I was in RFK stadium last we met in a WC; wouldn’t mind a repeat scoreline. As for being a “slam dunk” how about I tell you afterward? Must say, 19-0 has a nice ring to it. 
Nicely done, that’s my “pub match” tomorrow. I think the morning game could be more interesting, and who knows what will happen in the matinee? But I really want to see what the Red Fury have to show against the Swiss.
I wouldn’t mind at all if everything went nice and easy for Spain … in the “lay back and relax” kind of way.
But seriously: if it wasn’t for Spain’s dominance two years ago, our transition might have taken longer. In two years things might become interesting.
I agree with your summary, New Zealand in particular seemed to have problems passing accurately and controlling the ball. A better side would really have put them away mid-way through the second half. Still we’ve got to be happy to get a point. I’m gutted I didn’t put a lazy fiver on a draw - the odds were extremely generous (about 4 to 1 I think).
Oh and the term ‘rooting’ in New Zealand means something quite different than cheering for…
Well, he is an attractive young man… does it have anything to do with sheep?
Whatever floats your boat I guess…
HON - CHI 1-2
ESP - SUI 0-0
SAR - URU 0-1
Low scoring football continues…
These games haven’t happened yet. I don’t know where you’re getting these scores from.
They are predictions.
Skinny white guys doing the haka
I get what he meant, but some of the youtube footage of the all blacks suggest a number of those players look to be about the same weight category as the soccer player.
Declan
Chile v Honduras has been played at break neck speed so far. Both playing positive, attacking football. This is what the sport can be. Can’t wait to see Spain v Chile later in the round.
Yeah, Fun match so far; Chile rightly up one.
Too bad I can’t really enjoy it due to sweaty palms and racy heart…and still close to 90 minutes to kick-off.
Ain’t being a footy fan grand? :dubious:
Oh well, at least the group I’m going to be watching the match with are a fun bunch.
This Chili side are awesome, can’t wait for Spain - Chili and (maybe) Chili - Brazil in the next round!
Question form a WC noob (this is only the second WC I’ve watched, and the first time from the beginning). I’ve only been watching soccer for about two and half years now, mainly EPL, MLS, and the occasional PDM match. What’s the story on foreign player quotas for national teams? In other words are there foreign players playing on any of the national teams in the WC? I know all the players on USA are American citizens of long standing, but I also know that there are several Japanese players kicking for North Korea. Is qualification for team membership determined by citizenship? If so, are there rules dictating timelines for granting citizenship for recruited players? Quotas of some sort? Sorry if if it is an oft answered question, but I can’t find any clear info elsewhere. Thanks.
There are no Japanese players playing on the North Korea team. There are North Korean nationals who play for Japanese teams, though.
Everyone who plays for a national team, has to be a recognised national. If you have dual-nationality you can play for either one. ( Not sure about both.)
Qualification is based on citizenship. No quotas - if you mean, does a team have to have a certain number of citizens. I’m sure there’s something more specific in FIFA rules somewhere, regarding naturalization and changes in eligibility from one national side to another. The Japanese guy mentioned playing for the North Koreans is most likely a Korean born in Japan to Korean parents and eligible for dual citizenship. There are several players on the US team who are eligible for or who hold dual citizenship. Outside of the USA one seems to see this most with Brazilian players.
Nope, not both, once you play for one of your possible national team you cannot play for the other one.
There have actually been some recent changes around this allowing younger players to switch from one team to another. Not sure on the specifics.
ugh
I hope they let it as it is, it would be very ugly if national teams could go around switching players like they were Real Madrid and Barcelona 
OK. That makes sense. I figured the Japanese players on NK were, like many Koreans in Japan, born and raised in Japan by immigrant families.
I’d be interested in seeing those specifics. I can come up with scenarios that make things unclear. For instance, a French player playing for France in qualification matches, dropped for poor play early on, instantly granted citizenship by Ivory Coast and put on the squad. I’m guessing playing for France even in qualifications would count as choosing a team. I’m thinking of younger players too, who come to professional play in off years getting offered immediate citizenship in smaller nations in return for money and more play. Or a player from an unstable nation, who has previosly played in the WC for that nation, who genuinely has to flee from that place and seek citizenship elsewhere for reasons of political persecution.
I’m actually coming up blank in finding FIFA’s rules for this stuff. There are plenty of game rule books, but I can’t find a clear explanation of qualification for players.