2014 FIFA World Cup

[pink_triangle]

Belgiums extra class won through in the end. Looking at the team they are quite premiership heavy. While the league is entertaining, Im not sure it offers great preparation for a world cup.

[kaosmark2]

Belgiums extra class won through in the end. Looking at the team they are quite premiership heavy. While the league is entertaining, Im not sure it offers great preparation for a world cup.

[lost]

Thought in the first half Belgium looked like they had never played together though the team looked quite different to what they have been putting out up to the world cup.

From the Brazil game it seemed nobody has explained the goal line technology to Jonathan Pearce.. He's still going on about how confusing it was

[ThomThomDrum]

Very entertaining 0-0 draw there. Fair play to Mexico. This Brazil team aint all that

[pink_triangle]

Ochoas signing on fee has gone up again after that performance. Poor performance from Brazil, but nothing is won in the group stages. Only 2 of the last 7 world champions have gone through the group stages without dropping points. From a pragmatic viewpoint 4 points from the first 2 games is probably job done. People seem to just expect the top countries to turn up and win every game and football generally isn't that easy. Mexico are Brazils bogey team, so things could have been worse.

[kaosmark2]

From a pragmatic viewpoint 4 points from the first 2 games is probably job done. People seem to just expect the top countries to turn up and win every game and football generally isn't that easy. Mexico are Brazils bogey team, so things could have been worse.

[ThomThomDrum]

So you think Brazil have more of a chance of winning the WC now based on those performances? I disagree. They look pretty average for a Brazil team and playing at home I would expect more from them irrespective of it only being the first two games. I would not have these guys as favorites. No way. They do have some talent, but they also have pretty obvious weaknesses. If Mexico had a more cutting edge they could have got a few goals. Teams with more talented, creative players should get some change out of that Brazilian defense

Id have Argentina favorite, just, and think there is a good chance for a European team to win for the first time in SA

[thetime]

So you think Brazil have more of a chance of winning the WC now based on those performances? I disagree. They look pretty average for a Brazil team and playing at home I would expect more from them irrespective of it only being the first two games. I would not have these guys as favorites. No way. They do have some talent, but they also have pretty obvious weaknesses. If Mexico had a more cutting edge they could have got a few goals. Teams with more talented, creative players should get some change out of that Brazilian defense

Id have Argentina favorite, just, and think there is a good chance for a European team to win for the first time in SA

[pink_triangle]

So you think Brazil have more of a chance of winning the WC now based on those performances? I disagree. They look pretty average for a Brazil team and playing at home I would expect more from them irrespective of it only being the first two games. I would not have these guys as favorites. No way. They do have some talent, but they also have pretty obvious weaknesses. If Mexico had a more cutting edge they could have got a few goals. Teams with more talented, creative players should get some change out of that Brazilian defense

Id have Argentina favorite, just, and think there is a good chance for a European team to win for the first time in SA

[kaosmark2]

It's all about peaking, if I remember correctly Germany played wonderfully in the early rounds of the last world cup.

[Andre91]

Brazil's defence looked dodgy again tonight, that's something they must sort out if they are going to lift the trophy. They were my second favourites after Argentina, but now I'd place Germany above them. The Germans play such efficient football and have a fantastic squad. I'd even be inclined to put Holland above Brazil too, especially if they continue playing as well as they did against Spain.

[ThomThomDrum]

So would you agree with the bookies and have them as favorites? I certainly would not.

[kaosmark2]

Argentina's defence is definitely worse than Brazil's.

[Andre91]

So would you agree with the bookies and have them as favorites? I certainly would not.

[WS_Jack_III]

You all were talking about Euros versus World cup earlier. What I will add is that I tend to remember key goals and matches from the World cup more vividly than the Euros.

[ThomThomDrum]

Who, Argentina? Yeah, they're my favourites to win the whole thing.

[LondonTom]

Argentina's defence is definitely worse than Brazil's.

Edited June 17, 2014 by LondonTom

[Andre91]

Sorry that was really directed at kaosmark, thetime and pink_triangle. I really should have used a quote. Bookies still had Brazil favorites after tonights game

[kaosmark2]

I would not agree with that. I surely would not say definitely when you have players such as Alves, Luiz and Marcello, who at times can each prove to be liabilites

[kaosmark2]

Also, re. this match, I've really enjoyed this 2nd half. S. Korea have made some good moves but lacked the killer instinct, while Dzagoev has provided a bit of magic since coming on.

[pink_triangle]

Sorry that was really directed at kaosmark, thetime and pink_triangle. I really should have used a quote. Bookies still had Brazil favorites after tonights game

I would not agree with that. I surely would not say definitely when you have players such as Alves, Luiz and Marcello, who at times can each prove to be liabilites

[ThomThomDrum]

I still make them favourites because they are favourites in every match that they play at home. For all the criticism they have had a solid start in terms of results and only conceded 1 goal. Brazil have a world class centre back which Argentina don't. Also those judging luiz are doing more on his performances for Chelsea than Brazil. I have lost plenty of money in the past backing Argentina because their squad looks good and they start strongly. The big unknown for Brazil is Spain and they will hope Chile take them out tonight.

Edited June 18, 2014 by ThomThomDrum

[kaosmark2]

I do recall kaosmark2 pretty much writing off Mexico thinking they are not that good, but if thats the case then Brazil should be concerned themseleves I feel.

[pink_triangle]

I don't see an outstanding team like 98 or 10. Look at Italy in 2006, solid but unspectacular in the groups. Then took advantage of a kind draw to dispatch Australia and Ukraine (playing well in the latter, but poor in the former), then only really excelled in an extra time period against Germany. I think conclusions at this stage often lead you down the wrong path, usually in my experiences, attacking teams who can't defend.

[RobertProsineckisLighter]

Australia to win it?