2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia

[Smellmet]

Jesus should of had a penalty and you know what, I think all the DIVING by Neymar has made it harder for Brazil to win a legitimate penalty.

Neymar's antics has consequences and he needs to see that.

He was an absolute disgrace tonight and got what he deserved. Why won't the governing bodies clamp down on this bullshit? It's utterly bringing the game into disrepute, FIFA are wanting to bring the game to a wider audience, don't they realise how much this crap puts off the casual viewer?

 

[Nyotarules]

Wonder what Blatter thinks of this. He always claimed that european football was on the decline.

He was probably paid to say that lol

 

[Nyotarules]

My prediction - England will not beat Sweden

 

[Thestral]

The fact that it's guaranteed to be an all-Europe semis and final is.... meh. It was pointed out to me that the champion alternated between Europe and South America every World Cup... until recently, and it'll be 4 in a row for Europe.

 

[Relayer1]

He was an absolute disgrace tonight and got what he deserved. Why won't the governing bodies clamp down on this bullshit? It's utterly bringing the game into disrepute, FIFA are wanting to bring the game to a wider audience, don't they realise how much this crap puts off the casual viewer?

Surely it could be stamped out if the powers that be wanted to. The diving, the play acting, the wrestling, mobbing the ref, let's call it what it is - cheating.

Although nowhere is immune, it seems most prevalent in South American teams. It's just the way the game is played there.

It's spoiling the game. Instant and mandatory cards for arguing with the ref would be a start. Everything's filmed - international bans for diving or play acting could be applied after competitions by committee for bringing the game into disrepute, fine them, name and shame them...

Something can be done - it just needs determination and a lack of pandering to some 'big names'.

 

[Smellmet]

My prediction - England will not beat Sweden

I fear you are correct.

 

[Smellmet]

Surely it could be stamped out if the powers that be wanted to. The diving, the play acting, the wrestling, mobbing the ref, let's call it what it is - cheating.

Although nowhere is immune, it seems most prevalent in South American teams. It's just the way the game is played there.

It's spoiling the game. Instant and mandatory cards for arguing with the ref would be a start. Everything's filmed - international bans for diving or play acting could be applied after competitions by committee for bringing the game into disrepute, fine them, name and shame them...

Something can be done - it just needs determination and a lack of pandering to some 'big names'.

All these things just stink the place out, the VAR guys should be in the ref's ear constantly about the play acting, and I think it should be a straight red and miss next match. Instant yellow card for crowding the ref, and if any physical contact occurs then, again, straight red.

Football needs to clean it's act up.

 

[Ayelbourne]

I kinda want Sweden to win this, just so we Germans can say we're the only ones who beat them.

 

[Orac Zen]

Instant yellow card for crowding the ref, and if any physical contact occurs then, again, straight red.

This. For mine, harassing the referee / officials is an even bigger blight on the sport than simulation. It's just incredible that entire teams can mob the officials and face no sanction whatsoever, but God forbid a player takes off his / her shirt to celebrate a goal. The utter stupidity of that should surely be obvious even to FIFA - or so one would think.

 

[ItIsGreen]

My prediction - England will not beat Sweden

Sadly you're probably right.

On the other hand, though:

 

[Smellmet]

This. For mine, harassing the referee / officials is an even bigger blight on the sport than simulation. It's just incredible that entire teams can mob the officials and face no sanction whatsoever, but God forbid a player takes off his / her shirt to celebrate a goal. The utter stupidity of that should surely be obvious even to FIFA - or so one would think.

Let's face it FIFA are bunch of corrupt, grubby little money grabbers. Expecting them to clean this game up is probably a fool's errand.

 

[sttngfan1701d]

He was an absolute disgrace tonight and got what he deserved. Why won't the governing bodies clamp down on this bullshit? It's utterly bringing the game into disrepute, FIFA are wanting to bring the game to a wider audience, don't they realise how much this crap puts off the casual viewer?

I've been saying it for years, ever since he came on the scene....Neymar is pointless. He's a disgrace, he's a clown, and he's not even that good. But since Brazil is a circle-jerk and Brazilians love to talk about how other Brazilians are the best players/team ever (whoever plays), Neymar is somehow a superstar. Somehow. He's always been pointless to me. And this WC has shown him to be an absolute disgrace. I wanted to throw my remote at the TV when he was doing that crap.

Brazilians have seen Pele and Zico, Roberto Carlos, Original Ronaldo, Romario, Ronaldinho....and yet they defend this useless clown. They should skewer him for acting the way he does and wasting everyone's time continually. He hasn't changed since he was a young player. Honestly if I was a Brazil fan, I'd be seriously embarrassed by him. I wouldn't lift him up as a talisman.

Changing tacks....England vs Sweden soon. On paper, England should win. But England's problem is always they don't score enough. During the "golden generation" era, it was not pushing hard enough for a 2nd goal after going up 1-0, and today, it's not having enough of a cutting edge aside from Harry Kane. Even though there are PLENTY of players that should provide firepower, I just have a bad feeling about this.

Plus Sweden is always a tough opponent for England. This is truly a 50/50 game....and it shouldn't be.

 

[ItIsGreen]

Wow. After a dull first 20 minutes or so as the teams felt each other out, England absolutely dominated Sweden. That's it, I'm going to stop being negative about our chances now, I'm going to believe for once. It's coming home.

 

[EmoBorg]

Congratulations to England.

 

[Relayer1]

Wow. After a dull first 20 minutes or so as the teams felt each other out, England absolutely dominated Sweden. That's it, I'm going to stop being negative about our chances now, I'm going to believe for once. It's coming home.

I'm almost there.

Almost.

 

[sttngfan1701d]

Win the semi-final, and I'll get on the wagon too. Make it to the final and I'll sing the song.

Pleased with the win today, but also, Sweden didn't do much to challenge and Sterling was frustratingly wasteful. Chances like that need to be buried against the likes of France and Belgium. Killing off games is a must.

That said, a generally professional performance. This is....an odd feeling. England actually doing well. Getting past the quarterfinals? Am I dreaming? With Southgate as manager and this mix of players? It's so strange....yet so good.

Kane had a bad game today. Here's hoping he's off today on purpose because he's saving the goals for the semi and the final.....

 

[Ayelbourne]

What a bad performance by Sweden. Horrible on defending set pieces and their offense was nonexistant even when they were 0:2 behind. They handed England the win.

 

[EmoBorg]

The English are good at dead ball situations.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

So two Russian players missed penalty kicks, I suppose now their families will be arrested?

 

[at Quark's]

Kroatians went through -- I think this is justified, based upon what we saw in this, and earlier matches in this WC.

Still, I think the Russians fought for what they were worth-- they simply weren't good enough to succeed against the Kroatians but they tried. In Klingon terms, they fought 'most honourably' and in my eyes they certainly aren't making a shameful exit from this WC.