Paulie Gualtieri
R.I.P. Tony Sirico
- May 18, 2016
- 12,312
- 3,052
Huh?
Against Belgium, they don't. If the team were Saudi Arabia or Egypt, I would say there's fair game, but against Belgium, they don't have much hope.
I don't understand what you are saying. Japan are not underdogs against Belgium, but they would be underdogs against Saudi Arabia or Egypt?
Please, no more upsets in this match, Belgium should win.
But you just said that they were not underdogs against Belgium.No, the other way around. They're not underdogs against KSA or EGY.
But you just said that they were not underdogs against Belgium.
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.
In terms of talent as well.In terms of FIFA rankings, yes.
This might be the most talentless Russian team in ages, but it's still an exaggeration that this Japanese team has more talent.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.In terms of talent as well.
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.No real surprises in the line up tonight;
Courtois
Alderweireld, Kompany, Vertonghen
Meunier, Witsel, De Bruyne, Carrasco
Mertens, Lukaku, Hazard
WC 2018 AFC qualification: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.
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.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.
Hopefully they adjust as the game goes on, they have some guys who are really good from distance that can provide another option.Belgium trying to carry the ball into the goal.