Continental Championships & World Cup Qualifiers For 2022

Discussion in 'General Football & Other Sport' started by Smudger, Jun 8, 2019.

  1. Clive_ofthe_Kremlin

    Clive_ofthe_Kremlin Squad Player

    HT and its 1-2 to them. Cuba 7 shots with 4 on target. They only had 3 shots and scored with 2 of them. First goal a mile offside and a clear pen denied. Everything given by the ref is going their way.

    Oh and Hernandez had a square up with that Vernon Anita who used to be at Newcastle and Leeds.
     
  2. Clive_ofthe_Kremlin

    Clive_ofthe_Kremlin Squad Player

    And it ends 2-1 to the cheeseheads. Unfortunate that. Cuba put up a great showing. Unlucky not to take a point. They look sharp up front with the addition of Hernandez, but the defence definitely needs tightening up.
     
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  3. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

     
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  4. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

    Robert Lewandowski out of Wednesday’s game.

    There goes the press hype of him v Kane.
     
  5. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

  6. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    Result of the round is Latvia coming back from 3-1 down to draw with high flying Turkey three all. Holland and Norway will also be greatly pleased with the result. All three national teams are flush with youth as they build to 2022 and it is the probably the toughest qualification group in the UEFA zone.

     
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2021
  7. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

    I wonder what country that commentator was from !

    Wouldn’t get away with that here.
     
  8. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    Turkey. Generally overseas commentators are far more animated when their own side scores particularly if it is the BBC who have the match. It is understandable. The South American commentators can get into paroxysms that can last a minute or more. Quite entertaining in their own right. :D
     
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  9. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    Great news. Copa America to be broadcast on the BBC. Will entail some late nights but well worth watching. Plenty of remote scouting and players putting their names forward for a summer move. Kicks off on the 13th of June with joint hosts Argentina taking on Chile.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57115401
     
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  10. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

    Guess our man Sierralta will be playing ?
     
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  11. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    Very likely wfc4ever which means he may well miss our season start in order to recuperate. Chile fans have noticed his form and no doubt so have the selection panel. He was in and around the squad anyway but now he is making a claim for a regular starting spot.
     
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  12. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

    Not ideal if that happens but hopefully he won’t get injured and I guess it puts him on the world stage which the Pozzos will like.
     
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  13. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    Blow for Argentina with Exequiel Palacios picking up an injury for Leverkusen that rules him out for eight weeks. The replacements are not of his calibre and the form he was showing after Bosz was shown the door repeatedly not picking him to the bemusement of Leverkusen fans. Was looking forward to see him and Lo Celso in tandem plus one other. Paredes is a big softy at the base of the midfield.
     
  14. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    It is now possible given the situation in Colombia regarding the coronavirus that CONMEBOL may switch the tournament to being in Argentina only. It would make sense though the situation in Argentina is also not ideal. Teams have been asking if their squads can be extended to thirty players should there be positive tests with a reserve standby list.

    There are two WC qualifiers prior to the Copa as well for all teams as CONMEBOL makes up for the matches cancelled in rounds five and six previously. These are in early June. Then the teams with squads to send to Tokyo will have to decide who stays for the Copa and who goes. The most notable omission is Paulo Dybala who has had a badly affected Covid season with injuries to boot. This is Scaloni's WC qualifier squad: Buendia sneaks in after rumoured interest from Spain.

    Marcos Acuña (Sevilla), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Lucas Alario (Bayer Leverkusen), Emiliano Buendia (Norwich City), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid), Joaquin Correa (Lazio), Rodrigo de Paul (Udinese), Angel Di Maria (PSG), Nicolas Dominguez (Bologna), Juan Foyth (Villarreal), Alejandro Papu Gomez (Sevilla), Nicolas Gonzalez (Stuttgart), Giovanni Lo Celso (Tottenham), Agustin Marchesin (FC Porto), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Lautaro Martinez (Inter), Lisandro Martinez (Ajax), Lucas Martinez Quarta (Fiorentina), Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona), Nahuel Molina (Udinese), Juan Musso (Udinese), Guido Rodriguez (Real Betis), Cristian Romero (Atalanta), Lucas Ocampos (Sevilla), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Jose Luis Palomino (Atalanta), Leandro Paredes (PSG), German Pezzella (Fiorentina), Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax)

    How Pezzella makes it is a mystery. Palacios will face fitness tests with Nico Gonsalez and Nicolas Dominguez. Atalanta centreback pairing Cristian Romero gets a deserved call up along with veteran Palomino. Both have been central to Atalanta's performances this season and Romero is hot property. de Paul, Molina and Musso make up the Udinese contingent. Molina has been a revelation this season, de Paul his magnificent self while Musso has come back from injury a little rusty but on the radar of some very big clubs.
     
  15. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

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  16. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    He's half Chilean so not too unfair on La Roja. They are in a bit of a panic as their star generation heads to the end of their time with the national side. They've tried to naturalize a couple of Argentines but with the history between the two countries that is unlikely not to mention being gifted two Copa's by Gonzalo Higuain. Booooooo.
     
