2014 FIFA World Cup (the Teams and the Groups (of Death))

[Zenit 190]

Saved. its looking like no underdogs this time. I'm happy for netherlands if they win anyway.

gotta keep the faith come on costa rica

Edited July 5, 2014 by Jake DiscoTech

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,161]

Ah, this sport can be so cruel.

 

BUT the Dutch were the better side, so they deserved the win. Props to them.

[Anneal 2,197]

The semifinals remind me of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, only without Spain.

 

Also, I noticed that the replacement goalkeeper, Kruj, for the Netherlands, was actually taller than the primary goalkeeper, and they switched them out at the last minute. Guess like the Netherlands did think carefully.

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,161]

The semifinals remind me of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, only without Spain.

 

Also, I noticed that the replacement goalkeeper, Kruj, for the Netherlands, was actually taller than the primary goalkeeper, and they switched them out at the last minute. Guess like the Netherlands did think carefully.

 

Well, it shows why van Gaal is at the helm of the Netherlands (and Manchester United) and not us then. I was questioning the wisdom behind that substitution, but what do I know? XD

[Jon the VGNerd 885]

Costa Rica lost... with a lot of passion.

 

They showed no mercy to the Dutch team, even though their journey came to an end.

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,161]

Costa Rica lost... with a lot of passion.

 

They showed no mercy to the Dutch team, even though their journey came to an end.

 

Agreed, and they represented CONCACAF well! I believe they're the first team from Central America and the fourth from the CONCACAF region to make it to the quarters (after Mexico, the US, and Cuba).

[Bruno © 125]

Brazil is just not strong enough without Silva and Neymar. They're most likely done dude.

 

eeeh not really, last match they showed that they can make a good match without neymar, and about silva, we have Dante, he knows how the germans play, so this is going to be useful for us, and we can use bernard and willian, they might not be as good as neymar, but they can do it

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,161]

eeeh not really, last match they showed that they can make a good match without neymar, and about silva, we have Dante, he knows how the germans play, so this is going to be useful for us, and we can use bernard and willian, they might not be as good as neymar, but they can do it

 

Well, being a fan of Bayern Munich, I can offer some perspective on Dante, and he really wasn't his best for large parts of the previous Bundesliga/Champions League season.

 

Granted he had his great games, but he (and Boateng) had some bad brainfarts, so yeah.

 

You raise a good point, but nothing is set in stone.

 

We should be set for some epic games next week.

[Bruno © 125]

Well, being a fan of Bayern Munich, I can offer some perspective on Dante, and he really wasn't his best for large parts of the previous Bundesliga/Champions League season.

 

Granted he had his great games, but he (and Boateng) had some bad brainfarts, so yeah.

 

You raise a good point, but nothing is set in stone.

 

We should be set for some epic games next week.

 

 

Don't forget that we also have David Luiz, the best defender in this tournament so far, and we'll have Luiz Gustavo back, if we play like we played against Colombia, we'll probably beat Germany, i know their players (Specially Hummels because i'm a Borussia Dortmund fan) and i know what they can do, and what Brasil can do as well, just look at the team on the Confederations Cup last year.

 

Well, anyways, if we lose, i'll support Holland, in my opinion, this is the national team most deserves to win this tournament, and i hate Argentina, so...

[Anneal 2,197]

Don't forget that we also have David Luiz, the best defender in this tournament so far, and we'll have Luiz Gustavo back, if we play like we played against Colombia, we'll probably beat Germany, i know their players (Specially Hummels because i'm a Borussia Dortmund fan) and i know what they can do, and what Brasil can do as well, just look at the team on the Confederations Cup last year.

 

Well, anyways, if we lose, i'll support Holland, in my opinion, this is the national team most deserves to win this tournament, and i hate Argentina, so...

 

I kind of wanted Costa Rica to get into the semi-finals – then that would be extremely surprising. 

 

But before, I was rooting for Mexico, mostly because their goalkeeper, Ochoa, made some really good saves and their team was able to keep themselves together. Unfortunately, there are some goal shots you just can't block...

 

Now if China and Taiwan (Republic of China)  can get their damn game up and get into the qualifications, I might consider taking a flight to the World Cup.

Edited July 6, 2014 by Original Suri

[Bruno © 125]

I kind of wanted Costa Rica to get into the semi-finals – then that would be extremely surprising. 

 

But before, I was rooting for Mexico, mostly because their goalkeeper, Ochoa, made some really good saves and their team was able to keep themselves together. Unfortunately, there are some goal shots you just can't block...

 

Now if China and Taiwan (Republic of China)  can get their damn game up and get into the qualifications, I might consider taking a flight to the World Cup.

 

 

The goalkeepers are doing amazing matches, even when they lose, i think that they are going to be the ones that will  not the attackers, like we saw today (netherlands with 4 attackers against Costa Rica).

