World Cup 2014 Thread

[Zeppo]

On the question of qualification from the group, doesn't the result of the match played between Ghana and the USA take priority over goal difference in the event of the two countries tying for second place in the group? I thought that was the criteria.

Head to head result is the third tie-breaker. First is goal difference, and second is goals scored.

[RobVarak]

On the question of qualification from the group, doesn't the result of the match played between Ghana and the USA take priority over goal difference in the event of the two countries tying for second place in the group? I thought that was the criteria.

It should, but it does not. This has pissed me off for years. Head-to-head result is a tiebreaker, but only after goal difference and goals scored! After that it's down to drawing lots.

[rhymes450]

On the question of qualification from the group, doesn't the result of the match played between Ghana and the USA take priority over goal difference in the event of the two countries tying for second place in the group? I thought that was the criteria.

Head to head result is the third tie-breaker. First is goal difference, and second is goals scored.

Thanks for clearing that up. I was under the impression that Ghana couldn't qualify. Changes everything.

[RobVarak]

I swear Zeppo's post wasn't there when I answered Rhymes' question, but I didn't get the "one new post" warning. Maybe it's Zep's crazy Brazilian internet messing up the posting times.

[XXXIV]

On the question of qualification from the group, doesn't the result of the match played between Ghana and the USA take priority over goal difference in the event of the two countries tying for second place in the group? I thought that was the criteria.

Head to head result is the third tie-breaker. First is goal difference, and second is goals scored.

Thanks for clearing that up. I was under the impression that Ghana couldn't qualify. Changes everything.

Agree wth you Rob. FIFA can be quiet silly sometimes. Head to head SHOULD be first.

[Macca00]

On the question of qualification from the group, doesn't the result of the match played between Ghana and the USA take priority over goal difference in the event of the two countries tying for second place in the group? I thought that was the criteria.

It should, but it does not. This has pissed me off for years. Head-to-head result is a tiebreaker, but only after goal difference and goals scored! After that it's down to drawing lots.

What does social media say?

[dougb]

Twitter - Just a bunch of twats.

Doug

[10spro]

Brazil looked much better today, despite Fred's offside goal they were dominant. A couple of brilliant moments by Neymar and that's all it took to bring down the Lions. Still, on D like their eternal rivals Argentina they look vulnerable at times when their opponent decide to test them. But with Mexico already winning 3-0 it'll remain to be seen whether the goals scored differential will make them finish first in their group.

Edit: With them just scoring the 4th goal, it may be just enough.

[RobVarak]

What a gutless performance by the Croats. Got caught up in Mexico's lucha libre bull$hit and did nothing with the ball. Horribly disappointed.

Nani and Chicharito scoring goals in consecutive days against my teams. This is God telling me to go back to ignoring soccer, apparently. When two pieces of dogshit like that are doing you in, it's time to reevaluate your life choices.

[Macca00]

Was not aware that Barney Rubble was managing Mexico. Really disappointed by Croatia - would have liked to have seen more of Modric and Rakatic.

[RobVarak]

Was not aware that Barney Rubble was managing Mexico. Really disappointed by Croatia - would have liked to have seen more of Modric and Rakatic.

They are sorely in need of some midfield muscle to free them up and keep some shape to the midfield. They take themselves out of position too often and are too easily knocked off the ball.

It's the plight of many small nations, the available talent is so seldom evenly distributed around the pitch.

That said, they really should have done more today. I think it was a perfect storm situation. That was a home game for Mexico, complete with their comforting homophobic fans interrupting the match with their smuggled whistles. I don't know if any of the Croats were ready for that sort of nonsense. Croatian finishing was appalling, with an uncountable number of unforced turnovers and widespread mis-communication.

They played like the only side with any pressure on them.

[RobVarak]

Scary stat (albeit small sample)

Teams are 0-4 after playing in Manaus, despite 3 being consensus betting favorites. Aggregate score? 10-2.

[wco81]

Klinsmann was kind of grousing about that, noting that Germany has one extra day before their game on Thursday and they didn't play in as hot a venue as the US team did, said something about making things easier for favorites.

[Danimal]

So as someone whose experience with the game equates to watching my 11 year old play and who is just hooked into all these WC matches. What are the odds Germany and the US really do just play to a draw in a not spoken but understood agreement?

[RobVarak]

So as someone whose experience with the game equates to watching my 11 year old play and who is just hooked into all these WC matches. What are the odds Germany and the US really do just play to a draw in a not spoken but understood agreement?

Nobody knows for sure, but I think very, very low. A few decades ago it might've been more likely. Modern media scrutiny would make it incredibly difficult and the resulting outrage would be unprecedented. Plus these are two very high-energy teams. If they turned up and played a game that looked like a Greek inter-squad game, it would be pretty damned transparent.

That said, if organically it was 1-1 in the 75th minute, I think you'd see a lot of aimlessness all of a sudden.

I'm much less optimistic than I was 24 hours ago. I feel like the attrition of the opening two matches will just be too much for the US, and lacking the depth to rotate the squad without hampering our productivity, I'm afraid it will be fatal.

[XXXIV]

If they turned up and played a game that looked like a Greek inter-squad game, it would be pretty damned transparent.

Thanks Rob! We resemble that remark.

I had images of a Germany Austria match watched years back...but yeah I think they will both play most of the game.

Genuinely sorry for your loss.

[XXXIV]

[Aristo]

I'm much less optimistic than I was 24 hours ago. I feel like the attrition of the opening two matches will just be too much for the US, and lacking the depth to rotate the squad without hampering our productivity, I'm afraid it will be fatal.

I agree. I think Ghana might really rip Portugal a new one, and the US may need to at least draw to win. And I have a bad feeling about what Germany could do to a depleted US team coming out of Manaus on one day less of rest than Germany.

[Jimmydeicide]

Macca Stole your Barney Rubble line.

[JackB1]

I'm much less optimistic than I was 24 hours ago. I feel like the attrition of the opening two matches will just be too much for the US, and lacking the depth to rotate the squad without hampering our productivity, I'm afraid it will be fatal.

I agree. I think Ghana might really rip Portugal a new one, and the US may need to at least draw to win. And I have a bad feeling about what Germany could do to a depleted US team coming out of Manaus on one day less of rest than Germany.

I think Portugal is due for a big game. I hope they beat Ghana, but not by more that a couple goals!!

[Naples39]

Scary stat (albeit small sample)

Teams are 0-4 after playing in Manaus, despite 3 being consensus betting favorites. Aggregate score? 10-2.

This statistic is keeping me up at night. A terrible omen for both the United States, and our temporary ally on Thursday, Portugal.

[JackB1]

good article about why Bradley is not to blame......

http://www.espnfc.us/team/united-states ... h-portugal

[fsquid]

if the US and Germany are tied at around the 80th minute, I bet you see a lack of attach from both sides.

[Naples39]

if the US and Germany are tied at around the 80th minute, I bet you see a lack of attach from both sides.

I agree.

Presuming the USA will just try to survive the match, which I think must be the strategy given the abbreviated rest from playing in Manaus and the talent gap, their goal must be to keep Germany off the scoreboard through the 60th or 70th minute.

While Germany will start the game playing their normal style, there's no reason for them to push it late if the game is still tied.

[JackB1]

You guys really think the US can keep Germany scoreless for 75-80 minutes?
I think keeping them to 2 or less is more realistic.