GWT: World Cup - Group F (Morocco and Croatia Advance)

[bluesfan94]

Another group sure to intrigue many of the members of this board, Group F features Canada, making its first World Cup appearance since 1986 and seeking out its first win on this stage. Canada's success may hinge on the health of its star player Alphonso Davies, who was hurt in the month leading up to the World Cup. In order to advance, Canada will have to get past some stiff competition, including last World Cup's runner-up, Croatia. Croatia has added some new young talent to its squad but retains strong veteran presences throughout the pitch. Belgium, meanwhile, features perhaps the best midfielder in the game today and is looking to capitalize on a golden generation that has disappointed compared to their hype. Morocco features one of the better African squads and will look to advance as well.

Key Players: Alphonso Davies (Canada), Jonathan David (Canada), Luka Modric (Croatia), Ivan Perisic (Croatia), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco), Hakim Ziyech (Morocco), Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium), Thibault Courtois (Belgium)

Home	Away	Time and Date (CST)	Venue
Morocco	Croatia	Wed., Nov. 23, 4:00 AM	Al Bayt Stadium
Belgium	Canada	Wed., Nov. 23, 1:00 PM	Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
Belgium	Morocco	Sun., Nov. 27, 7:00 AM	Al Thumama Stadium
Croatia	Canada	Sun., Nov. 27, 10:00 AM	Khalifa International Stadium
Canada	Morocco	Thurs., Dec. 1, 9:00 AM	Al Thumama Stadium
Croatia	Belgium	Thurs., Dec. 1, 9:00 AM	Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium

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[Tuggy]

Voting with my heart here, but Belgium and Canada.

Canada is a big wildcard right now. I don't think even our own fans know what to expect when we hit the big stage and face nations outside of CONCACAF.

 

[Javaman]

Picked Belgium and Croatia.

I've had many fantasies about scenarios where Canada advances. If Canada somehow ekes out a draw against Belgium in the first match, then I rescind my vote, lol

I think it will take multiple "moments of individual brilliance" for Canada to advance. By that I mean they get outplayed, but Borjan makes some ridiculous saves and then some combination of Davies, David, and Buchanan catches the other team off guard and pops in a goal or two against the run of play.

 

[al secord]

Picked Belgium and Croatia.

I've had many fantasies about scenarios where Canada advances. If Canada somehow ekes out a draw against Belgium in the first match, then I rescind my vote, lol

I think it will take multiple "moments of individual brilliance" for Canada to advance. By that I mean they get outplayed, but Borjan makes some ridiculous saves and then some combination of Davies, David, and Buchanan catches the other team off guard and pops in a goal or two against the run of play.

Ya, i picked with my head and not my heart on this one. I'm not confident, but hopeful.

We give up way too many plum chances against teams who aren't close to the level of Belgium and Croatia. And they will most certainly punish us. I think Croatia will win the group and reach the semis.

We were unfortunate with the group we got, but hopefully the boys give 'em hell. If this team showed us anything it's that they are fearless.

 

[Blender]

Picked Belgium and Croatia, as much as I'd love to see Canada advance.

 

[robertmac43]

Canada and Croatia for me.

I just think Belgium's backline is the easiest to exploit out of the top two European teams and that makes them an easier target for Canada to get a result against.

 

[Juve]

I still can't believe I wasn't even born the last time Canada qualified. Even if they don't qualify for the next round, I have at least one team I can cheer for.

 

[Savant]

If Canada is healthy I like them and Croatia to make it out

 

[robertmac43]

If Canada is healthy I like them and Croatia to make it out

They look great today without Eustaquio and Davies. Hopefully, we get both of them back come the 23rd.

 

[Moncherry]

Morocco is being totally ignored. To be expected.

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

Canada will likely finish fourth, but there's also an outside chance that Davies and David run rampant against a very old Belgian defense and KdB isn't enough to save them.

Morocco are also overall better than Canada, FWIW.

 

[cgf]

Morocco is being totally ignored. To be expected.

TBF they do seem to be weaker on paper than last cycle...though they're still probably stronger than Canada.

 

[Adele Dazeem]

Canada should be happy to get 1 point. This isn't a group for them to have any hopes in.

 

[DuklaNation]

This is more wide open than people think. So many of the experts just gloss over the fact that they're overrating many European league players. Look at the number of leagues, teams, players. Don't tell me the bottom half has a major gap with non-Euro league players. Talent level is clearly diluted at that point.

Canada is strong up front, mediocre to weak on the back end. Davies & David are top end players, the latter could easily get big in EPL. Experience matters though and a lot of the opposition play conservative and wait for mistakes.

 

[Moncherry]

TBF they do seem to be weaker on paper than last cycle...though they're still probably stronger than Canada.

They're my main candidate for surprise team. Strongest defence in the group and I can see Croatia doing another of their first-round flops.

 

[cgf]

They're my main candidate for surprise team. Strongest defence in the group and I can see Croatia doing another of their first-round flops.

Fair enough. I really like a lot of Croatia's young talent, so am high on them at this tourney.

 

[Savant]

Did anyone else besides Belgium lose their warmup game?

 

[al secord]

Did anyone else besides Belgium lose their warmup game?

Other than Canada dominating world beaters Japan, you can't really look into warm-up games as any indication of future success.

 

[Savant]

Other than Canada dominating world beaters Japan, you can't really look into warm-up games as any indication of future success.

I mean I’m shorting Belgium either way. Maybe it matters, maybe it doesn’t but I don’t know anyone else who lost to a team that didn’t qualify

 

[cgf]

I mean I’m shorting Belgium either way. Maybe it matters, maybe it doesn’t but I don’t know anyone else who lost to a team that didn’t qualify

I'm not high on them either. Just saying never overreact to pre-tourney friendlies.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

1. Croatia
2. Belgium
3. Morocco
4. Canada

These games are going to be hard fought. I think Croatia will beat Belgium to first. Morocco are pretenders. A lot of good players, but not a good team. Canada already has injuries to some of their best players and they don’t have depth.

 

[Tuggy]

 

[cgf]

That's huge for Belgium. They probably win the group now

 

[JianYang]

Morocco is being totally ignored. To be expected.

It's a tough group.

I think Canada will be last.

The off feild clown show has halted the feel good vibes Canada had during qualification. I'm also interested to see Davies and eustaquio's form since they are two of Canada's most important players.

Davies has missed some time, and eustaquio was being "assessed" before their recent friendly against Japan.

They don't have the tools to overcome these guys not being in top from right from the opening kickoff in a group like this.

 

[al secord]

It's a tough group.

I think Canada will be last.

The off feild clown show has halted the feel good vibes Canada had during qualification. I'm also interested to see Davies and eustaquio's form since they are two of Canada's most important players.

Davies has missed some time, and eustaquio was being "assessed" before their recent friendly against Japan.

They don't have the tools to overcome these guys not being in top from right from the opening kickoff in a group like this.

Ya, I think generally speaking, most people would have the Morocco/Canada match being meaningless because of how tough the other 2 teams are. No one is overlooking Morocco (at this point, they're probably the best African nation at the tournament) and rightfully ranked 3rd in our group.

If things go the way they should, Canada and Morocco will be playing for pride. But if one or both teams can pull off an upset in the first 2 games, it should make for a great final group day.