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)

[CFCNick]

Not really, they have had a good following for sometime now, even at non WC games.

They need to start with Wondalowski next match.
That Johansson looked bush.

They are capable of getting a result against Portugal, but think Portugal will nick it 2-1.

I hope not though.

While we're on this group.

Muellar should be banned for the next 2 games.
That was just disgraceful what he did yesterday.
Just pathetic. Main reason I dont watch to much football these days. To much of that carry on.

Portugal defender should have gone into the German dressing room and knocked that c*nt the fk out.

Yes Westy!!!! Wondo FTW!!!!

[westisbest]

From what I have seen of him, he looks decent enough.

At 31, this is his last chance.

[Duty281]

Such a poor game between Ghana and the USA yesterday. All goals the result of poor defending although, in fairness, Ghana's goal did need a superb finish.

Ghana were one-dimensional in attack, and struggled to break down what is a fairly poor USA defence lacking in mobility and quality. And the USA struggled to keep the ball, played with a poor tempo and were negative throughout.

I had tipped Ghana pre-tournament to get the better of Portugal but not anymore.

Germany and Portugal should have little trouble in getting past Ghana and the USA.

[socal1976]

Portugal to me looks a mess. I don't feel sorry for Pepe, yes Mueller made a meal of the initial challenge but the headbutt was a redcard offense even if it didn't do any damage. Pepe is way too experienced to pull that bush league tough guy routine.


I think USA is going to get a draw against Portugal and knock them out. I don't see too much other than Ronaldo on this side. And Ronaldo is either injured, tired or doesn't look on form to me.

[westisbest]

Such a poor game between Ghana and the USA yesterday. All goals the result of poor defending although, in fairness, Ghana's goal did need a superb finish.

Ghana were one-dimensional in attack, and struggled to break down what is a fairly poor USA defence lacking in mobility and quality. And the USA struggled to keep the ball, played with a poor tempo and were negative throughout.

I had tipped Ghana pre-tournament to get the better of Portugal but not anymore.

Germany and Portugal should have little trouble in getting past Ghana and the USA.

Really?

I thought it was a decent game and worth staying up for.
Nice very early goal from Dempsey, who looked emotional and up for it.

Thought the US defence wasn't to bad.
Looked a bit void of ideas when Altidore went off(Johansson didn't offer anything).

Thought Jones and Beckerman did well, also Johson was it, ran his heart out, had no energy at the end.

Ghana were poor first half, couldn't cross the road, never mind a ball.
Did better second half, but US held their ground till the goal.

Well done USA though for coming back and getting the W.

Portugal will be an interesting game.
If they can keep Ronaldo quiet, they may have a chance.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Not a chance that USA get something against Portugal, I'd bet my last penny on it

[whocares]

Not a chance that USA get something against Portugal, I'd bet my last penny on it

Portugal is in such turmoil that the USA game might come too soo for them with not enough time to regroup.
weirdest things happened to Portugal (including losing to USA a couple of world cups ago!). I feel that even Iran would get a result against them right now. at least they seem to have a competent coach!

[westisbest]

Not a chance that USA get something against Portugal, I'd bet my last penny on it

There is always a chance.

Look at Senegal beating France 02
Cameroon beating Argentina 90.
Ireland Beating Italy 94
Bulgaria beating Germany 94
NI beating Spain 82

To name a few.

Always a chance.

[Stella]

The USA beating Portugal would hardly be a shock. A surprise yes.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I don't see it and I'll be betting a large sum (well for a 18 year old kid who works part time) on a Portuguese victory

[compelling and rich]

Portugal favorites but its not a great team, pretty much a one man team

any team that starts with nani and almedi is no great shakes. think usa will give them a game. although they looked like they were falling to pieces after last night so fitness of players could be a issue

[Duty281]

Such a poor game between Ghana and the USA yesterday. All goals the result of poor defending although, in fairness, Ghana's goal did need a superb finish.

Ghana were one-dimensional in attack, and struggled to break down what is a fairly poor USA defence lacking in mobility and quality. And the USA struggled to keep the ball, played with a poor tempo and were negative throughout.

I had tipped Ghana pre-tournament to get the better of Portugal but not anymore.

Germany and Portugal should have little trouble in getting past Ghana and the USA.

Really?

I thought it was a decent game and worth staying up for.
Nice very early goal from Dempsey, who looked emotional and up for it.

