but without the agonizing facial expressions. but without the 10-meter platform diving. The only good thing about today is that its Matchday tomorrow. Saw that bald NC coach at the match Thurs. sitting in the Suites/VIP section. I belieeeeeeeeeeve (98.9%) I saw Z. in the same section but she was looking down at her phone so I couldn't tell. Therefore, I didn't go all 9 year-old girl on her.
Actually I just meant that it would be difficult to look more fragile than Marta did when she first showed up, and she has turned out to be very durable... But yes, that's a very impressive set of feet Lavelle has shown sometimes.
Costa Rica 8-0 Cuba is kind of surprising. I mean obviously Costa Rica should beat Cuba, but dang Cuba must be really bad.
Re Ellis' substitutions. I am still perplexed/angry why O'Hara played (damnit, now I can't remember when it was exactly - I think it Shiba Leaves Cup) 90 minutes in several games and the last game, she had a brace on her knee! She was already injured, and yet Ellis continued to play her in meaningless games. It makes absolutely no sense to me.
They looked as though they'd never met before the game, and didn't speak the same language as their coach. But Costa Rica is actually kinda good, as they were last time we saw them. They're going to surprise somebody one of these years...
she played her because she wasn't injured. many players play with braces, sometimes just as a crutch. but there's a medical staff who will not clear them to play if they're not healthy.
Is the Canada-Cuba game actually being shown live? Edit: FS1 just cut to the CONCACAF feed. They had some talk show going until about 2-3 mins ago and the channel guide says "UFC Unleashed."
Fox, In particular FS1 and FS2, is VERY unreliable at starting soccer matches, particularly those that will get low ratings, on time. For over 48 hours they had actually removed that m,match from their online schedule. They added back early today. I have stopped using any regular Fox channel and started using either Fox Soccer Match Pass or the Fox Sports app for my viewing of most soccer matches. Fox Soccer Match Pass has these matches but they are without commentary having only stadium sounds while the Fox Sports app (I use it on my Roku) has the matches exactly as they appear on the Fox channels but without the "local" commercials that get stuck in. They do still have the national commercials. The Fox Sports app does require authentication with your provider, I use Sling, but it is MUCH better than the problematic feeds from FS1 or FS2. You even can, if you want, pause the stream or play it from the start if you are late getting to the TV.
It's too bad Haiti was drawn with Jamaica in the first round of Caribbean qualifying. If Haiti (not Cuba) was in Group B, that would have been a pretty even group. Haiti might have outperformed T&T as well.
Argentina beat Panama 4-0. 2 Goals 90'+. Leg 2 in Panama Tuesday Netherlands beat Switzerland 3-0. Leg 2 in Swiss Tuesday Africa and Oceania conclude December 1.
Argentina and the Dutch won their playoffs and are through. 20 of 24 Nations have now qualified leaving only Oceania - 8 teams (1 spot) and Africa - 8 teams (3 spots) remaining to be determined. It would be shocking if New Zealand (Ranked #20 next best Fiji Ranked #81) didn't grab the O spot. Africa tournament could be interesting if the rankings are vaild which we all know that they are: Nigeria (#38) Ghana (#47) Cameroon (#49) South Africa (#50) Equatorial Guinea (#54) Qualifiers so far: Sorted by FIFA Ranking:
Equatorial Guinea is banned by FIFA from qualifying, correct? Even if they finish in the top three. If EG makes the semifinals, the other 3 semifinalists are in. If EG does not make the semifinals, the finalists plus winner of the third place game will qualify.
Group stages are complete in the 2 remaining Confederation qualifying tournaments. Oceania (1 spot will qualify): 28 November Papua New Guinea +11 Fiji +5 28 November New Zealand +27 New Caledonia +0 Africa (3 spots will qualify): 27 November Cameroon +4 Nigeria +9 27 November South Africa +7 Mali +1 Qualifying tournaments conclude Saturday December 1st.
No surprises Africa - Nigeria, South Africa won semis and have qualified. December 1st - Last 2 Qualifiers Africa (3rd Place) and Qualify or go home Cameroon Mali Oceania (1st Place) and Qualify or go home Fiji New Zealand Like the kids say "it's about to get real up in here". New FIFA Rankings announced 12/7 (Friday) 24 Qualifiers place into 4 pots based on Host + Rankings 12/7 2019 WWC Finals Draw 12/8 Saturday 12 Noon Eastern