The Official 2018 World Cup Thread...

[ReliableOstrich]

Teams just don't think like that. I'm betting the English and Belgium players believe that can compete and beat any team in the tournament. Old school Bowden days: anytime, any place.

That was a different sport with nearly opposite ramifications for victory and defeat.

I'll agree that these backups on both sides aren't out there to embarrass themselves on the world stage, however it would be naive to think their coach isn't aware of the bracket.

This is more aligned with a late season NFL or NBA game where you know a loss gets you an easier playoff match up and you just casually tank or play not to win.

 

[DDennis73]

Players dont think like that, BUT Im sure that the coaches do. Which is exactly why they rested so many players. They looked at the bracket and said I dont care if we lose. Though this pretty much puts so much pressure on each team to then advance to the semifinals because you are saying that if you get the bottom draw you should advance.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

Players dont think like that, BUT Im sure that the coaches do. Which is exactly why they rested so many players. They looked at the bracket and said I dont care if we lose. Though this pretty much puts so much pressure on each team to then advance to the semifinals because you are saying that if you get the bottom draw you should advance.

One could argue that by eschewing logic and winning this game, you'll be under more pressure to win into the latter rounds due a show of bravado today.

If Belgium win this and then lose to BRA/MEX while ENG lose today but beat COL + SWI/SWE, Belgian fans will be like "hey, we shoulda lost that game and we woulda been in the semis."

Basically I'm just saying there's pressure either way and if you lose, you'll be second guessed either way.

 

[noleit]

The Panama vs Tunisia match was much more exciting as England was obviously playing for second in the other match.

 

[DDennis73]

With so many changes I dont think you can take much from that game and neither team loses or gains much momentum. I do feel there is a lot of pressure on England now to beat Colombia. If they had field a full strength side against Belgium and come up short I think even a loss to Colombia and England fans would have considered this WC a success. They have more wins in this WC than in the previous two combined.

That being said I like this England squad. That pod of France/Arg v. Uruguay/Portugal looks formidable. I do like this Belgium side and I think they will give Brazil fits. I could see a Uruguay Belgium Semi on the top and England/Spain in the bottom.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

Here's my WC bracket

 

[cfbfan23]

Spain vs. France in the final with Spain winning.
Belgium over Colombia for 3rd.

 

[LesClaypool]

Hoping for a Spain or Argentina win in the final.

Also hoping Harry Kane, doesn’t score anymore goals and Ronny or Lukaku catch and surpass him.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

Since we're not in it, I'd be happy with any of the following teams doing well...
URU, MEX, ARG, BRA, COL... followed by ESP, BEL, POR, JPN

So basically all the teams from the Americas / Spanish and Portuguese speaking nations + Japan.

 

[cfbfan23]

Since we're not in it, I'd be happy with any of the following teams doing well...
URU, MEX, ARG, BRA, COL... followed by ESP, BEL, POR, JPN

So basically all the teams from the Americas / Spanish and Portuguese speaking nations + Japan.

I'm good with that list minus Mexico. I'd prefer Uruguay and Colombia over Brazil and Argentina in the battle for S.A. soccer supremacy.

 

[fsUTampa]

Croatia is going to beat Spain.

BTW, I don't mind the idea of the fair play points being the tiebreaker ahead of "drawing lots", but there's so much inconsistency between refs with regards to yellows handed out, they'll need to figure out a better system next time.

 

[NoleLizards]

Croatia is going to beat Spain.

BTW, I don't mind the idea of the fair play points being the tiebreaker ahead of "drawing lots", but there's so much inconsistency between refs with regards to yellows handed out, they'll need to figure out a better system next time.

Heard an interesting idea on G&W this morning: Number of corner kicks taken as a tiebreaker.

 

[SeaPA]

Heard an interesting idea on G&W this morning: Number of corner kicks taken as a tiebreaker.

Will Muschamp thinks it should be done by time of possession.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

Will Muschamp thinks it should be done by time of possession.

The CFP committee demands "game control" supersede wins, losses, and goal differential as the determining factor for knockout stage qualification.

Seriously though, there has to be a better way than "fair play" points.

 

[Fijimn]

Will Muschamp thinks it should be done by time of possession.

