FIFA World Cup Football 2014 Official Thread

[Sherlock.]

Spain losing so badly was shocking.

 

[The Sach]

Portugal? Your kidding me right? The one man team Portugal? The same Portugal that had to play playoffs to qualify? I wont even address the England and belgium teams because i see that as nothing more than wishful thinking. Only worrisome teams are germany and italy. This was down to the braincell of robben and vanpersie and how well they linked up nothing more nothing less.


To be frank casillas lost such "superhuman" powers some time ago ever since his long spell on the bench during the mourinho era in madrid, and torres missing clear cut opportunities isn't a new thing.

Even if I agree that Casillas's downfall started during the Mourinho era and Fernando torres did missed chances before, no one was expecting 1-5.:| Despite of losing 1-5, Spain had 64% possession, what it indicates?:| Defense got completely annihilated yesterday and Spain completely lost the control over the game despite of having ball for the most of time. This is disaster, even stats prove it, and there is no meaning in denying it. The second half was 'complete massacre', it would have easily been 6-1, if that RVP shot wouldn't have hit crossbar.
Certainly everything isn't over yet, but that was disaster and football world will remember it that way.
And on side note, it wasn't fault of tiki-taka, it was fault of players, it was fault of defense.

 

[Frankenstein]

Even goal difference is gonna be a pain for Spain now. In a three-way tie (they all beat Australia, Chile beats Holland and Spain Chile) they will most probably be 3rd.

 

[-Punk-]

For those who haven't seen this ........it's awesome .

[video=youtube;qjT4T2gU9sM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjT4T2gU9sM[/video]​

 

[Memento Mori]

Spain losing so badly was shocking.

That is indeed a miracle no one expected U_U

 

[Six Paths]

Yesterdays match was clearly unbelievable, The Netherlands took revenge on what happened in 2010, and the goals were spectacular as well.

 

[Klad]

The match yesterday was spectacular , Holland completely owned Spain .

 

[Enigma]

Very cool and informative schedule

 

[Itachi Minato]

Chile shouldn't be underestimated. They have a very decent team and the manner of Spain's defeat will give them confidence. I wouldn't be surprised to see Spain lose to Chile. It all depends on how they take their loss. As for today's games I will be rooting for England. I like the look of this new team and the expectations for them this year is really low so they can play without fear (something which may not happen but I have faith). I think England could surprise people. Belgium also have a very good team but they are all very young so they shouldn't be under too much pressure. However, last 16 should be a minimum with their team especially with their group.

 

[Cam]

The problem with Spain is that they only have one style of play (tiki-taka), the teams today know how to handle this style of play and Spain can't change.

Notice how the Dutch applied constant pressure and then lobbed the ball to the front to either Robben and van Persie in which they capitalized on time and time again.

This is Spains downfall, just like how Barcelona fell, top teams have learned how to deal with this now and Spain have no plan B.

 

[Caliburn]

3-1 win in favor of chile, even though draw would have been better, australia were really good in second half, match was closer than scoreline suggested.
A few points :-
1. Both the teams played positive attacking football, it was good.
2. Chile are as good as they say, but have the problem of overplaying in their half, they should simplify and just push the ball towards the goal.
3. Chile is they shake of their nerves have a realistic chance of qualifying from this group
4. Socceroos showed great character they didn't allow it to be a walk in the park for chile, but just were unlucky.
5. Sanches for chile and cahill and goalkeepers were outstanding players
6.Defense of both the teams is a little dwindling, they should rejoice with the fact that spain is in the same boat
7. Group B just got exciting

Hmm no the scoreline pretty much was a correct representation of the match. Chile was just better. From all the teams I've seen so far on the World Cup, Chile brought as a team the nicest football. Australia clearly had less quality. Chile had two major flaws though:

1) They were weak against counters. They don't change very fast from an offensive position to a defensive one and as a result Australia became a few times very dangerous on the counter, but there isn't much doubt Chile was better. I mean a goal was even saved centimeters before the ball crossed the line and all three goals were made without too much difficulty.

Come on guys lets not be naive here, its one thing netherland beating spain its another thing austraila and chile beating them which would be a disgrace. True spain didn't have the best of games and their back lines is not very good but it takes a good team with world class players or at the very least decent players to do that. I see spain beating austraila and chile and qualifying for the next round and im still skeptic that the dutch would have smooth sailing from here on out, as we all know this is football.

You're the one who is being naive here thinking that these are just some mediocre teams. Chile is good and them beating Spain isn't naive at all, especially after what I've seen them doing against Australia. Australia has less quality, but they have shown to be very dangerous on the counter and with Spain in shambles like that, what was originally considered to be impossible, suddenly seems to be within the limits of reality given some luck. Don't underestimate the spirit of a team that believes they can do it.

