Qatar 2022 [R]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...e-technology&usg=AOvVaw0DtB8HQulMkLf0WGnuFgmU

 

Commentators confused, after watching the first replay, about why the Japan goal stood. A reminder that camera angles can be deceiving.#WorldCup2022 #JPNESP #JPN pic.twitter.com/Ew12D8SzwT

— James Sharpe (@TheSharpeEnd) December 1, 2022

 

This is pretty cut and dry then, yes?

 

If you want conspiracy, some think that Spain actually wanted to be second. Now they will play Morocco instead of Croatia. Down the line, they also avoided Argentina and Brazil (assuming they win the group). Of course, there was a risk if Costa Rica beat Germany today and Spain would not go through.

 

So that’s why Spain staked out a lead in the first half? Feint to throw off the conspiracy theorists. Very clever.

 

I can get used to having meaningful soccer on the tube every weekday morning. Can’t wait to wake up tomorrow.

 

I don’t think Spain would’ve lost that game if they had played before the Croatia-Belgium game. Yes, they scored the first goal, but they never really went for a second goal and only had 5 total shots on goal and 14 total shots despite having 82% possession and a whopping 1000+ passes. Obviously no urgency to score because they had a plan, which I can’t fault them for doing. Germany on the other hand had only 68% possession but 11 shots on goal and 32 total shots with 700+ passes. Obviously they wanted to win. The first Japanese goal sequence seemed strange. Pass back to GK who barely gets it away and then the GK paws at the ball which deflects right into the net. The 2nd goal was legit but even if it was ruled a no goal I think Spain would’ve found a way for Japan to score a 2nd goal. Way too many back passes to GK who barely kept getting it away to be accidental. When Japan was still leading in the 80th minute, Germany should’ve returned the favor and had Cost Rica score a 3rd goal. At that point winning was fruitless for them anyway. That would’ve been sweet irony considering Spain crushed CR.

 

Good grief, that isn't the view you look at to make the call. The entirety of the ball needs to be past the line. In that photo, just because the part of the ball that is touching the ground is over the line means absolutely nothing.

 

Tiki-taka (or whatever the hell they call it) is an effective sleep aid.

 

So since everyone on the Euro snob boards continues to associate or correlate the 'crappy play of the USMNT' with the low quality of MLS even though hardly any are currently playing in the circuit, I asked this...

How about the incredible displays of the former A & J-Leaguers?

 

Haha this is the best photo yet of Japan's goal-line goal

pic.twitter.com/j9E6Tplwtl

— Out Of Context Football (@nocontextfooty) December 2, 2022

 

Over the line, under the line, beneath the line I don't care, Japan moves on!!!

 

You are right that MLS players have not had much of an impact one way or the other. But, the US advanced, while teams like Germany, Denmark, and Belgium didn't. So, screw them.

 

The USMNT hardly has anyone from MLS starting but they still come back and say the league sucks every time the US wins or comes up with a result.....

It's weird how everyone abroad hates MLS so much.

To me anyway, It's along the lines of bias or fear that they will one day become a big league.

I mean really, LOL =LEVEL OF LEAGUE is way overrated.

I ended up posting this in another forum.....

People really watch J-League games?

Wow, I wish I could watch some but can't get them on my Paramount subscription.

I remember Hidetoshi Nakata and what a player he was!

I can't believe it's been 21 years!

Too bad Fabio Capello sold him after scoring the scudetto winning goal.

 

Yeah, deserved win. Was a great goal followed by clutch defending to see the game out. And they beat Germany head-to-head. No injustice.

 

The whole world knows that the North American league will be preeminent the moment billionaire Americans decide it should be. Hence the hatred.

 

If only John Fisher would come on board!

 

Fisher may have a big impact on future USA national teams. He has hired a staff uniquely qualified to identify and develop young American talent. There is a lot of raw material here in the Bay Area.

If he sinks millions into the Fairgrounds’ project USA fans could be watching local stars in the WC in 26, 30 and beyond. Question is, will fans be entertained enough by the first team results in San Jose?

 

Why can’t Bay Area soccer fans apply the same tribalism to Club as they do to country? There’s your conundrum. Quakes are plenty entertaining and have more stars above their crest than the US Nats.

 

Good question Don. I will point out that they bitch and moan about every hire and decision that the national team makes so there is just as much angst as we have with the Quakes.