Belgium vs Russia

vidor

On now.

The Backwards Man

These two have been such a letdown over the years I wouldn't be surprised if both somehow manage to lose this.

fearrua

Was wondering when someone would make a thread

Belgium: Courtois, Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Kompany (c), Witsel, De Bruyne, Fellaini, Lukaku, Hazard, Mertens, Van Buyten

Russia: Akinfeev, Kozlov, Ignashevich, Kanunnikov, Glushakov, Kokorin, Berezutskiy (c), Shatov, Samedov, Fayzulin, Kombarov

That's what Sky have listed on their website anyway

Edit: beaten to it for the line ups, nevermind

Son Of A Vidic

I absolutely love the Russian national anthem. Even as an Irishman, it just stirs my soul.

McDermotX

Corvus Maximus wrote: »

I absolutely love the Russian national anthem. Even as an Irishman, it just stirs my soul.

It's a proper anthem.....conjures memories of Cold Wars, the 1980s and Ivan Dragos.

AllGunsBlazing

Looks to be a bit of a height advantage here for the Belgians. Set pieces should be interesting.

vidor

Bright start by Belgium.

vidor

Dodgy keeper

mike65

Ya dope!

Dozen Wicked Words

De Bruyne looking better this game already

mike65

Fellaini is looking less of a lampshade and more like a footballer

McDave

Belgium looking pretty handy. Even in 45 or so WC minutes, Fellaini has put himself well in the shop window. As a Blue, it's good to see Courtois in action. Hazard doing his job, incl. linking up well with Fellaini. Lukaku has it all to prove.

fearrua

Good to see Vermaelen getting a game, really hope he doesn't leave us this summer

Billy86

BBC just referred to them as "the USSR team"

AllGunsBlazing

That was a clumsy challenge to say the least.

vidor

Russia used to be good to watch at these tournaments, right?

Peist2007

I think Lukaku is overrated. Has never really impressed me.

the incredible pudding

Peist2007 wrote: »

I think Lukaku is overrated. Has never really impressed me.

He has a lot of good qualities but is still raw, in particular his touch and his positioning can be suspect. That being said he's only 21 so people should cut him some slack!

michael999999

fearrua wrote: »

Good to see Vermaelen getting a game, really hope he doesn't leave us this summer

Magpie!

AllGunsBlazing

Nothing really for Lukaku to work off so far to be fair.

Peist2007

the incredible pudding wrote: »

He has a lot of good qualities but is still raw and his positioning can be suspect. That being said he's only 21 so people should cut him some slack!

He is young but even by regular standards he can be a bit cumbersome. He may improve and is often likened to Drogba but i think he lacks a bit of personality as well. That being said i would be happy to be proved wrong.

Son Of A Vidic

Billy86 wrote: »

BBC just referred to them as "the USSR team"

Muppets. During the pregame build up, Lineker was speaking about some player and then goes onto say - "He came on the bench." I was like dafuq is this!?!?

Nuri Sahin

fearrua wrote: »

Good to see Vermaelen getting a game, really hope he doesn't leave us this summer

Why? He's an average CB at best. His goals early in his Arsenal career clouded the vast majority of Arsenal fans and EPL fans in general.

That was greedy

AllGunsBlazing

Corvus Maximus wrote: »

Muppets. During the pregame build up, Lineker was speaking about some player and then goes onto say - "He came on the bench." I was like dafuq is this!?!?

Pulled off at half time?

Optimalprimerib

So as it is a lazy sunday evening I decided to stick this on in the background and have a snooze. Fell asleep at kick off and 30 minutes later I wake up and only 9 minutes have been played. Even in my sleep this game has dragged along.

McDave

Billy86 wrote: »

BBC just referred to them as "the USSR team"

The Class of 66. Just can't let it go, eh?

Peist2007

Peist2007 wrote: »

I think Lukaku is overrated. Has never really impressed me.

Or Mourinho it seems.

