The Soccer thread

[Dee Zephyr 19,268]

40 minutes ago, Macca said:

Body blow for Spurs with this news

Harry Kane: Tottenham striker out until March with ankle injury

As for the Socceroos,  here are last night's highlights from the Syria game.

 

Terrible for Spurs Macca. Let’s see if Pochettino gets his wish to go to the transfer market.

I’m glad I had overnight feeding duties for the newest one, the Socceroos match was very enjoyable as a spectacle. 

[layzie 33,991]

13 hours ago, Dee Zephyr said:

Terrible for Spurs Macca. Let’s see if Pochettino gets his wish to go to the transfer market.

I’m glad I had overnight feeding duties for the newest one, the Socceroos match was very enjoyable as a spectacle. 

Shocking news, pretty gutted about it even as a neutral. In terms of players most important to their club's chances he's right up there. Come on Levy, loosen the purse strings a little! 

[Dee Zephyr 19,268]

@layzie^^^

Absolute downer, was pretty confident we could get through Dortmund next month, wait and see now I guess.

Edited January 17, 2019 by Dee Zephyr

[Diamond_Jim 12,628]

On 1/16/2019 at 7:43 PM, Dee Zephyr said:

Terrible for Spurs Macca. Let’s see if Pochettino gets his wish to go to the transfer market.

I’m glad I had overnight feeding duties for the newest one, the Socceroos match was very enjoyable as a spectacle. 

Japan beat Uzbekistan overnight so we have avoided Japan in the group of 16 and now face Uzbekistan.

That loss to Jordan cost us as had we won we would have had a far easier match against Vietnam.

Almost no coverage of the non Australian matches in the Oz media so far. Doubt that it will change.

Went online and the ticket prices for the first round of matches at least were very reasonable...about A$25 if I recall.

Off to Bangladesh late next week so I may miss the pointy end of the tournament but I may get lucky with the hotel TV coverage. From what I hear sports bars in Dhaka are few if any !!

[layzie 33,991]

4 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Japan beat Uzbekistan overnight so we have avoided Japan in the group of 16 and now face Uzbekistan.

That loss to Jordan cost us as had we won we would have had a far easier match against Vietnam.

Almost no coverage of the non Australian matches in the Oz media so far. Doubt that it will change.

Went online and the ticket prices for the first round of matches at least were very reasonable...about A$25 if I recall.

Off to Bangladesh late next week so I may miss the pointy end of the tournament but I may get lucky with the hotel TV coverage. From what I hear sports bars in Dhaka are few if any !!

I was less than impressed with the Jordan performance so didn't bother with the last two games. Will tune in for Uzbekistan though.

Good luck on finding a watching spot!

[Diamond_Jim 12,628]

27 minutes ago, layzie said:

I was less than impressed with the Jordan performance so didn't bother with the last two games. Will tune in for Uzbekistan though.

Good luck on finding a watching spot!

The Palestinian game was probably the best from a technical aspect. The Syrian game for a change involved relatively all out attack against the socceroos which is something we rarely see. Good win but the performance did not inspire great confidence in the team's ability against the likes of Korea and Japan.

Hopefully they surprise me.

Mabil could be the future. McLaren does not impress. Ikonomidis may have the goods. Kruse seems on his last legs.

[Macca 17,032]

Asian Cup Bracket & Round of 16 Fixtures & Dates

Add 7 hours for AEDT

 

 

[layzie 33,991]

17 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

The Palestinian game was probably the best from a technical aspect. The Syrian game for a change involved relatively all out attack against the socceroos which is something we rarely see. Good win but the performance did not inspire great confidence in the team's ability against the likes of Korea and Japan.

Hopefully they surprise me.

Mabil could be the future. McLaren does not impress. Ikonomidis may have the goods. Kruse seems on his last legs.

While I am a Jamie McLaren fan he has been lacklustre at this level. Wish we had a better version of Juric for all these wide crosses in to the box.

[Macca 17,032]

How must Neymar be feeling after only scoring a brace overnight against Guingamp?

2 of his teammates scored hat tricks (Mbappe & Cavani) in a 9 - 0 win over their opponents. 

[layzie 33,991]

What can you say? Easily the best football we played this tournament that I've seen (watched 3 games). Movements forward very good, used the width of the pitch well. Thought Grant gave them some problems down the right. Beasts in the middle of the park with Milligan setting the tone winning nearly every 50-50 challenge. Feel bad for Milos, made a howler but he has performed well. That's the sport unfortunately, lacked just a little cutting edge in front of goal. 

As stated previously I'm a fan of McLaren but he has way too many of these games at this level. Don't feel he attacks the far post enough at crosses, obviously that's without knowing what he's been instructed  but several decent crosses came in with no-one on the end of it.

Interesting times for the Socceroos going forward. Definitely quality to return but not sold on Arnie's vision.

[Diamond_Jim 12,628]

One has to think on the tactics. If teams are going to park the bus perhaps we should try the same.Having watched knock out games for many years it always seems to me that there is parking of the bus by both sides on many occasions until the first goal and then it's game on.

