WCQ 2022: Qualifiers for Qatar's Questionable Quagmire

[Kliq]

Italy aren’t one of the best teams without Chiesa.

Italy is far behind the times on player development. England, Germany, France, hell, even Iceland have taken more modern approaches in developing younger talent. Rather than identifying key players and speeding them through the system (as Italy is currently doing), these countries are maintaining larger player pools over longer periods, allowing later bloomers and intelligent players to become available.

The squad is super thin and aging poorly. Mancini extracted everything they had last summer and it papered over the significan cracks

Isn't this a broader implication of Serie A in general falling a bit behind the other major leagues in Europe? Does the typical Serie A club have the resources to dedicate to youth development and progress the way clubs in England, Germany, Spain, etc. do? Serie A kind of has the reputation of being a bit backward when it comes to being out of date with their old stadiums, faded glory days of some of their larger clubs, etc. Obviously there is still tons of talent in Italy, but I wonder if it's a coincidence that the weak development of young talent over the past decade is taking place at the same time Serie A has dipped below some of the other top leagues.

 

[Zososoxfan]

I just did the WC draw sim and realized that Germany is currently in Pot 2--is that accurate?!?? I mean, FIFA will monkey around with the rankings that matter tomorrow, but still. Anyway, if I'm ranking Pot 1 for the WC, it goes:

1. Qatar

2. France
3. Netherlands
4. Argentina
5. England
6. Germany
7. Spain
8. Portugal
--
9. Brazil
10. Belgium

I know Belgium and Brazil won't fall out of Pot 1, but if I had to bet on odds for WC now, before the draw, that's how I would do them.

 

[swiftaw]

Germany is currently 11th in the world rankings, not sure they jump up to the top 7 in tomorrow's update. This site actually projects they'll drop to 12th: https://football-ranking.com/fifa_rankings

If this site is accurate, then the teams in Pot 1 with Qatar would be: Brazil, Belgium, France, Argentina, England, Spain, Portugal.

Pot 2 would have: Netherlands, Denmark, Mexico, Germany, USA, Uruguay, Switzerland, and Croatia.

 

[BaseballJones]

I still can't believe the WC is in Qatar.

 

[DJnVa]

I just did the WC draw sim and realized that Germany is currently in Pot 2--is that accurate?!?? I mean, FIFA will monkey around with the rankings that matter tomorrow, but still. Anyway, if I'm ranking Pot 1 for the WC, it goes:

1. Qatar

2. France
3. Netherlands
4. Argentina
5. England
6. Germany
7. Spain
8. Portugal
--
9. Brazil
10. Belgium

I know Belgium and Brazil won't fall out of Pot 1, but if I had to bet on odds for WC now, before the draw, that's how I would do them.

Brazil is the new #1

 

[Zososoxfan]

Shenanigans brewing down in CONMEBOL:

The Chilean Football Federation on Thursday asked FIFA to rule on the eligibility of an Ecuador player, alleging he used a false passport and birth certificate and throwing into question the Andean side's participation in this year's World Cup.

Chile said it had proof that Barcelona of Guayaquil full back Byron Castillo was born in Tumaco, Colombia, in 1995 and not in the Ecuadorean city of General Villamil Playas in 1998 as stated on his official papers.

Documents used in the filing to FIFA and seen by Reuters purport to show his "forged" birth certificates as well as an internal Ecuadorean investigation acknowledging inconsistencies in his documentation.

"All this is obviously well known by the FEF (Ecuadorean Federation)," the Chilean federation said in a statement. "The football world cannot close its eyes to so much proof. These serious and irregular practices in the registration of players cannot be accepted, especially when we are talking about a world competition."

It said it had sent evidence to FIFA asking it to investigate. FIFA acknowledged it had "received a formal complaint from the Chilean FA" but declined to comment further.

Reports from Ecuador in 2021 said Castillo had been ratified as an Ecuadorean citizen, enabling him to play for the national side.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/fifa-world-cup-qualifying-conmebol/story/4658360/chile-file-fifa-claim-over-ecuadors-world-cup-spot

 

[Kliq]

My biggest take-away from that article was that there is a city called General Villamil Playas.