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  17. I Blame Pozzo

    I Blame Pozzo First Team

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  18. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

    Very true - mother is from Chile.

    I mean Ireland spent a generation getting players playing for them with some sort of Irish relation and sometimes they didn't have any at all!
     
  19. I Blame Pozzo

    I Blame Pozzo First Team

    So too have GB tennis!
    Tennis Canada have still not forgiven Rusedski or the LTA for his defection. They spent millions on his development and off he came to GB,Union Flag headband etc,etc!
    Colin Dowdswell,Cam Norrie too,Jo Konta even Laura Robson.
    Bedene failed but cost the federation half a million in legal fees before he remembered he'd signed an agreement to play Davis Cup for Slovakia or Slovenia or wherever he's from ( apart from WGC!)
     
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  20. Otter

    Otter Gambling industry insider

    There was a joke in Australia that went something like:

    "What do the English cricket team do first when they tour South Africa?"

    "Visit their parents"
     
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  21. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

  22. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    America offered to host it and with plenty of money as well. The decision to offer it to Brazil boggles the mind given the surge in cases there not to mention the horrible mad lunatic in charge. Taking it to the US would be understandable given the progress being made tackling the disease there.

    Once again CONMEBOL has made itself a laughing stock. Two weeks to go and no one is sure of what is going to happen. No doubt VAR will have yellow and blue glasses after the farcical officiating at the last Copa where Brazil were given enormous help. The political machinations that go on behind the scenes and power brokers makes FIFA look tame.
     
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  23. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

    Utter madness - no thought for the health of anyone when making that decision.
     
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  24. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    So the Copa starts tomorrow. Brazil take on Venezuela. Despite rumoured troubles behind the scenes and the future of Tite in doubt he is still there. Brazil top WC qualification after two more wins whereas Argentina were held to two draws. Scaloni is proving to be an idiot at times. After an all too conservative effort against Chile his failure to make changes as his side tired against Colombia resulted in a last minute equalizer for Los Cafeteros. Argentina had surged to a two nil lead with seven minutes and were running the Colombians ragged before letting up and allowing them back into the game in very humid conditions.

    Emiliano Martinez suffered a concussion with Jerry Mina but will be back for the Copa. Just as well as his replacement Marchesing made a howler to let in the equalizer. @Carpster Cristian Romero was magnificent in both matches and looks a world class talent and future captain. When forced off with a feared hamstring tear the defence for Argentina looked rudderless. Thankfully for Scaloni who is still persisting with Otamendi who conceded a needless penalty it's just a muscle strain and he should be available for the Copa aside from the opening fixture for the Albiceleste against Chile. Foyth paid for his error against Colombia being removed from the Copa squad. Musso should be the number two behind Martinez which will be the first time in years that Argentina will have had two top class keepers.



    As it stands:

    [​IMG]
     
  25. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

    Chile have a new hero .

    Ben Brereton!

    Scored the winner for them v Bolivia.
     
  26. Filbert

    Filbert Leicester supporting bloke

    His celebration was great, you don’t see players that giddy and chuffed all that often.
     
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  27. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    Last round of fixtures. All settled in group A apart from the placings which Argentina are on top of. Bolivia miss out. In Group B Brazil top the standings but all the other sides can still make it with Brazil taking on Ecuador, Venezuela taking on Peru. Brazil have looked the business with the odd dodgy decision going their way such as the equalizer against Colombia followed by a late Casemiro winner.

    Argentina still look disjointed with the bright points being Emiliano Martinez and the play of Cuti Romero at the back who looks a monster of a defender. Scaloni needs to pick the right players, tactics and as shown in the Euros make the right substitutions.


    A tribute to the late great Diego Maradona took place at the Copa. And here is a selection of highlights from the Copa 89 which I have never seen before.


     
  28. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    So Sierraltas campaign is over as the hosts knocked out Chile 1-0. Brazil controlled it until the sending off of Gabriel Jesus for an awful kungfu kick. Francisco played well. I watched him closely in the group game he played where he is clearly not comfortable in a three but still aerially dominant and likes to carry the ball although dispossessed once and managing not to track the run of Cavani. Otherwise kept Edison quiet in that match following him around the pitch. As we all know huge potential and he will learn to be more adaptable although back threes are a rarity as a formation for most nations.

     
  29. UEA_Hornet

    UEA_Hornet First Team Captain

    Glad he'll get a couple of weeks rest now.
     
  30. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    Colombia beat Uruguay on penalties with missing shooter Vina inconsolable at the end of the match. The Cafeteros will play Argentina who beat Ecuador 3-0. Ecuador did miss two great chances with Paredes a disaster as a DM and Cuti Romero's absence palpable.

    However it was another Messi masterclass. Two more assists which could have easily been three and another free kick goal. Leo also missed a sitter similar to the effort Useless Higuain missed in the WC final. He is now one behind Pele as the all time scorer of goals for their nation and with 4 goals and 4 assists only a couple of points behind in ice hockey parlance Maradona's best effort at a Copa.

    The quality of football has been relatively poor to be honest. Partly down to lack of preparation time, tired players, some carrying injuries and the state of the pitches. It has been hard to play passing football. Several of the national sides like Uruguay, Colombia and Chile are in the process of blooding the next generation or at the tail end of the older one. And the fouling and diving is on another level compared to the Euros. Enner Valencia takes the biscuit here for instance.

    https://streamable.com/pe5qok

    The Fallon d'Floor winner as one wag described it. Or players escaping red cards for reckless studs up challenges. The Brazilian referee Milton Sampaio was a clown. The teams would have been better off with John Milton. As a reanimated corpse.

    https://streamable.com/f1aj1w

    Our dearly missed Peter Pervis Estupinan also managed to escape a second yellow and red card for elbowing Leandro Paredes at a corner.


     
  31. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    Brazil make it to the final.

     
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2021
  32. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    Argentina made it through the other semifinal on penalties 4-2 against Colombia. Argentina took an early lead but sat back and allowed Colombia back into the game. After the outstanding Diaz equalized Lautaro Martinez had an amazing miss which sent the match to extra time with VAR missing an obvious shirt pull on Otamendi as well.

    Emiliano Martinez pulled off three saves and played mind games with the Colombian players. He has become an outstanding keeper in all areas which is what Wenger had in mind when signed after playing for Argentina u20 but never really had a chance at Arsenal with Cech and then Leno being preferred.


    Diaz who will not be at Porto for much longer scored for Colombia again as they beat Peru 3-2 to secure the bronze medal. The two old enemies engage in another Superclasico tonight at the Maracana at 0100 BST liveon BBC1. Can the Albiceleste pull off another Maracanazo ? If Romero is back that may well help. Messi is playing superbly so there is a small chance.
     
  33. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

    Messi ends his wait for International success and Argentina win a trophy for first time since 1993
     
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  34. Clive_ofthe_Kremlin

    Clive_ofthe_Kremlin Squad Player

    And that despite him not having the best of games. He should have wrapped it up with that chance towards the end. The commentators didn't stop saying 'un-messilike'.
     
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  35. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    A superclasico. And by definition it's a war. Both sides had much to lose. Brazil their pride and home record. Argentina after 28 years the possibility of not winning a trophy again weighed heavily and not just for one little magician And so not exactly a game for the neutral to watch in terms of silky football but for those with a stake in the two teams everything and more as well as bragging rights until the next encounter.

    And as expected a thoroughly bruising encounter. Stopping and starting with blood this time seeping from the ankle of Gonzalo Montiel. Yellow cards aplenty with the culprits quickly whisked off to the safety of the bench to allow their replacements to carry on in the same vein.

    The master tactician Tite was this time outcoached by the novice Lionel Scaloni. The blue and white pressed from the off hunting in packs winning the ball and keeping possession comfortably in neat triangles and threatening the odd attack. What was noticeable was the lack of reliance on Messi. With Lo Celso and de Paul there were different pivots to play from. And ultimately the long pass from de Paul who was MOTM and utterly outstanding in midfield to di Maria seperated the side.

    The goal which was redemption for Angelito missing the 2014 WC final at the same ground and similar in a way to the goal he scored against Nigeria in Beijing in 2008 to secure Olympic gold. And a superb moment of quality in an otherwise gruelling fight. What does the result mean for both sides with Qatar some seventeen months away ?

    Tite will no doubt have pressure heaped upon him. Brazilian sides that lose at home are not regarded with favour. Surely it is the end for Thiago Silva who looked off colour and Eder Militao to take over on a full time basis. It however might be a good thing for Brazil to realize they need to step up if they are to make their presence felt next year. As for Argentina. So many talented players and groups have come since 1993 and the burden of not winning a title has grown ever greater. More because having the best player in the world perhaps in history and not winning anything is even harder to comprehend.

    Scaloni thrown in at the deep end as the cheap option and only available to a near bankrupt AFA has managed to shape a core of players, brought in youth and melded it with experience and managed like Sabella to get the best out of Messi once again. Credit also needs to go to his backroom staff comprising of experienced former internationals Walter Samuel, Roberto Ayala and Pablo Aimar. But Argentina will also face the same issues as Brazil when it comes to Qatar. No doubt a reinvigorated Messi will be present but there are weaknesses in the side still.

    The emergence of Cuti Romero, Emiliano Martinez has brought in some much needed defensive solidity (Nehuen Perez is also in the pipeline) but there is still no obvious DM. A fraility in the full back positions and the current centre forward Lautaro Martinez is yet to hit the heights of some of his illustrious predecessors. However winning a title takes pressure off the management. Allows Scaloni to experiment. More importantly it gives the emerging young players like Nico Gonsalez (carrying an injury for much of the tournament), Licha Martinez, Palacios, Lo Celso and Montiel more confidence. However these players with their obvious talents need to keep growing to retain a hunger and desire to improve and set their sights on the next prize namely the World Cup.


     

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