The 2022 World Cup

[Macca 16,949]

52 minutes ago, hardtack said:

You failed to read the part where I said I had been watching the sport for over 50 years?  Saying that I’m not a fanatical follower of the sport (as you obviously are) does not equate to me not watching or me hating the sport.

Is it not possible to find the games in a particular event (the World Cup) uninspiring and still enjoy watching the sport generally?  It’s hardly whinging to state my opinion of the games I’ve watched… I note you’ve conveniently ignored the fact that I stated that I enjoyed the Japan v Germany and S Korea v Uruguay games.

Perhaps you need to accept the fact that you’re not the only one whose opinion matters. I found some games uninspiring, you didn’t… fine.

Perhaps you don't have to tell the world what you don't like.  You know, less is more

You actually said ... "I've found most games to be uninspiring"

To a soccer fan that is going to get a reaction ... so you got a reaction.  Deal with it

As for other people's opinions ... I often agree but not when the opinion is biased or nonsensical (or full of hate)

Your appraisal that the world cup games are uninspiring sounds quite ridiculous in all reality ... the games have nearly all been quite enthralling

I'm guessing you've hardly watched many games at all ... but the strong opinion is there for all to see

[Macca 16,949]

1 hour ago, hardtack said:

 

Now you've resorted to facepalms

You're the one who put your foot in it

[Macca 16,949]

Anyway, we need the Socceroos to play inspired football tonight with lots of inspirational moments

Unless that happens we're all going to be uninspired as a result

And we don't want that, do we?

hardtack here especially needs inspiring.  He's in dire need of the inspiration

[Macca 16,949]

Socceroos take the early lead!

[hardtack 10,534]

2 hours ago, Macca said:

hardtack here especially needs inspiring.  He's in dire need of the inspiration

You seem to have taken my comments a little too much to heart. I’m watching and enjoying the game.

[Macca 16,949]

51 minutes ago, hardtack said:

You seem to have taken my comments a little too much to heart. I’m watching and enjoying the game.

Yeah, you're right

No hard feelings, ht

Socceroos!

 

[Macca 16,949]

Part one of the equation complete!

That was tense!

[At Least I Saw a Flag 5,227]

How good was big Harry?

[Macca 16,949]

11 hours ago, Winners at last said:

How good was big Harry?

We're just wild about Harry!

[Macca 16,949]

Japan losing tonight opens the door for Germany ... but Germany will need to defeat Spain later this morning to stay in touch

If that happens all 4 teams in Group E (Spain, Costa Rica, Germany & Japan) would all be on 3 points with 1 game remaining in that group for all 4 teams

6am later this morning - Spain vs Germany ... should be a cracker of a match

As for the Aussies ... a draw against Denmark on Thursday morning (2.00am) and we're through to the round of 16 (which would be some achievement when considering the make-up of our team)

 

[roy11 3,846]

On 11/26/2022 at 12:04 PM, hardtack said:

If VAR is so successful in eliminating diving and human error (ref’s decisions) from the game, then how on earth did Ronaldo earn a penalty kick in the game against Ghana?

Incidents like the Ronaldo one have increased in the VAR era, player knows if there is contact the VAR unlikely to reverse the penalty. There were a few incidents in Serie A last season where the VAR cottoned on to the player initiating the contact. Wish more VAR officials were that brave. 

[Macca 16,949]

Game tonight is a beauty!

65 minutes in ... Serbia 3 Cameroon 3

[Macca 16,949]

Now for South Korea/Ghana with Spurs striker Son on show

Does he score once or twice?  Maybe ... I'm thinking he might get a brace against this opposition

[layzie 33,790]

10 hours ago, Macca said:

Game tonight is a beauty!

65 minutes in ... Serbia 3 Cameroon 3

Missed it, last night was NFL catchup night in my household 😝

[Macca 16,949]

1 hour ago, layzie said:

Missed it, last night was NFL catchup night in my household 😝

I thought you'd lost interest as I haven't seen you here for a week!

The thread has been dead (I thought it might have been ultra busy but you can't predict these things!)

[Grapeviney 9,715]

14 hours ago, Macca said:

Game tonight is a beauty!

65 minutes in ... Serbia 3 Cameroon 3

I can't believe I';m saying this, because I grew up idolising the man, but I agree with the overwhelming sentiment on social media that Martin Tyler has passed his use-by-date.

