Group A kicks off with tournament hosts Russia aiming to get out their group and advance further along the competition. However their first game vs Saudi Arabia looks like the only winnable game for them and even that will be a struggle. They come into this tournament playing with a back 3 to compensante their attacking options to get them all on the pitch, but the problem is, they justs aren't good enough. Add in that the whole team doesn't really understand how to play with a back 3 and you get the results they have been showing, very poor ones. I have them maybe beating Saudi Arabia but failing to get out of the group. Uruguay and Egypt are looking to fight for top spot here and i think Uruguay will just have way to much firepower for them. Egypt's star man Mo Salah comes into this tournament injured, he is a major doubt for their opening game and might even force himself back onto the field to early, however with Uruguay first up for Egypt they might refuse to play him there anyway and give him an extra rest and try to secure second spot instead. That would be the way i would play it and aim to beat Saudi Arabia and Russia instead.
Predictions 1st - Uruguay 2nd - Egypt 3rd - Russia 4th - Saudi Arabia
(Vote): Russia & Saudi Arabia (Vote): Egypt & Russia (Vote): Uruguay & Russia (Vote): Egypt & Uruguay (Vote): Saudi Arabia & Egypt (Vote): Saudi Arabia & Uruguay
Poll: Who Do You Want To Advance?
Egypt & Uruguay (12)
48%
Russia & Saudi Arabia (4)
16%
Saudi Arabia & Egypt (4)
16%
Uruguay & Russia (3)
12%
Egypt & Russia (2)
8%
Saudi Arabia & Uruguay (0)
0%
25 total votes
Your vote: Who Do You Want To Advance?
(Vote): Russia & Saudi Arabia (Vote): Egypt & Uruguay (Vote): Uruguay & Russia (Vote): Saudi Arabia & Egypt (Vote): Egypt & Russia (Vote): Saudi Arabia & Uruguay
Russia should get 2nd pretty easily imo. Uruguay will probably win the group, but even that isn't certain. I'm sure Russia will do well since they're hosting the WC.
I hope russia advance or crush out losing every game by 3 goals. Just avoid any controversy that could give hooligans an excuse for violence. But maybe Putin has made sure they behave well anyway.
By the way, sorry if offtopic, but what's the difference between biting someone's shoulder without the referee looking, and UFC elbowing the adversary's goalkeeper in the face upfront (which apparently was later known to have caused a concussion)?
On June 13 2018 07:26 N1E wrote: By the way, sorry if offtopic, but what's the difference between biting someone's shoulder without the referee looking, and UFC elbowing the adversary's goalkeeper in the face upfront (which apparently was later known to have caused a concussion)?
If KSA is still at this level, FIFA is gonna have a hard time in 2022 to find an easy enough group for Qatar to score at least once. Maybe some Bolivian 3rd division referee can get the job done
It probably wouldnt have mattered and I dont think there was anything in it, but has anyone seen a replay of the halfhearted penalty appeal for a russian handball? In general I thought that (in the german broadcast) there was a relatively small number of slo-mos. I hope this isnt an indirect consequence of the VAR, with the intention that viewers cant criticize the VAR team.
On June 15 2018 02:52 Mafe wrote: It probably wouldnt have mattered and I dont think there was anything in it, but has anyone seen a replay of the halfhearted penalty appeal for a russian handball? In general I thought that (in the german broadcast) there was a relatively small number of slo-mos. I hope this isnt an indirect consequence of the VAR, with the intention that viewers cant criticize the VAR team.
you mean early in game, like 10-15 mins in? that was really short distance and saudis restarted play quickly, so they didnt belive it.
On June 15 2018 02:52 Mafe wrote: It probably wouldnt have mattered and I dont think there was anything in it, but has anyone seen a replay of the halfhearted penalty appeal for a russian handball? In general I thought that (in the german broadcast) there was a relatively small number of slo-mos. I hope this isnt an indirect consequence of the VAR, with the intention that viewers cant criticize the VAR team.
you mean early in game, like 10-15 mins in? that was really short distance and saudis restarted play quickly, so they didnt belive it.
Yes. I was just curious/suspicious because I didnt get to see even a single replay of it.
