World Cup Fantasy Economy

Generali

inspector_monkfish wrote: »

just looking at New Zealand playing right now
have you seen how they qualified ?

They topped a group with New Caledonia, Fiji and Vanuata
Then beat Bahrain in a play-off!
Thats it !!
They played 8 easy matches, and even managed to lose to Fiji 2-0 on the way :eek: :rotfl:

When you think the likes of Russia, Czech, Croatia, Sweden, Norway or Colombia (18 qualifying matches) aren't even here, after playing many many difficult games, it all seems a bit wrong !

When you see how Italy barely cheated their way to a draw against undefeated New Zealand, robbing them of a Round of 16 place and still finishing bottom of the group it's clear that Oceania should have another couple of places at the expense of the arrogant but poor European sides.

3 of 6 decided groups have a European team in last place, none have an Oceania team last. The 3 groups that don't have a European team last have a European team ejected from the tournament in 3rd. 2 of 6 decided groups are topped by European teams.

Imperialist.

Really2

Is it to late to tell everyone that Robinio is only on the bench today.:)

purch

I have timed my Steve Ovett style late run for today :eek:

Wheezy_2

Really2 wrote: »

Is it to late to tell everyone that Robinio is only on the bench today.:)

Poo. Oh well...didn't have a transfer left anyway

Wheezy_2

purch wrote: »

I have timed my Steve Ovett style late run for today :eek:

That will be some run as he's 55 now

Wutang_2

Really2 wrote: »

Is it to late to tell everyone that Robinio is only on the bench today.:)

3:03 - love it!!

inspector_monkfish

Generali wrote: »

When you see how Italy barely cheated their way to a draw against undefeated New Zealand, robbing them of a Round of 16 place and still finishing bottom of the group it's clear that Oceania should have another couple of places at the expense of the arrogant but poor European sides.

3 of 6 decided groups have a European team in last place, none have an Oceania team last. The 3 groups that don't have a European team last have a European team ejected from the tournament in 3rd. 2 of 6 decided groups are topped by European teams.

Imperialist.

Italy were bad, granted.
But come on G, NZ were pretty damn negative !

all this 'park the bus infront of goal' football from the likes of Greece, NZ, Algeria does not bring good things to the World Cup table.

its not pretty

Generali

inspector_monkfish wrote: »

its not pretty

If that's the argument then Brazil and Portugal should be out.

The All Whites finished ahead of the winners from the last tournament and are rightly (IMO) proud. Apparently there are 24 professional footballers with a Kiwi passport.

You sound like Arsene Wenger: the oppo have to let us play our brand of positive football so we get to beat them 6-0!

The reality is that every team plays to the rules and the one that scores the most goals wins the game. If Italy had scored more than the All Whites they would have won but they didn't because they weren't good enough.

I guess the alternative is to make it like figure skating with judges giving marks for beautiful play. Call me old fashioned but I prefer goals scored to decide things.

lemonjelly

I've said it before & I'll say it again. No team has really stood out in this WC. To be honest, neither has any player.

There appears to be much more an even playing field now. European teams are now struggling, african teams developed 1990-2000, but have stood still since. Asian teams have progressed since 2002.

Chile are my dark horses. If they don't concede to Spain tonight, that'll be 8 consecutive competitive games with a clean sheet. They are scoring, but appear to be organised at the back...

vivatifosi

lemonjelly wrote: »

Asian teams have progressed since 2002.

Chile are my dark horses.

Apologies if this is a dumb question given that a lot of players will play in Europe, but is there an implied advantage for those countries from the Southern Hemisphere? Weather is similar (ie winter), would presumably be playing in winter as per here, so games would fall when they are fresh: mid-season, not dog tired at the end of a long season. Just a thought.