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FIFA WC 2026


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Posted
10 minutes ago, Lone Wolf said:

@Gollum thoughts, Aussies obviously very dominant across major team sports 

Pakistan till 1994 used to dominate hockey scene. So thay have 4 hockey WC's + 1 CWC.

Basically like US dominating Basketball 

 

Pak hockey team was legendary man. As great as 70s/80s WI in cricket. 

 

Anyway, Aussies will rule this table for many year to come. Only Germans can challenge the top spot. 

Posted
1 minute ago, The Realist said:

Unlucky Ivory Coast. Just lacked a cutting edge.

 

Brazil should fancy beating Norway in next round 

Brazil has played 4 against Norway

  Lost 2 drew 2 lol  Brazil fans on social media are like " Go easy on us"

Posted

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/crime/netherlands-vs-morocco-violence-the-hague-world-cup-b3005753.html


Violence erupts in the Netherlands after dramatic World Cup defeat by Morocco
The Netherlands were knocked out of the World Cup by Morocco after a tense penalty shootout

Moroccan football fans erupted in celebration across Casablanca following their team's dramatic World Cup victory, while contrasting scenes unfolded in The Hague, where police clashed with supporters after the Netherlands were eliminated on penalties on Monday night.

The Dutch city saw sporadic unrest in areas with a significant Moroccan community. Police in The Hague reported that "heavy fireworks were set off" in the Schilderswijk district, with officers being targeted by fireworks and stones.

Riot squads were deployed, using a water cannon to disperse the crowds. Authorities confirmed that "a few individuals have been arrested for committing open violence."

In Morocco's largest city, Casablanca, a tense silence gripped a popular coffee shop as the penalty shootout reached its climax. This quickly transformed into a deafening roar when Ismael Saibari converted the decisive spot kick, securing Morocco's place in the Round of 16.

The jubilation swiftly spilled onto the streets, with flares and fireworks illuminating the night sky. Car horns blared and engines revved as fans celebrated well into the early hours.

Despite the late kick-off and the impending workday, dozens of ecstatic supporters gathered on a main boulevard around 5 am local time, dancing, waving Moroccan flags, and chanting, "Canada, we’re coming for you."

The Netherlands had looked set to advance to the last-16 after Cody Gakpo gave them the lead in the 72nd minute. The Liverpool winger was overcome with emotion after his goal, following the news that his partner suffered a miscarriage last week.

Ronald Koeman’s side held the advantage heading into added time, but Morocco refused to give in and equalised through a powerful header from Issa Diop in the 91st minute.

There were no further goals in extra time, and it was Morocco who managed to keep their nerve to record a 3-2 penalty shootout win.

Morocco are now set to face co-host Canada in the next round on Saturday, a team they previously defeated 2-1 in the 2022 World Cup group stage.

Expectations are soaring as fans dream of emulating their historic run four years ago, when the nation became the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

 

 

 

 

Posted
52 minutes ago, vvvslaxman said:

Haaland with that pony tail looks like a girl

It was cool that the monster that is Haaland at 6-5 200+ lbs scored a dainty touch goal just like a 100 lb girl!!

Posted
2 hours ago, Gollum said:

Great post. 

 

China has been pragmatic about this football thing. They seemed to show ambition till early 2000s but probably realized that it is not worth it. They are fixated on summer and winter Olympics. In football, they are targetting women's football which is a low hanging fruit, India too should do the same. 

 

ROI in football is bakwas. Every 4 years, a section of Indians tune in to watch the WC and whine about our sorry state, who cares? We already have two team sports in cricket and hockey (hopefully volleyball also becomes a thing one day, I see lots of passion for it starting from schools and colleges), let us just throw more resources there and relentlessly target Olympics glory. 

 

China also tried its hand at rugby in the 00s. Realised it was not going to be easy with a multi decade effort and gave up. Very wise that way.

