[Rossi]

(09-01-2017 03:42 PM)Foolsgo1d Wrote:  

Can't wait to see Russians in their so-called safe cities kick the living shit out of other fans because they stepped outta line. Going to be lots of footage of it on the web hopefully.

Did you get to see France and their so-called safe cities?

[godzilla]

The Russian visa system is not in effect from 2weeks before to 2weeks after the World Cup.

I've been to 2 euro championships including the one last year. I picked up a girl the day before a game too. Not that many men attending these events are in their 20s.(Though due to proximity to France, there were a lot of Germans and English) Even so, a lot of people in Europe only fly for a day or two just to see the game. English and German guys are usually too shitfaced to even care whats going on around them and usually they just hoard a bar with other countrymen.

Once the first round is over, the cities quiet down during non-game days. A lot of cities set up zones with large tvs to watch the game. A lot of tourists and locals attend this and keeps them away from local bars. By the way, 11 different Russian cities have games, so it would hard to completely ruin a place anyway. I suspect if you travel right after the world cup you might get some people who are sick of seeing foreigners, but longer term its nothing to worry about.

[britchard]

There is no atmosphere without fans from countries like England. England, Poland, Turkey, Hungary, fans from countries like these make these events special.

I disagree that the majority of guys aren't in their 20s. The vast majority are between 18 and 35, then there are the experienced elders who keep them in line. But England is unique because the so-called 'hooligans' mix with the 'normal' fans, whereas for other countries there is more of a split.

Looks like we're going to qualify, fingers crossed. Hoping for an easy group this time, also hope that we're joined by Northern Ireland and Wales!

[911]

France crushed Holland 4-0 on Wednesday, looks like the Dutch are out. Ireland looking good in their group, tied with Serbia, should secure at least a playoff spot, the group should be settled when the Serbs come to Dublin next week.

Big clash ahead as well between Spain and Italy, both sitting atop their groups. Spain of course has had the number of the ragazzi.

Iceland confirming its new rep as super-minnows, tied with Croatia in their group.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_FIFA_...%28UEFA%29

[Gambler]

It's shocking how weak Group E is compared to other groups. Poland, Romania, Montenegro, Denmark, Armenia and Kazakhstan. Somehow Romania was drawn here as top seed. WTF? These FIFA ranking lists are a complete joke.

[rottenapple]

Teams that are already qualified or that are pretty much qualified:

Asia:
1.Iran
2.Japan

North and Central America
3.Costa Rica
4.Mexico
5.USA (given their scedule)

Africa:
6.Nigeria

South America:
7.Brazil
8.Uruguay

Europe:
9.France
10.Germany
11.Belgium

Furthermore my predictions:

South America --> Colombia & Argentina, Chile fifth place and they beat New Zealand to qualify.
Asia -->Australia and South Korea get the last remaining direct spots, Saudi Arabia beats Syria, but then loses to Honduras
Central & North America -->Honduras gets the final spot
Europe-->Other group winners: Portugal, Serbia, Poland, England, Spain, Croatia. Then direct knock out for the remaining 4 spots between: Netherlands, Switzerland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Denmark, Slovakia, Italy, Bosnia. Ukraine to qualify as second with least amount of points.
Africa-->Besides Nigeria: DRC, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Egypt.

[Irish]

The mighty Northern Ireland looking good for a playoff spot! GAWA

[Paracelsus]

Fuck Australia, 2-0 against Japan, they'd better pick up for the next match.

[rottenapple]

Italy in a bad predicament. Turkey, Iceland can forget about it as well.

[911]

As predicted, another azzuri spanking by Spain.

(09-02-2017 01:36 AM)Irish Wrote:  

The mighty Northern Ireland looking good for a playoff spot! GAWA

I'm calling it now: Eire vs Norn Iron in the playoffs.

[Tayo]

Nigeria just needs a draw with Cameroon on Monday to qualify. Nigeria beat Cameroon 4 - 0 on Friday playing at home.

[BallsDeep]

US looked bad against Costa Rica. Tim Howard is no longer the same player.

Ridiculous that Dempsey isn't out there either.

[911]

There's talk of bringing back some vets on the USMNT.

