Lionbackers.com

Little South Korea knocks off soccer giant Germany, 2-0.

Germany is out of the Cup.

WestCoastJoe wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 27, 2018 9:14 am

Little South Korea knocks off soccer giant Germany, 2-0.

Germany is out of the Cup.

I guess after the surprising win over Sweden in their last game, the defending champions became too overconfident.

Sweden recomposed themselves with a 3-0 win over Mexico to advance.

Two more teams eliminated:

Egypt
Saudi Arabia
Morocco
Peru
Costa Rica
Tunisia
Panama
Poland
Iran
Nigeria
Iceland
Australia
Germany
South Korea

Robbie wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 27, 2018 10:10 am

WestCoastJoe wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 27, 2018 9:14 am

Little South Korea knocks off soccer giant Germany, 2-0.

Germany is out of the Cup.

I guess after the surprising win over Sweden in their last game, the defending champions became too overconfident.

They looked flat the whole tournament.

Adding Serbia to the elimination list now:

Egypt
Saudi Arabia
Morocco
Peru
Costa Rica
Tunisia
Panama
Poland
Iran
Nigeria
Iceland
Australia
Germany
South Korea
Serbia

While there have been some upsets, there wasn't as many as both Brazil and Argentina have advanced.

The only thing that's remaining now is to see which of one of these three will be added to that list: Japan, Senegal, Colombia.

If there's any affinity towards their continental-brothers, then Senegal remains the only African country that's alive.

What a huge upset defending champions Germany getting eliminated. No wonder there weren't any cars sporting German flags on Commercial Drive.

Robbie wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 27, 2018 1:33 pm

The only thing that's remaining now is to see which of one of these three will be added to that list: Japan, Senegal, Colombia.

If there's any affinity towards their continental-brothers, then Senegal remains the only African country that's alive.

Despite the fact that Japan lost to Poland and ended up with 4 points and same Goal Differential with Senegal and had a 2-2 tie in the game between the two countries, it was Senegal that was eliminated meaning that no African country has advanced to the knockout stage.

Japan advanced over Senegal because of the 7th tiebreaker rule which was invoked for the very first time in World Cup history:

Fair play points in all group matches:
First yellow card: minus 1 point;
Indirect red card (second yellow card): minus 3 points;
Direct red card: minus 4 points;
Yellow card and direct red card: minus 5 points;

And in the end, the result was: Fair play points: Japan −4, Senegal −6.

So it looks like having good behaviour has its merits after all.

Eliminated
Egypt
Saudi Arabia
Morocco
Peru
Costa Rica
Tunisia
Panama
Poland
Iran
Nigeria
Iceland
Australia
Germany
South Korea
Serbia
Senegal

Unlike the U.S. Men's Ice Hockey team in 1998 who wrecked their Nagano hotel after their elimination, the Japanese team completely cleaned out their locker room spotless despite their devastating loss after giving a two goal lead and then giving up the winning goal in late stoppage time to Belgium.

Anyways, the final eight teams and quarterfinal matches have been set:

Uruguay vs. France
Brazil vs. Belgium
Sweden vs. England
Russia vs. Croatia

Harry Kane sets the tone for England.

Determination and character. When fouled he does not roll around on the ground screaming. He gathers himself quietly and gets up.

Great under pressure.

He was the last one to encourage his goalkeeper, Pickford, prior to the shootout. And he consoled Colombia's Ospina after the loss.

I root for him.

Wow what a game!

With British parents, I fully expected to see England choke (after letting Columbia tie it up in stoppage time). Then they get behind in the shootout, but Pickford manages to pull it off. Impressive performance with only one season in the Premier League (with Everton).

By no means is Sweden going to be easy (still plenty of opportunities for England to keep their dismal World Cup record for futility going).

"If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn ... "

"If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs ... "

"If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it ... "

It's been a pleasure to watch Kane during the last Spurs season and he has continued in this WC to be the A-1 class of the team.

Nike has a new ad featuring Harry Kane.

He persevered when many were naysayers. Humble guy. Hard worker. Gets fouled a lot. Quietly gathers himself and gets up.

As Zidane says, he is a complete player. He looks fast enough now. He reminds me of Gretzky with his anticipation. He is in the right place over and over. Clinical finisher.

Go, Harry.