World Cup Day 8 11/27: Auf Wiedersehen Canada?

[DJnVa]

Argentina survived their win or go home game--now there's a chance Germany gets one too.

GROUP E:
5 am: Japan vs. Costa Rica--if Japan wins this game (and Costa Rica may be the worst team in tourney) they are putting their former Axis partner in a world of hurt. Will Costa Rica bounce back? Seems doubtful. Japan seems likely to put this game away then have their fans clean up the stands again. Japan 2-0.

2 pm: Germany vs. Spain--this game becomes do or die for Germany if Japan wins. Spain looked really good against a really bad Costa Rican squad. A Spanish win or draw and Japan (with a win) is through. A German win and they likely feel pretty good as they get Costa Rica next. Calling it 2-2.

GROUP F:
8 am: Belgium vs. Morocco--A Belgian win sees them through to the R16, but they didn't exactly look great versus the Canucks. Morocco drew Croatia 0-0 in their opener. Belgium is good enough to get this done, 3-0.

11 am: Canada vs. Croatia--Croatia is a slight favorite this game (+120) with Canada at +245, but I think Canada bounces back. This team has played well all through qualifying and outplayed Belgium in the opener. Canada 2-1.

 

[jon abbey]

Very sleepy first half between Japan and Costa Rica, hope Japan can pull it out this half to put Germany on the brink.

 

[jon abbey]

All of Germany just let out a collective scream.

 

[BigSoxFan]

Very costly no show for Japan

 

[candylandriots]

All of Germany just let out a collective scream.

Gonna be crazy if Germany wins tonight.

I’m texting with my Costa Rican friend with a German partner now. Things might get frosty in his house on Thursday.

 

[fletcherpost]

All you need is one quality cut back...but no.

 

[CodPiece XL]

You beat Germany then you serve up this muck…

 

[OCST]

One of the things about non-fans and footy-curious tuning in to the WC for their first exposure to the game- the football itself can be real crap.

 

[fletcherpost]

One of the things about non-fans and footy-curious tuning in to the WC for their first exposure to the game- the football itself can be real crap.

One thing I've learned over the years is to never wish the group stages away. There's so much at stake for these players that i get why some games are so cagey.

 

[GB5]

First Concacaf win of World Cup?

 

[Ale Xander]

Only one minute? Did we go back in time?

 

[Ale Xander]

Goal Maroc!

 

[Silverdude2167]

Um, that was offside, the player who tried to get a head on it was offside...

 

[blueguitar322]

Was #6 for Morocco offside and interfering with the keeper?

Edit: yep, VAR.

 

[Ale Xander]

Courtois mistake? Or an incredible screen!

NO GoAL

 

[SocrManiac]

That’s off.

 

[Jeff Van GULLY]

Belgium does not look good. Seemed like they were down a man when in possession the second part of the half.

 

[SocrManiac]

I’d love to see a statistic for how many times Hazard stays on his feet after conceding possession (voluntarily or not).

 

[Mighty Joe Young]

I’d love to see a statistic for how many times Hazard stays on his feet after conceding possession (voluntarily or not).

Quite striking parallels between Hazard and Coutinho .. both we’re sold at the peak of their abilities for mega transfers only to subsequently flop. In reality both Liverpool and Chelsea made out like bandits on those deals.

 

[DJnVa]

Oh shit...

 

[AB in DC]

Umm, shouldn't there be someone on the near post on that?

 

[Silverdude2167]

How are you that far off your line for that free kick? Unforced mistake.

 

[67YAZ]

After all this time, I step out to the paper and what happens?

That’s def a tough one for a keeper, but Courtois’ level is so high that this is stunning. Wow.

 

[fletcherpost]

If he's fit i guess you bring on Lukaku now.

 

[DJnVa]

Umm, shouldn't there be someone on the near post on that?

Maybe, but it wasn't much different than a corner and you don't always put someone there on a corner.

 

[the1andonly3003]

Roberto Martinez stifling Belgium's offense like the end of his Everton tenure

Also, how is Trossard not starting?

