OT: Saturday World Cup Open Thread
Knockout Round kicks off today. No more of that group nonsense, win or go home at this point.
All South American battles today. Winners will meet in the quarterfinals on July 4th.
12:00 PM EDT - Brazil vs. Chile (ABC)
4:00 PM EDT - Colombia vs. Uruguay (ABC)
Chile: Bravo (c), Mena, Isla, Silva, Sanchez, Vidal, Vargas, Medel, Jara, Aranguiz, Dias
Chile's offense is going to give the Brazil backline fits. Luiz, Marcelo, and Alves are going to need a lot of protection when they make their runs. I think this game should be very exciting to watch.
Didn't go so well their first game. Costa Rica didn't mind though.
playing for a draw either, since the group rounds are over. Tied at the end of regulation? Match goes to OT.
With all 4 teams today being from South America, I doubt very many TV's will be tuned in to anything other than the World Cup on the entire continent.
But mostly because I like seeing the Colombian team dance to celebrate.
Exactly. Besides the US, I'm really pulling for the Columbians to do well.
Yeah, they're my favorite Ivy
At work today. Thank goodness for the Tunein Radio App :-)
I don't see how Brazil beats Chile. They haven't performed well. Also, belated congrats to the US on making it out of a very difficult group. Klinsmann has done an exceptional job tactically with a group of players that weren't ostensibly as talented as their counterparts in the group. Jones and Howard have put in great performances--Jones in particular should be in the Fifa Tournament team (probably 2nd team) based on his performances. If Ghana had half the tactical nous and team unity this US team demonstrated, they would be perennial AFCON winners and World Cup dark horses. Very disgraceful end to the tournament for my team.
Anyways, I think Chile's pressing, with Vidal holding down the mid against Oscar, will overwhelm Brazil--unless Brazil wakes up and performs to their level and talent. Should be an excellent game.
Toss in the team colors and it looks quite festive. Wow, listening to the national anthems is electifying! It would be great to be there today...
These FIFA regulations about the length of the anthems seem pointless. They're just going to keep singing regardless.
Almost time for me to watch Fred and Neymar dive repeatedly.
It's Brazil, they'll get the calls too.
The Brazilians are almost yelling their national athlem
He would be reffing in a Brazil jersey if Alex Ferguson was there manager.
should be "their" not there. World Cup Grammar
This atmosphere sounds amazing.
has a boo-boo
Neymar got treatment for a foul and limping around the field a lot.
For those who weren't keeping track already, Nate Silver did update his site to estimate projected win probabilities in the knockout stage now. Today, for example, you have Brazil being given 82% agains Chile and Colombia getting 69% against Uruguay. Brazil is still his favorite to win at 41%, with the Argentina and Germany coming in at 18% and 11% respectively.
Wow! Hulk looking for that one.
non-call
Brazil looking for fouls all of a sudden.
Chile need to keep their composure.
A bit uphill for the Chileans
Neymar is such a bitch.
He's recieving more physical abuse from his own ridiculous dives than from challenging players
Neymar is a freaking whiney embellisher. Great player but damn that is annoying as hell as many times as he's flopped around on the ground already.
GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLL
Game is so open now. Suits Chile well.
I LOVE the way these two teams keep it moving.
It's fast-break versue fast-break.
That's a quality goal. Brazilian keeper should have played that better.
Brazilian back 4 is not impressive.
Sad because the keeper is actually seemingly one of the only likeable guys on the Brazilian side. Wouldn't mind seeing him do well, but I want Brazil to lose.
They're backline seems to be playing well, but thier midfielders seem lost helping in defense. All they care about is pushing forward.This is what is so nice about a player like Beckerman because you know exactly where he is going to be.
Marcelo is having a crappy first half.
He really just needs to get angry