And Spain got butchered with 5 - 1, which is a disgrace no matter against who you play if you are the reigning champion, but they lost not because their opponent was that strong in the first place, but because they themselves were horribly bad, nearly everyone of them.

All you guys talking badly and laughing at my side should be quiet.
Today, Spain showed that their defence have become week. Holland played great today and duo up front was amazing. Holland beating Spain is nothing... the Dutch has an amazing team.
I'm not going to follow anyone and say that Spain lost their match 2010 and won anyway and the same might happen again, because this time it's not 1 nil, it's 5 - 1.
This is football and you don't know what the scoreline is going to be until the final whistle is blown. Oh... one more thing, this is the World Cup, miracles happen.
Stop talking about Brazil. Brazil's match was poor.

I'm not laughing, but if a team played horrible it isn't bad to say they played horrible and it wasn't just their defense. Their midfield and to a lesser extent their attackers too. Goals nr 1, 2 and 5 were long balls starting from the Dutch defenders. The Spanish defenders let Robben and Van Persie control the ball (the hell), but the Spanish attackers and midfielders let them kick the ball.

The Netherlands played well and scored some very nice goals, but the reality is that Dutch weren't that particularly good, but that the Spanish were extremely bad and the Dutch used that to their utmost benefit. Van Persie's first goal, where are the last two Spanish defenders? 3 meters behind him. What? You just need to have one defender running alongside Van Persie and he never scores that goal, but they just let him run and the let the Dutch back kick the ball right to the center. The 2nd goal again a mid-long ball in the air from their left flank right in the center and...they let Robben control it. What? You just need to have one defender putting pressure on the moment the ball arrives should be enough to make it so that Robben never gets the ball under control like that. No attacker should be able to do that there. And the 5th goal was the most hilarious of all. Where did the ball begin? The left uttermost corner of the side of the dutch, the ball got crossed all the way to Robben on the right side, long ball again, and he could just run towards the Spanish goal.

It was not just the defense. They get three goals were it pretty much comes down to this: long ball towards Robben and Van Persie. Normally something like that should never work if your entire team has positioned itself well.

 

[Conspirator.]

England vs Italy should be good.

And LOL@ spain against the Netherlands. It was like watching an extended comedy show.(I was laughing at spain though.....)

 

[Luther]

I cant wait for the England-italy game. I hope england loses and balotelli shines. When is belgium playing btw?

 

[Never]

1) They were weak against counters. They don't change very fast from an offensive position to a defensive one and as a result Australia became a few times very dangerous on the counter, but there isn't much doubt Chile was better. I mean a goal was even saved centimeters before the ball crossed the line and all three goals were made without too much difficulty.
.

@Bold, that was crazy, good save by the Aussie xD

 

[Xarpius]

The difference with our young players is that most of them already have gotten lots of experience in other competitions. Premier League, Primera Division, Bundesliga, Liga A, Ligue One, Euro League, Champion's League and many of them were part of the team that ended 4th on the Olympics in 2008. I know very well who Van Gaal is, but it seems you are not really aware of the Belgian team and what they are capable of as we also have a lot of players who can crack open a defense or two.

We Belgians have always been realistic. We suddenly don't expect we are going to be the world champion, unlike many of the Dutch who always thought they would win and then get a major reality check, but if you are going to ask why many people have such expectations of Belgium and at the same time are going on about The Netherlands, sorry but I find that just low. The Netherlands aren't a bad team, but the past decade we had to see you had a world team while we couldn't qualify for anything. Now we have such a team and then you are going on about The Netherlands. If you don't expect anything of Belgium, then you shouldn't have even less expectations for The Netherlands.



I never said that Belgium would become champion or even a semi-finalist. This is football and everything is possible in football.

The thing is; you are overrating Belgium, which is honestly a good thing to do. They do have good players and the way they play their game is good, very good! But just as good they are, they still have to face a lot of experienced players. Sometimes things won't go as they please, will they be able to hold their anger? Or will they lose their courage and give up? This is all football is about. The second you lose your focus will be doomed.
Belgium is going to be good, no doubt. I was just negatively talking shit. To both you and McRazor. Mainly to have you guys proven me wrong in the end, with all statics and stuff you guys sum up.

@Bold: Why don't you hold that thought and stick with it? Believe in them. I mean you already voted for their win.
Might as well say things that haven't happened yet. Like me, I use to (and I still do) say things like "NL is going to win WC 2010" but in the end they didn't and I ended up mourning about their loss.

