You don't need to defend when you have Arturo Vidal in your team.
James wrote: If Chile could defend, then I'd rate Holland's chances to qualify as slim.
If Chile could defend, then I'd rate Holland's chances to qualify as slim.
I think Spain and Chile will go through.
Australia to pip the Dutch for third place? 😉
I'd like to predict it but I don't think it's possible.
Australia don't get a single point. At least I'm banking on that.
As for Chile, they're going to be fascinating to watch. They're either going to be heralded for their gung-ho approach, or laughed at for being ridiculously naive. Really interested to see how successful their style is against two differing European sides.
I think Australia not getting a point is fairly bankable, although you have to expect we'll be very negative so we might scrape a draw.
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/03/socceroos-final-world-cup-squad-josh-kennedy-tom-rogic
Kennedy and Wilkshire are out of Australia's 23 man squad (Kennedy due to injury).
I'm sure a few opposition players will be glad to hear Wilkshire is out.
I only remember Wilkshire from his days at Boro. Guessing he doesn't mind getting stuck in then?
Why don't Australia raid the English, Greek and Italian lower leagues for talent?
James wrote: I only remember Wilkshire from his days at Boro. Guessing he doesn't mind getting stuck in then?
He's quite aggressive and more to the point sort of recognises himself as an enforcer too, which is usually problematic.
How was Costa last night for Spain? Anyone watch it?
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/11/adam-taggart-australia-chile-world-cup
"Australia will exploit Chile's high line" 😆
A gallows laugh just wells up when I consider how we're going to fare in this tournament.
the group of death. i think spain and chile will advance, but who knows. will be fatal to drop any points against the aussies.
Burnwinter™ wrote: http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/11/adam-taggart-australia-chile-world-cup "Australia will exploit Chile's high line" 😆 A gallows laugh just wells up when I consider how we're going to fare in this tournament.
tbf we're quite effective at getting in behind with pace. it all goes downhill from there though. we have no real goal-scoring presence in the box apart from cahill. we'll see plenty of timmy attempting to win contested headers.
We'll have most chance to score before we concede, for sure.
Just the tactics talk feels a bit rabbit in the headlights. We're going to have about 20% of the ball against Spain for example.
iniesta, silva, costa combo will be scintillating me thinks. Spain will be fucked with their tiki taka if diego costa gets injured or doesn't click or last.
It would be horrible if those boring negative cunts 1-0 it to the final again.
I have no idea how Spain line up these days because I don't really ever watch international football, but I hope they aren't playing Iniesta on one flank and Silva on the other. They'll be much more fun and interesting to watch if they have Iniesta on the left, who's at least twice the player Silva is, and a more direct, penetrative player on the other side - like Pedro, for example.
the runner up will be playing brazil it seems, doesn't matter who comes second.
Pedro and Costa started the match against El Salvador. Spain are much better with a few runners in the team.
Unfortunately, they will reportedly start with: Casillas - Azpilcueta, Piqué, Ramos, Alba - Xabi, Busquets - Silva, Xavi, Iniesta - Diego Costa
Don't know why they need Xavi, Xabi and Busquets. Could and should have benched one of them.
Spain were really exciting during Euro 2008. But ever since they started pairing Xavi and Xabi, I found them significantly less entertaining to watch despite their amazing talent and skill level.
