Soccer Thread 2022-2023 - Page 9

GrantDawg · 12-01-2022, 03:54 PM

Great job, Japan!

Solecismic · 12-01-2022, 03:56 PM

Well, who had Japan beating Germany and Spain, but losing to Costa Rica, who gave up enough goals to fuel an entire group in their other matches?

MIJB#19 · 12-01-2022, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

What's the worst loss a team that has made it through to the final 16 ever had in group stage? Costa Rica has a decent shot to make it through despite a 7-0 loss. That's got to be unusual, right?

It would have been the largest loss while still advancing.

Closest thing, West Germany lost 8-3 to Hungary in 1954, but still finished 2nd in the group and eventually beat Hungary 3-2 in the final.

Next closest:
Cameroon lost 4-0 to the USSR in 1990 in the final group match, but still won that group with world champions Argentina and Romania.

Ukraine lost 4-0 to Spain in 2006, but still finished 2nd in thew group behind Spain.

SirFozzie · 12-01-2022, 05:00 PM

Man, the UEFA old guard are showing their age. No Germany, no Belgium in the knockout stages (and no Italy at all)....

Ghost Econ · 12-01-2022, 05:05 PM

Japan beat Germany and Spain while losing to Costa Rica 1-0, while Costa Rica lost 11-2 to Germany and Spain.

MIJB#19 · 12-01-2022, 05:13 PM

It wouldn't surprise me if Spain purposely played for the loss against Japan once they found out 2nd place was safe, making it Japan vs Croatia and Spain vs Morocco in the next round, while also likely avoiding Brazil in the quarterfinals as well.

BishopMVP · 12-01-2022, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghost Econ

Japan beat Germany and Spain while losing to Costa Rica 1-0, while Costa Rica lost 11-2 to Germany and Spain.

Japan also bizarrely didn't play their best players vs Costa Rica, though I guess it was the right move!

miami_fan · 12-01-2022, 07:34 PM

We have one more day of the group stage. Let's see how the confederations are doing.

CAF- Africa had 5 teams get in. 2(Senegal and Morocco) have moved on to the final 16. 2 more are possible (Cameroon and Ghana). 0 teams are currently in last place in their group but Cameroon and Ghana could both finish last after play is done. 4 out of 5 teams in the last 16 would be amazing.

AFC- Asia had 6 teams get in. The host, 4 automatics plus one through the playoff. 2(Japan and Australia) have moved on to the final 16. South Korea is the 1 possible left to make the next round. They have 2 teams who came last in their groups (Qatar and Saudi Arabia) and South Korea is also a DFL possibility.

UEFA- 13 teams in. 7 (France, Portugal, Netherlands, England, Poland, Croatia and Spain) in the 16. 1 more possible between Switzerland and Serbia. Wales and Denmark brought up the rear in their groups. The Swiss or the Serbs could also bring up the rear of their group.

CONMEBOL- It is still shocking for me to type that only 4 teams made it in to the World Cup from South America. Brazil and Argentina are through. No CONMEBOL team has finished bottom of their group. Uruguay has the possibility of going through or finishing bottom.

CONCACAF- 4 teams made it. The U.S. is the only CONCACAF team to make it to the next round. 2 teams (Canada and Costa Rica) came in last in their groups.

Ksyrup · 12-02-2022, 10:21 AM

That was one of the worst PKs I've ever seen. That dude should have just walked away and asked someone else to take it. Long pause, 2 stutter steps, then a weak kick. That was beyond awful.

Ghost Econ · 12-02-2022, 10:22 AM

Ghana missing penalties against Uruguay... where have I seen this before?

MIJB#19 · 12-02-2022, 12:09 PM

The final 10 minutes in the Ghana - Uruguay match were pretty entertaining.

Solecismic · 12-02-2022, 12:15 PM

Seems strange to rest your top offensive players for the next round when you're only one goal elsewhere from being out of the tournament. Unless they were exhausted - television was on the other match until it ended.

I hope the referees get out OK. That looked like it could get ugly fast, with all those yellows after the match ended.

