End of Group D: Fvcker

No, I didn't mean a person who does a certain verb.
It's a word I used a lot on the previous set of games,
In a comparative form, because God, it was such a crazy

End of Group D

NGA vs ARG | ISL vs CRO

Pic's from here and here.

Unlike Group B, which both spots for first and runner-up were still questionable and the top three teams were still on the run to make it to the knockout stage, this group, already saw one winner: Croatia. Meanwhile Nigeria whose points were 3, and Argentina as well as Iceland whose points were both 1, still had to fight their asses off for the remaining seat. And that's what made this one tempting. Again, and obviously, I watched both matches on two screens.

Looking at the situation, Nigeria would go through and I was confident about it. Their points were higher. They only needed a draw, and it was against Argentina whom got tied on their first match -against Iceland, for God's sake- and lost on their second. It shouldn't be a difficult task, but just when I tried to sit back and relax, Messi scored his FIRST goal in this World Cup. Oh, finally. What took him so long, I wondered? Waiting for the team to be on the edge first then he could finally showed up? The Latin Americans got really fired up from then onwards, because all of a sudden, their future seemed much brighter. Croatia, on the other hand, didn't seem to go easy on Iceland although any result wouldn't matter to them. But Iceland, crazily, played like a hungry yeti. The first half was all about them, and how fierce they were against Croatia. Sadly, no goals were made.

Then entered second half.

On minute 49, Nigeria was awarded a penalty and Moses CONVERTED IT TO A GOAL! YEAH!! They were once more back as the runner up! And once again, everything looked so much clear for Group D because on minute 52 Croatia scored against Iceland, making them the group's absolute leader. Iceland keeps attacking, and attacking though -their headers were killer! and that's what made me restless throughout the rest of the games! Until I could finally rest.

That hopeful moment for Nigeria. Pic's from here.

Iceland got rewarded a penalty on minute 75 of a handball, and just like Nigeria, the underdog CONVERTED IT TOO THROUGH GYLFI! OMG ANYTHING REALLY COULD HAPPEN! It was a really nice comeback for the match, and also for Gylfi remembering that he missed the penalty given when against Nigeria! Both games now saw a draw, and if Iceland could make just one more goal, my newest favorite team would proceed alongside Croatia!

While this, is the hopeful moment for Iceland. Pic's from here.

But dream was just a dream. Entering the last 4 minutes of the match, LAST 4 MINUTES FOR GOD'S SAKE, WHY ALL THE MAJOR TURNING POINT HAPPENED IN THE LAST MINUTES!? the desperate Argentina climbed their ass back up there thanks to a dramatic goal from Marcos Rojo. And everyone flipped. The commentators, the spectators, the substitutes poured into the field like a leak in your shower to the floor. I'm not a big fan of Argentina, and heck I hate Messi remember? But seeing this fantastic goal, bringing back the hopes for the team, and those emotions too, well, I'm a human, and it hit me right in my tiny soft heart.

But all are ruined by the hopeful goal from Rojo. Pic's from here.

As I said, Iceland too, still had the chance to proceed if they could make one more goal against Croatia and earned the crucial 3 points. But then it wasn't them. It was Croatia instead, through a freaking MINUTE 90 GOAL -see!? What the hell is happening between the players and last minute deals!?- made by Perisic.

Wow.

I know, the drama isn't as crazy as Group B. But still, I think it was more mindblowing because, remember how it started? Nigeria was statistically higher, and it should be easy to handle a team who had so far been so unstable. And Argentina, who had been humiliated by taken a draw pill against underdog Iceland, and stripped-naked in a big loss against Croatia, could make it to the next round.

No one can guess what would happen.

No one. And that's why, all these were a

Fvcker

End of Group B: Fvck

Sorry.

I just don't know what other word to say.
Because that's what I kept saying during the games.

End of Group B

POR vs IRN | ESP vs MOR

Pic's from here and here.

You know when it's the last match day of a group stage, both games between four contenders are aired at the same time. It's meant to keep all teams from losing their will to fight, but to me, it means the drama gets doubled. And of course to feel that, I have to watch both. So enter the week where I turn on two screens at a time. Yes, I'm that freaky.

