Pride_Of_The_Midlands Posted 16 November 2013 Posted 16 November 2013 Maybe it was because someone else was wearing a different shirt number? Maybe it was because he just wasn't that good.
MC Prussian Posted 17 November 2013 Posted 17 November 2013 Alright, Nigeria and Ivory Coast have qualified, as well. Leaves Tunisia/Cameroon (2nd leg today), Ghana (more or less qualified after the 6-1 home win against Egypt in the first leg) and Burkina Faso/Algeria (2nd leg on Tuesday) from Africa.
Amin Posted 17 November 2013 Posted 17 November 2013 Alright, Nigeria and Ivory Coast have qualified, as well. Leaves Tunisia/Cameroon (2nd leg today), Ghana (more or less qualified after the 6-1 home win against Egypt in the first leg) and Burkina Faso/Algeria (2nd leg on Tuesday) from Africa. Cameroon are now through.
Fox in the North Posted 17 November 2013 Posted 17 November 2013 Cameroon through. Hope Burkina Faso win too!
Koke Posted 17 November 2013 Posted 17 November 2013 Tunisia are terrible. Cameroon are not much better (though the scoreline would suggest that). I'm glad Ivory Coast got through. Nigeria, standard team. Burkina Faso are an abomination of a side. Really hope Algeria squeeze through by hook or by crook. Burkina Faso are one of the ugliest sides in Africa. Terrible team.
Alf Bentley Posted 18 November 2013 Posted 18 November 2013 Burkina Faso are an abomination of a side. Really hope Algeria squeeze through by hook or by crook. Burkina Faso are one of the ugliest sides in Africa. Terrible team. What have they done to upset you? Never seen them play.... Are they a bunch of negative, long-ball hoofers or something?
Koke Posted 18 November 2013 Posted 18 November 2013 What have they done to upset you? Never seen them play.... Are they a bunch of negative, long-ball hoofers or something? I watched their last African Cup of Nations, and some of their WC qualifiers. They are a bunch of hardmen who bulldoze and bully their way through. They have very little technical skills and. rely purely on physical strength and negative tactics. They are a terrible side and it's a shame they've gotten this far. Algeria don't have much to offer, but at least they try to play football.
Koke Posted 18 November 2013 Posted 18 November 2013 I heard several of the Jordanian players have refused to play in the return leg due to fear of humiliation in Montevideo. Amazingly enough, one player's wishes has been accepted. Not sure about the others.
Alf Bentley Posted 18 November 2013 Posted 18 November 2013 I watched their last African Cup of Nations, and some of their WC qualifiers. They are a bunch of hardmen who bulldoze and bully their way through. They have very little technical skills and. rely purely on physical strength and negative tactics. They are a terrible side and it's a shame they've gotten this far. Algeria don't have much to offer, but at least they try to play football. Thanks for the insight. Will be interested to see them if they make it through. I was hoping that they'd make it, just to have another new country in the finals...maybe not a good idea, if that's how they play. Is there only Bosnia that'll be making their debut so far (excluding when Bosnia was part of Yugoslavia)? Maybe Iceland will manage a surprise in Croatia... I heard several of the Jordanian players have refused to play in the return leg due to fear of humiliation in Montevideo. Amazingly enough, one player's wishes has been accepted. Not sure about the others. That's a shocking attitude. They're obviously not going to qualify and will probably lose again, but should be determined to restore some pride - which they could do, say, with a better performance and narrow defeat in the 2nd leg. Also, I remember when I used to play chess, the recommendation was always to play against people who were stronger than you, not weaker, as that's how you'd learn to improve your game. If they learn a bit from their individual and collective inferiority in the 1st leg, they could make a sharper improvement than they would through any amount of training or winning soft friendlies against weaker sides from the Middle East....
Dan Posted 19 November 2013 Posted 19 November 2013 I do think when there's a gulf as blatant as that, then it won't do a lot for your game - especially if you're just sitting back and trying to keep the score down. If you're doing what Tahiti did and actually having a go (even if they did slapped 3 times) then at least you'll develop a little. Abysmal attitude if they're not turning up at all though. Shame on them.