Why was the Uruguay match so much later than the Portugal match? I thought they coordinated them to avoid giving one squad information that could help. In this case, giving several extra minutes of desperation mode to Uruguay after the South Korea goal.

Edward64 · 12-02-2022, 12:28 PM

The South Korea vs Portugal game was pretty entertaining. Saw the 2nd SK goal.

Changed to the other match, and did see the refs being accosted after the match. Do they have security for the refs?

Ksyrup · 12-02-2022, 12:52 PM

Yeah, I'm glad Uruguay lost because when you go physically after refs instead of shouldering the blame for coming up short, you dont deserve to move on.

On a related note, I believe Suarez got more screen time sitting on the sidelines than any non-participant in a sporting event I've watched since networks bizarrely decided we wanted to see Kurt Warner's wife instead of football games about 20 years ago.

albionmoonlight · 12-02-2022, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

since networks bizarrely decided we wanted to see Kurt Warner's wife instead of football games about 20 years ago.

What a (accurate) blast from the past.

Solecismic · 12-02-2022, 01:06 PM

Reading the BBC commentary... seems people are happier that Uruguay is out than in England winning their group. To them, they're the poster children for the cheating, diving, harassing the refs style of play that often makes me glad they don't have the World Cup every year. To me, it seems every squad does this.

The story so far seems to be how much the world is catching up to Europe and South America. More competitive matches, some surprising results. I now see why they wanted to expand to 48. It takes a lot of the drama out of the qualifying process, but there is more depth now. If only they'd expand the group stages as well.

Solecismic · 12-02-2022, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

What a (accurate) blast from the past.

Hard to forget that. That was right at the beginning of the collective network decision to "tell fan stories" rather than focus on the field between plays.

So each game, they'd bring in more of these expensive new cameras and focus them on individual fans all day and night.

Completely ruined baseball that way. It's not meant to be a game watched close up anywhere. And poor Mrs. Warner (Brenda?) was a memorable choice because the Rams were national so often with that incredible offense.

Ksyrup · 12-02-2022, 01:49 PM

That was the most screen time Warner's wife had gotten since she replaced Charlotte Rae on Facts of Life.

miami_fan · 12-02-2022, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solecismic

Why was the Uruguay match so much later than the Portugal match? I thought they coordinated them to avoid giving one squad information that could help. In this case, giving several extra minutes of desperation mode to Uruguay after the South Korea goal.

Extra time. The URU/GHA match had 9 minutes of extra time in the first half and then 10 minutes in the second half. KOR/POR was +3 and +7 respectively.

Ksyrup · 12-02-2022, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIJB#19

Scenarios for next Friday:

Group G

Portugal wins

draw Por - Kor

South Korea wins

Ghana wins

1 Portugal 9

2 Ghana 6

3 & 4 South Korea 1 *A

3 & 4 Uruguay 1 *A

1 Portugal 7

2 Ghana 6

3 South Korea 2

4 Uruguay 1

1 & 2 Portugal 6 *B

1 & 2 Ghana 6 *B

3 South Korea 4

4 Uruguay 1

draw Gha - Uru

1 Portugal 9

2 Ghana 4

3 Uruguay 2

4 South Korea 1

1 Portugal 7

2 Ghana 4

3 & 4 South Korea 2 *A

3 & 4 Uruguay 2 *A

1 Portugal 6

2 & 3 Ghana 4 *C

2 & 3 South Korea 4 *C

4 Uruguay 2

Uruguay wins

1 Portugal 9

2 Uruguay 4

3 Ghana 3

4 South Korea 1

1 Portugal 7

2 Uruguay 4

3 Ghana 3

4 South Korea 2

1 Portugal 6

2 & 3 South Korea 4 *A

2 & 3 Uruguay 4 *A

4 Ghana 3

*A comes down to overall goal difference (currently South Korea leads -1 vs -2), then overall goals scored (South Korea leads 2 vs 0), then overal yellow cards (currently tied 3 each), then draw of lots
*B comes down to overal goal difference (currently Portugal leads +3 vs 0), then overall goals scored (curreltny tied 5 each), then head-to-head (Portugal won)
*C comes down to overal goal difference (currently Ghana leads 0 vs -1), then overall goals scored (currently Ghana leads 5 vs 2), then head-to-head (Ghana won)

