World Cup 2018

hope Uruguay send Ronaldo home next round

(23-06-2018 21:27 )babefan2012 Wrote:  Not watched too much if I’m honest but what I have seen hasn’t been that exciting. Too many defensive teams or to much possession based football with not real speed. So far I reckon there’s no real favourite, pretty much anyone of the top nations could win it.

My sentiments exactly.

So what do we do on Thursday? do we settle for a draw with Belgium hope our fair play is better - or do we go for it?

(25-06-2018 20:01 )papahet3969 Wrote:  hope Uruguay send Ronaldo home next round

The worst thing that can happen is if Suarez bites him, Ronaldo punches him, and they both get sent off!! I know it would ruin the game as a spectacle, but anything would be better than seeing that git cheat

all I can say is AFAIC : -

VAR = Very Atrocious Refereeing

I think VAR has improved the standard of the decisions in this World Cup above the norm overall. It needs to be there. Unfortunately it's use is only ever going to be as good as the man in the middle.

For me the one major thing that is wrong with VAR atm is FIFA's mad idea to make the ref visibly the ultimate responsibility for it. They have done this in an effort to maintain his authority but what is actually achieved is a weakening of it because it's too transparent that he is being influenced by the VAR team. It also makes it easier for players and crowd to pile artifical pressure on a poor referee making it and him look worse still. That is bad for the game.

Refreeing a game in modern times has always been a team effort, with the refree taking his linesman's word on some things. So why does he have to been seen to be checking this stuff and causing events like we saw last night?

Just have it like it is in rugby IIRC - only the ref can quietly ask for VAR to quickly check something. Then he follows their advice often without it being obvious to the players let alone the crowd. A decision needs to be quick and only giving the pen or card whatever if it is BLATANTLY obvious to VAR. Weak refrees are always going to be weak refrees VAR just makes them look worse; they should only receive its help if they ask for it. That wouldn't stop all pressure being exerted, but the decision to go to it wouldn't be out of his hands which is what creates most of situations like last night.

Instead you get the feeling FIFA are trying to do too much with the tech, too justify it's presence, and actually WANT the silly elements of theatre about the thing. As Lineker said it gives TV something to talk about; the drama is good for them in the moment even if it ultimately it may not be good for football. It's the wrong tack.

i think they should go for it as this is their 1st chance against decent side to show the rest of the teams what they are made of

(26-06-2018 02:13 )babelover48 Wrote:  So what do we do on Thursday? do we settle for a draw with Belgium hope our fair play is better - or do we go for it?

Well done to Alireza Beiranvand who saved Ronaldo's penalty in the 1-1 draw between Iran and Portugal. This man was once homeless and slept outside his local team's football stadium as he pursued his dream of being a footballer.

Uruguay's 3-0 win over Russia yesterday makes them the first team to win all 3 of their World Cup group games without conceding a goal since 1998 (when it was done by Argentina).

Love this