The World Cup is the greatest sporting event in the world and this thread proves why. This year's Cup is going to be exciting. However, I do not understand a few of the statements made. First how can anyone say that Spain underachieves without saying the same about England. England has done very little to deserve the reputation they have. With the talent of the team, this team should be on the level with Brazil and that top tier of teams. Here is how I see the World Cup playing out.
Group A: Winner: Germany
Runner-up: Costa Rica
Group B: Winner: Sweden
Runner-up: England (If Rooney misses some games, if no games they win the group.)
Group C: Winner: Netherlands
Runner-up: Argentina
Group D: Winner: Portugal
Runner-up: Iran (Slight surprise but not really)
Group E: Winner: Italy
Runner-up: USA (No Nedved hurts Czechs horribly)
Group F: Winner: Brazil (by a mile)
Runner-up: Croatia
Group G: Winner: France ( no one else in the group)
Runner-up: Korea
Goupr H: Winner: Spain
Runner- up: Ukraine (Go Shevy)
2nd Stage:
Germany vs. England Winner: England 2-1
Netherlands vs. Iran Winner: Netherlands 3-3 (4-2 Penalties)
Italy vs. Croatia Winner: Italy 3-1
France vs. Ukraine Winner: France 2-1
Sweden vs. Costa Rica Winner: Sweden 2-0
Portugal vs. Argentina Winner: Argentina 4-2
Brazil vs. USA Winner: Brazil 4-1
Spain vs. Korea Winner: Korea 1-0
Quarter Finals
Netherlands vs. England Winner: Netherlands 3-1
Italy vs. France Winner: Italy 2-1
Sweden vs. Argentina Winner: Argentina 3-1
Brazil vs. Korea Winner: Brazil 4-1
Semi Finals
Netherlands vs. Italy Winner: Netherlands 3-2
Brazil vs. Argentina Winner: Argentina 4-3
Third Place Game
Brazil vs. Italy Winner: Brazil 5-3
Championship
Argentina vs. Netherlands Winner: Argentina 3-2
What does everyone think of this. Please be honest. This is my first attempt at prognosticating the World Cup.
No, it is just that in their group I think they will either pull an upset over Mexico or Portugal. Either way I think Mexico and Portugal tie each other and beat Angola. That gives them four points and I think Portugal beats Iran and Mexico does not. I was more impressed with the Iranians than I was Mexico. And yes I know they play in a slightly weaker region than Mexico. Iran is ranked in the top 25 of FIFA's rankings so this is not exactly a huge leap. What about the rest of the predictions?
I'd stake my career as a lesbian-empathizer that Mexico will finish above Iran.
As for the rest of your predictions, the amount of goals you seem to think will be scored is completely over the top: Holland v Iran 3-3? Brazil v Argentina 4-3? Brazil v Italy 5-3!? Both Argentina and Italy are notoriously stingy in defence, so those scores are never going to happen. Finally, I would be very surprised if the final involved Argentina and Holland as both are prone to in-fighting during major tournaments. Admittedly, Messi and Riquelme could inspire Argentina to do well, but I don't think they'll go all the way. As for Holland, they have a great midfield and attack, but their defence is decidedly dodgy.
Yes, I agree that the amount of goals is a bit of wishful thinking, however I do not think it is that over the top. With these types of offenses coming together on the pitch, I just think these teams like Iran, Holland, and others will press more for goals especially in the group and quarter finals. In the group stage the teams will need these points as alomst all of them will need goal differential to move on. IMO while these are particularly high perhaps maybe just maybe they are not impossible. The Final and most of the predictions make sense though. Holland does not have to play a team good enough to really challenge them and they do have a history of overlooking teams like Iran. So 3-3 is not unthinkable. Brazil Argentina are two teams that could definitely play to a 4-3 match. The Brazil Italy game goes this way: Brazil up 2-0 at half. Italy begins to push forward and scores a couple of goals, while Brazil punishes them on the counter. This makes it what 4-2. So maybe 4-2 instead of 5-3. It is not the lack of defense it is the competition forcing them to play a different type of game.
Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
The boy's got skills...
i remember that match against wolves. he tore us apart.
i remember thinking. 'he's gonna be snapped up by chelsea in the next few months' frigin quality player
Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
You must have the gift of foresight because I don't belive a good display against a team like Wolves is a reliable precursor to footballing excellence.
he would of done it against anyone, you plonker. and wolves have a great defender in lescott.
he would of tore your precious spurs apart too. and he will next season, guarenteed.
I'm really not sure who I think will win it now.
Obviously if we're just judging by face value team quality and what we know they can get done, I'd bet Brazil. Things don't normally go that way though.
I dunno, Germany always turn it on...slyly, and they're at home. I don't care if England win, I just don't want them to beat Germany in Germany. We will literally never, ever hear the end of it. England won the World Cup once and people still go made over it today.
-AC
Originally posted by Alpha Centauri
I'm really not sure who I think will win it now.Obviously if we're just judging by face value team quality and what we know they can get done, I'd bet Brazil. Things don't normally go that way though.
I dunno, Germany always turn it on...slyly, and they're at home. I don't care if England win, I just don't want them to beat Germany in Germany. We will literally never, ever hear the end of it. England won the World Cup once and people still go made over it today.
-AC
I agree. This world cup is not like past ones where we can definitely say team A will win it or has the best chance. Its just so evenly balanced in the groups that in ever group has 3 out 4 teams that have a chance to move on.
I have plenty of teams that can win it:
Germany, Italy, England, Brazil, Argentina, Holland and maybe France.
But Id rather not guess and let the tournament play itself.
Brazil Squad:
Goalkeepers: Dida (Milan), Julio Cesar (Internazionale), Rogerio Ceni (Sao Paulo)
Defenders: Cafu (Milan), Cicinho (Real Madrid), Lucio (Bayern Munich), Juan (Bayer Leverkusen), Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid), Gilberto (Hertha Berlin), Cris (Lyon), Luisao (Benfica)
Midfielders: Edmilson (Barcelona), Juninho Pernambucano (Lyon), Emerson (Juventus), Ze Roberto (Bayern Munich), Gilberto Silva (Arsenal), Kaka ( Milan), Ricardinho (Corinthians)
Forwards: Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Robinho (Real Madrid), Ronaldinho (Barcelona), Adriano (Internazionale), Fred (Lyon)
.... Quite a strong team 😄
Their Starting line up for the first game is likely to be:
...................................Dida..................................
.....Cafu.............Lucio...............Juan...........Roberto Carlos..
..................Emerson...........Ze Roberto(defence midfield roles)..
........Kaka....Ronaldinho....Ronaldo.....Adriano (all in attacking roles).
1 - Paul Robinson, 2 - Gary Neville, 3 - Ashley Cole,
4 - Steven Gerrard, 5 - John Terry, 6 - Rio Ferdinand,
7 - David Beckham, 8 - Frank Lampard, 9 - Wayne Rooney,
10 - Michael Owen, 11 - Joe Cole, 12 - Sol Campbell,
13 - David James, 14 - Wayne Bridge, 15 - Jamie Carragher
16 - Owen Hargreaves, 17 - Jermaine Jenas, 18 - Michael Carrick,
19 - Aaron Lennon, 20 - Stewart Downing, 21 - Peter Crouch,
22 - Robert Green, 23 - Theo Walcott.
England Players selected for World Cup have been anounced