*Official* Knockout Stages

[shivfan]

There are some tasy quarter-finals coming up....

Germany vs Argentina and Holland vs Brazil.

 

[Uppercut]

In the land of the rising sun it's hard to gauge the feeling heading into tonight's match. Noone at my workplace has mentioned it.

What do others think? I reckon Japan has a chance if they move the ball around with pace and remain tight at the back.

I don't imagine it'll be a classic. Since both sides are quite a bit stronger in defence than attack it could just be a matter of who manages to nab a goal from somewhere first.

Paraguay have a slight technical and physical edge, as well as a bit more experience, so they have to be favourites. But it's close. Might have a punt on Japan to go through at 6/4.

 

[wpdavid]

I don't imagine it'll be a classic. Since both sides are quite a bit stronger in defence than attack it could just be a matter of who manages to nab a goal from somewhere first.

Paraguay have a slight technical and physical edge, as well as a bit more experience, so they have to be favourites. But it's close. Might have a punt on Japan to go through at 6/4.

If the Denmark game is anything to go by, Japan might just nick it at a set piece.
As you say, it's hard to see many goals though. Probably the least enticing game in the last 16.

 

[wpdavid]

There are some tasy quarter-finals coming up....

Germany vs Argentina and Holland vs Brazil.

Yes, the tourny's warming up nicely. Ghana vs Uruguay could be fascinating too.

 

[Mr Casson]

Fair strike from Matsui!

 

[Days of Grace]

This Matsui fellow is quite a player. Excellent break down the right-side to set up a shot from Honda. Their the dynamic pair that Japan relies so much on, it seems.

 

[social]

Really hope Japan wins

They have very passionate fans, the team is generally not cynical at all + the fact that we beat them in the playoffs means that we have some level of bragging rights

 

[R_D]

I hope Japan win as well....

 

[silentstriker]

I've never watched a penalty shootout live. Hopefully it gets to that. I can't imagine how it'd be for the fans.

 

[R_D]

I've never watched a penalty shootout live. Hopefully it gets to that. I can't imagine how it'd be for the fans.

Its fun to watch.. as long as the team you are supporting isn't involved.

 

[grecian]

Oh just cut to the pens please.

 

[R_D]

Foz is too sanctimonious for my taste. Has some decent moments, but the thoughts on the style of play and the whole "football is the only sport in the world worth watching and you're a fool if you don't agree" thing he has going gets old.

you put that nicely......
These are things that annoy me about him as well .
He does talk sense every now and than.

 

[benchmark00]

Is it called the knockout stage because it puts you to sleep?

 

[grecian]

Is it called the knockout stage because it puts you to sleep?

Hey, this has been the only lousy match, so far. Mind you it is a ****ing stinker, two teams frightened to lose.

 

[R_D]

Yeah..... first crap match of knockout stages.... I hope it does go to penalty shoot out

 

[The Sean]

Really difficult to see it going any other way.

 

[silentstriker]

Wow Japan almost had it.

 

[The Sean]

Yep, I reckon that was the best (and probably only) real chance they're going to get.

 

[The Sean]

And penalties it is.

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

Yep, I reckon that was the best (and probably only) real chance they're going to get.

Reckon they'll get about five or so chances in the coming minutes...