 

[Zososoxfan]

FIFA piling on over everyone's incredulity at EPL's application of VAR:

he Premier League is the only major league in Europe without a single official selected to act as video assistant referee (VAR) at the World Cup in Qatar this year.

PGMOL, the body which overseas refereeing in the Premier League, has come in for much criticism for the way it has implemented VAR over the last three seasons. And now FIFA, which controls VAR protocol globally, has sent a clear message by snubbing the league for its flagship tournament.

Also worth noting:

The Premier League did have success in the middle of the park, however, as the only European league to have two male referees appointed. Both Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor will head to Qatar, along with a team of four assistant referees to work alongside them.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/english-premier-league/story/4669742/premier-league-has-zero-vars-at-world-cup-as-fifa-announces-list-of-officials-for-qatar

 

[SocrManiac]

I bet the EPL center refs have the lowest VAR overturn percentage, thus their inclusion.

 

[ifmanis5]

Gordon is keeping Scotland in this one.

 

[tims4wins]

What’s the best result for the US?

 

[Zososoxfan]

Can I gamethread about the FINALISSIMA here?

Tagliafico looked bad on that ball over the top to Bernadeschi, but on replay it was clear that he had 2 men, and no one sorted out who to cover. But Taglia should also know that Bernadeschi is his primary responsibility.

I didn't watch much PSG this year, but Messi looks real old. He can still dribble guys and make insane passes, but he's getting beat to every ball.

 

[Zososoxfan]

Argentina dominated the first 15 minutes, but Italy growing into the game now. Emerson just went on a 50 yard jaunt upfield before Otamendi took his ass OUT.

 

[ninjacornelius]

What’s the best result for the US?

I think Scotland and Ukraine are pretty evenly matched, and both are probably slightly worse than Wales. So I'm rooting for whoever wins this one to get the final WC spot.

 

[Zososoxfan]

FS1 misses a corner, Messi ends up with the ball on top of the box, takes on his defender and beats him, and centers for a Lautaro GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[the1andonly3003]

Can I gamethread about the FINALISSIMA here?

Tagliafico looked bad on that ball over the top to Bernadeschi, but on replay it was clear that he had 2 men, and no one sorted out who to cover. But Taglia should also know that Bernadeschi is his primary responsibility.

I didn't watch much PSG this year, but Messi looks real old. He can still dribble guys and make insane passes, but he's getting beat to every ball.

dribbling past someone still led to a goal

 

[ifmanis5]

Great goal by Ukraine. Great pass, great first touch and finish.

Ukraine carrying the play, I expect them to play Wales.

 

[tims4wins]

I think Scotland and Ukraine are pretty evenly matched, and both are probably slightly worse than Wales. So I'm rooting for whoever wins this one to get the final WC spot.

Thanks

 

[Zososoxfan]

dribbling past someone still led to a goal

Absolutely!!

 

[CodPiece XL]

Scotland are a shambles. Should have stuck with Christie in midfield and only played one up. I’m
trying to think of the last time they played 2 up that wasn’t a friendly .

 

[Kliq]

Can I gamethread about the FINALISSIMA here?

Tagliafico looked bad on that ball over the top to Bernadeschi, but on replay it was clear that he had 2 men, and no one sorted out who to cover. But Taglia should also know that Bernadeschi is his primary responsibility.

I didn't watch much PSG this year, but Messi looks real old. He can still dribble guys and make insane passes, but he's getting beat to every ball.

Messi still has all the skill but he doesn't have the pace anymore; he's become mortal. I don't know how much longer he is going to play; I can't see him playing many more seasons at the top level; he's already made it remarkably far given his physical stature and the number of fouls he has taken over the years. Zlatan has aged well but he's so big he doesn't need pace at all to make things happen.

