Footsy World Championships 2018

[Charger]

Actually Saudi Arabia are looking quite good going forward, although their defence is a little suspect, I could see them scoring.

I agree...considering how they played the opening match this is quite an improvement. But ofcourse Uruguay is a team of completely different legue.

But again I can see Uruguay having some trouble playing forward. This kind of playing might be enough at this stage but against Russia and who ever comes next this will not do.

[Zzzptm]

Or, quite possibly Saudi Arabia doesn't do so badly against a team that's not all hopped up on PEDs?

[Charger]

Or, quite possibly Saudi Arabia doesn't do so badly against a team that's not all hopped up on PEDs?

That's a bold accusation..got any facts to back that up?

[Zzzptm]

Or, quite possibly Saudi Arabia doesn't do so badly against a team that's not all hopped up on PEDs?

That's a bold accusation..got any facts to back that up?

Welllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll... Russia's still not compliant with anti-doping protocols and the FSB is known to be working with Russian sport... it would be naive not to think that Russia would not somehow find a way to evade anti-doping controls, either to benefit their own athletes or to introduce false positives for the competition.

[Charger]

Or, quite possibly Saudi Arabia doesn't do so badly against a team that's not all hopped up on PEDs?

That's a bold accusation..got any facts to back that up?

Welllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll... Russia's still not compliant with anti-doping protocols and the FSB is known to be working with Russian sport... it would be naive not to think that Russia would not somehow find a way to evade anti-doping controls, either to benefit their own athletes or to introduce false positives for the competition.

Perhaps so but there is no evidence of any drug or steroid use here. I do not believe it is fair for anyone to just be throwing accusations like this without any evidence one way or another.

I'm willing to give them the benefit of a doubt...just like I do everyone else.

[Zzzptm]

I'm in the security business, so it's my job to look for suspicious conditions.

Especially those involving Russia.

[Charger]

Fair enough...quite understandable actually...

Which is not something that can be said about Iran's playing right now...I mean OH MY GOD that is some disgusting playing....absolutely FUCKING disgusting. 95% of the time they've got every single player in their own penalty area! Talk about parking the bus! I have not seen playing like this since...well 4 years ago when Iran played in the world cup the last time.

Sure it might be sort of productive to them but it is still absolutely disgusting playing and hideous to watch.

Worst game of the cup so far for sure...and most likely the worst one we'll see.

[Zzzptm]

Ironic that both Portugal and Spain scored 3 on each other, but only 1 vs. Morocco and Iran... although, 20 mins to go in the SP-IR game, they might get another.

UPDATE: They did not. The irony stands.

[Billy Underdog]

I'm in the security business, so it's my job to look for suspicious conditions.

Especially those involving Russia.

Did you just invite a bunch of Russian spy-bots and "troll factories"..?

[Jack the Stripper]

Definitely something not right about Russia. No team in this WC has been able to play at the frenetic pace for the full 90 minutes as they have.

[Charger]

Definitely something not right about Russia. No team in this WC has been able to play at the frenetic pace for the full 90 minutes as they have.

I don't know much about the Russian football league on what their game load is but most european leagues have quite hectic seasons plus Euro cup plus champions league...and virtually all Russian players are only from the Russian league so I would imagine they've had quite an ammount less games than most other players so naturally that would have an effect as well...they might just be more rested too.

But I don't know...I just don't want to be pointing fingers without proof.

[Jack the Stripper]

Definitely something not right about Russia. No team in this WC has been able to play at the frenetic pace for the full 90 minutes as they have.

I don't know much about the Russian football league on what their game load is but most european leagues have quite hectic seasons plus Euro cup plus champions league...and virtually all Russian players are only from the Russian league so I would imagine they've had quite an ammount less games than most other players so naturally that would have an effect as well...they might just be more rested too.

But I don't know...I just don't want to be pointing fingers without proof.

Give that Icarus a watch and then maybe you might be more inclined to not give them the benefit of the doubt.

[Zzzptm]

^ Yeah, that was an amazing documentary. Icarus.

[Charger]

Leaving the doping speculations behind and getting back on topic.


The first match of the day is pretty interesting Australia vs Denmark...The Aussies played rather good footsy in their first match against France and Denmark took a win from Peru...I can see this one going either way really...but I'm rooting for Australia.

France should win Peru but frankly they weren't exactly great in their first match and the unity still isn't there...maybe because of Griezmann who does not have the reputation of a team player or a nice guy.

Argentina was really in dire straits against Iceland and Messi messed up a penalty kick which probably did not help with all the pressure that's on the little guy. So they have to win today but Croatia is no easy mark not by a long shot. In fact they are pretty damn strong.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Today's games look a little one-sided, I'll go with:

Denmark (but rooting for the Aussies) actually this could easuky be a draw.

France (but rooting for Peru)

Argentina (but rooting for Croatia)