No kidding? I've been to Nagadoches, I think I have family there!
Good player but not a playmaker though.
Day 19: Belgium vs. United States
- Thread starter gooDevil
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik @Rood and Imran @Annihilate Now! start with the good news by celebrating Manchester United Women's emphatic FA Cup win over Spurs at Wembley and the future of manager Marc Skinner.
Then it's the bad news and the ever worsening form of our Men with losses to Arsenal and Palace.
Finally the main debate - ETH Out now or keep him until the end of the season - if not longer. Are you Team Nik or Team Imran?
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Good player but not a playmaker though.
I can see why most people will root for the USA, great team spirit and they show a lot of heart on the pitch, I'd probably support them too if I was a neutral. But I think we'll have too much quality in the end, Hazard can tear up their defence on his own when he gets it going. I hope this is the game where we finally show some of the football we played in the qualifications and win some people over. A lot of people were saying before the WC that it would be good if we were kind of like Chile four years ago, showing the world we can play some exciting football even if we didn't get far into the tournament but so far, it has been the complete opposite.. I'll take a win nevertheless, no matter how it's done. It will be a boring game though I'm afraid, I go with 1-0 Belgium with a goal in the last ten minutes.
Thinking back to the friendly last year in Cleveland when Belgium probably could have scored 8 goals ahainst us, this game really worries me. I know things are different than they were last Summer, but the quality is still there for Belgium.
USA! USA! USA!
Here's hoping with you. I really had the Belgians down as the big dark horse of the tournament and I expected a lot from them, but every match so far has been highly disappointing. With a quality squad like our southern neighbours, you'd expect a lot more fireworks than what we've seen so far. A real shame.
I think the US will win this one... in extra-time, 2-1.
USA on penos I reckon.
That said, Belgium have been poor but you do get the feeling they could take it up a notch, or maybe they are just poor.
That said, Belgium have been poor but you do get the feeling they could take it up a notch, or maybe they are just poor.
All the hype around Belgium was really stupid in the first place, I mean how many people hyped the team just because they knew every single player but didn't even seen the team play once before ? What did people expect ? Some Tiki Taka or something ? If you look at their player they don't have the creativity in midfield to play possession football... If even Germany struggled against overly defensive side, what do you expect them to do ? Through I do agree that I still myself expected a bit more, atleast a higher tempo... Benteke injury was really a big lose for them, Lukaku is great on counter but against those defensive side it's a waste of space. I wish Origi start isntead of Lukaku against USA, Origi is much more likely to bring something against them and Lukaku deadlier if he comes later during the game where his physical could make a great difference and even more so if Belgium is up on the scoresheet.
Anyone looking at the team should see at first glance that this team thrives on counterattack and more direct play, you could see that all the team they played in group stage were afraid of giving them space.... And rightly so ! In the end on the 4 goals they scored, 3 came from counterattack and they could have added a couple more...
USA will be no different I Reckon, I can't see them show much attacking intent except on the break, and we'll most likely see again a boring game unless Belgium get an early goal... If they get through it's more likely against Argentina Belgium will be finally able to play to their strength and not been pushed to play to their weakness.
Through I do agree that I still myself expected a bit more from Belgium, atleast a higher tempo... Benteke injury was really a big lose for them too, Lukaku is great on counter but against those defensive side it's a waste of space. I wish Origi start isntead of Lukaku against USA, Origi is much more likely to bring something against them and Lukaku deadlier if he comes later during the game where his physical could make a great difference and even more so if Belgium is up on the scoresheet.
Anyone looking at the team should see at first glance that this team thrives on counterattack and more direct play, you could see that all the team they played in group stage were afraid of giving them space.... And rightly so ! In the end on the 4 goals they scored, 3 came from counterattack and they could have added a couple more...
USA will be no different I Reckon, I can't see them show much attacking intent except on the break, and we'll most likely see again a boring game unless Belgium get an early goal... If they get through it's more likely against Argentina Belgium will be finally able to play to their strength and not been pushed to play to their weakness.
