**** 2018 WORLD CUP THREAD ***

The Nigerian goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, is nineteen years old.

I have a feeling as to what the response to that will be.

NativeSon wrote:

The Nigerian goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, is nineteen years old.

I have a feeling as to what the response to that will be.

So far he is showing a lot of maturity, and he has good ball distribution, which is sometimes overlooked when assessing a GK.

Nigeria playing well so far, setting up 1 v 1 situations to use their speed and athleticism to get in the box.

Croatia has had some great moments as well, very tactical and intelligent with setting up plays.

Both teams are dangerous.

However, to be a team to field the youngest team in the WC, has to be an advantage somewhat. Young legs can run all day long. Will Croatia have energy in the later stages of the game?

We shall see. Solid game so far.

Croatia scores first .....appears to be an own goal. that was a good set piece.

The game is opening up.

go Croatia!

Blanka Vlasic's younger brother plays for Everton but he didn't make the world cup team.

Wow. In the EPL that would just be considered a hard tackle in the box....It is a foul, but as a ref to call that right now. That takes a lot of guts. I mean it's a set play, just let it play out and serve a warning.

That's game for sure. Croatia sits on top and in control of the group. Nigeria can only hope to get a goal for goal differential purposes. It is going to be tough as hell fro Nigeria here on out, and they are a young team. They played well, just unlucky on the own goal and foul.

NativeSon wrote:

The Nigerian goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, is nineteen years old.

I have a feeling as to what the response to that will be.

To be fair, the age cheating in African football is probably as bad as the age cheating in athletics.

Scorpion_runner wrote:

Wow. In the EPL that would just be considered a hard tackle in the box....It is a foul, but as a ref to call that right now. That takes a lot of guts. I mean it's a set play, just let it play out and serve a warning.

That's game for sure. Croatia sits on top and in control of the group. Nigeria can only hope to get a goal for goal differential purposes. It is going to be tough as hell fro Nigeria here on out, and they are a young team. They played well, just unlucky on the own goal and foul.

Unlucky with the penalty? He had both arms around the guy's neck, it was stupid and a stonewall pen.

And they haven't played well, they've been terrible. Croatia have been fairly poor and have dealt with them without coming out of 2nd gear. Moses needs to stop the diving, he's got a reputation for being a bit of a cheat like that.

I'm not sure what game you have been watching, but Nigeria played well up until the foul. They had men moving forward, Modric was neutralized. The announcers and half time analysis even said so. Nigeria's main problem is in the final 1/3rd of the pitch, not being able to get the ball in the box effectively. But their build up play has been good and moses speed one on one has been excellent. But I agree he has been going down too easily in this game . But they are young and this will be a learning experience for them. But definitely a solid effort by the team.

And the unlucky part was more towards the own goal, because the shot was not on goal, and it shot off of a nigeria's player foot. Nigeria is looking mighty dangerous as I speak, great move by victor moses. ...maybe the can a goal here.

Also, Croatia's scoring basically came off of Set pieces, which showed Nigeria's inexperience. Not knowing where to be, or covering spaces properly.

But that young GK has a lot of maturity...just made a big save.

They were outclassed, simple as that. No idea where you were watching that the commentators were impressed with Nigeria. They were, perhaps barring Saudi, the worst team we've seen so far.

trollism wrote:

NativeSon wrote:

The Nigerian goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, is nineteen years old.

I have a feeling as to what the response to that will be.

To be fair, the age cheating in African football is probably as bad as the age cheating in athletics.

It's why African countries like Nigeria often perform well at the Olympics and junior tournaments but nearly always fail in the World Cup.

That's it. Croatia with the win. They play Argentina next, and Nigeria will play Iceland, another tough game for them.

They have to get the win in that match against iceland, because I don't think a draw will help them in the long run.

That Croatia vs Argentina game is going to be vicious.

Brasil plays tomorrow ..... how many goals will they score?

trollism wrote:

They were outclassed, simple as that. No idea where you were watching that the commentators were impressed with Nigeria. They were, perhaps barring Saudi, the worst team we've seen so far.

WE agree to disagree. Nigeria wasn't even close to being terrible. They were out-experienced, but had some solid moments. Just couldn't get anything going in the box.

Scorpion_runner wrote:

That's it. Croatia with the win. They play Argentina next, and Nigeria will play Iceland, another tough game for them.