On June 15 2018 02:52 Mafe wrote: It probably wouldnt have mattered and I dont think there was anything in it, but has anyone seen a replay of the halfhearted penalty appeal for a russian handball? In general I thought that (in the german broadcast) there was a relatively small number of slo-mos. I hope this isnt an indirect consequence of the VAR, with the intention that viewers cant criticize the VAR team.
you mean early in game, like 10-15 mins in? that was really short distance and saudis restarted play quickly, so they didnt belive it.
Yes. I was just curious/suspicious because I didnt get to see even a single replay of it.
I didn't get to see a single replay of many things, and what/when they show it's always from a single or few dubious angles. This is the FIFA "World Cup".
Either way Saudi Arabia had their share of unluck as well. Because Russia leading 1-0 early and subbing in the #6 in place of the #9 early due to injury wasn't exactly a good thing for Saudi Arabia.
I went to bed after the first goal as there's plenty of games I might want to stay up for coming up. But it's great it wasn't a bore like so many people including me were expecting it to be. This is not going to be a good World Cup for Asia. All the sides look worse than ever.
On June 15 2018 06:37 N1E wrote: They at least are in WC, lol. Are they better than Trinidad and Tobago though?
Yes. They are.
They finished above Australia in their group. Australia went through a Inter-confederation play-off in which they comfortably beat Honduras. So as bad as Saudi Arabia they are significantly better than Trinidad and Tobago or the US team for that matter.
Could it be that the KSA players were weak and feeble because of Ramadan? My girlfriend says that despite imams granting them exemptions and stuff, some might still fast as a matter of "honor". Which seems utterly stupid, but might have been a factor?
On June 15 2018 18:54 Acrofales wrote: Could it be that the KSA players were weak and feeble because of Ramadan? My girlfriend says that despite imams granting them exemptions and stuff, some might still fast as a matter of "honor". Which seems utterly stupid, but might have been a factor?
Lets hope that's a factor for Morocco and Iran too.
It's basically just a form of intermittent fasting. They still eat after sundown, it's not going to make someone suddenly weak by not eating for a few hours. Just a bit hungry
The not eating food is fine, but muslims can't drink any between sunrise and sunset either, that's the hard part. Especially when trying to play football at the intensity it requires to perform for 90 minutes.
It ended last night, so maybe we'll see a difference in Egypt's game and in the next Saudi Arabia games.
Another thought: Saudi Arabia got shafted actually by having to play on last day of Ramadan, just because they have to play the opener game against Russia. One could wonder if they couldn't alter the schedule so that it wouldn't have been an issue.
On June 15 2018 20:20 Twisted wrote: The not eating food is fine, but muslims can't drink any between sunrise and sunset either, that's the hard part. Especially when trying to play football at the intensity it requires to perform for 90 minutes.
It ended last night, so maybe we'll see a difference in Egypt's game and in the next Saudi Arabia games.
Another thought: Saudi Arabia got shafted actually by having to play on last day of Ramadan, just because they have to play the opener game against Russia. One could wonder if they couldn't alter the schedule so that it wouldn't have been an issue.
Ended last night in SA, but not in Morocco. I wonder if Moroccan players adhere to KSA dates (because they're abroad and should adopt local times) or will stick with the Moroccan viewing that it ends tomorrow. Could make a big difference.
On June 15 2018 21:27 Ysellian wrote: I know these aren't the most popular sides but the stadium doesn't even look half full.
Was giving them the benefit of the doubt at kickoff thinking maybe people were still getting into the stadium or something but it hasn’t changed
It’s a city of 1.5 mil too. Figured some neutrals would show up
Yup, it's a bit sad. Where is this? Lol. Just saw. My cyrillic is pretty bad, but I can recognize Yekaterinburg. It's very very far away from anywhere. Maybe that's the problem? The Yekaterins themselves are not into football and it's just too far away for anybody else?
This match is just a sad and sorry mess. Wow. Both teams look like their attacks are impotent. Which from Egypt was kinda expected, missing their main man, but Uruguay has Cavani and Suárez, but they both look completely lost. And Uruguay's midfield just looks pathetic. And in all honesty, if Egypt had had Salah, they would probably be leading... because Uruguay's defense isn't great either.