Group H

Brazil wins

draw Bra - Cmr

Cameroon wins

Switzerland wins

1 Brazil 9

2 Switzerland 6

3 & 4 Cameroon 1 *A

3 & 4 Serbia 1 *A

1 Brazil 7

2 Switzerland 6

3 Cameroon 2

4 Serbia 1

1 & 2 Brazil 6 *

1 & 2 Switzerland 6 *

3 Cameroon 4

4 Serbia 1

draw Sui - Srb

1 Brazil 9

2 Switzerland 4

3 Serbia 2

4 Cameroon 1

1 Brazil 7

2 Switzerland 4

3 & 4 Cameroon 2 *A

3 & 4 Serbia 2 *A

1 Brazil 6

2 & 3 Switzerland 4 *C

2 & 3 Cameroon 4 *C

4 Serbia 2

Serbia wins

1 Brazil 9

2 Serbia 4

3 Switzerland 3

4 Cameroon 1

1 Brazil 7

2 Serbia 4

3 Switzerland 3

4 Cameroon 2

1 Brazil 6

2 & 3 Cameroon 4 *A

2 & 3 Serbia 4 *A

4 Switzerland 3

*A comes down to overall goal difference (currently Cameroon leads -1 vs -2), then overall goals scored (currently tied 3 each), then overall yellow cards (currently Cameroon leads 3 vs 5), then draw of lots
*B comes down to overall goal difference (currently Brazil leads +3 vs 0), then overall goals scored (currently Brazil leads 3 vs 1), then head-to-head (Brazil won)
*C comes down to overall goal difference (currently Switzerland leads 0 vs -1), then overall goals scored (currently Cameroon leads 3 vs 1), then head-to-head (Switzerland won)

BTW, thanks for these. They have been invaluable as I try to make sense of what's going on in real time.

Solecismic · 12-02-2022, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miami_fan

Extra time. The URU/GHA match had 9 minutes of extra time in the first half and then 10 minutes in the second half. KOR/POR was +3 and +7 respectively.

Certainly, the second half is obvious. With the emphasis on adding extra time where warranted (a good decision, I think) and technology making instant updates available wherever you are, I'm surprised they didn't give the Portugal match a longer halftime break. I noticed when South Korea scored in the 91st minute, Uruguay was in the 84th.

Serbia/Switzerland seems fun, goals flying back and forth with everything on the line. Fox is giving us a relaxed Brazil against a game, but thoroughly outclassed Cameroon. That's a shame.

MIJB#19 · 12-02-2022, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

BTW, thanks for these. They have been invaluable as I try to make sense of what's going on in real time.

Thanks. It was quite the pleasure to make them and I figured there'd be at least one other person out there interested in having these available without needing to keep a spreadsheet nearby to keep track.

Solecismic · 12-02-2022, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIJB#19

Thanks. It was quite the pleasure to make them and I figured there'd be at least one other person out there interested in having these available without needing to keep a spreadsheet nearby to keep track.

Yours are more accurate than at least a couple of major sources, as well, including FIFA's own site.

MIJB#19 · 12-02-2022, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solecismic

Certainly, the second half is obvious. With the emphasis on adding extra time where warranted (a good decision, I think) and technology making instant updates available wherever you are, I'm surprised they didn't give the Portugal match a longer halftime break. I noticed when South Korea scored in the 91st minute, Uruguay was in the 84th.

It seems like an easy fix to me to make the second halves also start at the same time like the first half. Would it really harm to have South Korea and Portugal wait 5 additional matches to kick off the second half?

MIJB#19 · 12-02-2022, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solecismic

Serbia/Switzerland seems fun, goals flying back and forth with everything on the line. Fox is giving us a relaxed Brazil against a game, but thoroughly outclassed Cameroon. That's a shame.

And the second half continues to deliver.

miami_fan · 12-02-2022, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solecismic

Certainly, the second half is obvious. With the emphasis on adding extra time where warranted (a good decision, I think) and technology making instant updates available wherever you are, I'm surprised they didn't give the Portugal match a longer halftime break. I noticed when South Korea scored in the 91st minute, Uruguay was in the 84th.

