Dinho lad Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Spain fucked up our bets. Will never forgive them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unbelievable Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Unclear whether Van Gaal will persist with the 532/352 formation that worked so well (second half) v Spain, or with the more familiar 433, in which case it looks like Vlaar will be the odd man out, to be replaced by Lens at left wing. Here's hoping for the latter. I expect Australia won't sit back as they need a result too, and it's not their style, so should be a good match with attacking football from both sides. Also looking forward to the Spain v Chile game. Again two attacking sides. Spain need a win or they're practically out of the competition, and I'm confident they will get it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaylorJ_01 Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Spain will almost certainly score. Chile just leave tiny, mad Gary Medel on his own at the back with no-one else in their own half Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Hope Chile play more of their usual game than they did against Australia. Fear if they sit back like they did then Spain will pick them off. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
loki679 Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 It's like they all watched the Nigeria - Iran game and went 'oh, so we don't have to be entertaining and interesting then? Okie dokie'. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unbelievable Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 So, all 32 teams have played their first game now. Very early days, but who do we think will go through from each group? Group A: Providing Croatia beat Cameroun tonight there will be 3 good teams still in it. Brazil is not looking as strong as I expected, but I still expect them to go through, with the winner of Croatia v Mexico the other team to qualify for the next round (Mexico if that ends a draw). 1. Brazil 2. Mexico Group B: Holland should beat Australia tonight, and I expect under pressure Spain to beat Chile. Goal difference could be important in this group. 1. Holland 2. Spain Group C: Colombia look the strongest team in this group. Japan need to beat Greece to give themselves a fighting chance in their last group match v Colombia, but I expect Ivory Coast will have too much for them in the end. 1. Colombia 2. Ivory Coast Group D: Really interesting group now. Italy have impressed the most, and have the easiest fixtures left in theory. Should be between England and Uruguay for the other ticket for the next round (Thursday's result will be crucial), but you can't rule out Costa Rica completely now. 1. Italy 2. England/Uruguay Group E: Switzerland's extra time winner should be decisive. France have looked very good, albeit against weak opposition. 1. France 2. Switzerland Group F: Argentinia didn't start convincingly, but they should have easil too much for the other teams in this group. Nigeria and Iran looked very weak, so Bosnia should have an excellent chance of finishing second. 1. Argentina 2. Bosnia Group G: Germany was emperious; they will win the group at a canter. The USA v Portugal game will decide who gets second. Ronaldo should make the difference. 1. Germany 2. Portugal Group H: Belgium didn't really impress but should win the group hands down. Second place in the group is up for grabs. 1. Belgium 2. Russia/South Korea/Algeria Which would set up the next round as follows: Brazil vs Spain Holland vs Mexico Colombia vs England/Uruguay Italy vs Ivory Coast France vs Bosnia Argentina vs Switzerland Germany vs Russia/South Korea/Algeria Belgium vs Portugal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeyt Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 I was going to see what people thought the best player, game and goal were of the first round but they'd all be from the same game probably Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaylorJ_01 Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Been a few good performances from unusual sources. Behrami ran the Switzerland game, including the bit leading to the last minute winner which might be my favourite moment so far. Honda looked a class above the rest of the Japan team. Sterling was impressive. Candreva has awesome ability. Sanchez looks like he'll cause problems for Spain. Think my most unexpectedly awesome performance is Joel Campbell for Costa Rica - he was properly exciting and was best player on the pitch. Obviously you have standouts like Robben, RVP, Benzema etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeyt Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 You're forgetting Samaras Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
midstoon Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 The Van persie diving header was pretty special. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaylorJ_01 Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 I want to say Christian Atsu was good - but I don't think he was really. He looked like he could have been good if you know what I mean... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 I want to say Christian Atsu was good - but I don't think he was really. He looked like he could have been good if you know what I mean... Exciting and frustrating in equal amounts really. Can see him getting dropped. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 I want to say Christian Atsu was good - but I don't think he was really. He looked like he could have been good if you know what I mean... Exciting and frustrating in equal amounts really. Can see him getting dropped. He'll never play for Chelsea but they'll sell him a profit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Love this Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ameritoon Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Kaiz is going to lose his shit http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/18/world-cup-2014-clint-dempsey-rap?CMP=twt_gu Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Kaiz is going to lose his shit http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/18/world-cup-2014-clint-dempsey-rap?CMP=twt_gu Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LesPaul Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Kaiz is going to lose his shit http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/18/world-cup-2014-clint-dempsey-rap?CMP=twt_gu Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ameritoon Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Such bores. It's a footballer who raps, APPRECIATE THE QUIRKINESS DAMMIT Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest palnese Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Behrami ran the Switzerland game. Thought he had a poor game myself, but saved face with his last minute heroics. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LesPaul Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Such bores. It's a footballer who raps, APPRECIATE THE QUIRKINESS DAMMIT It's been done and it was shit the first time too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeyt Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 He's no John Barnes NPW Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flip Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Behrami ran the Switzerland game. Thought he had a poor game myself, but saved face with his last minute heroics. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaylorJ_01 Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 I thought Inler was horrid, but Behrami was solid... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest palnese Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Nee fucker impressed my apart from that left back. Thought he had a canny game. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest firetotheworks Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Been a few good performances from unusual sources. Behrami ran the Switzerland game, including the bit leading to the last minute winner which might be my favourite moment so far. Honda looked a class above the rest of the Japan team. Sterling was impressive. Candreva has awesome ability. Sanchez looks like he'll cause problems for Spain. Think my most unexpectedly awesome performance is Joel Campbell for Costa Rica - he was properly exciting and was best player on the pitch. Obviously you have standouts like Robben, RVP, Benzema etc. Definitely agree on that. He was really impressive. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts