Tag: Group F

  • World Cup Dispatch (UPDATE): Today’s Matches 12/1/22

    The Belgians are out! I really didn’t see that coming. I don’t think anyone on the planet saw that coming.

    And did anyone pick Morocco to win the group?

    Group F was just nuts. I thought Belgium and Croatia would easily take the group, with Canada making a good showing. This one proves that not only do I have no idea what I am talking about, but so does everyone else.

    As for the late matches, I’m watching Japan rally from being down a goal against Spain, to being up a goal, in the span of ten minutes. The tides of a match can sway in the matter of seconds. Spain looked relaxed and in control, and now they are panicked and reeling. I would love, nothing more for Japan to win, but a draw that helps them advance is an outcome I would also accept.

    Then there is Germany against Costa Rica. And I just looked down at my phone and the score is now tied. If Germany goes down, in flames, at the bottom of this group, that will be two Cups in a row that they haven’t made it out of the Group Stage. I hate to say it, but could this be the start of Germany becoming the new Italy?

    Looks like we have another exciting day of football!

    UPDATE: That was a tense second half for the Spain v Japan match. Spain had a couple of good chances to score, and I don’t think anyone will ever doubt their ability to pass the ball, but Japan’s defense was tight and solid. Nothing was getting through, and I might also add that Japan looked really relaxed in their defensive lines. They weren’t rattled at all. Japan deserves to be top of the Group.

    And thus Germany is gone.

  • World Cup Dispatch (Update): Belgium v Canada

    I don’t know a whole lot about these teams. What I know about Belgium is that they are a small country that produces good teams. I know this because they once knocked the USA out of the Cup back in 2014. Word on the street is that they are ranked #2 in the world. Whenever I see them play, they play good. Canada on the other hand, I know nothing about them. I know the qualified this year, and I know they will be in the next World Cup as they will be co-hosting with the USA and Mexico. So, I’m pretty much a blank slate on this match.

    I had to pick my kid up from school, so I missed the first half. It seems that Canada had a chance on a penalty kick, but Belgium’s goaltender, Borjan, blocked it handily. Then there was a non-penalty call that didn’t go Canada’s way. To end the half, Belgium got a goal at the 44th minute. That’s the recap.

    But watching the second half, Canada is the more aggressive team. They keep knocking and threatening Belgium’s goal, but they just can’t seem to catch a break. That’s not to say that Belgium hasn’t had a few chances to score, but the shot totals are slanted to Canada’s favor. I wouldn’t say Canada is playing amazing football, but they look hungry and are fighting for every ball.

    The match is at the 80th minute right now, with Canada making some changes. Time is running out if something is going to happen. In this group, a draw for Canada is just as good as a win.

    UPDATE: And it was not to be, Canada. Sometimes the Football Gods are unforgiving. Canada could have won this match. They earned a draw, but they shouldn’t have lost. Canada was the better team.

    (And, thanks for reading all the way to the bottom of this post. If you could do me a favor, hit that like button over there. It will help me out, with rankings and stuff.)

  • World Cup Dispatch: Spain v Costa Rica, and Other News

    I don’t know a whole lot about either team here; Spain or Costa Rica. What I do know is that Costa Rica is a scrappy squad whose best showing was back in the 2014 Cup when they made it to the Quarter Finals and lost to the Netherlands on penalties. And then there is Spain, who won it all back in 2010. What I do know about Spain and football, comes from my uncle who lived most of his life in Madrid. What he told me is that Spain’s love of football cannot be described, it just is part of Spanish life – it is the culture. All that having been said, Spain should win this… And at the 11th minute, Spain just scored.

    As we know, I will not get up at 5am to watch the first match of the day, but I am a little surprised that Croatia didn’t beat Morocco; I will need to read up and see what happened there. I mean, Belgium is predicted to win this group, but if Canada can pull a draw (very unlikely) then this group could end up rather competitive and fun to watch.

    Lastly, is anyone else having issues with the FIFA app on their phone? It’s glitchy and slow to update on my end, and was curious to see if anyone else is having problems.

    And Spain just scored again…

    (And, thanks for reading all the way to the bottom of this post. If you could do me a favor, hit that like button over there. It will help me out, with rankings and stuff.)