Fantasy World Cup Live Match Chat Last 16, Day 2
Welcome to the last 16 of the World cup – or the round of 16 as some choose to call it, or the first knockout stage. In fact, call it what you want – either way, it’s sudden death time – lose and you go home, outta here, offski and this will likely mean that your coach resigns or gets the chop or in England’s case receives a pat on the back and a “bad luck old chap”.
Sunday sees LVG’s Netherlands take on the bandits of Mexico in a clash which sees the great entertainers try to prise through a stubborn and tight defence. The late game is your chance to surprise your partner – turn off the telly and make their day with the comment, “i think i need a break from the World Cup darling, let’s go out for a drink” – little will they realise that Costa Rica vs Greece is about to start, you’ve chucked in your cheap defenders on the off chance for a clean sheet and the brownie points are banked for the week’s more exciting matches.
Monday is Europe vs Africa day. France vs Nigeria get’s us going – hopefully goals is the order of the day and a game akin to Nigeria’s 3-2 loss to Argentina will do very nicely, thanks lads. The evening gives us another viewing of ze Germans as zey take on ze plucky, mucky, lucky (delete as per your personal preference) Algerians. Both European sides will be favourites to go through, but it’s been a World Cup of surprises thus far so mustn’t count our chickens quite yet.
The final day of the round sees the Argies back on display as they attempt to neutralise the Swiss – that shouldn’t be tricky. However, with the likes of di Maria and Higuain quiet so far and Aguero injured (obviously), it’s been down to little Leo to carry the Argies through the group. Easy then, mark Messi out the game and you’ll be fine – how many times have we heard that before?! Switzerland’s only chance of course is if Shaqiri turns on the style and his hat-trick vs Honduras will leave him feeling on top of his game.
The round is concluded as Belgium take on the US of A. Could be a tough one to call this as Belgium have hardly set the tournament on fire as yet, while the Yanks have surprised many with their courage and adventure. Klinsmann of course, has been here before and knows what it takes to get through this stage of the tournament and there’ll surely be cries of “Mashed potato” and “You’re the man” if awesome talisman Dempsey can lead America through to the quarters, or quarter finals, or last 8, or the round of 8…..we’ve gone full circle here.
Enjoy, select your squad’s wisely and good luck.
Glad we’re through to the next round but a freaking weird game it was. Mexico was better in the first half (after de Jong left the pitch with I think a serious injury), Blind needed to move to midfield, Indi (semi-injured) was moved to the central defense. Verhaegh really didn’t play that well, we had more of the ball but we did nothing with it (in the first half) and Janmaat is still a bit better I think. Anyway, van Gaal must have had his reasons.
Mexico had a few shots on target in the first half (distance shots) and they maybe should’ve had a penalty (though Hector Herrera was very low with his head). On the other side of the pitch, almost towards the end of the first half, Robben should have had a penalty (100 percent). First half, Mexico looked the more lively team and the more dangerous one. Also, it looked like Mexico were better in coping with the weather conditions. First time they played a 1 o’clock game there, doctors there said ti was crazy to play that game. But you know what? FIFA needs to make money, so the game needs to be played at the most risky and most dangerous time (so Asia, Europe, Africa and co can watch).
Second half started and immediately Mexico scored with a long distance shot. After that Holland went from 5-3-2 to 4-3-3 (Verhaegh out and Kuyt took his place). Holland dominated the second half and Mexico was relying too much on keeping the result. Holland had plenty of chances but it looked like a lost game. Last 10 minutes van Gaal let the team play 4-5-2 (with Kuyt and Huntelaar as striker). Huntelaar got an assist (great goal by Sneijder) and a goal (penalty goal). Unsure if it was a penalty but I can’t be too sad about that one, we should’ve gotten one in the first half plus in the group we conceded 3 goals from which 2 were from false penalty’s (one against Spain and one against Australia).
In the end I think smart tactics by Louis van Gaal and the fitness level of the guys made them win the game. Second half Mexico was tired and Holland was firing. Big up to them. Anyway, looking forward to the quarter finals. Still have the feeling this team needs to improve much more before they face a country like Colombia, Germany, France. In all honesty Brazil and Argentina haven’t looked that good (yet).
Aaah yes, with the 4-3-3 system when Kuyt was moved from left- to rightback Depay was subbed in. Wasn’t his game but he looked dangerous. ANyway, glad with the result. Didn’t really expect them to win anymore. Heart of a lion.
thought you were going with no keeper there Raz
No keeper?
you mentioned a 4:5:2…..
3-5-2… give me a break… 😛
On that note, Mexico keeper is still a hero. Shit, he’s going to Barca or something. Small keeper by the way, 1.83m. Our keeper isn’t the biggest either with 1.88m.
Well done Raz, pleased for you that you made it through. Wasn’t very convincing by any means but as you say I imagine the heat had a lot to say about that. It’s all about getting through at this stage and that’s what you did, move on and hope the next game is at a better time in a cooler climate. If it isn’t then that will eventually take it’s toll for sure.
Init – something nuts like 38.5 degrees… crazy
Yeah, just before the game started it was 38,5 degrees and 70 percent humidity. Crazy.
First half the played almost entirely in the sun, they looked dehydrated. Second half, more shadow and they looked much more alive. Plus the early goal in the second half made them change tactics/system.
Still don’t think we’re getting the max out of the system we’re playing. Usually in the second half we play much better and the system usually changes to 4-3-3 (Dutch school).
Think the climate really was the main factor this game. Also, too many changes by Louis van Gaal. Before the game he moved out Janmaat and brought in Verhaegh (decent defender but not for this level), after de Jong got injured they had to make too many changes. Blind had to go from left central defender to the spot Nigel de Jong had and Indi (whom had a concussion not so long ago) had to play for freaking 85 minutes. Was a big risk. And they really looked unsteady the first half. Second half, I saw nothing of Mexico (apart from the goal). Poor tactical choice by Mexican coach by taking out a striker for a defender right after they scored.
Mexico couldn’t cope with the different systems we played, we went from 5-3-2, to 4-3-3, to 4-3-1-2 to 5-3-2 again, lolzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. That’s about the only positive thing about this game (apart from reaching the next round), they can easilly adapt to different systems, also their fitness levels (they were fitter than Mexico) and their heart.
Hopefully I don’t regret playing Navas too. I have Duarte and Manolas playing. A 0-0 would be nice
Jinxed it!
Of course. I knew I shouldn’t have said anything!
u bastard Josh
Sorry guys haha.
Well if ever a game needed a goal….
I should stop talking.
I went from Gonzalez to Duarte to Gamboa. SO GLAD I DIDN’T STOP AT DUARTE.Is it possible to sub out someone with a red?
dont see why not
Anything in rules about cleanies for sent off players???
For clean sheets, it just says the player has to play 60+ minutes and the team can’t concede for the whole game. So he should get the points right??
Gamboa subbed. Now I jinxed it! D’oooooooh
thinking Ill be looking to Pottys Algerians to save the round
Red card v cleanies..
Will Duarte still get his CS bonus…?
He got sent off after 66 mins..!
From the McDs sits..
**Clean sheet points will only be awarded to a player if the following two conditions are met: (1) their team doesn’t concede a goal in the entire match and (2) the player plays more than 61 minutes*** of the match.
I take it that even if a player isn’t on the pitch after 61 mins & their team concedes a goal later in the game,
He’ll still lose his bonus pts anyway….?
Btw
Yea chins….
I got Duarte….!
How you doin so far..?
chins is gone to the pool
Haha. Fucking greeks; never quit, never die.
Since the Costa Ricans have one sent off suddenly the Greeks are favorites to go through.