How do Uruguay consistently manage to land their passes behind their targets? And soooooo slow.
On June 15 2018 21:49 Acrofales wrote: This match is just a sad and sorry mess. Wow. Both teams look like their attacks are impotent. Which from Egypt was kinda expected, missing their main man, but Uruguay has Cavani and Suárez, but they both look completely lost. And Uruguay's midfield just looks pathetic. And in all honesty, if Egypt had had Salah, they would probably be leading... because Uruguay's defense isn't great either.
How do Uruguay consistently manage to land their passes behind their targets? And soooooo slow.
When was the last time Cavani looked good for Uruguay in a tournament? I think they said 2 goals across 5 tournaments?
On June 15 2018 21:49 Acrofales wrote: This match is just a sad and sorry mess. Wow. Both teams look like their attacks are impotent. Which from Egypt was kinda expected, missing their main man, but Uruguay has Cavani and Suárez, but they both look completely lost. And Uruguay's midfield just looks pathetic. And in all honesty, if Egypt had had Salah, they would probably be leading... because Uruguay's defense isn't great either.
How do Uruguay consistently manage to land their passes behind their targets? And soooooo slow.
When was the last time Cavani looked good for Uruguay in a tournament? I think they said 2 goals across 5 tournaments?
On June 15 2018 21:49 Acrofales wrote: This match is just a sad and sorry mess. Wow. Both teams look like their attacks are impotent. Which from Egypt was kinda expected, missing their main man, but Uruguay has Cavani and Suárez, but they both look completely lost. And Uruguay's midfield just looks pathetic. And in all honesty, if Egypt had had Salah, they would probably be leading... because Uruguay's defense isn't great either.
How do Uruguay consistently manage to land their passes behind their targets? And soooooo slow.
When was the last time Cavani looked good for Uruguay in a tournament? I think they said 2 goals across 5 tournaments?
Uruguay is the kind of team to make life hell for big teams, but then struggle against small ones because they don't have any real game plan. Poor Cavani though, he wouldn't have missed those ones but he has to play Suarez' #2.
On June 15 2018 22:50 sneirac wrote: 5 minutes added? Did I miss anything or is that about 3 minutes too much. I can't recall a single significant stoppage
On June 15 2018 22:53 FueledUpAndReadyToGo wrote: Maybe we didn't notice because there wasn't much difference between stoppage and actual play
Does Iran still just park the bus like in 14? Next game may not be too exciting
Actually I have Iran-Morocco as game of the day, as either team should know they need to win. Spain and Portugal on the other hand have produced rather dull games iirc.
On June 15 2018 22:53 FueledUpAndReadyToGo wrote: Maybe we didn't notice because there wasn't much difference between stoppage and actual play
Does Iran still just park the bus like in 14? Next game may not be too exciting
Actually I have Iran-Morocco as game of the day, as either team should know they need to win. Spain and Portugal on the other hand have produced rather dull games iirc.
I also expect fire. But yeah, Iran definitely parked the bus in 2014, and have the same coach.
On June 20 2018 02:26 739 wrote: Salah starting against Russia tonight.
Anyone expecting Egypt to beat Russia ?
I think this is a real 50/50 match. The entire Salah thing is way too overhyped, look at how much Son could do for S.Korea. And the Russians weren't great in their first match, but they weren't as bad as anyone expected them to be. 2 -1 to Russia with some dodgy decisions by the ref.
Haha. Love how straightforward the Egypt game plan is at times. Goalie catches ball and instantly tries to hit Salah running full speed at Russia's defense. Keeping it simple.
On June 20 2018 04:14 Mafe wrote: Must be like 75% of goals from penalties, freekicks, corners and own goals so far.
40 goals (including the 2nd russian goal) - 7 penalty goals (2 penalties missed, of those 9 penalties 3 were awarded via VAR) - 3 direct free kicks - 10 goals from corners/indirect free kicks - 5 own goals
Russia is demolishing their opponents. And honestly... they only played shit teams so far, but hey, when you see how hard all the favorites do against the lesser team, that is damn impressive.
On June 20 2018 04:19 Mafe wrote: So at this point senegal already is the last african hope, barring some minor miracle from nigeria against argentina?
I wouldnt call it a minor miracle. They already beat them in a friendly. You never know.
