Subject: 2018 World Cup (at FT forums)
Posted by: Lpez
Date: May 19 18
Hello everyone! The most important tournament in international association football is coming soon, and it is very exciting! As we did four years ago, we will be having recaps and discussions at the FunTrivia Forums. I hope you will join us!
Posted by: Lpez
Date: May 19 18
Hello everyone! The most important tournament in international association football is coming soon, and it is very exciting! As we did four years ago, we will be having recaps and discussions at the FunTrivia Forums. I hope you will join us!
781 replies. On page 11 of 40 pages. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
Lpez
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Today's Games Colombia 1-2 Japan The first red card of the 2018 World Cup couldn't be more unfortunate for the Colombian side, as it happened within the first 3 minutes of the match, and completely changed the course of the match. Japan started very focused, with a very dangerous attack play that would have surely ended in a goal was it not for a terrible mistake by defender Carlos Sanchez, who stopped the ball with his arm, awarding a penalty kick (which ended in a goal by Kagawa anyway) and a red card. A pretty stupid mistake, considering that if the ball went in, Colombia still had the whole match to bounce back. This situation forced coach Jose Pekerman to substitute Juan Cuadrado at 31', one of the best players, which is why the move was controversial. Even though a great free kick goal tied the match momentarily, a header by Osako sealed a surprise result and a very valuable 3 points for Japan. As many of you pointed out, this is the first time an Asian side beats a South American team in a World Cup. Poland 1-2 Senegal Speaking about surprises... Poland came in as the clear favorite, but thety might have played one of their worst matches in a long time. The Senegalese team, which has several players in Premier League clubs, gave a great effort and it paid off. An own goal by the Polish team kicked things off, and a goal at 60' by Niang sealed the match, despite a late Polish goal. The second goal was controversial because Niang re-entered the match after an injury, which was authorized by the referee. Senegal caught the entire defense off-guard and the goalkeeper was forced to go out of the box, which resulted in the goal. More than blaming the keeper (who is partly responsible,) I blame more the awful lack of concentration of the Polish defense. A stunning result that could change every prediction that was made for this group. Russia 3-1 Egypt Even though I initially thought Egypt would win it, largely because of Mo Salah's comeback, the minute Russia scored the first goal, I realized how wrong I was. Russia, despite being the worst-ranked team in the entire tournament, is the best-scoring team at this point. Amazing. Cherysev and Dzuba, who were both substitutes in the last match, started and scored. Mo Salah didn't do much except for that penalty, though I think a similar over-reliance happened as in Argentina's case with Messi. Pending Uruguay's results tomorrow, it all points to Russia being through, and rightly so. Today's Refs Slovenian Damir Skomina didn't have too much trouble and made the right decision early in the match with that sending off and penalty. He controlled what could've turned into a tough match pretty well. Solid work by Nawaf Abdulla from Bahrein, though doubt remains on whether he should've authorized entry of Niang until Poland had possession. I have a feeling we will see him again. Not impressed at all by the work of referee from Paraguay Enrique Caceres. A timorous job where he even missed a penalty call, which he would not have called if VAR didn´t exist. He initially indicated a foul against Egypt was outside the box until VAR intervened (and it took ages for the decision to be made) and Caceres marked the penalty. A poor performance. Today's Facts - At 42 years old, Senegal coach Aliou Cisse is the youngest manager in the 2018 Russia World Cup. - Of the 5 CONMEBOL (South America) teams in Russia, only Uruguay has won, making this the worst start for CONMEBOL since Spain 1982. - The first group stage phase ended with no 0-0 (which is good, we get to see goals!) 1994 and 2002 World Cups never saw a 0-0 in the first 16 matches either. What's Next A quick clarification: this list only has the matches to be played the next day (tomorrow) as well as the next ones involving the teams that played today. That is why some of you have noticed that I am "skipping" some matches. Wednesday June 20: Portugal vs Morocco, 6am FST REFEREE: Mark Geiger (USA) Wednesday June 20: Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia, 9am FST REFEREE: Clement Turpin (FRA) Wednesday June 20: Iran vs Spain, 12pm FST REFEREE: Andres Cunha (URU) Sunday June 24: Japan vs Senegal, 9am FST Sunday June 24: Poland vs Colombia, 12pm FST Monday June 25: Uruguay vs Russia, 8am FST Monday June 25: Saudi Arabia vs Egypt, 8am FST Today's Questions - So many surprises! Who will make it through from Group H? Will Colombia and/or Poland recover? - How far will Russia make it? We can safely assume they are through round fo 16 at this point, but can they achieve anything after that? - Which team has been the biggest surprise so far? Thank you all for your comments and for reading. I really appreciate you being on these forums and participating. As always, feedback welcome and see you tomorrow. Reply #201. Jun 19 18, 10:41 PM |
Mixamatosis 
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The commentators views were that Salah of Egypt wasn't 100% fit, and wasn't going for things in the way he normally would, in order to protect himself e.g. he was seen to pass to another player when he himself had a good goal scoring opportunity, perhaps feeling it too risky and he didn't make the kind of runs he used to, but I don't think it would necessarily have affected the result if he'd been his old self. The rest of the team weren't that good at getting balls to him up front and the Russian team is on such good form at the moment - one of the most impressive teams in the tournament. Reply #202. Jun 19 18, 11:59 PM |
| Mixamatosis
