FIFA World Cup Qualifiers for Qatar 2022 (soccer)

Discussion in 'Sports' started by CenterField, Aug 9, 2021.

  1. Talon

    Talon Well-Known Member Past Donor

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2008
    Messages:
    46,665
    Likes Received:
    26,222
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    That's weird - it was just the opposite during the Euros. England played lockdown defense but had trouble finding the back of the net.
     
  2. Montegriffo

    Montegriffo Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2017
    Messages:
    10,672
    Likes Received:
    8,941
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    I don't know about that, they scored 12 and let in 2 in their 8 games.
    Italy only scored 10 and let in 5 (not counting penalty deciders).
     
  3. Talon

    Talon Well-Known Member Past Donor

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2008
    Messages:
    46,665
    Likes Received:
    26,222
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Over the Summer I had Brazil and Italy playing in next year's WC final. Not anymore....

    Hopefully, the kids on the USMNT will give us both something to cheer about tonight and finish the year on a high note. They won't be playing again till January 27th against El Salvador. Maybe we'll have Gio Reyna back by then but there's been nothing but bad news about his recovery. The coach at BVB didn't sound optimistic about him playing again this year.
     
  4. Talon

    Talon Well-Known Member Past Donor

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2008
    Messages:
    46,665
    Likes Received:
    26,222
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    I think it was 11 goals, and four of them came in one game against Ukraine. They were driving me nuts on offense, but the defense was rock solid.
     
  5. Montegriffo

    Montegriffo Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2017
    Messages:
    10,672
    Likes Received:
    8,941
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    No it was 12.
    4 against Ukraine
    2 each against Germany and Denmark
    1 each against Romania, the Czech Rep', Croatia and Italy.

    In the 10 games of World Cup Qualifiers England let in just 3 (2 v Poland and 1 v Hungary) against 39 goals for.
    That was against some weak opposition though.
     
  6. gnoib

    gnoib Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2019
    Messages:
    5,448
    Likes Received:
    4,075
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Italy has not played well since the European. Is that the Italian disease, win a championship and than fade ? It has been lack luster since than.
    A lot of goal keepers have tried to play like Neuer, but it hardly works. Neuer could play as a defensive player. He can read the plays, he is like a libero and has true skills with the ball. Dollarman hesitated, instead of continuing to go to the ball, like a defensive player and maybe risk a foul. ter Stegen the number 2 in Germany tried to play like Neuer, but quit doing so, he does not have the field player skills and made to many mistakes
     
  7. CenterField

    CenterField Well-Known Member Past Donor

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2020
    Messages:
    9,738
    Likes Received:
    8,378
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Donnarumma has always been bad with his feet. The guy we hired at AC Milan to replace him, Mike Maignan, plays very well with his feet and is also said to be something of a center back, like an additional player for the defense other than being a goalie. Unfortunately he got injured and had surgery but I'm happy that supposedly he will be back in early 2022. But he is French so he won't help Italy's national team.

    Yes, Italy often wins a championship then lets go and presents a drop in performance. It's definitely happening this time, too. I hope we at least recover some of the good form, win both our playoff games and qualify for Qatar but I'm not optimistic.
     
  8. Montegriffo

    Montegriffo Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2017
    Messages:
    10,672
    Likes Received:
    8,941
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    You've got until March to re-build for the playoffs.
    I'm sure you'll be fine unless you come up against Portugal.
    Draw for the playoffs is on Friday.
     
    Last edited: Nov 16, 2021
  9. CenterField

    CenterField Well-Known Member Past Donor

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2020
    Messages:
    9,738
    Likes Received:
    8,378
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Yes, we may have Spinazzola back by then. He'd make a whole lot of a difference. And all the injured guys, maybe will be healthy in March.
     
  10. CenterField

    CenterField Well-Known Member Past Donor

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2020
    Messages:
    9,738
    Likes Received:
    8,378
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    I was only able to join Jamaica vs. USA at 32 minutes. 1-1 already. From the 9 minutes I've watched so far, we aren't playing as well as we played against Mexico, but then, we don't have McKennie and we always play better in the second half, so, we'll see.
     