 

[teddykgb]

Roberto Martinez stifling Belgium's offense like the end of his Everton tenure

Also, how is Trossard not starting?

Most international managers are basically bad — it’s the nature of the world that if they were any good they’d be making far more managing club teams. But Martinez to me is a special kind of bad and I’m going to be infuriated when Belgium finally fires him and the USA picks him up because he was good on ESPN

 

[67YAZ]

If he's fit i guess you bring on Lukaku now.

Here he is. He ain’t too little, but too late?

 

[Arroyo Con Frijoles]

I've always liked Martinez for reasons not completely clear, but man Belgium look bad.

 

[DJnVa]

If this score holds Canada is out with a loss.

 

[67YAZ]

Wild that Belgium has the most creative player in the world and still manages to play such bland, predictable stuff.

 

[fletcherpost]

I wonder how much time they'll add. I'm feeling five minutes.

 

[SocrManiac]

Maybe, but it wasn't much different than a corner and you don't always put someone there on a corner.

I’ve talked about this elsewhere, but it’s been applicable here.

It worked out in the first half (barely), but maintaining an offside line on free kicks seems to be obsolete. You’re trading a small chance that you generate an offside against having all of your defenders running at their own goal with a choice to make- knock it out for a corner or try to generate clearance power against their momentum.

I’m a big fan of the layered defensive approach. Concede that you won’t create an offside. Your defenders can attack the ball in a safe direction. There’s no clear target area for the set piece. Height advantages are lessened because your defenders can get a good, natural leap. It’ll be countered by new tactics at some point, but they don’t exist yet.

This could have been critical for a height-challenged US team against England. I’m glad it wasn’t.

 

[SocrManiac]

Wild that Belgium has the most creative player in the world and still manages to play such bland, predictable stuff.

To be fair, this is the worst he’s ever looked. I wonder if he’s carrying a knock.

 

[DJnVa]

Oh my goodness.

 

[67YAZ]

That’s it. Wow.

Martinez fired by the time he hits the locker room?

 

[canderson]

Just wow

 

[ifmanis5]

Incredible. 2 subs, 2 goals.

 

[67YAZ]

I wonder how much time they'll add. I'm feeling five minutes.

Would you like to take Donovan’s commentator gig?

 

[fletcherpost]

They deserve it.

Belgium's 13 game unbeaten streak in the group stages of World Cups is gawn.

 

[the1andonly3003]

Can Pep or Kompany be loaned from their clubs to Belgium for two matches? All they have to do is come in and coach.

 

[DJnVa]

Canada: win and they play for group next week. Lose and they are done.

 

[fletcherpost]

Would you like to take Donovan’s commentator gig?

I caught some of the US coverage with Landon and Co...it's a bit cringe.

 

[Jimy Hendrix]

A bit worried for Canada now. They’re still feisty, but match one looks less impressive in retrospect knowing just how shit this Belgium is and they sure have poked the bear that is the group’s actual best team.

Then again, Father Time is doing a number on Belgium, who’s to say he continues sparing Croatia?

 

[the1andonly3003]

I don't follow Batshuayi at the club level, but is he really in better form than Trossard?

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

I don’t know these clubs enough to rely on anything but stereotypes, but Belgium being completely dominated in the air by Morocco was not anywhere on my bingo card. It was the difference. That second goal was indicative, but just all over the pitch.

 

[fletcherpost]

Belgium are in decline. The golden generation couldn't get it done and now they're past their peak as a unit. They still have a decent pool of players. They might need to change the manager when the tournie is over.

 

[Jimy Hendrix]

Can Pep or Kompany be loaned from their clubs to Belgium for two matches? All they have to do is come in and coach.

Do they come with a time machine to go back when all the players were much better? Martinez is not good, but he’s taking the fall here for aging, who is the real killer.

 

[teddykgb]

Remember how good Doku was a few years back? That injury to him really came at a bad time

 

[teddykgb]

Do they come with a time machine to go back when all the players were much better? Martinez is not good, but he’s taking the fall here for aging, who is the real killer.

I disagree. They often made football hard when that team was at its best. He doesn’t know how to set this group up and really never has