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[Haunted]

Yes. FIFA, in their infinite wisdom, made head-to-head the third tiebreaker. Should the US lose 1-0 and Ghana wins 2-1, the two countries will be tied on points, but Ghana will go through ahead of a team that beat them. That's the result I expect tomorrow since international soccer has taken to torturing the US as of late (the disallowed goal against Slovenia, the disallowed goal against Algeria, Dempsey getting punched in the face in the box against Algeria with no call, getting beaten out by Qatar to host the World Cup in 2022, the women losing the World Cup on penalties, the men saving their bitter rival Mexico in qualifying for no reason whatsoever, being drawn into the group of death).

That's completely fine, imo. Overall performance and goal differential should count ahead of the head-to-head comparison. It also makes more games relevant, (hopefully) reducing the amount of games that don't really matter, which usually leads to lacklustre performances.

 

[Draconian]

Head to Head being the third tie breaker makes sense to me. Group stages should be about total performance and if you can't be a total package then you shouldn't advance. At the end of the day if you all won, lost and drew the same amount of games, I don't really see why anyone should give a shit about who you did and did not beat. It should be about total points and statics since that is the best way of determining who performed the best in the group. The format is meant to draw the most out of every match and if teams already know that a head to head puts them through, it cheapens the whole spirit of the competition.

We'll agree to disagree then. It makes little sense to me how something like goals scored is a more valid tie breaker than what's been proven on the football pitch.

 

[snaffles]

Yes. FIFA, in their infinite wisdom, made head-to-head the third tiebreaker. Should the US lose 1-0 and Ghana wins 2-1, the two countries will be tied on points, but Ghana will go through ahead of a team that beat them. That's the result I expect tomorrow since international soccer has taken to torturing the US as of late (the disallowed goal against Slovenia, the disallowed goal against Algeria, Dempsey getting punched in the face in the box against Algeria with no call, getting beaten out by Qatar to host the World Cup in 2022, the women losing the World Cup on penalties, the men saving their bitter rival Mexico in qualifying for no reason whatsoever, being drawn into the group of death).

Did you watch the games between Brazil, Cameroon, and Mexico, Croatia? Making goal difference and goals scored the deciding factor led to far more exciting matches and was perfectly illustrated earlier in the week. Both teams were going all out on attack to ensure they could finish as high as possible.

 

[Step]

This one is for Naruto fans, I hope some of you find it as funny as I did:

And it actually makes sense, he is searching for a new vessel.

 

[Skellig Gra]

Did you watch the games between Brazil, Cameroon, and Mexico, Croatia? Making goal difference and goals scored the deciding factor led to far more exciting matches and was perfectly illustrated earlier in the week. Both teams were going all out on attack to ensure they could finish as high as possible.

I think there are fair points on both sides of the argument. It certainly makes it more interesting but that doesn't mean it's fair to all parties.

 

[IceCold]

People have to realize that FIFA want teams to attack and score goals . This is why the tie breaker rules are what they are and why they removed the golden/silver ball in the knock out stages. The last thing they want is for teams to be complacent about the score line and defend or defend due to fear of conceding a goal.

 

[snaffles]

I think there are fair points on both sides of the argument. It certainly makes it more interesting but that doesn't mean it's fair to all parties.

Yes, I understand the argument I just think in such a small sample size it is unfair to go with head to head results. You get punished for one bad day as opposed to what you achieved over all three.

 

[Gotdatmoney]

We'll agree to disagree then. It makes little sense to me how something like goals scored is a more valid tie breaker than what's been proven on the football pitch.

Because the only way you would be tied to begin with is if you had some sort of short coming in an area where your opponent did not? By having it based on points it values over all performance as opposed to just winning and losing. It adds relevance to every game and makes it more exciting and forces teams not to just be shits and give forth poor efforts because they already know for sure they are going through despite putting forth an equivalent amount of wins, losses and ties to other teams. Even further more, in a tournament where you only play 3 games, one uncharacteristic performance can ruin a team and this way, there is more chance for redemption. If you want to go through without issue, just win then, solves all your issues

 

[Draconian]

People have to realize that FIFA want teams to attack and score goals . This is why the tie breaker rules are what they are and why they removed the golden/silver ball in the knock out stages. The last thing they want is for teams to be complacent about the score line and defend or defend due to fear of conceding a goal.

I think people understand that. That doesn't mean it's a good tiebreaker. I mean I understand that life isn't fair and that FIFA wants more attractive football, but it doesn't make nearly as much sense to me as it would if head to head goals were the 2nd tiebreaker and it were the 3rd. Especially considering a lot of the time the head to head would be a draw anyway. It'd be less annoying if the group format wasn't nearly as conducive as to having teams tying in the standings.

 

[GTP_Daverytimes]

The Supereagles surprised me today, they actually played football instead twiddling there thumbs. They still need to kick it up one gear against France, we will need everything to beat them. Anyways it is appropriate that the first African Nation into the Round of 16 is the African Champions. hope atleast Algeria makes it 2.