Yeah that feels like too much of an attempt to manufacture the drama. Uruguay had 45 minutes to increase their goal difference to insure their progression to the knockouts.

Let's be honest. I would not put it pass Luis Suarez to fake a catastrophic knee injury for 25 minutes in order to make sure that Uruguay had extra time to see what was required to make it through.

Edward64 · 12-02-2022, 03:55 PM

So close to a real fight in the Switzerland Serbia game.

MIJB#19 · 12-02-2022, 03:56 PM

What a silly mistake to take off your shirt while already being booked, but Brazil going 1-0 down in a nothing to lose was never in doubt, was it? It would be nice for Switzerland to go for it now, 4-2 means winning the group now, while 3-3 keeps them in second place. Although 2-0 for Cameroon would also work in Swiss' favor (but not if it's 3-3 in the Swiss' match).

miami_fan · 12-02-2022, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward64

So close to a real fight in the Switzerland Serbia game.

An explainer for anyone unaware of the tensions between the two teams.

Qatar World Cup: Switzerland vs. Serbia Match Is Really All About Kosovo

Edward64 · 12-02-2022, 08:27 PM

Thanks. It's behind a paywall but was able to read the first couple paragraphs and got the idea. Runs deeper than just poor sportsmanship.

Ksyrup · 12-02-2022, 10:11 PM

Interesting, thanks.

MIJB#19 · 12-03-2022, 05:58 AM

When all is said and done, Qatar will be ranked 32nd out the 32 teams of this year's finals tournament field, making Qatar by far the worst host nation in World Cup history.
Ranks of the teams knocked out in the first round: 17 Germany, 18 Ecuador, 19 Mexico, 20 Cameroon, 21 Uruguay, 22 Tunisia, 23 Belgium, 24 Ghana, 25 Saudi Arabia, 26 Iran, 27 Costa Rica, 28 Denmark, 29 Serbia, 30 Wales, 31 Canada, 32 Qatar.

MIJB#19 · 12-03-2022, 06:07 AM

Curiously, all 3 teams that were already qualified for the Round of 16 after their first two matches, which is only possible with 2 victories, lost their 3rd group match: France 1-0 vs Tunisia, Portugal 2-1 vs South Korea and Brazil 1-0 vs Cameroon. All three still won their group.

The only 2 teams knocked out after their first two matches, which is only possible with 2 losses, both also lost their final group match: Qatar 2-0 vs Netherlands and Canada 2-1 vs Morocco.

PilotMan · 12-03-2022, 08:41 AM

Alright boyz....let's go!!!

GrantDawg · 12-03-2022, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PilotMan

Alright boyz....let's go!!!

Hype!!!!
BEAT THE DUTCH 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/OMk1RTbcgp — Eric Hubbs (@BarstoolHubbs) December 3, 2022

Lathum · 12-03-2022, 10:03 AM

Gotta convert chances like that

GrantDawg · 12-03-2022, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lathum

Gotta convert chances like that

So painfully close.

Ghost Econ · 12-03-2022, 10:18 AM

Well, at least we might see Reyna before the 85th minute.

PilotMan · 12-03-2022, 10:31 AM

The opening tactics aren't going to cut it now with the Dutch content to play a lot of defense and counter. We'll need to keep playing aggressive.

Ghost Econ · 12-03-2022, 10:36 AM

MMA Midfield looks exhausted and the Dutch are content to make any attack have to start with Ream or Zimmerman.

Pulisic has disappeared after the first 5 minutes.

Ksyrup · 12-03-2022, 10:42 AM

The relative lack of finishing skill is apparent.

sovereignstar v2 · 12-03-2022, 10:47 AM

Game, set, and match

GrantDawg · 12-03-2022, 10:47 AM

That would be the match. I just don't see three goals coming from the US.

bronconick · 12-03-2022, 10:47 AM

See you in '26

Ksyrup · 12-03-2022, 10:49 AM

Man I called that. After that short, unsuccessful flurry in their box I told my daughter - this is where good teams turn it around and score before half. Sure enough...

