Thursday 20 March 2014

Knockout Stages/Bracket

Now that I have done all the predictions that I plan on doing, time to figure out what it all means. In honour of march madness I figured the easiest way to do this is of course for us to make brackets. Needless to say here they are.

Mike's Bracket


QUARTERSSEMISFINALSCHAMPS
(A1) France
(C2) Jamaica France
 
(D1) Nigeria Laos France
(B2) Laos 
 France
(B1) Poland  
(D2) England Poland Poland
 
(C1) Canada ROI
(A2) ROI 


I don't see Jamaica having the depth to stick with France. Nigeria vs Laos is a tough call but I see Laos making at least the semis this year. I think England is the worst team to make it into the knockout stages and therefore Poland handles them easily. Canada vs ROI is the toughest one to call but Canada eventually tires out ROI's lineup and narrowly defeats them. In the semis I have France beating Laos something like 3-1 and Poland being the one team who can outwork Canada. Unfortunately this sets up the final I personally least want to see. France handles Poland again and becomes back to back Champions.

Kirk's Bracket


QUARTERSSEMISFINALSCHAMPS
(A1) ROI
(C2) Jamaica ROI
 
(D1) Nigeria Germany ROI
(B2) Germany 
 ROI
(B1) Laos  
(D2) England Laos Laos
 
(C1) Canada France
(A2) France 


ROI continues on their winning ways after breezing through the group stage, they eliminate Jamaica in the quarters without skipping a beat. Germany surprised everyone by making it out the group stage, but this one is no surprise as they knock out a Nigeria squad who had the easy route to the quarters because of a weak group. France and Canada is the match-up of the night, and it doesn't disappoint. Canada knocks off the defending champs in OT. Laos over England, no explanation needed. In the Semi's ROI continues their winning ways against Germany and moves on to another finals appearance. In the other semi, Canada and Laos battle it out with Laos managing to slip past them and secure their spot in the final. In a final we've seen before, Laos and ROI play the game of the century. When the dust finally settles, ROI claims the crown as the WCP Champions and wins their way back into the hearts of WCP fans all over the world.


David's Bracket


QUARTERSSEMISFINALSCHAMPS
(A1) France
(C2) Jamaica France
 
(D1) Nigeria Laos France
(B2) Laos 
 France
(B1) Poland  
(D2) England Poland Poland
 
(C1) Canada Canada
(A2) Serbia 

After coasting through the group stage France will just be starting to warm up, going to be tough for Jamaica I see this being France's closes game of the tournament so far 5-1(ish). Nigeria and Laos will be the game of the quarters and I see it going to a shootout where Nigeria's lack of a goalie will cost them a spot in the semis. Poland will cruise on past England comfortably. Canada and Serbia may be a close one but I see Tavis being the decider in this one, 3-1 Tavis hat trick! In the Semis I see France squeezing by Laos in a tight game. In the other Semi Polands attack will be too much for Canada I see this game around the score of 4-2 Poland. Then a repeat of last years final and France dominates again. Back to back champs!


50 comments:

MathewLeung said...

looks good but who knows what the play-off/knockout stage will actually be, wouldnt be surprised if they switched some things around.

Anonymous said...

Kirk,
I don't think ROI can play in two quarterfinals.
Showing that top level IQ again I see.

Peter

Anonymous said...

Brown, do you think your team won't make it past the group stages? I have to ask why you feel that way. I doubt Serbia will make it.

Anonymous said...

When you post up the schedules, can you post up the youth divisions as well?

Anonymous said...

I am trying to understand the logic on here sometimes. I am looking on the internet for all these players that are named that I don't know well and I don't understand how they are rated so high.

David Patterson: yes he leads the Saskatoon league in scoring according the SDSA website but that's cause he has played more games then any other player in the league. There are 3 or 4 better goal scorers on that list that no one mentions.

Jay Tomchuk: No where to be found in the top ten scoring list.

Josip Coric: A goal scoring machine in division 3?!? Is division 3 in Saskatoon that good? As I wouldn't rate a guy highly when he is stacking his stats in a division 3 league.


JB

Mike Collins said...

Yep I will post all the schedules once they are released. Hopefully in the next 24 hours.

Mike Collins said...

Who went unnamed? Don't just say I am missing people. Who am I missing?

Anonymous said...

If my memory serves me correct, you had to be told by numerous individuals that you shouldn't forget about guys like Troy Lydiate and Andrew Banerjee who played on the same team as you. You instead named your buddies and kept talking about how amazing Brown was.

