Macca

Good post layz I don't mind low scoring games in certain sports (notably baseball, soccer and in the NFL) It comes from playing defence when I played sport (those days are done!) But oddly enough, I don't like low scoring games of footy With soccer, goals are hard to score and the goals are golden. That's the essence of the sport! Much like many others, I've seen many great games that finish nil-nil So we are playing the way we are because that's our best option. If not, we'd probably get smashed

I'm on Brazil but only because Betr gave me 100-1 odds (for 10 bucks) a while back But I genuinely think they can win along with 8-9 other teams. Even England! As for our match against Argentina, we'll go in with nothing to lose but they are an awfully good team To be honest, being matched up and in the conversation against a team led by the great Messi is quite a thrill I'm lapping up the opportunity! (and I'm sure the team will as well)

For the life of me I don't understand the criticism of Graham Arnold We're are not a good team so it wouldn't matter who is/was in charge. Talent generally wins out and we don't possess much talent. Alex Ferguson in his prime couldn't do much with this Aussie team That's why this team getting to the round of 16 is a minor miracle. And I'm a total realist so I'm as surprised as the next person (even though I never ruled out the possiblility of making it this far ... because of the nature of the sport) But holding out against a revitalised Argentina for 90 minutes? Keep your fingers crossed, layz!

We're currently paying 16-1 (up to 25-1 might be available) so at those odds, it's worth a wager that won't hurt the hip pocket #GambleResponsibly Argentina looked awesome this morning and they could go a long way in this tournament. They completely dismantled Poland We'll do well to limit the damage but if we can somehow hold them scoreless to half time, the pressure will mount on them. Big ask though But in all reality, I'm immensely proud of our team and a good comparison are the Demon teams of '88 & 2000 Those disappointed with those GF losses can only be described as supreme optimists. In my view, we did extraordinarily well to get that far Much like Australia in this group (and in the qualifying for the tournament) No one gave them a chance

Dream on layz haha We've got about a 3% chance of getting past Argentina However, to make it this far is a monumental achievement. And we should be incredibly proud A motley crew of no-names makes the round of 16. Incredible! But as you said, dare to dream and I'm reminded that one of the worst teams in history (New Zealand) went undefeated in the world cup in South Africa So I suppose anything is possible!

Looks like we're playing Argentina *Shudder*

The team we'd prefer to avoid in the round of 16 would be Argentina as they'd be hard to beat But Poland, the Saudi's or Mexico hold no such fears. In fact, we could beat any of those 3 teams given the nature of how we've won our 2 games in the group Ideally the Poland/Argentina game ends in a draw or a win to Poland. If that happens, Argentina can't win that group

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)

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)

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

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!)

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

Game tonight is a beauty! 65 minutes in ... Serbia 3 Cameroon 3

We should have kept the best bets up on the racing thread, DZ At least you would have picked more than a few winners because you know your horses!! You've done a Super-Chautauqua in the NFL tipping comp haha ... if it's any consolation DemonDave is keeping you company (sorry Dave!) It's a tough comp but this year would break a man! It's like Neeld years ... no wins in sight!

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)

We're just wild about Harry!

Part one of the equation complete! That was tense!

Yeah, you're right No hard feelings, ht Socceroos!

Socceroos take the early lead!

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

Now you've resorted to facepalms You're the one who put your foot in it

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

For those of who aren't 'uninspired' by the world cup, the England/USA game this morning was fascinating! A nil-all draw but the Americans really took it up to England and dominated a lot of the match. Unlucky not to snare the 3 points. It was a good nil-nil! And the Netherlands fell away 3/4's of the way through their game against Equador and we're lucky not to lose the game But both England & Holland sit on top in their groups and both should advance to the 2nd round. Unless ..........

It all evens itself out ... whinging about referees or umpiring decisions is one of the more pointless things anyone can ever do. In any sport Flopping & ducking in footy is far worse than diving might be in soccer. And there is way less diving these days anyway But how would you know? You told us that you don't watch the sport Hey HT, you started the whinging when you said that the world cup is uninspiring Is it uninspiring to you because you don't like soccer? For true soccer fans, it is anything but uninspiring. You're on your own on this thread (unless another hater joins in)

Who cares about all that stuff anyway? You take the good with the bad and get on with it You sound like all those hundreds of 1000's footy fans who can't stop moaning about umpiring decisions We are a country of whingers ... worse than the poms And your lack of knowledge on diving is astonishing. You obviously don't watch a lot of soccer. You're out of touch, HT