Group B Match Topic: (Spain, Chile, Netherlands, Australia)

I caught most of the second half, and one thing I noticed (and I don't know if this is a general problem with a team like Spain) but when they tried to up the tempo of their play they looked worse I thought. This is one thing IMO you have to give credit to British football for, is that the passing and tempo is usually played at a higher pace and more accurately. Spain couldn't do it effectively and I'll always remember the Liverpool Juventus game in 2005 when Garcia scored that magic goal, the Italians could simply not handle the pace & passing accuracy (the two combined are a lethal combo) as we blew them away inside 25 mins of football. We (LFC) also did this last season under Rodgers and the Latin teams like Italy & Spain can't reproduce this like the British, Dutch and Germans IMO.

It doesn't mean you always win playing this way, of course as we saw with Italy and England but Spain tried to 'up it' against Chile and looked well out of their comfort zone doing it - and that dirty, pikey looking Costa looked more akin to a donkey than anything else.

Italy, when they played England slowed the game down with possession football and to be fair they didn't cause England too much trouble but the contrast in two styles was interesting to watch. If England came out the blocks like Liverpool do, play a high intense passing & attacking game they could have gotten more from the game. But such was the humidity and conditions that night that the climate suited Italy's game more and sustaining a high octane game like that would have been virtually impossible.

Aussies definitely did the country proud with that effort.

Not sure if everyone seen this or not. But good save from the asst. ref.

https://vine.co/v/MTzDUlh9i0D

Aussies definitely did the country proud with that effort.

Really should have won both games, truth be told. Amazing performances from a so called Football minnow. Was very proud of the lads.

Not sure if everyone seen this or not. But good save from the asst. ref.

https://vine.co/v/MTzDUlh9i0D

That's awesome.

The Football Genius lives on!

(Though to be fair, Spain were still largely considered a favorite going into the tournament.)

Took a picture of a LFC banner at the game yesterday

Chile are definitely my favourite team in this tournament, great to watch.

Took a picture of a LFC banner at the game yesterday

nice

Expecting Chile to smash us. Van Persie is out for this game. Lens will take his spot, and I just read Kuijt is playing as our left wing back. Unbelievable that he's not playing Huntelaar.

I think Brazil would much rather face the Dutch rather than Chile but both teams should feel confident against the hosts who have been bang average so far.

CHI CHI CHI LE LE LE VIVA CHILE!

Their fans are amazing. My favorite team in this competition so far. I'd rather face Holland.

This game needs a Goal, CHI vs HOL, hopefully Chile.

Knew that would be the kiss of death.

2-0 to the Dutch, second goal was executed beautifully.

Very happy with our win! Robben is on some amazing form, don't think I've seen him as good as he is right now.

Can't help but think that Spain would have been much better off had they gone with David Villa instead of Diego Costa for the first 2 games. Expect they are regretting it too.

I can't get a good gauge on this Netherlands squad. It doesn't seem nearly as talented as previous squads, but they're performing much better. Has it just been good matchups and tactics or am I way off here?

I can't get a good gauge on this Netherlands squad. It doesn't seem nearly as talented as previous squads, but they're performing much better. Has it just been good matchups and tactics or am I way off here?

You're right, the squad is less talented, though perhaps not in future potential, but right now our squad is quite weak. They're more an unit than ever though. I have to give that to Van Gaal, if he manages to get every player behind him then he can squeeze everything out of them. And it's tactics too, we play more defensive than ever, less possession than ever, but more hardworking than ever too, the squad is very fit physically. It also helps that with Robben and Van Persie, on current form, they're both capable of scoring goals from nothing. It's luck too, every team needs some luck at these tournaments to get far. Especially in these upcoming knock out rounds, teams can loose or win against any team. But in the end many, including me, didn't even expect us to qualify out of this group, yet we did with 3 wins, we made 10 goals and only conceeded 3, of which 2 were harsh penalties. This in itself is an accomplishment for us, I'm not hoping for much more just yet.

You're right, the squad is less talented, though perhaps not in future potential, but right now our squad is quite weak. They're more an unit than ever though. I have to give that to Van Gaal, if he manages to get every player behind him then he can squeeze everything out of them. And it's tactics too, we play more defensive than ever, less possession than ever, but more hardworking than ever too, the squad is very fit physically. It also helps that with Robben and Van Persie, on current form, they're both capable of scoring goals from nothing. It's luck too, every team needs some luck at these tournaments to get far. Especially in these upcoming knock out rounds, teams can loose or win against any team. But in the end many, including me, didn't even expect us to qualify out of this group, yet we did with 3 wins, we made 10 goals and only conceeded 3, of which 2 were harsh penalties. This in itself is an accomplishment for us, I'm not hoping for much more just yet.

With Robben and Van Pissy playing well and more than their usual helping of luck the Netherlands could go all the way.

You're right, the squad is less talented, though perhaps not in future potential, but right now our squad is quite weak. They're more an unit than ever though. I have to give that to Van Gaal, if he manages to get every player behind him then he can squeeze everything out of them. And it's tactics too, we play more defensive than ever, less possession than ever, but more hardworking than ever too, the squad is very fit physically. It also helps that with Robben and Van Persie, on current form, they're both capable of scoring goals from nothing. It's luck too, every team needs some luck at these tournaments to get far. Especially in these upcoming knock out rounds, teams can loose or win against any team. But in the end many, including me, didn't even expect us to qualify out of this group, yet we did with 3 wins, we made 10 goals and only conceeded 3, of which 2 were harsh penalties. This in itself is an accomplishment for us, I'm not hoping for much more just yet.

Off topic, but that's the one thing that worries me about van Gaal at United. IN the Laugh at the Mancs thread I posted it's either going to go super well or blow up hilariously, and I'm just hoping it's the latter at United.

Off topic, but that's the one thing that worries me about van Gaal at United. IN the Laugh at the Mancs thread I posted it's either going to go super well or blow up hilariously, and I'm just hoping it's the latter at United.

The same thing crossed my brain, he may excel at international level but getting the Prima Donnas doing it at the other yard will be an uphill struggle.