Guy:Incognito

Amazing how quick a boot full of studs to the face wears off :rolleyes:

CountyHurler

Jaysus that was harsh on the chap out of BROS... the other lads foot was higher than his..

Smithwicks Man

"Lukaku makes a good run"

He ran too early was was well offside before the pass could be played. Lukaku has been very disappointing here, offers next to nothing in the build up play and his positioning in the box has been poor. Hope he gets a goal to give him a boost.

Dries Mertens has been very good yet again.

Peist2007

Smithwicks Man wrote: »

"Lukaku makes a good run"

He ran too early was was well offside before the pass could be played. Lukaku has been very disappointing here, offers next to nothing in the build up play and his positioning in the box has been poor. Hope he gets a goal to give him a boost.

Dries Mertens has been very good yet again.

I think Mertens needs to improve his final ball big time.

Nuri Sahin

Smithwicks Man wrote: »

"Lukaku makes a good run"

He ran too early was was well offside before the pass could be played. Lukaku has been very disappointing here, offers next to nothing in the build up play and his positioning in the box has been poor. Hope he gets a goal to give him a boost.

Dries Mertens has been very good yet again.

Unsurprising really. Still baffled as to why there was so little interest in him last summer. Said it then, but he was arguably the bargain signing of last summer.

Professional Griefer

Wow, what a miss.

Nuri Sahin

Great ball, Kokorin should do better.

Shocking miss that

Smithwicks Man

Peist2007 wrote: »

I think Mertens needs to improve his final ball big time.

His final ball has never really been an issue with him when I've seen him play. Lukaku needs to change it up a bit in the box, all he's doing is looking for an easy tap in.

Nuri Sahin wrote: »

Unsurprising really. Still baffled as to why there was so little interest in him last summer. Said it then, but he was arguably the bargain signing of last summer.

Agreed, had a fantastic season.

This Belgium team still to really impress me

vidor

Hazard has been very ordinary in that half.

Billy86

Belgium are just so... timid. It's like they're afraid to take amd risks in attack whatsoever.

Sub Lusaka off at half time and make sure he never gets back on the pitch all world cup.

Peist2007

Smithwicks Man wrote: »

His final ball has never really been an issue with him when I've seen him play. Lukaku needs to change it up a bit in the box, all he's doing is looking for an easy tap in.

I will admit i have only seen him play a couple of times and wouldnt be judging on anything more. He is lively and inventive but, today anyway, seems to lack the final ball

CurryFlavoured

Belgium a bit of a let down so far.

Pudsy33

Mertens is the only player who looks dangerous.

Fellani better as an impact sub. Useless today

Agree on Mertens, looks very lively

twinex

Another match with empty seats, and a lot of the rest filled with locals. I can't help but believe the Irish supporters would have filled their quota every time.....sigh

McDave

Smithwicks Man wrote: »

"Lukaku makes a good run"

He ran too early was was well offside before the pass could be played. Lukaku has been very disappointing here, offers next to nothing in the build up play and his positioning in the box has been poor. Hope he gets a goal to give him a boost.

Dries Mertens has been very good yet again.

Lukaku ran himself out if contention far too early there.

He has a lot to do if he doesn't want to end up as a Belgian Heskey. A goal would be a start. He won't get much of a run out in the second half if he doesn't get more involved.

mike65

Russia should be 2-1 up had everyone taken their best chances. Became a rather bity game.

Dozen Wicked Words

twinex wrote: »

Another match with empty seats, and a lot of the rest filled with locals. I can't help but believe the Irish supporters would have filled their quota every time.....sigh

Empty seats don't always mean teams haven't sold their quota, just means some FIFA hangers on haven't bothered.

McDave

mike65 wrote: »

Russia should be 2-1 up had everyone taken their best chances. Became a rather bity game.

Belgium really fell away a the half progressed. I'd expect they'd try to pick it up in the second half.

Lando Griffin

Russia need to introduce Vladimir Putin quickly; there's bags of goals on him im sure

Francie Barrett

Both teams look to be playing for the draw.