 

[Zososoxfan]

FUCKING LEGEND

 

[Zososoxfan]

If we're going to talk about the legends of yore who don't have it anymore, we should touch on Bonnucci and Chiellini

 

[CodPiece XL]

Scotland midfield being dragged out of position non stop, Ukraine can pick their pass. Switch to a back 4, take off Dykes.. bring on Christie or Armstrong.

 

[Boston Brawler]

FUCKING LEGEND

That was great

 

[dirtynine]

So many conflicting emotions here. I want Ukraine to win for their people. But I don't (as a US fan) want to play UKR in Qatar. And then there's Scotland, who I'd root for under any circumstance, but the chance to watch them face England in the Cup (give or take a Wales) is an amazing possibility.

 

[CodPiece XL]

Welp… 2:0.
At least I had the subs right .

 

[ifmanis5]

2-0 should be enough.

 

[ernieshore]

What's happened with the audio and commentators here?

 

[CodPiece XL]

Scotland had a shot on goal .. yah! Are Billy Gilmour and Brendan Rodgers related?

 

[CodPiece XL]

Wow… what a miss.

 

[dirtynine]

That header miss is going to sting for a while.

 

[Zososoxfan]

Messi leads a 5-man break, has De Paul making an 80-yard run from the top of the defensive box...and shoots it right at Donnarumma. Ugh.

 

[Zososoxfan]

No subs from Scaloni yet. Uhhhh.

 

[HowBoutDemSox]

Scotland pull one back, 2-1 in the 80th minute.

 

[dirtynine]

How the hell did the ref make that (correct) over-the-line call from that angle?

 

[Zososoxfan]

Ukraine still sending numbers forward--WILD!!

 

[ifmanis5]

LOL it counts at the whistle.

 

[Zososoxfan]

I know these guys are dog-tired, but their touch is brutal.

 

[OCST]

Sorry Rip and fletch.

But these are not ordinary circumstances and it's a bit rough from a strictly football perspective.

 

[CodPiece XL]

It would never have been a Scotland game if they didn’t tease you with a bit of hope in second half. Congrats Ukraine … slay the the Dragons and perhaps the U.S.

 

[Zososoxfan]

Dybala gets the third! Making a nice statement today.

 

[Boston Brawler]

Dominant from Argentina start to finish.

 

[Conigliaro's Potential]

How the hell did the ref make that (correct) over-the-line call from that angle?

Aren't the balls micro-chipped so those kinds of calls can be made automatically?

 

[dirtynine]

Aren't the balls micro-chipped so those kinds of calls can be made automatically?

I did not know that. Figured they showed the on-endline view on TV because that was the only way to confirm it was over the line.

 

[swiftaw]

Can I gamethread about the FINALISSIMA here?

I was in a bar in Italy watching this. The locals were not happy. The Italy defenders are so slow. I’m still wondering how they won the Euros, lightning in a bottle for a couple of weeks?

 

[CodPiece XL]

Aren't the balls micro-chipped so those kinds of calls can be made automatically?

This would be news to me if they are. I’m not saying they aren’t. But I’ve never seen anything written about it.

 

[OCST]

This would be news to me if they are. I’m not saying they aren’t. But I’ve never seen anything written about it.

In the PL they are. In contrast to the dumpster fire that is VAR for penalty/no penalty, handball, offside, etc., goal/no goal is a call that the electronic technology makes with precision.

 

[SocrManiac]

A lot has been written recently how decimated Messi was by Covid. He’ll never reach his previous heights but I don’t think we’re seeing the real him, either (unless the damage was permanent).

 

[CodPiece XL]

In the PL they are. In contrast to the dumpster fire that is VAR for penalty/no penalty, handball, offside, etc., goal/no goal is a call that the electronic technology makes with precision.

The whole “what’s a natural position and what isn’t for a handball” is a dumpster fire. I played at a reasonably high level and If you slide tackle your arms go out . You’re throwing you’re entire body behind the block. Now you see defenders put their arms behind their back like they are hog tied like they’re a hostage. In some ways I guess they may be right.