SEE YOU! A brand spanking new modern fitba thread 2022/23

World Cup 2014: Jonathan Pearce's meltdown during France v Honduras

 

I'm just recalling how Ireland ,Mexico and Italy came out of the Group of Death with 1w 1l 1d and Norway, with an identical set of results, went out.

It used to be enough.

Ireland finished 2nd and played Holland. Italy played Nigeria. Mexico played Bulgaria.

 

Also....Germany kept Spain in.....

 

I wonder what the talk would have been had Germany packed it in after going a goal down.

 

Ball is OOOOT

Diplomatic incidents..........I guess the Germans kept going knowing that just one for Spain and they were back in it, rather than any respect for Spain per se. Selbstwert etc.

 

I understand the feeling, but even in that case if Ireland had played a bit better and won one more game or scored one more goal they could have avoided that situation. If they got a bit more lucky with the draw they would have had to play the Netherlands or a side just as good in the next round anyway.

They, just like Germany had three 90 minute matches to separate themselves from their group bit didn't do quite enough.

As far as today is concerned (or most games) "deserving winners" is subjective and often verging on narrative territory.

 

As I said to Slice, the groups just about balanced out. I mean Poland deserved to edge Mexico in their group but no way the tournament is embellished by the continued presence of Poland rather than Germany.....I get the rules, absolutely, and there 8s no arguing them, just some very turgid results.

I've no issues......it's just odd that Germany's efforts gets them the same deal that Wales,Iran, Mexico, Denmark,Tunisia, Cameroon, etc got.

 

Oh of course they kept up the effort more for themselves than for Spain's fortune.

 

Wasn't there the thing in 1990 (maybe '94 as well but I'm not sure) where the top 2 from each group went through as well as the top four 3rd place teams? I'm glad they changed that tbh. They brought it back for the Euros and it was shit.

 

Yes it was there....both 1990 and 1994.

Indeed in 1990 there was a lottery to determine who finished 2nd or 3rd in group F.

England topped the group and got Belgium then Cameroon .

Ireland won the draw for 2nd and got Romania then Italy.

The Dutch got 3rd and lost to Germany. The Czechs would have been next if they got past Germany.

So not a huge difference between the "toughness" of the draw





They're expanding the fucking tournament again soon anyways. 40 plus teams I hear.

 

Look at this shit....

 

I do agree with you that some of the big sides are in transition, but I do also think some of the other sides have made big strides and improved. "Closing the gap" is a bit strong, I agree, that has to be proven over a number of tournaments, and I still don't see anyone other than a European/S.American nation winning it. Maybe the neutral territory thing plays a part too, it's only the second World Cup outside Europe and the Americas and there were a ton of upsets in 2002 (South Korean match-fixing notwithstanding).

 

Whoops, forgot about 2010. Not as many upsets in that one, I'll grant you.

 

In virtually every tournament there is a perceived better side that got eliminated from a group whereas a perceived inferior one progressed. If any one team is good enough to advance then they should at a minimum be able to prove it given three chances.

This is especially the case given it's seeded. This isn't one group of Brazil/Argentina/France/Spain and another of Oman/Belize/Cambodia/Parts Unknown with the winner facing off.

It doesn't matter that Germany may be better than Australia.

 

I don't know if they're better than Australia

 

It always made me laugh when people talk about Germany Vs Austria in 1982, fixing to the expense of Algeria and then they overlook what happened to Spain at Japan/Korea 2002.

 

The African sides have closed the gap but here's the thing. ....Ghana in 2014 and 2010 and Cameroon in 1990 were better sides than some of this stuff I'm seeing today.

 

Yeah, the Ivory Coast side circa 2010/4 was stronger than any African side today, too.

I've not seen any evidence at all that the 'lesser' nations have closed the gap at all. They are fit and better drilled but so are the 'big' sides. Japan have been exactly as you'd expect and have gotten some good results bit they've essentially played a Steve Bruce tactic of letting the opposition have tons of possession and rely on a few bits of magic on the counter. They're going to get battered, eventually imo. Mexico did nowt again, Australia made it through but no-one seriously expects anything from them at this point....etc

MTF

 

That's very true, but I suppose when a few years later your team is arguably the greatest international side of all time, the bar gets raised.

It is probably more accurate to say that Spain have reverted back to type.

MTF

 

Who have we out here today? We've Brazil Coyle and Cameroon Doherty. The proof of the pudding is in the football, and somebody is gonna have to kick a football today , we don't care who it is, if a woman has to kick a football somebody is gonna kick a football.

 

BBC just introduced their 3pm games with some guy speaking a native Ghanaian tongue and cheering on Ghana..... So much for impartiality.

 

Lol

 

Arsenal needs Partey healthy so I hope Ghana gets sent home asap

 

Oh just as I wrote that, 2-0 Uruguay. Ghana is a goner.

 

Yessss nice

 

South Korea made it. Damn, Asians comin up!

 

That was intense. Great run and pass by Son for the winner.

 

Fucking hate URGay. Delighted they are out.

MTF

 

It's annoying because they've produced some incredible footballers over the years yet it's always the same dark arts bullshit with them every tournament.