Poland is by far the worse team to have made it. No imagination. They were disgustingly negative today even at 2-0 down.
Second tier Europe is just rubbish: Denmark, Wales, Poland..... a few more left to be decided.
There is not enough quality in a 32 team format. How the hell is it going to be any good watching 48 teams in next WC? Absolute rubbish.......
Second tier Europe is just rubbish: Denmark, Wales, Poland..... a few more left to be decided.
There is not enough quality in a 32 team format. How the hell is it going to be any good watching 48 teams in next WC? Absolute rubbish.......
Likes:
PajamNL
Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, maybe even Afghanistan!
This is my theory though re somewhat poor performance of European teams: Most of these teams have players in European leagues, the Euro Leagues did NOT shutdown, Champion League & Europa League played out, so I *think* World Cup being in the middle of the league is hurting them the most.
WC with 48 teams = STUPID
WC in middle of Nov = STUPID
WC in a country that doesn't understand what Human Rights are: STUPID
This is my theory though re somewhat poor performance of European teams: Most of these teams have players in European leagues, the Euro Leagues did NOT shutdown, Champion League & Europa League played out, so I *think* World Cup being in the middle of the league is hurting them the most.
WC with 48 teams = STUPID
WC in middle of Nov = STUPID
WC in a country that doesn't understand what Human Rights are: STUPID
Likes:
PajamNL
I disagree. World Cup is usually in June/July after Euro leagues and comps have finished in May. Players go into camp almost immediately after the season's end and forever they have been bitching and moaning aboutbeing "too tired" after a long season (+ champions league/UEFA cup). Some others would complain that finishing in May with a wolrd cup that kicks off in June, they're not "match fit" at the start of the tournament having not played competitively in 4-5 weeks (warm up games are rubbish).
This WC, most players in european leagues (as well as most other leagues) were literally playing up until a week before the tourney start. Therefore, all should be match fit and as the season's are only about a third of the way through, should not be fatigued either.
This WC, most players in european leagues (as well as most other leagues) were literally playing up until a week before the tourney start. Therefore, all should be match fit and as the season's are only about a third of the way through, should not be fatigued either.
My point was more regarding team chemistry. They had very little time to work together and build chemistry compared to other world cups.
for example, in 2018, La Liga's last match day was May 19, and the World cup started June 15.
What do you think is the reason behind Europe's weak performance?
for example, in 2018, La Liga's last match day was May 19, and the World cup started June 15.
What do you think is the reason behind Europe's weak performance?
Likes:
Sporthead
Agree, this was the last "real" WC with 32 countries. From now on countries like China, Syria and Uzbekistan have a real chance to make it to the end tournament.
And maybe even more important IMHO ; the whole WCQ isn't intresting anymore now TM shouldn't have any problems to achieve qualification.
I assume top-3 from 2 final poules will qualify directly in Asia for the next WC AND we keep our play off spot?
And maybe even more important IMHO ; the whole WCQ isn't intresting anymore now TM shouldn't have any problems to achieve qualification.
I assume top-3 from 2 final poules will qualify directly in Asia for the next WC AND we keep our play off spot?
what??
So lets look back at the 2 finale poules for this WC :
Group A ---------------Group B
1. Iran--------------------1. SA
2. South Korea------2. Japan
3. UAE--------------------3. Australia
4. Iraq--------------------4. Oman
5. Syria----------------5. China
Bolded would play play off, the rest would've qualified ; HORROR!
So lets look back at the 2 finale poules for this WC :
Group A ---------------Group B
1. Iran--------------------1. SA
2. South Korea------2. Japan
3. UAE--------------------3. Australia
4. Iraq--------------------4. Oman
5. Syria----------------5. China
Bolded would play play off, the rest would've qualified ; HORROR!
