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Round of 16: Belgium vs Japan

Who Will Win?

  • Belgium

    Votes: 8 57.1%

  • Japan

    Votes: 6 42.9%
  • Total voters
    14
  • Poll closed .
Status
Not open for further replies.
It was a cracking game and all credit to Japan, but I've no doubt that if it had gone into extra time Belgium would still have won. It wouldn't have gone to penalties.

Also it was nice to see a well fought game without pansies falling over clutching their faces - yes Neymar, I'm looking at you :red::red:
 
Martinez should be looking at dropping De Bruyne. He's been terrible this WC. Last goal aside, he could barely make a pass all night and he's been dire all 4 games.

He doesn't like playing deeper? Boo 'kin hoo. If you're a great player you find a way. Cry arseing Tin-Tin.
 
Kev The Rat said:
Anyone on this forum could manage Belgium with the same effect as Martinez. He’s clearly got no influence at all on these players they just direct themselves. Understandably as they are in the top 3 squads in world football.
Click to expand...
Kev., you and your ilk lost this debate. Martinez has done the business at Belgium knitting together a team of talented individuals and giving them a way to play that uses all the talent available...and adding a pair of bollocks to them that Wilmots could never find.

You and your chums just need to accept it: the man is a manager - a VERY VERY good manager.
 

davek said:
Kev., you and your ilk lost this debate. Martinez has done the business at Belgium knitting together a team of talented individuals and giving them a way to play that uses all the talent available...and adding a pair of bollocks to them that Wilmots could never find.

You and your chums just need to accept it: the man is a manager - a VERY VERY good manager.
Click to expand...
...a phenomenal manager
 
davek said:
Kev., you and your ilk lost this debate. Martinez has done the business at Belgium knitting together a team of talented individuals and giving them a way to play that uses all the talent available...and adding a pair of bollocks to them that Wilmots could never find.

You and your chums just need to accept it: the man is a manager - a VERY VERY good manager.
Click to expand...

International football seems to suit him better than club football, certainly less stressful
 
That Japanese goal keeper was suspect. I wanted Japan to win that so much. Belgium you are heartless.
 

davek said:
Kev., you and your ilk lost this debate. Martinez has done the business at Belgium knitting together a team of talented individuals and giving them a way to play that uses all the talent available...and adding a pair of bollocks to them that Wilmots could never find.

You and your chums just need to accept it: the man is a manager - a VERY VERY good manager.
Click to expand...

They have so far got to the quarters just like they did 2 years ago. If they beat Brazil then we can start a discussion on what Martinez has achieved over his predecessor.
 
The binman chronicles said:
They have so far got to the quarters just like they did 2 years ago. If they beat Brazil then we can start a discussion on what Martinez has achieved over his predecessor.
Click to expand...

Hahaha...so in order to be given any shred of credit he has to beat Brazil, the most successful country in WC history.

Even if Belgium do beat Brazil it won't matter. He will still be given no credit by some. Two of his subs scored...the equalizer and the winner not a single shred of credit given. Any other manager would have been praised for making the right changes.
 
ilikecheese said:
Hahaha...so in order to be given any shred of credit he has to beat Brazil, the most successful country in WC history.

Even if Belgium do beat Brazil it won't matter. He will still be given no credit by some. Two of his subs scored...the equalizer and the winner not a single shred of credit given. Any other manager would have been praised for making the right changes.
Click to expand...

Do they hand out medals at the round of 16 nowadays? They are supposed to be the 3rd best team in the world, they haven't lost for ages, they should be rolling over a Japan team with minimum fuss. They made it look difficult and bringing on Fellaini to provide an extra height advantage against a very small team at 2-0 down is not an inspired substitution. It is an obvious one that everyone was calling for.

I don't hate Martinez (bar the shafting for the full payout when he left), he is likeable and enthusiastic but he is also very limited. He replaced Wilmots who got to the quarter finals of a major tournament and therefore that should be the bare minimun for him. So now he has achieved the same as someone who was sacked for just that so let's not go overboard with the praise. This Belgian side should be a match for any team in the competition so regardless who they face they have to compete. They can still be brilliant and unlucky in defeat to Brazil and earn Bobby rep but they have to play a lot better than what they did yesterday.
 
The binman chronicles said:
Do they hand out medals at the round of 16 nowadays? They are supposed to be the 3rd best team in the world, they haven't lost for ages, they should be rolling over a Japan team with minimum fuss. They made it look difficult and bringing on Fellaini to provide an extra height advantage against a very small team at 2-0 down is not an inspired substitution. It is an obvious one that everyone was calling for.

I don't hate Martinez (bar the shafting for the full payout when he left), he is likeable and enthusiastic but he is also very limited. He replaced Wilmots who got to the quarter finals of a major tournament and therefore that should be the bare minimun for him. So now he has achieved the same as someone who was sacked for just that so let's not go overboard with the praise. This Belgian side should be a match for any team in the competition so regardless who they face they have to compete. They can still be brilliant and unlucky in defeat to Brazil and earn Bobby rep but they have to play a lot better than what they did yesterday.
Click to expand...

Personally I thought it was Japan that made it difficult on Belgium. I thought they played inspired, and took the game to them by pressing and playing good attacking football. That second goal scored by a German, Englishman, Messi, or Ronaldo would have been lauded as an absolute world class moment. But because Japan is classed as a lesser footballing country it's hardly even a thing. It was as pure of a strike of a football you will see. Didn't even have a half turn of spin on it.

Inspired or not it was the right substitution.

Belgium were on the ropes and two subs helped them advance. Sure they shouldn't have been in that position, but how many nations have bowed out early in this WC by not sorting out their problems and not being able to turn a match around in their favor.
 

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