So, Group B. It's been a hell of a journey for all of them, eh? Two giants, one Asian star, and one underdog whom apparently powerful despite having no luck in winning the first two matches. The last match day of this group saw an opportunity still opened for both the European giants, and Iran. And that's why this ending would become really dramatic.

And it was a real SPOT-ON decision.
Despite the twice-more screening-hassle.

Honestly, I wanted Iran to proceed. Be it with Portugal or Spain, I don't care. I hate both so it's no use to pick who I'd like to fail anyway. And my fellow Asians did play good, too! They got robbed first by the end of first half -I’m so mad but it was a good goal by Quaresma so... yea- but that’s all! Overall they did good defense that Portugal made no other goal, good attack too that Portugal found it difficult to finish as the winner.

Then the craziest thing happened at the second half. Ronaldo, as usual, pulled his “OMG I’m fouled” trick -this is what I really hate from him. He is a good player, really, but I just can’t stand his drama. Between him and Messi, whom I hate too by the way, I prefer the latter because he’s damn clean! The referee decided to review it on VAR, and congrats Portugal, it was a penalty. Of course Ronaldo took the chance. He hit the ball, and... NO GOAL OMG FUCK I SCREAMED SO LOUD REALIZING THAT THE BITCH’S DIRTY GAME FAILED ALLAH KNEW BETTER WHO TO HELP! An Iranian GK, named Ali Beiranvand, whom apparently a runaway kid from Tehran, blocked a freaking PENALTY KICK FROM THAT RENOWNED CRISTIANO RONALDO! Swallow your pride, star, you’re a Messi—you remember the opening match of Argentina against Iceland right??? It felt the same, ONLY MILLION TIMES BETTER BECAUSE THE STAKES WERE HIGHER! Phew, okay let’s move on... to the other match.

The phenomenal block! I swear I never screamed so loud before. Pic's from here.

Morocco, surprisingly, played freaking awesome too. Well, not surprisingly, because it was quiet obvious from the beginning. They were only unfortunate by conceding an OG when against Iran, and lost against Portugal -which score was only 1-0 anyway, so it was still really good! Facing Spain, they were like beasts, and they scored the first goal! And guess what made this feel even better? Because it happened thanks to Ramos’ error. It was the first, it was nicely executed, and it was taken from Ramos feet and scored in front of his face! SUCK IT YOU FOOL!

The moment I believed Ramos began to get the karma he deserved. Pic's from here.

It wasn’t long until Spain made a comeback. Moroccan meddled defense was taken advantage by Isco, and there’s the goal for Spain. HOWEVER, Morocco made another comeback! Oh God, why did they just show their power when they were already unqualified??? After a series of attacks, they scored one more goal through En-Nesyri’s header and BOOM, gone are Spain’s hopes.

But you know I wouldn’t highlight these matches if it just ended like that right?

With this situation, Portugal and Spain would go through because they originally just needed a draw. But entering stoppage time, Iran were rewarded a penalty due to Portugal’s handball. Fuck. I didn’t see this coming man, IT WAS STOPPAGE TIME FOR GOD’S SAKE! Some guy named Karim Ansarivard took the chance, looking so nervous, AND I WAS TOO OH GOD THEY’RE MY FELLOW ASIANS AND MUSLIMS! It was really a knee-shaking experience, because the odds were obviously against Iran but PRAISE ALLAH ALMIGHTY THE PENALTY WAS CONVERTED! Iran was now the group’s runner up, sharing the same points with Spain but less conceded goals!

An unexpected comeback from Iran. I swear I never once felt so enjoyed
watching a match full of penalties before. Pic's from here.

HOWEVER.

As Iran were preparing for the penalty, Spain -I don’t know what kind of a lucky charm had Ramos been using for the team- made another goal through Iago Aspas... HOWEVER, as the Spaniards were celebrating, the linesman was apparently raising his flag—yes, baby, IT WAS A FREAKING OFFIDE! Oh my God I swear my heart just popped out of my ass and now it’s back. Iran just scored their penalty I couldn’t imagine unimagining them on the next—HOWEVER!!! YES ITS STILL ON NOW YOU UNDERSTAND WHY I FIND THESE GAMES CRAZY RIGHT?! Spain couldn’t just accept it they convinced the referee to review the VAR and so he did, and... oh God I swear it was only two seconds but it felt forever.

The goal was given.