[rottenapple]

Belgium the first European team to qualify for the World cup, undefeated with 22/24 points, 35 goals made, 3 against. Let's see what they can do against some stronger teams.

[Traktor]

Syria is on the verge of booking their place to Russia. They play Iran in Tehran on Tuesday in the final qualifying game in Asian 3rd Round Group A. If they beat Iran and Uzbekistan beat 2nd place South Korea, they are through.

Iran has already qualified so here's hoping they do the Syrians a big favour.

[rottenapple]

Iran has not lost yet, and they play home where they hardly concede any goals. And South Korea is a superior team to Uzbekistan, so I'd say the chance is pretty slim, but it would be great to see if it would happen.

France draws against Luxembourg, anything can happen in football.

The Netherlands can almost forget about it as Sweden won 0-4 against Belarus and have 3 points more with 2 games to play, as well as a superior goal difference.

Other teams that are pretty much out: Hungary, Austria, Israel, Turkey

[Gambler]

(09-03-2017 01:00 PM)BallsDeep Wrote:  

US looked bad against Costa Rica. Tim Howard is no longer the same player.

Ridiculous that Dempsey isn't out there either.

USA has difficult away game in Honduras next. If they lose they'll have to play intercontinental playoffs

[BallsDeep]

↑↑↑ doesn't matter, US will win the shitty playoff and qualify.

US is in no danger of not qualifying. They're just boring to watch right now.

Pulisic will be much better in the WC though. He's not used to concacaf style of play where they can push you and throw elbows without being carded.

[Foolsgo1d]

US will qualify and if they don't there will be some freedom being spread as a result. Yanks might not like socca but they love beating the old nations and facing off against the comrades of Russia and China. Americans are never far from a dick swinging contest on the world stage.

[Renton1875]

It pains me & leaves a terrible taste in the back of my throat, but.........

"C'mon Engerlund".

Victory over the Slovak's tonight might just open the qualifier door for us.

We can't go out with a whimper, we have to leave with a glorious failure....

As always....

[britchard]

A World Cup with all 4 home nations would be something to behold... It also gives me 3 more teams to tangibly support, unless of course we end up having to play one of them.

Renton, you owe us one

Scotland vs Slovakia will be huge. I'll probably watch it over the inevitable 3-0 win against Lithuania or Slovenia in our next game.

Yanks pretend to not like 'soccer' purely because they're not an elite team, but believe me if they beat a big European team this thread will become a huge dick swinging parade.

[Paracelsus]

Fucking Australia do not deserve to qualify, what is this shit, 2-1 against fucking Thailand with 79% possession to Australia in a match where it all comes down to goal difference??? I haven't seen so much all power, no direction since Saddam Hussein was lobbing Scuds all over the Middle East, fuck fuck fuckitty fucking fuck.

Now everything fucking rests on Japan v. Saudi Arabia being a close fucking match, well fucking done you idiots...

[MrTickle]

Can't bring myself to watch (England) qualifiers they are so boring, used to always watch them when I was younger. I've turned into a plastic fan and just turn up for the main event.

[rottenapple]

Syria at the moment virtually qualified, winning 0-1 in Iran. Uzbekistan-South Korea still 0-0.

[Renton1875]

(09-05-2017 02:53 AM)britchard Wrote:  

A World Cup with all 4 home nations would be something to behold... It also gives me 3 more teams to tangibly support, unless of course we end up having to play one of them.

Renton, you owe us one

Scotland vs Slovakia will be huge. I'll probably watch it over the inevitable 3-0 win against Lithuania or Slovenia in our next game.

Yanks pretend to not like 'soccer' purely because they're not an elite team, but believe me if they beat a big European team this thread will become a huge dick swinging parade.

After letting you leave Glasgow without defeat? What more do you want!

The injury time equaliser in the 2-2 draw cost us bigly, but the home draw against Lithuania early doors killed us, dismal performance. What a difference those 4 points would have made.

Slovakia game is a sell out, should be a cracker.

R.O.I need to up their game against Serbia tonight, disappointing draw for them on Friday. Wales wouldn't be too upset if it was a draw in Dublin tonight though.