The newer footy thread

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Dash might get his wish.

 

[mooger_35]

Looks like Canada has to get F

Belgium
Morocco
Croatia

 

[mooger_35]

Looks like Canada has to get F

Belgium
Morocco
Croatia

Open with a game vs Belgium

 

[dash]

Dash might get his wish.

Darn it lol

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Ok that’s probably as good as we could’ve hoped for.

 

[dash]

Ok that’s probably as good as we could’ve hoped for.

We're in truffle.

 

[dash]

Open with a game vs Belgium

That's a tough opener.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

I can hardly wait.

Will be nice to see how Canada does against the world #2.

 

[Judge Fudge]

Still on the dreaming What if....

Would need an miracle but still

 

[dash]

Looking for Italy in one of the groups like...

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Honestly, if Lukaku's current form holds for 8 months Canada's got a chance against Belgium. They're really dependent on his goals. But their first two being against 2 teams that made the last World Cup's semis is probably not going to pan out well.

England should have a pretty easy run to the QF's but will probably see France there.

Argentina/Netherlands seems likely in the QF's. Last two times they've met in the WC has been 0-0.

Group E has it the hardest by far - winning it gets you the runner up in Canada's group and then gets either winner G (Brazil's group) or runner-up of H. Could conceivably end up having to go through Croatia/Belgium and then Brazil.

If Portugal wins Group H and Brazil wins Group G it could be a very manageable R16 but then the QF could be hell, either Brazil/Croatia or Spain/Germany.

Has the potential to be a very entertaining knockout stage but of course there's going to be upsets and then inevitably blowouts. Going to be interesting to see how these guys do in the middle of their club seasons at peak fitness.

 

[StuUKWI]

England and the US probably very happy to draw each other. Iran was probably one of the easier teams to face from pot three but I think Wales (or Scotland or Ukraine) is the best team from pot four.

Tough draw for Canada but Croatia aren't as good as they used to be. All four of these teams are capable of getting through from Group F.

 

[dash]

@puckhead is going Hup Holland!! at the Dutch landing in Group A.

 

[puckhead]

@puckhead is going Hup Holland!! at the Dutch landing in Group A.

yeah, that should be walk

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

England and the US probably very happy to draw each other. Iran was probably one of the easier teams to face from pot three but I think Wales (or Scotland or Ukraine) is the best team from pot four.

Tough draw for Canada but Croatia aren't as good as they used to be. All four of these teams are capable of getting through from Group F.

People said that about Croatia in '18. Modric's still playing fantastic, Kovacic is still very capable alongside him, they have a lot of options at the back, that isn't going to be an easy team to score against. They don't have much going forward though.

I honestly think Belgium's the weaker link there. They have nobody at the back whatsoever, that midfield is pretty shaky too, De Bruyne never shows up to these tournaments in full fitness, Eden's snaked, if Lukaku's still at Chelsea he'll probably still be useless. After those guys, what's really left besides Tielemans?

They also got smacked around by Portugal and won because their only shot on target of course made it in (shots were 12-4 Portugal). Italy completely stopped them in their tracks. They're vulnerable.

Canada's best chance to get out IMO is to get a result vs. Belgium and hope Croatia can beat them on matchday 3 and Canada can beat Morocco.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

yeah, that should be walk

I mean, if they don't make it past the Group stages, Van Gaal might have to find employment elsewhere

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

I mean, if they don't make it past the Group stages, Van Gaal might have to find employment elsewhere

For like, two years, then Netherlands will hire him for a 4th time.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

For like, two years, then Netherlands will hire him for a 4th time.

Rumor has it Koeman is next in line. He did a pretty good job last time before he got too greedy and decided Barcelona was a better option.

 

[dash]

For like, two years, then Netherlands will hire him for a 4th time.

He doesn't have RVP this go around...

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

He doesn't have RVP this go around...

Hey, Ruud Van Nistelrooy just got named manager at PSV, RVP is assistant at Feyenoord. The next collection of Dutch retreads is just around the corner.

/I'm still kinda surprised Rijkaard just never got another chance anywhere worthwhile. To go from leading a great Barca team to their second ever Champions League win to a cup of coffee in Turkey to a sip of oil in Saudi and that's it, always seemed weird.