World Cup 2022 - Team and Match Discussion

First half of this game was very disappointing. Surprised at the amount of changes Japan made. Pleased to see Junya Ito come on now.

Instant impact from Ito. Free-kick in a good area. Can't beat the wall. Japan will be raging if they can't win this as Costa Rica are maybe the worst team in the tournament.

This feels worse than usual alright… wonder if most of the teams only having a few days together before the tournament is part of the problem. No time to work on anything but quite basic defensive stuff.

Think it’s notable that one of the more cohesive teams have been the Saudis. They met up a month before the tournament began, so had way more time to work together, and they look like they all know exactly what they’re doing with coordinated attacks and defenses.

Oh my goodness. Costa Rica goal. Japan shoot themselves in the foot.

Don't know why Yoshida did that, followed by Morita with a weak tackle.

Terribly sloppy goal to give away.

That's a sucker punch for Japan. Played all the football, though they haven't been great in the final third, and find themselves behind to Costa Rica's first shot on target in the tournament. Looks like Germany have been handed a Get out of Jail Free Card.

Yep, AFAIK they could lose tonight and still go through if they give Costa Rica a good hiding, assuming Spain beat Japan...

Japan have definitely ‘lost face’ there. They played like the worst of a Stephen Kenny Ireland team. Fair flipping play to Costa Rica. I was thinking this WC is the most competitive I can remember, at the early stages anyway.

I'm not sure I fancy Germany to get a draw with Spain....

There is a scenario, there's lots of scenarios. But if Spain beat Germany tonight, which they probably should, then they might rest players for the game against Japan. If Japan can get a draw in that game, and Germany beat Costa Rica, it would end up:

Spain 7 points

Japan 4 points

Germany 3

Costa Rica 3

He seems to be the Phil Foden of Japan 😁

Could be spot on alright, just feels like teams are cancelling each other out slot and playing not to lose rather than win. Here's hoping it picks up a bit in the knock outs

I think it is world football has just got smarter. Gone are the days when you had teams like Cameroon back in 1990 who were tactically naive and used to flood forwards, regardless.

As for this Belgium v Morocco match. It must have an edge because the players and fans can insult/wind up each other in fluent French. Seems like a fantastic atmosphere anyway.

Have Belgium practised a single set piece? Absolutely rubbish ability to send in anything from a dead ball.

Morocco take the lead!

Hang on, might be offside. Yep, it's chalked off. And that's half-time.

Belgium struggling to impose themselves. Morocco winning it back well but sloppy in possession.

There's a shock lead for Morocco from a free kick right on the stroke of half-time. VAR might intervene though.

You’re right. Morocco doing well keeping it tight so far.

Not a bad game so far. Belgium very poor from all dead balls. Morocco attack on the break at speed makes it decent despite the inability in the last third to hit target.

Boufal close there.

Could not believe the result from the early game, unreal.

Can't see Germany screwing up a second time. At least I hope not.

Boufal was Morocco's best player, I thought. Aboukhlal coming on is a good talent.

1-0 Morocco! I think that lead is deserved.

You walk away for a few minutes and you miss the only goal of the match.

Aguerd has been quality again.

2-0 Morocco. It's all over for sure now.