Fantasy World Cup Live Match Chat Semi Finals
And then there were four. It’s semi-final time at the World Cup and very much a South America vs Europe affair. We’ve said a sad farewell to Colombia, who received an amazing reception when they returned to Bogota. Also offski are Costa Rica, who played with so much heart and a stubborn defence throughout the tournament, while Belgium and France have also exited stage left.
Our first semi-final sees hosts Brazil take on the World Cup’s Herr Consistent, Germany. Since 1950, the Germans have failed to reach at least the quarter-final stage on just one occasion and will be looking to add to their three stars by going all the way. Brazil, of course, will have home support on their side – unfortunately for them they won’t have influential defender and captain Thiago Silva or their main attacking threat, Neymar, on their side – they are ruled out through suspension and injury respectively. But it’s ok, Germany have Mesut Ozil, which evens things up somewhat. The Germans were back to their robotic best in disposing of France, while Brazil produced their best display of the tournament, certainly in the first half as they fought, literally, past the plucky Colombians.
The second semi brings together Argentina and the Netherlands, both of whom have somewhat stuttered through so far. The Dutch needed penalties to find a way past Costa Rica, which will be an obvious concern for LVG as he attempts to plot a way past the Argentinian defence which has kept two clean sheets in a row. If recent form is anything to go, goals may be at a premium here, so it may just be a moment of magic from Lionel Messi, Arjen Robben, Gonzalo Higuain or RvP which settles the tie. Worth noting that Angel Di Maria has been ruled out with injury, but better news of Sergio Aguero, who is expected to have recovered from (his latest) injury in time for the showdown.
RMT please
Krul Neuer
Vlaar Blind De Vrij Hummels Rojo
Lahm Kroos Ozil Sneijder
Muller Messi Depay
Not having a ‘cheeky’ punt on Mascheranus? He’d be good for spreading things out wide.
:oogle:
Think you’re cracking up Bry.
Init….Ozil ?!!!
Apologies lads. Just figured he’d be an option playing in the hole.
You should pick him, he’s gonna tear it up.
He’d do a good job as a no.2, too. Versatile.
Init – I suspect ‘The Messiah’ will make quite a few changes so I’d be surprised if your 3 Dutchies at the back start.
No Brazilian defenders? Holland haven’t scored in 240 minutes and i don’t see that changing. I’d get Thiago Silva in there. Maybe Cesar too.
Almost everybody will have such team (or quite similar). Only way to distinguish is the captain. So I would go with De Vrij as captain. Should have done that earlier….
I was thinking along those lines, I’ll almost certainly have a left field captain in the first game and hope it works out.