Ghost Econ · 12-03-2022, 10:49 AM

Halftime needs wholesale changes unless we care about getting blown out. Reyna, Aaronson, LDLT and CCV for Ferreira, Musah, McKennie and Zimmerman.

Critch · 12-03-2022, 10:56 AM

Fox coverage review:

Landon Donovan - talks a lot of sense, gives good insight.
Clint Dempsey - same, but sometimes seems like he needs a prod to actually say anything
Alexi Lalas - shut up! shut up! shut up!

RainMaker · 12-03-2022, 11:00 AM

Ok now I know why Ferreira wasn't playing.

sterlingice · 12-03-2022, 11:02 AM

I thought being down 1-0 was not the worst place for the US to be. The Dutch were content to just sit back and play around. Sure, the US had to expend some energy but after that little flurry around the 15-25 minute mark, everyone was content to just let the US attack and they didn't have to defend much except for a couple of weak counters. Unfortunately, that all unraveled in the last few minutes

SI

Ghost Econ · 12-03-2022, 11:12 AM

Musah is exhausted and needs to be subbed.

12-01-2022, 05:00 PM	#404
SirFozzie Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: The State of Insanity	Man, the UEFA old guard are showing their age. No Germany, no Belgium in the knockout stages (and no Italy at all).... __________________ Check out Foz's New Video Game Site, An 8-bit Mind in an 8GB world! http://an8bitmind.com

12-01-2022, 05:13 PM	#406
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	It wouldn't surprise me if Spain purposely played for the loss against Japan once they found out 2nd place was safe, making it Japan vs Croatia and Spain vs Morocco in the next round, while also likely avoiding Brazil in the quarterfinals as well. __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

12-01-2022, 07:34 PM	#408
miami_fan Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Land O Lakes FL	We have one more day of the group stage. Let's see how the confederations are doing. CAF- Africa had 5 teams get in. 2(Senegal and Morocco) have moved on to the final 16. 2 more are possible (Cameroon and Ghana). 0 teams are currently in last place in their group but Cameroon and Ghana could both finish last after play is done. 4 out of 5 teams in the last 16 would be amazing. AFC- Asia had 6 teams get in. The host, 4 automatics plus one through the playoff. 2(Japan and Australia) have moved on to the final 16. South Korea is the 1 possible left to make the next round. They have 2 teams who came last in their groups (Qatar and Saudi Arabia) and South Korea is also a DFL possibility. UEFA- 13 teams in. 7 (France, Portugal, Netherlands, England, Poland, Croatia and Spain) in the 16. 1 more possible between Switzerland and Serbia. Wales and Denmark brought up the rear in their groups. The Swiss or the Serbs could also bring up the rear of their group. CONMEBOL- It is still shocking for me to type that only 4 teams made it in to the World Cup from South America. Brazil and Argentina are through. No CONMEBOL team has finished bottom of their group. Uruguay has the possibility of going through or finishing bottom. CONCACAF- 4 teams made it. The U.S. is the only CONCACAF team to make it to the next round. 2 teams (Canada and Costa Rica) came in last in their groups. __________________ "The blind soldier fought for me in this war. The least I can do now is fight for him. I have eyes. He hasn’t. I have a voice on the radio, he hasn’t. I was born a white man. And until a colored man is a full citizen, like me, I haven’t the leisure to enjoy the freedom that colored man risked his life to maintain for me. I don’t own what I have until he owns an equal share of it. Until somebody beats me and blinds me, I am in his debt."- Orson Welles August 11, 1946

12-02-2022, 10:21 AM	#409
Ksyrup This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: In Absentia	That was one of the worst PKs I've ever seen. That dude should have just walked away and asked someone else to take it. Long pause, 2 stutter steps, then a weak kick. That was beyond awful. __________________ M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."

12-02-2022, 12:09 PM	#411
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	The final 10 minutes in the Ghana - Uruguay match were pretty entertaining. __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

12-01-2022, 03:54 PM	#401
GrantDawg World Champion Mis-speller Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Covington, Ga.	Great job, Japan!

