Speaking of the genius of the 48 team system, we almost came full circle with the Austra Algeria match because back in 1982 the "disgrace of Gijon" happened where Germany played Austria and both teams knew before the match witch result they would need to advance. Germany won 1:0 which was enough for both teams to move on and after the 1:0 fell both teams just kicked around the ball and basically stop playing actual football. The victim of this was, ironically, Algeria who got knocked out. After that match FIFA changed the rules so the last matches of a group would be played simultaneously. Now with the expansion of the world cup to 48 teams we got came close to another disgrace match bc Austria and Algeria both knew before the match what result they would need to advance bc of so many 3rd ranked teams moving on.
So we all know what will happen soon: We will get one major matchday where all groups play their last match simultaneously. Like in the new Champions League. I'd bet money on it if I were a betting man.
Speaking of the genius of the 48 team system, we almost came full circle with the Austra Algeria match because back in 1982 the "disgrace of Gijon" happened where Germany played Austria and both teams knew before the match witch result they would need to advance. Germany won 1:0 which was enough for both teams to move on and after the 1:0 fell both teams just kicked around the ball and basically stop playing actual football. The victim of this was, ironically, Algeria who got knocked out. After that match FIFA changed the rules so the last matches of a group would be played simultaneously. Now with the expansion of the world cup to 48 teams we got came close to another disgrace match bc Austria and Algeria both knew before the match what result they would need to advance bc of so many 3rd ranked teams moving on.
So we all know what will happen soon: We will get one major matchday where all groups play their last match simultaneously. Like in the new Champions League. I'd bet money on it if I were a betting man.
They should have kept the round of 32 brackets secret but the current bald mountain nigger running the show, pretty much is more concerned with pleasing Trump than fixing the game.
I know of some people that expected Spain vs. Uruguay to be "the pact of Guadalajara" but you really can't trust Uruguayans do to shit.
I don't know about you guy but the Round of 32 just feels like a condensed group stage to me. South Africa vs. Canada will mean one of two pops their cherry with the Round of 16. I'm feeling South Africa, massive blackouts and business as usual.
They should have kept the round of 32 brackets secret but the current bald mountain nigger running the show, pretty much is more concerned with pleasing Trump than fixing the game.
I don't think he gives a fuck about pleasing Trump, or fixing the game. In my view, he is ONLY interested in pleasing his personal finances, and also collecting brown envelopes stuffed with small sheets of paper from various dodgy looking people.
A vast propotion of fans could run FIFA better than he ever could. I hope some real scandal rears its head, and he is forced to eff off.
Uruguay can only be a dissappointment if you're unaware of who Bielsa is, losing is his game. He's one of the only managers to bring Argentina back during the group phase, a testament to his prowess at losing every fucking time.
The only time he won at anything was because he set up a completely unorthodox team that nobody could quickly figure out how to counter. Once everyone figured out his game (read: the year after) he got smashed and has never stopped losing since.
Him, Beccacece and Sampaoli are smoke merchants. I have no clue how they keep failing upwards instead of being where they deserve: cleaning the bathrooms of the stadiums.
He's also a filthy US hating commie so there's that, too.
Thank god someone managed to score a goal and put us out of our misery. Canada's going to get fucking raped by the Netherlands or Morocco, but SA wouldn't have done any better
It was funny to see how Canada refused to press South Africa even when the ball was with the goalie. This would never happen with Brazil and eventually they would commit a mistake and Brazil would score.
Both teams were ass but South Africa refused to finish, it seems like they were aiming for PKs
In fairness, the round of 16 is the furthest they've ever made it in the WC. If they can keep their next match from being a total blow-out, I think they can walk away with their heads held high.
Korea should return to upper Korea to properly deal with their bullshit for allowing this South African team to go anywhere. I didn't expect much from Canada because its fucking Canada but watching South Africa do these little touches and passes between their defenders for 3 minutes only to pass the ball directly to Canada was boring. I wish Canada scored earlier because watching South Africa have to actually attack was lolcow worthy
In fairness, the round of 16 is the furthest they've ever made it in the WC. If they can keep their next match from being a total blow-out, I think they can walk away with their heads held high.
It was South Africa's and Canada's first time in any knockout round in a World Cup. It is the furthest they've made, but this year. They've only been twice before, and never made it past the group stage. ('86 and '22)
South Africa is similar - group stage in 98, 02, and 10.
The only time he won at anything was because he set up a completely unorthodox team that nobody could quickly figure out how to counter. Once everyone figured out his game (read: the year after) he got smashed and has never stopped losing since.
He's still held in high regard in only two places: Newell's Old Boys (their stadium is even named after him) and in Chile, for making the team competitive for once... Only for Claudio Borghi, Jorge Sampaoli and and Juan Antonio Pizzi actually win stuff with them.
Other than that? Yeah, he's overrated to hell and back.
