No doubt, I'm not a Mexican supporter or fan, though I teach a lot of students who are, and support them as representives of our region, particularly after our recent humiliating abomination of a performance this past hex. That being said, and you may not take this as a compliment, but Iceland recently has reminded me of Mexico not in style of play, or in its history or accomplishment but in the way both sides have gotten the absolute max out of their talent in major competitions versus their opponents (although like Iceland in it's 2-5 thrashing versus France 18 months ago, Mexico's 1-4 thrashing at the hands of Argentina in 2010 was a rare exception to that). People are really underselling what Mexico does at major competitions: At the World Cup: *They always qualify in the modern era finishing first or second every time save 2014, and they always finish in the top 2 of their group (every single World Cup except 1990 when they were banned), and when they lose in the Round of 16, it's never to a soft opponent, it's to an opponent who either plays a somewhat similar style but much better (see Argentina), or against a team with size and elite talent (see Germany). The US in 2002 was a rare exception, actually, the only exception. At the Copa America: 1993: Runner Up 1997: Third 1999: Third 2001: Runner Up 2007: Third At youth competitions: U-17: 2005 Champions 2011 Champions 2013 Runner Ups 2015: Semi-Finalists U-20: 2011: Bronze Finish U-23 Olympic Tournament: 2012: Gold: Champions That's a great deal of accomplishment, especially recently for a side many seem to not rate. Nobody would argue Mexico belongs in the argument with the historical first tier of soccer: Brazil, Argentina, Germany, and Italy and to a lesser extent Spain, the Netherlands and France (off the top of my head). But that second tier with teams like England, Portugal, Yugoslavia (I'm combining Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzogovina for these purposes) and whatever Conmebol side has a golden generation (Chile, Colombia, and especially Uruguay). They belong firmly in that second tier of teams that fit snugly between say, 7th and 15th in the world. Their performances across inumerable spectrums emphasize and reemphasize that year by year in all competitions.
Everyone's entitled to an opinion, but for what it's worth, I'm an American too, and that 4-0 game was on US soil. It also happened to be the only game this WC cycle outside of probably the 1-1 draw at Azteca that the US played to their capabilities. The most bizarre thing of all though was that for reasons unbeknownst to probably anyone, Panama came out trying to attack and press the issue against an American team on US soil, which was crazy... not just because they're a small nation side, but because they NEVER play like that. They're a defensively minded team that can keep a good defensive shape if they bunker down. As for the home qualifier, Panama played the US to a 1-1 draw, and were a bit unlucky not to get the full 3 points. They had 19 shots to 7 in that game and won possession 54% to 46%, and if I recall correctly, hit the woodwork twice. I wouldn't base anything in Soccer off of one crap perfomance, such as the 4-0 game. Then again, any team can have a crap performance against anyone at anytime, including during the world cup. I just think there are a lot of talented players on this Panamanian side, and I've been a fan of them for a few years now, outside of when they play the US. Before the draw, I thought they were a sleeper in the Copa Centenario to reach the knockout, but they got a bad draw in that one, drawing the Argentina and Chile group. They actually played Chile tough in a high scoring affair and beat Bolivia (got demolished by Argentina, but I digress) to finish respectable in that Group. My point is, I think there is some talent on the roster. Call it a "golden-generation" for them if you will, although I don't think the ceiling of a golden generation for a side such as Panama amounts to much more than a knockout round, but that is what I'm predicting. As for England, I think the problem is two-fold. 1) They overrate themselves... both the fans and the team, and that makes them vulnerable. Dele Alli is about the only thing I would get excited about on the roster. I'm already seeing all over multiple English websites that they "surely should advance, and could win the group." LOL. 2) they love overlooking other teams (Iceland, Costa Rica). Welp, I think theyre going to do that again this time.
Indeed again Germany got a not so difficult path to the semis. Since 1986 when this system was implemented, only once (in 2010) Germany got two strong teams in their semifinal leg. And 4 times none (1986 - Morocco, Mexico, Bulgaria / 1994 - Belgium, Mexico, Bulgaria / 1998 Mexico, Croatia, Romania / 2002 - Paraguay, USA, Mexico). This time again there will probably be none. If you take a team like England (just got to the semis the only time they had no big teams in their semi leg), Argentina or Brazil (3 times two big teams and only twice none), you will notice that draw luck has been often at the side of the Germans. But luck is part of the game, so it's ok.
Anyone who doesn't appreciate how good the formerly unified Yugoslavia would have been in soccer between 1998 and 2017 (the last 20 years) is insane. These teams from this former unified country have qualified for a World Cup and/or a World Cup and the Euro Championships: Croatia Serbia and Montenegro Serbia Slovenia Bosnia and Herzogovina ------------- *Montenegro (qualified for the 2012 Euro Playoff and was defeated). Am I forgetting any other piece? Imagine how insanely good Yugoslavia would have been in this 2006-2018 period. Obviously Independence for all the various former republics inside Yugoslavia just means that's a theoretical, but it's definitely absolutely amazing to think that Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzogovina, all four of those independent former pieces of a unified Yugoslavia have qualified on their own, some multiple times (Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia). There's no doubt the pedigree of that once unified country is immense. It's definitely an epic historical "what if" question in sports.
