The Official 2014 FIFA World Cup Thread

[Auremena]

Klinsmann announces again that the US has no chance of winning the World Cup.
While I agree that is true, that's the last thing the players want to read in the morning paper, that your coach has no hope for you. I know it'd make me give up all hope.
Thoughts?

...what.

Do you have a link for this? Can you give me it whilst I prepare my torch and pitchfork?

Honestly I don't know what you're expecting. Germany is too strong, Portugal, if they lose Ronaldo to injury, may be beatable, as they looked very lacklustre versus Greece and Mexico, but I still wouldn't count on it, and Ghana is fired up, wanting to make another group stage exit, and will capitalise if they can find room.
Defensively, the US has got astrange setup. Johnson plays for Hoffenheim as a left back but is capable of being on the right, but Cameron really should be on the right, not as a centre back.
Honestly unless that Ghananian witch doctor really did put a curse on Reus and Ronaldo, we all knew the results of that group from the draw. Group D is far more unpredictable.

[Yellow Yellow Red]

...what.

Do you have a link for this? Can you give me it whilst I prepare my torch and pitchfork?

Honestly I don't know what you're expecting. Germany is too strong, Portugal, if they lose Ronaldo to injury, may be beatable, as they looked very lacklustre versus Greece and Mexico, but I still wouldn't count on it, and Ghana is fired up, wanting to make another group stage exit, and will capitalise if they can find room.
Defensively, the US has got astrange setup. Johnson plays for Hoffenheim as a left back but is capable of being on the right, but Cameron really should be on the right, not as a centre back.
Honestly unless that Ghananian witch doctor really did put a curse on Reus and Ronaldo, we all knew the results of that group from the draw. Group D is far more unpredictable.

No - ESPN says that Klinsmann announces that the US have no chance. Klinsmann's real wording was that it would be "unrealistic" to expect the USA to win. There's a distinction there, and it's a significant one.

[Nazis in Space]

[...]Honestly unless that Ghananian witch doctor really did put a curse on Reus and Ronaldo, we all knew the results of that group from the draw. Group D is far more unpredictable.

Since Reus wont go to Brazil, that's a non-issue.

That aside, though, Portugal has been pretty poor for a while, and Germany is distinctly mediocre. I wouldn't bet money on Germany winning the group, nor on Portugal qualifying for the next round. It's really not that hopeless. Competitive, yes. But not hopeless.

[Cata Larga]

[...]Honestly unless that Ghananian witch doctor really did put a curse on Reus and Ronaldo, we all knew the results of that group from the draw. Group D is far more unpredictable.

Since Reus wont go to Brazil, that's a non-issue.

That aside, though, Portugal has been pretty poor for a while, and Germany is distinctly mediocre. I wouldn't bet money on Germany winning the group, nor on Portugal qualifying for the next round. It's really not that hopeless. Competitive, yes. But not hopeless.

Agreed. If the US pulls a surprise, we could make it out of the group.

And promptly get crushed by Brazil or Spain.

[Yellow Yellow Red]

[...]Honestly unless that Ghananian witch doctor really did put a curse on Reus and Ronaldo, we all knew the results of that group from the draw. Group D is far more unpredictable.

Since Reus wont go to Brazil, that's a non-issue.

That aside, though, Portugal has been pretty poor for a while, and Germany is distinctly mediocre. I wouldn't bet money on Germany winning the group, nor on Portugal qualifying for the next round. It's really not that hopeless. Competitive, yes. But not hopeless.

Is it a non-issue - or does it mean that this witch doctor knows what he's doing? One down, one to go.

#spooky

[Cata Larga]

Since Reus wont go to Brazil, that's a non-issue.

That aside, though, Portugal has been pretty poor for a while, and Germany is distinctly mediocre. I wouldn't bet money on Germany winning the group, nor on Portugal qualifying for the next round. It's really not that hopeless. Competitive, yes. But not hopeless.

Is it a non-issue - or does it mean that this witch doctor knows what he's doing? One down, one to go.

#spooky

Mother of God.

[Priory Academy USSR]

Klinsmann announces again that the US has no chance of winning the World Cup.
While I agree that is true, that's the last thing the players want to read in the morning paper, that your coach has no hope for you. I know it'd make me give up all hope.
Thoughts?

