardy would surely be better.

The only way we can not embarrass ourselves again and make the latter stages is if we sit back and try and nick a goal against the better nations.

I'd be tempted to go Kane/Vardy with Sterling behind that (takes the pressure off him a bit). Then a midfield 2 of Dier and Alli. Lingard would have to be the unfortunate man to make way but then he's a great option from the bench.

What I like about the way we set up is it's quite fluid. In the past, our formation has been a very solid 4-2-3-1 with not much interchanging. Yesterday, everyone was everywhere. Alli would pop up on the edge of the box further forward than Kane on occasions. Trippier would be bombing on and Walker would be in a CM role at times.

We should get through our group. We just need a quick start vs Tunisia. Beat them and we're there as we'll beat Panama (it'll be frustrating as they'll put 11 behind the ball but we'll grind it out). I wouldn't even bet against us against Belgium. I think they could flatter to deceive again to be honest. A lot depends on Lukaku's fitness and whether Kompany is fit. Take them both out of the team and it lacks a punch down the spine.

 

[Master D]

I can't believe Vardy doesn't start every game, I'd have him in almost first name on the sheet. You know he'll be a pest to the opposition non-stop and he scores big goals. Much better than wildly inconsistent finishers like Welbeck or Rashford who are basically only in the squad because of who they play for. If Vardy gets a chance he's usually clinical with it.

 

[Carver]

Sterling has 38 caps for England and has only scored 2 goals.

 

[epic73]

We should get through our group. We just need a quick start vs Tunisia. Beat them and we're there as we'll beat Panama (it'll be frustrating as they'll put 11 behind the ball but we'll grind it out). I wouldn't even bet against us against Belgium. I think they could flatter to deceive again to be honest. A lot depends on Lukaku's fitness and whether Kompany is fit. Take them both out of the team and it lacks a punch down the spine.

Dunno if you'll have 11 uninjured players after playing Panama.

 

[mistermagic]

I can't believe Vardy doesn't start every game, I'd have him in almost first name on the sheet. You know he'll be a pest to the opposition non-stop and he scores big goals. Much better than wildly inconsistent finishers like Welbeck or Rashford who are basically only in the squad because of who they play for. If Vardy gets a chance he's usually clinical with it.

I'd give you Welbeck but Rashford isn't in the squad because of who he players for.

Southgate getting some good press. Missed the game yesterday but will give Costa Rica a look on Thursday.

 

[Super_horns]

No Sane in the Germany squad is a big shock.

Kompany still named by Belguim and it seems the mattress gate wasn't a give away for their squad.

 

[Dirk]

No Sane in the Germany squad is a big shock.

Not if you've seen his performances in our team. Absolute shite (like Gündogan, the other ManCity player in our team) in the last matches but Gündogan is still in the team.

Sane had enough chances to convince our coach that he should be in our squad for the World Cup but in so far 12 matches he only got 1 measly assist.
Getting an award for being the best young player in the Premier League doesn't get you automatically into our team.

Sané and Gündogan again with an utter shite performance. Will be interesting to see if Jogi Löw will axe one (or both) on Monday when the deadline for the 23 man occurs.

My post from Saturday after the Austria match

The other 3 who were axed for our final 23 squad are : Bernd Leno (good, because he's the weakest of our actual GK (Neuer, ter Stegen, Trapp), Nils Petersen (who couldn't get the job done in the Austria match) and Jonathan Tah.
Julian Brandt was another "shaky candidate" for axing but it would be a bit harsh to cut all three Bayer Leverkusen players at once

edit: Super_horns : Which are England's "axed players"?

 

[Benji]

He's gonna be gutted. He got his hair done nicely for nothing.

 

[Redpelt]

He's gonna be gutted. He got his hair done nicely for nothing.

Hence the sound of an Afro comb being snapped in frenzied anger.

 

[Super_horns]

Not if you've seen his performances in our team. Absolute shite (like Gündogan, the other ManCity player in our team) in the last matches but Gündogan is still in the team.

Sane had enough chances to convince our coach that he should be in our squad for the World Cup but in so far 12 matches he only got 1 measly assist.
Getting an award for being the best young player in the Premier League doesn't get you automatically into our team.



