The Football.....

[swee'pea99]

Holland were cruising, they had a gear in hand throughout the match.

Yup.

Is this the end of Brazil as a - let alone The - top football nation? They looked, in truth, out of their depth from the get-go. Without the home advantage and some helpful refereeing, they could easily have 'done an England'. Will they bounce back from this?

 

[Piemaster]

Brazil is interesting. Always seem to have relied on a depth talent and flair to win, it ain't working as well anymore as the rest of the world has reduced the margins on that and organise themselves as better as teams.
Think I've said on this thread before that watching the local teams play here on TV the standard really surprised at how poor it can be. I'd put it at lower end Championship (or SPL ) level. Some of those nice new stadiums are going to have to spread the spectators out really thinly too. The better players, and David Luiz, going to play in Europe can't help much.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Maybe it was past their bedtime?

Anyway, I have switched it off, I have never been a fan of 3rd/4th place matches and this one has added to my dislike of them.

When Scotland make it there you wont be saying that!

 

[MarkF]

Anyway, I have switched it off, I have never been a fan of 3rd/4th place matches and this one has added to my dislike of them.

Me neither, game shave to have a "point" for me, but I think that this was different. With the Dutch not having actually lost a game, they can go home from the WC unbeaten and I enjoyed watching it.

 

[Brandane]

I'd put it at lower end Championship (or SPL ) level.

I know Brazilian football isn't what it used to be, but no way can it be as bad as the SPL!

 

[Brandane]

When Scotland make it there you wont be saying that!

Scotland making it to the third place play off?
I will be amazed if they ever qualify for the world cup finals again in my lifetime!

I agree that the third place play off is pointless Normally it is only the top teams that get as far as the semi finals, and third place for them is nothing more than a disappointment. It would only be of any value to the likes of Costa Rica, Scotland, or England. The big boys don't rate it.

 

[Paulus]

I have been saying for a couple of years since the hype for this world cup tournament got going that Brazil were not a team to be feared. All the commentators, pundits and journalists have been banging on about the flair and skill levels of the Brazilians. They are living on the memories of 1970 and '74 when they were truly spectacular. Most of these players are now in Europe plying their trade, and it shows. They are an average international team with a few "star" players. Take those away and with the referee not being favourable to them, they have been shown up for what they really are. Maicon and Jo were found out at Man.city a few years back and disappeared. Fred and Hulk looked ordinary, Luiz is an ordinary, but dirty player, and Willian may of looked ok at Chelski last season but failed to step up on the International stage. The goal keeper, Cesar I believe was their best player. Naymar showed some good touches, at times, and the captain Silva looked solid at the back.

I suppose they did a lot better than our flops,

 

[Brandane]

I suppose they did a lot better than our flops,

"OUR" flops weren't even there. I know you meant your flops .

 

[Smokin Joe]

I agree that the third place play off is pointless Normally it is only the top teams that get as far as the semi finals, and third place for them is nothing more than a disappointment. It would only be of any value to the likes of Costa Rica, Scotland, or England. The big boys don't rate it.

I'd agree with that, but last night was different to most of them because of the morbid fascination around the implosion of Brazil. It's the only third place match I've ever watched, in fact I was surprised to learn they've been in the WC since the outset. I have no memories of the '66 one and I was glued to every match then being as live football on the box was a rarity in those days..

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

It was an interesting game insomuch as the Dutch lost interest after the second goal - the players looked like they were mentally rolling out the towels on their holiday loungers. Brazil meanwhile were utterly ineffectual - how many times did Luiz launch 80 yard punts straight up the park and out for a bye-kick?

 

[Archie_tect]

"OUR" flops weren't even there. I know you meant your flops .

 

[Roadhump]

I have been saying for a couple of years since the hype for this world cup tournament got going that Brazil were not a team to be feared. All the commentators, pundits and journalists have been banging on about the flair and skill levels of the Brazilians. They are living on the memories of 1970 and '74 when they were truly spectacular. Most of these players are now in Europe plying their trade, and it shows. They are an average international team with a few "star" players. Take those away and with the referee not being favourable to them, they have been shown up for what they really are.

Sadly I agree with you. I am old enough to have seen those great Brazilian teams you mention and I find myself clinging onto the (vain) hope they will enthral us all again. It is like a part of my youth has been taken away from me.

 

[swee'pea99]

"De Guzmán lobbed a cross into the box, where David Luiz looked well place to clear. Instead – displaying a spectacular lack of spatial awareness – he headed the ball straight into the path of the unmarked Daley Blind. The Brazil centre-half’s “blind spot” duly revealed, Blind skilfully directed the ball into the roof of the net from 12 yards out. Have Paris Saint-Germain really paid Chelsea £50m for David Luiz?"
http://www.theguardian.com/football...ld-cup-2014-third-place-play-off-match-report

 

[Smokin Joe]

Have Paris Saint-Germain really paid Chelsea £50m for David Luiz?"
http://www.theguardian.com/football...ld-cup-2014-third-place-play-off-match-report

They're looking for the receipt.

 

[AndyRM]

I'm prepared to take some stick for this, but I think that Luiz is a good player, and I like the third place playoff.

The problem with Luiz is that he goes a bit nuts without someone yelling at him to keep the f*ck back as a defender. Terry did this for him at Chelsea. He's expected to be a defensive rock for Brazil and it's never going to work because he's wanting to bomb forward all the time; he's essentially the Brazilian version of Glen Johnson.

As a team, Brazil have played way too high a line and been constantly caught out. The blame for this lies with Scolari who seems to believe his side is as good as the vintage sides from decades past.

I don't particularly understand the histrionics about the third place playoff. It's been around for twenty years so it's not exactly a surprise for players or managers. What's Van Gaal bothered about anyway? He's away to Manchester to take over from the unfairly shafted Moyes.

I'm watching the match tonight with a bunch of Germans. I will try not not mention the war.