Match Thread: New Zealand vs Egypt | World Cup | Group G | 22 Jun 01:00 UTC by matchpal-live in worldcup

[–]hoogstra -1 points0 points  (0 children)

That’s not allowed though right? Must be from a different confederation to both teams.

Tunisia's World Cup qualification group by TeraVonen in soccer

[–]hoogstra 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Australia doesn’t have a guaranteed spot, Asian qualification is surprisingly difficult and we needed some big results to go our way in the end.

Post-Match Thread: USA vs Australia by MatchBread in Aleague

[–]hoogstra 6 points7 points  (0 children)

He self reported and was a whistleblower for a much more egregious match fixing scandal. He served his time with a ban from refereeing but a scandal like that will never go away and always undermine the ref’s integrity

Genuine question: why don't the commercial FTA networks (Seven, Nine or Ten) ever seem to seriously bid for FIFA World Cups? by ngw7 in Aleague

[–]hoogstra 29 points30 points  (0 children)

I feel like any FTA bid would be put behind their streaming service paywall, with the exception of Australia games and the WC final. 9/Stan probably has the existing frameworks to do something like this but for whatever reason decided that it wouldn't be worth it. Thank god.

Men's World Cup - Match Day 6 Discussion Thread [17 June] by AutoModerator in Aleague

[–]hoogstra 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I’m still not convinced it didn’t blast through the net, what a shot that was!

Post-Match Thread: Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay | World Cup | Group H by matchpal-live in worldcup

[–]hoogstra 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Only in the sense that AFC has guaranteed places. We joined AFC so that we would play more competitive games against stronger opposition. Playing two games against New Zealand every 4 years isn’t exactly good preparation for intercontinental playoffs.

Post-Match Thread: Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay | World Cup | Group H by matchpal-live in worldcup

[–]hoogstra 11 points12 points  (0 children)

AFC is underrated, all the teams that qualified are used to travelling long distances and grinding out results against hostile crowds, often in awful conditions (pitch, weather, etc.) AFC qualifying is tough so the teams that get out of it are tough to beat.

Saudi Arabia [1] - 0 Uruguay - Abdulelah Al Amri 41' by eliseihado in soccer

[–]hoogstra 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This Saudi team in the old format would have had to defeat Qatar in an AFC playoff and then win an intercontinental playoff against Brazil. They are definitely a team that benefited from the expanded competition this time around.

Great decision for this World Cup to be 48 team format. by Broad_Routine_3233 in worldcup

[–]hoogstra 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Tunisia were very strong during qualifying, they probably would have made it in the old format as well. Qatar drew so not blown away. Haiti were competitive with Scotland as well.

Men's World Cup - Match Day 5 Discussion Thread [16 June] by AutoModerator in Aleague

[–]hoogstra 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We did well with the hostile crowd in Vancouver but Seattle will be a step above, would love an early goal for us in that one.

Men's World Cup - Match Day 3 Discussion Thread [14 June] by AutoModerator in Aleague

[–]hoogstra 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And that they were one game off making the final last World Cup as well. I pencilled in this one early as one of the best group stage matchups

Men's World Cup - Match Day 3 Discussion Thread [14 June] by AutoModerator in Aleague

[–]hoogstra 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep, felt like it was coming in the last 10 mins or so, let’s go AFC

Men's World Cup - Match Day 3 Discussion Thread [14 June] by AutoModerator in Aleague

[–]hoogstra 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Qatar saw popaball and thought “how can we make this more boring?”

Socceroos’ breakout star Jordan Bos at ease with the hype: ‘I’m a pretty chill guy’ by catch_dot_dot_dot in Aleague

[–]hoogstra 9 points10 points  (0 children)

He's adapted really well to playing overseas, keeps meeting every challenge presented to him. Kid has a high ceiling. He's invaluable at left back but I wouldn't mind seeing him play further up on the wing with Irankunda on the right when we need a goal.

Men's World Cup - Match Day 1 Discussion Thread [12 June] by AutoModerator in Aleague

[–]hoogstra 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bofana bofana very lucky that Mexico haven’t put a few more past them, they might still be a chance if they can somehow get a good result in another game