Weet je wat Van Persie zei na afloop? "Wat we nu gaan doen? Genieten!
En dat is het enige waar wij nu aan moeten denken!"
#Noworries! #WK2014

---

5 - 1:
Haven't slept well last night and I don't feel tired at all, because enjoying right now is the best we can do! Who knows how things will turn out in our next matches? But I doubt that we will go home soon.
Our *cough* young and inexperience Goal keeper and *cough* our new young players as defenders did an outstandingly good job! Eh, McRazor.

I was fearing that Robben wouldn't have it his way this match but he has proven me wrong. He is a total beast!
Van Persie did a good job as well! His first goal was above amazing, I could feel/hear the whole town going up and down!
Pfffts! No words can describe how I felt. x'D More encouraged? Brought us faith? Loads of happiness? Perhaps all of that and mixed with more! Wesley Sneijder tho, he gave it all he had. Well not everything I hope. 4 years ago he was the center of spotlights. I hope he will take control next time!

---

Oh and what's up that referee? :| 18 violations and 3 cards.
The heck is wrong with him, giving our best players a card. Tsk.

 

[Caliburn]

The thing is; you are overrating Belgium, which is honestly a good thing to do. They do have good players and the way they play their game is good, very good! But just as good they are, they still have to face a lot of experienced players. Sometimes things won't go as they please, will they be able to hold their anger? Or will they lose their courage and give up? This is all football is about. The second you lose your focus will be doomed.
Belgium is going to be good, no doubt. I was just negatively talking shit. To both you and McRazor. Mainly to have you guys proven me wrong in the end, with all statics and stuff you guys sum up.

@Bold: Why don't you hold that thought and stick with it? Believe in them. I mean you already voted for their win.
Might as well say things that haven't happened yet. Like me, I use to (and I still do) say things like "NL is going to win WC 2010" but in the end they didn't and I ended up mourning about their loss.

Weet je wat Van Persie zei na afloop? "Wat we nu gaan doen? Genieten!
En dat is het enige waar wij nu aan moeten denken!"
#Noworries! #WK2014

---

5 - 1:
Haven't slept well last night and I don't feel tired at all, because enjoying right now is the best we can do! Who knows how things will turn out in our next matches? But I doubt that we will go home soon.
Our *cough* young and inexperience Goal keeper and *cough* our new young players as defenders did an outstandingly good job! Eh, McRazor.

I was fearing that Robben wouldn't have it his way this match but he has proven me wrong. He is a total beast!
Van Persie did a good job as well! His first goal was above amazing, I could feel/hear the whole town going up and down!
Pfffts! No words can describe how I felt. x'D More encouraged? Brought us faith? Loads of happiness? Perhaps all of that and mixed with more! Wesley Sneijder tho, he gave it all he had. Well not everything I hope. 4 years ago he was the center of spotlights. I hope he will take control next time!

---

Oh and what's up that referee? :| 18 violations and 3 cards.
The heck is wrong with him, giving our best players a card. Tsk.

I'm not overrating them. I never said they will become the world champion or even semi-finalist or that they are one of the favourites. But considering the quality they have and the ones they have to play against, anyone who claims that them making it to the 16th finals or even the quarter finals depending against which team they play is overrating the Belgian team, is blind or do you think that what you just said only applies to Belgium? Them winning would be no short of a miracle, but it remains a fact they have enough quality that makes you believe that with a bit of luck they might pull something off unexpected.

Overrating would be if I say that they are favourite of becoming world champion and that reaching the final would be a given. I just voted for Belgium for the heck of it as everyone wants his own country to win. If you don't believe in that even the slightest, why bother going to a world cup in the first place or watching it? Because there is always a fraction of hope for every team believing it might just work out. If the winner is already decided either way, why having a world cup in the first place?

What Van Persie said is something we already did, that's the difference.

 

[Luther]

The thing is; you are overrating Belgium, which is honestly a good thing to do. They do have good players and the way they play their game is good, very good! But just as good they are, they still have to face a lot of experienced players. Sometimes things won't go as they please, will they be able to hold their anger? Or will they lose their courage and give up? This is all football is about. The second you lose your focus will be doomed.
Belgium is going to be good, no doubt. I was just negatively talking shit. To both you and McRazor. Mainly to have you guys proven me wrong in the end, with all statics and stuff you guys sum up.

@Bold: Why don't you hold that thought and stick with it? Believe in them. I mean you already voted for their win.
Might as well say things that haven't happened yet. Like me, I use to (and I still do) say things like "NL is going to win WC 2010" but in the end they didn't and I ended up mourning about their loss.

