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

[AkaAkuma]

6 changes in this game compared to the same starting 11 in the first 2 games. Pretty clear that's being "rested", when the first 2 games ended well for them.

6 changes in this game compared to the same starting 11 in the first 2 games. Pretty clear that's being "rested", when the first 2 games ended well for them.

Today's team wasn't significantly weakened, there isn't an out right dominant first 11.

If it makes you feel better, most Japanese people would agree it was a cowardly way to end the last 10 minutes of a game. But beyond that I'm not sure what your persistence is about - they probably tell you to bore off the way you've been going on.

By the way whats your national team, I'll take a keen eye on their moral certitude in future.

 

[Robbie Boy]

TAA starting

 

[Robbie Boy]

Welbeck cant even make it on to the C team

He’s fecking terrible. Don’t think he’ll be making squads for much longer after the WC.

 

[Infra-red]

I can see the reasoning behind rotating the team but it is a risk, its not really a dead rubber end of season type game, there's momentum to carry through to the next round and a choice in who they will face, if Belgium put out a full strength team and won 5-0 I can't see that doing much for English confidence, then again if they rotate and still get a win it's a great confidence booster for the whole squad.

I guess there is no right or wrong. Shearer and Ferdinand couldn't agree on this the other night either.

They knew Belgium would also put out a weakened team. As it turns out, Belgium have made more changes than England.

 

[Catt]

No Lukaku? Disappointed.

 

[VP]

Cowardly by definition is a lack of courage. Japan took a big risk there which in not indicative of a lack of courage. It indicates the exact opposite.

It’s obviously our definitions of pragmatic that are different too. But this is not a thread concerning Mourinho or his tactics so I’ll refrain from going any further on that issue.

Yea but there's nothing courageous in relying on others. In any sport or any activity for that matter, I wouldn't describe hoping others fail (especially when you can take things in your own hands) as courageous.

 

[Kopral Jono]

Today's team wasn't significantly weakened, there isn't an out right dominant first 11.

If it makes you feel better, most Japanese people would agree it was a cowardly way to end the last 10 minutes of a game. But beyond that I'm not sure what your persistence is about - they probably tell you to bore off the way you've been going on.

By the way whats your national team, I'll take a keen eye on their moral certitude in future.

 

[Sassy Colin]

No Lukaku? Disappointed.

Was injured in the last game, so right decision to rest him in a game which they don't need to win to qualify.

 

[Zlatan 7]

They knew Belgium would also put out a weakened team. As it turns out, Belgium have made more changes than England.

Why would they know that? Educated guess maybe, I'm not being funny, just curious why you'd think that. Not fussed on winning the group or purely just resting reasons?

 

[bosnian_red]

Today's team wasn't significantly weakened, there isn't an out right dominant first 11.

If it makes you feel better, most Japanese people would agree it was a cowardly way to end the last 10 minutes of a game. But beyond that I'm not sure what your persistence is about - they probably tell you to bore off the way you've been going on.

By the way whats your national team, I'll take a keen eye on their moral certitude in future.

Take a look at the name^ FWIW, I criticize my own team whenever we do something idiotic too. Actually I criticize the bosnian national team all the time because we're a mess more often then not. Also "the way I've been going on"... I've just been replying to people. Not like I've been just going off on my own

 

[bosnian_red]

Why would they know that? Educated guess maybe, I'm not being funny, just curious why you'd think that. Not fussed on winning the group or purely just resting reasons?

Martinez in his presser said he'd rest everyone

 

[Infra-red]

Why would they know that? Educated guess maybe, I'm not being funny, just curious why you'd think that. Not fussed on winning the group or purely just resting reasons?

Martinez had said that there would be significant changes and would, at least, change their whole attack. Belgium have made 9 changes.

 

[NinjaZombie]

If Japan conceded another goal in that game, would they have gone out then??

Yes.

If they'd gone for an equaliser, and got done on the counter, I'd bet people would be calling them stupid, bad at game management or naive.

You can't please everyone.

 

[Klopper76]

TAA starting

 

[Catt]

Was injured in the last game, so right decision to rest him in a game which they don't need to win to qualify.

Wanted him to destroy England is all

 

[Berbaclass]

Yea but there's nothing courageous in relying on others. In any sport or any activity for that matter, I wouldn't describe hoping others fail (especially when you can take things in your own hands) as courageous.

The act of banking on another result and just shutting up shop when a place in the knockout round of the World Cup is at stake takes courage.

It may be embarrassing to you or whatever you want to describe it as but it certainly doesn’t lack courage.

It’s brave

 

[Bepi]

most disgraceful wc match ahead, 2-2 from 4 own goals and the fifa integrity goes tits up, you heard it here first

 

[Zlatan 7]

Martinez in his presser said he'd rest everyone

Martinez had said that there would be significant changes and would, at least, change their whole attack. Belgium have made 9 changes.

Ah ok, ,Missed the presser, did he hint at why or was it just resting and giving opportunities spiel? I'd love to know what both managers really thought going into this game. Looking at the line ups it honestly looks like they're not too bothered about the result

Edit: finishing 2nd is obviously the nicer route to the semis

 

[Sarni]

Shameless by England and Belgium here. Both should be thrown out of the tournament along with Japan for their God awful attitude and then not allowed in for another 50 years.

