***Football (soccer) Discussion***

[iDumb]

Originally Posted by aklemalp
Sometimes you really outdumb yourself.

USA not part of this WC

he is being sarcastic. He is picking on the wrong person. Defer him to me.. Aussie talking big on football - i hope they are aware not to touch the ball with their hand.

[Yankees]

Originally Posted by R0ssei
I just felt bad for Morocco as it was simply competing against almost a whole continent. Anyhoo, I finally can expect to watch a WC game live in Toronto stadium or smth. I wish Canada could host more than 10 games.

Moreover, Canada will get to play as a host nation. That's new. Hopefully, it will push this hockey-crazy nation to go forward with football.

Losing the bid was the best thing to happen to the people of Morocco. The amount of money they would have spent is nonsensical. Best thing about United bit is that all 3 countries already have facilities ready.

The only thing I don't like about this bid is that Canada has no business being in the world cup.

[aklemalp]

Originally Posted by iDumb
he is being sarcastic. He is picking on the wrong person. Defer him to me.. Aussie talking big on football - i hope they are aware not to touch the ball with their hand.

I knew. I do hope and sure that he read your comments.

I don't even like the US team even if they would have make it here.

I'm a perennial Brazil guy, because we share a border with them.

But I love the way Iceland got in.

[iDumb]

Originally Posted by aklemalp

I don't even like the US team even if they would have make it here.

.

I have put you in my shi& list.!!

Always support USA

[aklemalp]

Originally Posted by iDumb
I have put you in my shi& list.!!

Always support USA

Hahha

I love the Women's team though. Still no love?

[R0ssei]

Originally Posted by Yankees
Losing the bid was the best thing to happen to the people of Morocco. The amount of money they would have spent is nonsensical. Best thing about United bit is that all 3 countries already have facilities ready.

The only thing I don't like about this bid is that Canada has no business being in the world cup.

Almost any country would suffer from financial losses by hosting WC as FIFA takes away most of the earnings. Do you think that Morocco wasn't aware of it? Did FIFA push them to bid?

Re: Canada, no they don't have the facility to host WC. Yes, they can co-host few matches. And they aren't as bad as Bangladesh or smth in FIFA ranking neither as good as USA. However, soccer (not basketball, not hockey or baseball) is the most played sports in Canada. Every kid in school play soccer. Hence, I said, it's good thing for Canada.

[Jadukor]

De de 4ta khaoai deeee

[Yankees]

Originally Posted by R0ssei
Almost any country would suffer from financial losses by hosting WC as FIFA takes away most of the earnings. Do you think that Morocco wasn't aware of it? Did FIFA push them to bid?

Re: Canada, no they don't have the facility to host WC. Yes, they can co-host few matches. And they aren't as bad as Bangladesh or smth in FIFA ranking neither as good as USA. However, soccer (not basketball, not hockey or baseball) is the most played sports in Canada. Every kid in school play soccer. Hence, I said, it's good thing for Canada.

No FIFA didn't push them, but the people behind Morocco's bid - its government and its football governming body - all of whom are incentivized to think short term. A successful bid would do wonders for their career, at a severe cost to the nation.

Yes, all nations incur financial losses hosting, but some incur less. The cost for Canada, US, and Mexico is in the hundreds of millions range. For Morroco, it would be over 20 Billion. BIG difference.

Re: Canada. They actually do. They are hosting only 10 games across 3 stadiums. FIFA requires stadiums to host 40,000 minimum. I believe 2 of them can already host 60k+, and only one would need an upgrade. Much cheaper than Morocco literally building new stadiums.

Also, what you said doesn't change the fact that Canada still doesn't deserve to play based on merit. Even when it will expand to 48 teams, I doubt Canada would get in on merit.

[aklemalp]

Mesut Ozil retires from Germany citing racism after tensions over Turkish roots

Germany's Mesut Ozil announced his retirement from international football Sunday at the age of 29, citing racism and lashing out at the president of the German football federation.

The Arsenal midfielder will not add to his 92 caps, 23 goals and 40 assists for his country following political tensions regarding his Turkish roots and being dropped from the starting XI during this summer's World Cup as the defending champions crashed out in the group stage.

This is a very ugly situation.

http://www.espn.com/soccer/germany/s...-turkish-roots

[aklemalp]

2018 International Champions Cup

Juventus plays Bayern Munich tomorrow in Philadelphia.

