The Guardian interactive team, some gringos and some brits, came up with an analysis, still trying to figure out their methodology and weight to certain teams (lets see if this works @el-choul ) They have Mexico going 3 and out and calling the nads group, the group of death, also 3 and out. They also predicting the African and Asian teams 3 and out so at least concacaf won't lose world cup qualifying spots right? Here is the article with graphs. http://www.theguardian.com/football/interactive/2013/dec/18/world-cup-2014-draw-strength-of-schedule Edit: so they just based it off the FiFa rankings to predicts who wins...I'd rather they had added a modifier to the schedule based on the previous history of the two teams meeting, to at least make it more interesting.
Fifa rankings is the worst predictive model, it is just terrible. SPI and ELO are s lot better and they both predict us getting through.
I just want to reiterate how stupid the FMF is for putting our base camp in the south of Brazil when all our games are in the north ... We should be stop 3 or 4 iirc but instead we're third to last.
agreed, our spot A3 has one of the least travel between sites. the problem is how could the fmf know that we would get that spot??? but if they wait to get a secure a camp after the draw all the best camps might be gone. only thing i can think of is try to find a team that would be willing to swap camps that would benefit both teams.
Brasil vs South Africa Portugal vs Cameroon Croatia vs Switzerland All on wednesday should me good to start scouting our oppositon!
Brazil are up, goal from Oscar. They are deadly on counter attacks and they will not miss opportunities from errors. Their midfield is not too impressive. Attack and Defense is solid though.
La defensa de Camerun desastre— FERNANDO SCHWARTZ #nuncabajolosbrazos (@fersch_4) March 5, 2014 Nooice
5-1 ft in favor of Portugal. Portugal not really known as a high scoring side. Cameroon defense definitely looks shaky.. need to win that first game in Brazil.
I think Cameroon is a bit underrated and are pretty solid overall but they were simply outmatched by a better team in Portugal. Once, Portugal scored their second goal, they went all in that Cameroon's @#$@! lol
I think Cameroon's REALLY beatable. I mean, supposedly their defence was supposed to be their best asset with all their defenders having great seasons in Europe and Portugal just seemed to be going right through them.
Yeah, it was pretty surprising. Their defenders are pretty good for international play. To me, once Portugal scored their second, the flood gates opened and Cameroon couldn't stop players like Coentrao & Ronaldo going attack mode every time when they touch the ball. Moutinho was Mountinho i.e. delivering precise passes. Those three are really hard to stop when they are in a groove. I think that is what happened to today.
http://www.femexfut.org.mx/portalv2/aspx/WEB_DetalleNoticia.aspx?pnIDNtca=42192 above is the confirmation that mexico will stay in natal and travel straight to fortaleza.... hopefully i bump into them since natal isnt one of the gigantic cities hosting.(doubtful though) also i arrive to natal the same day mexico arrives to natal in the airport... hahaaha hopefully i run into them lol!
Brazil names their 23 man roster for the FIFA World Cup: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y...335201.html?intcmp=fifacom_hp_module_news_top Brazil squad Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Toronto FC/CAN), Jefferson (Botafogo), Victor (Atletico Mineiro) Defenders: Dante (Bayern Munich/GER), David Luiz (Chelsea/ENG), Henrique (Napoli/ITA), Thiago Silva (PSG), Daniel Alves (Barcelona/ESP), Maicon (Roma/ITA), Marcelo (Real Madrid/ESP), Maxwell (Paris St Germain/FRA) Midfielders: Fernandinho (Manchester City/ENG), Hernanes (Inter Milan/ITA), Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg/GER), Oscar (Chelsea/ENG), Paulinho (Tottenham/ENG), Ramires (Chelsea/ENG), Willian (Chelsea/ENG) Forwards: Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk/UKR), Fred (Fluminense), Hulk (Zenit Saint-Petersburg/RUS), Jo (Atletico Mineiro), Neymar (Barcelona/ESP)