 

[Esti]

They're a relatively weak country and he's the best talent they've brought forward in years (Forlan as well), of course they're going to be protective. But then, his escapades escalated more and more, and at some point the media collectively had to make the decision: do the right thing and finally drop the bastard, or throw your lot in and completely double down on the counter-allegations to protect the only player who keeps the country at least somewhat relevant and competitive internationally?

Sadly, they chose the latter.

Actually the media here is being as stupid as the media everywhere that showed photoshoped pictures and videos people took from 4 chan as real just to generate controversy.

Also it doesn't have anything to do with being a "weak" country. It is about pride, about "fútbol". People here take the sport so serious it is posible we still compete with the rest of the world even though we are 3m people. I think Suarez need anger management therapy but this incident doesn't amerite so much hatred. This sport is a contact thing and we should be there in the field surrounded by so much people to understand what is in the player's head before judging.

 

[trixx]

Lets go Ghana play your hearts out. Still happy with the performances so far.

 

[aronnov reborn]

Sorry US fans, no team has won after playing in Manaus and only England got a draw (in a meaningless game). Ghana + Germany wins, easy money.

This is what i'm worried about. and we've only had 3 full rest days. of course we have fresher legs then most of the other teams as their players are 30-50 games into the the last year and our MLS season just started.

 

[snaffles]

The Supereagles surprised me today, they actually played football instead twiddling there thumbs. They still need to kick it up one gear against France, we will need everything to beat them. Anyways it is appropriate that the first African Nation into the Round of 16 is the African Champions. hope atleast Algeria makes it 2.

Nigeria have looked better with each game despite their loss today. Will be interesting to see what Algeria does in their match tonight as they only need a draw to go through. Their first game against Belgium was very defensive and counter attack focused, then they came out firing against South Korea. I don't think Russia have been good enough so far to warrant them playing defensively but it wouldn't surprise me if they reverted to that plan.

 

[Loxley]

Uuughhh I'm in the middle of moving right now and may miss most of the match tomorrow. I've come quite a ways since the beginning of the WC, I actually care about the outcome of a sporting event. The World Cup has changed me man, it's changed me.

 

[alterno69]

Actually the media here is being as stupid as the media everywhere that showed photoshoped pictures and videos people took from 4 chan as real just to generate controversy.

Also it doesn't have anything to do with being a "weak" country. It is about pride, about "fútbol". People here take the sport so serious it is posible we still compete with the rest of the world even though we are 3m people. I think Suarez need anger management therapy but this incident doesn't amerite so much hatred. This sport is a contact thing and we should be there in the field surrounded by so much people to understand what is in the player's head before judging.

Biting people is inexcusable, no matter the sport. It was crazy when tyson did it in boxing and it is crazy when a player has done it three times. The hatred is justified IMO and i hope he gets a long ban from futbol.

 

[mantidor]

Biting people is inexcusable, no matter the sport. It was crazy when tyson did it in boxing and it is crazy when a player has done it three times. The hatred is justified IMO and i hope he gets a long ban from futbol.

Exactly. Even in a sport like boxing, which consist in literally hurting your opponent, biting is completely taboo, there are no excuses.

 

[Esti]

Biting people is inexcusable, no matter the sport. It was crazy when tyson did it in boxing and it is crazy when a player has done it three times. The hatred is justified IMO and i hope he gets a long ban from futbol.

I hope he gets therapy, fix this issue and keeps playing good futbol.

 

[cafemomo]

oh god, going back to watching mls matches after being bombarded with WC games is kinda painful

 

[WAR recon zero]

Exactly. Even in a sport like boxing, which consist in literally hurting your opponent, biting is completely taboo, there are no excuses.

except if you are Uruguayan

 

[Bam Bam Baklava]

oh god, going back to watching mls matches after being bombarded with WC games is kinda painful

Exactly what I've been saying to people. The World Cup and the MLS may as well be on two different planets there will be so little carryover.

 

[overcast]

Uuughhh I'm in the middle of moving right now and may miss most of the match tomorrow. I've come quite a ways since the beginning of the WC, I actually care about the outcome of a sporting event. The World Cup has changed me man, it's changed me.

Then I hope we don't share heartbreak tomorrow.

Proud of Bosnia in getting their first WC win. Parents are from the former Yugoslavia, so it's encouraging to see.

 

[Discotheque]

Hoping for a Germany win and a portugal-ghana tie.

 

[Esti]

Exactly. Even in a sport like boxing, which consist in literally hurting your opponent, biting is completely taboo, there are no excuses.

except if you are Uruguayan

Of course! Now you are warned, just don't be tasty if you ever come near here.

 

[Gotdatmoney]

Actually the media here is being as stupid as the media everywhere that showed photoshoped pictures and videos people took from 4 chan as real just to generate controversy.

Also it doesn't have anything to do with being a "weak" country. It is about pride, about "fútbol". People here take the sport so serious it is posible we still compete with the rest of the world even though we are 3m people. I think Suarez need anger management therapy but this incident doesn't amerite so much hatred. This sport is a contact thing and we should be there in the field surrounded by so much people to understand what is in the player's head before judging.

