World Cup 2022

[Lianachan]

So.....

Nov 22nd

Argentina 1 v 2 Saudi Arabia

Denmark 0 v 0 Tunisia

Mexico 0 v 0 Poland

France 4 v 1 Australia (sensible result at last)

[Arneb]

Watching the Germany match on the phone, 1- 0 after 70. Big chance for us, big, big chance for them. Not something a really capable team would squander...

[Arneb]

And there it is, 1 all. Not unexpected. At all. Very bad defense.

[Arneb]

And there is the winner for Japan. An incredibly incompetent German defense gives it all away.

[Arneb]

Going into stoppage time...

[Arneb]

The new forward tries a dive in the penalty area...Magnificient.

[Arneb]

Germany 1 - 2 Japan.

An enirely unsurprising result given the lack of coherence, physical prowess and coordination we've seen from the German team during the last 8 years, getting worse with every tournament. Germany's crash-out is a certainty now, because we have to book a defeat against Spain as a certainty, and even a (by no means certain) win against Costa Rica is a win in a friendly at best.

[Heid the Ba]

Ouch.

[Lianachan]

I’ll put up today’s results later, but tomorrow we have:

Switzerland v Cameroon

Brazil v Serbia

Uruguay v South Korea

Portugal v Ghana

[Мастер]

Just watched Belgium - Canada across the street from the world’s most bombed hotel.

One thing I noticed is, every time the ball is kicked, or even just bounces from a height, it is audible. In a stadium full of rowdy fans, with a camera that is clearly set back a ways, every kick is audible.

Is it really that loud? Or do they have a microphone inside the ball? Or maybe an engineer who adds a “kick the ball” sound effect to the broadcast?

[Lianachan]

So, wrap up of the day:

Nov 23rd

Morocco 0 v 0 Croatia

Germany 1 v 2 Japan

Spain 7 v 0 Costa Rica (Spain looked pretty good!)

Belgium 1 v 0 Canada Canada looked good! So hearty but useless pats on the back all round.

[Lianachan]

Just watched Belgium - Canada across the street from the world’s most bombed hotel.

One thing I noticed is, every time the ball is kicked, or even just bounces from a height, it is audible. In a stadium full of rowdy fans, with a camera that is clearly set back a ways, every kick is audible.

Is it really that loud? Or do they have a microphone inside the ball? Or maybe an engineer who adds a “kick the ball” sound effect to the broadcast?

I assume you weren’t bombed, so congrats. Such sounds usually indicate a very small or unusually quiet crowd, either of which is entirely plausible for this World Cup. Perhaps microphone placement is a factor too.

[Richard A]

I can understand the frustration of the non-English, expressed by Lianachan on another thread, at Gary Lineker's face. Although you do at least get a break from him from time to time when games are shown on ITV/STV. But as this thread promised to discuss all issues related to this World Cup, I will say it's great to see Alex Scott there alongside him. And there was a female assistant ref at the Belgium-Canada game.

[Heid the Ba]

I haven’t seen any of the football but it was a feature of the recent Rugby League WC that there were female officials at a number of male matches as well as female ones.

[Heid the Ba]

Edit: how queer, ein Doppelpost.

[Arneb]

For the stat buffs (and aren't we all), it was the first time in 44 years that Germany lost a WC match after leading at the half. And that match was the infamous Schmach von Córdoba (ignominy of Córdoba) against Austria. Say I werd narrisch to any older German, and you'll know you got to him.

But you knew that, of course.

Watch on youtube.com

[Lianachan]

I can understand the frustration of the non-English, expressed by Lianachan on another thread, at Gary Lineker's face. Although you do at least get a break from him from time to time when games are shown on ITV/STV. But as this thread promised to discuss all issues related to this World Cup, I will say it's great to see Alex Scott there alongside him. And there was a female assistant ref at the Belgium-Canada game.

Alex Scott has been good too. There have been a few female pundits, the majority of whom actually appear to be there because they know what they're talking about rather than as the result of a high-level inclusivity seminar.

[Lianachan]

Snoozefest so far today.

Switzerland 1 v 0 Cameroon

Uruguay 0 v 0 South Korea

[Lianachan]

Tomorrow’s matches:

Nov 25th

Wales v Iran

Qatar v Senegal

Netherlands v Ecuador

England v U! S! A!

[Richard A]

I wouldn't have called today a snooze fest, but it was one where I had no dog in any of the fights. (Got the phrase right this time!) Making up for it tomorrow. I fear Lianachan's right about the Netherlands v Ecuador match - never liked the Netherlands when it comes to football (though nothing against them otherwise). But we'll see. It will be embarrassing - though, I grant you, pleasing for Scots - if we lose to the USA.

[Lianachan]

Other results from today:

Brazil 2 v 0 Serbia

Portugal 3 v 2 Ghana

[Richard A]

Well, Wales is pretty much guaranteed to go out. But they were poorer than expected in the 1st half, possibly thinking that Iran would be a pushover after losing 6-2 to England. They did better in the 2nd half, but still too little, too late. But I suppose you could say your goalkeeper getting a red card counts as going out in style.

Sadly I won't get to see the England v USA game as daughter is singing at the school PTA Christmas event. I'll see how it went when we get back.

[Lianachan]

So far today:

Wales 0 v 2 Iran

Qatar 1 v 3 Senegal

[Lianachan]

Well, Wales is pretty much guaranteed to go out. But they were poorer than expected in the 1st half, possibly thinking that Iran would be a pushover after losing 6-2 to England. They did better in the 2nd half, but still too little, too late. But I suppose you could say your goalkeeper getting a red card counts as going out in style.

Sadly I won't get to see the England v USA game as daughter is singing at the school PTA Christmas event. I'll see how it went when we get back.

Obviously I'm pleased to see Wales lose today, but I will of course be supporting them in their next game....... Once your keeper gets sent off you're in a spot of bother, but so late in the game I'm surprised Iran were able to bag a couple. Even with the very long additional time that has become a feature of this World Cup.

Hmmm..... I'm sure a little surreptitious phone use would enable the watching of the match!

[Lianachan]

Last two results of the day:

Netherlands 1 v 1 Ecuador

England 0 v 0 U! S! A!