World Cup Quarter-Finals Thread.

[Corky]

It was a good idea (regarding the goalkeeper substitution). If Krul was the best penalty stopper in training, and could have the benefit of studying Costa Rica's penalties from their last shootout, while sitting on the bench with an Ipad, then it made perfect sense. Ferguson nearly did it in the 2005 FA Cup final, Tim Howard was warming up, and it looked like he would come on for the shootout (I think the commentator alluded to it), but Ferguson didn't gamble, and kept Carroll on instead. I've heard some say that Dave Beasant should have come on for Shilton in 1990 against Germany, was a better penalty stopper, and saved Aldridge's (who never missed) in the FA Cup final.

Seen it happen before on national TV. John Coleman did in the the FA Cup in 2003 (and won the shoot out) , and Martin O'Neill did it in the Div 1 play off final but Claridge scored 30 secs later.

But of course van Gaal is a genius for being the first person to do it.

 

[IrelandSuperman]

I'm not in uproar. I couldn't really care less. But I think it was a decision to manufacture a situation where he could be made out to look like some sort of master tactician.

In reality, they are both professional international goalkeepers who had an almost identical chance of guessing right and saving the odd penalty.

My feeling is that the substitution was all about the manager and his ego not increasing their chance of winning.

Glad I wasn't the only one who thought this. Low downsides with huge upsides as far as a good ego stroke was concerned. Even if they had one keeper saving penalties for a month, is it not better to use that sub to try and win the game in normal time/ET? Almost everything is out of your control as a manager when it goes to penalties.

They didn't need to use an extra sub because they were absolutely battering Costa Rica who could barely get out there own half.

Penalty's came and they used the better Keeper for penalty's. It wasn't about ego. It was using the right sub to help progress them further in the cup.

If they were battering Costa Rica they should have scored at least a couple during the 90 minutes.

 

[prestonibbo_mcfc]

Demichelis made all the difference to Argentina. Their defence finally looked good.
Still can't see them winning it as Messi will always drible rather than pass.

As to the QF games - the world cup has turned from a great one into a shit one overnight. Only one was any good as a spectacle (Brazil vs Columbia) the rest were awful games. Stage fright and laziness for the most part. How the fuck France and Belgium players reckon it's ok to do 'fuck all' when behind till the last 10 mins is beyond me.

Wouldn't say they've gone completely shit, but definitely dropped a notch or two. Hopefully the semis will pick up again,
and if the final is shit, I can find a stream of City v Dundee Utd somewhere ;-)

Is the game against Dundee utd before or after the game against Dundee?

Same time. We're that good ;-). Sorry got wrong team. Should have checked. Maybe next time before I post I can pm you it,
so you can proof read it for me.

 

[M14Exile]

Krul's 'gamesmanship' was scraping the barrel, really insulting and disrespectful to a gallant opponent. Doubt if an English keeper would stoop so low.

Who was it in the BBC studio praised his actions..... Ferdinand, Shearer, both??

Becoming increasingly apparent just how arrogant the Dutch are ( no doubt others on here have long been aware of this) - I hope Argentina wipe the floor with them.

Didn't he try it on with Balotelli the season before last?
Didn't faze Mario at all and Mario let him know.

 

[cibaman]

Krul's 'gamesmanship' was scraping the barrel, really insulting and disrespectful to a gallant opponent. Doubt if an English keeper would stoop so low.

Who was it in the BBC studio praised his actions..... Ferdinand, Shearer, both??

Becoming increasingly apparent just how arrogant the Dutch are ( no doubt others on here have long been aware of this) - I hope Argentina wipe the floor with them.

Didn't he try it on with Balotelli the season before last?
Didn't faze Mario at all and Mario let him know.

FIFA should instruct the ref that if the GK does that sort of stuff rather than walking to his line then the penalty taker should be allowed to take the kick. Krul would have looked a right idiot watching the ball roll into an empty net.

 

[MCFC-alan88]

If you can get in your opponents head in a QF penalty shootout and the taker doesn't have the bottle for it, he shouldn't be taking a penalty in the first place.

 

[eversince 76]

I'm Dutch, so probably biased.
Especially in England people and media seems to make a very big issueout of a keeper who simply tries to unsettle the penaltytaker by using a few harmless antics. Yes, maybe it's not what a gentleman and sportman should do.
We see poor fouls, diving, cheating, and play-acting on the pitch in the WC all the time. Much worse incidents than what Krul had been doing imo. When you take a penalty you need to control your nerves no matter the circumstances. If you can't, just leave it to a teammate that can. I'm sure that when Krul used the same antics vs Balotelli, it made the latter stronger and gave him reason to belittle Krul after he scored the penalty. That's the way to handle it. Than again, no better penaltytaker than Balotelli.

Anyways, Holland by far outplayed Costa Rica and fully deserved the win. Credit to Costa Rica who made it very hard and showed why they totally deserved to be in the QF on the day.

As for the Dutch team, I'm afraid Zab, MDM and Aguero (if he plays a part) will end the party in the Netherlands that on forehand nobody expected. And will end the adoration Van Gaal gets from the world that im iso beyond reality.

As for the other semi, I never support Germany, but it's hard to have any sympathy for Brasil with some of their players looking to be on drugs, the help of the referee and FIFA, and all the hystery that comes with their national team. Except for Fernandinho who I thought was terrific vs Colombia.

 

[01cravend]

Krul's 'gamesmanship' was scraping the barrel, really insulting and disrespectful to a gallant opponent. Doubt if an English keeper would stoop so low.

Who was it in the BBC studio praised his actions..... Ferdinand, Shearer, both??

Becoming increasingly apparent just how arrogant the Dutch are ( no doubt others on here have long been aware of this) - I hope Argentina wipe the floor with them.

Didn't he try it on with Balotelli the season before last?
Didn't faze Mario at all and Mario let him know.

FIFA should instruct the ref that if the GK does that sort of stuff rather than walking to his line then the penalty taker should be allowed to take the kick. Krul would have looked a right idiot watching the ball roll into an empty net.

What's wrong with trying to put the opposing player off?
Joe tried it against Italy in the Euros and failed miserably, but there's nothing wrong with trying

 

[cibaman]

Didn't he try it on with Balotelli the season before last?
Didn't faze Mario at all and Mario let him know.

FIFA should instruct the ref that if the GK does that sort of stuff rather than walking to his line then the penalty taker should be allowed to take the kick. Krul would have looked a right idiot watching the ball roll into an empty net.

What's wrong with trying to put the opposing player off?
Joe tried it against Italy in the Euros and failed miserably, but there's nothing wrong with trying

Possibly not, but there should be some downside. Let the penalty taker take the kick when he's ready then its up to the keeper to decide whether he wants to indulge in these mind games

 

[Barcon]

Didn't he try it on with Balotelli the season before last?
Didn't faze Mario at all and Mario let him know.

FIFA should instruct the ref that if the GK does that sort of stuff rather than walking to his line then the penalty taker should be allowed to take the kick. Krul would have looked a right idiot watching the ball roll into an empty net.

What's wrong with trying to put the opposing player off?
Joe tried it against Italy in the Euros and failed miserably, but there's nothing wrong with trying

Didn't he get booked for it?