The “real” World Cup starts today

Jedi boro

Jedi boro

Well-known member
I love the group games but let’s be honest they are largely there for padding to give all the qualified nations 3 games at least and they are more about finding a balance and just getting through often with the last game used as dead rubber to experiment even further.

But all that ends today as the real games begin the knockouts, no more experimentation no more more dead rubbers no more getting by no now it’s about getting through or going home.

The agony vs the ecstasy of course there’s always penalties.

The real stuff starts now.
 
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Abel Tasman said:
Starts today?!. Sorry where have you been the last few days? The drama has been huge. Last minute winners, elimination of big teams. No. The World Cup started at the beginning of MW 3.
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I agree with that and third round has been amazing drama esp the Korea and Japan games but I think think knockout is a different level as every side left is there on merit and they all have a chance however slim to go through.

The knock out format add that extra element as well of do or die as well as only victory will do.

Look at Poland who pretty much played for a draw or at least not to get beat by many in that last game. But now they are through they have to beat France.
 
Jedi boro said:
I agree with that and third round has been amazing drama esp the Korea and Japan games but I think think knockout is a different level as every side left is there on merit and they all have a chance however slim to go through.

The knock out format add that extra element as well of do or die as well as only victory will do.
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Yes obviously so but the way some of those final group games were set up they were in effect elimination matches where the winner took everything and the loser went home.
 
Zoophonic said:
Yes obviously so but the way some of those final group games were set up they were in effect elimination matches where the winner took everything and the loser went home.
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Yes they were you’re right it was great hopping between them as the action jumped from one to the other but they knew that the other result could save them so there was always that hope as well that salvation my come esp in the Germany and Uruguay games but in the knockouts theres no such hope.

Let’s hope the knockouts are as good as those third group games.
 
Jedi, I normally attend to agree with you, but your opening post is utter bollox.

There have been some shocks in the group stages with so called big nations packing up to go home earlier than they expected. FIFA are changing the format that you started a post on calling it 'horrendous.'

I think you need to make your mind up.
 
Norman_Conquest said:
Jedi, I normally attend to agree with you, but your opening post is utter bollox.

There have been some shocks in the group stages with so called big nations packing up to go home earlier than they expected. FIFA are changing the format that you started a post on calling it 'horrendous.'

I think you need to make your mind up.
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No I agree with you it has been good this far and I def like the current format over that horrid 3 team fiasco but I’m saying that knockouts are as different test as it were.

As sometimes as we saw with Poland sides can get by enough to qualify but in the knockouts all that ends.

I’m not saying better I’m saying different. As an England fan all our drama historically has come once the groups are over.
 
Jedi boro said:
I agree with that and third round has been amazing drama esp the Korea and Japan games but I think think knockout is a different level as every side left is there on merit and they all have a chance however slim to go through.

The knock out format add that extra element as well of do or die as well as only victory will do.

Look at Poland who pretty much played for a draw or at least not to get beat by many in that last game. But now they are through they have to beat France.
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play for a draw and chance it on pens
 
We have seen some terrible R16 games in the past with too much caution and I hope we don't see some stalemates. USA will be defending for their lives against Holland so hopefully the Dutch score early to open it up otherwise it could be a drag.
 
Get what you are trying to say but can’t really agree in regards to this particular World Cup. The group stage has brought plenty of drama and unexpected moments. The World Cup has been great so far, and I’m sure that will continue now we are in the knock out stages.
 
Jedi boro said:
I love the group games but let’s be honest they are largely there for padding to give all the qualified nations 3 games at least and they are more about finding a balance and just getting through often with the last game used as dead rubber to experiment even further.

But all that ends today as the real games begin the knockouts, no more experimentation no more more dead rubbers no more getting by no now it’s about getting through or going home.

The agony vs the ecstasy of course there’s always penalties.

The real stuff starts now.
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Where have you been for the past few days? There’s been more drama than an hour long special of coronation street.
 
I love the group games: take note how good the final head to head round has been FIFA.

By contrast, the knockout rounds are usually cagy, low scoring affairs. Admittedly, Russia 2018 bucked that trend and more goals per game were scored in the knockouts, but that's the only time it's happened. Hope it happens again

I think Brazil produced the fullest round of 16: all the first placed teams won, so we might as well have skipped straight to the quarters.

Where will the shocks come in this round of 16?

I think the USA have a shot against the dutch, and the Japanese vs Croatia. I've also got a feeling for Morocco vs Spain: this is not the same Spain that could strangle a game as they did in 2010. It's also a fixture with a fair amount if historic tension riding on it.
 
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