I can also tell you that you need to do your research because Saudi has a ton of skilled players this year. You might want to mention some of those guys when you post your top 10 this and that. Try to change it up. There are teams with numerous players who are worth mentioning. Stop picking guys you know, and hang out with. Time to change it up and don't pretend your blow is not biased. It totally 100% is.

Anonymous said...

are u serious annon 18;34, are you saying that because the saudi guys are basically the green falcons and they are undefeated in div 2? regina soccer isnt great, but cmon man playing in div 2 and your hyping up those guys? get a soccer brain. oh let me guess Diya is your number one player ?

Mike Collins said...

Now we are tearing apart lists I haven't made yet? This is rough..

I am pretty sure not many people watched as many games as I did last year so I feel I have a pretty good idea of who was good and who wasn't especially on my own team.

As for Saudi Arabia they weren't in the tournament last year. How am I supposed to know who is on their team let alone their names. Do you actually expect me to know the names of everyone in the entire tournament whether I have seen them play or not.

Of course the blog is biased. That's what opinion is.

How about you put up your top 10 list and I will post it on the blog. We can see how the people feel.

Anonymous said...

Seriously Anon 18:34? Troy and Andrew are ok players but they aren't anything special. Nothing against either one of those guys, but I wouldn't put them in my top ten list anytime soon. They are middle of the pack players. This tournament has three tiers: top level talent (<10%), Middle pack talent (60%), Shouldn't be on the field talent (30%).

Top Level:
Collegiate players that played for are a few years or are still active (Garrett, Jordian, etc)

Middle of the Pack
Average players who are better than the rest but not at the same level as other players (Tavis, Andrew, Troy, Paco)

Shouldn't be on the field:
The true talent from Regina (Gordon, Craig, Kirk Evans, Math Leung)


Peter

Anonymous said...

This is what Collins' top ten looks like:

1-8: David Brown
9: Tiny Nathan Reis
10: Mitch Collins

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the list Peter, good job! Your insight is a beaming ray of light on this blog.
It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing that I will not be playing this year, but you knew that, because you know lots. But if you want, you can still critique my playing abilities. I enjoy hearing your opinion.

Your pal,

Kirk

Anonymous said...

Brown is overrated!
I'll say this much. Once upon a time, Brown was one of the best strikers around. Poor work ethic, good scoring ability. Those days are long gone and he is riding on the past. David can still score and he is a bit fitter than last year, but watching him with the Huskies showed how much the drop off in his skill was over the past 3 years.

Anonymous said...

Well looks like Peter was right Kirk. He had you in the 30% that shouldn't be on the field and I'm glad you listened.

Anonymous said...

Peter do you really feel that because you play collegiate (university) soccer that you are a top player. I believe that you can be a top player without playing at a university. Some people don't have the opportunities to play at the university level but would rip it up if they did. I don't agree with you at all.

Anonymous said...

Anon 19:33, name one person that would tear up the collegiate levee right nowl like you mentioned?
Paco Brown? Played a season did nothing.
The only guy that I could see having potential a few years back is a guy like Tavis.
EJ, Boun, Gordon, Craig, Kirk, Lee, Andrew, Troy, etc… Regina's top talent that would struggle at the varsity level.

Anonymous said...

If Regina had a CIS team they would be bottom feeders. The quality in Regina is just not there. Who would captain the ship, Mitch Collins?

Anonymous said...

Let's use a good example to prove my point.
For the most part, especially after last year, people know who Darko is. For those that don't, Darko is one of Serbia's top players and was in the mix for top strikers in the tournament last season.
Darko is about 21-22 years old and at the top of middle of pack players that I had outlined. Darko attended Lakeland College this past year and struggled to start and/or register points.
Lakeland is a small college in Alberta. The calibre of soccer there is the equivalent of Regina div2 or 3.

This WCP "stand out" can't even compete at the level below the CIS, how do you expect the other Regina all-stars will fare? It's a different game once you hit higher levels. The ones with outstanding technical abilities shine and the ones without fade fast. It is what it is.


By the way Collins, you are aware of why you are being called Mitch Collins right?

Peter

Anonymous said...

Good point Pete.
Mitch Collins tho, PRICELESS BAHAHA

Anonymous said...

Darko isn't a great soccer player. He's a div 3 quality player at best. He hot one game and cold the next. I wouldn't start the guy. He lacks fundamental skills and seriously lacks the knowledge required to make quick decisions on the field.

On a side note, there a bunch of clowns in the Regina soccer league. Some of which come out and tape themselves against division 5 teams so they can show people they are good. Awesome job. Regina soccer sucks and so does the Regina soccer association. It's just a bad place to play soccer. Badly managed. I'm glad I don't live in Regina.

I'm loving the MITCH COLLINS stuff Peter. Keep up the good work. :)

Anonymous said...

