Rio de Janiero - 2014 Fifa World Cup Thread

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed Jun 18, 2014 8:55 pm

First topic message reminder :

owen10ozzy wrote:Diego Costa for £32 million isn't looking to hot either...Chelsea could be looking at the 3 most expensive striker flops in history in Shevchenko, Torres and now Costa.

He lacks pace and mobility which for me are essential in the premiership.

Tbf this isn't the same Costa that's been playing for Atletico, a long hard season and a few injuries catching up with him here I think

by Nakatomi Plaza Sat Jun 21, 2014 9:56 pm

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:I'm not old enough for this comparison, but a man of more years than me:

Is Klose the German version of Lineker?

Pretty fair comparison from what I remember of Lineker. Neither player contributed anything outside the box, but were both predatory finishers.

by FootballLight Sat Jun 21, 2014 10:02 pm

I think Klose is better personally. But obviously I will be thinking that in my generation to be honest. Is it just me, or, is Asamoah Gyan one of the most prolific World Cup goalscorers for an African nation? Why a Premier League club is not trying to pick him up I'm not too sure. It is a very clinical finish and he has been doing this for a while now. Sunderland might want him back or some middle of the road club. Klose is better because he has delivered the (joint) most goals in the best competition in the world, the World Cup, Lineker hasn't.

by Guest Sat Jun 21, 2014 10:03 pm

I don't think any EPL club would want Gyan back. Yeah, he's talented but extremely inconsistent & he's motivated by money, hence why he moved to the middle-east, in the prime of his career.

by Champagne_Socialist Sat Jun 21, 2014 10:06 pm

John wrote:I don't think any EPL club would want Gyan back. Yeah, he's talented but extremely inconsistent & he's motivated by money, hence why he moved to the middle-east, in the prime of his career.

Apparently his brother was living in the UK but he married a middle eastern girl and had to move to the middle east and that is why Gyan went to the middle east because he wanted to be around his family.

by FootballLight Sat Jun 21, 2014 10:09 pm

Asamoah Gyan is correct in his interview. He is a striker, he is expected to score, he has delivered the goal that is expected of him up top. He is a major threat up front. Teams like WBA or Palace have got to be looking to try and snap him up. I'd hardly say he is inconsistent. Such a small nation and he basically got Ghana to the Quarter Finals in 2010 and got his goal tonight against the best. He is a very good striker and I think he needs a move back to the Premier League.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sat Jun 21, 2014 10:13 pm

http://www.ghanasoccernet.com/asamoah-gyan-and-michael-essien-among-africas-highest-paid-footballers/

He'd probably have to have his wages cut from 180k a week to what 30-40k a week to play in the Prem? Yeah not gonna happen

by Guest Sat Jun 21, 2014 10:14 pm

Do you think WBA or Palace will offer him anywhere near the wages he's on in the middle-east? He basically quadrupled his wage in leaving Sunderland. He gets like £6m or £7m a year apparently. He's not a prolific EPL striker either.

by kingraf Sat Jun 21, 2014 10:17 pm

He isn't leaving - Like many African players, first port of call is financially providing for the family - it's not even up for debate which is more financially viable for Gyan

by Champagne_Socialist Sat Jun 21, 2014 10:32 pm

why would he move to take a pay cut? how many of you would move job to take a 70% wage cut?

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sat Jun 21, 2014 10:41 pm

Indeed. We got reasonably close to him this winter I believe, and we throw wedge on contracts, but it was too rich for our blood

by kingraf Sat Jun 21, 2014 11:30 pm

No foul there. Defender gets all touchy, and beaten at his own game.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sat Jun 21, 2014 11:33 pm

Does Joseph yobo count as another Nodge player at the world cup????

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sat Jun 21, 2014 11:35 pm

That offside goal was a travesty of a decision

by kingraf Sat Jun 21, 2014 11:36 pm

It was pretty poor

by kingraf Sat Jun 21, 2014 11:39 pm

These things happen though - Nigeria had a goal disallowed vs Iran in the fifth minute essentially because the keeper bumped into his own defender and spilled it. Ref bottled the call

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun Jun 22, 2014 12:55 am

Olly wrote:Does Joseph yobo count as another Nodge player at the world cup????

Thought he was excellent Cool

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun Jun 22, 2014 1:06 am

And its not totally beyond the realms of possibility that Iran make it through this group...

by kingraf Sun Jun 22, 2014 1:13 am

Think that seals qualification for Nigeria. Don't think Iran are going to beat a Bosnia side desperate to go home with something

by Champagne_Socialist Sun Jun 22, 2014 1:32 am

kingraf wrote:Think that seals qualification for Nigeria. Don't think Iran are going to beat a Bosnia side desperate to go home with something

Iran are playing a side who are knocked out of the WC whilst Argentina are playing a team who want to finish top of the group to avoid france.

