World Cup Group H (ALG RUS BEL RSK)

[Yankee151]

Should be a very interesting group. I think Algeria and South Korea have been underestimated a fair bit, this could be a Group C style affair where all 4 teams have a good chance of advancing. Maybe to all get smacked by the two Group G teams, that is. Belgium are the seed, and it'll be interesting to see how they perform without dedicated fullbacks, and if Hazard can play like he does for Chelsea. Russia lost their best player and will miss him dearly. South Korea are young but could advance as they did in 2010, and Algeria are real wild cards that I think will make some noise with their style (and the fact that they are generally acclimated well to high temperatures.)

Interestingly, the Russia-South Korea game will actually be played after Brazil's second game of the tournament. Can't remember that ever happening before.

June 17th
Belgium-Algeria (Belo Horizonte)
Russia-South Korea (Cuiaba)
June 22nd
Belgium-Russia (Rio)
Algeria-South Korea (Porto Alegre)
June 26th
South Korea-Belgium (Sao Paolo)
Algeria-Russia (Curitiba)

My predictions:
Belgium 2-1-0 7 pts
Algeria 1-1-1 4pts
Russia 0-2-1 3pts
South Korea 0-1-2 1pt

Lineups
Algeria: http://www.zonalmarking.net/2014/06/10/algeria-young-and-mobile/
Belgium: http://www.zonalmarking.net/2014/06/10/belgium-can-they-succeed-without-proper-full-backs/
Russia: http://www.zonalmarking.net/2014/06/10/russia-world-cup-2014/
South Korea:
http://www.zonalmarking.net/2014/06/10/south-korea-organised-but-prone-to-mistakes/

 

[NML]

Something's not adding up in your predictions there...

 

[hayvis]

Apart from the bad maths, this group is about as lopsided as there is in the competition... Just putting it out there so as this thread doesn't look mega-stupid come the knockout stages.

 

[Yankee151]

I thought them out so late at night and i kept trying to get it right. Shouldve went for 9 6 3 0.

 

[BasinBictory]

@Travis7401 - gon cheer for the Republic of the South Korea?

 

[TrojanMan]

@Travis7401 - gon cheer for the Republic of the South Korea?

That's a given. Travis was one of the preeminent Dong enthusiasts.

 

[worst2first]

 

[DeadMan]

That's a given. Travis was one of the preeminent Dong enthusiasts.

Was?

 

[TrojanMan]

Was?

When he finally discovered that Dong wasn't huge, black, and athletic...he lost interest.

 

[worst2first]

If anyone's interested I thought this was an interesting read: http://grantland.com/features/world...incent-kompany-eden-hazard-marouane-fellaini/

Unfortunately I'll be travelling tomorrow so I won't be able to watch but I'm going to record it so I can watch it later. C'est l'heure. Vont les diables rouges!

 

[kella]

I will let you know how I liked that article when I finish it next year

 

[worst2first]

I will let you know how I liked that article when I finish it next year

I figured I'd get some hate for posting a link to a Grantland article.

 

[worst2first]

Here's a shorter article about the political implications of this World Cup for Belgium: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage/wp/2014/06/16/can-the-red-devils-unite-the-belgians/

 

[pavel]

I wish Kevin played for Korea

 

[NML]

What a weird lineup for Belgium. Lots of talent on the bench.

 

[Yankee151]

I didnt know Van Buyten could still play. I think im faster

Their lineup looks star studded enough though. Just Mertens, Mirallas, Januzaj the snubs but good players in their place.

 

[DeadMan]

Seems like Belgium think they're going to dominate possession. There's not really any protection for the back 4 with that lineup. They are basically running a 4 man defense and a 6 man attack it seems. We'll see how it plays out, but it seems like it could be really disjointed.

 

[Yankee151]

Axel and Dembele can stay at home if needed. Algeria can be dangerous though, you can kinda see it already.

 

[Yankee151]

Hazard is terrible for his country.

 

[Snorky's Shame]

Here's a shorter article about the political implications of this World Cup for Belgium: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage/wp/2014/06/16/can-the-red-devils-unite-the-belgians/

Worked for the Spanish...

...OK not really.

 

[Yankee151]

After their loss I saw a bunch of Catalonians and Basques cheering it. Only works if you win it all, and even then only for a month or so.

 

[Snorky's Shame]

After their loss I saw a bunch of Catalonians and Basques cheering it. Only works if you win it all, and even then only for a month or so.

Catalans didn't even celebrate the World Cup win, despite the fact that Barcelona and Catalan players (Xavi, Pique, Puyol, Capdevilla) had a huge part in the win.

 

[Yankee151]

And THAT is why you bring real fullbacks.

 

[Snorky's Shame]

No need to give away that penalty.

 

[OU11]

Waffles

 

[Yankee151]

I honestly think it would've gone past Feghouli if Vertonghen hadn't touched him, or at the least he'd be in a bad position to shoot.

 

[goblue96]

Former African French colony - 1
Former European French colony - 0

 

[TrojanMan]

Belgian defenses held up almost as long in this game as they did against the Nazis.

 

[Yankee151]

Might as well still be a french colony as far as players are concerned. 17 on this squad were born there.

 

[Yankee151]

Ginger balls looked like he was about to throw up before taking that kick. And what was that white mound of stuff on the ground next to the ball?

 

[DeadMan]

What a dumb penalty. He probably doesn't even get a shot on a goal from that ball. LAWD.

 

[gilstein21]

spray to mark the 10 yards, but ref doesn't know how to use it

 

[DeadMan]

Right now, it looks like some bird took a massive dump where that free kick was.

 

[Chase]

Algeria much more hipster than Belgium

 

[Yankee151]

spray to mark the 10 yards, but ref doesn't know how to use it

Seriously, it's like he just sprayed it in one spot haha

 

[DeadMan]

Has Lukaku even touched the ball yet?

 

[Orlando]

Belgium looks bad. Lukaku wide open in the box there, naw I'll just take this weak shot. Lukaku mad.

 

[worst2first]

Shirt ON. I don't what's more frustrating - trying to watch this on my phone while rolling down I-35 or the way Belgium's playing.

 

[pavel]

I know which is more dangerous

 

[Wuf]

As a man of Belgian ancestry, I am trying to be upset. But meh.

 

[Yankee151]

Mertens gonna singlehandedly bring Belgium back in. Algeria look gassed now

 

[Yankee151]

Interesting to take Lukaku off for Origi. I always saw the latter as more of a slashing winger.

 

[chibob]

This world cup

 

[Chase]

This world cup

Needs Januzaj

 

[Yankee151]

They need a 40 yard CB Joins Attack button from Kompany.

EDIT: Hah, perfect timing, though it ended up nothing.

 

[DeadMan]

Odds that Belgium start squabbling ala France in 2010 if they lose?

 

[Orlando]

For who?

 

[chibob]

Oh here comes Belgian Fabregas.

 

[Rutgers Mike]

Fuck this game. It's balls hot at work and this game bores me.

 

[Yankee151]

Januzaj or Mirallas for de Bruyne. He's been horrid.

And no, don't think Belgium squabble. Well, probably not. I know Nainggolan had a big ego which is why he was left out of the squad. Maybe if they lose to Russia.