R16 July 2 Belgium v. Japan [R]

Very excellent game. I was a bit disheartened when Belgium scored a 3rd goal. I had thought that Japan had more chances at the final goal, even after the score was 2-2.

It just goes to show, matches are played by people on a pitch, not by subjective ranking systems. Yes, Belgium should have won and did, but it was far more interesting to watch this than reading a 70-30 chance to win.

 

Japan should be proud of their performance

 

Well, I just saw an interview with Vertonghen on Dutch TV and he said that it was a lucky goal. He tried to head the ball back in the box but the spin made it go in.

 

OMG, what a match... devastating loss for Japan. I was watching it with my girlfriend and she is half-japanese. We were in awe when Japan was leading 2-0. We never realistic expected a Brazil-Japan Quarter Final and it was only minutes from happening. Belgium with a HUGE comeback, I bet this win will skyrocket their confidence.

On the bright side, what a day to set up Brazil-Belgium. Belgium showed a pretty weak defensive left side today, if Marcelo starts on Friday I see good things for Brazil. Also, Miranda and T. Silva must be onpoint to hold those huge belgians on crossed balls.

 

FS1 is showing today's two matches at 5pm and midnight (at least in my time zone). Probably Belgium-Japan will be the later showing.

 

That was totally a fluke goal. Yes.

Vertonghen clearly wanted to cross the ball over and ended up going in. Terrible positioning by the keeper and a lot of luck. That isn't to say Belgium wouldn't have scored a goal anyway. They were dangerous in every attack.

 

With that defense, Belgium will struggle against Brazil.

 

Positive observation, but they also have not faced any competition where psychologically they knew coming in they were at a
Disadvantage/ it mattered (refering to england game hehe). We will see if they go down against brazil what they do...

Martinez though should help them this in this regard

 

Were they 3 at the back? I dont think theyll do that against brazil.

Silva and Miranda vs Lukaku... less crosses more play through de bruyne and hazard cutting in. How has fagner been at rb?

 

It’s a devastating loss, but Japan should be very proud. South Korea and Japan are the Pride of Asia.

 

They are weak in the midfield too. They will definitely struggle.

 

Belgium does not stand the chance with Brazil with this performance.

 

If it wasn't for that lucky goal, Belgium would not have the strength to turn the game.

BUT, winners also count on lucky most of times.

 

I'll write some of what I wrote in the Brazil threads.

Japan displayed characteristics that are typical of its culture: patience, discipline, and self-control. Japan has come a long way in no small part to its efforts in developing soccer (which has included exchange programs with Brazilian coaches, players, and soccer camps for Japanese kids in Brazil).

Japan surprised many with its tactical organization in the first half and their 2 goals stunned everybody including Belgium. Its worst error proved to be its costliest: Japan's players probably assumed that with 30 seconds before injury time ended, Belgium would not score. But when the Belgian goalkeeper threw the ball off that corner, a few Japanese were slow to run, pacing forward slowly inside the Belgian box. In contrast, the Belgians all took off, and caught Japan by surprise.

Much respect to a clean, fair-play-oriented, Japanese side. I really wanted you to win, not so much because you would've faced Brazil, but because you did everything right to advance until the Belgians drew and then scored the final goal.

Belgium's team is comprised by human beings after all (no sarcasm). With tactical application, this good European team was held scoreless for almost 70 minutes by Japan. They deserve credit for two quick game-tying goals and for not giving up while being down 0-2 until the 69th minute. Belgium's manager made some key personnel changes which proved right.

Belgium will definitely give Brazil a tough game this Friday. As for Japan, go back to Tokyo with your pride intact. Japanese soccer made this World Cup better.

 

Unbelievable game.

Japan would have won if not for Belgiun's flukey opening goal coming when it did. Credit to Belgium for not ever giving up. After the goal, it was almost as if Japan couldn't believe they were still leading and they never regained the composure they'd showed earlier. I'm gutted for Japan that they couldn't at least take it to extra time. But once Belgium scored, it always looked like they would eventually win given enough time, because of their aerial and technical superiority. Ultimately, this result is the logical and fair outcome because Belgium were (and are) significantly better even if they had long stretches of weak play in the first hour.

Aside: I don't understand why Japan's manager didn't sub earlier or at least give some more defensive instructions when the game was 2-0. Japan potentially had this one but they really did let it get away.

 

To me the sign of a great team is how they come back from adversity and if they can win without playing their best game.
I think Belgium did what they had to do and bounced back for the victory which is all they care about.

Brazil though is a different animal and also a great team (The better team in my mind.)
I expect some adjustments to be made defensively but Brazil should take a close one.

 

Marcelo and Coutinho throwing balls at Neymar and Willian.

If Belgium wants a game it will not be able to play like that.

 

Brazil vs Belgium is going to be a great match. I hope it won't be a France vs Belgium, or Uruguay vs Brazil semi-final. Prefer it to be a France vs Brazil with some magic like the 1998 Zidane's show. That was a classic!

 

You do know that South Korea and Japan are bitter rivals a la Brazil & Argentina or England & Germany, do you not?

 

The best match of the WC so far.

Japan can go back home with their heads held high.

 

Elo isnt subjective. It's purely data driven based on win loss records

 

anyone have a link to a reply to this game?

 

I wonder what language Lukaku was speaking when he gave his rousing speech to his teammates in the victory huddle after the match. It sounded like English, which is a little weird.

 

Belgium is a made up country that threw together Dutch and French speakers. English might very well be a conveniently diplomatic language for addressing the whole team.

 

Belgium is the most talented and balanced team outside of Brazil. They should be looking to go to the final. The problem is that this particular group has a tendency to hand their opposition a life line in knockout games. They could have lost against the US in 2014 and they did lose to Wales in the 2016 Euros. So this time they did a little better but it still left me with a lot of questions. I foresee a third straight quarterfinal exit for this team.