729 replies to this topic

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Oh man, love Scotland and of course the US.  That would be a tough match for me to watch and would be totally neutral.  In fact I would probably root for a tie but will be happy for either team if they win.  Brutal.

The toughest thing in sports fandom is when you have two equal favorites playing each other. 

[Dupin]

I'm feeling good about our chances.

[DuffMan]

Game time for all 3 games for USA are 2 pm.  Can't wait.

 

For me group of death is E with Germany, Span, most likely Costa Rica and Japan.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Game time for all 3 games for USA are 2 pm.  Can't wait.

 

For me group of death is E with Germany, Span, most likely Costa Rica and Japan.

Could make that argument. As I said earlier I think Argentina, Mexico, Poland, and Saudi is the Group of Death. But there is no clear group this year. The one everybody just looks at with am OMG expression. 

 

My reasoning is that CR is just going to be even older come November. Don't think their young players are ready for the WC and Poland has Robert Lewandowski.

[BSLMikeLowe]

Group F (Belgium, Croatia, Morocco, Canada) doesn't look like any sort of picnic either.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

I think this is a really good overall WC setup. There are not any real cakewalk groups. Group A is fairly easy for the Netherlands since they get Qatar (stupid that the host team goes into Pot 1, huge advantage for the teams that draw that group).

 

I'll do a detailed review of all the groups just before the WC. Being that this WC is 3 months into the season for most domestic leagues injuries could be a real issue for the national teams.

[DuffMan]

Ukraine and Scotland today at 2:45 with the winner facing Wales on Sunday.

[DuffMan]

2-0 Ukraine early in the 2nd half

[Hooded Viper]

Incredibly uninspired play from Scotland. So disappointing!

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Incredibly uninspired play from Scotland. So disappointing!

Sorry Viper. I was rooting for Scotland to make it. Soft spot for them anyway and having Scots and English in the same group would have been fantastic!

[BSLSteveBirrer]

I just watched the Netherlands crush Belgium 4-1. Belgium currently ranked 2nd in the world and this was in Belgium. This was not just some friendly. This was for UEFA Nations League!!

 

Watch out for the Dutch in Qatar. 

[DuffMan]

Wales vs Ukraine at 1130, winner join USA, England and Iran.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Go Ukraine!

[BSLSteveBirrer]

After some discussion with my son we have concluded that we want Wales to win. Ukraine seems to be a fair bit better and have shown that in the first half.

 

Ukraine leading in all the stats. Well except the one that matters as Wales leads 1-0 at the half. Bale got a free kick and sent it in. Looked the the keeper had it covered easily but a Ukrainian defender headed it.....own goal.

[BSLMikeLowe]

Sentimentally I was pulling for Ukraine, and that was a heartbreaking way to lose. But from a US perspective Wales is probably the better draw.

[BSLChrisStoner]

CBS Sports: 2022 FIFA World Cup predictions, picking every game: USMNT reach knockouts in Qatar; Brazil conquer all

https://www.cbssport...kouts-in-qatar/

[DuffMan]

Way too early for predictions.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

FIFA has approved the roster change for Qatar. Final rosters will be 26 instead of 23 and 5 subs will be allowed per match.

[BSLMikeLowe]

Australia claimed the 31st spot with a 5-4 shootout win over Peru in the oven that is Qatar in June. No word on whether there were any heat strokes. It'll be Costa Rica and New Zealand tomorrow for the 32nd and final spot.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

I am happy (but a LOT less than I would have been) that the Aussies got in. And its smart managing to switch keepers toward the end of extra time if you have a really great PK keeper. But that buffon they put in for Australia makes me hang my head in shame as a keeper. What a total ass hat. Getting in the shooters head is one that but that was just an abysmal display.