Headlines today a bit disrespectful towards Morocco. Like everyone was expecting a Brazil walkover but they were "lackluster", "nervous", "tentative". Morocco are a very good team, even though they tightened up after Hakimi was reminded that he's a defender.
I wonder if Australians fans complain when A League players start or subbed in? Do they upset the euro academy players don’t start or get subbed in?
Australia were compact and disciplined on defense last night and stymied Turkiye at every turn. I didn't understand the announce team making a big deal about what an upset this was. I thought the graphic I saw in the first half said Turkiye were at 22 in the latest FIFA rankings and Australia were at 27. That's not a big disparity to me. Also curious as to why Fox Sports continues to dis later games when promoting the next day's schedule. Beginning with the BRA-MAR match, the first 2 Sunday games were promoted (GER-CUW and JPN-NED) periodically through the final 3 games on Saturday. I guess the sports scheduling team at Fox must think Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Tunisia, and Sweden are only in the World Cup to make up the numbers. No mention of their games coming up, which are on FS1 at 7 and 10 p.m. EDT.
Turkey has a bunch of star players and teams like Real Madrid, Juventus and Brighton and have a strong domestic league. Australia don't really have any stars. They just gave a good team ethos whereas Turkey tend to rely on individuals. Also note that every team that's beaten Turkey in a World Cup has gone on to win it (West Germany 1954 and Brazil 2002).
They definitely went somewhere. If nothing else Curaçao can take solace in having played Germany even for over 30 minutes.
In response to the snarky comments about attendance by England fans on social media I feel compelled to point out that England didn't sell out Wembley Stadium once during the 1966 World Cup. The biggest attendance was 98,270 for the group stage game against France.
Kind of disappointed in Germany not learning from the WNT. You are supposed to run the score up and celebrate the goals in the last 30 to be respectful to your opponent and make sure the goal differential is in your favor.
That 2014 game is etched in my mind. I watched it in Crystal Palace, London. Just an amazing moment in world soccer (especially those 5 minutes starting around the 20 minute mark).