Round of 16
Reckon the Spanish will be hurting after been stung by Japan,
Netherlands will smash SA
Japan could push Norway (i hope)
US to beat Sweden
The danes should be too good for Aus
France over Morocco
England to walk over Nigeria
And Columbia to squeak past Jamaica
Netherlands will smash SA
Japan could push Norway (i hope)
US to beat Sweden
The danes should be too good for Aus
France over Morocco
England to walk over Nigeria
And Columbia to squeak past Jamaica
Reckon the Spanish will be hurting after been stung by Japan,
Netherlands will smash SA
Japan could push Norway (i hope)
US to beat Sweden
The danes should be too good for Aus
France over Morocco
England to walk over Nigeria
And Columbia to squeak past Jamaica
Netherlands will smash SA
Japan could push Norway (i hope)
US to beat Sweden
The danes should be too good for Aus
France over Morocco
England to walk over Nigeria
And Columbia to squeak past Jamaica
Would be nice to see some more surprise results in the next round. But I expect some of the lower ranked teams will have already played there cup finals making into the knock out rounds and might find it hard to peak again.
But this world cup it throwing up so many surprises anything is possible.
Excellent tournament so far.
So hard to predict any game. I do fancy Sweden to beat USA based on what we've seen in the group stage but can never count out the team who always win this thing.
Reckon the Spanish will be hurting after been stung by Japan,
Netherlands will smash SA
Japan could push Norway (i hope)
US to beat Sweden
The danes should be too good for Aus
France over Morocco
England to walk over Nigeria
And Columbia to squeak past Jamaica
Netherlands will smash SA
Japan could push Norway (i hope)
US to beat Sweden
The danes should be too good for Aus
France over Morocco
England to walk over Nigeria
And Columbia to squeak past Jamaica
I would expect Sweden to exploit the USA visible defense weaknesses, and I do not expect USA to progress.
2/6 hosting split is a bit shark. Especially as it involves ferrying teams from the NZ groups over to Aus to play. Guessing the Aussies couldn't countenance not having at least one USWNT game over there. Fox broadcast team has their setup in Sydney rather than here as well.
2/6 hosting split is a bit shark. Especially as it involves ferrying teams from the NZ groups over to Aus to play. Guessing the Aussies couldn't countenance not having at least one USWNT game over there. Fox broadcast team has their setup in Sydney rather than here as well.
Netherlands and South Africa off to Sydney, and Sweden and USA off to Melbourne. Winners have to come back to NZ again!
2/6 hosting split is a bit shark. Especially as it involves ferrying teams from the NZ groups over to Aus to play. Guessing the Aussies couldn't countenance not having at least one USWNT game over there. Fox broadcast team has their setup in Sydney rather than here as well.
Netherlands and South Africa off to Sydney, and Sweden and USA off to Melbourne. Winners have to come back to NZ again!
Noticed the intercontinental didn’t have the safa flag anymore. That makes sense now.
It is a bit shark that only two of the Round of 16 matches (Saturday) are in NZ.
I'm picking Spain, Japan, Netherlands, USA, England, Australia, Colombia, France to win.
If the Netherlands then beat Spain (likely opponent) in their quarter-final (played in Wellington), then they will probably play the USA (AGAIN!!!!) in the semi-final in Auckland.
Japan / Norway vs. Sweden / USA in the other quarter-final in Auckland.
On the other side of the draw, I'm picking an Australia v France quarter-final and an England v Colombia quarter-final
And a semi-final of France v England.
It is a bit shark that only two of the Round of 16 matches (Saturday) are in NZ.
I'm picking Spain, Japan, Netherlands, USA, England, Australia, Colombia, France to win.
If the Netherlands then beat Spain (likely opponent) in their quarter-final (played in Wellington), then they will probably play the USA (AGAIN!!!!) in the semi-final in Auckland.
Japan / Norway vs. Sweden / USA in the other quarter-final in Auckland.
On the other side of the draw, I'm picking an Australia v France quarter-final and an England v Colombia quarter-final
And a semi-final of France v England.
It is a bit shark that only two of the Round of 16 matches (Saturday) are in NZ.
I'm picking Spain, Japan, Netherlands, USA, England, Australia, Colombia, France to win.
If the Netherlands then beat Spain (likely opponent) in their quarter-final (played in Wellington), then they will probably play the USA (AGAIN!!!!) in the semi-final in Auckland.
Japan / Norway vs. Sweden / USA in the other quarter-final in Auckland.
On the other side of the draw, I'm picking an Australia v France quarter-final and an England v Colombia quarter-final
And a semi-final of France v England.
