The Soccer thread

[Macca 16,643]

2 minutes ago, Dee Zephyr said:

I’ll give it a go @Macca.

France v Argentina.

Uruguay v Portugal

Spain v Russia

Croatia v Denmark

Brazil v Mexico  ( Hoping more than anything)

Belgium v Japan

Sweden v Switzerland 

Colombia v England

If we get enough having a go we could have a mini comp

1pt for every round of 16 winner,  2 pts for every QF winner,  3 points for each SF winner & 5 points for predicting the winner of the final.  One batch at a time. 

What do you reckon DZ?

[Dee Zephyr 19,173]

3 minutes ago, Macca said:

If we get enough having a go we could have a mini comp

1pt for every round of 16 winner,  2 pts for every QF winner,  3 points for each SF winner & 5 points for predicting the winner of the final.  One batch at a time. 

What do you reckon DZ?

I’m more than happy with that system Macca and if others join it should be some good fun.

[Macca 16,643]

13 minutes ago, Dee Zephyr said:

I’m more than happy with that system Macca and if others join it should be some good fun.

It's a pity there aren't any games on tonight what with not having to work tomorrow but those are the breaks.  1 day off and I've already got withdrawal symptoms!

And seeing we're on a new page here's the round of 16 schedule again - France vs Argentina kicks things off tomorrow night and it could be a beauty ..

 

 

Edited June 29, 2018 by Macca

[Diamond_Jim 12,360]

3 hours ago, Macca said:

I reckon about 3 of these round of 16 games will go to penalties but I'd prefer it if they were to utilise the golden goal method in extra time whilst taking a player off every 5 minutes.  For some reason,  that short-lived way of deciding a game was abandoned not long after it was adopted. 

At least the players were playing the actual sport to decide the game under the golden goal method.  I've always viewed the penalties shoot-out as a bad gimmick that caught on.

I can recall the golden goal but I can never recall the player reduction. Funny because I have suggested for years that is the way to go. Perhaps it is too shambolic in reality.

When many of the knock out games are decided on penalties the WC seems to lose just that little bit.

[Macca 16,643]

1 hour ago, Diamond_Jim said:

I can recall the golden goal but I can never recall the player reduction. Funny because I have suggested for years that is the way to go. Perhaps it is too shambolic in reality.

When many of the knock out games are decided on penalties the WC seems to lose just that little bit.

 Maybe the player reduction was just an idea put forward but never implemented?  Memory is a bit vague on that one DJ.  Golden goal was about in the 2000 Olympics but was scrapped not long after.

Anyway,  I remember liking the idea immediately (player reduction) and thought it made perfect sense to my way of thinking - 7 on 7 or even 5 on 5 should,  in theory,  create exciting finishes.  I'd rather the games be decided by playing the actual sport. 

They have penalty shoot-outs in ice-hockey (NHL) except for the playoffs where they continue playing until a goal is scored.  Sometimes 3 extra periods!  Makes for high-drama.

But people are so used to penalty shoot-outs and they don't like change.  I understand all the drama attached but I don't like them and probably never will.  It's akin to a bowl-off in cricket or 5 set shots each in footy (to decide a Grand Final?)

Having said all that I have to accept the reality of what it is but deciding a World cup final on penalties seems quite ridiculous to me - and it has happened of course.

I also like the idea of VAR but even if it was implemented correctly I'm not sure it is good for the game ... it's certainly worth persevering with to see where it all ends up. 

Edited June 29, 2018 by Macca

[Dee Zephyr 19,173]

@Macca @Diamond_Jim

Do you recall the implementation of the Silver Goal rule in Euro 2004? 

If a team was leading by the end of the first half of extra time the game would end. I remember it vividly, you could argue it helped Greece win the tournament and possibly costing the Czechs the tournament at the same time. 

https://www.planetfootball.com/nostalgia/remembering-short-lived-silver-goal-2004-czech-side-robbed/

[Macca 16,643]

17 minutes ago, Dee Zephyr said:

@Macca @Diamond_Jim

Do you recall the implementation of the Silver Goal rule in Euro 2004? 

