The official WC 2022 qualifying thread....

[estebahn73]

Haaland is keep on scoring goals here. Too bad the rest of the Norwegian team is mediocre at best. Otherwise he could be looking at giving a decent run at Ronaldo’s record.


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[kellmuff]

Canada was unlucky not to win that game vs. the USA. Big lols at Aarsonson's comments post-game too.

[Gin&Juice]

Canada had 28 percent possession and 2 shots on goal. How were they unlucky to draw 1-1?

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by Gin&Juice

Canada had 28 percent possession and 2 shots on goal. How were they unlucky to draw 1-1?

Because they created several other dangerous scoring chances similar to the one on which they scored (i.e. low crosses behind the defense that just needed a tap-in). Whereas the US had tons of possession and created only two good chances the whole match (Pulisic hit the post on the first, and Aaronson scored on the second).

Perfect example of how soccer stats are pretty pointless....

[mfw13]

China last in their group even after naturalizing three Brazilians and a Brit....have no idea why they are this bad at men's soccer.....

[YayNJ]

Originally Posted by estebahn73

Too bad the rest of the Norwegian team is mediocre at best.

I can't tell if this is a bit of light trolling or ignorance?

Jens Petter Hauge, Martin Odegaard, & Sander Berge are all fantastic little players.

Originally Posted by mfw13

China last in their group even after naturalizing three Brazilians and a Brit....have no idea why they are this bad at men's soccer.....

Well, I can't speak for the Brazilians, but the English fella, Browning is complete and utter garbage, so perhaps that goes some way to explain it.

[YayNJ]

Originally Posted by Gin&Juice

Canada had 28 percent possession and 2 shots on goal. How were they unlucky to draw 1-1?

Possession doesn't mean that much if you set up to contain and counter. Look at Leicester when they won the Premier League. Canada nullified the US. There's no point in having 80% of the ball if you aren't going to do anything with it.

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by YayNJ

Well, I can't speak for the Brazilians, but the English fella, Browning is complete and utter garbage, so perhaps that goes some way to explain it.

I think it has more to do with the culture set by the Communist Party/government....i.e. be obedient and follow orders.

Soccer is a game which rewards creativity and risk-taking....both of which are discouraged by the Chinese government in all walks of life. Fear of making mistakes and getting punished for them does not create good soccer players.

[k13]

Originally Posted by estebahn73

Haaland is keep on scoring goals here. Too bad the rest of the Norwegian team is mediocre at best. Otherwise he could be looking at giving a decent run at Ronaldo’s record.


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Its Gibraltar, embarrassing he's still playing in the 90th minute when the game is over.

Usually stars get subbed out at half time against these minnows.

[YayNJ]

Originally Posted by mfw13

I think it has more to do with the culture set by the Communist Party/government....i.e. be obedient and follow orders.

Okay pal.

[Gin&Juice]

Originally Posted by YayNJ

Possession doesn't mean that much if you set up to contain and counter. Look at Leicester when they won the Premier League. Canada nullified the US. There's no point in having 80% of the ball if you aren't going to do anything with it.

Yeah, I agree that Canada effectively neutralized the US so that the US did not create many good goal scoring chances, but I still think it is a stretch to then suggest that Canada was unlucky not to win the game. Outside of their goal, Alphonso Davies beat Sergino Dest once to get around the corner and Tajon beat John Brooks once to get around the corner, but that was it. To say a team is not lucky to score 2 goals when it only created 2.5 chances the entire game is a stretch. The US still had more shots, more crosses, and better goal scoring opportunities. Pulisic hit the post, Miles Robinson headed over the bar, Aaronson almost got on another, and US had a couple free kicks from dangerous spots. Again, not defending the US at all, but I hardly think that Canada deserved a win.

[Eckstein197]

And just like that Armenia chokes with their match against Lichtenstein, drawing at home. If they had won, they’d be second at worst with 4 games to go. Would be fun to see them go on a run and finish second in the group to see if they can sneak into the WC

[Eckstein197]

USA needs to get a win tonight. 3 draws wouldn’t be great. Wouldn’t doom them or anything like some people think if they draw but they cannot lose tonight.

Still think USA Mexico are the heavy favorites to qualify but after that usa Canada game, I think Canada can give Honduras/Costa a run for their money for that third qualifying spot

[mfw13]

Looks like all the major European powers are on track to qualify directly with the exception of Spain, who is likely to have to win at home to Sweden on the last match day to avoid the playoffs.

[k13]

Szczesny

England overrated as always.
Lewandowski carrying team on back as a 10 not 9.

Sweden choked bad...

[Eckstein197]

Just doesn’t make any sense how usa can look incredible all summer and then as soon as qualifiers start we forget how to play

[LittleJimmies]

Originally Posted by Eckstein197

Just doesn’t make any sense how usa can look incredible all summer and then as soon as qualifiers start we forget how to play

That first half really was not fun to watch.

[Mahomie]

Great play by Pepi, nice finish by Antonee Robinson.

[Mahomie]

Pepi

2-1 now

[j0shuab]

Good day to get my first SGC submission grades, especially the second one.

[LittleJimmies]

What a half for Pepi.

[Mahomie]

Brenden Aaronson, assist by Pepi

3-1

It's in the bag

[Eckstein197]

4-1 pour it on

[Mahomie]

Ricardo Pepi

Nice first cap

[Gin&Juice]

Antonee Robinson just locked his spot in the starting lineup. Forget the goal, he was terrific on the defensive side.