Group B's General Discussion Thread

Football often doesn't work based on those inter-team inferences. We have seen this time and time again. 2 teams can be at the same level but then one of them gets clearly defeated by the same team they both tied. It is about how a specific team matches up with another specific team to each other, not overall level of teams as a whole. Qatar parked the bus against Switzerland and also had some good fortune. Canada will not park the bus and statistically it is unlikely to get that amount of fortune. Canada plays good but their defense is not always good, and they are not always clinical. Switzerland is better than Canada at what Canada does as well. Only thing Canada has going is home advantage. And Switzerland is more experienced. So overall it is unlikely Canada will beat Switzerland.

 

They don't need to beat the Swiss - a draw will do.

I also wonder how important winning the group is for the Swiss. The loser will almost certainly play South Korea next Sunday in L.A., which is close to their base camp (San Diego). That's pretty ideal. We have no idea who the group winner will play, but they probably meet Portugal in the round of 16. The Swiss might do some player rotation for the Canada match.

Canada has a bigger incentive to win the group.

 

I suppose the biggest incentive for Switzerland to win the group is more rest between the matches.

Not to mention, we have some unfinished business with Portugal.

For Swiss fans, this World Cup brings back a lot of memories from the 1994 World Cup also held in the USA. There was the underwhelming 1:1 opening draw against a lower rated opponent (USA in '94) followed by a 4:1 statement victory in the second match (Romania in '94).

That's hopefully where the parallels end, because in 1994 we finished the group with a 2:0 loss to Colombia, followed by a 3:0 loss to Spain in the R16.

 

Unless Messi does it, of course.

 

Both matches are going to be fun to watch in this Group.

 

The Swiss should have a goal by now. Really taking it to Canada.

 

Bosnia with a nice goal.

 

2-0 Bosnia

 

Goal Qatar.
2-1

 

Qatar hit the post.

 

Canada-Switzerland scoreless at the half. The Swiss have looked a bit better but Canada has had a couple of chances.

 

Halftime, 2-1 Bosnia.
But Qatar is making them suffer a bit.

 

1-0 Switzerland

 

Nice goal by Switzerland who came out of the blocks fast at the start of the second half.

Bosnia also winning is a good start to MD3 for UEFA teams!

 

2-0 Swiss

 

It is looking like Canada-Korea in Los Angeles next round. At least for now.

 

Qatar looking okay. Hit side netting.

 

That was a poor goalkeeping error by Canada to hand Switzerland a 2-0 lead.

 

Qatar really showing some heart and attacking.

 

Seconded. Could easily be 2-2 now. Of course, BIH hit the post up 2-0 as well.

I think missing Davies, Bombito, and both starting CMs is a lot for Canada to overcome.

 

Goal Canada. 2-1

 

Canada with a little pep to their step now.

 

Both matches are going to be entertaining down the stretch.
Could not ask for much more from a Group final match day.