Fantasy World Cup Live Match Chat Last 16, Day 4
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”.
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.
Hi all,
so is anyone else a bit gutted they left 2 algerians on their bench Mbolhi (14) and Belkalem (16)?
Ironically, as Hummels was out, I played my other Algerian defender Halliche (their captain) who only got 5! ?
It looks like I’m going to cost myself 16 points to bring in Rojo and di Maria and move my captain on. The one guy I didn’t captain J Rod would’ve netted me the most points thus far.
Its going well
Photek,
A similar tale of woah woah woah to me. Left thebkeeper on my bench, played Halliche and didn’t captain JRod.
What might have been eh?!
a lot more points than we currently have eh Chins?
I’m hoping the 3 argies can turn my fortunes around, got 2 belgiuns if all else fails.
have you got many players left?
Can’t wait for the USA-Belgium game tonight.
+1 Raz.
Going to be a close one i hope.
Pens would be great, although i’d prefer a US win in extra time.
Most Belgians think they are going to win with ease. What you think? 😉
One for one they’ve got the better players no doubt about it.
They just don’t seem to have clicked yet from what i’ve seen. Not sure what they looked like in the quallifiers but this doesn’t look like a great team yet.
US have a chance.
I wonder what makes them think that? They may end up winning easy, but if I was them I be concerned that they have 11 individuals who can’t seem to play well together vs a team who has way less talent but seems to get the most out of it and play like a team. Plus it’s the Americans who have the experience when it comes to the knock out stages as a portion of them were in knockout stages in 2010. I be worried if I was Belgium. If they play as a team they can get by, but if they play like they have they will be on their way home tonight.
USA have momentum on their side too. I said before the World Cup to people that I thought they were the most improved side in the world over the past two years or so. They have the spirit of a club team and I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if the Belgians get beat. Personally am expecting it to go to PKs.
Think it’ll be a cracker so getting up at 5am to watch it!
Mito…
Belgium team a bit like England’s….lots of individually talented players….but can’t play as a team…?
Why..
if you concider 90% of them play in the prem..
What does that say about the EPL..?
IMO based on what I’ve seen in the WC so far, there are a lot better players out there from lesser countries playing great football…
I think the English Prem’ is to blame, most of the players from this league look tired & sluggish, plus it has generated a lot of overpaid & OVERATED players…!
Fallaini or j.Rod
Lukaku or Sanchez
Henderson or Guadado
Milner or Lahm
Rooney or Messi
Lampard or Mueller
Lallana or Vabuena
Jagielka or Varane
The list goes on…….!
Feel free to add more……………
Popz in JRod’s particular case there was talk in Colombia that his move to Monaco was beneficial in the sense that he would not come in wore out into the world cup. Of course the same was said of Falcao, but that is a separate point. I am not sure about blaming the EPL, because I am not sure how all the leagues in the rest of the world conduct themselves. I imagine the teams that play in Champions and Europa are the ones that stand out. It be cool to see a comparison of minutes in the past season for all players. Btw can we name players who have played well in this world cup that were regular starters in EPL? Medel for Chile did really well, but he broke down by the end of it….
It’s been said for many years now that players who ply their trade in the EPL suffer because of the December schedule. Look at Ozil last season for example. He was on fire until that run of fixtures and then his form went out the window and he still hasn’t got back to 100% yet. It may not be the ultimate reason why players fail but it definitely doesn’t help. Players need a break just like the rest of us.
Hey chins, penalties would not be great!! I’ve already sat through two shootouts and those made me nervous even though the US wasn’t in it! I hope it’s dealt with in extra time at worst. I’m going for a close 2-1 win though as long as Michael Bradley finally has a good game. It’s amazing we’ve been able to get to this point without him having a great game.
You’re right Josh.
Let’s just have a nice straight forward 4-0 US win and have it all over by half time. Save the nerves for the penalty win vs Argies in the next round.
No no no no no, cant be having that! 1-0 to the Belgians with a goal from Van Buyten. That’d be grand. None of this 4-0 to Yanks malarkey. Capiche?
Yeah, you’re right. I’ve got that belgian chap too. And he might be captain if messi flops today.
How about a 4-2 US win. VB to get the Belgium goals?
Everyones a winner.
Now you’re talking! Big smiles all round.
Cheering for USA despite so many EPL players in Belgium. But this one should be an interesting one.
All eyes on Super-Dempsey!
Messi as captain over Rojo? My last throw of the dice (though it’s for glory in the Nearly Boys haha!)
Yup. Messi hattrick incoming.
Who’s your team in that one Pippin?
I’m there under “bmccormick” – signed up without using my cover name haha! And NIN, my current captain is Muller on 7- gotta move on from him, that’s not a good enough score
7 isn’t enough, no doubt about that. I’d go with Messi but i wouldn’t be overjoyed with it.
Ooooof, right on the precipice then in 8th. 10 point gap to 9th, reckon Messi capo sees you home safe and sound in that one.
I have my doubts about Messi in this game, hence me not picking him at all. Having said that it’d be very brave to have him and not (c) him if you’re running out of options.
Ref my earlier post about the quality of the EPL….
The Barclays Premier League will be leading the way in terms of representation in the FIFA 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
A total of 110 players at present contracted to Barclays Premier League clubs have been named in the 23-man squads of the 32 competing nations.
Question….. Who has performed..?
Mikel, van Persie, Lloris, Bentaleb, Oscar. Those are the first that sprung to mind. I’m sure there’s lots more.
Debuchy.
NIN…
Only a handful….. I’m struggling I suppose, Merts .
But with yours & mine, that’s about 5% of the total….
Also Oscar ? mmmm not really shone has he…?
Tick tock tick tock…. Wife is going to want to go out soon. Any team news out there people so i can get my changes done? Cheers
Sorry, that was lazy of me.
Here they are:
Romero, Garay, Zabaleta, Gago, Di Maria, Higuain, Messi (capt), Mascherano, Rojo, Fernandez, Lavezzi.
Switzerland:
Benaglio, Lichtsteiner, Inler (capt), Xhaka, Behrami, Rodriguez, Mehmedi, Drmic, Djourou, Schar, Shaqiri.
Thank you Chins.
Rojo and Messi in then.