If a team was leading by the end of the first half of extra time the game would end. I remember it vividly, you could argue it helped Greece win the tournament and possibly costing the Czechs the tournament at the same time. 

https://www.planetfootball.com/nostalgia/remembering-short-lived-silver-goal-2004-czech-side-robbed/

I reckon that was it after that tournament ... the wash-up was that teams became too defensive rather than more attacking.  The law of unintended consequences kicked in DZ.

But reducing the players on the pitch might create more goal scoring chances and thus,  any given game can (in theory) be decided by the sport being played out to a finish. 

But I may as well be howling at the moon as the penalty shoot-out is here to stay - most people are rusted on to the concept. 

Edited June 29, 2018 by Macca

[Dee Zephyr 19,173]

1 minute ago, Macca said:

I reckon that was it after that tournament ... the wash-up was that teams became too defensive rather than more attacking.  The law of unintended consequences kicked in DZ.

But reducing the players on the pitch might create more goal scoring chances and thus,  any given game can be (in theory) decided by the sport being played out to a finish. 

But I may as well be howling at the moon as the penalty shoot-out is here to stay - most people are rusted on to the concept. 

That was it for the rule Macca after the tournament. Greece was ultra defensive throughout that tournament anyway.

They did toy with the idea of reducing players during extra time. I wouldn’t mind it but the fatigue it would cause was a concern to some. Unfortunately like you, I can’t see penalties vanishing any time soon.

Like you stated, the NHL altered the rules during overtime in the regular season to avoid the dreaded shoot-out. It’s now 3 on 3 and that works a treat. 

[Macca 16,643]

1 minute ago, Dee Zephyr said:

That was it for the rule Macca after the tournament. Greece was ultra defensive throughout that tournament anyway.

They did toy with the idea of reducing players during extra time. I wouldn’t mind it but the fatigue it would cause was a concern to some. Unfortunately like you, I can’t see penalties vanishing any time soon.

Like you stated, the NHL altered the rules during overtime in the regular season to avoid the dreaded shoot-out. It’s now 3 on 3 and that works a treat. 

There you go ... different sports of course but not that dissimilar in terms of the scoring and scoring opportunities.  As for the fatigue element,  I've always viewed sport as a bit of a war of attrition anyway.  The gladiatorial element has high appeal. 

Ironically,  not very long after both concepts (golden goal & silver goal) were scrapped we had a World cup final decided by penalties - 1994 Brazil/Italy.  We remember that World cup final for that reason alone.  And Roberto Baggio.

[Macca 16,643]

I posted up the following link on the podcasts thread but seeing this particular podcast is about the World game,  I may as well post it here ... Game of our Lives

Well worth a listen and comes highly recommended. 

[deelete my account 1,194]

 

France v Argentina. 1-1. Argentina over time goal 2-1

Uruguay v Portugal 3-0 they will turn it on and cut Uruguays defence to shreds

Spain v Russia 4-1 Another lopsided game. Could even be more. Spain to allow Russia 1 goal so Putin lets them out alive.

Croatia v Denmark 2-0 I think it will be close but Croatia will score a 90' minute goal to seal it

Brazil v Mexico 2-1 

Belgium v Japan 2-1

Sweden v Switzerland 0-0, Overtime, Penalty shootout win for Swiss. Probably a bit too brave to tip 0-0 with VAR

Colombia v England. 2-2 Overtime win  3-2 England

Edited June 30, 2018 by John Demonic

[Macca 16,643]

2 hours ago, John Demonic said:

 

France v Argentina. 1-1. Argentina over time goal 2-1

Uruguay v Portugal 3-0 they will turn it on and cut Uruguays defence to shreds

Spain v Russia 4-1 Another lopsided game. Could even be more. Spain to allow Russia 1 goal so Putin lets them out alive.

Croatia v Denmark 2-0 I think it will be close but Croatia will score a 90' minute goal to seal it

Brazil v Mexico 2-1 

Belgium v Japan 2-1

Sweden v Switzerland 0-0, Overtime, Penalty shootout win for Swiss. Probably a bit too brave to tip 0-0 with VAR

Colombia v England. 2-2 Overtime win  3-2 England

There's 3 of us so far that have put up our tips up so we just need another couple/few more to join in to make it more interesting.  If not,  we can just play it out and see what we end up with (points wise) 

People can come in late if they wish - missed games are just that.  Those who get in early get more opportunities as a matter of course.

