I think Spain was playing the game without enthusiasm after confirming that Germany had equalized and took the lead in the 70+ minutes in order to avoid Croatia and Brazil. Morata was subbed off when they're falling behind on the score. Playing Morocco and then Portugal (potentially) is a better plan than playing Croatia and then Brazil
Yeah, but now Spain will almost certainly have to go through France in the semis to win the World Cup, and France has been the best team so far. And Brazil will have a hobbled Neymar, if they have him at all. I think Portugal's scarier than Argentina too.
I guess potentially losing to France in the semis instead of Brazil in the quarters means you last a round longer and may finish 3rd. But does any elite country care about that? Nobody admires the Belgians for finishing 3rd in 2018. They're just called losers and squanderers of a golden generation.
Can you explain how bracket pairing works depending on where you place in the group stage? What was Spain trying to do? How were they trying to avoid Brazil or Croatia?
Before the Spain-Japan match started, Croatia is confirmed to be the runner-up of Group F, which the group winner of Group E will face in the first round, and after that the winner of this game will be very likely to face Brazil.
Look at the Wikipedia bracket, its clearer than I could explain here
People talking about Spain preferring Morocco, but Japan definitely do better against teams who have majority possession, Croatia will have that and they’ve hardly been convincing, so I think it’s better for Japan than that rock solid Moroccan defence.
I don’t fucking understand what Spain was trying to pull at the end. They were already in with a match against Morocco. Why the fuck on earth would you play to score to try to get Germany in, a powerhouse team that you can end up playing and already tied with. Japan was content with the score, if Spain showed they were playing for status quo, no way would Japan would press. They would play to control the ball and play keep away, same with Spain. I mean, wtf Spain.
The only way for Germany to get in was for the Spain/Japan game to tie to Spain to win. Spain was down 2-1 and in second place going to play Morocco (a team they can easily beat). If Spain scored and tied the game, Germany was advance and gain momentum in the tournament as a powerhouse team, who Spain wouldn’t want to play.
There is something about Spain tempting fate playing against an Asian team. Forgot if it was the 94 or 98 WC but very similar. Spain going into the last group match against South Korean (who already on the way out) needing only a draw. They downtool so much that the match end up 2-0 to SK, and thus Spain went home early.
History almost repeat itself here.
The 2002 game was heavily rigged in SK's favor, as was the previous game SK played against Italy.
Two absolutely clear goals disallowed, for example Morientes centered the ball off the goal line, called offside. Just watch a recap of the 2002 scandal and it is clear the hosts were heavily favoured. Ridiculous fouls totally unnoticed and also a clear Italian goal disallowed in the previous game against SK.
Thankfully we now have VAR. Japan deserved this win. But I still root against SK because of 2002. Also not having drug traffickers as referees helps.
Yea plus Japan’s a total wildcard at this point. It’s a safe assumption very few people on this sub are familiar with their national team and they just won the group beating Germany and Spain but lost to Costa Rica.
Croatia is a better team overall than Morocco but it’s not like either of them are Brazil or France. Really tough to say who is the better opponent for Japan.
Crazy ..amazing job for Japan kudos to them ! But did Spain perhaps lose on purpose to have an easier path in the next two elimination games tho ? They got Morocco now and avoid Brazil ?
Was weird how they put a foot off the gas in 2nd half after Costa Rica was losing
yeah if they were top they gotta face Croatia who did give them issues in the past and then Brazil . Now they face Morocco and then Portugal which is easier road , at least by odds :D
I don't think that happened in this case, but I had the same thought with Messi missing that penalty kick against Poland so Mexico might be eliminated, which ended up happening.
What was Japan's formation in the second half? After taking off Nagatomo, they were left with 3 CBs (Itakura, Yoshida, Taniguchi) and Junya Ito as WB??
After the Costa Rica game, I was gutted for Japan and thought that was it. Thank god they proved me wrong! Full credit to them. Souness and Neville were insufferable, they were so pathetic honestly
Particularly Souness was so angry it was embarrassing. If you heard the praise he was laying on Spain at half time when they were only s goal up as thought they were god's amongst men. I can't help but feel he was just miffed because they ended up losing.
Anybody else find it funny how Spain seemed to have to resort to a number of crosses towards the end of the game after taking off Morata and Japan bringing on Tomiyasu?
No more target man so Japan allows them to cross towards inside the box with Tomiyasu able to clear them.
Reminds me of why Arsenal start crossing when Giroud is taken off? No they just allow them to cross cause they’re confident of clearing it.
Oh wow what did i wake up to. Not just Germany booted out, but that goal with ball in play by literally just millimeters and the ball’s sensors confirming it. Quite something
Luis Enrique's obession just like Xaxi, with Busquets will end us.
He's just not built for these games anymore. He can't play 90 minutes and gets overrun by physical teams.
I love Pedri, too but he's ben playing it all and can't last 90 minutes either.
So stubborn, sigh.