 

And well, all i had to do to go the world cup was taking a taxi to the stadium to watch the match

[Twilight The Creator 298]

eeeh not really, last match they showed that they can make a good match without neymar, and about silva, we have Dante, he knows how the germans play, so this is going to be useful for us, and we can use bernard and willian, they might not be as good as neymar, but they can do it

Bernard has been a no-show this Cup and Neymar was gone for only about 10 minutes last game. All of the players are gonna have to step up if they're going to even pose a threat to Germany.

[Bruno © 125]

Bernard has been a no-show this Cup and Neymar was gone for only about 10 minutes last game. All of the players are gonna have to step up if they're going to even pose a threat to Germany.

 

Neymar didn't played very well against Colombia and Chile, he was better during the group stage, and i'd like to see Bernard starting against Germany to see what he's capable of, also i really want Felipão (Scolari) to start with Jô instead of Fred. Anyways, it's gonna be a good match, i hope we get the 6th title, for Neymar and Scolari

 

Oh, and Marcelo's grandfather passed away yesterday, he was very important to his career and was like a father to him 

[Twilight The Creator 298]

Neymar didn't played very well against Colombia and Chile, he was better during the group stage, and i'd like to see Bernard starting against Germany to see what he's capable of, also i really want Felipão (Scolari) to start with Jô instead of Fred. Anyways, it's gonna be a good match, i hope we get the 6th title, for Neymar and Scolari

 

Oh, and Marcelo's grandfather passed away yesterday, he was very important to his career and was like a father to him 

RIP to Marcelo's grandfather, first and foremost.

Bernard should/has to step it up against Germany. He's capable of playing well but hasn't really so far. And I think ANY Brazilian would want Jo ahead of Fred   :comeatus:

Edited July 6, 2014 by tavitrix

[Bruno © 125]

RIP to Marcelo's grandfater, first and foremost.

Bernard should/has to step it up against Germany. He's capable of playing well but hasn't really so far. And I think ANY Brazilian would want Jo ahead of Fred   :comeatus:

 

I know, the only things that he did during the world cup were diving to get a penalty and a goal, there was a match that he only stood 13 SECONDS WITH THE BALL IN THE WHOLE GAME, i think it was against Mexico, and Jô might not play well 'n stuff but he went way better than Fred when he was on, but the thing is that when that fucker (Fred) plays well he solves all the shit, and i think that's what Scolari's waiting for. I think that he could play better if he enters on the second half or something like it, so he would realize that he has to make a good match to keep his place on the team.

[Anneal 2,197]

I know, the only things that he did during the world cup were diving to get a penalty and a goal, there was a match that he only stood 13 SECONDS WITH THE BALL IN THE WHOLE GAME, i think it was against Mexico, and Jô might not play well 'n stuff but he went way better than Fred when he was on, but the thing is that when that fucker (Fred) plays well he solves all the shit, and i think that's what Scolari's waiting for. I think that he could play better if he enters on the second half or something like it, so he would realize that he has to make a good match to keep his place on the team.

 

Hehe, I don't know THAT much about the Brazilian team. I know much more about the Japanese and Korean teams, but their play has been very disappointing throughout the World Cup – the goalkeeping was poor, the defense was poor, and the offense was poor. They lack the effort and incentive most teams need if they want to qualify for the Round of 16. 

 

I want the Netherlands to win the finals this time. I mean, Argentina was champion before, Brazil was champion before, and Germany (including West Germany) was champion before – the Netherlands getting champion this time would be a first, and it would be a "come-back" compared to their previous loss to Spain in the 2010 World Cup. 

 

So while Messi is pretty cool with his Argentinian team, I'm more interested in the Dutch team. ( Sneijder + Van Persie + Robben = OP, plz nerf)

[Java Jive 440]

The Costa Ricans were lucky, to put it mildly. When you purely look at statistics (34% ball possession, 6 shots on target, many of which didn't reach their target compared to 20 of the Netherlands) they didn't even come close to being a threat safe for one opportunity somewhere at the end. Hell, i'd say the Dutch's biggest nemesis was the goalpost and a opponent gameplan purely based on defense and reaching penalty shootouts no matter what because it worked against Greece, only it didn't work out for them this time because Tim Krul.

 

Sooo, yeah, they had the underdog factor going for them and that they became first in a group with Uruguay, (a very poor) England and Italy should be applauded. But i still consider their last match anti football/soccer, even though you might say they were forced into it because they had no chance in hell to beat them so they retreated back to their own half in spades. Yes, that the Dutch didn't convert was mind boggling and it didn't have to go that far, but the better team that wanted to play won. It's only fair.

 

So now they face an Argentina who'se tactics revolve around "pass the ball to Messi". They miss Di Maria who passes the ball to ideal spots so that's a big loss, but i guess cancelled out by the Dutch having lost De Jong. Let's be fair, Argentina has fielded better teams in the past and their defense seems slow to my eyes. This, like Brazil & Germany, feels like a 50/50 match. Maybe just a slight advantage to the Dutch because of their better creative options, offensive capabilities and a coach you'll never know what he'll do next. If Belgium could shut Messi out, so can the Netherlands. Even though a gut feeling tells me MAFIFA would rather see Argentina in the finals and i wouldn't be surprised if they do.

