I am frustrated with the tactics to stop the clock in the last 8-10 minutes by Japan. It’s too risky and too chicken. However, I am glad Japan is still alive.
Japan advances, not Senegal, because of fewer yellow cards. 4 versus 6. What has our world come to? Time to hand out congeniality medals too. :))
@sushritto, what would you prefer?
I hadn’t thought about it, but just off the top of my head, how about the total accumulated amount of mileage run in all 3 group games. Who’s worked the hardest? That’s a statistic that they do keep. Most corner kicks or most possession? Or how about best shot accuracy?
Yellow/red card determination depends solely on the judgement of the referees and sometimes, tugging on a shirt for example, is the best strategic move under certain circumstances.
@sushiritto the ‘fair play’ rules were back at post 151.
I keep reading that it actually is not in England’s or Belgium’s interest to finish first in their group because they will actually face stiffer competition as a result. What happens if they tie the game?
@sly123 I’m fully aware of the “fair play” tiebreaker, but my point was there are better performance measurements to use for deciding a tiebreaker by 2 yellow cards. That’s just not right to me.
The penalty card tie breaker is the last one before drawing lots:
https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/tie-breakers-for-russia-2018-groups
Before that, there are goal differential and goals scored in all group matches, then points, goal differential, and goals scored among the tied teams (the last three fail to break a two team tie if they played each other to a draw).
In group H, both Japan and Senegal had 1-1-1 records for 4 points, tied for second place in the group. Tie breakers:
- Goal differential in all group matches: both 0 (both scored 4 goals and had 4 goals scored against them).
- Goals scored in all group matches: both 4.
- Points in matches among the tied teams: both 1, since they played each other to a 2-2 draw.
- Goal differential in matches among the tied teams: both 0.
- Goals scored in matches among the tied teams: both 2.
- Penalty cards in all group matches: Japan had 4 yellow cards, while Senegal had 6 yellow cards, so Japan wins this tie breaker.
- If they were still tied on penalty cards, they would draw lots.
How about posting the tiebreaking rule(s) one more time? That would be useful. =;
Read my posts (#223 and #226) again. It’s an opinion. If anyone needs help with understanding it, then tough luck. 8-|
Too many permutations to say at this point.
Going into the match, both have 6 points and +6 goal differential. Both have 8 goals scored in wins over Panama and Tunisia. If they draw, then they will still be tied on points, goal differential, and goals scored among all group matches. They will also be tied on points, goal differential, and goals scored in the match against each other. So the penalty card tie breaker would be next. In previous matches, Belgium had 3 yellow cards, while England had 2 yellow cards.
If they draw, and England gets exactly one more penalty card demerit than Belgium, the tie breaker will be drawing lots.
Between England and Belgium, the winner plays Japan in the first round, while the second place plays Columbia in the first round.
However, if the winner makes it to the next round, it will play the winner of Brazil / Mexico, followed by one of Uruguay, Portugal, France, or Argentina.
If the second place makes it to the next round, it will play the winner of Sweden / Switzerland, followed by one of Spain, Russia, Croatia, or Denmark.
Actually:
[quote]
How does the fair play points system work?
Yellow card: -1
Red card for two yellows: -3
Straight red card: -4
Yellow card and straight red card: -5 {/quote]
But at the moment: England, with -2 fair play points, currently lead Belgium, who have -3.
At the 35’ mark, Belgium has two yellow cards in the game. None for England.
Begium wins 1-0. After the game, Alexi Lalas discussed his thoughts on the “fair play” points determining tiebreakers. Using yellow and red cards might contribute to reduced attacking play(s). He doesn’t like it either and offered similar alternatives as I did above.
And we’re done with group play. Time for the Round of 16.
At the moment, I am not a fan of Belgium. Don’t ask why. 
Because they beat England and put themselves in the position to play the winner of the Mexico-Brazil game, assuming they get by Japan? And also got the more difficult 1/2 of the bracket?
No, for unrelated to soccer or chocolate reasons. :))