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Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "Delighted for Argentina tonight, how they didn't score another 2 or 3 I just don't know, Poland were pathetic, so disappointing for Mexico against the Saudi's.
I think Mexico would have given France a great game, as it is Poland v France will be like a bad prem lge game of top v bottom.
Messi had so much time on the ball tonight and his vision is unreal, hope they go along way and that they wallop the Aussies next time out.
Hype is building in John Bulls land, the sooner they are out the better, Shearer and Wright are getting harder to listen too, if that was possible."
England under Southgate never win a 50-50 game or when their underdogs, so a QF defeat to France certainly looks their faith.

TerribleFootwork (Wexford) - Posts: 1673 - 01/12/2022 10:39:23    2449212

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Replying To TerribleFootwork:  "England under Southgate never win a 50-50 game or when their underdogs, so a QF defeat to France certainly looks their faith."
Bottlers supreme for sure. And not just under Southgate. Since I was born tbh!

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11725 - 01/12/2022 10:58:28    2449214

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Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "Delighted for Argentina tonight, how they didn't score another 2 or 3 I just don't know, Poland were pathetic, so disappointing for Mexico against the Saudi's.
I think Mexico would have given France a great game, as it is Poland v France will be like a bad prem lge game of top v bottom.
Messi had so much time on the ball tonight and his vision is unreal, hope they go along way and that they wallop the Aussies next time out.
Hype is building in John Bulls land, the sooner they are out the better, Shearer and Wright are getting harder to listen too, if that was possible."
Just Shearer and Wright, them all from top to bottom, thank heavens for Keane who brings them down a peg or two. England out next, then Americans followed by Australia, then we can relax and enjoy. Argentina or Germany would do it for me.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2006 - 01/12/2022 11:30:32    2449219

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Replying To Saynothing:  "Just Shearer and Wright, them all from top to bottom, thank heavens for Keane who brings them down a peg or two. England out next, then Americans followed by Australia, then we can relax and enjoy. Argentina or Germany would do it for me."
What have you got against the Americans and Australians?

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2446 - 01/12/2022 11:43:39    2449220

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Argentina look to be back on track and on paper at least, have a straight-forward passage to the quarters. Poland were desperate last night though, so probably shouldn't read too much into it. I just think when the real pressure comes on in the latter stages Argentina could crumble. I hope not though. They're a great footballing nation with one of the best players ever. It would be nice to see them win it.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9115 - 01/12/2022 13:29:52    2449229

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Argentina look to be back on track and on paper at least, have a straight-forward passage to the quarters. Poland were desperate last night though, so probably shouldn't read too much into it. I just think when the real pressure comes on in the latter stages Argentina could crumble. I hope not though. They're a great footballing nation with one of the best players ever. It would be nice to see them win it."
Wouldn't fancy Argentina myself, to many passengers like Di Maria on the team, taught Poland were awful last night, yeah the way the draw is shaping up they could get to semi final despite their deficiencies as Holland, Australia and US wouldn't be world beaters.

TerribleFootwork (Wexford) - Posts: 1673 - 01/12/2022 13:52:04    2449234

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Replying To TerribleFootwork:  "Wouldn't fancy Argentina myself, to many passengers like Di Maria on the team, taught Poland were awful last night, yeah the way the draw is shaping up they could get to semi final despite their deficiencies as Holland, Australia and US wouldn't be world beaters."
Yeah Di Maria must be the most frustrating player to watch. God only knows what it's like to play with him. His decision-making for such an experienced player is inexplicable at times. They have a few other middling enough players as well. If they reach the semis having played well who knows though? Momentum can be a huge thing in sport and the best teams don't always necessarily win knockout tournament football.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9115 - 01/12/2022 13:58:59    2449237

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Yeah Di Maria must be the most frustrating player to watch. God only knows what it's like to play with him. His decision-making for such an experienced player is inexplicable at times. They have a few other middling enough players as well. If they reach the semis having played well who knows though? Momentum can be a huge thing in sport and the best teams don't always necessarily win knockout tournament football."
That's a fair point bit of luck along the way can help too, for example a heavy hitter losing on your side of the draw, seen it in the euros over the years with Denmark and Greece while the Portugal team that won in 2016 was fairly average compared to Portugal teams which went before and after it.

TerribleFootwork (Wexford) - Posts: 1673 - 01/12/2022 15:27:19    2449253

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Replying To TerribleFootwork:  "That's a fair point bit of luck along the way can help too, for example a heavy hitter losing on your side of the draw, seen it in the euros over the years with Denmark and Greece while the Portugal team that won in 2016 was fairly average compared to Portugal teams which went before and after it."
Greece likely 'made their own luck' in 2004 imo, and didn't fail a dope test either!! Seemed to have much more 'endurance' than other teams throughout the tournament, in the hot Portuguese sunshine.

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 3410 - 02/12/2022 11:11:44    2449317

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Replying To TerribleFootwork:  "That's a fair point bit of luck along the way can help too, for example a heavy hitter losing on your side of the draw, seen it in the euros over the years with Denmark and Greece while the Portugal team that won in 2016 was fairly average compared to Portugal teams which went before and after it."
As you said, a combination of getting an easier draw and other big guns knocking each other out can help greatly.
In 2016, Portugal got this and a lot more.
The only game they won in 90 minutes in the whole tournament was against Wales in the semi final.
They drew their 3 group games in what was a weak enough group, and scraped through as one of the 3rd place teams. They then edged past Croatia in extra time with a breakaway goal against the run of play, and Poland on penalties after a deflected goal got them level. They beat Wales in the semi and then France in the final with a dogged defensive performance and a goal from a player we've hardly seen since then.
On the other side of the draw, the bigger teams beat each other. Italy took out Spain, Germany beat Italy and France beat Germany.
It left Portugal with one big game to win only, instead of 2 or 3.
The draw looks more balanced in this World Cup though.

WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2034 - 02/12/2022 13:06:08    2449331

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Backed Portugal at the start, and sitting pretty now with that docket.

Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8166 - 02/12/2022 15:52:26    2449350

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Delighted to see the two Galway lads Kane & Grealish making it through to the last sixteen with their side. So much for those who 'taught' they would 'loose'

Maroonatic (Galway) - Posts: 1060 - 02/12/2022 20:54:51    2449374

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Replying To WanPintWin:  "As you said, a combination of getting an easier draw and other big guns knocking each other out can help greatly.
In 2016, Portugal got this and a lot more.
The only game they won in 90 minutes in the whole tournament was against Wales in the semi final.
They drew their 3 group games in what was a weak enough group, and scraped through as one of the 3rd place teams. They then edged past Croatia in extra time with a breakaway goal against the run of play, and Poland on penalties after a deflected goal got them level. They beat Wales in the semi and then France in the final with a dogged defensive performance and a goal from a player we've hardly seen since then.
On the other side of the draw, the bigger teams beat each other. Italy took out Spain, Germany beat Italy and France beat Germany.
It left Portugal with one big game to win only, instead of 2 or 3.
The draw looks more balanced in this World Cup though."
After watching a few pre-selected games up to and including South Korea v Portugal, the main ingredients of some games are, hard luck, bad luck, good luck, or no luck at all, then the penalty calls, Penalty calls not given, the VAR calls etc, etc.

Many, many millions of euros have been invested in multiple high mag cameras to ascertain whether a ball is in play out of play, whether it is goal kick, a corner, a penalty or otherwise, a couple of calls at that level were nothing short of being shambolic, other than that there was a bit of entertainment and excitement over a few games.

Some games on the way include, the USA, Australia, Senegal, Japan, South Korea Morocco, and the all-conquering. Cameroon.

Some posters are covering all eventualities in the event of, - - - nevertheless when is someone going to nail their colors to the mast and call an outright winner.

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 2907 - 02/12/2022 21:36:58    2449375

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Replying To Liamwalkinstown:  "Backed Portugal at the start, and sitting pretty now with that docket."
No hope…. Can't win when continually playing with only 10 men

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 1897 - 03/12/2022 07:49:22    2449380

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Replying To Liamwalkinstown:  "Backed Portugal at the start, and sitting pretty now with that docket."
Backed Portugal myself at the start with Ronaldo to be on the score sheet.

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 2907 - 03/12/2022 08:21:58    2449386

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Replying To supersub15:  "After watching a few pre-selected games up to and including South Korea v Portugal, the main ingredients of some games are, hard luck, bad luck, good luck, or no luck at all, then the penalty calls, Penalty calls not given, the VAR calls etc, etc.

Many, many millions of euros have been invested in multiple high mag cameras to ascertain whether a ball is in play out of play, whether it is goal kick, a corner, a penalty or otherwise, a couple of calls at that level were nothing short of being shambolic, other than that there was a bit of entertainment and excitement over a few games.

Some games on the way include, the USA, Australia, Senegal, Japan, South Korea Morocco, and the all-conquering. Cameroon.

Some posters are covering all eventualities in the event of, - - - nevertheless when is someone going to nail their colors to the mast and call an outright winner."
I think it's hard to pick a winner. But I backed Argentina to win it at the start, and am happy enough stick with them. Vamos, vamos, Argentina!

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2446 - 03/12/2022 09:39:09    2449390

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Replying To supersub15:  "After watching a few pre-selected games up to and including South Korea v Portugal, the main ingredients of some games are, hard luck, bad luck, good luck, or no luck at all, then the penalty calls, Penalty calls not given, the VAR calls etc, etc.

Many, many millions of euros have been invested in multiple high mag cameras to ascertain whether a ball is in play out of play, whether it is goal kick, a corner, a penalty or otherwise, a couple of calls at that level were nothing short of being shambolic, other than that there was a bit of entertainment and excitement over a few games.

Some games on the way include, the USA, Australia, Senegal, Japan, South Korea Morocco, and the all-conquering. Cameroon.

Some posters are covering all eventualities in the event of, - - - nevertheless when is someone going to nail their colors to the mast and call an outright winner."
Some posters are covering all eventualities in the event of, - - - nevertheless when is someone going to nail their colors to the mast and call an outright winner. ABE

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2006 - 03/12/2022 18:15:00    2449450

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Heart says Argentina, head says Brazil. ABE.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 2739 - 03/12/2022 18:52:18    2449454

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Watched leinster/ulster rugby match,not s clue have I on rules regarding sending off..one Irish international sent off for a clash of heads while another doesn't even get a yellow for leading with his elbow/forearm..also how is it that all soccer players covered in tattoos can't tolerate any pain during games..from my knowledge the tattoos are very sore to get..

CTGAA10 (Limerick) - Posts: 2206 - 04/12/2022 11:03:47    2449470

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Replying To Cockney_Cat:  "I think it's hard to pick a winner. But I backed Argentina to win it at the start, and am happy enough stick with them. Vamos, vamos, Argentina!"
Fair play Cockney_Cat (UK) one of the better games, the bit of good luck that was in the game Argentina had it and the bit of bad luck Australia had it, nevertheless Argentina deserved the win.

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 2907 - 04/12/2022 13:37:18    2449477

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