 

Should the Dutch reach the finals, i think that Germany would be a more dangerous matchup than Brazil. Think about it, No Neymar, intense pressure, having trouble with an opponent the Netherlands beat soundly by 2-0 and looking alltogether unimpressive? Germany always is like playing a concrete wall that grows in confidence during a tournament, they'll wait till you make a mistake and make you pay for it. I'm really crossing my fingers for "Naranja mecánica" to go all the way... But i can't help but feel they're setting themselves up to become the Buffalo Bills of the world of soccer, 4 finals and ending up empty handed. 

 

I hope they prove me wrong though.

[Anneal 2,197]

The Costa Ricans were lucky, to put it mildly. When you purely look at statistics (34% ball possession, 6 shots on target, many of which didn't reach their target compared to 20 of the Netherlands) they didn't even come close to being a threat safe for one opportunity somewhere at the end. Hell, i'd say the Dutch's biggest nemesis was the goalpost and a opponent gameplan purely based on defense and reaching penalty shootouts no matter what because it worked against Greece, only it didn't work out for them this time because Tim Krul.

 

This wasn't really the first time the Netherlands surprised everyone – they switched off Van Persie, one of their best players on the field, with a less known replacement (which also managed to score a goal due to a penalty kick afterwards) against Mexico and its legendary Ochoa during the Round of 16. 

 

I believe the Netherlands coach, Van Gaal, intentionally did such shocking switches to catch his opponent off guard. The Netherlands promptly turned the tables in the game against Mexico right after they switched off Van Persie (though I DO have to give Mexico credit; if there wasn't a penalty kick and Mexico was able to hold off during the extended time, they may have had a chance), and the Costa Ricans were completely confused when Netherlands switched to Tim Krul, who proceeded to block two shots (though honestly, the Costa Ricans were shooting at the SAME DIRECTION for the first three shots and at such low velocity compared to the Dutch). 

 

I feel that the sudden changes in game play might have psychologically affected the opposing teams. 

[Bruno © 125]

This wasn't really the first time the Netherlands surprised everyone – they switched off Van Persie, one of their best players on the field, with a less known replacement (which also managed to score a goal due to a penalty kick afterwards) against Mexico and its legendary Ochoa during the Round of 16. 

 

I believe the Netherlands coach, Van Gaal, intentionally did such shocking switches to catch his opponent off guard. The Netherlands promptly turned the tables in the game against Mexico right after they switched off Van Persie (though I DO have to give Mexico credit; if there wasn't a penalty kick and Mexico was able to hold off during the extended time, they may have had a chance), and the Costa Ricans were completely confused when Netherlands switched to Tim Krul, who proceeded to block two shots (though honestly, the Costa Ricans were shooting at the SAME DIRECTION for the first three shots and at such low velocity compared to the Dutch). 

 

I feel that the sudden changes in game play might have psychologically affected the opposing teams. 

 

Actually no, Van Persie wasn't playing well in that game, if i'm not mistaken, and Huntelaar is really good, and about the last game, Van Gaal talked to Krul to study Costa Rica penalties, he was anticipating this, and besides that, Krul is higher than Cillessen, and was prepared for this.

[Twilight The Creator 298]

The Costa Ricans were lucky, to put it mildly. When you purely look at statistics (34% ball possession, 6 shots on target, many of which didn't reach their target compared to 20 of the Netherlands) they didn't even come close to being a threat safe for one opportunity somewhere at the end. Hell, i'd say the Dutch's biggest nemesis was the goalpost and a opponent gameplan purely based on defense and reaching penalty shootouts no matter what because it worked against Greece, only it didn't work out for them this time because Tim Krul.

 

Technically the Costa Ricans were still in thanks to Keylor Navas and Joel Campell. Those two were consistent day in and day out.

[Anneal 2,197]

Actually no, Van Persie wasn't playing well in that game, if i'm not mistaken, and Huntelaar is really good, and about the last game, Van Gaal talked to Krul to study Costa Rica penalties, he was anticipating this, and besides that, Krul is higher than Cillessen, and was prepared for this.

I did mention that Krul was taller before, but the goalkeeper change would have shocked the Costa Ricans nonetheless; switching goalkeepers is a pretty risky gamble during penalty kicks, though Cillessen may have been exhausted during the two hours of gameplay, so the substitution may have been more helpful than harmful.

[Frostgage 7,975]

Wow, the Germans are just embarrassing Brazil. They look pretty unstoppable at this point. Congratulations to Klose for becoming the top all-time goal scorer of the World Cup.

 

EDIT: Yet another goal. That's 4 in six minutes. They're just passing it into the net.

Edited July 8, 2014 by Frostgage

[Zenit 190]

Almost 6 nil just past the post. I predict full time score 0-8

[Twilight The Creator 298]

well, erm... wow. Just wow. this is just pure wow.

you know you're playing bad when Khedira scores against you.

Edited July 8, 2014 by tavitrix

[Java Jive 440]

And they said the 1950 "Maracanazo" was a trauma... Move over, that's nothing compared to this. I dont even... No.