12-01-2022, 03:56 PM	#402
Solecismic Solecismic Software Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Canton, OH	Well, who had Japan beating Germany and Spain, but losing to Costa Rica, who gave up enough goals to fuel an entire group in their other matches?

12-01-2022, 05:05 PM	#405
Ghost Econ College Prospect Join Date: Oct 2020	Japan beat Germany and Spain while losing to Costa Rica 1-0, while Costa Rica lost 11-2 to Germany and Spain.

12-02-2022, 10:22 AM	#410
Ghost Econ College Prospect Join Date: Oct 2020	Ghana missing penalties against Uruguay... where have I seen this before?

12-02-2022, 12:15 PM	#412
Solecismic Solecismic Software Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Canton, OH	Seems strange to rest your top offensive players for the next round when you're only one goal elsewhere from being out of the tournament. Unless they were exhausted - television was on the other match until it ended. I hope the referees get out OK. That looked like it could get ugly fast, with all those yellows after the match ended. Why was the Uruguay match so much later than the Portugal match? I thought they coordinated them to avoid giving one squad information that could help. In this case, giving several extra minutes of desperation mode to Uruguay after the South Korea goal.

12-02-2022, 12:28 PM	#413
Edward64 Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2005	The South Korea vs Portugal game was pretty entertaining. Saw the 2nd SK goal. Changed to the other match, and did see the refs being accosted after the match. Do they have security for the refs?

12-02-2022, 12:52 PM	#414
Ksyrup This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: In Absentia	Yeah, I'm glad Uruguay lost because when you go physically after refs instead of shouldering the blame for coming up short, you dont deserve to move on. On a related note, I believe Suarez got more screen time sitting on the sidelines than any non-participant in a sporting event I've watched since networks bizarrely decided we wanted to see Kurt Warner's wife instead of football games about 20 years ago. __________________ M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."

12-02-2022, 01:06 PM	#416
Solecismic Solecismic Software Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Canton, OH	Reading the BBC commentary... seems people are happier that Uruguay is out than in England winning their group. To them, they're the poster children for the cheating, diving, harassing the refs style of play that often makes me glad they don't have the World Cup every year. To me, it seems every squad does this. The story so far seems to be how much the world is catching up to Europe and South America. More competitive matches, some surprising results. I now see why they wanted to expand to 48. It takes a lot of the drama out of the qualifying process, but there is more depth now. If only they'd expand the group stages as well.

12-02-2022, 01:49 PM	#418
Ksyrup This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: In Absentia	That was the most screen time Warner's wife had gotten since she replaced Charlotte Rae on Facts of Life. __________________ M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."

12-02-2022, 03:55 PM	#427
Edward64 Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2005	So close to a real fight in the Switzerland Serbia game.

12-02-2022, 03:56 PM	#428
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	What a silly mistake to take off your shirt while already being booked, but Brazil going 1-0 down in a nothing to lose was never in doubt, was it? It would be nice for Switzerland to go for it now, 4-2 means winning the group now, while 3-3 keeps them in second place. Although 2-0 for Cameroon would also work in Swiss' favor (but not if it's 3-3 in the Swiss' match). __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail Last edited by MIJB#19 : 12-02-2022 at 03:59 PM.

12-02-2022, 08:27 PM	#430
Edward64 Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2005	Thanks. It's behind a paywall but was able to read the first couple paragraphs and got the idea. Runs deeper than just poor sportsmanship.

12-02-2022, 10:11 PM	#431
Ksyrup This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: In Absentia	Interesting, thanks. __________________ M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."

