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Post by dai on Nov 15, 2021 11:02:23 GMT
If you actually look at their squad, Portugal have a better team now than as far as I can remember. It's better than the one in 2016 and better than the one in 2004 too. They have one of the best centre backs in the world in Reuben Dias, one of the best right backs in Jao Cancelo. They have really good deep-lying midfield options in the likes of Ruben Neves, Carvalho, Danilo, and world class attacking midfield / forward players in ronaldo, bruno fernandes, bernado silva, and other excellent payers in jao felix and jota. They have reams of quality, technically gifted players. It's certainly not clicking at the moment, but make no mistake that they are still a top side. They also have a very conservative coach and tactical set up, which means they're really difficult to break down. Let's not forget how much we struggle against those types of sides. If we drew them away, I would put our chances of beating them at less than 10%. It would be the worst possible draw. Bloody hell, are you trying to take my title as Mr Doom and Gloom of Apostle? |
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Post by iot on Nov 15, 2021 11:07:06 GMT
Right! Tough ask fair play The more I think about it the tougher it is! I don't know if any of the South American sides would qualify if they had to be entered into the European qualifying whereas I'm confident that at least two of the second placed sides would get through South American qualifying. These debates have been had throughout the footballing world ever since the world cup was established. It's no doubt true that there are far more quality teams in Europe, but the counterargument is that we already have a tournament specifically for Europe and a world cup should include a good balance of teams from around the world. You have to remember, despite all the corruption, FIFA is an organisation that includes representatives from every country who have equal voting rights as they should. Europe makes up how much of it - 20-30% maybe? Any changes to the world cup are voted on by the whole membership, as it should. Why would it be in the interest of other confederations to allow more spaces for Europe? Fair enough if you think it's unfair, but how would you propose to change things? Who gets to make these decisions, if it' not done on an equal basis among all members? It's a pointless debate to be honest |
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Post by iot on Nov 15, 2021 11:10:22 GMT
If you actually look at their squad, Portugal have a better team now than as far as I can remember. It's better than the one in 2016 and better than the one in 2004 too. They have one of the best centre backs in the world in Reuben Dias, one of the best right backs in Jao Cancelo. They have really good deep-lying midfield options in the likes of Ruben Neves, Carvalho, Danilo, and world class attacking midfield / forward players in ronaldo, bruno fernandes, bernado silva, and other excellent payers in jao felix and jota. They have reams of quality, technically gifted players. It's certainly not clicking at the moment, but make no mistake that they are still a top side. They also have a very conservative coach and tactical set up, which means they're really difficult to break down. Let's not forget how much we struggle against those types of sides. If we drew them away, I would put our chances of beating them at less than 10%. It would be the worst possible draw. Bloody hell, are you trying to take my title as Mr Doom and Gloom of Apostle? Ha, I just think people are a bit off in their understanding of where Portugal are at. The consensus seems to be that they're in decline, whereas they're actually on the up on the basis of the caliber of their players. They're just not playing well, and people have assumed it's because the players aren't as good, but it's not. Also we have to remember who we play / don't play well against, and Portugal ticks all the wrong boxes in that regard. On the bright side, we'll only have a 1/6 chance of drawing them if we're unseeded and I fancy our chances against the other sides a lot more. |
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Post by cymro on Nov 15, 2021 11:10:29 GMT
You also just know that big game Ronaldo will step up big time for a one off knockout game!
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Post by allezlesrouges on Nov 15, 2021 13:04:14 GMT
Right! Tough ask fair play The more I think about it the tougher it is! I don't know if any of the South American sides would qualify if they had to be entered into the European qualifying whereas I'm confident that at least two of the second placed sides would get through South American qualifying. You also have to consider the conditions the South American qualifiers are in though. The easiest away game on paper is Bolivia, but you have to play that at 3000m altitude. Then you have Ecuador, Colombia & Venezuela who all have ridiculous humidity and heat. Ecuador playing in Quito is especially difficult because it's also at altitude and can be hot and humid at the same time All of that is without even playing the top 3 teams, Brazil, Argentina & Uruguay, who will give you the toughest football matches There's a reason teams like Uruguay are so battle hardened, and their qualifiers are that reason. They are a real gauntlet of circumstances and conditions |
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Post by jbt95 on Nov 15, 2021 13:38:40 GMT
The more I think about it the tougher it is! I don't know if any of the South American sides would qualify if they had to be entered into the European qualifying whereas I'm confident that at least two of the second placed sides would get through South American qualifying. You also have to consider the conditions the South American qualifiers are in though. The easiest away game on paper is Bolivia, but you have to play that at 3000m altitude. Then you have Ecuador, Colombia & Venezuela who all have ridiculous humidity and heat. Ecuador playing in Quito is especially difficult because it's also at altitude and can be hot and humid at the same time All of that is without even playing the top 3 teams, Brazil, Argentina & Uruguay, who will give you the toughest football matches There's a reason teams like Uruguay are so battle hardened, and their qualifiers are that reason. They are a real gauntlet of circumstances and conditions It is a joke they are getting 6 auto berths from 2026 onward though. |
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Post by yanto on Nov 15, 2021 16:58:15 GMT
Right! Tough ask fair play Indeed, its like going into another campaign but with only good teams. It will be quite some achievement if we do it. Not sure how much gap there is between the semi and final? If its only a few days then I think we are fucked. Mind getting through tomorrow without suspensions will be a miracle.... |
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Post by rioonamazy on Nov 15, 2021 17:25:46 GMT
24.25 March then 28.29.
On one hand if we have a fit squad they should last 4 days.