Yeah, that possibility of two teams from the same group meeting in the semifinals is poor form from FIFA.
Teams progressing should split to opposite sides of the draw.
Before this tournament even started it was impossible for NED.USA final or a JAP.ESP final for example.
2/6 hosting split is a bit shark. Especially as it involves ferrying teams from the NZ groups over to Aus to play. Guessing the Aussies couldn't countenance not having at least one USWNT game over there. Fox broadcast team has their setup in Sydney rather than here as well.
Well Kiwis love their per capita stats. And on that basis hosting 25% of Round of 16 is about right. Overall NZ has had a very generous split of games.
2/6 hosting split is a bit shark. Especially as it involves ferrying teams from the NZ groups over to Aus to play. Guessing the Aussies couldn't countenance not having at least one USWNT game over there. Fox broadcast team has their setup in Sydney rather than here as well.
Well Kiwis love their per capita stats. And on that basis hosting 25% of Round of 16 is about right. Overall NZ has had a very generous split of games.
Oh, no.
We only like per-capital stats when it shows us punching above our weight.
Using per-capita stats to show we are getting our fair share of the pie is just not on.
And Melbourne is 3 hours. Not that far.
Just when you thought there couldn't be a worse own goal than the Italy one Spain manage to score one from the half way line!
Total master class by Spain. Really pleased that the Swiss are getting a thrashing. The stats showed they were one of the least attacking teams so far. Boring negative team. They even parked the bus against NZ. Huge crowd over 43,000, well done Auckland.
Come on Nadeshiko!
Norway playing a super low block, but no definitive moment either way yet.
Norway playing a super low block, but no definitive moment either way yet.
You know that through ball is coming- doesn’t mean you can stop it!
Great crowd down at Welly for a banger of a game!
Come on Japan. Win the thing.
Come on Japan. Win the thing.
As a team, Japan were streets ahead of Norway.
Norway clearly had a lot of forward power,but deployed it too late,and overall were too negative.
Norway clearly had a lot of forward power,but deployed it too late,and overall were too negative.
As a team, Japan were streets ahead of Norway.
Norway clearly had a lot of forward power,but deployed it too late,and overall were too negative.
Norway clearly had a lot of forward power,but deployed it too late,and overall were too negative.
It was a gamble. It wasn’t a done deal at 1-1 and a back 5, but as soon as they went to a back 4 Japan were able to play a free flowing counter for the 3rd.
But yeh Norway didn’t look like scoring with that very deep set defense and their best effort late in the game was met with a fantastic save to keep them 2 down.
Great crowd Welly! I figured most of NZ’s Japanese population was in the stadium and hopefully a few tourists too!
If you think you can ride out the Japanese wave of attack, forget it. They will just batter you the whole 90
Japan play great football. They are technically and tactical fantastic. They super well organized and go relentless after every ball. They look like a very happy team and super like able. It’s my new favorite team of this world cup,
They're just so aggressive. They play so much in the final third and their passing was fast and accurate.
There were a few times they took 1 touch too many where they could have put a striker 1 in 1 with the goalie, but they just kept at it.
There were a few times they took 1 touch too many where they could have put a striker 1 in 1 with the goalie, but they just kept at it.
Took my wife along to her first WC game, she loved it. I think my biggest criticism of the whole thing is the lack of FIFA store in town. Wtf? I tried so hard to get Japan gear ahead of the game yesterday but could only pick it up at the stadium. Even then some of the stuff I wanted was sold out. But anyway, that’s a criticism of FIFA, not anyone else.
Loved being part of what seemed like a 2/3 or even 3/4 stadium for Japan. Norway didn’t deserve to go through but had a very good game plan and stuck to it, Nadeshiko were more than worthy winners though. That third was excellent. The way they play it out from the back it’s something to behold. Not something I’m used to and caused me great stress 😂 Hopefully we can make it all the way! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my experience for the World Cup and Wellington thrives on big game days. The opening of Willis Lane was great too, nice pre match food and booze!
Loved being part of what seemed like a 2/3 or even 3/4 stadium for Japan. Norway didn’t deserve to go through but had a very good game plan and stuck to it, Nadeshiko were more than worthy winners though. That third was excellent. The way they play it out from the back it’s something to behold. Not something I’m used to and caused me great stress 😂 Hopefully we can make it all the way! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my experience for the World Cup and Wellington thrives on big game days. The opening of Willis Lane was great too, nice pre match food and booze!