And that’s how I lost my faith in rooting too much for a team. Within seconds, Iran’s chance was gone... Oh, Allah. Seriously, why? They would proceed if Spain's goal remained declined. Their successful penalty and the decision of Spain's goal happening on the very same time, just because both relying on VAR, IT WAS CRAZY TREMBLING! But frankly, it really was entertaining. Not a fan of the result, especially looking at those Iranian players in tears oh God sometimes I hate watching football because of this... but again, it's the match that matters. The whole games were unbelievably unexpected!

And this was just the second group.
There are other big teams on other groups,
Waiting to show some fvcking good dramas.

FVCK, I CANT WAIT!

Tickets to Fight For

So, Matchday Two just ended.

We saw some teams actually made it through the next round: Russia, Uruguay from Group A, France from Group C, Croatia from Group D, Mexico from F and England along with Belgium from G.

And that’s all.

I know. Shocking, right?

So where are the other big teams?

Well that’s the beauty of World Cup. Especially THIS World Cup, because so far, YOU SIMPLY CANNOT GUESS WHAT WOULD BE HAPPENING?! We expected Germany, Argentina, Portugal, Spain, and some other names shining on 2014 to at least secure 6pts at this point of competition. What really happens is, the big fights are still resuming on at least 5 groups, in which mostly have those big names in it.

Let’s start with Group B, where Spain and Portugal, both with 4pts, need to beat Morocco and Iran respectively on the next matchday. Morocco is definitely out of the cup, along with Group A’s Saudi Arabia and -fuck you, Ramos- Egypt. Iran, surprisingly, are still in the running for the Round of 16 with 3pts. A win against Portugal, or at least a draw with a note that Spain lose the game, will send Iran to the next round. Odd chance, but one cannot predict.

Argentina on Group D, shockingly, are on bottom two with only 1pt. They will have to fight with Nigeria, who possess 3pts, as both has the same big chance to go through. However, newcomer Iceland, also 1pt, are still in the running too—because if Nigeria lose, and Iceland score big against Croatia, the tiny nation will end up in the group’s second place.

In Group E, Brazil may be on top, but they haven’t secured their spot in the next round with only 4pts. They will battle Serbia, whose 3pts still can make them proceed. Other contender is Switzerland, who are also having 4pts. They need to win over Costa Rica and whatever the result is on the other match, they’ll go anyway.

Now Group F. This is my favorite odd. Both Germany and Sweden have 3pts. They only need to at least have a draw (with the note that the other lose the match), to go on. BUT. South Korea, eventhough they have NO POINTS, still have a chance too, IF, they win super big against Germany, AND, Sweden lose against Mexico with lots of goals conceded. Tough one for Korea, but it is an actual opportunity that many don’t realize.

Last but DEFINITELY not the least, Group H. Oh my favorite group. No so-big-team here, but they’re all equally strong, open, and entertaining! Either Japan (4pts), Senegal (4pts), and Colombia (3pts) still really can make it through, so both matches will be like a battlefield for all four teams. Yea, four, because Poland, despite already kicked out, will of course do whatever they can to save their faces from going home humiliated.

For God’s sake, this is only the Group Stage. It’s not even finished but IT IS SO FREAKING MINDBLOWING!!!

OH MY GOD WHY IS WORLD CUP ONLY HAPPENING ONCE IN FOUR YEARS???

OH I KNOW—BECAUSE IF IT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR, MY BLOG WILL BE ALL SHITTED BY MY POOR FOOTBALL TRASH TALKING!

Alright, chill.

Let’s enjoy the cup!

Here come the last matches

Of the Group Stage!

Match Thirty One: Who's Bigger Now?

You know when you're not the best team,

You tend to play more relaxed, loose, and easy.

Serious, of course, but not much under-pressure.

That's what I felt for

Japan vs Senegal

Group H, again

Pic's from here.

Probably one of the most entertaining matches yet.

I told you, this group is apparently more appealing than others. The bigger ones were to Colombia and Poland, though they're not as big as Brazil nor France. The smaller ones of the group, Japan and Senegal, whom at first may not be the preferred spotlights, turned out to be crazy fantastic. On each of their first games, they were remarkable enough to each kick the "bigger" teams' asses 2-1. Now with such confident, they're scheduled to meet each other,

And it was a kickass match!

