World Cup 2014 Thread...

[Thick Face Black Heart]

You can get a pretty good idea of team intentions based on the starting line up of the favorite. .

Agree. But for knockout stage and beyond, it doesn't make sense for any team to play defensive anymore? I mean, who wants to risk going into a full time draw situation and then extra time followed by penalty shootout? Better to get a clear win in the first 90 min and settle the game.

 

[aurvandil]

It depends on whether you are favorite or the under dog.

Take Brazil-Chile. Brazil would not want to go for penalty shoot out given the odds of them losing are higher than if they were to cheong during the 90 mins. The penalty shoot-out would however be a good thing for Chile. Brazil would therefore structure for an aggressive game and go for a win within 90 mins. Chile will do what they can to play defense and drag for time.

Agree. But for knockout stage and beyond, it doesn't make sense for any team to play defensive anymore? I mean, who wants to risk going into a full time draw situation and then extra time followed by penalty shootout? Better to get a clear win in the first 90 min and settle the game.

 

[Thick Face Black Heart]

It depends on whether you are favorite or the under dog.

Take Brazil-Chile. Brazil would not want to go for penalty shoot out given the odds of them losing are higher than if they were to cheong during the 90 mins. The penalty shoot-out would however be a good thing for Chile. Brazil would therefore structure for an aggressive game and go for a win within 90 mins. Chile will do what they can to play defense and drag for time.

Okay, that's sound pretty logical. So can I gather than if two teams are roughly equal in strength, they will both tend to cheong, but if one team is stronger, then the stronger will cheong but the weaker will be tempted to play defensive?

 

[McDonaldsKid]

What dressing room troubles? Post a link.

They had 2 players sent home before the match for fighting. http://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/26/sport/football/world-cup-ghana-boateng-muntari/index.html

 

[Thick Face Black Heart]

Colombia was in a weaker group. Uruguay was in a stronger group. Even if Uruguay goal diff (0) is much inferior to Colombia (7), I think they are more or less equal in strength.

Tempted to take "over" for this match.

Of course Uruguay has one star player who will not be playing anymore........... Hmmm.

Colombia odds to win 1.70. Looks pretty decent odds?

 

[McDonaldsKid]

Okay, that's sound pretty logical. So can I gather than if two teams are roughly equal in strength, they will both tend to cheong, but if one team is stronger, then the stronger will cheong but the weaker will be tempted to play defensive?

My take is that is also depends if a team knows if its fitter than its opponents. If it is, why not play a patient game and try to win by a goal, knowing it could possibly win in extra time due to fitness?The weaker team will almost always play for extra time in KO situations; BUT if you are playing someone like Germany or Argentina who excels at penalties, then a weaker team might be more adventurous. Maybe we can but HT scores 0-0 because this could be likely.

 

[McDonaldsKid]

Colombia was in a weaker group. Uruguay was in a stronger group. Even if Uruguay goal diff (0) is much inferior to Colombia (7), I think they are more or less equal in strength. Tempted to take "over" for this match.Of course Uruguay has one star player who will not be playing anymore........... Hmmm.Colombia odds to win 1.70. Looks pretty decent odds?

Uruguay not really great without Suarez. You can see he really troubled the Italian and English defence when he played. I agree Colombia is a good bet to win as they have a very strong team ethic.The complication comes in due to extra time. Colombia can win, yes, but will they do it in 90 minutes?

 

[McDonaldsKid]

Just noticed a quirk.First 2 games involve all South American teams.The advantage they might have over non-SA teams is nullified. Brazil had difficulty against Mexico (technically not a SA team, but close enough).IMHO, Brazil with a narrow win, and Colombia to beat Uruguay who will be demoralized without Suarez.

 

[aurvandil]

It's hard to call when two teams are roughly equal.

Okay, that's sound pretty logical. So can I gather than if two teams are roughly equal in strength, they will both tend to cheong, but if one team is stronger, then the stronger will cheong but the weaker will be tempted to play defensive?

 

[GoldenDragon]

Okay, that's sound pretty logical. So can I gather than if two teams are roughly equal in strength, they will both tend to cheong, but if one team is stronger, then the stronger will cheong but the weaker will be tempted to play defensive?

Weaker team will rely on counter attack and set pieces.

 

[GoldenDragon]

Just noticed a quirk.First 2 games involve all South American teams.The advantage they might have over non-SA teams is nullified. Brazil had difficulty against Mexico (technically not a SA team, but close enough).IMHO, Brazil with a narrow win, and Colombia to beat Uruguay who will be demoralized without Suarez.

Brazil and Colombia for me. Brazil coz of home support and Colombia coz without Suarez, Uruguay machiam very ordinary. Over for Brazil and under for Columbia.

 

[McDonaldsKid]

Brazil and Colombia for me. Brazil coz of home support and Colombia coz without Suarez, Uruguay machiam very ordinary. Over for Brazil and under for Columbia.

Not going for 1X2 GD bro?

 

[aurvandil]

Uruguay will go for defensive game against Colombia. Colombia will be looking for blood. Unless Uruguay can plug the holes, this will look like a repeat of the match where they lost to Costa Rica.

For Brazil, not quite sure about this year's team. Mexico showed how it was possible to lock Brazil up. Given the way Chilie plays, it should be possible for them to adopt a similar strategy and force a draw.

Brazil and Colombia for me. Brazil coz of home support and Colombia coz without Suarez, Uruguay machiam very ordinary. Over for Brazil and under for Columbia.

 

[GoldenDragon]

Not going for 1X2 GD bro?

Simi is 1x2? I only know xxx.

 

[GoldenDragon]

Uruguay will go for defensive game against Colombia. Colombia will be looking for blood. Unless Uruguay can plug the holes, this will look like a repeat of the match where they lost to Costa Rica.

For Brazil, not quite sure about this year's team. Mexico showed how it was possible to lock Brazil up. Given the way Chilie plays, it should be possible for them to adopt a similar strategy and force a draw.

Agree. Uruguay will be defensive. No choice. But game to be over in 90min.

Brazil may need extra time to get through. Expecting goals from this game.

 

[McDonaldsKid]

Simi is 1x2? I only know xxx.

haha1x2 = Home/Draw/Away

 

[GoldenDragon]

haha1x2 = Home/Draw/Away

Must be SPools. Yet to bet with them.

 

[jw5]

With at least five Liverpool players in the England team, I will find it hard to see how they cannot manage to contain Suarez.
On paper, this should be a England win but you never know with them.

So unpredictable.

Do you mean they know what makes him tick (like a time bomb)?

My bestest prediction of WC 2014. :o

 

[jw5]

USA isn't bad at all. For a country that isn't considered a football powerhouse they only allowed germany to score 1.

Look at how lousy england and portugal are compared to them.

Considering that their top 3 sports all involve using more hands than feet...................

 

[dredd]

Considering that their top 3 sports all involve using more hands than feet...................

US players are professionals plying their trade mostly in Europe and is led by a legend in Klinsmann. They know what it takes to win matches. They are not world class but are no slouches either. Last 16 will be their final stage.