No mention of Ronaldo in the lineup?

[aklemalp]

UEFA 2nd Qualifying round 1st leg also going on today

Greek team POAK Salonika takes on Swiss FC Basel

In just under 2 hours time.
In no way are these teams 'powerhouses'. The first time I'm learning about these two teams.

There are more games on today

Currently, Astana and Midtjlland are tied 1-1 in the final minutes

[aklemalp]

And goalll..stoppage time goal for Astana, by László Kleinheisler...

and it's all over

Astana wins 2-1

[aklemalp]

Next game up is:

CFR Cluj versus Malmo FF

Starting in less than 2 minutes time

[tonmoy.dhaka]

Originally Posted by aklemalp
UEFA 2nd Qualifying round 1st leg also going on today

Greek team POAK Salonika takes on Swiss FC Basel

In just under 2 hours time.
In no way are these teams 'powerhouses'. The first time I'm learning about these two teams.

There are more games on today

Currently, Astana and Midtjlland are tied 1-1 in the final minutes

I thought I was the biggest soccer fan inside this cricket forum, but you are few steps ahead of me... I dont remember ever following the qualification round for Champions league involving teams from Sweden Switzerland etc
Kudos bro.. keep it up..
Want Basel to do well, both Shaqiri and Salah (LFC wingers) are products of Basel

[aklemalp]

Originally Posted by tonmoy.dhaka
I thought I was the biggest soccer fan inside this cricket forum, but you are few steps ahead of me... I dont remember ever following the qualification round for Champions league involving teams from Sweden Switzerland etc
Kudos bro.. keep it up..
Want Basel to do well, both Shaqiri and Salah (LFC wingers) are products of Basel

The WC came and left, and left me wanting more...So I decided to start somewhere. Bit disappointed though that we are not having more football conversations in this thread.

[tonmoy.dhaka]

Originally Posted by aklemalp
The WC came and left, and left me wanting more...So I decided to start somewhere. Bit disappointed though that we are not having more football conversations in this thread.

I am not a fan of international football (I actually really hate it). Unlike many here, I am glad that world cup is over and now club football is about to start. Liverpool is my favorite team and they are playing a pre season friendly tonight in USA against Manchester city (8pm Canadian time).
Manchester United is also playing a pre season game against AC Milan today. Would be an interesting night (11 pm ).

[aklemalp]

Fantastic game.

Arsenal v Chelsea

[aklemalp]

What a goal from Dembele

[Tausif]

0-3 loss for ManU today, 2 losses so far. Mourinho sacking in the coming days at this rate. Or he will resign before that.

[tonmoy.dhaka]

As a liverpool fan I hope Mourinho is never sacked..

[Roey Haque]

^ It will be shocking if Liverpool manages to be consistent given their pedigree in recent years. Though, I do think Klopp is a tremendous coach!

Man Utd on the other hand compete with themselves only. Mourinho will be sacked if he can't get the 2nd spot after achieving it last season. That's how self critical Man Utd is. And all this talk about 2nd, because Man City is achieving some historical things recently, with their record season last year.

[tonmoy.dhaka]

Originally Posted by Roey Haque
^ It will be shocking if Liverpool manages to be consistent given their pedigree in recent years. Though, I do think Klopp is a tremendous coach!

Man Utd on the other hand compete with themselves only. Mourinho will be sacked if he can't get the 2nd spot after achieving it last season. That's how self critical Man Utd is. And all this talk about 2nd, because Man City is achieving some historical things recently, with their record season last year.

As long as Klopp is with the club, I can only see LFC improving every year. If you look at the team Klopp managed in his first game in charge of LFC and compare that with the team now, you will know how much Klopp has improved the team. He achieved this by only spending NET 109 million pounds in 2+ seasons.

I expect LFC to compete for CL this season. Atleti is the favorite in my opinion (not real , barca or bayern) and Juventus is the second favorite.

[Tausif]

[tonmoy.dhaka]

Mancity got the easiest group possible.

Barca got a tough group for a change

LFC and United will have a tough time to qualify from the group..

[Tausif]

Napoli have Ancelotti as their new coach who is known to be CL 'specialist'. Won't be surprised if his team knocks out PSG or Liverpool in group stages to advance.