Ok yes we do. Japan can't possibly have played well. Belgium would have certainly played better if the players weren't rested it's a 100% fact. Thanks for educating me.
No Belgium were playing the wrong system it took Martinez 70 mins to figure out how to change it and when he did Belgium were a different side. Feel for Japan though great match to watch as a neutral
Huge credit to him. Most keepers would have stupidly thrown themselves on the floor to time waste for extra time.
My two points were that Belgium are the better footballing team and that Japan would tire if they kept getting back and forward all the time, not that they can't play. It's a shame for them that they lost like that but the better team won.
I wonder if we will play the high press the same way as Japan? If so it will be an exciting season but whether or not we are promoted is another matter
On paper Belgium are miles ahead of Japan, but that tactic pretty much neutralised the difference between the teams - hopefully most of the teams we play next season won't be that much better than us!
Hey well done Belgium & Martinez, for showing some bottle in coming back from that, even though it was down to that dirty Manure scummer Felaini. Now lets hope that the brilliant under rated player Felaini kicks seven shades out of Neymar and Brazil in the Qtrs.
What minute will England be likely to "wake up" should I skip the first hour? If England do play poorly will this be soley down to being rested? So if they had played against Belgium it would be a dead cert victory?
Brilliant match last night. Credit to both sides for playing it sportingly. No throwing themselves around in feigned agony. A good, honest battle. And full credit to Japan. They rejected the Denmark, Russia approach to playing a better quality side and played without fear instead. They can go home covered in glory rather than slinking out without ever showing the courage to have a go. And they very nearly did enough to win it.
Was very enjoyable, if we are going to attempt to play in a similar way then I am all for it. Now which of our players would be willing to put the effort required in is another question.
Fellaini. Can't stand the bloke but credit where it's due. He does a job and does it well. He'll have Neymar for breakfast!
Paddy power Tweeted yesterday. "Neymar flopped around the pitch like a fish after getting a slight touch to his ankle today. Wait until Fellaini's elbow goes through the back of his skull"