World Cup 2022

The Fox

Feeling Supersonic
Jun 4, 2004
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This kind of hurts for Canada, missed an opportunity, they should've bagged the 3 pts against Belgium.
I agree. I had them beating Belgium and Morocco to progress. Croatia was always the best team in the group. FIFA ranking are BS, it was great to think Belgium were a number 2 team to give us hope, yet, Belgium are no where near # 2.
 

The Fox

Feeling Supersonic
Jun 4, 2004
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It will always be about where the most athletically talented individuals choose to train those talents up to professional standards.

In Canada that's hockey, and to lesser degrees Basketball, Baseball, and Football. But especially hockey because there is a massive infrastructure starting at age two to develop the skill set.

So unless a very real eeffort is made to start it at that level, with financial incentives, we will alwsys be low tier.
Pretty much like the US. I always find it amusing that founders of North America just made up their own sports.
 
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danmand

Well-known member
Nov 28, 2003
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It’s not perspective. It wasn’t exciting. They didn’t win in open play. They went through the tournament and progressed on penalties and then won on penalties. It’s a coin toss at that point.

I agree with you, a younger generation will be good to watch. The old team won the only way they knew how.
I think several nations have older teams, Argentina, Germany, Belgium and Holland.

Some players should have followed Tony Kroos' example.
 

Insidious Von

My head is my home
Sep 12, 2007
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Der Mannschaft looked flaccid, they still need Tony Kroos. I doubt the Albiceleste can withstand the physical play of the Poles....unless FIFA fixes the match so Argentina advances.

I took the loss to Croatia hard, as hard the Azzurri in the 2012 Euro Final. No party at Big Cannoli Lane, I walked home.
 
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mellowjello

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Jan 11, 2017
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Exciting football lol. They played for a tie and went through the tournament winning on penalties only.
I don't know what tournament you were watching, that's not what I saw at all.
Playing for a tie? That's your own opinion, or bias. Your still hung up on 70s and 80s Italian soccer.
Are you saying that because a game goes to penalties, teams are playing for a tie or the games are necessarily boring?
When Brazil beat Italy in the 94 finals, was Brazil playing for the tie, hoping to win on penalties?
 

Butler1000

Well-known member
Oct 31, 2011
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Canada finished top of CONCACAF qualifying. Ahead of Mexico who have a high pedigree. And ahead of 330 million USA. The World Cup is another level of competition. If you dont know what you are talking about then STFU!
Yes I do. Elite athletes are born as well as trained. Its a small section of the population that can hit these levels. And in Canada Hockey is King.

Hence our low levels of success at the WC. Vs say in World Cup and Olympic Hockey. Proof is in results.

And in pointing out the USA, with 10 times the population and its Elite demographic poorer showing, you add to my point. Their elite level bodies head into lucrative sports. Even the Olympics as there are scholarships in college and pay for success incentives.
 

Butler1000

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Oct 31, 2011
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A real effort was done back in 2018. On a plan to be as competitive as possible. It takes years. First move was to get a coach signed until then. That's when Herdman came in. He is the one that focused on qualifying for 2022. Not many believed him back then as we were losing to turk and caicos...He did it. Next he wants as many players as possible playing in Europe. This Being done now as many did or will soon.

At youth level soccer canada completely revamp the system for all soccer association that wants certificationNo more d1, d2 team decided at 8 years old! Now from 8 to 12 players are one city group. Players are called up to game based on their progression. No pop or mom coach certified instructor only.

At 13 and over there is one 'elite league' for the top talent only and a development league where no stats are recorded and no ranking. This to give best level possible to kids who develop later (especially physically). The rest of the kids then play regional league (that's the league i coach for the past 6 year now).

All this was possible because of the very high level of youth soccer inscription. Twice more then hockey now. And indoor soccer facilities are popping up all over the country.