Lalas suggested a matrix/score based on attacking points - such as number of corner kicks and shots on goal.

 

[ggmike1992]

The CFP committee demands "game control" supersede wins, losses, and goal differential as the determining factor for knockout stage qualification.

Seriously though, there has to be a better way than "fair play" points.

Like playing until one team has at least one more point than the other !!!!

 

[Fijimn]

Like playing until one team has at least one more point than the other !!!!

Not really fair if one team is playing a team that is already through.

 

[GoNolesTX]

Just want to say, I'm so glad to see that Americans are attempting to "fix" a sport that's accepted globally as the world's game. Gotta be the best to make something better, right?

 

[NoleLizards]

Just do like FIFA normally does and award the tiebreaker to the highest bidder.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

Maybe relate that final tiebreaker to the manner in which the team qualified, perhaps their overall record in qualification matches. Only team(s) that may not have a record in such matches would be the host country/countries, but usually even they participate in qual matches, right?

Seems like a fair way to actually attempt to advance the better of the two teams.

Who's the FIFA commish these days, I'll send this over along with a venmo for $400k. It'll be implemented within day.

 

[Fijimn]

Just want to say, I'm so glad to see that Americans are attempting to "fix" a sport that's accepted globally as the world's game. Gotta be the best to make something better, right?

as I have said one hundred times....gringos are going to gringo

 

[GoNolesTX]

as I have said one hundred times....gringos are going to gringo

"I mean, curling is great, but why don't they have more sweepers involved?"

 

[NoleMoreTears]

The CFP committee demands "game control" supersede wins, losses, and goal differential as the determining factor for knockout stage qualification.

Seriously though, there has to be a better way than "fair play" points.

Not really, the CFP committee just has to talk about it in the mid-season rankings which they never wanted to do and only do so to fulfill the media obligations. Their final rankings so far have been pretty solid, and those are the only ones that matter.

I agree there should be enough advanced metrics to use in soccer to do better than cards, fouls, etc.

 

[DDennis73]

My bracket. Not sure how to upload picture of bracket so just have to type.

France beats Uruguay in QF
Brazil beats Belgium in QF
Croatia beat Spain in QF
England beat Sweden in QF
England beat Croatia 2-1 in Semis
Brazil beat France 3-2 in other Semi
Brazil beats England 3-1 in Finals.

 

[NoleLizards]

Not sure how to upload picture of bracket so just have to type.

England was right to lose to Belgium...The Lions are on the far easier side of the bracket.

 

[LesClaypool]

DDennis listening to the “Football’s coming home” song a bit too much I see.

 

[seminole97]

Just want to say, I'm so glad to see that Americans are attempting to "fix" a sport that's accepted globally as the world's game. Gotta be the best to make something better, right?

I think it is ‘American’ to be able to imagine things better than the present. The idea ‘that this is as good as it gets’ isn’t a big sell in these parts.

I think I’d take shots on goal over fair play just because of the subjectivity of fouls and how refs control each game differently based on their style and how it’s going.
Seems like it would incentivize scoring effort over diving and wriggling in the hopes of drawing ref sympathy.

 

[LesClaypool]

Who does everyone have today?

I’ve got the Argies in an upset over the French.

2-1

 

[NoleLizards]

Mbappe is as explosive of a player as I've ever seen...Wow!

 

[LesClaypool]

Mbappe almost unplayable so far today. Guy is electric!

 

[Fijimn]

What a shot!

 

[NoleLizards]

What a shot!

A laser!

 

[noleit]

Good first half. Mbappe(spell check horror) is a match up nightmare.

 

[MIKE_G]

Good first half. Mbappe(spell check horror) is a match up nightmare.

 

[noleit]

Redirection goal by Messi. Arg up 2-1

 

[Fijimn]

Brutally unlucky (or lucky depending on your view) there

 

[NoleLizards]

Who does everyone have today?

I’ve got the Argies in an upset over the French.

2-1

You're looking like a genius right now.

 

[Fijimn]

That might have been the best shot I have ever seen. Incredible

 

[GwinnettNole]

Holy cow at the spin on the ball for that France goal 2-2

 

[NoleLizards]

Holy cow at the spin on the ball for that France goal 2-2

This would have been a great final. What an amazing WC!