Thought the US defence wasn't to bad.
Looked a bit void of ideas when Altidore went off(Johansson didn't offer anything).

Thought Jones and Beckerman did well, also Johson was it, ran his heart out, had no energy at the end.

Ghana were poor first half, couldn't cross the road, never mind a ball.
Did better second half, but US held their ground till the goal.

Well done USA though for coming back and getting the W.

Portugal will be an interesting game.
If they can keep Ronaldo quiet, they may have a chance.

Decent game to watch, but a poor game in terms of actual quality.

I expected more from Ghana.

[Duty281]

I don't see it and I'll be betting a large sum (well for a 18 year old kid who works part time) on a Portuguese victory

Agreed.

USA got two goals courtesy of substandard defending, while struggling to keep the ball.

Ronaldo will tear their less-than-quick defence apart.

[socal1976]

I don't see it and I'll be betting a large sum (well for a 18 year old kid who works part time) on a Portuguese victory

Gentleman's bet olly? What are your terms. You take portugal for the win and I will take USA win or draw.


Portugal's defense in particular looks really shakey to any cross in the box. They have more talent than the USA but the Americans seem to me to want it more and play better as a squad. This is not the portugal of Figo, Postiga, Rui Costa, Deco etc. It is the Ronaldo show and to me he didn't look nearly up to his best. Maybe a long trying season of club football has left him knicked up and spent. Certainly, Portugal look to me to be the favorite in that game but I could see the USA sneaking a result and losing to Germany 3-0 to get to the next round. Hell Ghana could draw with portugal and knock them out.

[Duty281]

Predictions for today:

Belgium 2-0 Algeria
Brazil 3-1 Mexico
Russia 1-1 South Korea

[skyeman]

Belgium 3-0 Algeria
Brazil 2-2 Mexico
Russia 4-1 South Korea

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I thought USA looked suspect and a better side than Ghana could take them apart. Ghana cut them open a few times but just lacked final quality. They had the same lack of ideas as Nigeria in many ways, just against a team set up differently.

[westisbest]

Think i'll give the world cup viewing a miss today.
The games dont interest me.

Australia v Holland the next one for me.

[compelling and rich]

Think i'll give the world cup viewing a miss today.
The games dont interest me.

Australia v Holland the next one for me.

really im looking forward to see how belgium get on after all the big build up, and brazil are always good value for money to watch. they cant defend for sh!t but just bomb forward anyway!

im looking forward to those two games, but then again im sad and have watched every game so far anyway!

[westisbest]

Well can only watch second half of the Belgium game, try and catch the second half.
Wont watch the other 2.

Still disappointed Benteke is not in these finals.
As a Villa fan would have loved to see him on the world stage.

[westisbest]

Think i'll give the world cup viewing a miss today.
The games dont interest me.

Australia v Holland the next one for me.

really im looking forward to see how belgium get on after all the big build up, and brazil are always good value for money to watch. they cant defend for sh!t but just bomb forward anyway!

im looking forward to those two games, but then again im sad and have watched every game so far anyway!

Even the Ivory Coast v Japan game?

Well done.

[compelling and rich]

Think i'll give the world cup viewing a miss today.
The games dont interest me.

Australia v Holland the next one for me.

really im looking forward to see how belgium get on after all the big build up, and brazil are always good value for money to watch. they cant defend for sh!t but just bomb forward anyway!

im looking forward to those two games, but then again im sad and have watched every game so far anyway!

Even the Ivory Coast v Japan game?

Well done.

yeah im afraid so, dont really remember much of it though after spending most of the england game in the pub

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I have missed one half now, collapsed at half time during the USA/Ghana game. I blame Iran Nigeria, it drained me.

[Fernando]

Belgium: Courtois, Alderweireld, Kompany, Van Buyten, Vertonghen, Witsel, Dembele, Chadli, De Bruyne, Hazard, Lukaku.
Subs: Mignolet, Vermaelen, Fellaini, Mirallas, Mertens, Defour, Origi, Lombaerts, Januzaj, Vanden Borre, Ciman, Bossut.

Algeria: M'Bolhi, Halliche, Bougherra, Medjani, Ghoulam, Bentaleb, Mostefa, Taider, Mahrez, Soudani, Feghouli.
Subs: Si Mohamed, Belkalem, Mesbah, Yebda, Lacen, Ghilas, Brahimi, Slimani, Cadamuro, Djabou, Mandi, Zemmamouche.
Referee: Marco Rodriguez (Mexico)

Suspect Van Buyten & Chadli have compromising photo's of the Belgian Manager if their in the team.