They have to get the win in that match against iceland, because I don't think a draw will help them in the long run.

That Croatia vs Argentina game is going to be vicious.

Brasil plays tomorrow ..... how many goals will they score?

Lots of Croatians in Argentina. I think they generally have mutual respect. Not sure how vicious it will be. Now, if Argentina played England, there would be some fire!

foxnewssays wrote:

Scorpion_runner wrote:

That's it. Croatia with the win. They play Argentina next, and Nigeria will play Iceland, another tough game for them.

They have to get the win in that match against iceland, because I don't think a draw will help them in the long run.

That Croatia vs Argentina game is going to be vicious.

Brasil plays tomorrow ..... how many goals will they score?

Lots of Croatians in Argentina. I think they generally have mutual respect. Not sure how vicious it will be. Now, if Argentina played England, there would be some fire!

I'm talking about the players. Modric plays for Real Madrid. Messi plays barca. Kovačić is real madid as well. So there is going to be some tough playing out there, and I imagine Argentina will be very aggressive since they will need a win. Not a blood bath, but they will not be lovey dovey out there. I expect to see some hard playing.

Pressure will definitely be on Messi, as the press builds up the match up.

Scorpion_runner wrote:

foxnewssays wrote:

Lots of Croatians in Argentina. I think they generally have mutual respect. Not sure how vicious it will be. Now, if Argentina played England, there would be some fire!

I'm talking about the players. Modric plays for Real Madrid. Messi plays barca. Kovačić is real madid as well. So there is going to be some tough playing out there, and I imagine Argentina will be very aggressive since they will need a win. Not a blood bath, but they will not be lovey dovey out there. I expect to see some hard playing.

Pressure will definitely be on Messi, as the press builds up the match up.

Argentina doesn’t “need” a win against Croatia. Smh

meanwhile on another thread wrote:

Scorpion_runner wrote:

I'm talking about the players. Modric plays for Real Madrid. Messi plays barca. Kovačić is real madid as well. So there is going to be some tough playing out there, and I imagine Argentina will be very aggressive since they will need a win. Not a blood bath, but they will not be lovey dovey out there. I expect to see some hard playing.

Pressure will definitely be on Messi, as the press builds up the match up.

Argentina doesn’t “need” a win against Croatia. Smh

The will need a win against Croatia. A draw might not cut it since Iceland will be going in as a favorite against Nigeria.

So let me do the math for you, and help you to step away from trolling. So follow:

Croatia has 3 points, so they sit a top of the group, plus 2 goals.

Iceland and Argentina are tied for second, and have 1 goal a piece.

Now if iceland wins, which is a strong possibility ,because Nigeria is very, very young as a team, and Iceland

plays park the bus defense, then that would give Iceland 4 points plus more goals on the goal differential.

So a draw with Croatia would only give Argentina 2 points plus whatever goals they score. Croatia would have 4 points sitting at the top with Iceland with 4 points ( if they beat Nigeria). In order to advance off that scenario, they would have to beat Nigeria ( which is not a gimme..it could lead to a loss or a draw), and croatia or iceland would have to lose, a draw would keep Argentina out. And there is a huge chance that Croatia and Iceland will draw when they meet each other. They could just play for the draw knowing that Argentina needs one of them to lose.

Now lets flip it, Argentina draws with Croatia and gets 2 points. But Nigeria beats Iceland, then that would be three points for Nigeria putting them in second place. And Argentina would have to beat Nigeria to advance, which is no guarantee.

Anyone ...Anyone with intelligence knows that Argentina has to beat Croatia to really control their own Destiny. A tie or a loss would be an EPIC blow to their WC advancement. They have to win.

You can troll all day, be my guest, but I will be here to correct you. it is clear as day that you know nothing about soccer and you are here to just troll.

Also to add to the second paragraph....a draw between Croatia and Iceland and if they both have more goals then Argentina, that's if argentina beats nigera ( creating a three way tie)., then argentina would be out.

Again, the next game is def a must win so that they can be in control of their path to advance.

Fox announcing is horrific. It is so bad it seems like a comedy act. Some of the "announcers" don't even know the players' names.

Laughable USA semi pro never beens trying to coach world cup teams. Why do USA commentators insist on trying to "coach" the teams they are watching?

As if failing to qualify against part timers isn't bad enough, the USA commentators have managed to embarrass their country.