Senegal scored first, through Mane. It wasn't of a quality goal, but it was Mane -YNWA!- so I kinda enjoyed it. Japan then made a counterattack through Takashi Inui, and this time it was a quiet beautiful goal. It was a 1-1 tie now, and gotta say, I felt satisfied already if the match were to end that way. But I might not want to post about them if it actually ended there.

The game got crazier from there onward. Japan, especially, through stars Inui and Osako, attacked like they were not Asians -I'm so proud of their performances!!! But that doesn't mean that Senegal just stood still. 19-year old Wague made it 2-1 and brought the team up in the air for a while. Yes, for a while, because only 8 mins later, the newly-in Keisuke Honda made it back to a tie, scoring his 4th World Cup goal, which completed his record of always scoring in each World Cup he entered -twice in 2010, once in both 2014 and 2018, making himself the World Cup Asian top scorer.

It really was an enjoyable match. Both were strong and aggressive, neither played dirty, and the supporters! There was this viral video showing two Japanese and Senegalese supporters were singing together in joy after the match, so friendly and merry, and guess what they were singing! Once Piece theme!!! Lol wait let me check... ah, here it is!

FREAKING HEARTWARMING!

The two of them once again left the pitch unbeaten, and they deserve it. Next on the last matchday of the group, they'll each once again meet the so-called bigger teams.

And maybe it's THE time to show,

Who the bigger ones are

Match Twenty Four: The Last Man Standing

Have you ever watched a movie, a survival/apocalypse-type one,

Where there's this protagonist so possible to make it to the end,

Because he's the strongest, and most dependable of the group,

Yet has to die of sacrificing himself?

Yes that's what I exactly saw,

When I watched this match

Brazil vs Keylor Navas

Group E

Seen inside the picture, one of the best player in the world, and oh
that's Neymar the crybaby on the right. Pic's from here.

I'm not exaggerating. It's literally the whole squad of one-of-world's-best football team, against Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas. If you ask me how many saves and punches and tackles and other forms of goalkeeping that he did, I can't answer because it was literally that many. Brazil was on their ultimate attack mode and they really did countless of shots and sieges. But those attempts turned up to be mere shit because Keylor Navas, one of the best goalkeeper I saw with my very own eyes rising in Brazil 2014, flushed those Brazilian poos away.

It's not until minute 90+1 -yes, it was entering stoppage time already- when Navas finally started losing his grip, and Brazil broke the crazy goalkeeper's walls through Philippe Coutinho. Then Neymar -ewh- showed his capability by adding to Brazil's victory on minute 90+7 -really unfair to me, honestly, because it was past the stoppage time. But then again, it's only nature for Brazil to score both goals because Neymar is a human. He has his limit.

Anyway, it's a fortunate comeback from Neymar to save his own ass from embarrassment, given the fact that he hadn't made any goal while Coutinho had scored twice. Plus, as ever, Neymar had been a complete asshole throughout the game with all his stupid acts, exaggerating non-sense injury, imbecile complains, and on top of all, an ultimate super-obvious diving that almost rewarded Brazil an unfair penalty. The stupid referee had actually decided it was a penalty, but thanks to VAR -in which Costa Rican players need to convince him so hard to check on the screen, it was cancelled and ALL THE SHAME WAS ON YOU, YOU FUCKING DRAMA QUEEN BRAZILIAN TRASH BIN!

But okay, I'm not here to talk about that brat Neymar.

Let that bitch be, he got all the embarrassment he deserved.

This post is dedicated to Keylor Navas.

Obviously the man of the match, to everybody who really watched the game. FIFA decided it was Coutinho who got the title but screw that shit. It's close to rare that goalkeepers got the title although they defend their goal much better than the whole squad try to score goals.

If only, IF ONLY, Costa Rica did more offense, try to rely on attacking, buying time for their goalkeeper to take his time and breathe, and actually score goals rather than defending and counting on Navas, or, IF ONLY, Navas' stamina is unlimited, well, I don't see why Costa Rica can win or at least make it a draw. I didn't think Brazil is on their best shape because, hello, it took them almost the whole match to finally score goals, remember?

Ahh well, Navas...

You may be the last man to be considered hero,

But you were definitely the first one in my mind

For the title "Best Player"