Through I do agree that I still myself expected a bit more from Belgium, atleast a higher tempo... Benteke injury was really a big lose for them too, Lukaku is great on counter but against those defensive side it's a waste of space. I wish Origi start isntead of Lukaku against USA, Origi is much more likely to bring something against them and Lukaku deadlier if he comes later during the game where his physical could make a great difference and even more so if Belgium is up on the scoresheet.
Belgium to win 2-1
België: Courtois - Alderweireld, Van Buyten, Kompany, Vertonghen - Witsel, Fellaini, De Bruyne - Mertens, Origi, Hazard
Verenigde Staten: Howard - Johnson, Gonzalez, Besler, Beasley - Beckerman, Jones - Zusi, Bradley, Davis - Dempsey
According to a Belgian newspaper.
Verenigde Staten: Howard - Johnson, Gonzalez, Besler, Beasley - Beckerman, Jones - Zusi, Bradley, Davis - Dempsey
According to a Belgian newspaper.
I have no idea while people are saying Belgium have been poor. They have won all three of their matches and only conceded once. No creativity in midfield and no attacking FBs so I have no idea why people expect them to play free flowing Football. But, they have a strong defense, a great GK and a lot of steel in midfield. It will be tough to eliminate them.
So all the group winners have advanced as predicted, no upset so far in the round of 16. Could this be the one?
I've got Belgium to go through, here.
So they probably won't.
So they probably won't.
This is the most nailed on 0-0 of the tournament.
There has to be at least one upset ...it has been coming so let's hope it's tonight
Looking forward to seeing Origi.
Hope Belgium win,i think it will be a close game.
Most of all,i just want a good game with nice football being played and lots of chances
Prediction 2-1 to Belgium
Most of all,i just want a good game with nice football being played and lots of chances
Prediction 2-1 to Belgium
With the the way the world cup is going anything can happen
Wouldn't mind it, but can't really see it for now.
As long as it's less boring than the first 90 minutes of the Argentina game, I'm happy.
So, Cameron in midfield?
Ah, Fellaini vs. Beckerman. Hopefully, they don't go in for any headers together; may take them awhile to get unstuck...
Edit: I was looking at the 1st lineups posted. Alas, no terrible hair battle...
Edit: I was looking at the 1st lineups posted. Alas, no terrible hair battle...
Hmm, could see this going either way. I'm going for the USA though, they've performed admirably with a very poor squad. Belgium haven't impressed me at all despite getting the easiest group in the tournament. Belgium also don't seem to have that superstar who can open a very compact defence such as the USA's. People could argue Hazard is that type of player, but not based off what I've seen of him at this World Cup.
Was thinking the same. Under 2.5 goals look like a banker.
Will be happy no matter which team goes through. Both were part of my teams for the world cup. Will be difficult to watch.
Come on Fellaini!
Come on Fellaini!
Line-ups have been out for an hour and I still can't wrap my head around Becks being dropped. Alright, you want to compete aerially but dammit not at Becks' expense. Rather drop Bradley. Don't think Cameron is in midfield if Jozy's playing.
Lalas just called Michael Bradley world class.
I'm up for the USA tonight
Think it will be close though
How are you yanks feeling?
Think it will be close though
How are you yanks feeling?
C'mon Belgium!!!
F*cking hell, Chris Waddle again. Over to Wimbledon until kick off then.
Waddle hasn't a clue.
Nice moment in the tunnel with Fellaini and Howard.
Anyway, come on Belgium! feck soccer!
Anyway, come on Belgium! feck soccer!
Neutral between these 2 teams right now.
Will be supporting Belgium if Januzaj comes on.
Will be supporting Belgium if Januzaj comes on.
MC Lukaku.
Lukaku 
whats going on in the USA ? 70k public viewers in boston
Come on Belgium! Absolutely DO THEM.
Eden Hazard continues to receive the "Messi treatment" from opposing teams. Cameron and Bedoya are in there solely to stop Hazard and cover for Johnson when he goes on his attacking forays.
Nervous and fearful that Belgium are going to break out against us.
I should just clarify I don't have a problem with the USA but I do have Belgium in the sweep. Plus I like their beer more.
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