  11. CenterField

    CenterField Well-Known Member Past Donor

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2020
    Messages:
    9,738
    Likes Received:
    8,378
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    So we'll know what the three groups of four teams will be on Friday but we won't know where the finals will be played, right? Or will they already draw that for all possible combinations, so that whoever qualifies, we'll know in advance where the finals will be played? Or maybe they can draw a 1-2-3-4 order of seed preference for the final so that it will be clear, when the two teams that advance to the final are known, the one seeded higher will play at home.

    I see that the website says an addition draw will establish who will play the final at home, I just don't know if that part of it will happen this Friday or later.

    It's not just Portugal. Sweden, Austria, and Poland are no pushovers. And even Turkey can surprise, at times.
     
    Last edited: Nov 16, 2021
  12. Montegriffo

    Montegriffo Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2017
    Messages:
    10,672
    Likes Received:
    8,941
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Not sure, Italy are seeded so they'll play the first round at home and avoid all the big hitters.
    Scotland and Wales are both seeded too so they'll avoid each other in the first round at least.
    I'll see if I can find more details about the draw.
     
  13. Montegriffo

    Montegriffo Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2017
    Messages:
    10,672
    Likes Received:
    8,941
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    So, it's not this Friday but next Friday (26th November)
    https://www.uefa.com/european-quali...0239a3889-1000--2022-world-cup-play-off-draw/
    If I understand that correctly you will know after the draw who you are likely to meet in the final round but another draw will decide whether you play at home or away.
     
    Last edited: Nov 16, 2021
  14. Montegriffo

    Montegriffo Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2017
    Messages:
    10,672
    Likes Received:
    8,941
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Portugal and Sweden are probably the teams you want to avoid in the final round.
    Pot one are the seeded teams.
     
    Last edited: Nov 16, 2021
  15. Montegriffo

    Montegriffo Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2017
    Messages:
    10,672
    Likes Received:
    8,941
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
  16. CenterField

    CenterField Well-Known Member Past Donor

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2020
    Messages:
    9,738
    Likes Received:
    8,378
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    That is unfair. I think I'll call UEFA and say that they shouldn't have a draw. They should just ask me who I want Italy to play against. I'll pick North Macedonia for the semi, and Wales for the final. Then I'll let UEFA do draws for the other teams; I couldn't care less who plays against whom after UEFA grants me my desires. After all, I'm the most important person in the world, so I should decide. At least, that's what my Mom told me. My son also said I'm the most important person in the world. He said it when he was 2 years old. Later he changed his mind but that's immaterial.
     
    Talon and Montegriffo like this.
  17. Montegriffo

    Montegriffo Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2017
    Messages:
    10,672
    Likes Received:
    8,941
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Careful what you wish for. Wales drew with Belgium tonight.

    All I care about is that the home nations go through and Portugal get knocked out in the first round so I can see Ronaldo cry.
     
  18. gnoib

    gnoib Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2019
    Messages:
    5,448
    Likes Received:
    4,075
    Trophy Points:
    113
    careful what you wish, North Macedonia beat Germany at home in the spring and Italy plays like Germany in the spring, at the present.

    But how could the US screw up in Jamaica, heart something about it?
     
  19. gnoib

    gnoib Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2019
    Messages:
    5,448
    Likes Received:
    4,075
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Canada leads by TWO
     
  20. gnoib

    gnoib Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2019
    Messages:
    5,448
    Likes Received:
    4,075
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Canada vs Mexico 2:1.
    Oh boy, one item of my surprise bag came through. Canada !!!!!!!! on top of the group ???????????????????

    Wow, this going to get wild.
     
  21. Talon

    Talon Well-Known Member Past Donor

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2008
    Messages:
    46,665
    Likes Received:
    26,222
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Like I said yesterday, Canada is capable of beating Mexico. They're a quality team, but like the USA they've been a bit inconsistent.

    They'll be our next big match when WCQs resume in late January.
     
  22. Talon

    Talon Well-Known Member Past Donor

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2008
    Messages:
    46,665
    Likes Received:
    26,222
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Unfortunately, I missed it, but from what I read it was a typical USA-Jamaica match - tough low scoring game with a dash of frustrating missed opportunities on both sides.

