[greyhound82]

Originally Posted by zaks

I think, except for speed, most players gain more skills and playing acumen as they age if they also keep their fitness and motivation at fairly high levels.

I know exception is not the rule.But take example of Brazil's Ronaldo. He almost got retired by 30 and considered to be one of the greatest footballer of all time.
From Wikipedia
"He joined Barcelona in 1996 for a then world record transfer fee and at 20 years old, he was named the 1996 FIFA World Player of the Year, making him the youngest recipient of the award. In 1997, Inter Milan broke the world record fee to sign Ronaldo, making him the first player since Diego Maradona to break the world transfer record twice. At 21, he received the 1997 Ballon d'Or and remains the youngest recipient of the award. By the age of 23, Ronaldo had scored over 200 goals for club and country. However, after a series of knee injuries and recuperation, he was inactive for almost three years. Ronaldo joined Real Madrid in 2002 and won the 2002–03 La Liga title. He had spells at AC Milan and Corinthians before retiring in 2011, having suffered further injuries."

In football I think one will reach the peak performance before 30's

[mayukh42]

Originally Posted by joe1980

The match between Argentina and Poland was simply the best so far in the tournament

Spoke too soon! JPA vs ESP took the cake. Not by possession stats though, which often is one sided with ESP's play style, but certainly with the group rankings that kept changing every 10 mins.

Originally Posted by joslicx

now Germany out of the cup!

GER was never a strong team this time to begin with, irrespective of their last match performance. Perhaps thats why they focussed on other things than sport in the beginning of tournament.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfj5ScB6GhE

Manshafted. Good riddance. And am saying this as someone who supported DFB from start to end in 2014 and even won a prediction game in office!

Originally Posted by joslicx

France have a good chance now to retain their cup although Spain will pose challenge from Europe and Brazil and Argentina from Americas.

As a neutral I'd love it if we have a new world cup winner. Netherlands maybe ��

Another team that looks strong is ENG, but they have this habit of complacency after performing well initially.

ESP has a chance, except they need to concentrate on converting rather than upping the possession stats. BRA and ARG also look united as a team.

The Dutch are not there yet as a team. Perhaps next time.

[zaks]

Well, I for one think this could be England's best chance ever to take a shot at the cup, they are decent in midfield and defence looks good, so with some luck it could be their year.

[thanixravindran]

Sweet revenge by Ghana by denying the third goal to Uruguay and get them out of world cup. I still remember the hand ball by Suarez and never liked him since then. I was really happy seeing him weeping today. Poetic justice!!!

And Korea did the unbelievable by the stoppage time goal. After the dull start, each day is becoming dramatic in this world cup.

Till now no team has won all their group matches. Let us see whether Brazil can break the jinx tonight.

[volkman10]

Originally Posted by thanixravindran

---
Till now no team has won all their group matches. Let us see whether Brazil can break the jinx tonight.

And here it is, Brazil too is beaten.

[thanixravindran]

From Twitter Hope we will also have VAR system

[Venkatesh]

Japan outdo themselves and enter the last 16 of FIFA 2022!

[Latheesh]

That was a hilarious goal by the USA. Hope things gets interesting from now on.

Edit: oh no, USA and their shitty defense. 3-1 now.

[thanixravindran]

Argentina made it to the quarter finals. For a minute, my heartbeat skipped as I thought the young Australian player has netted the ball in the last minute and match goes into extra time. Relieved it didn't happened. Don't want any pain of penalty deciders

[am1m]

France are looking like the team to beat this time. And that's even without Benzema. Both those Mbappe goals yesterday were brilliant! ENG-FRA is going to be a fun match.

[Latheesh]

Originally Posted by am1m

France are looking like the team to beat this time. And that's even without Benzema. Both those Mbappe goals yesterday were brilliant! ENG-FRA is going to be a fun match.

I knew Poland had no chance when they missed those 3 shots in 3 seconds

Mbappe's first goal - Keeper could have stopped it, but Polish defender came in his line of sight split second before the ball was hit.

[Latheesh]

What horrible penalty kicks by the Japanese. Looks like they were not prepared for it.

[IndieGooner]

Did anyone get to watch the penalty shootout? I saw only ads on the English stream on Jio cinemas.

[karan0009]

Originally Posted by IndieGooner

Did anyone get to watch the penalty shootout? I saw only ads on the English stream on Jio cinemas.

Yes, saw the penalty shootout on Jio cinemas app. It was a horrible show by the Japanese. Looks like Japs were not at all prepared for the penalties and took it very casually.

[Candy$Cars]

Originally Posted by Latheesh

What horrible penalty kicks by the Japanese. Looks like they were not prepared for it.

After a fantastic game by the Japanese, I was really rooting for them to cause yet another upset but the penalty shootout was just BAD.

I don't know why all 3 failed were obsessed with ground shots while Croatians shot aerial at the corners, much more difficult to defend!!

Man, I so much wanted the Japanese to win!
Hoping that the Koreans too put up a brave fight against Brazil.

Originally Posted by IndieGooner

Did anyone get to watch the penalty shootout? I saw only ads on the English stream on Jio cinemas.

Happened with me too but then I turned on hype mode on the phone and saw that the shootout had already begun!! Just forwarded it to the start and could watch the complete shootout.