Jordan Posted 19 November 2013 Posted 19 November 2013 Thanks for the insight. Will be interested to see them if they make it through. I was hoping that they'd make it, just to have another new country in the finals...maybe not a good idea, if that's how they play. Is there only Bosnia that'll be making their debut so far (excluding when Bosnia was part of Yugoslavia)? Maybe Iceland will manage a surprise in Croatia...Croatia should have enough firepower up front (esp. with Eduardo starting) to see off Iceland, but it seems like their team morale is abysmal. They were in a tail spin when they sacked Igor Stimac, and although Niko Kovac is doing his best to put on a brave face, the atmosphere surrounding the team is almost toxic.Every quote I've read from the Croatian players is either dismissing Iceland outright or saying that not getting a win today would be a disaster. If they have been talking about how good it will be to qualify rather than how bad it would be to lose, then the media isn't reporting that. Speaking of media, Icelandic sources are alleging that 8 Croatian players (including Mandzukic) ordered 70 beers to their hotel room in the wee hours of the night after the first leg. Kovac says this is absolutely not true, and the press in Iceland could very well just be stirring up shit, but that wouldn't surprise me. I've read that there were plenty of unsold tickets for the game tonight as of this morning, and the fans seem really down on their team. However, with so much at stake, I would think the Croats (and their fans) will be all business when the game kicks off. I'd love it if Croatia choked tonight, though
Father Ted Posted 19 November 2013 Posted 19 November 2013 Croatia should have enough firepower up front (esp. with Eduardo starting) to see off Iceland, but it seems like their team morale is abysmal. They were in a tail spin when they sacked Igor Stimac, and although Niko Kovac is doing his best to put on a brave face, the atmosphere surrounding the team is almost toxic. Every quote I've read from the Croatian players is either dismissing Iceland outright or saying that not getting a win today would be a disaster. If they have been talking about how good it will be to qualify rather than how bad it would be to lose, then the media isn't reporting that. Speaking of media, Icelandic sources are alleging that 8 Croatian players (including Mandzukic) ordered 70 beers to their hotel room in the wee hours of the night after the first leg. Kovac says this is absolutely not true, and the press in Iceland could very well just be stirring up shit, but that wouldn't surprise me. I've read that there were plenty of unsold tickets for the game tonight as of this morning, and the fans seem really down on their team. However, with so much at stake, I would think the Croats (and their fans) will be all business when the game kicks off. I'd love it if Croatia choked tonight, though That's all a load of crap. As much as I dislike the Croats, the atmosphere is nowhere near that bad. Stimac offered his resignation after losing to Scotland but the Croatian FA decided to just sack him (so he gets a nice little payoff). I highly doubt Eduardo would start, Mandzukic and Olic are way ahead of him in the pecking order. As much as I'd love it for them to choke, they really won't. Refs always are the real ones to bottle it out there, when the whistling and fascist chanting starts. Mandzukic loves a good roll on the floor and the back four love a bit of thuggery and they'll get away with it.
MC Prussian Posted 19 November 2013 Posted 19 November 2013 Ghana are going to Brazil after a 7-3 win on aggregate against Egypt. Croatia, albeit leading 1-0 against Iceland, are down to ten men, as goalscorer Mario Mandzukic has been shown a red card for a studs-up challenge. Meanwhile, Greece look all but set to head to the World Cup, as well. Currently 1-0 ahead away at Romania, and 4-1 up on aggregate.
Alexikokopops Posted 19 November 2013 Posted 19 November 2013 Just in case people haven't realised you can watch some of the games live on YouTube (if you're in the UK). Croatia vs. Iceland France vs. Ukraine Romania vs. Greece
MC Prussian Posted 19 November 2013 Posted 19 November 2013 Aaaaand... Hold your breath, England's dear opponent Algeria are heading to Brazil, too. A 1-0 home win today was enough to secure the trip next year, as they scored two away goals at Burkina Faso in the first leg.
purpleronnie Posted 19 November 2013 Posted 19 November 2013 oooo France goal wrongly disalowed, mmmmmmm Irish fans cheering that one.
21st Century Fox Posted 19 November 2013 Posted 19 November 2013 France just levelled it. Miles offside that time.
purpleronnie Posted 19 November 2013 Posted 19 November 2013 2-0, Ukraine haven't turned up, France looking really good.
Koke Posted 19 November 2013 Posted 19 November 2013 Caught the end of the Algeria - Burkina Faso game, and it was squeaky bum time for the Algerian fans. I'm glad they are through.
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