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To answer your questions Lpez So many surprises! Who will make it through from Group H? Will Colombia and/or Poland recover? The results so far have opened up the possibilities in this group. Any of the 4 teams could go through now. My feeling is it could be Japan and Poland to go through. Poland played well at the end of their game, showed their quality and may up their game now. Colombia didn't seem to have the quality. Japan are really trying hard and have the skills to make that pay off. Senegal are a good team but they did get a bit lucky with their last goal. I don't blame the Polish defender for Senegal's first goal. It was a hard shot that deflected off him - not much he could do about it and I credit Senegal with putting the Polish defence under good pressure. - How far will Russia make it? We can safely assume they are through round fo 16 at this point, but can they achieve anything after that? I think Russia could well make it beyond the last 16. Their confidence is up. They have the home crowd behind them and they have the capability. - Which team has been the biggest surprise so far? Russia has been the biggest surprise because everyone was saying how badly they've performed before this tournament. I think they were the lowest seeded side in the tournament and had lost 7 games in a row in 'friendlies' before this tournament. Even Putin said, before they played their first game, that he didn't think they'd win the tournament but maybe they were all being 'dark horses' about it, to take the pressure off them. Reply #203. Jun 20 18, 12:12 AM |
sectant
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I envy you people, able to watch these games at respectable hours. I always think to myself, "I'll get up and watch as many games as possible", but it's a very cold winter, almost all the games are after midnight and although I only work one day a week, I need to get enough sleep to do things the next day. Tomorrow night, Australia play at 10 p.m. here, so that's a definite starter. And I did watch the England v Tunisia game. Highlight shows are fine but of course I already know the results. Having said all that, I'm thoroughly enjoying all your comments and Lpez's reviews. You're all so knowledgeable and passionate about the World Game. Thanks everyone! Reply #204. Jun 20 18, 1:57 AM |
| Mixamatosis
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Sorry you don't have the same opportunities to watch the games sectant. At least they seem to be making an effort to schedule the Australian games at watchable times (for fans in Oz), or is that just luck I wonder. Reply #205. Jun 20 18, 3:13 AM |
| sectant
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I wondered that myself until I noticed the third group game against Peru will be broadcast at midnight. We're not only Down Under, we're Inside Out, Back To Front and definitely from the Antipathies, as Alice said in Alice In Wonderland. Reply #206. Jun 20 18, 5:27 AM |
veronicavee
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Portugal - Morocco game at the moment. Por.1 - Mor. 0 However, still the second half to come. Reply #207. Jun 20 18, 7:06 AM |
| Mixamatosis
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Watching this game. Morocco are making all the running but lack the killer finish. Portugal seem content to hang on and just defend but if Portugal play like that against better teams in this competition, they will not get away with it, but will be punished. Sorry for Morocco but they need to get better at scoring goals. Reply #208. Jun 20 18, 7:42 AM |
| Lpez
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Not Portugal’s best match, but they win 1-0 against Morocco and are most certainly through the next round Reply #209. Jun 20 18, 7:55 AM |
C30
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The result "Ronaldo" 1 Morocco 0 does not come as any great surprise, but the fact Portugal never really looked comfortable against Morocco was. Had Morocco anyone capable of scoring a goal, Portugal might have been in trouble, as it was they were never seen to be in any great danger of losing. The other factor of the game, was more cynical fouls than a barnyard of bad tempered chickens.....and more simulated injuries than any war film. Reply #210. Jun 20 18, 8:01 AM |
| Lpez
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Agreed Ray. Morocco has played two matches very well, but has been unable to score goals, and becomes the first squad to be mathematically eliminated. “The other factor of the game, was more cynical fouls than a barnyard of bad tempered chickens.....and more simulated injuries than any war film.” Hahahaha agreed! Reply #211. Jun 20 18, 8:06 AM |
| Lpez
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Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia is underway. Reply #212. Jun 20 18, 9:04 AM |
| Lpez
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At 22', Luis Suarez scores! Uruguay 1-0 Saudi Arabia Reply #213. Jun 20 18, 9:22 AM |
| Lpez
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At half time, Uruguay 1-0 Saudi Arabia Reply #214. Jun 20 18, 9:47 AM |
| Lpez
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Second half is underway. Uruguay 1-0 Saudi Arabia Reply #215. Jun 20 18, 10:04 AM |
| Lpez
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In yet another disappointing match by Uruguay, Saudi Arabia is eliminated and Russia and Uruguay are through the next round. The match between them will decide who ends as group leader. Uruguay 1-0 Saudi Arabia Reply #216. Jun 20 18, 10:54 AM |
| Mixamatosis
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Some funny phrases from BBC commentators on the Morocco v Portugal match. 'Ronaldo's like a Ferrari when he changes gear'. 'That was a bread and butter pass'. Reply #217. Jun 20 18, 11:34 AM |
nasty_liar
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I may have the games at respectable times sectant but it doesn't mean I can watch them! Typically at work while the afternoon games are on and the evening games have mostly kicked off at 7pm right during the end of bath and bedtime! Brazil four years ago was perfect for me. Reply #218. Jun 20 18, 11:35 AM |
| nasty_liar
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I guess Ronaldo makes a lot of noise and let's off plenty of emissions? Reply #219. Jun 20 18, 11:36 AM |
horadada
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Ronaldo donates millions to charity. He is stated as being the most charitable athlete in the world. Reply #220. Jun 20 18, 11:52 AM |
781 replies. On page 11 of 40 pages. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
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