No where near as harsh a punishment as I felt he deserved and would like to have seen, however I wasn't expecting it to be that harsh, anywhere near to be honest.

 

 

It's hard to have any sympathy for Liverpool, you buy a player who's been banned for biting, you stick by him through racism charges and another biting of someone, you can't be too surprised he's done something so stupid again, it's the price you pay for having such a great player who's such a Grade A moron.

No where near as harsh a punishment as I felt he deserved and would like to have seen, however I wasn't expecting it to be that harsh, anywhere near to be honest.

It's hard to have any sympathy for Liverpool, you buy a player who's been banned for biting, you stick by him through racism charges and another biting of someone, you can't be too surprised he's done something so stupid again, it's the price you pay for having such a great player who's such a Grade A moron.

 

He should be offered help, it's clear he has something wrong with him. I think this ban might finally sort him out, although I'll be interested to hear Liverpool's statement once they've read all the documents. Just annoying it will mess up our season again, although he's not missing too many of the bigger games, so that's something at least.

Well, what a tough loss for the US squad at 1-0 to Germany, but, at times they were seriously outplayed in their by the German team. US team had a couple of chances late, but couldn't convert. At least the US squad moves on to the knockout stages, even with the Portugal win over Ghana, due to goal differential...

 

 

Can't see the US going any further than the last 16 tbh.

So all 4 Asian teams finish at the bottom of their groups and with no wins. Awful World Cup for them, even if they aren't the best teams right now, it's a shame. Incredibly pleased with Algeria qualifying though, shame they start their knockout debut by running right into Germany.

I think Germany have booked their quarter final place already, they should easily beat Algeria in the last 16.

 

Belgium seem like they had a great game against South Korea, can see them beating USA with their next match against Argentina... ouch (probably)

So all 4 Asian teams finish at the bottom of their groups and with no wins. Awful World Cup for them, even if they aren't the best teams right now, it's a shame. Incredibly pleased with Algeria qualifying though, shame they start their knockout debut by running right into Germany.

Am I missing something here? Russia are technically a Europen team, are they not? And didn't come bottom of their group (albeit because another Asian team did!).

Am I missing something here? Russia are technically a Europen team, are they not? And didn't come bottom of their group (albeit because another Asian team did!).

 

Russia are a European team, that's correct. When I talk about football teams on continents I'm referring to the affiliation they have to their continental federation (each of which gets a certain amount of places at the World Cup). It doesn't always correspond to the continent they're actually or mainly on.

 

The Asian teams I'm talking about are Japan, South Korea, Iran and Australia*, who all qualified through AFC.

 

*Oceania has basically no competition so Australia are now Asian for football purposes.

Can't see the US going any further than the last 16 tbh.

 

 

Then again, who'd have thought Netherlands would have absolutely DESTROYED Spain, and, now as things progress who also would have thought that Spain, England, Italy and Portugal would not make it out of the group stages....

 

So, even with US playing Belgium on 1 July at 2100 GMT, I'm going to be cautiously optimistic and say that the US squad will advance to the quarter finals with a 2-1 overtime win...how's that for some prognostication for everyone... :rolleyes:

I fancy the USA to give Belgium a good game actually. The one problem with this Belgium side is that they are lacking a star striker. Lukaku has been awful so far. If the USA are well organised and drilled, they will be able to frustrate Belgium easily.

Belgium are very solid. If the US couldn't score against a German team which looks a bit vulnerable then I'd back the Belgians to at least get a clean sheet and nick one.

An Algerian fan was pointing a laser beam in the Russian goalkeeper's eyes just before the Algerian goal. Pretty disgraceful.

Belgium are very solid. If the US couldn't score against a German team which looks a bit vulnerable then I'd back the Belgians to at least get a clean sheet and nick one.

 

Both teams are solid. If Hazard can hit some form then he's their man, but with Lukaku as their main striking option they look potent. At least with USA if Dempsey gets a chance, you would expect him to bury one. Will be an interesting game for sure. Such a shame that some of the better teams have been paired up so early, just the way of the groups though unfortunately.

 

Right now my predictions are Chile, Colombia, Netherlands, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Argentina and Belgium.

Russia oops

Right now my predictions are Chile, Colombia, Netherlands, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Argentina and Belgium.

 

 

Mine are same as yours but think Brazil will beat Chile.

I will be hysterical if Brazil loses to Chili.

 

EDIT: Hysterical is such a hard word to type.

Edited June 27, 201411 yr by *Tim

I think Chile will get found out against Brazil. They'll probably score one as they'll have Vidal back and Brazil won't man mark so someone might slip through but they rarely turn dominance into goals. And I've no idea how they'll deal with Neymar.

It could go either way, but the bookies have them at 5/1 to beat Brazil in 90 minutes, and 3/1 just to qualify. They're horrendously over-priced. Neymar aside, this Brazil squad is very, very average. Chile did everything right against the Dutch in the first half, apart from score. With Vidal back, I fully expect them to give Brazil a run for their money. Hopefully Sanchez won't have to drop so deep this time to get the ball.

I think Chile will get found out against Brazil. They'll probably score one as they'll have Vidal back and Brazil won't man mark so someone might slip through but they rarely turn dominance into goals. And I've no idea how they'll deal with Neymar.

 

Vidal will bite him ;)

 

You say they did everything but score but that's not much use when they do that so often. Scolari finally seems to have realised that Fernandinho should be starting and I can see him and Vidal having a running battle with Luis Gustavo mopping up behind.

You say they did everything but score but that's not much use when they do that so often. Scolari finally seems to have realised that Fernandinho should be starting and I can see him and Vidal having a running battle with Luis Gustavo mopping up behind.

 

All it takes is one of the chances to go in though. Will be a close game certainly, I thin Neymar's obviously loving the crowd and I think his game is going to another level. But this Brazil side is awful. Expect both teams will score, but I'm backing Chile for the win all the way.