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The Official 2018 World Cup Thread...

fsUTampa said:
This part just came out a few hours ago:
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Stems from this:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/11/sports/mo-salah-egypt-chechnya.html

And a myriad of other stories, including Egypt choosing Grozny as their camp base. Really want to see some amazing stories? Just google Ramzan Kadyrov. He's the Chechen leader (and defacto mayor of Grozny). He's not really a bastion of humanity, put it that way. And it's not coincidence that Egypt picked this site when give some 60-ish sites by FIFA to choose from.
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That article featured this gem: “FIFA really needs to step up and lean on Putin,” Ms. Denber said.

FIFA chose to hold a WC in a nation led by a guy who sees no value whatsoever in human rights, what are they going to lean on him to do to Kadyrov that he shouldn't also be asked to do to himself.
 
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Ronaldo scores on header in 4th minute, 1-0 Por vs Mor.
 
Later, going to doctor's office to get staples and stitches removed from two hernias.
 
Tony Meola has about a -10 enthusiasm level about him. Guy sounds like Eeyore when he’s commentating. How is he among the best there is to offer???
 
kooterridesagain said:
Totally agree on Meola he’s putting me to sleep. Though I thought the Colombia game lead announcer was worse
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That dude is so pro-Latin teams it's become unprofessional. Well, that...and yelling "Banzai!" when Japan scored, lol.

Morocco has surprisingly out-played Portugal since Ronaldo's goal. And I kind of feel bad for Marc Geiger, these teams have been jackasses all game, but they do it just well enough to not get carded.
 
Geiger is perhaps the most biased center in MLS; never, EVER, feel kind of bad for him. He brings it on himself with his Messianic complex.
 
Compared to the previous days of the tourny, today is shaping up to be a snoozefest.
reverse jinx attempt
 
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There doesnt appear to be as many big matchups in the 2nd round of the groups. I think for the intense soccer fan Denmark/Australia could be very good. France/Peru could really place France as a favorite in the top half of the bracket with a good performance. Peru could throw a wrench in that and make for a good game, thus an interesting match to me.

I think Argentina/Croatia will be more entertaining for the casual fan because even if it is "dull" a poor result from Argentina will generate drama. Nigeria/Iceland is a fun battle of soccer minnows looking to make a push for the KO rounds but probably for the casual fan might be a bit boring. I dont know if either side will attack for fear of making that error.

Saturday should be a great day. Sweden/Germany is the most interesting to me because Sweden are well capable of taking a point of the Germans. Germany knows there is little room for error. Mexico/S Korea will be interesting because a win by the Mexicans really makes it hard for Germany to win the group, thus setting up possible Brazil Rnd16.
 
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Spain having a helluva time unlocking the Iranian defense.

Assuming 0-0 holds (big assumption obviously) Iran plays Portugal last. Portuguese could tank on purpose to cause Spain not to advance.

#WorldCupConspiracies
 
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LesClaypool said:
Spain having a helluva time unlocking the Iranian defense.

Assuming 0-0 holds (big assumption obviously) Iran plays Portugal last. Portuguese could tank on purpose to cause Spain not to advance.

#WorldCupConspiracies
Click to expand...

I don't think that would work out, would it? If Portugal loses to Iran in the final game, and Spain beats Morocco, wouldn't Spain advance over Portugal...provided they have better goal differential?
 
Ive never liked Fox or even ESPN's reliance on former US players. I despise Lalas in studio or calling a game. I think Wagner is ok and is getting credit for how good D. Rae is. Any true soccer fan knew that the likes of him, Champion, etc were going to do great calling the games. Reminds me of all Champions League games on ESPN that he would call.
 
There are many times that teams virtually agree to a draw. But in terms of tanking a game, not sure. I do think that the Belgium/England game could be one where both sides would rather be runner up than top of the group if Germany does not win its group (and Im pretty sure that group will be decided by that time)
 
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DDennis73 said:
There are many times that teams virtually agree to a draw. But in terms of tanking a game, not sure. I do think that the Belgium/England game could be one where both sides would rather be runner up than top of the group if Germany does not win its group (and Im pretty sure that group will be decided by that time)
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This is very interesting to me.

Certainly smart strategy, though I'd be a bit annoyed as a fan. The end goal is to advance as far in the tournament as possible and if tanking/drawing accomplishes that, no one can discount the strategy.

I assume this is why all group matches in the round robin 3rd round start at the same time? Even then I'd assume from scoreboards within the stadium teams would know what's going on elsewhere?
 
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I was (still am) hoping to see this match play out into a draw.

edit: **sigh** almost had the equalizer. VAR **eyeroll**
 
It is amazing how many orders of magnitude faster FIFA replay sends back a ruling vs NFL/CFB/NBA.

Are our replay officials just less intelligent - the rules and what they're looking for isn't demonstrably more complex.
 
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By the way, the call on the field was off sides. The AR on the far side of the field raised his flag as the guy was hitting the ball into the net.

VAR was used to verify the call, and it upheld the decision.
 
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ReliableOstrich said:
It is amazing how many orders of magnitude faster FIFA replay sends back a ruling vs NFL/CFB/NBA.

Are our replay officials just less intelligent - the rules and what they're looking for isn't demonstrably more complex.
Click to expand...

It has been good so far and has only come in to play on pretty clear calls. It was a train wreck in the FA cup in England earlier this year where the referee went to it for every call that could be reviewed and they spent time reviewing the call even though it was basically a 50/50 judgement call. One big difference with NFL/college football is that not every play is subject to review in soccer. They don't worry about reviewing which team knocked the ball out of bounds. Goal line technology has already made the biggest issue an instantaneous call so that helps as well.
 
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Today's schedule:

8 AM – Denmark vs Australia (Group C), Samara Arena, Samara, FS1
11 AM – France vs Peru (Group C), Ekaterinburg Arena, Ekaterinburg, FOX
2 PM – Argentina vs Croatia (Group D), Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod, FOX

Looking forward to seeing France play again, even though they were lackluster in their opener vs. Australia. For me, there is no player as exciting to watch in this whole tournament as 19-year old French attacker, Kylian Mbappe, and it's not close. He reminds me of the 18-year old Lionel Messi, making his debut before the world at the 2006 WC, in Germany. Though he'll probably lay an egg today since I'm hyping him up so much, if you get a chance to watch the 11 am ET match today - do it.
 
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VAR works again and Australlia gets free kick goal off hand ball in box replay. 1-1 halftime.
 
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Aussies are taking it to Denmark. This is a great game. Neither team playing for the draw, even though trends say Denmark should.
 
Not sure who I'm rooting for here.
I have Aussie friends and Danish friends. Need to figure out which I like more.
 
I know this will be an extremely unpopular comment but soccer, unlike football, can save itself from future generations of kids not playing because of what is being learned from head injuries and CTE. Sub-concussive hits apply to the head most times a player heads the ball (or when he misses and collides heads with an opponent). IMO, ban the act. Teams will adjust...
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-teams-continue-ignore-concussions-170836604.html
 
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