3 year old children bite people, not fully grown men. He needs a hefty ban. I don't see why this needs to be tolerated, millions of people everyday play tons of different contact sports and do not resort to biting people when annoyed. A highly paid athlete on the biggest stage in the world should absolutely "not" be given a free pass to pull such a blatantly fucking stupid stunt. Come on.

 

[Anoregon]

Hoping for a Germany win and a portugal-ghana tie.

That seems like a fairly likely scenario. I could see the Portugal/Ghana game being a 1-1 or 2-2 draw.

 

[Frustrated_Grunt]

Last night I dreamed that the US was beating Germany 2-0. I was pissed when I woke up.

 

[Bam Bam Baklava]

That seems like a fairly likely scenario. I could see the Portugal/Ghana game being a 1-1 or 2-2 draw.

I don't see a draw in that game. At some point Ghana will just go all out and either score or get countered.

 

[alterno69]

3 year old children bite people, not fully grown men. He needs a hefty ban. I don't see why this needs to be tolerated, millions of people everyday play tons of different contact sports and do not resort to biting people when annoyed. A highly paid athlete on the biggest stage in the world should absolutely "not" be given a free pass to pull such a blatantly fucking stupid stunt. Come on.

Maybe he needs to go back to kindergarden and learn some maners, he could use a long timeout in a corner for sure lol

 

[NaM]

Hopefully Portugal will win and Germany will destroy USA. I really really REALLY want to see Portugal vs Argentina on quarterfinals.

Spoiler

I like the US team but Ronaldo pls

 

[Bam Bam Baklava]

Hopefully Portugal will win and Germany will destroy USA. I really really REALLY want to see Portugal vs Argentina on quarterfinals.

Spoiler

I like the US team but Ronaldo pls

Maybe if Ronaldo actually had a team. There's no point in seeing that matchup unfortunately.

 

[NaM]

Maybe if Ronaldo actually had a team. There's no point in seeing that matchup unfortunately.

The point is pretty clear, it'll be very funny to watch.

 

[figadapaura]

except if you are Uruguayan

no excuses

he didn't do it

are you blind?

 

[NaM]

he didn't do it

But he wanted to.

 

[Mully]

Ever seen Ireland play?

Man. Ireland has been fucked so many times in the past two decades, that every game they play fans should expect them to win based on karma alone.

 

[figadapaura]

Man. Ireland has been fucked so many times in the past two decades, that every game they play fans should expect them to win based on karma alone.

lol if only

I can't risk giving myself too much hope. It wouldn't be good for my heart.

 

[Massa]

except if you are Uruguayan

I think that's unfair to Uruguayans, specially when you have Uruguayan gaffers telling you how disappointed they are with him.

 

[Salsa]

except if you are Uruguayan

c'mon dude.

everyone here is giving him shit. stop trying to antagonize an entire country.

 

[dr3upmushroom]

Just saw this, haha. Coach looks like a grown up version of Charlie Brown.

 

[Tecl0n]

huh, Aguero may be out of the wc.

 

[STILLethal]

http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/3021/fceb.gif

Just saw this, haha. Coach looks like a grown up version of Charlie Brown.

Been seeing this the whole day, imagine if this was done to a real manager like Mourinho or Ancelloti....good-bye sweet Lavezzi in an instant.
It obviously was a big "f you idc i do what i want" gesture, no way that was a joke

 

[Hasphat'sAnts]

huh, Aguero may be out of the wc.

Wat

 

[FuturusX]

huh, Aguero may be out of the wc.

Was he ever in it?














I kid Aguero...sad if true.

 

[Salsa]

I can't stand Aguero in the media (we get a lot of argentinian tv here sadly) but it's fun to watch him play

sometimes at least

 

[Dion Blaster]

We'll agree to disagree then. It makes little sense to me how something like goals scored is a more valid tie breaker than what's been proven on the football pitch.

They already got credit for beating that team by earning 3 points. Goal differential takes into account all 3 games you played.

 

[Tecl0n]

Was he ever in it?

I kid Aguero...sad if true.

not like you were lying there, though.

 

[Acorn]

huh, Aguero may be out of the wc.

Sucks for him but he hasn't really played well any time I've saw him at the wc.

 

[WAR recon zero]

Aguero is the new Robben. He breaks far too easy

c'mon dude.

everyone here is giving him shit. stop trying to antagonize an entire country.

Sorry

Have not seen one of you condemning his acts in the media or here. But that was uncalled for

 

[Salsa]

Sorry

Have not seen one of you condemning his acts in the media or here. But that was uncalled for

check out the suarez thread, have talked about what I think and what the media has said plenty there

it's all good

 

[WAR recon zero]

Just saw this, haha. Coach looks like a grown up version of Charlie Brown.

Those cunts do not respect their manager. Forming their own ghettos in the dressing room after game one and this. Hope Switzerland kicks then out