PBP Thread: Match #13, Belgium vs Panama, 18 June 2018 [R]

LOL "criminal at least". How about we shoot him dead? Will that satisfy your hate towards one of the most honest players in the world?

 

It was the overall pace of the game though, they showed it a week ago against Costa Rica that they were able to up the tempo for 90 minutes and grab these kind of teams by the throat.

And I mean, Hazard couldn't get past a guy playing in the MLS. Yet last week he was literally unplayable. Looked a half yard off the pace. Very strange. Maybe WC nerves or something.

 

Hazard has been surrounded at all times by at least 2-3 opponents, so it wasn't "get past a MLS guy" like you're saying. Also, Hazard is not Neymar. His skill is limited and somehow fake (he has to think how to dribble past someone, while Neymar does it instinctively)

Again, I didn't find anything disappointing in this game. At the WC all teams have something to prove,especially the underdogs and the new comers like Panama

 

First of all, I don't hate any player.

What I do hate, though. Is watching cheaters getting away with serious offenses with hardly any sanction for what they did, and more so when one player puts in serious health and safety risks other players, as football is suposed to be a game, not a battle.

Before this particular action we've been talking about, I thought that De Bruyn was a "clean" player which I liked a lot, but now, I have serious doubts on it and with absolute certainty, I will not like any more.

 

good for you. Now, let's watch Tunisia - England!

 

Agree, De Bruyne should be suspended for that play.

 

I may use it for the second set of games. Thanks.

 

No problem!
Next one start 23 July. Hmm i thought the next one started tommorow.
https://www.svenskaspel.se/europatipset/2_1778 (i dont know if you can see the site on english)

 

Belgium is a great example of what a team is suppose to look like

 

I expected Belgium to trounce Panama, but the Panamanians were very energetic and intelligent in their play. I was highly impressed with them. Although Belgium won comfortably, Panama did give them something to think about, if not even worry about.

Hazard looked a little tired late on. He may burn out early in this tournament from the look of things. Belgium may do well to rest Hazard for Tunisia.

 

Better to go full strength in the next game to have the best shot at securing qualification for the KO rounds. In case you're already qualified ahead of the final game then you can rest key players/let knocks heal/protect carded players.

 

Uruguay did, considering Egypt was the second-ranked team in the group entering the tournament.

 

Did the job at the begining , yes

but, what matters though, is whom actually does the job at the end

(if Belgium for instance, loses both next games, they will likely still be going home)

 

Belgium have the talent to go far..what they dont have is a good manager..imagine what a van gaal or hiddink could do with this team..martinez will be their undoing

 

Normally I would agree, but in this case the final group game would likely be an encounter to determine who wins the group: England or Belgium. Both teams would prefer to play against Poland rather than Colombia, at least I would think. And Hazard, despite not overexerting himself, did look tired by the 70th minute. The extra rest would help, especially in the knock-out round. I think it might be best to keep him on the bench for Tunisia, an inferior opponent, and refreshed for England, an opponent of near equal strength. He could always come off the bench against Tunisia too if need be.

Granted, this kind of tactic has backfired before. Sacchi tried it at Euro 1996 in a bid to keep his players fresh for the group's final encounter against Germany. Although he went a little too far perhaps by resting four starters from their win over Russia in the group opener. As fate would have it, the Italians lost to the Czechs due to this decision and they were only able to draw against Germany who were more than happy with the point.

 

LOL Hazard has a better dribbling percentage and a greater take on percentage than Neymar. Statiscally the only player who rivals Hazard at dribbling is Messi.

 

I wasn't talking about stats, but pure talent. Neymar is more talented than Hazard (he moves more easily, more naturally). Also, you're Belgian, therefore biased

 

Hazard dribbles more men and more often than Neymar. So therefore Hazard is a better dribbler. It's not because Neymar uses useless stepovers that he is better dribbler.

 

Belgium's Romelu Lukaku continues hot streak.

Scoring two goals against Panama, leading to a 3-0 resounding victory, Lukaku is our Man of the Match. #REDTOGETHER #BEL pic.twitter.com/vgHncosZE8

— SBOTOP (@SBOBET) June 18, 2018