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World Cup Match Thread Day 11 - Sunday

Mr Pink

SC Supporter
Aug 25, 2010
54,770
99,331
I've been watching the entire tournament. I just happen to disagree with you regarding Belgium. I've watched them play a lot and they'll be very difficult to beat in the knockout stages. They've typically been much better than they showed in their game today. I suspect we'll see them pick it up against SK and move on from there once Wilmots settles on a starting XI.

Beyond that, Portugal is decimated with injuries. They have no real striker who can score, and Ronaldo is injured. It's immaterial, as they will not advance due to goal differential, but Belgium would be heavily favored to beat them as they are currently constituted. Ghana is a tougher proposition, but they play very open and would potentially get caught repeatedly on the counter with Hazard and Mertens.

Nevertheless, my initial point was specifically about Belgium moving on comfortably to the quarters was predicated on them facing the United States, who is a good match-up for Belgium. I watched a Belgium team without Courtois, Hazard, and Witsel come to the US last year at this team and completely outplay the United States. The US also had Altidore in that game, but was missing Bradley. Still, Belgium pushed the pace and broke down the United States repeatedly.

We'll see what happens going forward.

I have seen quite a bit of them as well and they often play like this. Japan beat them not so long ago for Christ sake. You're over hyping them I think. Don't get carried away with all the individual talent they have. Until it comes together as a team they won't be going all the way in this tournament, not even close.

I'm disagreeing with your assertion that they;ll beat any of the teams, bar Germany, comfortably. Sorry but that's just nonsense.

One previous game that didn't count for shit is not an accurate gauge I'm afraid. Judge the USA on what they're doing now and that is playing bloody well.

Now Belgium could well beat them but this notion that all they would need to do is turn up is bollox.
 

yankspurs

Enic Out
Aug 22, 2013
41,883
71,188
The US is a good team. Completely outplayed Portugal yesterday. Did not deserve anything other than 3 points. Portugal should have been eliminated. But stupid play in stoppage time(for the second straight game) cost us. I say bench Bradley for Diskerud. Playing like complete shit this WC.
 

jondesouza

Well-Known Member
Oct 18, 2004
2,842
1,558
I have seen quite a bit of them as well and they often play like this. Japan beat them not so long ago for Christ sake. You're over hyping them I think. Don't get carried away with all the individual talent they have. Until it comes together as a team they won't be going all the way in this tournament, not even close.

I'm disagreeing with your assertion that they;ll beat any of the teams, bar Germany, comfortably. Sorry but that's just nonsense.

One previous game that didn't count for shit is not an accurate gauge I'm afraid. Judge the USA on what they're doing now and that is playing bloody well.

Now Belgium could well beat them but this notion that all they would need to do is turn up is bollox.

Totally agree and the Belgium/England comparison is a good one. I find that Belgium, for all their talent find it quite difficult to break teams down. If they click they could be incredibly dangerous but I'm yet to see much evidence of it so far.
 

King of Otters

Well-Known Member
Jun 11, 2012
10,751
36,093
The US is a good team. Completely outplayed Portugal yesterday. Did not deserve anything other than 3 points. Portugal should have been eliminated. But stupid play in stoppage time(for the second straight game) cost us. I say bench Bradley for Diskerud. Playing like complete shit this WC.

Outfought Portugal, but hardly outplayed. Dempsey's goal came completely against the run of play. After that US just sat back and prayed for the final whistle.
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
38,247
104,143
I can't believe people are still actually questioning Ronaldo's big game performances, it's actually hilarious.
 
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