FIFA World Cup 2014

[Pricey_sky]

Here we go then, Chinese takeaway ordered and beers in the fridge ready to be opened.

I'll go for a 3-1 Brazil win.

Called it!

Brazil were very lucky though, they must improve quite a bit to win this World Cup!

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Croatia are a good team. If you are a betting man get your money on them qualifying from this group.

Here, here.... but only on safe things, like Brazil going to the final.

 

[Flamin]

Since my obsession for this sport ended a few years ago, I'm wondering how is this team supposed to be the no1 favourite to become world champion?

 

[The Hitch]

Fred was cheating. Like Luis Fabiano was it, 4 years ago.

I just realized no Kaka or Robinho or Ronaldinho in Brazil squad.

Surely one of the first 2 at least should have made it Especially since Robinho always played better in a yellow shirt. This Brazil side isn't good enough that you don't pick one of those for experience.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Called it!

Great call. Applause. To pick a 3-1 upfront is quite impressive.

I OTOH started out 50/50:

BRA 1, CRO 0

I go with history here (what else can we do). Most op. games ended 1-0

Edit: I need it more precise. 58th minute penalty kick by the guy who normally shoots them for Brazil. BTW who is that nowadays?

number 10

Not bad either, right?!

----------------

Double LOL...

So we will have an offensive game. Good, good...

So I had to change due the unexpected OG. But shortly after:

Soon it will be 2-1, then it will roll. 3-1, 4-1 whatever. Game is in the pocket...

Since my obsession for this sport ended a few years ago

Great decision. Same here.

Summary:
It was going as expected by me: A farce in front of millions.
From now on I would like to watch every game, just out of interest if this Cup breaks the 2010 record; 50% (!!) of games back then been changed in the outcome by wrong ref descisions (Source: Weinreich).
Count 2014 so far: 1 for 1

Great job by the ref: Not only giving a free "penalty" kick, but also going against CRO on a 50/50 situation (the 2nd goal scored for CRO)

It could be one heck of a study if I had that time to watch it all.

 

[l.Harm]

Pff what a disgrace the referee. I don't see Brazil winning the tournament if they keep going like this, didn't impress me at all.

 

[ILovecycling]

Neymar has been insane so far. More quality in the first half an hour of this than his entire Barca rookie year.

Agreed.As I said earlier,Barca sh:t style of play is kiling him

..snapped..
I say 3-1 ,so I predict very offensive match from both.

hehe,lucky one,very nice match indeed



3-1 is a good result,but very tough match it was.Very rough play by Croatia,nice counter-attacks.Brasil 'defense' not looking great,as Cesar and Hulk.
That penalty was really lucky,on theother hand the referee didnt whistle few fouls,so almost fair enough.

 

[ILovecycling]

Pff what a disgrace the referee. I don't see Brazil winning the tournament if they keep going like this, didn't impress me at all.

yep,improvement is necesary,especialy defense
But lets see who will be better first,from the other favourites

 

[l.Harm]

Spain, Germany, Argentina would kill the Brazil of today.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

I say 3-1 ,so I predict very offensive match from both.

Oh yeah. Great call also...

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Spain, Germany, Argentina would kill the Brazil of today.

I bet against it. Whatever you want...
BTW, Germany never, ever, remember: They put a goal cam in now. No more help from there for Germany...

 

[l.Harm]

No team does really convince me. I'm going with Argentina for now

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Germany is 10x better than this Brazil, Spain at least 2 times.

From now on I support Croatia!!

 

[buckle]

Who needs juice when you have FIFA refs?

The whole thing was so devoid of any integrity, the Brazilians might as well lay off the sauce. It could be said that FIFA refs constitute the definitive anti-doping regime in that respect.

 

[D-Queued]

The whole thing was so devoid of any integrity that the Brazilians might as well lay off the sauce. FIFA refs constitute the definitive anti-doping regime.

There is (allegedly) far more money invested in match fixing than on doping, and it is (allegedly) very sophisticated. Far more subtle (allegedly) than simply fixing the match.

Dave.

 

[Briant_Gumble]

The ref and the croation goalkeeper seemed (potentially) bought.

It might just have been the crowd influencing the ref though, I've heard Brazilian crowds can be particularly rough.

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

I think it wasn't a bad start for the Brazilians. Never be good in your first games. Top form before the Quarterfinals usually means you won't win it. But well, top form they might need for the very hard first KO-Match.

They can play better than this, quite a lot. But the Game did show that the Brazilians are overall limited in their approach. Plus I don't see that they can afford to loose Neymar, or a really bad game by him. I thought Oscar was very good today, but still. This is not the same as it used to be.
What they really have to deal with is their openes on the flanks. Give Robben any space like this and you just might be dead. But it's also due to their interesting way to defend, they do open up space in dagerous areas sometimes, even though you have to be good to target them. I think they'd have great problems because of this especially against Germany. But well, we don't know if they will play against each other.
Brazil and Argentina are mostly seen as favourites because everyone believes that no European team can win in South America, a theory that I think is ********.

 

[kingjr]

I want to see the goalkeeper that would betray his own country in a World Cup these days. I don't think Pletikosa was in dire need of money. Besides his reaction after the penalty he almost saved was genuine.

 

[buckle]

The ref and the croation goalkeeper seemed (potentially) bought.

It might just have been the crowd influencing the ref though, I've heard Brazilian crowds can be particularly rough.

The thought did strike me about the goalie. Many refs just do this for kicks however - it's the Harold Shipman syndrome.

 

[AICA ribonucleotide]

The whole thing was so devoid of any integrity that the Brazilians might as well lay off the sauce. It might be said that FIFA refs constitute the definitive anti-doping regime in that respect. Regardless of his ridiculous performance, is it not strange that a Japanese was put in charge when the Japs are drawn in the same group?

???

Group A
Brazil
Croatia
Cameroon
Mexico

 

[buckle]

I want to see the goalkeeper that would betray his own country in a World Cup these days. I don't think Pletikosa was in dire need of money. Besides his reaction after the penalty he almost saved was genuine.

Have you heard the rumour that Brazil were offered 25 million big ones by the French to thow a 1/4 final in 2006 and accepted?

 

[kingjr]

Have you heard the rumour that Brazil were offered 25 million big ones by the French to thow a 1/4 final in 2006 and accepted?

I don't care about rumours.

 

[buckle]

???

Group A
Brazil
Croatia
Cameroon
Mexico

Thanks for the correction! I obviously lost it during the game ...

 

[gooner]

Pletikosa has been a poor keeper down the years full stop.

 

[Parrulo]

There already is a Football thread on this section and both a World cup specific and Football thread in the cafe.

This also isn't really about doping so it really belongs on the world cup thread tbh.

/Thread closed