Our style has become way too predictable and without the stars who can cut through a defence not to mention score a goal or two it just seems that we will more often than not be playing football lotto.

The next world cup qualification is certainly not going to be easy.

In Dhaka at the moment. A city of leafy boulevards it is not but I am off to explore Old Dhaka today.

 

[Dee Zephyr 19,268]

Well, some interesting results in the EPL midweek. 

Late Llorente magic completes Spurs’ comeback, Leicester being the pesky side they are holding Liverpool to a point at Anfield, Man City ruing a loss at Tyneside, Man U using a get out of jail free card late on for a point at home and what can you say about Chelsea.....4 second half goals to Bournemouth. 

This isn’t over by a long shot.

Edited January 30, 2019 by Dee Zephyr

[Macca 17,032]

On SBS tonight - Spurs vs Newcastle.  Coverage starts at 11.00pm. 

[layzie 33,991]

City wipe Chelsea off the park, Spurs looking good again and should have Kane back soon. Very exciting league and really no other way it's going than down to the wire. 

[Macca 17,032]

Here are the standout Soccer league's (Fixtures & Results) 

If I've got time,  I'll copy & paste the links towards the end of any given week in anticipation for those weekend rounds of matches.  As it stands,  there are 4 Champions League fixtures set down for the next 2 days.  See link below

• UEFA - Champions League
• English Premier League (EPL)
• English League Championship
• Spain - La Liga
• Germany - Bundesliga
• Italy - Serie A
• France - Ligue 1
• Netherlands - Eredivisie
• Australia - A-League

Edited February 12, 2019 by Macca

[Diamond_Jim 12,628]

A very thought provoking article from the Guardian about the ownership of various soccer clubs and their potential use as soft power in the world of international politics.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/feb/15/sportswashing-europes-biggest-clubs-champions-league-owners-sponsors-uefa

Seems that only the German fans are pushing back... Must say if I was living in Europe I might be looking to follow a local second division team.

"These facts on ownership, partners and practices are presented simply as information. At the end of which two things leap out. First, the level of actual English interest in the world’s top club football is negligible. Not one of the four Premier League clubs involved is majority owned by a company or individual based the UK. There are no major UK sponsors. All England is really offering here is some staging, a little colour and heritage. The actual property is all located elsewhere "

[Macca 17,032]

Well thanks to the heads-up from @Grapeviney we can at least listen to the F.A Cup action via TalkSport.  Go here to listen in. 

And if that link is blocked when the games are on then we'll just have to howl at the moon! ?

[Macca 17,032]

Spurs vs Gunners on SBS tonight ... coverage starts at 11.00pm. 

TalkSport Radio

TodayFM (EPL Coverage)

[Macca 17,032]

With everything to play for Liverpool can't even score against Everton ... meanwhile,  City keep finding a way to win.  I'd like to see Liverpool win the title but draws ain't gonna get the job done. 

With 9 games to go and only 1 point separating the 2 sides,  it's now down to who blinks first.  I'm not sure that Man City will leave the door ajar again like they did in late December so Liverpool may have to win at least 8 of their 9 remaining games.  Maybe even all 9.

[Grapeviney 9,800]

At least we have a genuine title race this year, Macca, and with Spurs faltering domestically, a proper battle for 3rd and 4th spots.

I’m not  fussed about Tottenham making top 4 anymore now that we’ve got 1 hand on the Champions League trophy ??

Edited March 8, 2019 by Grapeviney

[layzie 33,991]

On 3/7/2019 at 11:55 PM, Grapeviney said:

At least we have a genuine title race this year, Macca, and with Spurs faltering domestically, a proper battle for 3rd and 4th spots.

I’m not  fussed about Tottenham making top 4 anymore now that we’ve got 1 hand on the Champions League trophy ??

As a neutral it will be hard not to want to see this if you get past City GV.

[Grapeviney 9,800]

This is pretty cool - a composite pic from inside Spurs’ new stadium the other night. 

You can zoom in on every single face in the crowd (and tag yourself if you’re so inclined). There’s the odd error here and there - missing heads and floating unattached arms - but the clarity is amazing! 

https://fanpic.co/spurs//index.php?x=111.743

(desktop is a bit clunky but mobile works a treat) 

[Macca 17,032]

Spurs vs Heddersfield on SBS tonight (coverage starts at 9.30pm)

And if you've got cable or Optus,  there are a number of games played in Europe scheduled well before midnight this weekend ... including Torino vs Cagliari at 8.30pm tomorrow night.

Edited April 13, 2019 by Macca

[Dee Zephyr 19,268]

Wow, just Wow! Who needs Game Of Thrones for drama? You can’t script an ending like that in a Quarter- Final second leg. Speechless, Come On You Spurs!

VAR, lol!

[Grapeviney 9,800]

Holy moly, that’s one of the craziest games I’ve ever seen, and will definitely rank among Spurs’ finest victories. 

It is absolute exquisite agony when you’re holding on for dear life in those final moments and everyone’s out on their feet. 

#COYS

Edited April 18, 2019 by Grapeviney