Agree on the lack of merchandise away from the stadium. I would love to have got an England scarf or beanie but they have only had merchandise for the teams playing in NZ at the stadium which is a shame. At least in Wellington anyway, don't know if they might have had more at Eden Park. And doesn't seem to be any other physical place to buy them. You can get them all on the FIFA store online but with excessive shipping fees as all coming from overseas.
I can't be the only fan of a different team living/going to games here so surely stuff for some of the teams playing in Aus would have sold.
I can't be the only fan of a different team living/going to games here so surely stuff for some of the teams playing in Aus would have sold.
That Japanese "Away" top would have been perfect for my Grandaughter. Sad we couldn't buy it online etc.
Big game from Martens for Ned, to set up both goals.
Intriguing match up in Wellington. Ned v Spain. Both like to play controlled football. Spain with prob the better attacking talent. Ned with prob the better defensive system.
Going to be a huge game for a place in the semi's.
Intriguing match up in Wellington. Ned v Spain. Both like to play controlled football. Spain with prob the better attacking talent. Ned with prob the better defensive system.
Going to be a huge game for a place in the semi's.
Went to the Spain v Switzerland game last night.Was wondering about the crowd numbers an hour out from kick off but ground filled up despite Auckland football scheduling games.Didn't seem to be that many Spanish or Swiss supporters either.Funny sight was a group of what I assume was Kiwi guys dressed as Spanish with a spanish flag with PALMY SUCKS wriiten on it.Got a bit of a chuckle from those around them,Spain hav some scary attacking talent with the ability to bear people one on one.Also they seemed a lot more direct than previously.They really did coast in the second half. OG was hilarious - much better than the Italian one .With the advanced positioning of a lot of keepers these days wonder whether it might become more common.
This was the first game of the 4 I have attended that I was able to get anywhere near the merchandise store. Stock is a bit limited , even the generic items.Not much in the larger sizes - blame the Yanks , they were buying up everything.
The two quarter finals in NZ are going to be huge.
This was the first game of the 4 I have attended that I was able to get anywhere near the merchandise store. Stock is a bit limited , even the generic items.Not much in the larger sizes - blame the Yanks , they were buying up everything.
The two quarter finals in NZ are going to be huge.
On the limited merch, I strongly suspect that they made it expecting some average as fudge crowds and didn't wanna be palming it off at 50% off in a month.
Stuff sold out like crazy at the Netherlands USA match. When we bought Japan scarves last night (damn no Matchday scarves for the finals) the saleswoman commented on us saying we got lucky to have our NZ Beanies as they sold out fast and people keep asking for them.
I managed to snag a couple of hoodies off Rebel sport as the FIFA stores and site sold out.
Stuff sold out like crazy at the Netherlands USA match. When we bought Japan scarves last night (damn no Matchday scarves for the finals) the saleswoman commented on us saying we got lucky to have our NZ Beanies as they sold out fast and people keep asking for them.
I managed to snag a couple of hoodies off Rebel sport as the FIFA stores and site sold out.
On the limited merch, I strongly suspect that they made it expecting some average as fudge crowds and didn't wanna be palming it off at 50% off in a month.
Stuff sold out like crazy at the Netherlands USA match. When we bought Japan scarves last night (damn no Matchday scarves for the finals) the saleswoman commented on us saying we got lucky to have our NZ Beanies as they sold out fast and people keep asking for them.
I managed to snag a couple of hoodies off Rebel sport as the FIFA stores and site sold out.
Stuff sold out like crazy at the Netherlands USA match. When we bought Japan scarves last night (damn no Matchday scarves for the finals) the saleswoman commented on us saying we got lucky to have our NZ Beanies as they sold out fast and people keep asking for them.
I managed to snag a couple of hoodies off Rebel sport as the FIFA stores and site sold out.
Yeah I’d checked them out as well (both in store and online) but was very limited. Just a shame they didn’t have the official store offsite. I wasn’t sure it was just a welly thing but sounds like that’s a no.
Solid result for the Dutch today, interesting to see how their 1/4 vs Spain pans out. I think the Spanish will edge it, although, they’d better hope they’re more penetrating and clinical than they were against japan.
Yea when Spain is on they look fudgeing good. That should be a banger of a game.
.hoping for a 9-9 goal fest that goes to a penalty shootout.
.hoping for a 9-9 goal fest that goes to a penalty shootout.
Man that Swedish goalkeeper has been amazing.
Man that Swedish goalkeeper has been amazing.
Yeah, if this goes to pens the US should be very nervous.
Come on USA. I want my bonus bets
This is too fudgeing tense