My post from Saturday after the Austria match

The other 3 who were axed for our final 23 squad are : Bernd Leno (good, because he's the weakest of our actual GK (Neuer, ter Stegen, Trapp), Nils Petersen (who couldn't get the job done in the Austria match) and Jonathan Tah.
Julian Brandt was another "shaky candidate" for axing but it would be a bit harsh to cut all three Bayer Leverkusen players at once

edit: Super_horns : Which are England's "axed players"?

We only selected 23 players in the first place but guess the like of Joe Hart and Jack Wilshere were the big names to miss out.

 

[Stevencc]

 

[mistermagic]

Bernd Leno (good, because he's the weakest of our actual GK (Neuer, ter Stegen, Trapp)

I don't know about that. We've been really c*** to Kevin giving him only games in the domestic cups and he looked completely out of match practice against Brazil that I wouldn't have taken him. I know he's #3 in the hierarchy and it would take something real special to have both your keepers injured but I wouldn't have taken Leno. Trapp is probably a better keeper but he hasn't played regularly for a year which is a very long time for any given footballer let alone a goalie.

EDIT: not surprised one bit about Sané's eviction. He's been awful for Germany and Brandt deserves it more. Low making the tough decisions which hasn't happened for a while.

 

[Dirk]

I don't know about that. We've been really c*** to Kevin giving him only games in the domestic cups and he looked completely out of match practice against Brazil that I wouldn't have taken him.

I trust here Jogi Löw and GK coach Andy Köpke "a bit more" than your expertise, hope you don't mind. They worked with the goalies the last few weeks

I know he's #3 in the hierarchy and it would take something real special to have both your keepers injured but I wouldn't have taken Leno. Trapp is probably a better keeper but he hasn't played regularly for a year which is a very long time for any given footballer let alone a goalie.

Manuel Neuer made his first competitive match for 8 months (he was again injured in September 2017 after he was out for several months before. He played only a few games for Bayern in the last 1 1/2 years. And he played for Germany for the first time since 600 days. He made a good game and it looked as if he never was away for such a long time.

Leno plays regularly at his club that's right other than Trapp but tbh he is always good for one "Karius" per game when he's playing for Germany. Anyway, axing the 3rd or 4th goalkeeper from the 23 man squad isn't the important news. Can't remember when we (or if we even) used the 3rd keeper in a tournament and with Neuer and ter Stegen we have 2 world class keeper (especially ter Stegen made a big step in Barcelona the last season and for Germany too. When I think about his beginnings in the German goal (he got 5 Goals against Switzerland and made a clown of himself).

EDIT: not surprised one bit about Sané's eviction. He's been awful for Germany and Brandt deserves it more. Low making the tough decisions which hasn't happened for a while.

Brandt was axed just before the Euro 2016 so maybe that's another reason why Löw chose him instead of Sané. (and axing all 3 Bayer Leverkusen players at once would also be a bit harsh for them (although not a real reason for Löw).

 

[mistermagic]

Manuel Neuer made his first competitive match for 8 months (he was again injured in September 2017 after he was out for several months before. He played only a few games for Bayern in the last 1 1/2 years. And he played for Germany for the first time since 600 days. He made a good game and it looked as if he never was away for such a long time.

Mate, it was Austria!

 

[Dirk]

What has that got to do with it.? Even weaker teams can make good games. And against no other country in the world is Austria more motivated than against the "big Brother"

Austria created enough turmoil for our defence so that Neuer got a competitive match and he didn't show signs of "rust" because of the lack of matches in the last 1 1/2 games. So he could clear up doubts that he isn't fully and we need his presence as Captain on the field in Russia

 

[mistermagic]

Lighten up. I hadn't teased you about losing to Austria yet.

Haha!

 

[Benji]

Bad news for Germany if they're going to struggle against teams who want to beat them.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Bad news for Germany if they're going to struggle against teams who want to beat them.

I can't see Germany defending their title to be honest. All their class players are that bit older, their keeper has been out for a long time and is that bit older, and players like ozil are a 1 good game in 3 nowadays. Muller similar really, he's had a poor season and is nowhere near the player of 4-5 years ago.
Look no further than France or Spain for me.