Iran are favourite to go through for me.

by kingraf Sun Jun 22, 2014 1:39 am

If Iran were playing, say England, or Italy - basically a team thats got higher expectations, but failed, then maybe they'd be playing a deflated side, who'd put in a half-hearted effort. BIH are a small team, and they will not want to leave Brazil with nothing, they won't be low on motivation.

by Champagne_Socialist Sun Jun 22, 2014 1:53 am

kingraf wrote:If Iran were playing, say England, or Italy - basically a team thats got higher expectations, but failed, then maybe they'd be playing a deflated side, who'd put in a half-hearted effort. BIH are a small team, and they will not want to leave Brazil with nothing, they won't be low on motivation.

But it is natural their motivation will be lower now they are out then if they were in it. I can only assume that they will ull out of 50/50 tackles to avoid being injured as they cannot progress and finding that extra bit of energy to chase the full back in the heat won't be there either.

On the other hand Nigeria will be playing Argentina who will wnt to finish top.

If Iran beat BIH they will go through as Nigeria will not pick up any points against Argentina.

by invisiblecoolers Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:46 am

Well Well Nigeria made a wealth of fortune for me, 1-0 prediction on Nigeria was 19 times money at the start by bet 365, a meagre $25 made a weekend salary for me Smile

Plus I predicted a draw in 2nd half, combine these bet with further $50 on Nigeria to win at 70th minute for 2.25 odds, for the first time I guess betting company was completely wrong or I am not sure whether Bosnia was that good that gave the punters a lot of trust.

by socal1976 Sun Jun 22, 2014 7:30 am

Iran beats Bosnia and they go through. I have to be happy with this as a fan since nobody gave them a chance of finishing anything but last place. Never has an Iranian national team defended this well. Talk all you want about packing the bus but they had good chances against the Argies and were a bit unlucky. Bosnia has got more talent but Iran seems to play very disciplined and has greatly improved their fitness and organization in comparison to recent years. If they play the way played against Argentina in front of Bosnia they should win. But it may be hard to replicate that energy and focus. Still the stakes could not be higher no Iranian team has ever got out of the group phase of the world cup. I thought at the start of the cup that this was about as good a group as they could hope for and going into the last match they are still alive and pretty much control their own fate.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun Jun 22, 2014 10:32 am

socal1976 wrote:Iran beats Bosnia and they go through. I have to be happy with this as a fan since nobody gave them a chance of finishing anything but last place. Never has an Iranian national team defended this well. Talk all you want about packing the bus but they had good chances against the Argies and were a bit unlucky. Bosnia has got more talent but Iran seems to play very disciplined and has greatly improved their fitness and organization in comparison to recent years. If they play the way played against Argentina in front of Bosnia they should win. But it may be hard to replicate that energy and focus. Still the stakes could not be higher no Iranian team has ever got out of the group phase of the world cup. I thought at the start of the cup that this was about as good a group as they could hope for and going into the last match they are still alive and pretty much control their own fate.

Socal you're an american who supports Iran?

I'd watch out for the FBI if I was you Wink

by Duty281 Sun Jun 22, 2014 11:20 am

I've been very disappointed with Bosnia, they've seemed to tighten up this tournament and not do as well as in qualifying.

Nigeria will probably take second place. Iran have to win and they have to go for it; something that won't really suit them and they'll probably be lynched on the counter.

Mind you, the way my predictions have been going recently after a decent start...

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun Jun 22, 2014 11:28 am

Bosnia's decision not to play Ibisevic (top scorer in qualifying) was baffling and probably cost them dear

by Guest Sun Jun 22, 2014 12:13 pm

Dzeko never looked interested. I've seen traffic cones with more movement.

by socal1976 Sun Jun 22, 2014 12:57 pm

Olly wrote:
socal1976 wrote:Iran beats Bosnia and they go through. I have to be happy with this as a fan since nobody gave them a chance of finishing anything but last place. Never has an Iranian national team defended this well. Talk all you want about packing the bus but they had good chances against the Argies and were a bit unlucky. Bosnia has got more talent but Iran seems to play very disciplined and has greatly improved their fitness and organization in comparison to recent years. If they play the way played against Argentina in front of Bosnia they should win. But it may be hard to replicate that energy and focus. Still the stakes could not be higher no Iranian team has ever got out of the group phase of the world cup. I thought at the start of the cup that this was about as good a group as they could hope for and going into the last match they are still alive and pretty much control their own fate.
Socal you're an american who supports Iran?