On June 20 2018 04:22 zeo wrote: I for one welcome our new Russian overlords
On June 20 2018 04:41 Faruko wrote: I remember Rusia being kinda criticised before the World Cup, not many actually thought they would go through this group
but i also guess nobody thought Egypt would play this bad?
I think not many knew how good Russia could be anyway. But yeah, Egypt has been weak.
On June 20 2018 04:41 Faruko wrote: I remember Rusia being kinda criticised before the World Cup, not many actually thought they would go through this group
but i also guess nobody thought Egypt would play this bad?
THey weren't very good to begin with. They barely squeaked through the qualifiers. I was rooting for them to personally but it didnt really think they would get through. I expected it to be a bit closer then it was against Russia.
Russia looked a bit weak the last couple years as well. They have certainly outperformed expectations. Especially after losing Dzagoev.
On June 20 2018 05:06 FueledUpAndReadyToGo wrote: Acting like Saudi Arabia won't beat Uruguay 9-0 smh
They don't need to. 5-0 is enough!
Actually a 1-0 is enough, right? As long as they then beat Egypt by 9-0 afterwards!
Or is this like the champions league where only matches amongst the tieing teams are counted. In which case, they need to win 6-0. And then Uruguay needs to beat Russia with 6-0 too :D
E: also, fuck it. I bought one of the russian midfielders in the fantasy league. Guess who was the twat who conceded the penalty.
On June 20 2018 05:06 FueledUpAndReadyToGo wrote: Acting like Saudi Arabia won't beat Uruguay 9-0 smh
They don't need to. 5-0 is enough!
Actually a 1-0 is enough, right? As long as they then beat Egypt by 9-0 afterwards!
Or is this like the champions league where only matches amongst the tieing teams are counted. In which case, they need to win 6-0. And then Uruguay needs to beat Russia with 6-0 too :D
Oh.... It is GD > direct comparison/mini table... I also assumed it was like in EL/CL
I will be shocked if Uruguay does not win against Saudi Arabia tomorrow. Im fine with a tie for Russia vs Egypt. But then again this WC has had upsets alread.
On June 20 2018 07:49 lethal111 wrote: I will be shocked if Uruguay does not win against Saudi Arabia tomorrow. Im fine with a tie for Russia vs Egypt. But then again this WC has had upsets alread.
The game ended hours ago...and it wasn't a tie. You mean Russia vs Uruguay?
On June 20 2018 07:49 lethal111 wrote: I will be shocked if Uruguay does not win against Saudi Arabia tomorrow. Im fine with a tie for Russia vs Egypt. But then again this WC has had upsets alread.
The game ended hours ago...and it wasn't a tie. You mean Russia vs Uruguay?
Yea I meant that my bad, I forgot today was tuesday for some reason ahahah
At some point I will have to start been impressed with Russia. I said they were the worst team at the World cup and that's been proved wrong. They will get slaughtered by a good team but I didn't think they had a chance of getting out of the group and they're clearly going to manage that. Good work, good team spirit. You don't have to have the best players to have a good team working together.
On June 20 2018 22:56 Shellshock wrote: Field will drop to 29 with a Uruguay win
Coincidentally, the teams that will be out are all Arab nations (I assume Egyptians and Moroccans are technically Arabs)
They are north Africans. They may have Arab populations and are Arab speaking but they wouldnt like to be called Arab nations. Although yes technically you can make that claim.
On June 20 2018 23:58 Rebs wrote: but they wouldnt like to be called Arab nations.
They wouldn't like? People from both countries refer to themselves often as Arabs and both are in the Arab league. Egypt official name is "Arab Republic of Egypt".
On June 21 2018 01:20 Faruko wrote: is tihs the worst game of the tournament so far?
Nope, thats still the Iran Morocco game. But I mean.. who expects entertaining goalfests from Uruguay... It is somewhat disconcerting that people like Cavani who typically are only good for feasting against weak opposition arent even doing that.
No big decisions are left here. Uruguay and Russia advance and play for 1st place seeding, while Egypt and Saudi Arabia are eliminated and now have a game for honor and pride. Egypt has never won a game at a World Cup, so there is this achievement to unlock for them.
