Round of 16: Belgium vs Japan

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

Hopefully Marufuji will be Japan with Kobashi being Belgium...

 

[Rook]

Fully expecting a Japanese triumph tonight, this ageing Belgian backline will be found out against the pace of Japan.

dunno why you'd play a high press w/o Oziaki. dude is a pest and a decent finisher too.

 

[Tin-Tin]

Anyone else praying for a Courtois clanger?

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

Who said he is one now?

Well, he's managing the team with possibly the best chance to win the World Cup, so that counts for something

 

[Deleted member 28206]

Seven Nation Army?

No

 

[ilikecheese]

That's a pen.

 

[tsubaki]

This is perhaps a weird thing to say but you really have to admire what the Japanese football authorities have done since 1996, in terms of developing the game and improving / promoting homegrown players and without spending that much money on aging foreigners. The contrast with the Chinese, some of the Middle Eastern states and even the US is massive.

They must be one of the few honest and competent FAs in the world.

 

[Rook]

I've mostly defended Bawb in this tourney but as far as Witsel goes, I got nothin.

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

This is perhaps a weird thing to say but you really have to admire what the Japanese football authorities have done since 1996, in terms of developing the game and improving / promoting homegrown players and without spending that much money on aging foreigners. The contrast with the Chinese, some of the Middle Eastern states and even the US is massive.

They must be one of the few honest and competent FAs in the world.

Embedded in their culture innit (If we ignore the Yakuza of course)

 

[N.S.N.O.]

Fully expecting a Japanese triumph tonight, this ageing Belgian backline will be found out against the pace of Japan.

Don't think their ages are a problem (in their prime for centre backs) Vertonghen is 31, kompany 32 and Alderweireld only 29....their problem defensively is their manager

 

[Azza]

Why didn't Martinez just start Fellaini and throw balls into him constantly. He'd dominate the Japanese back 4.

 

[Tin-Tin]

Lukaku in the mood.

 

[Deleted member 28206]

Rom?

 

[tsubaki]

that is a magnificent challenge on Rom

 

[paulbefc]

Lukaku looking very good.