World Cup 2018

[AnkleBiter]

Pot one confirmed as Russia, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, Belgium, France, Portugal and Poland (!)

Not sure how Poland and even Argentina got in ahead of Spain after their qualifying campaigns but hey ho.

Play offs seeds are Italy, Switzerland, Croatia, Denmark vs Sweden, NI, ROI, Greece.

 

[St. Juste]

Just wondering what reaction he would receive from his home country, even more so if we met in the WC during his tenure?

The England job is one of the highest paying in world football, and with an association not exactly known for being being financially prudent in negotiating contracts. Likely won't even have stringent performance clauses.

Most managers would take it in a heartbeat. England had a fantastic coach in Capello,and it was still a disaster.

There's only so much a coach could do when the players are so limited.

Absolutely bonkers they chose to hire a manager who's crowing achievement was getting a team relegated, then being sacked, and still pay him 1.8m when he would have likely done it for half that.

As for Scotland, Cesare Prandelli has indicated he is interested which would be a fantastic appointment. We would likely need some rich fool to help fund it, like Trappatoni and Ireland. That lottery winning couple seem like a prime target.

 

[Adamhoward]

Im Brazil fan but this time fairly say French is better then Brazil. Good times for French football team. This time they have a lot of talent in their squad. They can claimant for world cup18 if they show their perfect skills. Hope for the best. Strong team destined for great things.

 

[Super_horns]

Good chance for both the Irish teams - they know how to go and get a result away from home keeping it tight and ROI have the 2nd leg at home which is key.

Of course Switzerland and Denmark are both very decent teams themselves so the Irish will need to be at their best.

Italy to edge past Sweden and Croatia to beat Greece?

 

[epic73]

Step 1: Injure Eriksen
Step 2: Win World Cup

 

[Liam_SWFC]

Can't see Northern Ireland beating the Swiss, the Republic have a good chance of beating Denmark if they can pull off their usual away performance, Croatia and Italy will win the other games I reckon. Some good ties there.

 

[Dirk]

Italy to edge past Sweden

I hope not. Everybody in Germany keeps fingers crossed for Sweden. The Netherlands already out of WC 2018 and with Italy too it would already be a good World Cup for us when both of our Arch rivals are out.

Heja Sverige

 

[SALTIRE]

I agree, no one likes Italy.

 

[epic73]

both of our Arch rivals are out.

What about the mighty Ireland who beat and drew you in Euro 2016 qualifying? Does the mighty Shane Long strike fear into your heart?

 

[Dirk]

What about the mighty Ireland who beat and drew you in Euro 2016 qualifying? Does the mighty Shane Long strike fear into your heart?

Come on, you know that we were already qualified for Euro when we lost to Ireland in one of the last 2 matches (I think) 0-1. Won't happen in a tournament.
Seriously: Ireland is no arch-rival, in fact we like the Irish. Not even England is an Arch rival. We respect both but it isn't the same like when we play against Netherlands and especially Italy. Some here (like me) even rate the Quarterfinal win in 2016 against Italy at the Euro higher than a (possible but given away) final berth against France.

 

[epic73]

Seriously: Ireland is no arch-rival, in fact we like the Irish.

You won't be saying that when we beat you in the World Cup final!

 

[Dirk]

You won't be saying that when we beat you in the World Cup final!

Ireland in a World Cup Final. In Rugby maybe

 

[mistermagic]

Actually wouldn't be that surprised if the Swedes knocked out Italy.
I do reckon all 4 seeds will progress though. Maybe Ireland can pull something off vs Denmark but NI won't do much against Switzerland I don't think.

 

[St. Juste]

I hope not. Everybody in Germany keeps fingers crossed for Sweden. The Netherlands already out of WC 2018 and with Italy too it would already be a good World Cup for us when both of our Arch rivals are out.

Heja Sverige

Bad news for the England fans who insist Argentina and Germany are their main rivals

Trust the Northern Irish and Ireland to get the easiest draws, would still expect both to go out. Hope Italy go through, bit unfortunate to draw Spain in qualifying.

Can you imagine a World Cup without Italy? Only happened once in 1958!

 

[SALTIRE]

Mane called up for Senegal's World Cup qualifier despite being injured...

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/oct/18/liverpool-sadio-mane-senegal-call-up-injury

 

[Adamhoward]

both of our Arch rivals are out.

Its a good news, but it is also true that both Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie will miss a lot.

 

[IpswichIan]

Italy will beaten Sweden.

 

[Benji]

Peru's captain Paolo Guerrero failed a drugs test after the Argentina game.

Libertadores FC

 

[SALTIRE]

 

[G.B]

Typical. Peruvian players are famous for their lack of professionalism and indiscipline. Not the first time Guerrero has been caught up in a scandal either, nor his possible replacement Pizarro. Should be thrown out the competition imo, the more respected and trustworthy New Zealanders being given a bye imvho. Better role models for the kids than those cheats from Peru and that. Bet they're all on the gear.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Peru's captain Paolo Guerrero failed a drugs test after the Argentina game.

Libertadores FC

30 day preliminary suspension for Paolo, it just seems weird that he'd be the one of all players to fail a drug test. He's the most professional of them all.

I still think we'll win but I dearly hope if we do qualify that he won't miss the WC.

 

[smat]

30 day preliminary suspension for Paolo, it just seems weird that he'd be the one of all players to fail a drug test. He's the most professional of them all.

I still think we'll win but I dearly hope if we do qualify that he won't miss the WC.

Forgive me for speaking plainly, but that man is no professional. He should be cast out of the game in disgrace.

 

[SALTIRE]

Yeah agreed there is no excuse for it.

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

Oh, so THAT'S what he was lacing his marmalade with. Now we know all Peruvians are wrong 'uns there truly is no doubt

Caught orange-handed: disgraced bear at centre of drugs storm.

 

[G.B]

Forgive me for speaking plainly, but that man is no professional. He should be cast out of the game in disgrace.

Well said.

During the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification season, a corruption and indiscipline scandal shook the national team as Peruvian journalists Jaime Bayly and Magaly Medina revealed that a series of Peru's most recognized players, including Claudio Pizarro, Andrés Mendoza, Santiago Acasiete, Paolo Guerrero, and Jefferson Farfán, were seen at nightclubs and parties only days before the team was scheduled to play qualifier matches. Several players were banned from playing for the national team while others were put under investigation.

Lib is lying again. This cheating scum scored 6 times as the cheating Peruvians cheated their way to a playoff spot btw. No option but to ban Peru imo, the integrity of the game is at stake here.

 

[Stevencc]

In G.B's opinion Peru are nothing short of a complete and utter disgrace as both a team and a country.

 

[Libertadores FC]

The trolls are well fueled today

The best part is they think they have a chance.

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

Yes, agree Libertadores FC. The trolls do seem to fancy their chances of EXPOSING MYRIAD PERUVIAN DRUG CHEATS and I think we ought to be supportive of their efforts in this regard.

 

[JimJams]

As if the worlds view of Peruvians couldn't get any lower, they somehow find a way.

 

[Vanni]

But seriously, this Peruvian chap is discovered to have cheated so why is he the only one who's punished? He helped his side gain an UNFAIR advantage in their group games, and there's not telling how many extra points Peru won with the blatant cheating of their capitano.

I think I speak for all you fine gentlemen when I say ban Peru and award their play off place to the 6th placed side instead. Truth be told I'd rather watch Chile and the genuine world class players they've got (Sanchez, Bravo, Vidal and Gary Medel) take part in Russia next year than a cheating side with no respect for the rules like Peru.