Day 4: Morocco vs Croatia | Germany vs Japan | Spain vs Costa Rica | Belgium vs Canada

I mean this https://www.transfermarkt.com/2022-world-cup/teilnehmer/pokalwettbewerb/WM22

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You realise that it's actually a thing? And transfermarkt valuations are half of the time laughable.
 
No they aren’t. They didn’t finish top of their WC Qualifying group either.
They didnt cause they struggled in the initial games against West Asian opponents missing some European based players.

They are the most consistent team by far when matters. They outplayed the Saudis and Australia when they needed
 
I think that might be it for Germany. Struggling to see them beating Spain in the next game
 
Thought Germany looked just as bad as England in the Nations League but with Flick as manager I was expecting a lot more from them today, even if I thought that starting XI looked a bit average.

With Spain next, this group is looking very interesting.
 
Deserved loss by Germany, they were wasting chances as if they were leading 4-0, and the game was only 1-0.

Gnabry and Havertz were atrocious in front of goal.

Klose would have buried those chances, and Germany would have won for more than 2 goals difference.
 
Spain with Rodri at centre back and Azpi at right back! Could be a recipe for disaster.
 
Neuer pussied out of the save for the second goal. Wasn't willing to risk his face.
 
How this Japan side got beaten by Qatar in Asian Cup 2019 was beyond me, especially after nearly knocking out Belgium in the WC. Qatar beat S Korea in that tournament too, which made me suspect they're not as bad as that opening match indicated (nerves?)
 
I thought that too but @Rood was kind enough to correct my misconception and informed me that this indeed is the most accessible tournament for them. Even more so than the one they hosted, so now I can pass forward that wisdom.
Even if we ignore 2002, Moscow is closer to Tokyo than Doha. :lol:
 
You realise that it's actually a thing? And transfermarkt valuations are half of the time laughable.
What do you mean?

Every bookmaker you find will have those top 9 teams as the top 9 favorites. The valuations are not perfect but they're an indicator (more so about the expectations and chances then a predictor of the actual performance but that's what we're talking about).
 
Massive credit to Japan for how they played, especially the subs. Germany on the other hand are really not anywhere near as good as they were a few years back. Hansi Flick looks all at sea here.
 
Japan and KSA are clearly far superior opposition to the drivel England and France faced.

KSA are absolute shite, but played amazingly. Ranked 53rd regularly playing the same teams as Iran (who beat Uruguay not long ago) who are ranked 20th. Literally biggest world shock of all time.

Japan are decent though.
 
i'm waiting for the mental gymnastics after they get knock out from the group stage, saying that they were fighting in a different and bigger battle than football or some bullcr*p like that
 
I thought that too but @Rood was kind enough to correct my misconception and informed me that this indeed is the most accessible tournament for them. Even more so than the one they hosted, so now I can pass forward that wisdom.
That’s not exactly what he said. Stupid post.
 
KSA are absolute shite, but played amazingly. Ranked 53rd regularly playing the same teams as Iran (who beat Uruguay not long ago) who are ranked 20th. Literally biggest world shock of all time.

Japan are decent though.

KSA won very bad Iceland B team one week or 10 days ago only 1-0. 8 players from the match against Argentina played vs Iceland B.
 
Weird how people prefer rankings over entire qualification campaigns and World Cup finals matches. KSA are clearly not absolute shite.
 
When is the last time Spain actually had a top striker? David Villa?
It’s incredible they can produce some of the best midfielders in the world on a constant basis but can’t get a striker to finish off all the good work!

Diego Costa was a good option for a while.
 
It’s incredible they can produce some of the best midfielders in the world on a constant basis but can’t get a striker to finish off all the good work!

Diego Costa was a good option for a while.

Even Costa was/is Brazilian I think.
 
Always amaze me that many players from Japan comes from the university league. I think more country should take a look at that system, it's good for the players future as well after retiring
 
What do you mean?

Every bookmaker you find will have those top 9 teams as the top 9 favorites. The valuations are not perfect but they're an indicator (more so about the expectations and chances then a predictor of the actual performance but that's what we're talking about).

I mean that the valuations of transfermakt have no meaning, it's pure speculation. And no it's not what we are talking about, if you want to make a point about a team talk about Football not made up figures and useless metrics like market value.
 
Is that why KSA finished above them in their qualifying group?
Upset loss to Oman at home in the first game missing Osano and the likes. They didn't start well but beat everyone when mattered. Head to Head results against Saudis and Australia they were a step above
 
How this Japan side got beaten by Qatar in Asian Cup 2019 was beyond me, especially after nearly knocking out Belgium in the WC. Qatar beat S Korea in that tournament too, which made me suspect they're not as bad as that opening match indicated (nerves?)

Tbf Germany was trashing them, but they wasted their chances.

If Gnabry and Havertz buried their chances, they would have killed the game.

France killed the game yesterday at the perfect moment, when Australia was looking for a revival goal after watching Mbappe do unnecessary flicks instead of shot and score, then when the 3rd french goal came in aussies gave up.
 
Glad to see Asian teams showing up Queiroz's backwards, ugly, cowardly football and of course Islamic Republic Federation's gross incompetence and garbage. Well done Saudi and Japan !! hope Korea do a number on Uruguay tomorrow too.

This game just from the start had the feeling of a surprise result. Japan are awesome to watch.
 
How this Japan side got beaten by Qatar in Asian Cup 2019 was beyond me, especially after nearly knocking out Belgium in the WC. Qatar beat S Korea in that tournament too, which made me suspect they're not as bad as that opening match indicated (nerves?)
They aren't. They wiped the floor with Japan as well, it wasn't even close.

Qatar looked completely nervous in that opening game and bottled it, the occasion proved too big for them, they aren't the best team but are a lot better than that opening game shows.