World Cup Discussion Thread - Day 1 (14 June)

[Gbspurs]

Great goal.

 

[Marty]

That replay from behind the goal where you see him chip it gently while the two Saudis slide past him is beautiful.

 

[Hakkz]

Well fucking played by the Russkies but my word Saudi are even worse than I thought.

Saudi are playing better than I thought they would

 

[Gbspurs]

I know it's only one match, but can someone explain to me how Saudi Arabia are ranked higher by FIFA than Russia?

They play more ranking matches against poor teams?

 

[cwy21]

I know it's only one match, but can someone explain to me how Saudi Arabia are ranked higher by FIFA than Russia?

Because Russia didn't play any qualifiers which are worth more points than friendlies. FIFA has changed their ranking system starting next month which eliminates problems like that.

 

[fatpiranha]

Wasn't the Russian goalscorer Cheryshev linked with a transfer to us a while back?

 

[rez9000]

They play more ranking matches against poor teams?

Because Russia didn't play any qualifiers which are worth more points than friendlies. FIFA has changed their ranking system starting next month which eliminates problems like that.

Was going to say what a silly system, and it seems this has been recognised and addressed.

 

[Saoirse]

This is showing how ridiculous it is that once the WC is expanded, Europe will only have 1/3rd of the places. Russia wouldn't have even qualified if not for being hosts but are far better than the third or fourth best team from Asia here. Europe warrants more places, probably up to half, not less - we're going to have a lot of total mismatches.

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

this is awful to watch. I am going back to the stadium cam.

 

[cwy21]

Was going to say what a silly system, and it seems this has been recognised and addressed.

It's been a well known issue for a while. The introduction of the Nations League led to FIFA needing to make changes. They'll use an Elo system which should result in huge improvements.

 

[Marty]

The Asian sides are definitely the weakest they've been for a good number of years, if this is the third/fourth best they've got.

Iran are probably the only side who would've been good enough to have a chance of going through had they not got a horrible group.

 

[Hakkz]

This is showing how ridiculous it is that once the WC is expanded, Europe will only have 1/3rd of the places. Russia wouldn't have even qualified if not for being hosts but are far better than the third or fourth best team from Asia here. Europe warrants more places, probably up to half, not less - we're going to have a lot of total mismatches.

Really don't want more European sides either. The last Euros was fucking awful.

 

[Marty]

Really don't want more European sides either. The last Euros was fucking awful.

Agree. 16 for the Euros, 32 for the WC. Any more just dilutes the tournament and will make the coming tournaments bloody awful.

 

[mpickard2087]

Russia just doing what they have to do here, be patient and pick them off. Saudi's tbf are trying to play progressive, high tempo, minimal touch, pass and move with ambition, but they just don't as a collective have the ability to pull it off. And defensively, as a unit and individually, are all over the place.

 

[SpursD22]

Golovin is some player. Think Arsenal are interested in him, hopefully he doesn’t go to them

 

[Danners9]

The Asian sides are definitely the weakest they've been for a good number of years, if this is the third/fourth best they've got.

Iran are probably the only side who would've been good enough to have a chance of going through had they not got a horrible group.

Qatar will be good once they naturalise some more Africans and South Americans.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Isn't Golovin supposed to be the next big Russian talent? That's based on the pods I've listened to.

Forgot about him. Dzagoev’s the only one I’ve seen much of though.

 

[rez9000]

The Asian sides are definitely the weakest they've been for a good number of years, if this is the third/fourth best they've got.

Iran are probably the only side who would've been good enough to have a chance of going through had they not got a horrible group.

Iran's group is just vicious.

 

[riggi]

 

[Bus-Conductor]

I know it's only one match, but can someone explain to me how Saudi Arabia are ranked higher by FIFA than Russia?

To be fair, they’ve had 63% possession in this game. Tactically they’re a bit naive obviously, but who’d have believed we’d be watching a team like Saudi have 63% possession against a European team?