[GSC]

Quite fancy Algeria to nick a draw. Belgium are so underrated they've become overrated.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Well I've bet on Belgium, Brazil and Russia

So someone's bound to man sausage up

[compelling and rich]

Well I've bet on Belgium, Brazil and Russia

So someone's bound to man sausage up

ive had the same bet, so even more chance of a man sausage up as i dont normally have the greatest of times betting

[owen10ozzy]

Loved the US v Ghana game...showed everything the World Cup is about for the teams/players who only ever get this opportunity on the huge stage to perform and put absolutely everything in.

Not the best game technically but for drama and compelling viewing it was fantastic.

I only just managed to keep my eyes open mind after the drab of Iran vs Nigeria...I don't want to watch either of them again after that but given I expect both to get a drubbing here on out and it's not against each I will.

The aim is to watch every game and so far I am on target. Think today will be good as well...looking forward to seeing how Belgium fare as they are coming in with labels of dark horse so pressure is certainly on...will they do a Chile or will they show everyone why they are being talked of.

Predictions:

Belgium 4-1 Algeria
Brazil 3-1 Mexico
Russia 2-0 South Korea.

[compelling and rich]

i told the bird im seeing to put hazard first scorer at 5-1, she put hazard first scorer and belgium to win 5-1   

[CFCNick]

Well I've bet on Belgium, Brazil and Russia

So someone's bound to man sausage up

ive had the same bet, so even more chance of a man sausage up as i dont normally have the greatest of times betting

I'll blame the both of you if Belgium don't win. They're the last piece of my bet from yesterday.

[LastDamnation]

Weird lineup from the Belgians, no mertens and chadli apparently playing #10

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Weird lineup from the Belgians, no mertens and chadli apparently playing #10

Chadli #10 is even stranger when you've stuck De Bruyne on the wing

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Can't say Algeria don't deserve that, completely nullified Belgium and have a lead now

Absolute #headsgone defending by Vertonghen

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Hipsters everywhere: "I preferred Chile anyway"

[Duty281]

Overrated Belgium look rather sluggish.

[Lowlandbrit]

Quick, everyone on here put on a tenner on England to lose all the rest of their games!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Quick, everyone on here put on a tenner on England to lose all the rest of their games!

I tried that tactic with Norwich this seasom lowlandbrit

Doesn't work

[Lowlandbrit]

Belgium just don't seem to have any ideas for breaking Algeria down.

[LastDamnation]

Hipsters everywhere: "I preferred Chile anyway"

They were probably better a year or so ago when they were just the hipsters choice, quite a few of their players have regressed

[LastDamnation]

Weird lineup from the Belgians, no mertens and chadli apparently playing #10

Chadli #10 is even stranger when you've stuck De Bruyne on the wing

And he's been abysmal, should change it up at ht imo

[owen10ozzy]

Wrong set up from Belgium in my opinion. Similar to England playing people out of position. I know a few Belgium people who have long said they are better when they play two up top but that's something the manager refuses to do even with Benteke and Lukaku in the midst...(though not the case atm obviously)...

However they nook very narrow and middle of the park is congested. Algeria are tough to break down as shown 4 years ago...where in that game England didn't seem to bother using width and here the same can be said. Began to look dangerous in last few with Hazard getting down the left but think they need to put natural winger out on the right to give them a 2nd platform to attack down and bring De Bruyne inside....think we will see Miralles very soon.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Mirallas is the man I want to see.

[compelling and rich]

throw the kid januzaj on, already showed in his brief glimpes that he's got bags full more talent than chadli

lukaku has been awful, his touch is about 7 meteres

[The Special Juan]

Is Andros Townsend the most random pundit ever?

[skyeman]

Russia gonna cream this group, not just saying it because they are my 606 sweepstake team  

[compelling and rich]

chadli off in the least surprising substitute of the world cup so far

[Dolphin Ziggler]

OF ALL THE BELGIANS! The hipsters are so torn

[skyeman]

You could not make it up!!!

[The Special Juan]

Fellaini? Scoring goals in red? I don't believe it. He'll probably get the winner.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Lovely goal. Hazard's pass, the striker's run is so intelligent, slammed home

[Sponsored content]