2014 World Cup

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I'd have to look at it again, but I don't think Krul was guessing all that much, he was just reading the ball and trying his best to react quickly. Watch how much of that side of the goal he was able to cover compared to Navas, even in 'guessing' correctly there was still a ton of space to beat him to that side. This really underscores how good the Dutch PKs were, because at least one was guessed right by Navas and they beat him anyway with placement.

[TimeForGuinness]

I'd have to look at it again, but I don't think Krul was guessing all that much, he was just reading the ball and trying his best to react quickly. Watch how much of that side of the goal he was able to cover compared to Navas, even in 'guessing' correctly there was still a ton of space to beat him to that side. This really underscores how good the Dutch PKs were, because at least one was guessed right by Navas and they beat him anyway with placement.

Not trying to take anything away from Krul...and by "guessing", I was just pointing out that he had probably studied the CR pk's and chose the right direction (and CR never switched anything up)...but even a nicely placed shot can overtake any goalie. The Dutch did exactly that.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

What I was getting at is that I think Krul was more reacting than guessing. Based on the fact that he wasn't moving much before the shot, he wasn't covering as much of the goal as Navas, and he was always moving in the direction of the ball, I don't think he was going as much off previous tendencies as much as waiting until the ball was nearly struck or even already in the air to make a move. It worked well because he was always in the area and could save a poorly taken PK(and did so twice). Of the two, Navas was way more committed to a side when the ball was struck, which is on the other end of the risk/reward spectrum when defending PKs.

[TimeForGuinness]

What I was getting at is that I think Krul was more reacting than guessing. Based on the fact that he wasn't moving much before the shot, he wasn't covering as much of the goal as Navas, and he was always moving in the direction of the ball, I don't think he was going as much off previrous tendencies as much as waiting until the ball was nearly struck or even already in the air to make a move. It worked well because he was always in the area and could save a poorly taken PK(and did so twice). Of the two, Navas was way more committed to a side when the ball was struck, which is on the other end of the risk/reward spectrum when defending PKs.

I'll have to defer to you, I was trying to recall a piece I had read on the game..still very impressive.

I don't know if I really like PK's, although it's fun to watch (especially with my 4 year old)...I think I'd rather keep adding on 15 min of extended time, may the best team win, but I know that's hell on the players.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

I think I'd rather keep adding on 15 min of extended time, may the best team win, but I know that's hell on the players.

I always figured if after 120 minutes the game's still tied, the teams are not that different anyway and a continuation of the game would just lead to super tired players not really playing up to their ability anyway. I'd guess you would get more a war of attrition than a strategic game at that point....which isn't going to allow the best team to win as you put it. JMO, may be wrong.

[haltz]

I think you'd be looking at some really serious injury risk at that point.

[TimeForGuinness]

I think I'd rather keep adding on 15 min of extended time, may the best team win, but I know that's hell on the players.

I always figured if after 120 minutes the game's still tied, the teams are not that different anyway and a continuation of the game would just lead to super tired players not really playing up to their ability anyway. I'd guess you would get more a war of attrition than a strategic game at that point....which isn't going to allow the best team to win as you put it. JMO, may be wrong.

The better conditioned team would win more than not...but really, with corners and set pieces, it comes down to being in the right place at the right time and putting the best strike on the ball. The best team rarely wins in any tournament, there are always upsets. I just like watching the game flow.

...and injury risk is definitely increased.

[tlombard]

Maybe they should do corner kicks instead of penalty kicks. Let everyone be involved each time. Just switch the goalies out after each attempt. Corner kick and you have say... 15 seconds... to score and if you don't, the next team gets a shot. Repeat a couple of times and then the best out of 3 or so wins it all.

[go birds]

yea but you increase injury risk by so much doing that, considering playing for 120 minutes before that

[Maclowery]

I am pretty fired up to watch this match. Germany was my pick for our work pool, and Brazil is so fun to watch with the bonkers crowd support. Awesome.