So what we saying?? Brazils a definite. That Netherlands game I think will be tight and could go all the way to pens. Think the Dutch may come out on top. Does the winners of todays games play each other in the semis?
Yes they do.
So what we saying?? Brazils a definite. That Netherlands game I think will be tight and could go all the way to pens. Think the Dutch may come out on top. Does the winners of todays games play each other in the semis?
Don't think anything is a definite at this point. Croatia (and Morocco) are definitely the big underdogs remaining from these last 8 nations, but I wouldn't put it past them to get a result. Brazil could easily have an off day, and who knows - if Croatia could take it to a shootout they could take it.So what we saying?? Brazils a definite. That Netherlands game I think will be tight and could go all the way to pens. Think the Dutch may come out on top. Does the winners of todays games play each other in the semis?
Brazil vs Argentina in recent times has always been a borefest. Cagey, but boring as hell.I can really see Netherlands winning today. They've not lost yet and they do seem very hard to beat.... and they've been good at picking teams off.
Also Brazil vs. Argentina is just too nicer a semi-final for us to actually have.
Please no Croatia. They've been the most boring team at the tournament.Brazil vs Argentina in recent times has always been a borefest. Cagey, but boring as hell.
Would be much better for a neutrals perspective to have Croatia - Argentina or Brazil - Netherlands.
Nothing is definite in football.So what we saying?? Brazils a definite. That Netherlands game I think will be tight and could go all the way to pens. Think the Dutch may come out on top. Does the winners of todays games play each other in the semis?
Do you guys get off work for the matches? We do in Brazil (for Brazil matches only).Yes meant one match a day spread out 7pm GMT kick offs.
I agree with everything, but on the flip side Argentina haven't been great either. Both sides are underperforming in regards to the players they have, kind of waiting for either team to truly spark into life. I am not sure a Van Gaal team actually can, I think they will maintain their disclipned approach. They only conceded 1 goal in group stages. I fancy them to beat Argentina.The Netherlands were poor v Senegal and only won thanks to two comical errors from the world's most overrated goalkeeper. They were poor v Ecuador and fortunate to escape with a draw and IMO if the USA had more quality in the final third they'd have gave them a right good game too. They had plenty chances. It's hard to imagine Argentina being that wasteful.
The Dutch are more than good enough to beat Argentina, don't get me wrong, it's just that I haven't seen anything from them to justify the amount of people I've seen predicting them to win. I was listening to the World Cup Daily podcast last night and all of them predicted the Netherlands to win which just blew my mind. I think the Saudi game is swaying a lot of people but that game was a total anomaly.
edit: every team except Qatar has had more shots than the Netherlands. They had a grand total of 2 v Ecuador to Ecuador's 15. If they sit back like that against Argentina, I think Messi will pick them off. The one game Argentina have struggled in was against Saudi Arabia's high press. I think NL's tactics will suit Argentina really well.
Yeah, Netherlands, despite obviously being boring, looked much more like having control of their games than Argentina. Argentina had trouble seeing off Australia too, I can only imagine what would have happened in extra time had Garang Kuol scored that added time sitter.I agree with everything, but on the flip side Argentina haven't been great either. Both sides are underperforming in regards to the players they have, kind of waiting for either team to truly spark into life. I am not sure a Van Gaal team actually can, I think they will maintain their disclipned approach. They only conceded 1 goal in group stages. I fancy them to beat Argentina.
I agree on the groupstage, but we very comfortably beat the US. Bloodless 3-0 if not for that weird jammy goal.The Netherlands were poor v Senegal and only won thanks to two comical errors from the world's most overrated goalkeeper. They were poor v Ecuador and fortunate to escape with a draw and IMO if the USA had more quality in the final third they'd have gave them a right good game too. They had plenty chances. It's hard to imagine Argentina being that wasteful.
The Dutch are more than good enough to beat Argentina, don't get me wrong, it's just that I haven't seen anything from them to justify the amount of people I've seen predicting them to win. I was listening to the World Cup Daily podcast last night and all of them predicted the Netherlands to win which just blew my mind. I think the Saudi game is swaying a lot of people but that game was a total anomaly.
edit: every team except Qatar has had more shots than the Netherlands. They had a grand total of 2 v Ecuador to Ecuador's 15. If they sit back like that against Argentina, I think Messi will pick them off. The one game Argentina have struggled in was against Saudi Arabia's high press. I think NL's tactics will suit Argentina really well.
