The ultimate teams through to the World Cup and draw thread

[mistermagic]

Hosts: Russia.

Africa (5): Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia.
Asia (5): Australia, Iran, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea.
Europe (13): Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Iceland, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
North and Central America (3): Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama.
South America (5): Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay.

32/32

Confirmed pots:
Pot 1: Russia, Germany, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, Belgium, Poland, France.
Pot 2: Spain, Peru, Switzerland, England, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, Croatia.
Pot 3: Denmark, Iceland, Costa Rica, Sweden, Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal, Iran.
Pot 4: Serbia, Nigeria, Australia, Japan, Morocco, Panama, Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia.

 

[Dirk]

We are not yet qualified, mm, although 21 points from 7 matches. But theoretically Northern Ireland with 16 could still move above us.

Yeah I know it's unlikely that we won't qualify because Germany always qualifies when they are allowed to take part (only 1930 and 1950 we were out. 1930 because most nations didn't take this new tournament seriously and couldn't afford the long journey to Uruguay and in 1950 due to...you know why ). We would have to lose all 3 matches and Northern Ireland could move to #1. ( In a parallel universe) it can happen

 

[epic73]

We've not scored and conceded 6 in two matches against Costa Rica. We're level on points with Honduras...

 

[Lance Stoe]

Be nice to see Australia and USA not qualify. Don't even like "soccer" Rather have Uzbekistan and Panama go to the World Cup. At least those countries would embrace it. Be nice to see Syria qualify

 

[mistermagic]

We are not yet qualified, mm, although 21 points from 7 matches. But theoretically Northern Ireland with 16 could still move above us.

Yeah I know it's unlikely that we won't qualify because Germany always qualifies when they are allowed to take part (only 1930 and 1950 we were out. 1930 because most nations didn't take this new tournament seriously and couldn't afford the long journey to Uruguay and in 1950 due to...you know why ). We would have to lose all 3 matches and Northern Ireland could move to #1. ( In a parallel universe) it can happen

Damn. Must be the hangover.

Watched most of the Czech match last night. Germany still very unimpressive despite getting the job done.

 

[mistermagic]

Be nice to see Australia and USA not qualify. Don't even like "soccer" Rather have Uzbekistan and Panama go to the World Cup. At least those countries would embrace it. Be nice to see Syria qualify

I'd agree on the Americans but reckon they like they like their round balls down under. Was quite disappointed when they didn't make it back in 2002 (fucking Uruguay).

 

[Dirk]

Damn. Must be the hangover.

Excused then

Watched most of the Czech match last night. Germany still very unimpressive despite getting the job done.

Yeah, was a bad performance (when Özil was our best man yesterday "runningwise" you see that something must be wrong ) The Czechs were "fighting for their lives" and a draw would have been a fair result but one lazy moment and the World Champ "executes" you. So even if we aren't in best form yet....don't underestimate us...never! The World Cup isn't won one year before. At the tournament we'll see a team more concentrated, as usual.

Actually we are not the favourites for winning (and,in this case, defending) the World Cup that's Brazil and France. But, as I said, it's still 1 year and we'll see.

 

[Son of Cod]

Be nice to see Australia and USA not qualify. Don't even like "soccer" Rather have Uzbekistan and Panama go to the World Cup. At least those countries would embrace it. Be nice to see Syria qualify

Australia will probably make it as they've got Thailand at home in their final game, whereas Saudi have to beat Japan to even stand a chance. Even if Saudi do beat Japan then Australia just have to beat by Thailand by 2 more than Saudi beat Japan. Realistically, Japan aren't gonna get beat by more than a single goal, whereas Australia can easily beat Thailand by 3 or more. That'll tie up the goal difference and probably goals scored column and Australia will take it on the head to head.

Uzbekistan vs Korea is right crunch match though. South Korea win and they'll go through. If it's a draw then South Korea will go through as long as Syria don't beat Iran, in which case Syria will go through. Uzbekistan will only get through with a win and if Syria don't beat Iran. I fancy South Korea to get the job done, they looked solid against Iran but just lacking a little invention. Which admittedly, has been their problem all campaign and even going back to the last WC. If they play Son in his correct position and Hee ChanHwang can carry his form from RB Salzburg over into his international football then they've got enough about them to get a win in Uzbekistan and I hope they do this, rather than going for a draw.

Japan has definitely come through as the dominant force in Asia over this campaign, with Iran surpassing Korea. Iran are one team I hope England avoid in our Qatar group (assuming we don't fuck up our qualifying group). It will be interesting to see how they seed the next qualifying groups, as Japan and Korea could potentially be in the same group which would really open up the second spot in the other group for one of the emerging nations.

 

[epic73]

UEFA group winner predictions?

 

[Son of Cod]

All the teams that are currently top, apart from Group B in which I think Portugal will get ahead of Switzerland on goal difference after their final game.

