It's how we roll in UEFA, I think every European Nations Championship has been head-to-head results since the tournament expanded to 16 teams in 1996, but FIFA, for whatever reason, has never followed suit.So if Japan beat Costa Rica, are they in? What’s the first tie breaker? Goal differential or is it head to head?
edit: looked it up. Surely if records are tied, you should move on if you beat the other team? But Iguess the downside would then be that there would’ve be a lot more dead rubbers given only 3 games per team.
Maybe less so than the old days but there’s usually significant cup upsets in English footy season after season where a side from the third or fourth tier knock a Prem side out. And indeed Exeter City beloved by @grecian and @Neil Pickup famously drew 0-0 with Man United when Exeter were fifth tier. I don’t think United were champions of England at the time but they were very much in the elite.This is so much fun to watch. I’m always surprised how much I enjoy watching every game in the WC and then my interest seems to completely fall off in between.
In general; do people who know the sport (as well as other sports) think more upsets happen here compared to other sports? Can’t think of another situation where a team ranked 51st can even remotely have a chance of beating a top five team.
It’s hard to compare but the short answer is probably yes. The best club teams are getting better at beating average teams very consistently but that’s not really happened at international level. In World Cup games it always feels like both teams have a chance, with the odd exception.This is so much fun to watch. I’m always surprised how much I enjoy watching every game in the WC and then my interest seems to completely fall off in between.
In general; do people who know the sport (as well as other sports) think more upsets happen here compared to other sports? Can’t think of another situation where a team ranked 51st can even remotely have a chance of beating a top five team.
I genuinely don't remember that, but good knowledge.FIFA i think has used head to head in the past. I remember England couldn’t finish top of the group in 98 once Romania beat us as they had 6 points to our 3 with a game each to go.
I think the uniquely high premium footy puts on goals makes it particularly susceptible to upsets.Maybe less so than the old days but there’s usually significant cup upsets in English footy season after season where a side from the third or fourth tier knock a Prem side out. And indeed Exeter City beloved by @grecian and @Neil Pickup famously drew 0-0 with Man United when Exeter were fifth tier. I don’t think United were champions of England at the time but they were very much in the elite.
There’s also stuff like Greece in 04 and Leicester in 2016 that are worth looking up
I think that’s fair. In cricket I can’t imagine a 50th ranked side coming close to beating a top five side in a test match.It’s hard to compare but the short answer is probably yes. The best club teams are getting better at beating average teams very consistently but that’s not really happened at international level. In World Cup games it always feels like both teams have a chance, with the odd exception.
Also almost every country plays football a lot, so the teams around 50th in the world are much better than the equivalent in any other sport. Japan have a bunch of players who are regular starters in top European leagues.
We were the better team tbfBoundary countback
Yeah Costa Rica are trash, they only barely scraped past NZ to make it to the finals.Spain look good, Costa Rica look very ordinary.
Should've scored more runs thenWe were the better team tbf
No offside rule means you can just camp out in the D and wait for someone to hit the ball to you. Works like a charm for me. When I watch football I keep expecting someone to be on the back post for a pass but you can’t do that.Hockey a bit less high-scoring though more so than football - wonder if its prone to shocks - I don't follow hockey at all really.
Didn’t need toShould've scored more runs then