World Cup 2022

[Zzzptm]

Groups have been announced... reactions? Easiest group? Hardest group? Most exciting? Most meh?

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

    Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
    Group B: England, Iran, USA, Wales/Scotland/Ukraine
    Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
    Group D: France, UAE/Australia/Peru, Denmark, Tunisia
    Group E: Spain, Costa Rica/New Zealand, Germany, Japan
    Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia
    Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
    Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea

It's interesting in that there isn't a real "Group of Death", in that there isn't a group where the 3rd best team is good enough to go a long way. Group E is probably closest with both Spain and Germany but you wouldn't expect Japan or the Costa Rica / New Zealand to progress beyond the group stage anyway. Having said that Group G has Brazil and then 3 teams you couldn't really pick to fill the second spot.

Possibly of interest is the chance that England could play Wales or Scotland if they can negotiate the final qualifying matches with Ukraine. Outside the Euros England haven't played other home nations in a major finals. But I'm sorta hoping Ukraine make the last spot even though I'm part Welsh!

[Zzzptm]

I was thinking the same thing - where's the Group of Death? I expect Netherlands to dominate in A with Ecuador or Senegal being #2. Group B probably see USA and England emerge. I expect Mexico and Argentina from C, France and Denmark from D, Spain and Germany in E, Croatia and Belgium in F, Brazil and probably Switzerland in G, and H Portugal and Uruguay. No real struggle or squinting in my thinking, the conventional wisdom pretty much dictates those as the choices. I imagine there'll be upsets, but I can't see teams that might just get the job done instead of the top two. Maybe the upsets are the expected 1-2 going 2-1 or something like that.

[Jack the Stripper]

Australia face an uphill battle to qualify now. Should account for the UAE but then a H&A tie against Peru awaits to qualify. Injuries and the inability for the squad or train together before their matches has hurt their campaign.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

^^^
I hope you get through, but traditionally Peru are a tricky proposition.

[Jack the Stripper]

Australia just beat Peru 5-4 in a penalty shootout and are off to the World Cup

   

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Good news indeed.

I think that just leaves Costa Rico vs New Zealand for the last spot which I believe is tomorrow night.

[Jack the Stripper]

But what a huge call from the coach that has been under extreme pressure since the ass had fell out of their campaign to sub the keeper out(who’s also the captain) in the 119th minute and bring on a keeper that’s not even in our best 4 Australian goal keepers. But he is seen as a specialist penalty shot stopper whos shtick is to dance around like a wiggle on the goal line and put the penalty kicker off. Not only that, the Peruvians would’ve done all their study on our #1 starting keeper Mat Ryan in the lead up to the game and would’ve knew absolutely nothing about the grey wiggle that was subbed in. LMAO

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

^^^
That can backfire. Kepa being brought on for Mendy earlier this year in the EFL cup final being one example (Chelsea losing to Liverpool).

I saw the end of that shootout yesterday, I'm sure his antics must be borderline cheating, but until it's outlawed - go for it!

[Jack the Stripper]

I don’t think they could ever outlaw it. The keeper has always been allowed to move from side to side on the line but can’t move forward off the line before the penalty taker kicks the ball. Don’t think they could rule that you can move side to side but can’t do a little wiggle jig why you do it lol

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

You're quite right. And if they did clamp down on it, they would also have to clamp down the kicker doing the same thing (stuttering/pausing run ups and such like).

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

The World Cup starts in a week or so. It looks like being overshadowed by Human Rights issues in Qatar and such like, but while being aware of those issues I'm going to try and enjoy the football.

I think everyone here is represented except, sadly, Charger, as Canada, USA, Australia, England and France have all qualified (yes I know Tyr66 hasn't been around recently but I'll still include him).

Any early thoughts about who might win, who you want to win, who might get the Golden Boot and who might surprise us.

My thoughts:

Who Will Win:    Argentina have been good recently
Who do I want to win:    England (obvs.!)
Golden Boot:    If England gets past the quarter finals I think Harry Kane has a good chance
Who might surprise us:    maybe Denmark?

[Charger]

It's getting close yes...

I'm blocking out all of the political bullshit and just enjoy the world class footsy. The good thing about Qatar that it isn't horrible out our time zone...

The conditions for the players might be tough though as temps might still be in the high 30s (C)...So I am expecting to see some extra breaks again during the matches like we had for the South Africa (?) games...

As far as predictions go...it's really hard to say...

Who Will Win? Argentina isn't a bad choice but they always seem to fall flat on their asses when push comes to shove and the matches get harder...I don't know what the morale of the team is nowadays but I think there has been an insane ammount of turmoil most of it caused by Messi I think...
The big europeans haven't quite been at their level lately and ofcourse one big one being out completely...If England can play as well as they did in the Euro cup they have a real chance...

Wo do I want to win... ENGLAND!

Golden Boot...impossible to say...Might be someone who gets to score massively in the group stage against some weak country. Might be someone from Netherlands even...

Who Might surprise us? Maybe Croatia...I sure as hell hope it's not Denmark as I'd like to see a team get far with skill not with luck as those little dicks did in the Euro cup...it was sickening to watch.
It would be nice to see a total nobody to make it past the group stage..Australia maybe knocking the lucky danes on their flat asses! Yeah! I'm changing my vote! Aussies for the surprise!

[Zzzptm]

The team that doesn't melt, wins.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

I know they were talking about air conditioned stadia, but I don't know if that idea was actually implemented.