 

[mistermagic]

Updated to add Belgium who made it after winning in Greece 2-1.

 

[Carver]

England are pretty much through and I think we can win the world cup next year!

You just look at the players we've got in Kane and Alli who are superstars for Spurs in the Premier League and also the rest who all play for big clubs regularly.

I think it will be between us Germany, France and Brazil to win the world cup, or if not then we'll make the semi finals at least.

 

[Super_horns]

Trouble is in reality we will go out against the first decent team we play!

 

[Carver]

Trouble is in reality we will go out against the first decent team we play!

Why do you say that?

Come on mate we're ENGLAND!!

You know World in motion! 3 lions on a shirt!! vindaloo nah nah!!

It's world cup fever!

 

[Super_horns]

Well we always seem to say we are too tired or not prepared.

Glad to be proved wrong though!

 

[Carver]

Well we always seem to say we are too tired or not prepared.

Glad to be proved wrong though!

Nah I'm just joking but no doubt there will be some idiot pundit or former footballer come out and say we can win the world cup like always.

I just hope that we go to a tournament and play positively for a change and win a match by more than 1 goal. But no won't happen, we'll maybe scrape through and get knocked out in humiliating fashion against another Iceland.

 

[Son of Cod]

대한민국 화이팅!

You just look at the players we've got in Kane and Alli who are superstars for Spurs in the Premier League and also the rest who all play for big clubs regularly.

Agreed. That has worked well in recent tournaments.

 

[Super_horns]

South Korea through after they and Syria drew.

Syria so close - get another chance against the Aussies or Saudi Arabia I think.

 

[mistermagic]

South Korea and Saudi Arabia through. Syria/Australia to play a 2-legged play-off next month before the big fat Asia/Oceania against New Zealand in November.

Wouldn't it be so great to see New Zealand beat Australia in that one? Or Syria to qualify?

 

[Lance Stoe]

Syria or Australia may end up playing the USA. New Zealand play whoever finishes fifth in South America

 

[epic73]

Need new country, current two cannot play football.

 

[Stevencc]

You've already falsely claimed a second one, what's a third?

 

[epic73]

My rule is you can claim as many as you like as long as Iceland have never beaten them in the Euros. You've all broken that rule.

 

[mistermagic]

Mexico have made it. Costa Rica are pretty much there too.
Cmon, Concacaf, let's have Panama at the World Cup!

 

[Libertadores FC]

Excused then



Yeah, was a bad performance (when Özil was our best man yesterday "runningwise" you see that something must be wrong ) The Czechs were "fighting for their lives" and a draw would have been a fair result but one lazy moment and the World Champ "executes" you. So even if we aren't in best form yet....don't underestimate us...never! The World Cup isn't won one year before. At the tournament we'll see a team more concentrated, as usual.

Actually we are not the favourites for winning (and,in this case, defending) the World Cup that's Brazil and France. But, as I said, it's still 1 year and we'll see.

Disagree. Germany are still above Brazil and France.

 

[mistermagic]

Disagree. Germany are still above Brazil and France.

Reckon Germany will have a psychological edge on Brazil for a solid decade after what happened last time around, a bit like what happened with us back in 1998. The Brazilians are scared shitless of us ever since (actually we have a decent overall record against them, even before dicking them 3-0 in the final).
France and Germany? Meh. We got unebelievably lucky at Euro 2016 so I wouldn't read too much into that but I reckon we'd take them if we meet in 9 months. We have undeniable quality (which Germany don't) but we're not great in front of goal (whereas Germany can score with half a chance). 50/50.

 

[Dirk]

We have undeniable quality (which Germany don't) but we're not great in front of goal (whereas Germany can score with half a chance). 50/50.

So "scoring with half a chance" is no quality then?
Yeah, France was very lucky to beat us in the semis of the Euro2016 (the "hand of the Swine(climber)" in stoppage time of the first half ) and then you (sorry, the french team) made the fault to think they already have won something. But ok, we'll see what happens in 2018. Nobody, not even you, can say what's in 2018.
Hopefully Marco Reus and Ilkay Gündogan are fit for this tournament, they'll deserve it to be there after they didn't made it to the last tournaments due to injuries. It will be close but I really keep my fingers crossed for both

Disagree. Germany are still above Brazil and France.

Wasn't it you who said here (weeks ago) that Brazil is actually the best team in the world? What has happened since then ?
For me, Brazil and France are actually above us (although we would never play 0-0 against Luxembourg in a competition match like France did a few days ago ).
But the World Cup is only in 10 months time. Plenty of time. What's good now can be bad then (and vice versa)

 

[mente captus]

I expect us to win the title again. I mean, its us, the germans.

 

[Dirk]

Herman the German has spoken.

 

[epic73]

Herman the German has spoken.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Herrmann