WORLD CUP 2018

Emp_Fab

The "pause slightly in the run to the ball so you can see which way the keeper is going to dive, then simply kick it in the other side" technique seems to be extremely effective.  I have to question the sanity of any player not doing that in a World Cup shootout.

quarky

I think you lose a lot of power in doing so. If you can smash it into net accurately, it can be pretty hard even if the goalie goes the right way. So horses for courses I guess.

Neil

Emp_Fab said:

The "pause slightly in the run to the ball so you can see which way the keeper is going to dive, then simply kick it in the other side" technique seems to be extremely effective.  I have to question the sanity of any player not doing that in a World Cup shootout.

The "stagger step" is an effective method but you aren't allowed to actually pause (stop) on the run up. It's illegal and would require the penalty being retaken. 

EricTheWeary

Because goalies usually dive to one side or the other it’s said that smashing it down the middle is the safest option. However, footballers don’t like doing this because if it’s saved it looks like they didn’t really try. 

I would have thought that years of muscle memory would take over and it would be hard to miss completely but the ex footballers as pundits say they pressure is so great on you at that point you can just be overwhelmed. 

BigLicks67

Emp_Fab said:

The "pause slightly in the run to the ball so you can see which way the keeper is going to dive, then simply kick it in the other side" technique seems to be extremely effective.  I have to question the sanity of any player not doing that in a World Cup shootout.

So, is putting it in the top corner of the net and I'd have to question the wage packet of a player that couldn't do that.

munckee

You would think every player would have one penalty spot where the keeper cannot save it, top corner and practice it all the time so if they ever take one they know they can score, but I can't imagine the pressure of having your countrys hopes on your shoulders.

Great interview with Stuart Pierce of 5 live on saturday, he said he was so fired up by the boos he got after missing in 90 that he scored 16 goals from open play in the league that season.  He said in 96 he could feel the fans tension as he walked up but he knew he would score as he knew what missing felt like.

menamestom

MagicPigDetective said:

quarky said:

If the favourites are going out regularly, England will have to buck that trend against Columbia, where we will be favourites... You would expect them to, but who knows in this World Cup.

If England are favourites it’s not by much. Colombia are only three places lower in the world rankings. Over the last year they have drawn with Brazil and Spain and beaten a strong French team 3-2 in Paris, where France beat England 3-2. England have also drawn with Spain  + Brazil in the last year. Not much between them,could be a close game 

I think the bookies odds paint a better picture than the FIFA rankings, Columbia a 30% chance and England a 50% chance of winning if my maths is right.  I assume that's in normal time.

Also note sorry Poland are above England in the world Rankings.

That said, we all know, anything could happen.

Nitefly

Something I noticed about Schmeichel last night, when he saved the first penalty from Modric - he went the right way but also moved forward as he went, thus making himself a bigger target.

I haven't noticed whether or not other goalies do that - is it just him?

crunchman

Nitefly said:

Something I noticed about Schmeichel last night, when he saved the first penalty from Modric - he went the right way but also moved forward as he went, thus making himself a bigger target.

I haven't noticed whether or not other goalies do that - is it just him?

Goalies have always moved forwards.  They are supposed to stay on the line until the ball is kicked, but they will try to move forwards a bit before to gain a bit of an advantage.

Things aren't as bad as they used to be.  If it is really blatant, refs these days are more likely to order it to be retaken.  I can't find it on YouTube, but there were keepers who would move way too early, and end up 3 or 4 paces closer to the penalty taker.

Dodge

Hello Japan!

EricTheWeary

Had bits of the Brazil game on the radio, great game as far as I can tell from R5. Favourites now surely. 
Currently being stunned by Japan. 

EricTheWeary

...spoke too soon. Amazing header! 

Dodge

Ooops.

EricTheWeary

...and again. 2-2. I think the Belgians have just worked out they are taller than the Japanese and can head everything in. 

EricTheWeary

Hmmm. 

Deadman

Gutted for Japan there. Great second half, very entertaining stuff.

Nunogilberto

Deadman said:

Gutted for Japan there. Great second half, very entertaining stuff.

I’m gutted for them as well. They played football the way it should be played - none of this defensive, negative, parking the bus bollocks - attacking til the end. 

Still think Belgium are overhyped though, despite their hard fought comeback.

crunchman

Brazil aren't the tallest.  Belgium ought to play Fellaini from the start.

Deadman

Well. Squeaky bum time starts now. Colombia!? I'm saying nowt.

scrumhalf

Cracking second half, tough on Japan but they didn't manage the final couple of minutes well.