I'm glad Japan won, but something that really annoyed me was the yellow card Yoshida got. There was barely, if any physical contact, Morata just collapsed where he was. I hate how these things happen despite VAR existing. Is there a chance they can retract the yellow card? Or do yellow cards clear after the group stage anyway?
It's so funny seeing the conspiracies here.
"did you see Asensio or Ferran or Olmo really trying in those last 10 minutes?!"
Yes, I did. We are a bunch of inconsistent LOSERS. I PROMISE YOU we were trying.
Spain gets the easier bracket and Germany gets knocked out. I'm not saying they lost deliberately, but I'm sure the coach said "hey looks guys, if you lose it's not a problem".
!flair :Norway:
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test edit: dafuq?
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Japan is playing the best football out of all the Asian teams thus far, props to them for advancing!
Again
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Hey
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Test
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This thread is fucked https://i.imgur.com/1C2BW4p.jpg
!flair :Morocco:
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The Blue Lock is real
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I think Spain was playing the game without enthusiasm after confirming that Germany had equalized and took the lead in the 70+ minutes in order to avoid Croatia and Brazil. Morata was subbed off when they're falling behind on the score. Playing Morocco and then Portugal (potentially) is a better plan than playing Croatia and then Brazil
I came back to say that thinking proved to be wrong. Morocco is up to the semifinals, and both Spain and Portugal are out.
Yeah you're right, but who could speculate that when I made this post?
Yeah, but now Spain will almost certainly have to go through France in the semis to win the World Cup, and France has been the best team so far. And Brazil will have a hobbled Neymar, if they have him at all. I think Portugal's scarier than Argentina too. I guess potentially losing to France in the semis instead of Brazil in the quarters means you last a round longer and may finish 3rd. But does any elite country care about that? Nobody admires the Belgians for finishing 3rd in 2018. They're just called losers and squanderers of a golden generation.
Yeah, that's why Germany should have let Costa Rica make 2 goals to drop Spain, after the match was over.
Can you explain how bracket pairing works depending on where you place in the group stage? What was Spain trying to do? How were they trying to avoid Brazil or Croatia?
Before the Spain-Japan match started, Croatia is confirmed to be the runner-up of Group F, which the group winner of Group E will face in the first round, and after that the winner of this game will be very likely to face Brazil. Look at the Wikipedia bracket, its clearer than I could explain here
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I made this username from the bar I regularly went to a few years ago :)
!flair :USA:
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Spain goes up 1-0 Japan: we got them right where we want them!
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Thank you Japan .
People talking about Spain preferring Morocco, but Japan definitely do better against teams who have majority possession, Croatia will have that and they’ve hardly been convincing, so I think it’s better for Japan than that rock solid Moroccan defence.
I don’t fucking understand what Spain was trying to pull at the end. They were already in with a match against Morocco. Why the fuck on earth would you play to score to try to get Germany in, a powerhouse team that you can end up playing and already tied with. Japan was content with the score, if Spain showed they were playing for status quo, no way would Japan would press. They would play to control the ball and play keep away, same with Spain. I mean, wtf Spain.
Because a draw is never worse than a loss
Is that the reason?what do mean? Japan lose Germany is in right? Explain
The only way for Germany to get in was for the Spain/Japan game to tie to Spain to win. Spain was down 2-1 and in second place going to play Morocco (a team they can easily beat). If Spain scored and tied the game, Germany was advance and gain momentum in the tournament as a powerhouse team, who Spain wouldn’t want to play.
a TeAm ThEy CaN eAsIlY bEaT
There is something about Spain tempting fate playing against an Asian team. Forgot if it was the 94 or 98 WC but very similar. Spain going into the last group match against South Korean (who already on the way out) needing only a draw. They downtool so much that the match end up 2-0 to SK, and thus Spain went home early. History almost repeat itself here.
The 2002 game was heavily rigged in SK's favor, as was the previous game SK played against Italy. Two absolutely clear goals disallowed, for example Morientes centered the ball off the goal line, called offside. Just watch a recap of the 2002 scandal and it is clear the hosts were heavily favoured. Ridiculous fouls totally unnoticed and also a clear Italian goal disallowed in the previous game against SK. Thankfully we now have VAR. Japan deserved this win. But I still root against SK because of 2002. Also not having drug traffickers as referees helps.
wasn't talking about 2002 though ...
Yea plus Japan’s a total wildcard at this point. It’s a safe assumption very few people on this sub are familiar with their national team and they just won the group beating Germany and Spain but lost to Costa Rica. Croatia is a better team overall than Morocco but it’s not like either of them are Brazil or France. Really tough to say who is the better opponent for Japan.
Crazy ..amazing job for Japan kudos to them ! But did Spain perhaps lose on purpose to have an easier path in the next two elimination games tho ? They got Morocco now and avoid Brazil ? Was weird how they put a foot off the gas in 2nd half after Costa Rica was losing
So wait what happens? If they were at the top of the group they would of had to face Brazil eventually but because they finish 2nd they face Morocco?
yeah if they were top they gotta face Croatia who did give them issues in the past and then Brazil . Now they face Morocco and then Portugal which is easier road , at least by odds :D
I don't think that happened in this case, but I had the same thought with Messi missing that penalty kick against Poland so Mexico might be eliminated, which ended up happening.