 

[AkaAkuma]

Take a look at the name^ FWIW, I criticize my own team whenever we do something idiotic too. Actually I criticize the bosnian national team all the time because we're a mess more often then not. Also "the way I've been going on"... I've just been replying to people. Not like I've been just going off on my own

If Senegal scored an equaliser do you think they and Colombia would have agreed to see the game out? Or at least be in the realms of possibility?

 

[balaks]

I think this could be a big mistake by Southgate and Belgium's team looks stronger to me than England. Hope I'm wrong though.

 

[Infra-red]

Ah ok, ,Missed the presser, did he hint at why or was it just resting and giving opportunities spiel? I'd love to know what both managers really thought going into this game. Looking at the line ups it honestly looks like they're not too bothered about the result

Both managers would be quite happy with their sides dropping in to the much easier (on paper) bottom half of the draw.

 

[Catt]

Shameless by England and Belgium here. Both should be thrown out of the tournament along with Japan for their God awful attitude and then not allowed in for another 50 years.

Norway's always free to participate.

 

[Rhyme Animal]

Surely now that Columbia have finished top it means that England and Belgium will both want to finish top also...?

Seems slightly smug/arrogant to presume that either England or Belgium would definitely get past them. They're a really good team.

 

[Infra-red]

Shameless by England and Belgium here. Both should be thrown out of the tournament along with Japan for their God awful attitude and then not allowed in for another 50 years.

They should really have a draw for the R16 like they do in the Champions League.

 

[MadDogg]

When I first saw the line-ups the only big surprise for me was that Hazard was playing. Couldn't understand that decision. Only just realised it's the 'other' Hazard.

 

[Infra-red]

Surely now that Columbia have finished top it means that England and Belgium will both want to finish top also...?

Seems slightly smug/arrogant to presume that either England or Belgium would definitely get past them. They're a really good team.

Not sure there's a huge difference between Japan and Colombia (would marginally prefer to face Japan).

 

[Klopper76]

I don’t really have a problem with the team selections. What’s the point in having a 23 man squad if you can’t use it?

 

[Heinzesight]

Neville and Wright having a bad shirt party all by themselves!

 

[Massive Spanner]

Today's team wasn't significantly weakened, there isn't an out right dominant first 11.

If it makes you feel better, most Japanese people would agree it was a cowardly way to end the last 10 minutes of a game. But beyond that I'm not sure what your persistence is about - they probably tell you to bore off the way you've been going on.

By the way whats your national team, I'll take a keen eye on their moral certitude in future.

if only there was some way of knowing.

 

[duffer]

Surely now that Columbia have finished top it means that England and Belgium will both want to finish top also...?

Seems slightly smug/arrogant to presume that either England or Belgium would definitely get past them. They're a really good team.

It's more about who the opponent will be in the possible 1/4 final. Win the group and you'll play Brazil in the quarters. Finish 2nd and you'll get Sweden or the Swiss.

 

[bosnian_red]

Ah ok, ,Missed the presser, did he hint at why or was it just resting and giving opportunities spiel? I'd love to know what both managers really thought going into this game. Looking at the line ups it honestly looks like they're not too bothered about the result

Didn't pay much attention when it was on tv but something like "I have full faith in my whole squad and there's no point in bringing a squad if we won't use them and it'd be stupid and unprofessional to play players on yellows with the risk they miss the next game". Also said the priority wasn't to win the game, which is pretty bad

If Senegal scored an equaliser do you think they and Colombia would have agreed to see the game out? Or at least be in the realms of possibility?

Senegal for sure, but for them it was OK as all they needed was a draw and that put it in their own hands. Colombia's perspective would have been comparable. It's possible they would have if they conceded, but they were in that situation earlier and they actually got the goal which made the other game not matter. Had they conceded after that, they probably would have seen out the game though like that, and I probably would have criticized them too if they did the same. Though at the same time (and this one I accept is just on my own romanticizing of how the game should be played), holding on to a 1-0 defeat is pretty shit, while the other 2 wouldn't be losing in that situation. Still would deserve criticism in the hypothetical, but probably wouldn't get it as bad.

 

[bosnian_red]

if only there was some way of knowing.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

Shameless by England and Belgium here. Both should be thrown out of the tournament along with Japan for their God awful attitude and then not allowed in for another 50 years.

Maybe they could reinstate a moral upstanding football citizen like Poland with their total legit high ranking huh.

 

[Fraud]

Everyone wants the second place. Kek.

 

[Posh Red]

Gary Neville saying he hopes Danny Dyer punches Piers Morgan

 

[Hammerfell]

By the way whats your national team, I'll take a keen eye on their moral certitude in future.

Really?!

 

[Berbaclass]

Gary Neville saying he hopes Danny Dyer punches Piers Morgan

 

[Liver_bird]

TAA starting

??

 

[AkaAkuma]

if only there was some way of knowing.

Really?!

I saw his username, to answer the question - the way of knowing is to ask rather than assume.