Rio de Janiero - 2014 Fifa World Cup Thread

[FootballLight]

First topic message reminder :

This **should** be the main article for the Fifa World Cup 2014 competition that happens in 10 days time. Lets try and keep the debate simple yet reasonable about all of the build-up, the stadiums, the countries, the players, the qualifying, the winners and most importantly, the "bought" 2022 World Cup.

Enjoy! (And... lets try and make this World Cup as good as possible considering all of the poor build-up, tragic deaths and he outrageous violence that has been happening over recent months)

[skyeman]

1-1. Well taken, but should he be on the pitch.

[Guest]

Unbelievable. Should be off one minute and scores the next

[skyeman]

Bet the half time panel will say he was lucky to stay on.

[whocares]

I don't think that's a particularly strong Brazil team, I can definitely see an upset tonight, the Croatians look stronger in Midfield.

Are you looking at the same team?

Oscar, Neymar, Hulk & Fred up top? Frightening.

Pretty solid back line too.

I'd say it's a team full of over rated players, don't rate Hulk or Fred that highly while Neymar didn't impress for Barcelona, Oscar is a good player but nothing special. As for the back line well they can't defend it's that simple.

Couldn't agree more mate

I should have entered a smiley somewhere to show my sarcasm, apologies.  Only player I actually rate in that Brazil team is Marcelo. I actually have to ask, is that the Fred who played for Lyon during their Champions League days?

Yes that's the same Fred.

Basically you have 2/3 semi world class players and few good ones in this Brazil team. Compared to the ones from 70's, 80's and even 90's it is a bit substandart.

[Scrumpy]

It wasn't a red card. His arm was stiff not swinging.

[Fernando]

Bet the half time panel will say he was lucky to stay on.

Surprisingly they are not being biased and said it was a yellow   

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I thought it was a yellow, I'd be very annoyed if an England player was sent off for that

[Guest]

Its an average Brazil side. I know it & you know it. Hulk - terrible, Oscar is not a winger, Fred is just Fred, Gustavo better than Fernandinho.....no chance. Willian walks into this side, basically Scolari is pretty clueless. Alves being given the around by the OAP Olic   

If Brazil win the WC, I will be amazed.

[kingraf]

It's an odd foul, but the ref has a choice to make - you can't book a player for putting his hands up, that's only a foul. You can book him if you feel there's intent behind the arm (ie swinging arm, etc) - but if you as a ref feel there was a malice in that raised arm, surely there's only one card that can come out?

[skyeman]

Has Neymar impressed any of you guys.  Early doors though.

Agree with others. This Brazil are way below previous teams style and class.

[Fernando]

I like Neymar he's only going to get better though.

Hernanes is on the pitch

[Lowlandbrit]

This doesn't seem to be the game the crowd was expecting.

[Fernando]

That's some pathetic refereeing

[SirJohnnyEnglish]

Shocking decision!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Bottled it absolutely bottled it

[skyeman]

This doesn't seem to be the game the crowd was expecting.

I have seen more Brazillian atmosphere in away World Cups.

[Hammersmith harrier]

This referee has been awful, can see Brazil getting the rub of the green in every game they play, pathetic penalty award.

[Fernando]

2-1 - Neymar Penalty

[Guest]

Oh my days, never, ever a pen. Disgrace. Gift for a dire brazil

[SirJohnnyEnglish]

Keeper should have done better

[skyeman]

Soft penalty.

[Ent]

Awful from the ref. home town decision if I ever saw one.

Very poor penalty, goal keeper should have caught that.

[Fernando]

Who do we think John hates the most Fred,Hulk Or Giroud? Im guessing Fred

[skyeman]

Spain v Holland tomorrow  

[Guest]

No, the Jap currently tops the list of most hated. Truly disgusting decision. Send him back to fu##### Tokyo, what a tos###!

[whocares]

Spain v Holland tomorrow  

Great more diving and foul play

[Hammersmith harrier]

I'm sick to death of this world cup already.

[The Special Juan]

Hope PSG kept their receipt when they bought Luiz.

[skyeman]

One of them games. Where i feel sorry for a team.

Come on Croatia, bag the equaliser.

[Fernando]

Anyone want to explain where there is a foul in that?

[skyeman]

Never a foul or out of play.

[Ent]

Looked a fair goal that to me.

[Guest]

This Jap needs shooting

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Certainly man of the match for Brazil is the referee

[Guest]

Nice to see the world cup has got off to a quiet start with absolutely no controversy whatsoever

[whocares]

Modric has more class than the entire Brazilian midfield. In the EPL that Croatian goal would have been valid. Challenge was ok, not their fault if the goalkeeper is bad.

[skyeman]

I will not say that the ref is an illegitimate son of Blatter. Oops.

[Hammersmith harrier]

What's the point in watching a tournament where one team just won't be allowed to lose?

[GSC]

A good tuneup for Brazil.

Hasn't been flawless, but often winners grow throughout a tournament

[skyeman]

Well, Brazil may win. But it has been NO samba Brazil.

[Ent]

Only the penalty was a really shocking decision.

I'm sure enough will be made about this that things will tighten up.

Better getting the home calls out of the way early on instead of in the knock outs.

[Fernando]

3-1 Oscar

[Ent]

For all the moaning about the ref, the Croatian keeper has had issues and could have kept it to 1-1.

[The Special Juan]

People think one average Brazil performance suddenly means they are woeful? This is the same team who tore Spain a new one not one year ago.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Well deserved goal for Oscar, been the best player on the pitch

[skyeman]

Well, i get my 3-1 prediction.

Not a fair reflection though.

Croatia could still go through though.

[GSC]

This was always going to be more about doing the job. Massive pressure, out the way

[westisbest]

Poor.

Hard luck Croatia.

[Fernando]

I have to give the ref credit with his paint can and not being tempted to draw a schlong and balls at each Free Kick.

[Mad for Chelsea]

Oscar played well, which makes me reasonably happy. Without him Brazil would have struggled to get any sort of result, he's instrumental in all three goals. Then again, so was the Croatian keeper, should have done better with all three really.

Neymar didn't really impress me, seemed to spend most of the game sulking, with a bit of an "it's my ball" attitude I haven't sen since primary school, but he did score two goals, so you can't complain too much.

All in all, underwhelmed by Brazil, who needed a large slice of luck and dodgy refereeing to get the win. Most of them seemed uninterested in defending (Oscar aside) and simply let Modric have the freedom of CM. Poor.

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