Day 15: Japan vs Poland, Senegal vs Colombia, England vs Belgium, Panama vs Tunisia

But why didn't Poland do anything then?
Because they had the win which was all they were going for? It's different holding onto a result that gets what you want, and holding onto a result where you're hoping another game goes in your favor.
 
Im sure the Japan fans are really gutted at what Japan did the last ten minutes.
I couldn't give a shit how Japan fans feel. It's still an embarrassing way to progress and it goes against what sport is all about.
 
What was cowardly exactly? Did what they needed to do.
Christ the naivety from some posters here, Senegal had to score and they were qualified, why blame Japan, Senegal was doing the same before Mina scored.
 
I dont get why Poland are not getting flak. they just accepted a 1nil win and didnt want to try anything. They had nothing to play for so why not try and score more? Bizarre.
 
All the crying about Japan, dry your eyes. Its a game and they played to the rules knowing they had less yellow cards. They took a risk doing it, which could have backfired, but it didn't.

Teams time waste all the time - take the ball to the corner flags, waste time at goal kicks, waste time with subs during extra time, roll around on the floor and waste seconds by faking injuries etc etc which is all part of the game, even by the very best teams, yet Japan get the abuse? How's about blaming Senegal for being wasteful in the other games?
Exactly this. It's okay to time waste when you're winning but not when you're losing? In this case, so called losing is a winning position for Japan (qualifying for the KO).
 
Japan was losing 1-0 but were going through because of yellow cards as Senegal was also 1-0 down. If Senegal scored, they would be out. If Japan scored, they were through irrespective of anything. They decided to roll the dice and dodge out of tackles, and do nothing but pass it between the defenders at walking pace and just hope Senegal didnt score. That's not what football is about IMO.
If that's not what footballs about, change the damn rules then. Who are you to play the moral high ground?
 
I couldn't give a shit how Japan fans feel. It's still an embarrassing way to progress and it goes against what sport is all about.

What is the sport about?
Plus I dont think many were bothered when United under Fergie did this against Blackburn to ensure that point remained and we won the title. All the hard work was done before, so why the fuss and outrage?
 
Anybody critical of Japan is showing bias, in the same situation (weaker team, through on goal difference and yellows) most wouldn't open themselves up to conceding another goal.

It's a poor showing to finish like that, but the manager made the right decision. I think Poland were the more likely team to score.
 
Exactly lol. Look at what I replied too.

Oh got it. :D That was sarcasm my bad.

It's always easy to talk as a neutral about how this and this is pathetic for sport but each team fans give feck all about sports and fair play as long as they're on the winning/qualifying side.
 
When you're putting your fate in the hands of another team while losing 1-0 to a shit Poland team when there's still something you can do about it is just cowardly and embarrassing tbh.

If you'd be happy with that as a fan of your own club/nation then fair enough, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
 
I couldn't give a shit how Japan fans feel. It's still an embarrassing way to progress and it goes against what sport is all about.
Sport is played by the rules Senegal was doing the same before Mina scored.
 

Ok, i can understand it a little bit more then. Now i can see why they decided to do what they did. Push hard for an equaliser and leave yourself open to a counter attack and possibly concede (which would result in you going home), or basically have a mutual understanding with Poland that you just play the game out. It may seem a little distasteful to some, but i can understand it. If people were so desperate to see Senegal go through, then perhaps the focus should be more on them.
 
When you're putting your fate in the hands of another team while losing 1-0 to a shit Poland team when there's still something you can do about it is just cowardly and embarrassing tbh.

If you'd be happy with that as a fan of your own club/nation then fair enough, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
If anything it’s brave really :lol:
 
I want to win our group now at all costs.
 
Why didn't you lot fecking whine about this rule prior to the tournament, or this match in particular? Was there one thread/post saying that this rule is stupid? It wasn't made on the spot today now was it?
 
What was cowardly exactly? Did what they needed to do.

They were relying on another team to go through instead of taking responsibility and doing it themselves - that's the definition of cowardly, I'd say.
 
if it was Ireland and we foolishly pushed forward for an equaliser and got hit on the break, I'd be absolutely fuming with how tactically inept and foolish the management was.

look for openings, if a chance presents itself, sure. but going all out at that stage would be naivety.
 
If that's not what footballs about, change the damn rules then. Who are you to play the moral high ground?
They're within their rights to do it. It's also well within the rights of every neutral fan to fecking batter them and criticize them now for making a mockery of the game because of a technicality. They got away with it. They didnt do what they needed to do. They lost the game and hoped for a result elsewhere and it worked out. It worked out, but they did that, so they should be prepared for the criticism now as it's a farce.
 
They were relying on another team to go through instead of taking responsibility and doing it themselves - that's the definition of cowardly, I'd say.
Id call it going what it needs to be done and taking a risk while at it. Moral police is out tonight
 
Japan was losing 1-0 but were going through because of yellow cards as Senegal was also 1-0 down. If Senegal scored, they would be out. If Japan scored, they were through irrespective of anything. They decided to roll the dice and dodge out of tackles, and do nothing but pass it between the defenders at walking pace and just hope Senegal didnt score. That's not what football is about IMO.

There are other two ifs.
 
They're within their rights to do it. It's also well within the rights of every neutral fan to fecking batter them and criticize them now for making a mockery of the game because of a technicality. They got away with it. They didnt do what they needed to do. They lost the game and hoped for a result elsewhere and it worked out. It worked out, but they did that, so they should be prepared for the criticism now as it's a farce.
It's also well within the rights of "every neutral fan" to disagree with you that it's a farce.
 
What Japan did was completely fine and everyone would have done the same in their situation. The worst thing that could have happened to them would have been conceding second goal or giving away a couple of yellow cards because of chasing a goal they did not need at all.
 
Sport is played by the rules Senegal was doing the same before Mina scored.
Senegal had a draw. A draw sent them through irrespective of anything else. Do you not see the difference? Japan effectively put more faith in Colombia then themselves. They rolled the dice and did nothing and hoped nothing would happen in the Senegal game, which they got away with, but it could easily have been different. THAT is the key thing. They didnt do what they needed to do. They relied on a different game and hoped for a slice of luck instead of just putting it in their own hands.
 
It's the fact that they rolled the dice and decided to do nothing and just hope Senegal doesnt score vs Colombia and hope for the best. That's not doing what you need to do. That's taking the cowardly approach. Poland wasnt doing shit anyway, you go for the draw and you put matters into your own hands.

That's doing what you need to do. What if Japan had attacked Poland, played football 'the right way' whatever that is, and were caught on the break and concede a goal as a result? Japan held on with what they got, took a gamble that Colombia would hold Senegal out and go through to the knockout stage. It's damage limitation, teams do this all the time and you just have to live with it.
 
Will be interesting is Belgium and England risk it and play Colombia. Good chance they will lose against Colombia.
 
I don’t see how it’s at all cowardly. It’s brave bordering almost on stupid but not cowardly. That’s probably the last thing I’d call it.

Gamesmanship at its finest really.