Thread to discuss the football itself.
This is not a thread to discuss the hosting of the competition in Quatar.
You can discuss the hosting in the relevant thread.
Your right. Its worded weird so I missed it.
"4. Points obtained in the matches played between the teams in question"
Japan Costa Rica heading for another snooze 0-0
Yet another contender for worst match of the tournament.
There's been what feels like a shocking amount of poor football on display and boring goalless draws at this world cup so far, is it me or is it usually more entertaining?
First half of this game was very disappointing. Surprised at the amount of changes Japan made. Pleased to see Junya Ito come on now.
Instant impact from Ito. Free-kick in a good area. Can't beat the wall. Japan will be raging if they can't win this as Costa Rica are maybe the worst team in the tournament.
Japan making a mess of themselves. They really need to win this. Can see Spain and Germany drawing and Spain beating Japan, putting Germany through.
This feels worse than usual alright… wonder if most of the teams only having a few days together before the tournament is part of the problem. No time to work on anything but quite basic defensive stuff.
Think it’s notable that one of the more cohesive teams have been the Saudis. They met up a month before the tournament began, so had way more time to work together, and they look like they all know exactly what they’re doing with coordinated attacks and defenses.
Games like this always remind me of a Rory McGrath line from They think It's All Over, when he was asked to provide commentary on a yacht race:
"Riveting. One of the many things I'd rather be doing than watching this."
Oh my goodness. Costa Rica goal. Japan shoot themselves in the foot.
Don't know why Yoshida did that, followed by Morita with a weak tackle.
Utterly undeserved
Terribly sloppy goal to give away.
Seems the giant killers struggle with lesser opponents.
That's a sucker punch for Japan. Played all the football, though they haven't been great in the final third, and find themselves behind to Costa Rica's first shot on target in the tournament. Looks like Germany have been handed a Get out of Jail Free Card.
Big couple of minutes for Japan coming up. A draw would see them through provided Spain beat Germany later. Lose this and I think they've thrown away their chance.
All over. Japan really disappointing. I think they paid for too many changes. Seemed like they went into the game hoping not to lose rather than going all out for the win. Wrong approach and paid for it.
Looks like Germany have been handed a Get out of Jail Free Card.
Yep, AFAIK they could lose tonight and still go through if they give Costa Rica a good hiding, assuming Spain beat Japan...
Japan have kamikazed their chances of getting out of the group now. They just weren't at it today.
Japan have definitely ‘lost face’ there. They played like the worst of a Stephen Kenny Ireland team. Fair flipping play to Costa Rica. I was thinking this WC is the most competitive I can remember, at the early stages anyway.
Crap. And not just the game!
Wanted Japan to win, so Germany would have to go for it tonight. Now a draw will probably do, and even with a defeat they may even be favourites for the runners up spot now. You would definitely favour them to beat Costa Rica and Spain to beat Japan.
I'm not sure I fancy Germany to get a draw with Spain....
Hopefully Spain give them a hiding tonight,really fcuk up their goal difference,Japan will be gutted if they don't go through,in hindsight CR shipping 7 v Spain left it tight
There is a scenario, there's lots of scenarios. But if Spain beat Germany tonight, which they probably should, then they might rest players for the game against Japan. If Japan can get a draw in that game, and Germany beat Costa Rica, it would end up:
Spain 7 points
Japan 4 points
Germany 3
Costa Rica 3
Minamino one of the game changers the other day, and has the best goal scoring record of anyone in their squad, and only given 10 minutes today. Seems a bit mad.
He seems to be the Phil Foden of Japan 😁
I reckon Morocco can get something from the next game. They were stubborn against Croatia, while Belgium didn't look very good against Canada. I'll go 1-1.
Could be spot on alright, just feels like teams are cancelling each other out slot and playing not to lose rather than win. Here's hoping it picks up a bit in the knock outs
Must be huge numbers of Moroccans traveled. Some amount of whistling every time Belgium have the ball. At least the game has an atmosphere I suppose.
I think it is world football has just got smarter. Gone are the days when you had teams like Cameroon back in 1990 who were tactically naive and used to flood forwards, regardless.
As for this Belgium v Morocco match. It must have an edge because the players and fans can insult/wind up each other in fluent French. Seems like a fantastic atmosphere anyway.
RTE player messing up again or is it Just me?
My alternate way of watching seems fine.
Have Belgium practised a single set piece? Absolutely rubbish ability to send in anything from a dead ball.
I’m watching on the rte player app, working grand here anyway.