I'd watch out for the FBI if I was you

I was born in Iran and I am currently in Iran, and have extensive familial ties and holdings here in the motherland from my father before the revolution. Nothing unusual there are a million or two Iranians expats living in the states. I am more than happy to cheer for the US national team and the Iranian national team. But when the two played in 98 I was all for Iran that is still my happiest footballing memory rubbing it in the face of all my high school friends.

by kingraf Sun Jun 22, 2014 1:32 pm

Can imagine the NSA codebreaking SoCal's last past

"Born in Iran... Iranian
Holdings in Iran.... Oil
Supported Iran over US...
My God he's a baron terrorist!!"

by **owen10ozzy** Sun Jun 22, 2014 1:47 pm

USA 1-2 Portugal
Belgium 1-1 Russia
South Korea 1-0 Algeria

by kingraf Sun Jun 22, 2014 1:51 pm

Portugal 3-0 USA
Belgium 2-1 Russia
Algeria 2-1 Korea

by FootballLight Sun Jun 22, 2014 2:06 pm

USA 1-1 Portugal
Belgium 2-2 Russia
Algeria 1-0 Korea

by FootballLight Sun Jun 22, 2014 2:09 pm

I didn't realise Gyan was on that much a week and I didn't realise he was playing in the middle-east either. I thought he was playing somewhere in Africa again. But it is unlikely he would take a pay cut so he will probably finish his career in the middle east if I'm honest. But without tax being payed over there and earning that much a week, he will be doing well himself. But he is a pretty good striker that would do well back to the Premier League, but obviously, he won't be coming back.

by Duty281 Sun Jun 22, 2014 2:45 pm

Belgium 0-0 Russia
South Korea 2-0 Algeria
USA 0-2 Portugal

Come on South Korea!

by Ent Sun Jun 22, 2014 2:47 pm

It's an incredible amount isn't it.

It's just a pity gyan, got all the attributes to be a top striker but only looks motivated for Ghana and you can't blame him for getting that money in a lesser league.

by socal1976 Sun Jun 22, 2014 3:41 pm

kingraf wrote:Can imagine the NSA codebreaking SoCal's last past

"Born in Iran... Iranian
Holdings in Iran.... Oil
Supported Iran over US...
My God he's a baron terrorist!!"

I have been accused of many things KR on this site, someone accused me (bacon eating, whiskey drinking, premarital sex having when I can get it) of wanting to impose sharia.

by Fernando Sun Jun 22, 2014 3:49 pm

#AllHailPork

by Duty281 Sun Jun 22, 2014 3:52 pm

Fernando wrote:#AllHailPork

Amen to that!

by Lowlandbrit Sun Jun 22, 2014 4:08 pm

socal1976 wrote:
kingraf wrote:Can imagine the NSA codebreaking SoCal's last past

"Born in Iran... Iranian
Holdings in Iran.... Oil
Supported Iran over US...
My God he's a baron terrorist!!"

I have been ... wanting to impose sharia.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun Jun 22, 2014 5:13 pm

I don't particularly rate Vermaelen/Vertonghen but how on earth is one of them benched for Van Buyten

He makes Mertesacker looks like Usain Bolt

by The Special Juan Sun Jun 22, 2014 5:19 pm

It's a really scrappy, midfield dominated game at the moment.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun Jun 22, 2014 5:32 pm

And the evergreen vermaelen gets injured

by Guest Sun Jun 22, 2014 5:33 pm

Olly wrote:And the evergreen vermaelen gets injured

The usual

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun Jun 22, 2014 5:36 pm

Mertens has the left back on toast every time its embarrassing

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sun Jun 22, 2014 5:37 pm

Fellaini makes this Belgium team look better. Which in turn makes me lul

by The Special Juan Sun Jun 22, 2014 5:44 pm

He's not a bad player at all when played in the right position. He'll never fit in at Utd unfortunately.

by invisiblecoolers Sun Jun 22, 2014 5:46 pm

Russia 1 - 0 Belgium [ Russia to score the goal in 2nd half]
Korea 0-0 Algeria
USA 1-0 Portugal

Cheering all the underdogs to have their day today. Very Happy

Last but not least thats where my bet lies too.

0-0 Belgium Russia will yield me $250 on $10 bet. Shocked

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun Jun 22, 2014 5:52 pm

Fabio Capello

Relentless entertainer

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:16 pm

Feel for Lukaku in this Belgium system

Ball is just punted in his direction, he's got no support, no runners beyond him, expected to do the dog work of two strikers, no wonder he looks p1ssed

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:16 pm

Lukaku is having a mare this tournament

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