Russia 2018 Finalists: International Friendlies (R)

Friendlies right before the World Cup are usually indicative and worthwhile in giving us a clue or understanding about the quality of the teams at issue. However, no single football match -- not even a competitive game -- is replicated exactly when played at a different time and place. We see that all the time. A team is thrashed in one match and comes back and wins the next one. Hence, when all is said and done, these are simply indications and no one can use any game (friendly or competitive) as the definitive evidence needed to judge future results.

 

I saw the highlights of S.Korea's game against Serbia. Good performance by the Koreans, even if their goal was from a penalty that didn't look legit. But the Koreans created many good chances and had some good shots. Serbia's goal was scored basically on the counter and many of their best chances appeared similarly on the counter based on the highlights I saw.

 

There isn't enough in this one friendly to judge about either Serbia or S Korea in my mind, except that S.Korea does appear to have improved over what we saw from them recently. This is true regardless of the kind of team Serbia fielded.

 

I am watching Argentina v Nigeria, which is 2:1 in favor of Argentina at halftime. Nigeria had fallen behind 2:0 but scored a nice goal on a freekick before the break.

 

Nigeria 4 Argentina 2. Nice goals by Nigeria. Nigeria's transition game and quick, swift, counters showed they are a side that should not be given space.

 

I never said ELO rankings are accurate. You missed my point. I judge teams by the totality of the record before me and even then know that my judgment can be shown wanting. And my point to you was not to be as strident and adamant or confident about your personal rankings either.

Anyway, congratulations. I also consider Nigeria the worst team to draw from pot 4 but have a hunch we will draw Nigeria again. Most pot 4 teams would not mind drawing Iran has their pot 3 opponent and I guess that applies to Nigeria as well.