Brazil 2014 Fifa World Cup Thread

[thedon5]

Thinking of putting my money on a South American team... International buffs... Do you think it is worth it putting money on Chile/Colombia/Ecuador, and if so, who?

 

[ParkedTheBus]

Thinking of putting my money on a South American team... International buffs... Do you think it is worth it putting money on Chile/Colombia/Ecuador, and if so, who?

I would go with Colombia. The central defense is an issue. They've got a very slow 38 year old playing at CB in Yepes, Zapata who does not start much for Milan, and an inexperienced but very talented CB in Eder Alvarez Balanta. But the midfield and attack departments are wonderful.

 

[Umair7]

I would go with Colombia. The central defense is an issue. They've got a very slow 38 year old playing at CB in Yepes, Zapata who does not start much for Milan, and an inexperienced but very talented CB in Eder Alvarez Balanta. But the midfield and attack departments are wonderful.

Nice Little Review

people are talking about Belgium but lets face it Uruguay,Colombia & Ivory Coast have one hell of a squad and Bosnia are also doing great

 

[thedon5]

I would go with Colombia. The central defense is an issue. They've got a very slow 38 year old playing at CB in Yepes, Zapata who does not start much for Milan, and an inexperienced but very talented CB in Eder Alvarez Balanta. But the midfield and attack departments are wonderful.

OK yep I agree. Zapata is a calamity and Yepes is a pensioner, was never a huge fan of him anyway. How do they play internationally though? And who is expected to start in defence for them?

Also, I have decided if Falcao is back I will definitely go for them - not only is he top quality but it's a huge mental boost for the team having him. Tbh he could be replaced as they have a wealth of amazing strikers but a big tournament like the WC is always about mentality.

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Nice Little Review

people are talking about Belgium but lets face it Uruguay,Colombia & Ivory Coast have one hell of a squad and Bosnia are also doing great

I think other than the big European sides, we won't see a European side win it.

Ivory Coast are perennial chokers and Uruguay for me aren't the same as they were last World Cup.

 

[ParkedTheBus]

OK yep I agree. Zapata is a calamity and Yepes is a pensioner, was never a huge fan of him anyway. How do they play internationally though? And who is expected to start in defence for them?

Also, I have decided if Falcao is back I will definitely go for them - not only is he top quality but it's a huge mental boost for the team having him. Tbh he could be replaced as they have a wealth of amazing strikers but a big tournament like the WC is always about mentality.

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I think other than the big European sides, we won't see a European side win it.

Ivory Coast are perennial chokers and Uruguay for me aren't the same as they were last World Cup.

Colombia had the best defence in the South American qualifiers(note Brazil did not play), so maybe the 2 have got good understanding. I would bet my money on Nigeria to be the best performing African side.

 

[War]

Chile would be just as good a bet to Colombia IMO. They have the unique style of any international football team ATM. High pressing 3-4-3 formation, with a ball playing keeping.

In the heat of Brazil, they will test teams & I believe they will come out that group instead of Holland.

 

[War]

No surprises as Louis van Gaal names Netherlands squad for World Cup - ESPN FC

 

[ParkedTheBus]

Torres does a Torres

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What the fearsome tweak is Fernando Jose Torres doing ahead of Fernando Llorente Torres?!!?

 

[War]

I'm not surprised Llorente isn't picked, he is the Spanish Andy Caroll/Peter Crouch with more skill really. Can't see him suiting the Spanish style, whether its the traditonal tiki-taka or if the play the Madrid teams of 2014 way.

But even though he had a soft 2nd half of the season, I would have certainly picked Negredo over Torres. Del Bosque clearly has his biased views about him, like many international coaches do with players.

 

[ParkedTheBus]

Have Sabella and Willy got a feud or what? Willy was very good this season and a GK who cant start for AS Monaco is picked over him?!

 

[StinkyBoHoon]

Colombia had the best defence in the South American qualifiers(note Brazil did not play), so maybe the 2 have got good understanding. I would bet my money on Nigeria to be the best performing African side.

zapata is not rubbish, I don't know if it's his attitude or concentration or what but when he wants to play well he's pretty good. he was milans best defender last year (when they actually did quite well) by far. I don't know what's happened but he's slumped in form. if he picks himself up and puts in 100% for colombia he'll be a long way off being one of the worst centre backs starting for a good team.

spain's team looks a bit boring really, they're loaded with talent, a few new faces could have been accomodated to give the team a little bit of enthusiasm and hunger.

 

[thedon5]

zapata is not rubbish, I don't know if it's his attitude or concentration or what but when he wants to play well he's pretty good. he was milans best defender last year (when they actually did quite well) by far. I don't know what's happened but he's slumped in form. if he picks himself up and puts in 100% for colombia he'll be a long way off being one of the worst centre backs starting for a good team.

spain's team looks a bit boring really, they're loaded with talent, a few new faces could have been accomodated to give the team a little bit of enthusiasm and hunger.

He was complete rubbish a couple of seasons ago too, one of the main reasons Villareal were relegated. Maybe he had a purple patch last season?

 

[War]

Interesting 5-3-2 formation used by the dutch today, with Robben playing as a striker & Sneijder in a deep mid-field role:

Netherlands v Ghana live football scores | Soccer scores and live video | ESPNFC.com

Although Pirlo, Chellini, De Rossi & Balotelli didn't start - Ireland exposed some potential holes in Italy's camp that ENG will take not for sure. But like ENG yesterday, I won't read 100% into it, since its the 1st game of their preparation.

Both Montolovio & Aquilani out injured during the game could be cause for concern.

 

[War]

Just a thought for the site moderators, I think separate threads for all the groups should be created, as was the case for EURO 2012.

 

[StinkyBoHoon]

He was complete rubbish a couple of seasons ago too, one of the main reasons Villareal were relegated. Maybe he had a purple patch last season?

yeah, I think we've said this before, I don't really follow spanish football so going only on what I know I've seen him play pretty decent football.

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Just a thought for the site moderators, I think separate threads for all the groups should be created, as was the case for EURO 2012.

will do. but when I'm less drunk. (or feel free to start them yourself and they'll be stickied)