While I agree that England needs to prove themselves as still being members of the footballing elite... ummm... Harry Kane???
It is the group of death. I don't get why other groups should be argued the group of death other than possibly the angle that F doesn't really have a pair of world powers. What F has is no weakness. All four sides in the group of death are fully knockout round capable, and probably 3 of them are quarterfinal capable, maybe 4. Every other group has at least one team that just isn't good this cycle. Group F has S. Korea, and they just haven't been very good at all this cycle. I will say that I'm very appreciative of FIFA getting a clue and ranking the entire collection of teams for the pots instead of just the seeds. Now we just need them to fix the rankings, or use ELO or SPI or some source built on actual mathematical models rather than the ramblings of some drunk in a bathroom in Albania or however the heck they come up with their inane, hopelessly moronic rankings (Poland 7th, Switzerland 8, Peru 11th, Wales 19th, Costa Rica ranked behind my USA after they thrashed us at home, and beat us away in qualifying?!?!?! Some of these rankings are not just one or two spots wrong, they are DOZENS of slots wrong).
Still, of the former Yugoslavia, Croatia has long been imho, by far the side with the highest potential of the three. They always seem to produce talented, even World-class, players; they are fiendishly devoted to the sport and their footballing history; and every Croatian I meet is fairly skilled, even 2nd or 3rd gen. Look at Pulisic. Next is probably Serbia. I think that all they lack is a league on the level of, at least, the Eredivisie. But on the National level, their potential is very high. I have a lot of respect for Croatia but I do think that we can beat them. I think that Nigeria is far better than alot of ppl know this time around and if any opponent comes inthe Nigeria of the past decade they will lose. Croatia, however, is dangerous in this respect bc they're good enough to challenge anyone on a good day but also just at that level that they're unlikely to underestimate any opponent. This match will set the table for how we do in this tournament. I feel somewhat good considering how Mexico was able to deal with them last time and that a lesser Nigeria side found a way to get past Serbia, but there are many variable that limit the ability to make a direct comparison. Croatia is also better, the Serbia game was really a wash, and the region and climate might play a part, although there are many Nigerians living in Russia so I don't fear the crowd even if Croatia may travel very well there. Hmm... I cannot wait. A difficult, but traversable group. Potentially a good confidence booster for the knockouts should we go through again. We'll have played and potentially beaten some good European sides and hopefully finally gotten a result against Argentina in official competition. I can only hope that Nigeria plays well enough to be qualified going into the Argentina game which will lessen the pressure going into a game that will be more of a chance to make a statement without nerves playing into it rather than a must-win match. It will be difficult for that to happen, but if it does it will a massive opportunity for our side to finally get a bit of worldwide respect back.
Uruguayan boys kick their first ball already dreaming of wearing that blue jersey and deceiving a huge opponent crowd from a much larger country. They have been doing this for ages and they learn very soon that this is their destiny if they get to the national team. This is their game, believe me.
I just hope they have a chance to move on by the Argentina game. I have tickets to that match! I think Group D will make for a very interesting final day... one where all 4 have a chance to make it through.
I think it's going to be very interesting to see how the competition among the "minor" Confederations (i.e. CONCACAF, Asia, Africa) play out, as well as how they do vis-a-vis the UEFA second tier. Asia had a pretty bad draw....their strongest team (Iran) ended up in a group from which it has almost no chance to advance, and Korea and Australia ended up in very tough groups as well. Japan's group isn't easy, but even they are decided underdogs to advance. Asia could go 0 for 5, with nobody advancing to the second round. CONCACAF also got a tough draw. Mexico is going to be 50/50 to advance, Panama has almost no chance, and Costa Rica is in a tough group with Brazil, the Swiss (who almost always make it to the knockout stages if they qualify) and Serbia. Costa Rica had a tough group in 2014, to be sure, but their current team isn't quite as strong as their 2014 team was. Africa is facing it's "put up or shut up" moment. Egypt has an excellent shot at advancing out of Group A, as does Nigeria out of Group C, and Senegal out of Group H. All three of these teams will be competing with a second-tier UEFA side (Russia, Denmark, Iceland, Poland) and/or beatable Asian sides (Saudi Arabia, Japan). If at least two of Africa's five teams do not make the knockouts, it will be another disappointing tournament for the continent.