    Next up, we're home against El Salvador on Jan. 27, then we take a short drive up to the Great White North on the 30th and return home for Honduras on Feb. 2. The Canucks are going to be tough but we should come out of that round with at least 6 points *knock on wood*. The round in late March is going to be even tougher - at Mexico 3/24 and home against Panama 3/27.
     
  23. Talon

    Talon Well-Known Member Past Donor

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2008
    Messages:
    46,665
    Likes Received:
    26,222
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    I haven't seen Italy play since the Euros, but if they've been cruising and playing with little to no sense of urgency a little adversity is exactly the kick in the pants they need.
     
  24. CenterField

    CenterField Well-Known Member Past Donor

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2020
    Messages:
    9,738
    Likes Received:
    8,378
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Yes, after I posted about it, I watched the second half too, and it was more of the same. Both teams very good defensively and struggling to produce in offense; both teams wasted some good opportunities. The USA played definitely much worse than against Mexico. I do feel that this very young squad (some players are still teenagers like Pepi, others are young adults, average age 23) depends on a home crowd to prop them up; they tend to perform way better in home soil, and poorly abroad. Yes, we've been inconsistent, toughening up against the big dogs but playing down to the competition against the small dogs.

    Also, McKennie's absence due to yellow card suspension was a huge factor. McKennie organizes the mid-field, distributes the ball, gives his companions assists, supports the offense and even scores from time to time. McKennie is an extremely skillful attacking midfielder, which is why he is the absolute starter in his position in a major European club, Juventus. Also, Pulisic is recovering from injury and not playing much more than 10-15 minutes per game. Sergino Dest and Gio Reyna are absent due to injury. These are arguably our 4 best players and 3 were missing; one was limited in playing time, so no wonder we performed below expectations.

    I'm confident that the complete team playing at home can and should beat convincingly, anyone in this Octagonal.
     
    Talon likes this.
  25. CenterField

    CenterField Well-Known Member Past Donor

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2020
    Messages:
    9,738
    Likes Received:
    8,378
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Yesterday I watched Brazil 0-0 Argentina for the South American WC qualifiers, paying some attention but also multitasking a bit. Very hard-fought game (it's arguably the biggest soccer rivalry in the entire world). Brazil has already qualified for Qatar regardless of this game and the next 5 (amazing, they qualified with 6 rounds to spare, out of 18 rounds) so their motivation was just coming from the rivalry; so Brazil had little to play for, while Argentina have not booked their Qatar ticket yet. Brazil didn't have Neymar (injured) which makes a huge difference too (his function for the Brazilian team is similar to what I said above about McKennie). Argentina did have Messi, and they were playing at home, so Brazil were at a clear disadvantage, on paper. Still, we can't say who played better. Both teams tried hard, both had some opportunities, goalies had some saves.

    The Argentines were very violent, including elbowing a Brazilian player and drawing blood, and inexplicably, the player who did it (Benfica's Otamandi, a player known for being dirty) wasn't shown the straight red he deserved, and not even a yellow! Talk about biased refereeing! The ref said it was unintentional. Unintentional, my a...; it was a typical Otamandi move with the intention to disable or at least intimidate an opponent.

    Brazil often have to struggle with that in South America, where all other countries that play in the qualifiers are Spanish-speaking and of Hispanic culture, while Brazil is the one exception, being Portuguese-speaking and of Lusitan culture, so, given that when Brazil is playing refs can't be from Brazil, the refs are always from some other Hispanic country and seem to be more sympathetic to their fellow Hispanic teams. Still, of the 13 matches played, Brazil won 11 and drew 2, remaining undefeated. Great WC Qualifiers campaign, actually the best ever in their history. Brazil will be a major force in Qatar.

    I liked a lot the young kid they brought in to substitute for Neymar (big shoes to fill), Vinicius Junior who plays for Real Madrid. He is 21 and super-talented. He had some incredible trickery in his dribbles and created goal-scoring opportunities for himself and his companions, but unfortunately the ball didn't go in. With another year to mature, Vinicius Jr will add depth to the Brazilian squad, filling in for an often injured Neymar.
     

Share This Page