If the US had any thoughts that they might win the World Cup, then they really needed a wake-up call. They've been put in probably the hardest group to get out of (none of their three opponents are a pushover at all), so I think they should be happy with getting out of the group stages, let alone actually winning the whole competition.

[Yellow Yellow Red]

Klinsmann announces again that the US has no chance of winning the World Cup.
While I agree that is true, that's the last thing the players want to read in the morning paper, that your coach has no hope for you. I know it'd make me give up all hope.
Thoughts?

If the US had any thoughts that they might win the World Cup, then they really needed a wake-up call. They've been put in probably the hardest group to get out of (none of their three opponents are a pushover at all), so I think they should be happy with getting out of the group stages, let alone actually winning the whole competition.

One win is all I ask for. 3 points in that group and I'll be a happy camper. Call me unambitious, but I'm not particularly concerned about this WC in terms of results. To me its importance is in getting younger, less experienced players a taste of the biggest football tournament in the world.

[Agritum]

If the US had any thoughts that they might win the World Cup, then they really needed a wake-up call. They've been put in probably the hardest group to get out of (none of their three opponents are a pushover at all), so I think they should be happy with getting out of the group stages, let alone actually winning the whole competition.

One win is all I ask for. 3 points in that group and I'll be a happy camper. Call me unambitious, but I'm not particularly concerned about this WC in terms of results. To me its importance is in getting younger, less experienced players a taste of the biggest football tournament in the world.

If the US gets out of that group, the MLS will orgasm.

[Auremena]

[...]Honestly unless that Ghananian witch doctor really did put a curse on Reus and Ronaldo, we all knew the results of that group from the draw. Group D is far more unpredictable.

Since Reus wont go to Brazil, that's a non-issue.

That aside, though, Portugal has been pretty poor for a while, and Germany is distinctly mediocre. I wouldn't bet money on Germany winning the group, nor on Portugal qualifying for the next round. It's really not that hopeless. Competitive, yes. But not hopeless.

I heard about that just hours after Reus was injured. Of course, I took it with a grain of salt, witch doctory is silly stuff, the Reus thing was probably "oh look, he just got hurt, let's see if we can demotivate Ronaldo too!"
Germany has the depth to replace Reus. Ronaldo, sure, there are decent left wingers on the Portugal squad, but none of them bring the same spark as Ronaldo.

[Patistan]

One win is all I ask for. 3 points in that group and I'll be a happy camper. Call me unambitious, but I'm not particularly concerned about this WC in terms of results. To me its importance is in getting younger, less experienced players a taste of the biggest football tournament in the world.

If the US gets out of that group, the MLS will orgasm.

I cant stop laughing..

[Sarkegiapoi]

Klinsmann announces again that the US has no chance of winning the World Cup.
While I agree that is true, that's the last thing the players want to read in the morning paper, that your coach has no hope for you. I know it'd make me give up all hope.
Thoughts?

Meh, at least he did not say that America will not get out of the group stage. That seems very likely.

[Jack O Land]

Arrrrgentina!

I don't even live there!
I know nothing about soccer!

Arrrrgentina!

[Constaniana]

One win is all I ask for. 3 points in that group and I'll be a happy camper. Call me unambitious, but I'm not particularly concerned about this WC in terms of results. To me its importance is in getting younger, less experienced players a taste of the biggest football tournament in the world.

If the US gets out of that group, the MLS will orgasm.

I really hope we do, along with Ghana, because that means Germany loses, and Renaldo cries.

[Sarkegiapoi]

If the US gets out of that group, the MLS will orgasm.

I really hope we do, along with Ghana, because that means Germany loses, and Renaldo cries.

What's wrong with Germany?

[Northern Sunrise Islands]

My dad is rooting for Argentina I believe. I chose other because maybe El Salvador will surprise us this year. *snickers*

That would require El Salvador to have qualified.

And I wonder what our Australian cousins think when they read that someone is 'rooting' for a team.....

...wait, so there's no Cup of Harmony? Oh, noes!

[Cata Larga]

Klinsmann announces again that the US has no chance of winning the World Cup.
While I agree that is true, that's the last thing the players want to read in the morning paper, that your coach has no hope for you. I know it'd make me give up all hope.
Thoughts?