And then Modric doing the pigeon dance.Wouldn't be surprised to see Croatia beat Brazil just because it would be so unexpected.
What about a prime Mandzukic?Yeah, you're right he did call Modrić but didn't use him much, that was time when Modrić vs Kranjčar was main question in our media.
What would I give to have Dudu 2005-2008 as our main striker nowdays, he would completely transform our attack. Will never stop questioning myself what if he didn't have that horrific leg injury.
Then the world would mourn.Wouldn't be surprised to see Croatia beat Brazil just because it would be so unexpected.
I had this same thought. Surprised to see all podcasters pick the Dutch and so many on here think they'll win when they haven't really had a good match yet. I felt the US really best themselves by playing so naive tactically, not pacing themselves and just burning out. The US really made the Dutch look better than they were by not even covering on two of those goals.The Netherlands were poor v Senegal and only won thanks to two comical errors from the world's most overrated goalkeeper. They were poor v Ecuador and fortunate to escape with a draw and IMO if the USA had more quality in the final third they'd have gave them a right good game too. They had plenty chances. It's hard to imagine Argentina being that wasteful.
The Dutch are more than good enough to beat Argentina, don't get me wrong, it's just that I haven't seen anything from them to justify the amount of people I've seen predicting them to win. I was listening to the World Cup Daily podcast last night and all of them predicted the Netherlands to win which just blew my mind. I think the Saudi game is swaying a lot of people but that game was a total anomaly.
edit: every team except Qatar has had more shots than the Netherlands. They had a grand total of 2 v Ecuador to Ecuador's 15. If they sit back like that against Argentina, I think Messi will pick them off. The one game Argentina have struggled in was against Saudi Arabia's high press. I think NL's tactics will suit Argentina really well.
Yeah obviously on paper you look at the Brazil 11 and it's great (mostly) but if Croatia can keep it tight (and their midfield trio show up) they could do something from a set piece.Wouldn't be surprised to see Croatia beat Brazil just because it would be so unexpected.
Exactly how I feel. Still very anxious about the match, and LVG has a lot more experience and tactical know how than Scaloni. But Dutch have been getting overrated a bit.The Netherlands were poor v Senegal and only won thanks to two comical errors from the world's most overrated goalkeeper. They were poor v Ecuador and fortunate to escape with a draw and IMO if the USA had more quality in the final third they'd have gave them a right good game too. They had plenty chances. It's hard to imagine Argentina being that wasteful.
The Dutch are more than good enough to beat Argentina, don't get me wrong, it's just that I haven't seen anything from them to justify the amount of people I've seen predicting them to win. I was listening to the World Cup Daily podcast last night and all of them predicted the Netherlands to win which just blew my mind. I think the Saudi game is swaying a lot of people but that game was a total anomaly.
edit: every team except Qatar has had more shots than the Netherlands. They had a grand total of 2 v Ecuador to Ecuador's 15. If they sit back like that against Argentina, I think Messi will pick them off. The one game Argentina have struggled in was against Saudi Arabia's high press. I think NL's tactics will suit Argentina really well.
Saying Argentina looks awful is ridiculous. Canada looked awful, not Argentina.Brazil to win by a couple, Netherlands to win in a tight game for me. Croatia really haven't impressed me this world cup tbh. Lucky against Belgium, pens in an even game vs Japan, boring vs Morocco. Argentina have also looked awful and only played against shite opposition, yet still basically prayed for Messi to bail them out.
Could do but if Croatia play like they did against Japan then they’ll get slaughtered.Don't think anything is a definite at this point. Croatia (and Morocco) are definitely the big underdogs remaining from these last 8 nations, but I wouldn't put it past them to get a result. Brazil could easily have an off day, and who knows - if Croatia could take it to a shootout they could take it.
What about him?What about a prime Mandzukic?
Proud with however it ends. When you look at the state of our league it is an absolute miracle what they did in last 2 World Cups.
Umm.... " What would I give to have Dudu 2005-2008 as our main striker nowdays, "What about him?