Like your summations JD ... very close to the mark.  The knockout games are where the tournament starts (Germany aside)  There are some cracking match-ups - beginning tonight.

Edited June 30, 2018 by Macca

[Diamond_Jim 12,360]

Very warm 29 degrees here in Kazan and should still be 29 at kick off.

Strangely the game is not a sell out which I think is a combination of prices too high for Russians,  Argentina ending up unexpectedly in this match thus causing their fans difficulty with last minute accommodation and transport issues.

England FA didn't even sell its ticket allocation for tomorrow's match

[Macca 16,643]

The pace from Mbappe to draw that penalty was searing - one of the plays of the tournament. 

Messi is getting plenty of attention and if Lionel can work his way into the box he could easily draw a penalty himself.  

Mbappe is causing all sorts of problems for the Argentine defence - what a talent!

[Macca 16,643]

And now Di Maria scores one of the goals of the tournament to draw Argentina level with France at half time - here it is ...

 

 

[Diamond_Jim 12,360]

Perhaps not a game for the ages but the break away speed France was at sometimes breathtaking.

I noticed it in the early stages of the game against Australia but tonight it went for almost the whole match. France were unlucky not to score another two or three whereas Argentina's goals were against the run of play.

Argentina's fans of which there were many are certainly noisy but as they left the various vuvuzele at home I rank them above the Colombians.

[Macca 16,643]

Highlights and the goals from last night's games ...

 

 

 

 

[deelete my account 1,194]

FIRST EXTRA TIME!! This makes the day better! Go the Ruskies ??

Edited July 1, 2018 by John Demonic

[deelete my account 1,194]

Extra time? More like Dinner Time!

 

[Diamond_Jim 12,360]

Yep they do like their food here !

Now we are off to Penalty Lotto

Old Vlad must be upset that he didn't drop in for this one

[deelete my account 1,194]

On 7/1/2018 at 7:34 PM, Diamond_Jim said:

Yep they do like their food here !

Now we are off to Penalty Lotto

Old Vlad must be upset that he didn't drop in for this one

He might've phoned in to the VAR office during the free kick shirt holding in extra time lol!

Edited July 1, 2018 by John Demonic

[Diamond_Jim 12,360]

Well I can tell you the old Soviet apartment blocks in Kazan are rumbling with the cheers of the locals after that win !!!

Off to Georgia tonight on the 4:30am flight

Edited July 1, 2018 by Diamond_Jim

[deelete my account 1,194]

On 7/1/2018 at 7:45 PM, Diamond_Jim said:

Well I can tell you the old Soviet apartment blocks in Kazan are rumbling with the cheers of the locals after that win !!!

Off to Georgia tonight on the 4:30am flight

Wow, what an experience! Streets going crazy?

Safe flight! What's in Georgia btw? Leaving world cup now? 

Edited July 1, 2018 by John Demonic

[Diamond_Jim 12,360]

12 hours ago, John Demonic said:

Wow, what an experience! Streets going crazy?

Safe flight! What's in Georgia btw? Leaving world cup now? 

Yep time to slowly head back ... (might have been a bit quicker if the Dees had been on a roll)

Four weeks in Russia was enough... great experience.. saw 5 games. The tickets get much harder to obtain from the quarter final stage and quite expensive. Quarter final tickets are US$320 for example and the accomodation costs are very high during the WC period. Mind you the food and drink is very cheap and top quality.

I am now in Tbilisi Georgia. The travel people call it the new Prague. Great old city with good food and wine plus it's very cheap. For example I'm in  a two bedroom airbnb and out of the large number I have stayed in over the years this is up at the top. The price... $40 a night. If only it wasn't so hot ... may have to return outside the summer months. It's a big weekend getaway spot for all the expats in the Middle East.

[Dee Zephyr 19,173]

You have to feel for Japan. What a comeback by Belgium.

With seconds remaining and Japan having a corner, they left themselves vulnerable at the back. I realise they wanted to win the game but to leave themselves exposed to a 5 on 3 counter attack starting from the Belgian keeper is a little perplexing. 

Brazil too clinical for Mexico.

What a tournament!!