My kids, both of whom were born in Korea, are so pumped for tomorrow’s game, we agreed I’d buy a sparking grape juice bottle if they defeat Brazil.
I know it is unlikely, but the excitement is through the roof.
I missed the games with Japan and Korea. They certainly have the potential to do well based on their results and tenacity. Amazingly this is the third time Japan has met Croatia and 538 deems this the closest match, only giving Croatia a 54% chance of victory. I’d like to see Japan win but would be happy with a good game. I’d like Korea to do well too, but it will be hard.
Korea vs Japan would be an insane quarterfinal, guaranteed hard feelings for a decade to come no matter who loses
We knocked off Ukraine 4-0 in the last Euros with even less fanfare, though it was only 1-0 for virtually the entire first half. I had completely forgotten about it until it was the YouTube autoplay video after I watched the highlights of this one.
Looking so shaky against Senegal was initially concerning, but taking a team’s best shot and coming back to take over the game is something this group has been preparing to do for a long time. I said after the last world cup that I couldn’t wait to see what this England squad could do in four years. They’re missing a few of the players that came up big back then - Alli and Wilshere come to mind - but there’s a feeling about this England team.
As an Englishman, I’m used to assuming we will be knocked out of every international tournament in extra time or penalties, after controlling much of the match. This team feels like it can win every match in 90 minutes. I’m not particularly impressed by the back line play, but when the ball reaches the midfield good things happen almost every time. Kane may not be the best player in the world, but he might be the most complete. England’s squad is similar - there’s not a lot of wow players, but the 26-man squad as a whole is better than anyone else’s. The question is whether they can run out a starting XI who are better than everyone else.
France’s forwards are terrifying, but they have looked quite ordinary at the back. They’ve conceded a goal in every game so far; England have three clean sheets (and only gave away goals to Iran after the game was decided). I doubt England can keep Mbappe and Giroud from scoring, but I have a strong suspicion they can score more. They certainly won’t be favoured - not against the defending champions with the world’s best player - but they might have earned even odds. If not for Southgate’s inexplicably decision to retreat into a shell, they might well have won Euro 2021; I’m not exactly going to hold my breath, but for the first time ever I feel England have as good a chance as anyone to win.
Anyone watching Japan-Croatia? Any predections for a probable overtime? The game sadly slowed down a lot after the Croatian equalizer, but all in all not the worst game of this WC.
I predicted a 0-0 and penalties, Croatia to move forward, about 15 minutes into the first half. Some time after that Japan scored but Croatia saved the tie and penalites part of my prediction, at least for now.
(Japan fans are singing argentinian footbal chant rythms! 
)
Bayern fans use to sing the same chant, at least the same tune. I think this is the only chant both Japan and Bayern fans know… 
The tune is “Pop goes the weasel”, but the lyrics are “River Plate, River Plaate, vamos River Plaate” 
I don’t know the lyrics of the Bayern version. I’m not a Bayern fan, heaven forbid!
Both teams take no great risks in overtime, like I dreaded.
Yep, nothing happened. Now penalties.
Come join us, the kaffee & kuchen are great!
No thanks, I prefer Altbier.
Doesn’t look like Japan practiced their penalties much. Terrible shots.
Worst penalty performance by a team in a long time.
C’mon, MLS Cup 2022 wasn’t that long ago.
Why is the Korean captain wearing a black mask?
Because he had an eye socket fracture not long ago.
Welp, looks like a South Korean upset is not in the cards.
Can someone explain why that was a penalty? It looked like the South Korean player was ahead of the Brazilian player, and touched the ball first.