GROUP H - Poland, Senegal, Colombia, Japan

[TheBigIguana]

That's rubbish like, but lets just say you are right....

They qualified, Senegal didn't, they did what they had to do to go through in the third game and were probably not the least bit bothered about entertaining you or "Lawro" or anyone else for that matter. Job done.

It's not about entertainment it's about fairness and both them and Poland took the last 15 minutes off so that Senegal would go out. To me that stinks. Coupled with how fortunate they were to begin with I just can't remember a team less deserving making it through

 

[TheBigIguana]

Haha what is wrong with that pit producing inbreds. On the match Murphy said "they should come up with a better formula, like ermm shots on target... Or... Oh I dunno".

What an utter thicko. Imagine a team chipping balls to the keeper from the half way line for 30 mins so they go through and hiring a dubious shots on target committee to determine if every single slot is on target. They're both so thick, there's nothing wrong with fair play being a separator.

The fair play thing is weird because different refs do different things but honestly I don't have a better idea. Also this tournament has seen clear dives go mostly unpunished which could tilt it differently. Again it's just a weird thing with no good fix I don't think

 

[Rook]

Sucks for Senegal, if only you had a player who has a knack for late goals.

 

[Papa Shango]

It's not about entertainment it's about fairness and both them and Poland took the last 15 minutes off so that Senegal would go out. To me that stinks. Coupled with how fortunate they were to begin with I just can't remember a team less deserving making it through

Fairness?

Everyone works to the same rules from the beginning of the tournament. Poland had nothing to do with it. If Senegal wanted to go through then they should have got a point against Colombia then shouldn't they? Senegal's destiny was in their own hands right to the very end and they failed. How is it not fair?

As for a less deserving team making it through, I don't even know where to start with that. They beat a very decent Colombia side (red card or not) and fought back twice against Senegal in a game where they were the better side. This gave them the benefit of being able to take their foot off the gas in the final game (even though it was a bit risky).

 

[TheBigIguana]

Fairness?

Everyone works to the same rules from the beginning of the tournament. Poland had nothing to do with it. If Senegal wanted to go through then they should have got a point against Colombia then shouldn't they? Senegal's destiny was in their own hands right to the very end and they failed. How is it not fair?

As for a less deserving team making it through, I don't even know where to start with that. They beat a very decent Colombia side (red card or not) and fought back twice against Senegal in a game where they were the better side. This gave them the benefit of being able to take their foot off the gas in the final game (even though it was a bit risky).

I don't think it's fair that they were able to keep their goal difference in tact by not actually playing the last 20 minutes of the Poland game because both teams stopped. Remember Senegal was up 2-0 and conceded with 3 minutes left vs Poland. What if that game ended like Japan's did?

I also think that without hugely important moments that had almost nothing to do with their ability (Sanchez being an idiot) they would comfortably have finished last in the group.

Clearly you disagree with both of these points and that's fine. I expect it won't really matter once the Belgians get through with them

 

[Zezti]

 

[Kev The Rat]

I don't think it's fair that they were able to keep their goal difference in tact by not actually playing the last 20 minutes of the Poland game because both teams stopped. Remember Senegal was up 2-0 and conceded with 3 minutes left vs Poland. What if that game ended like Japan's did?

I also think that without hugely important moments that had almost nothing to do with their ability (Sanchez being an idiot) they would comfortably have finished last in the group.

Clearly you disagree with both of these points and that's fine. I expect it won't really matter once the Belgians get through with them

its not as simple as you make out. If they were under pressure to score, might Japan not have actually done that as they would have taken a different, more attacking approach? The truth is they werent under pressure, they made a choice, and were in a position to make that choice. Senegal should have scored more goals earlier in the tournament, or conceded fewer and they would have had the same liberty.

 

[TheBigIguana]

its not as simple as you make out. If they were under pressure to score, might Japan not have actually done that as they would have taken a different, more attacking approach? The truth is they werent under pressure, they made a choice, and were in a position to make that choice. Senegal should have scored more goals earlier in the tournament, or conceded fewer and they would have had the same liberty.

They didn't have the liberty of playing a 70 minute game because they're opponent didn't quit. It's just as much an indictment of Poland as Japan

 

[Kev The Rat]

They didn't have the liberty of playing a 70 minute game because they're opponent didn't quit. It's just as much an indictment of Poland as Japan

you may be on to something regarding Poland - Japan were entitled to put everyone behind the ball. But then Poland were already winning the game, on what grounds should they seek more goals when they were clearly under no pressure themselves?

 

[TheBigIguana]

you may be on to something regarding Poland - Japan were entitled to put everyone behind the ball. But then Poland were already winning the game, on what grounds should they seek more goals when they were clearly under no pressure themselves?

On the grounds that as competitors they should do the sporting thing and put in similar effort through all the games since goal difference is a thing that matters. I guess at the end of the day they can settle for their win but the whole thing feels wrong to me

 

[obc]

Fiesta Mode engaged. Ran into other Colombians at the bar watching the match. Bought a round of quality Peruvian craft to celebrate Mina's header. Hope to have Fiesta Mode engaged again shortly.