Should there be a 3rd/4th playoff game at the WC?

[TheJasperCo]

I haven't voted because, while it is a pointless waste of time, I will still be watching it. As will hundreds of millions of other people around the world. To vote in the poll would make me seem hypocritical.

 

[withdeanwombat]

I suppose it's a chance for the players not yet used to get a game. Is there prize money on it ?

Whatever, it's a pretty pointless exercise, which I will avidly watch.

 

[Triggaaar]

In Sweden (I'm saying that a lot lately), they're so bloody proud of finishing 3rd at USA '94. It's not referred to as "that time we got to the semi-final", it's "the time we finished 3rd at the World Cup!".

In England, we don't give a shit what the Swedes think.

 

[Gregory2Smith1]

In Sweden (I'm saying that a lot lately), they're so bloody proud of finishing 3rd at USA '94. It's not referred to as "that time we got to the semi-final", it's "the time we finished 3rd at the World Cup!".

Not so sure bigger footballing nations would have the same attitude, but I can understand why it's played.

they finished 2nd in '58

 

[ATFC Seagull]

Don't see the harm. Presumably the teams who have for there will have had a pretty successful World Cup and it's a chance for them to celebrate with no pressure, and the 7-8 players who've not featured to get a game.

 

[Easy 10]

I bet the Brazil players want this game like a hole in the head. I've never seen a team look more distraught and shellshocked as the one that trudged off the pitch that night. It'll be interesting to see the crowds reaction, being as they were "ole"-ing the Germans and booing their own team by the end.

Fred will probably need an armed esort.

 

[jonny.rainbow]

Without it there would be an odd amount of games in the tournament.

For that reason, it must stay.

 

[seagulls99]

No, it is pointless- It's more money for fifa.

 

[pasty]

I would imagine those saying no, myself included, have known the pain of semi-final defeat, and those saying yes, haven't. Like others have said, I didn't bother watching it in 1990.

It's odd to think that generally, the fans that want the game least of all are the fans of the two teams playing in it.

 

[Shropshire Seagull]

I think, for the majority, it is all rather pointless.

But just imagine this scenario - you've booked a month off work and saved hard for 4 years.
You've booked your accommodation for the duration and your flight home is the day after the final.
If you're team got beaten in the semis, wouldn't you want the opportunity to see them play one more time?

But, yes, for all the other fans, "Meh" is the likely view.

 

[Man of Harveys]

Absolutely there should be and van Gaal should shut his fat mouth moaning about it too, the sore loser ugly Dutch gimp.

They provide a good curtain raiser to the world cup final itself, they're actually pretty good, more open games when there's a lot less at stake, somewhere between a friendly and a tournament fixture. And they give everyone a chance to give a good send-off to and to a last chance to see two teams that have done bloody well to get as far as they have.

 

[The Modfather]

utterly pointless

 

[jonsey]

Serves no purpose at all. Just let the players go back to their clubs and prepare for the next season. I cant imagine that they really want to play the fixture.....

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Until last night, there was always the prospect that Argentina would put seven past Brazil.

So ... yes.

 

[Goldstone1976]

Until last night, there was always the prospect that Argentina would put seven past Brazil.

So ... yes.

Hmmm. Yes, I concede that that would have been worth seeing!

 

[ExmouthExile]

I voted yes. I always feel a bit sad and depressed when the World Cup comes to an end, so any excuse to squeeze every last drop out of it in the closing stages is good enough for me.

 

[c0lz]

No its a waste of time but thinking about it if Brazil lost it would be icing on the cake.

 

[ExmouthExile]

There should be a round robin for 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th place as well

 

[drew]

Yes, anything that prolongs the pain for the Brazilians?

 

[Rogero]

Either David Luiz or Marcelo is going to lose the plot and get sent off

Yes,I can see that happening.