Possible qualification scenarios: Russia 1st, Uruguay 2nd: -- Russia wins or ties Uruguay Uruguay 1st, Russia 2nd: -- Uruguay wins
On June 25 2018 22:31 fLyiNgDroNe wrote: surprisingly, Uruguay is one of the only 2 teams that are yet to allow a goal. I won't be surprised with a boring 0-0 today
They also played two of the weakest teams in the tournament...
On June 25 2018 22:31 fLyiNgDroNe wrote: surprisingly, Uruguay is one of the only 2 teams that are yet to allow a goal. I won't be surprised with a boring 0-0 today
They also played two of the weakest teams in the tournament...
On June 25 2018 22:31 fLyiNgDroNe wrote: surprisingly, Uruguay is one of the only 2 teams that are yet to allow a goal. I won't be surprised with a boring 0-0 today
They also played two of the weakest teams in the tournament...
i wasn't surprised they haven't allow a goal, i was surprised almost all other teams have
On June 25 2018 22:31 fLyiNgDroNe wrote: surprisingly, Uruguay is one of the only 2 teams that are yet to allow a goal. I won't be surprised with a boring 0-0 today
They also played two of the weakest teams in the tournament...
They haven't played against Poland iirc
Always good to take snide shots at your country of origin
On June 25 2018 22:31 fLyiNgDroNe wrote: surprisingly, Uruguay is one of the only 2 teams that are yet to allow a goal. I won't be surprised with a boring 0-0 today
They also played two of the weakest teams in the tournament...
They haven't played against Poland iirc
Always good to take snide shots at your country of origin
Dude I'm so mad >.< Yesterday I've heard Lewandowski's interview after the match and he said something along the lines that it's not teams fault, it's fans and community fault that they had SUCH HIGH expectations from national team, even if he stated couple of times that they're not in the form and group Poland is in, is one of the toughest in WC.
On June 25 2018 22:31 fLyiNgDroNe wrote: surprisingly, Uruguay is one of the only 2 teams that are yet to allow a goal. I won't be surprised with a boring 0-0 today
They also played two of the weakest teams in the tournament...
They haven't played against Poland iirc
Always good to take snide shots at your country of origin
Dude I'm so mad >.< Yesterday I've heard Lewandowski's interview after the match and he said something along the lines that it's not teams fault, it's fans and community fault that they had SUCH HIGH expectations from national team, even if he stated couple of times that they're not in the form and group Poland is in, is one of the toughest in WC.
and I'm like, really man?
Eh just wait for that sweet karma to come to him. He thought he could use this tournament to showcase and get someone to buy him out of Bayern, that couldn't have gone worse
He also said that he wasn't trained to be a player like Ronaldo or Messi, to get the ball, pass couple of opponents and score the goal, he needs passess to score goals and he couldn't count on his teammates to do so..... lmao
On June 25 2018 22:31 fLyiNgDroNe wrote: surprisingly, Uruguay is one of the only 2 teams that are yet to allow a goal. I won't be surprised with a boring 0-0 today
They also played two of the weakest teams in the tournament...
They haven't played against Poland iirc
Always good to take snide shots at your country of origin
Dude I'm so mad >.< Yesterday I've heard Lewandowski's interview after the match and he said something along the lines that it's not teams fault, it's fans and community fault that they had SUCH HIGH expectations from national team, even if he stated couple of times that they're not in the form and group Poland is in, is one of the toughest in WC.
and I'm like, really man?
Hmm fair enough. I was joking, but I don't think k it's right to blame the fans. What did they do? Solely the team's fault here.
lol the defender cleared the space for the shot.. he was trying to make it so that the 2 Uruguay players in the wall didnt unsight the keeper but he just ended up giving a free line to the far corner.
Always great when the home team does well, the atmosphere is so much fun.
why oh why would you do that when you just got a yellow.. And now they have to give up Cheryshev who has been there best attacking player this tournament.
On June 26 2018 01:00 Dav1oN wrote: You've been expected something different with Egypt? Mediocre team with single T2 player deals no damage
and SA is any better?
Nah, they're kinda equal with minor differences, SA got no T2 players at all, but seems like they're a better preapared team overall. Still matters not when it comes to the actual results.