Weet je wat Van Persie zei na afloop? "Wat we nu gaan doen? Genieten!
En dat is het enige waar wij nu aan moeten denken!"
#Noworries! #WK2014

---

5 - 1:
Haven't slept well last night and I don't feel tired at all, because enjoying right now is the best we can do! Who knows how things will turn out in our next matches? But I doubt that we will go home soon.
Our *cough* young and inexperience Goal keeper and *cough* our new young players as defenders did an outstandingly good job! Eh, McRazor.

I was fearing that Robben wouldn't have it his way this match but he has proven me wrong. He is a total beast!
Van Persie did a good job as well! His first goal was above amazing, I could feel/hear the whole town going up and down!
Pfffts! No words can describe how I felt. x'D More encouraged? Brought us faith? Loads of happiness? Perhaps all of that and mixed with more! Wesley Sneijder tho, he gave it all he had. Well not everything I hope. 4 years ago he was the center of spotlights. I hope he will take control next time!

---

Oh and what's up that referee? :| 18 violations and 3 cards.
The heck is wrong with him, giving our best players a card. Tsk.

Agreed Belgium is a team to watch. However, they are clear favorites for their group and should they fail to top it that would be a shame, anything less than finishing group winners is a disappointment in my opinion, when looking at their opposition.

 

[McRazor]

The thing is; you are overrating Belgium, which is honestly a good thing to do. They do have good players and the way they play their game is good, very good! But just as good they are, they still have to face a lot of experienced players. Sometimes things won't go as they please, will they be able to hold their anger? Or will they lose their courage and give up? This is all football is about. The second you lose your focus will be doomed.
Belgium is going to be good, no doubt. I was just negatively talking shit. To both you and McRazor. Mainly to have you guys proven me wrong in the end, with all statics and stuff you guys sum up.

@Bold: Why don't you hold that thought and stick with it? Believe in them. I mean you already voted for their win.
Might as well say things that haven't happened yet. Like me, I use to (and I still do) say things like "NL is going to win WC 2010" but in the end they didn't and I ended up mourning about their loss.

Weet je wat Van Persie zei na afloop? "Wat we nu gaan doen? Genieten!
En dat is het enige waar wij nu aan moeten denken!"
#Noworries! #WK2014

---

5 - 1:
Haven't slept well last night and I don't feel tired at all, because enjoying right now is the best we can do! Who knows how things will turn out in our next matches? But I doubt that we will go home soon.
Our *cough* young and inexperience Goal keeper and *cough* our new young players as defenders did an outstandingly good job! Eh, McRazor.

I was fearing that Robben wouldn't have it his way this match but he has proven me wrong. He is a total beast!
Van Persie did a good job as well! His first goal was above amazing, I could feel/hear the whole town going up and down!
Pfffts! No words can describe how I felt. x'D More encouraged? Brought us faith? Loads of happiness? Perhaps all of that and mixed with more! Wesley Sneijder tho, he gave it all he had. Well not everything I hope. 4 years ago he was the center of spotlights. I hope he will take control next time!

---

Oh and what's up that referee? :| 18 violations and 3 cards.
The heck is wrong with him, giving our best players a card. Tsk.

Well, as I've said somewhere already (I think it was a VM to someone) I loved the show that your team presented and it seems that I was initially wrong. They did well and their youth didn't stop them from achieving a great result against the current WC and EC. However, I'm not changing my mind. I believe in everything I said (about them being young and inexperienced) and I think the main reason for such a victory is an unrecognizable Spain. I'm sure the next matches won't be so easy for Netherlands and they certainly won't achieve something like this, although, I'd love to see it happen if they're so good as you claim them to be. Either way, good luck to them topping the group as they would be our potential enemies in the next round and I can't wait for that to happen.

Btw. I came here to comment on the brilliant play from Chile last night. I enjoyed the game from 1-94 and I love how Australia fought to the very end, until it was over. The game reminded me very much of our struggle against Brazil with the only difference of Chile achieving the win through gameplay and quality. Australia fought as we did and their team resembles us very much because of the fact that 50% or even more of their team are actually Croatian descendants! I'm sure Australia can steal a few points somewhere and they will fight till the end. Everything else I wanted to say Caliburn already did.

 

[narutokage99]

Bosnia or France but the champion will be a South American country because in the whole wolrd cup history never an European country won in North/South America.Spain are outdated, their players are too old, place too youngs now.

 

[Never]

Bosnia or France but the champion will be a South American country because in the whole wolrd cup history never an European country won in North/South America.Spain are outdated, their players are too old, place too youngs now.

This year could easily change that, though it'd be nice to see a team that hasn't won the world cup, actually win