 

If i had to turn back time, i would never have got India involved in hockey. Huge infra and 2 medals (men and women) up for grabs then sports like boxing  swimming etc can easily get you more. USA and China missing from this sport as they see the returns as being poor. Indian olympic report would be much better if hockey money was redirected to these individual events. Only now that India is embedded in the sport and its also a global team sport it makes sense to go ahead due to the sunk costs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted
25 minutes ago, vvvslaxman said:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/crime/netherlands-vs-morocco-violence-the-hague-world-cup-b3005753.html


Violence erupts in the Netherlands after dramatic World Cup defeat by Morocco
The Netherlands were knocked out of the World Cup by Morocco after a tense penalty shootout

Moroccan football fans erupted in celebration across Casablanca following their team's dramatic World Cup victory, while contrasting scenes unfolded in The Hague, where police clashed with supporters after the Netherlands were eliminated on penalties on Monday night.

The Dutch city saw sporadic unrest in areas with a significant Moroccan community. Police in The Hague reported that "heavy fireworks were set off" in the Schilderswijk district, with officers being targeted by fireworks and stones.

Riot squads were deployed, using a water cannon to disperse the crowds. Authorities confirmed that "a few individuals have been arrested for committing open violence."

In Morocco's largest city, Casablanca, a tense silence gripped a popular coffee shop as the penalty shootout reached its climax. This quickly transformed into a deafening roar when Ismael Saibari converted the decisive spot kick, securing Morocco's place in the Round of 16.

The jubilation swiftly spilled onto the streets, with flares and fireworks illuminating the night sky. Car horns blared and engines revved as fans celebrated well into the early hours.

Despite the late kick-off and the impending workday, dozens of ecstatic supporters gathered on a main boulevard around 5 am local time, dancing, waving Moroccan flags, and chanting, "Canada, we’re coming for you."

The Netherlands had looked set to advance to the last-16 after Cody Gakpo gave them the lead in the 72nd minute. The Liverpool winger was overcome with emotion after his goal, following the news that his partner suffered a miscarriage last week.

Ronald Koeman’s side held the advantage heading into added time, but Morocco refused to give in and equalised through a powerful header from Issa Diop in the 91st minute.

There were no further goals in extra time, and it was Morocco who managed to keep their nerve to record a 3-2 penalty shootout win.

Morocco are now set to face co-host Canada in the next round on Saturday, a team they previously defeated 2-1 in the 2022 World Cup group stage.

Expectations are soaring as fans dream of emulating their historic run four years ago, when the nation became the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

 

 

 

 

 

was also case last world cup.

 

 

Posted (edited)
12 minutes ago, G_B_ said:

 

China also tried its hand at rugby in the 00s. Realised it was not going to be easy with a multi decade effort and gave up. Very wise that way.

 

If i had to turn back time, i would never have got India involved in hockey. Huge infra and 2 medals (men and women) up for grabs then sports like boxing  swimming etc can easily get you more. USA and China missing from this sport as they see the returns as being poor. Indian olympic report would be much better if hockey money was redirected to these individual events. Only now that India is embedded in the sport and its also a global team sport it makes sense to go ahead due to the sunk costs.

Bro, hockey has been there since the 1920s. You can't turn back time by 100 years, nobody knew how sports would shape up back then. 

 

Anyway no regrets over a sport which has given us 8 golds and 13 overall medals. Also a part in shaping Indian history/culture (1948 gold beating Britain was huge in that regard, in the London games, at Wembley) to modern times where it has given an outlet for youth affected in Naxal areas. Also very much a rural sport, many of our stalwarts started their hockey journey playing with sticks in fields.....cricket was limited to 5-6 urban centres for most of Indian cricket history, then went to tier 2 cities (Dhoni effect), maybe with IPL will also penetrate rural areas. 

 

2 team sports toh banta hai, cricket being the leader, hockey a distant second. Maza hi alag hai compared to individual events. Galvanizes the public when we do well, in a way which is not possible in individual sports. 

Edited by Gollum

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