No idea about Cape Verde, but definitely not Uruguay. The vast majority if not all of their players are from Uruguay. It has always amazed how somewhat competitive they are given how small their country is.
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The match momentum graphic might be the most worthless graphic I’ve ever seen
Like team Egypt’s playing style, continuous offensive pressure, doesn’t let NZ get comfortable to set up scoring plays.
Their frontline is just picking the defense apart. They’ll be a handful for someone in the knockout.
Anyone else think Japan has a shot to make the semis? If I could pick an underdog who actually could win the tourney I think id take the Dutch. If I had an underdog that I think could make the semis id take Japan. USA if healtht is right there also.
With a good midfield, you should be able to keep the ball away from their frontline. With 5 men forward it leaves a lot of open field for a team to exploit.
And that someone very well may be the US. This win puts them heavy favorites to win group G, which we would face in a round of 16 match.
Semis is a lot but I like Japan. I always think of them being at our level(prior to this WC) where they are a good team but are always just a step below the top 10ish teams.
Agree. I think of them as like a 15-20 team but this particular group seems to be really good. I have been paying attention to them for the last year or so in qualifying. They can score goals.
Japan’s “Blue Lock initiative” is really interesting. Might have heard about it at the last WC, but Blue Lock is a manga/anime about an extreme project meant to find Japan’s future striker, one that will lead them to a World Cup championship. The fact they’re trying something similar IRL is kind of crazy.
They have been my favorite team to watch besides the US so far in group play. I don’t watch much soccer outside the World Cup but they play a very fun style. I’m rooting for them to make a run
Economist has an article.
"Fully 96% of Curaçao’s squad at this tournament and 62% of Cape Verde’s were born abroad."
How to Win the World Cup - Economist