It's a draw for the final game to see who gets home advantage. Which will be massive. I'd fancy us a home against Swiss Swe Tur etc but away I'd fear the worse.
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Post by cynonvalley on Nov 15, 2021 17:55:22 GMT
You also just know that big game Ronaldo will step up big time for a one off knockout game! Score at like 90+7 |
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Post by eppingblue1 on Nov 15, 2021 18:17:30 GMT
We've given ourselves a fighting chance of being on the right side of the draw. We've got to take it. By the end of the night I think the chances of Italy being ion the play offs are more than 50 - 50. I think Ill watch the Swiss demolish the Bulgarians. Another cracking night coming up I think.
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Post by iot on Nov 15, 2021 18:39:57 GMT
We Global Football estimate a 74% chance of us getting a seeded spot if we draw with Belgium.
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Post by cymro on Nov 15, 2021 20:23:26 GMT
1-0 Scotland. They're up for it.
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Post by manulike on Nov 15, 2021 20:24:48 GMT
surely that 74% chance drops to zero if Scotland hang on to their 1-0 lead.
Denmark dont look interested...
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Post by welwyn on Nov 15, 2021 20:34:36 GMT
surely that 74% chance drops to zero if Scotland hang on to their 1-0 lead. Denmark dont look interested... If Poland lose? |
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Post by welshrover on Nov 15, 2021 20:36:35 GMT
surely that 74% chance drops to zero if Scotland hang on to their 1-0 lead. Denmark dont look interested... That's why we have to take care of our own business. That Estonia game is definitely gonna come back to haunt us. |
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Post by fiveattheback on Nov 15, 2021 20:36:40 GMT
Poland losing is good for us right?
Hopefully Denmark aren't as dreadful in the second half
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30yearwait
the carls
No longer waiting !! Dim yn aros rhagor !!
Posts: 59
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Post by 30yearwait on Nov 15, 2021 20:36:54 GMT
Poland losing at home to Hungary. They would then finish on 14 points so a draw for us v Belguim would out us ahead of them. Long way to go
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Post by iot on Nov 15, 2021 20:37:53 GMT
It's not going well at all, with the Italy switzerland group on a knife-edge too! The only silver lining is hungary beating Poland. If you take away results against San Marino, Poland are on 14 but have a far superior goal difference to us (+9 vs +5). SO a draw would take us above them, a loss would mean we're below them
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Post by welwyn on Nov 15, 2021 20:41:12 GMT
It's not going well at all, with the Italy switzerland group on a knife-edge too! The only silver lining is hungary beating Poland. If you take away results against San Marino, Poland are on 14 but have a far superior goal difference to us (+9 vs +5). SO a draw would take us above them, a loss would mean we're below them Remember, we need to draw to beat the Czechs realistically anyway. |
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Post by welshrover on Nov 15, 2021 20:49:17 GMT
As a fan of an "underdog" club and country team, someone who hates seedings and someone who likes to see all teams given an equal chance I never thought I would hear myself say this but even I am now of the persuasion that there should be some sort of pre tournament for the minnow nations and an evening up of the groups so that all the groups contain the same amount of teams.
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Post by quetzal on Nov 15, 2021 20:56:36 GMT
This is mouthwatering!!! It’s great to be involved. I’m loving it. We’ve craved this for years. Exciting times. Enjoy it.
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Post by welwyn on Nov 15, 2021 20:58:44 GMT
Am I right in thinking that, as things stand, Italy are an UNSEEDED team in the play-offs?
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Post by welshrover on Nov 15, 2021 20:59:21 GMT
The Swiss have scored now, puts Italy in the play offs!
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Post by quetzal on Nov 15, 2021 21:00:34 GMT
Am I right in thinking that, as things stand, Italy are an UNSEEDED team in the play-offs? Brilliant isn’t it. Lets enjoy these times |
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Post by welshrover on Nov 15, 2021 21:00:50 GMT
Am I right in thinking that, as things stand, Italy are an UNSEEDED team in the play-offs? Wouldn't think so, 16 points in a five team group so none to deduct. |
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Post by hal on Nov 15, 2021 21:01:01 GMT
Am I right in thinking that, as things stand, Italy are an UNSEEDED team in the play-offs? No they have 16 points as it stands. Will be enough for play offs |
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Post by insertname on Nov 15, 2021 21:03:42 GMT
The only worry with Portugal is getting ridden by the ref and Ronaldo doing Ronaldo things. Other than that, Serbia were miles ahead of them as an outfit from the games against us, we were absolutely hammered by Serbia in Dublin and fluked our way to a draw, whereas on the balance of play you could argue we should've had at least 4 points off Portugal over the two games. Obviously you want to avoid Portugal just because of the quality they have across the board but I don't think it's an unwinnable game for Wales if that draw happens. They are quite pedestrian at times, and there are plenty mistakes in the keeper and defence in my opinion. Good point that- you just know that if Wales played Portugal the ref would only be interested in reffing one team. Operating on some subconscious bollocks about “the World Cup needs big teams like Portugal in it”. It will be the same for whoever plays any of the other traditional WC qualifiers |
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Post by welwyn on Nov 15, 2021 21:04:01 GMT
Oh, I miscounted, thought there were 6 teams in that group so was automatically taking 6 off!
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Post by jimexotic on Nov 15, 2021 21:04:15 GMT
This is pretty mad, back to back Euros and now a real chance of World Cup qualification, I hope we produce a brilliant performance tomorrow night
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Post by welshrover on Nov 15, 2021 21:08:30 GMT
Poland equalise. I think we are destined for the unseeded part, let's hope the boys can pull it out of the hat tomorrow night.
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