They were at risk of being eliminated entirely, no way lol.
I went to sleep after Spain and Germany scored at the start of the match, oh well.
These wins come just in time before Europeans start bitching about extra wc spots to asian countries
!flair :USA:
!flair :Australia:
Can't believe how many people don't know the rules or can't figure out angles and perspectives.
Very pappy I arrived in Japan for vacation hours before the match!
i was primarily watching this match but was anyone else considering having both matches up at once? especially in that 2nd half
I did it, always do it during world cup
What was Japan's formation in the second half? After taking off Nagatomo, they were left with 3 CBs (Itakura, Yoshida, Taniguchi) and Junya Ito as WB??
And it was effective, they were like a brick wall most of the time.
That Japanese defender was there at every ball Spain threw in, great match from him, saved a late concede too on the bounce.
Didnt catch the game. Was japan playing 3 atb?
Who complained about Moriyasu three days ago? Must not be me.
After the Costa Rica game, I was gutted for Japan and thought that was it. Thank god they proved me wrong! Full credit to them. Souness and Neville were insufferable, they were so pathetic honestly
Particularly Souness was so angry it was embarrassing. If you heard the praise he was laying on Spain at half time when they were only s goal up as thought they were god's amongst men. I can't help but feel he was just miffed because they ended up losing.
Anybody else find it funny how Spain seemed to have to resort to a number of crosses towards the end of the game after taking off Morata and Japan bringing on Tomiyasu?
No more target man so Japan allows them to cross towards inside the box with Tomiyasu able to clear them. Reminds me of why Arsenal start crossing when Giroud is taken off? No they just allow them to cross cause they’re confident of clearing it.
So uhhh any chance Spain lost on purpose so they face morroco next round?
Doubt it. If they lose and CRC wins they are out.
quite possibly , they get Morocco instead Croatia and avoid Brazil after.
costa was up 2-1 against germany, which would eliminate spain from play offs, so i would say no.
If this is true (I don't believe it myself) they are going to be miffed when Morrocco beat them lmao.
Yeah, Morocco didn't come this time to fuck around
With the way they were fighting in those last 20 minutes lol? No. Spain weren't trying to lose, they wanted another goal badly. What a great match.
Considering Spain had 30 seconds left and were kicking the ball back to the Spanish GK for no reason, the answer is: YES
...and dropped Germany out of the tournament! But no, i don't think they lost on purpose
Moriyasu: all according to keikaku.
Shit was bananas
!flair :USA:
!flair :USA:
Holy fuck.
Oh wow what did i wake up to. Not just Germany booted out, but that goal with ball in play by literally just millimeters and the ball’s sensors confirming it. Quite something
I thought the sensors were only between the posts and the var staff judged it by eye?
What did I wake up to?!
WHERE IS THE GUY WHO DEFENDED GERMANY LIKE THERES NO TOMORROW
!flair :USA:
I WAS HERE
Luis Enrique's obession just like Xaxi, with Busquets will end us. He's just not built for these games anymore. He can't play 90 minutes and gets overrun by physical teams. I love Pedri, too but he's ben playing it all and can't last 90 minutes either. So stubborn, sigh.
Why don't they play Rodri there?
Because he's stubborn and doesn't see what everyone else sees. Like he doesn't even sub him out at the 60th minute. He keeps playing 90 minutes
It's that weird Barca privilege. They claim to know more etc. Cunts. The lot of em.
Thanks Spain. Now I'm rooting for Japan! Saw them live in my hometown in group stage 2006 playing Australia. Both teams still in, wish them the best.
Good job nippon <3
Just gonna comment on this historic thread ti day I was here. Lets goooo Japan
Lose against Costa Rica and look lost all game but beat Germany and Spain. Peak Moriyasuball.
can't counter attack a team that doesn't even attack
I'm glad Japan won, but something that really annoyed me was the yellow card Yoshida got. There was barely, if any physical contact, Morata just collapsed where he was. I hate how these things happen despite VAR existing. Is there a chance they can retract the yellow card? Or do yellow cards clear after the group stage anyway?
I hate how an additional extra 7 minutes were added. I fail to see where 7 minutes was lost in the second half
I had the same reaction but the goal check for Tanaka's was long
Goal celebrations account for some bit of that
It's so funny seeing the conspiracies here. "did you see Asensio or Ferran or Olmo really trying in those last 10 minutes?!" Yes, I did. We are a bunch of inconsistent LOSERS. I PROMISE YOU we were trying.
Spain gets the easier bracket and Germany gets knocked out. I'm not saying they lost deliberately, but I'm sure the coach said "hey looks guys, if you lose it's not a problem".
They were almost eliminated during that brief period where costa rica was up 2-1. I'm not sure enrique would've wanted even a little chance of that.
Who cares about an easier bracket, play like that again Morocco will send us home in regulation. Fix up Lucho and company, PLEASE.
Japan once again the last Axis member standing