Last night's game was a cracker but you wouldn't have known it from the call, which was flat and lifeless. 

Give us more of football's poet, please.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CkJDye2LI3G/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 

Edited November 29, 2022 by Grapeviney

[Macca 16,949]

10 hours ago, Grapeviney said:

I can't believe I';m saying this, because I grew up idolising the man, but I agree with the overwhelming sentiment on social media that Martin Tyler has passed his use-by-date.

Last night's game was a cracker but you wouldn't have known it from the call, which was flat and lifeless. 

Give us more of football's poet, please.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CkJDye2LI3G/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 

Not generally one to take in commentary too much at sporting events but I did notice Tyler's deadpan commentary in the Spain/Cameroon game

Notably when Cameroon scored their 3rd goal.  Martin seemed perplexed about offside & VAR but in the meantime, Cameroon had scored and had drawn level - Tyler seemed oblivious to what was actually happening!

Saw him interviewed at the start of the tournament and he was all over the place there as well.  Seemed a bit eccentric to be honest.  And a bit incoherent

Netherlands should win this morning and advance as the group winner whilst Equador & Senegal are playing for the other round of 16 spot

In the other group England will advance you'd reckon whilst it's all to play for between Iran & USA

Edited November 29, 2022 by Macca

[Grapeviney 9,715]

20 minutes ago, Macca said:

Not generally one to take in commentary too much at sporting events

I think it’s one of the beauties of the world game - mainly because many of them are so damn good at it.

They’ve been poached by the American networks now, but I used to watch EPL games just to listen to Jon Champion and Peter Drury.

Tyler’s voice still reminds me of my childhood and Sundays spent watching hour after hour of football on SBS. 

[layzie 33,790]

21 hours ago, Macca said:

I thought you'd lost interest as I haven't seen you here for a week!

The thread has been dead (I thought it might have been ultra busy but you can't predict these things!)

Definitely not Macca! Caught up on a bunch on mini matches last night. Definitely expect this thread to ramp up come the round of 16. 

Despite the location and other controversies surrounding this WC, the football played so far has been brilliant I reckon. 

[Macca 16,949]

9 hours ago, layzie said:

Definitely not Macca! Caught up on a bunch on mini matches last night. Definitely expect this thread to ramp up come the round of 16. 

Despite the location and other controversies surrounding this WC, the football played so far has been brilliant I reckon. 

Yeah I came to terms with Qatar hosting early on ... money talks but that's the world we live in (and it's nothing new)

Out of last night's games I feel that Senegal could trouble England but by contrast, I reckon the Dutch should be able to take care of the Americans

Be interested in the thoughts of your good self and others on those same 2 upcoming round of 16 games ... @Grapeviney @Winners at last@hardtack@roy11@Demonland@dl4e@Wadda We Sing

@Dee Zephyr@Jumping Jack Clennett

Tonight's games are interesting as well which includes the biggie ... Australia vs Denmark 2.00am (I expect Argentina to to beat Poland tonight and they probably have to, as the Saudi's can beat Mexico and snare a spot in the next round)

[Macca 16,949]

18 hours ago, Grapeviney said:

I think it’s one of the beauties of the world game - mainly because many of them are so damn good at it.

They’ve been poached by the American networks now, but I used to watch EPL games just to listen to Jon Champion and Peter Drury.

Tyler’s voice still reminds me of my childhood and Sundays spent watching hour after hour of football on SBS. 

Yeah, we're all different, Gv

Radio/audio sport I love (but not so much footy anymore) Test Cricket, Soccer, NFL, MLB, NBA & NHL are all favs

But as for the visual, I'm able to block out the commentary as I can see what's going on.  In some sports, the commentators just talk way too much

For instance, with the footy, I just ignore what the commentators are saying.  Close to zero interest in the commentary as I'm too enthralled with the contest (esp Demon games)

[Wadda We Sing 10,685]

Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooolllllllllllllaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[Wadda We Sing 10,685]

..............Yep.......

ARNIE IS the right guy !!!

[At Least I Saw a Flag 5,227]

Australia 1 - Denmark 0 .... Socceroos through to round of 16 !!!

Wow !!!

 

[GBDee 352]

Not happy. Was expecting Bailey Wright back in my team’s defence on Saturday…

Seriously though, great win for the Aussies.