12-03-2022, 05:58 AM	#432
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	When all is said and done, Qatar will be ranked 32nd out the 32 teams of this year's finals tournament field, making Qatar by far the worst host nation in World Cup history. Ranks of the teams knocked out in the first round: 17 Germany, 18 Ecuador, 19 Mexico, 20 Cameroon, 21 Uruguay, 22 Tunisia, 23 Belgium, 24 Ghana, 25 Saudi Arabia, 26 Iran, 27 Costa Rica, 28 Denmark, 29 Serbia, 30 Wales, 31 Canada, 32 Qatar. __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

12-03-2022, 06:07 AM	#433
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Curiously, all 3 teams that were already qualified for the Round of 16 after their first two matches, which is only possible with 2 victories, lost their 3rd group match: France 1-0 vs Tunisia, Portugal 2-1 vs South Korea and Brazil 1-0 vs Cameroon. All three still won their group. The only 2 teams knocked out after their first two matches, which is only possible with 2 losses, both also lost their final group match: Qatar 2-0 vs Netherlands and Canada 2-1 vs Morocco. __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

12-03-2022, 08:41 AM	#434
PilotMan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Seven miles up	Alright boyz....let's go!!! __________________ He's just like if Snow White was competitive, horny, and capable of beating the shit out of anyone that called her Pops. Like Steam? Join the FOFC Steam group here: http://steamcommunity.com/groups/FOFConSteam

12-03-2022, 10:03 AM	#436
Lathum Favored Bitch #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: homeless in NJ	Gotta convert chances like that

12-03-2022, 10:18 AM	#438
Ghost Econ College Prospect Join Date: Oct 2020	Well, at least we might see Reyna before the 85th minute.

12-03-2022, 10:31 AM	#439
PilotMan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Seven miles up	The opening tactics aren't going to cut it now with the Dutch content to play a lot of defense and counter. We'll need to keep playing aggressive. __________________ He's just like if Snow White was competitive, horny, and capable of beating the shit out of anyone that called her Pops. Like Steam? Join the FOFC Steam group here: http://steamcommunity.com/groups/FOFConSteam

12-03-2022, 10:36 AM	#440
Ghost Econ College Prospect Join Date: Oct 2020	MMA Midfield looks exhausted and the Dutch are content to make any attack have to start with Ream or Zimmerman. Pulisic has disappeared after the first 5 minutes.

12-03-2022, 10:42 AM	#441
Ksyrup This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: In Absentia	The relative lack of finishing skill is apparent. __________________ M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."

12-03-2022, 10:47 AM	#442
sovereignstar v2 hates iowa Join Date: Oct 2010	Game, set, and match

12-03-2022, 10:47 AM	#443
GrantDawg World Champion Mis-speller Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Covington, Ga.	That would be the match. I just don't see three goals coming from the US.

12-03-2022, 10:47 AM	#444
bronconick College Starter Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kalamazoo, MI	See you in '26

12-03-2022, 10:49 AM	#445
Ksyrup This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: In Absentia	Man I called that. After that short, unsuccessful flurry in their box I told my daughter - this is where good teams turn it around and score before half. Sure enough... __________________ M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."

12-03-2022, 10:49 AM	#446
Ghost Econ College Prospect Join Date: Oct 2020	Halftime needs wholesale changes unless we care about getting blown out. Reyna, Aaronson, LDLT and CCV for Ferreira, Musah, McKennie and Zimmerman.

12-03-2022, 10:56 AM	#447
Critch lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Herndon, VA	Fox coverage review: Landon Donovan - talks a lot of sense, gives good insight. Clint Dempsey - same, but sometimes seems like he needs a prod to actually say anything Alexi Lalas - shut up! shut up! shut up!

12-03-2022, 11:00 AM	#448
RainMaker Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chicago, IL	Ok now I know why Ferreira wasn't playing.

12-03-2022, 11:02 AM	#449
sterlingice Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Back in Houston!	I thought being down 1-0 was not the worst place for the US to be. The Dutch were content to just sit back and play around. Sure, the US had to expend some energy but after that little flurry around the 15-25 minute mark, everyone was content to just let the US attack and they didn't have to defend much except for a couple of weak counters. Unfortunately, that all unraveled in the last few minutes SI __________________ Houston Hippopotami, III.3: 20th Anniversary Thread - All former HT players are encouraged to check it out! Janos: "Only America could produce an imbecile of your caliber!" Freakazoid: "That's because we make lots of things better than other people!"

12-03-2022, 11:12 AM	#450
Ghost Econ College Prospect Join Date: Oct 2020	Musah is exhausted and needs to be subbed.