If the US had any thoughts that they might win the World Cup, then they really needed a wake-up call. They've been put in probably the hardest group to get out of (none of their three opponents are a pushover at all), so I think they should be happy with getting out of the group stages, let alone actually winning the whole competition.

Eh, I still remember how the USA did in 2002, so I can dream. Though I know comparing the squad in 2002 to the squad in 2014 is insane.

[The Archregimancy]

I suddenly have an excuse to stay up and watch the opening match - which kicks off at midnight Dubai time.

My wife has to fly to Lahore tomorrow for a business trip, her flight's at 3:00 am, and I'd likely stay up until her 1:00 am taxi arrived anyway; since Friday is also the first day of the UAE weekend, there's now no reason not to stay up until 2:00 am.

Huzzah!

[Starblaydia]

I suddenly have an excuse to stay up and watch the opening match - which kicks off at midnight Dubai time.

Mod Lad!

[Osarius]

Klinsmann announces again that the US has no chance of winning the World Cup.
While I agree that is true, that's the last thing the players want to read in the morning paper, that your coach has no hope for you. I know it'd make me give up all hope.
Thoughts?

Actually... in my experience, comments like that can improve an underdog team's performance. Now there's no pressure. If he says "Yeah, anything can happen, maybe we can win it" everyone knows he's bullshitting, but it puts unnecessary pressure on his team. If you're the favourites and your manager says you have no chance, or that it's unrealistic to think you can win... completely different matter.


As a side note, though, in business, we call that "managing expectations". As a guy who works with incessant deadlines, it's my favourite method of placating a demanding client. Overestimate the task at hand, downplay your ability, and then blow everyone away by meeting the target you were set in the first place.

[Agritum]

FIFA WORLD CUP 2014 SONGS REVIEW!

So, I managed to listen to the One Love, One Rhythm album through Spotify, and here are my reviews for some of the song I deemed interesting enough.

We Are One (Ole Ola) by Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull, Claudia Leitte - Nice. I initially disliked it, but multiple listenings convinced me that it's quite a pleasant song. Some people may dislike Pitbull's rapping and the electronic beats in the middle of the song, but tastes are tastes. I especially like the parts where J-Lo sprinkles some Spanish words in the lyrics.

Dar um Jeito (We Will Find a Way) by Santana, Wyclef Jean, Avicii and Alexandre Pires - Good God, this one is beautiful. Definitely the best stadium song ever, with an highly pumping guitar riff by grandmaster Santana and a pounding and fast Brazilian percussion rhythm. Maybe also the best song from the album.

La La La (Brazil 2014) by Shakira Feat. Carlinhos Brown - Good. A World Cup themed version of Shakira's new hit Dare La La La, which actually manages to be better than the original song. The lyrics are very, VERY unimaginative, but the whole song is quite ear worm-ish. If you are into shirtless world class football players, the video is perfect for you.

Fighter (Tachytelic World Cup Brasil 2014 Remix) by Mika Nakashima and Miliyah Kato - This song is one of the less known ones of the album, but it immediately hit my soft spot for Japanese music. In fact, it is essentially a remix with Brazilian instrumentals of a J-pop song with Nakashima. In my opinion, the end result was very, very good.

There are, of course, many other songs. You're free to weigh in on them, NSG!

[Scholmeria]

Oh God.. this today match will be hillarious.

[Britcan]

Oh God.. this today match will be hillarious.

How so?

[Patistan]

I suddenly have an excuse to stay up and watch the opening match - which kicks off at midnight Dubai time.

My wife has to fly to Lahore tomorrow for a business trip, her flight's at 3:00 am, and I'd likely stay up until her 1:00 am taxi arrived anyway; since Friday is also the first day of the UAE weekend, there's now no reason not to stay up until 2:00 am.

Huzzah!

I'm going to have to beg my mother to let me see it,cause the match will be at 1:00am PKT ,

Oh God.. this today match will be hillarious.

Even though the chances are less,Croatia might make a upset.

[The Archregimancy]

Oh God.. this today match will be hillarious.

Even though the chances are less,Croatia might make a upset.

I believe that Scholmeria lives in Croatia; so his reaction likely stems from that.