I think the reason for this is because, under the pressure of the moment, there are many shooters who’ve actually hit the post, or missed the goal altogether. For that reason, they probably are very gun-shy about the idea of shooting the ball anywhere near the posts, even if, as you point out, it would make it even harder for the keeper to stop the shot. They don’t want to clang the posts or miss the goal.
Professional players can throw the ball a hell of a long way already. The flip throw is really a show-boating thing which lacks accuracy.
I have no doubt that pretty much any professional player can ‘dribble’ the ball on his head all the way down the pitch. But you try doing that with 11 professionals bearing down on you. It’s not illegal, it’s just pointless.
Players born outside the country they represent at this tournament. France is truly the hotbed of football:
Expected better from the Switzerland-Cameroon match. Neither team seemed terribly energetic. Teams seemed more evenly balanced than #15 vs #43 would have indicated.
South Korea are supposed to be very much underdogs against Uruguay, not looking like it fifteen minutes in.
Well, colonialism can do that for you.
Next time someone criticises colonialism I will make sure to point out railways in India and foreign born footballers in north African national teams.
Wouldn’t mind a replay on those SK guys who keep going down in the box….
I loathe Ronaldo, but on the one replay that seemed a reasonable challenge.
I think he used his arm and extended a bit, which I think most refs favor the defender on, especially when in the box.
I’m late to this thread, but I put most of my betting budget on my favorite non-US team, Brasil. Payback isn’t great as they are also the betting favorite. I also put a small amount on England as a long shot, and the US as a lottery ticket. I like the look of this England team and they may be under-rated, and thus under-valued for once.
Portugal was rather lifeless in the first half. Ghana played solid defense. If the Black Stars come out with one point I think they’ll be pleased.
That was a joke penalty. The defender clearly played the ball.
Ronaldo’s going to Ronaldo.
I don’t understand why the VAR doesn’t have the guts to call in in such a situation. The rule is that VAR intervenes if the ref made a clear misjudgment, and he did in this case. Yeah, I see, they don’t want to make the ref on the pitch look bad, but still.
Ghana collapsing in defense now, 3-1.
Well, I guess collapsing in transition. Neither is really on the defense.
I haven’t read anything since Argentina’s loss, what a mess, I hope we classify but things don’t look good 
Well, wild game in the second half.
Oh, I dunno. I still think Argentina winning their group is probably the modal result.
Portugal are one of the worst teams for diving and play acting but that probably was a penalty. A soft one sure but Ronaldo got to the ball first.
Soothe yourself, at least Argentina’s group rivals tied, while Spain won 7-0 which means that we are condemned to defeat Spain in the next game, or we’re out.