So a real move is underway. Canada went from 185 in the world to about 45 in 3 years. In 4 years we will be around 20 if not 15 :)
I'm glad to hear that. However I remember we played Soccer to keep in shape for hockey, it wasn't our first choice. Has that attitude changed? Maybe it has. And is the parental engagement at the same level? Are there Walter Gretzky's in the Soccer world pushing their kids there?

No doubt we have the cash to train. But my point was about elite level athletes CHOICES.
 

jalimon

Well-known member
Jan 10, 2016
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I'm glad to hear that. However I remember we played Soccer to keep in shape for hockey, it wasn't our first choice. Has that attitude changed? Maybe it has. And is the parental engagement at the same level? Are there Walter Gretzky's in the Soccer world pushing their kids there?

No doubt we have the cash to train. But my point was about elite level athletes CHOICES.
Yes like i wrote there is now twice as much kids that play soccer then hockey For many reason. Price. Crazy hockey schedule. And hockey violence. Ho also because of the hockey pattern to have crazy dad's coach...
 

jsanchez

Well-known member
Apr 8, 2004
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T.O.
Looking at the Canada team, it must be hard to be against immigration.
I'm pro immigration but let's face it,
to field world class teams we'll need a competitive league + academies --> a lot of home grown talent.
(how many Canadians play in the MLS?).
 
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jsanchez

Well-known member
Apr 8, 2004
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T.O.
...I doubt the Albiceleste can withstand the physical play of the Poles....unless FIFA fixes the match so Argentina advances.
I was impressed with Poland, their counter attacks looked like the blitzkrieg,
Lewandowski must be smelling blood now that he scored his WC first. All the pressure is on Argentina.
 

Butler1000

Well-known member
Oct 31, 2011
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Yes like i wrote there is now twice as much kids that play soccer then hockey For many reason. Price. Crazy hockey schedule. And hockey violence. Ho also because of the hockey pattern to have crazy dad's coach...
But where are the elite athletes going? Rep Hockey in Canada is still a top spot for them to land. And Basketball, especially in the GTA has also risen in prominence.

Does Canada even have a player in the top 100 soccer players in the world?
 

Phil C. McNasty

Go Jays Go
Dec 27, 2010
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But where are the elite athletes going? Rep Hockey in Canada is still a top spot for them to land. And Basketball, especially in the GTA has also risen in prominence.

Does Canada even have a player in the top 100 soccer players in the world?
Davies would be in the top 20.
And David might crack the top 100
 

danmand

Well-known member
Nov 28, 2003
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Davies would be in the top 20.
And David might crack the top 100
Alphonso is not in the top 20 football players.

He plays on one of the top 100 football teams. So he is in the top 1,000.
 
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glamphotographer

Well-known member
Nov 5, 2011
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Canada
I'm pro immigration but let's face it,
to field world class teams we'll need a competitive league + academies --> a lot of home grown talent.
(how many Canadians play in the MLS?).
There will be more home grown talent after this WC and 2026 WC.
 

NiceToMeetYou

Active member
Oct 24, 2010
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My prediction would be France to win the World Cup this year and second time in a roll. Watching MBappe scored two goals yesterday was just awe. Who will be a runner up team against France in the final? Croatia, Spain or England???

Personally, I think Canada did pretty damn well for being able to qualify for the last 32 teams in this year World Cup even though they lost their first two matches and did not move to the next stage. Hundreds of countries around the world still have yet entered the last 32 teams in World Cup.
 
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glamphotographer

Well-known member
Nov 5, 2011
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Canada
My prediction would be France to win the World Cup this year and second time in a roll. Watching MBappe scored two goals yesterday was just awe. Who will be a runner up team against France in the final? Croatia, Spain or England???

Personally, I think Canada did pretty damn well for being able to qualify for the last 32 teams in this year World Cup even though they lost their first two matches and did not move to the next stage. Hundreds of countries around the world still have yet entered the last 32 teams in World Cup.
Likely Brazil in the finals. But Still think Argentina and Portugal.
 
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