I said that that's an idea scenario. If they're on current form by the time the WC comes around, then I think that we should be in good shape. The keeper situation seems close to resolution, we've found or recruited a slew of solid defenders and our tactics and formation appear to be rounding into a workable model. The only question marks are possibly what form our young strikers will be in. Given their lack of minutes of late, they've certainly shown up for the NT in the last two matches. Perhaps Iheanacho and Iwobi's club difficulties might prove to be a bonus motivating factor for them to prove their worth at the WC and possibly engineer a favorable transfer or convince their current managers to work them into the sides. I'm still upset that Iheanacho didn't opt to go to Germany. I'm certain that Rohr helped in generating some of the interest that he had over there...
Two of five made it out of the last tournament. CIV certainly disappointed though, given the talent that they had.
Dude.....That is quite possibly the most idiotic comment that will be posted in this thread. Yes Sweden needed to go to the playoff. but before that we knocked out the 2014 World Cup bronze medalist and the 2010 World Cup silver medalist. . The reward for doing so was being faced with Italy in a play-off that hasnt missed a World Cup since 1958 and "we" knocked them out as well. I hope you don't put your money where your mouth is because you will go broke This was THE first time in European qualifying history that any team has faced 3 World Cup finalists and still made it to the world cup so I think we're ok.
If we are looking at recent results, Iceland won their qualifying group and tied Portugal (champs) in Euro 16. Also made it to quarters by beating England. I would put Sweden and Iceland on the same level right now. From a neutral point of view.
I still think that you should take Zlatan along for the ride, and not just because I'm so enamored with the idea of finding out what lions do at World Cups, but also because you would be very justified in keeping him on the bench and using him as a super-sub. Imagine a man with his skill and power running against a tired side if Sweden manages a close game and needs a goal late. Granted, that would also require leaving a possibly deserving reserve at home, but I'm sure that there's someone on the side who hasn't put in serious minutes during qualifying. However, this is without knowing why Zlatan retired. If it was because he felt/knew that he might be relegated to a reserve role, but will suddenly accept one now, then perhaps there is a lesson to be learned. Granted, he's also not explicitly asked to be on the team and noone seems to be asking him either... ...still... E2A: As an aside... OMG DIRK NOWITZKI AND JESSICA OLSSON'S MARRIAGE IS GOING TO BE SUPER TESTED!!!! SOMEBODY ASK THEM ABOUT GERMANY VS SWEDEN!!!!
I think you are underestimating the Asian teams. South Korea and Japan have good chances to advance. Iran could advance with a couple of lucky breaks. As far as the African teams, Egypt has the best chance of advancing, followed by Senegal, then Nigeria, then Tunisia, and lastly Morocco. Africa could go 0 for 5 or 3 for 5, but they are not facing any kind of "put up or shut up" moment. That is all in your head. Africa will still produce boatloads of talent who will still be in high demand in top leagues all over the world, no matter what. As an aside, I hope Mark Geiger (ref of France vs Nigeria in the last WC) never gets to ref another WC game.
Senegal take their place as Africa's most talent heavy team. Interesting fact - the Transfermarkt value of Colombia (200 mln EUR), Senegal (218 mln EUR) and Poland (220 mln EUR) are almost equal in team value. Only group with three teams close to each in market value. Also each team one elite player each: Falcao, Mane, Lewandowski.
I think Morocco's chances are much better than Tunisia's. Simply put they have a much better team, even if they have a tougher group. Also Iran vs Morocco is up first, so the winner of that game could very well work for a draw to progress from the group. Add to that one of the big dogs: Spain or Portugal may be wounded after the first game. We know how that panned out for both Portugal and Spain in 2014. Meanwhile Tunisia start with England, then do Belgium, then only get Panama. This group has all the signs of one where England and Belgium progress after two games.
First, I'm being neutral as well...really am. Sweden draw or beat England on a regular basis. They've been doing so during campaigns in the past decades. I am impressed by Iceland but what Sweden has done in this campaign has never been done before throughout World Cup european qualifying history . They faced 3 finalists, France,Holland and Italy and made it to the world cup. So being the first to do so is pretty impressive for recent performance.
I hope Zlatan doesn't join. He would never be satisfied in being a sub...never. Why I hope this world-class player doesn't join the team is because they made it without him and he seems to have this personallity that makes it about him, regardless if it's club or country. The team made an amazing job so far so keep on keeping on and don't bring on Zlatan and his dominating personallity that's not needed in the locker room
I agree Morocco have a much better team, but while I would be happy to be proven wrong, I simply do not see them getting anything from Spain. Maybe they could get lucky and take a point off Portugal. Against Iran, they could escape with a win but I expect a hard fought 0-0 draw. Tunisia I could see getting a point each off of Belgium and England, and getting all three points from Panama. So in my estimation, Morocco in the best case scenario would end up with 4 points, Tunisia would end up with 5.
Fair enough. It's true that he could be a problem. I would hope that an opportunity at a WC would engender humility at the invitation, but it could easily become France 2010. But, from what I've read, even he seems to admit that they play better without him, which is why I have some hope that he could accept a limited role and be a benefit without issue...