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

Who advances?


  • Total voters
    37
  • Poll closed .

Blender

Registered User
Dec 2, 2009
51,305
45,253
Japan is most definitely better than Russia, I don't think that is even a question. I can't see Belgium playing as passive as Spain did though.
 

PanniniClaus

Registered User
Oct 12, 2006
8,369
3,129
In terms of talent as well.
Agreed - in terms of many things. Golovin and Akinfeev would be the two areas where Russia have superior talent...that is about it. Japan have a nice team...Likely not enough to trouble Belgium but they deserve their round of 16 place.
 
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Savi

Registered User
Dec 3, 2006
9,276
1,862
Bruges, Belgium
No real surprises in the line up tonight;

Courtois
Alderweireld, Kompany, Vertonghen
Meunier, Witsel, De Bruyne, Carrasco
Mertens, Lukaku, Hazard
 
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PanniniClaus

Registered User
Oct 12, 2006
8,369
3,129
No real surprises in the line up tonight;

Courtois
Alderweireld, Kompany, Vertonghen
Meunier, Witsel, De Bruyne, Carrasco
Mertens, Lukaku, Hazard
Maybe I have not been paying close enough attention but seeing Kompany start does surprise me...I did not know if they would risk him as a starter...he does not play 90 minutes too often.
 

Randyne

Registered User
May 20, 2012
1,171
1,877
Japan is most definitely better than Russia, I don't think that is even a question. I can't see Belgium playing as passive as Spain did though.
WC 2018 AFC qualification:
Japan 0 - 1 Saudi Arabia
Japan 2 - 1 Saudi Arabia
WC 2018:
Russia 5 - 0 Saudi Arabia
 

Firsov99

Registered User
Feb 17, 2006
4,595
3,282
Agreed - in terms of many things. Golovin and Akinfeev would be the two areas where Russia have superior talent...that is about it. Japan have a nice team...Likely not enough to trouble Belgium but they deserve their round of 16 place.
I don’t think that Japan has a center forward of Dzyuba quality. Then there are also Dzhikiya, Kokorin, and Igor Denisov, but they couldn’t make the WC for different reasons (ACL injury for the first two and “bad blood” between the player and the coach for the latter). Moreover, I think that the Russian 3rd string goalie is better than the Japan’s starting goalie. This is where Russia has always had great depth. So if there’s an overall advantage in talent for Japan, it’s marginal at best.
 

Firsov99

Registered User
Feb 17, 2006
4,595
3,282
Kudos to Japan, but I think that it’s just a matter of time before they get punished for the high press.
 

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