World Cup: R16: Belgium vs. Japan, 7/2/2018

[Shrimper]

Still in my sweepstakes. Wahey

 

[Corto]

Well, I feel sorry for Japan, but quite simply, Belgium is the better team.

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

This WC has been brilliant so far.

 

[hatterson]

How does extra time work? I get the play stoppages and injury time, but do the refs just call it at their own discretion?

Just to answer this anyway.

Stoppage time is added at the end of each half based on injury stoppages, substitutions, or time wasting by either time. The idea is to theoretically make each half be 45 minutes of "actual" football. It's entirely up to referee discretion.

Extra time is added to the end of some games if it's tied after the second half. You play two 15 minute halves, with stoppage time added at the end of each of them if there's any.

 

[ViD]

A friend of mine is at the game. What a lucky stinker.

 

[Sorry]

Japan should be very proud of their effort.

 

[Blender]

All credit to Japan for a really well played game as well. Both teams deserved to move on.

 

[SuperScript29]

This is why this has been the best world cup I have seen, and I was old enough to remember them since 1990.

 

[hatterson]

Belgium need de bruyne and mertens to show up if they want to beat Brazil. And Lukaku needs to actually finish. Really good on the final break (both the run and the dummy), but two open headers from 6 yards out today, one went wide and one was straight at the keeper.

 

[TheMoreYouKnow]

Japan is just too inocent.

I honestly think they don't really understand how this sport works. No European or Latin American side would ever play like Japan do.

 

[Natey]

Game of the tournament so far? I definitely think so.

This game and the Denmark/Croatia shootout.

 

[Eisen]

I honestly think they don't really understand how this sport works. No European or Latin American side would ever play like Japan do.

They wanted their own mentality back. This is by design.

 

[Tuggy]

Wow, heartbreak for Japan.

That will be a really tough one for them to get over.

 

[phisherman]

I honestly think they don't really understand how this sport works. No European or Latin American side would ever play like Japan do.

They're too honest. We complain about time wasting, diving, etc. but that's how teams finish games. Japan doesn't do any of those.

 

[trellaine201]

Well, I feel sorry for Japan, but quite simply, Belgium is the better team.

I wanted Japan to win but you said it. There a better team.

 

[Fvital92]

I honestly think they don't really understand how this sport works. No European or Latin American side would ever play like Japan do.

They don't have any awareness, the last play was ridiculous. Why would you send almost everyone on your team on a corner when you are basically a nation of midgets playing against Goliaths?
It truly pisses me off.

 

[Blender]

They're too honest. We complain about time wasting, diving, etc. but that's how teams finish games. Japan doesn't do any of those.

If they can keep developing talent and improving though, this will pay off for them over the years. They just need to hit on a golden generation of players, and playing this way will translate to results.

 

[Suiteness]

Hard to feel too sorry for Japan here. Corner deep in injury time of a tie game and you get caught on a break with two men back?!?

 

[Eisen]

They're too honest. We complain about time wasting, diving, etc. but that's how teams finish games. Japan doesn't do any of those.

I still like that philosophy.

 

[Fvital92]

They're too honest. We complain about time wasting, diving, etc. but that's how teams finish games. Japan doesn't do any of those.

This game was lost on their goalkeeper and stupidity on the last play.
Belgium played a horrible game today.

 

[ViD]

And that’s why you park the bus, folks

 

[canuckster19]

They don't have any awareness, the last play was ridiculous. Why would you send almost everyone on your team on a corner when you are basically a nation of midgets playing against Goliaths?
It truly pisses me off.

Swedish PBP made light of this as well, although not nearly as crude as you put it.

 

[koyvoo]

And that’s why you park the bus, folks

Then commit way too many men forward for a 93rd minute corner in a tied knockout game.

 

[Fvital92]

And that’s why you park the bus, folks

Sadly, but true. It wasn't the case today, but when you are a bad team your only chance to win is to park the bus. It's a smart decision. It doesn't make it up a nice game to watch but you gain in emotion.

 

[kihei]

I guess Belgium just needed something to get them motivated. What a comeback! But kudos to Japan, too, as no one thought this match would be such a nail-biter.

 

[TheMoreYouKnow]

They wanted their own mentality back. This is by design.

I know that they sacked their successful European coach - Halilhodzic - who had them playing a far more realistic style and replaced them with someone from within their FA. But if they prefer going down in a blaze of glory to actually winning..it's entertaining but not the way to get the most out of your talent.