What are you talking about Peter? Darko was hurt for most of the season, you dont know what your talking about, as well mentioning the 30% of players that shouldnt be on the field, who are you to call out people ? no one even knows who u actually are

AF

Anonymous said...

AF, who are you? Your fake initials are hypocritical wouldn't you say? Sounds like you are just making excuses for Darko. Lakeland is junk hurt or not hurt.

^Anon 21:33 you talk as if you are different from the talent in the WCP? I doubt it. You are most likely one of the worst players on the field. Shut your mouth and stop acting like you are this international hot shot as clearly you are not.

JB

Anonymous said...

Anon 21:33, you either lacked a basic education or are ignorant. I will go with the latter of the two. Mexico and the United States of America are in North America; both countries could challenge for a top 10 spot as this years world cup. Canada is miles behind these two countries, so your North American comment is misguided. Some of the world's powerhouse soccer nations lie in South America and Europe, but there are some terrible nations in that mix as well. So unless you show some valid information to support your outrageous comments, maybe you should consider not talking. I also noticed that you refer to North American as if you were a distant entity that doesn't associate with this hemisphere; yet you should feel blessed to live in Regina. It is a growing city with a strong economy, filled with opportunities for everyone. So either take pride in your city and country, or go back to whatever hole you crept out of as you are in Canada for one reason or another. People like you make me sick. You always complain about how poor things are in North America and how things are better "back home". If this was the case, get out. No one needs you to stay. There are millions of other people wishing they lived where you do, so feel blessed.

AF. I am Peter. It says that at the bottom of everyone of my posts; simple as that.

Peter

Anonymous said...

Soccer is fun.
Guys, I hate to be the one to ask, but I have no clue what the whole Mitch collins thing is referencing to. For the sake of my ignorant soul please fill me in I love any chance of taking a hard nose shot at mike mitch collin and would love to fully appreciate the depth of demoralization bestowed upon him.

yours truly in soccer,

KH, DB, ZZ, Peter, DG, Anonymous, Not Anonymous, Kevin holness,

Anonymous said...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXjQx2bLCEU#t=181

This is basically the level of skill regina players have. and the lego guys move much more smooth

-Saskatoon Pro Soccer Player

Anonymous said...

Dirty Mitch and the boyz

Anonymous said...

Ya I am pretty sure Peter is a piece of sh_t in life, he sounds like it, Peter seems like one of those guys that tried University and failed and then failed in other aspects in life, hes a forsure a bad soccer player, no one knows who he is so hes just another dud.

AF

Anonymous said...

is JB, Justin Bieber ? wow I cant believe he came on this blog, Justin come play in this tournament please!!

Annonomous said...

Les Blue and Germany both prosper from a trade earlier this week.

Anonymous said...

I will be the first to agree with how brutal the Regina soccer league is. There are a ton of dirty soccer players. I have experienced it year in and year out. I have broken my leg twice playing soccer in Regina. I am just plain tired of the dirt bags. More than half the time there is never a call or a card given. You have players who disrespect other players by laughing when they get injured. You have referees who laugh amongst themselves when people are injured. I will not start to name people or referees on here, because it is unprofessional. I'm embarrassed to play soccer in Regina. I look at players from Saskatoon and see how good they treat people, how classy they are, and how great their organization is run. I think to myself how can we be 2 hours away, yet be so different. It is truly embarrassing. To the players that play a clean, fair game, I thank you. I appreciate your hard play, without the dirty hacks and tackles. If you are going to play dirty, at least help the player you hurt up or apologize. Accidents do happen. Show come class and properly represent the city of Regina. After all, this tournament is supposed to bring people together. Maybe you will make a new friend or two.

Anonymous said...

I dont know if this tournament is meant for you then annon 13:41, the tournament does let more things go than usual games, just saying

Anonymous said...

What are you saying exactly anonymous 14:13? Do you want people to get injured? I do not really agree with your statement. People do not need to break legs or ankles out there. If they let more things go, fine. I am specifically talking about major injuries here. I am sure the WCP does not want to have a bad reputation letting people just get injured. Sounds pretty ridiculous to me.

Anonymous said...

Best player in the tournament. Paco Brown. There I said it.

Anonymous said...

Theres nothing you can do about how people play annon 14:57, take for instance Greece, a team known to paly a physical game, they arent going to change there style at all, most likely look for them breaking legs and incorporating a no prisoner style of play because of the movie 300 encourages this play.

Anonymous said...

Mitch Collins where is the schedule. Get on it.

Anonymous said...

Attention:

If anyone knows the true identity of "Peter" there is bounty for his head

Please dial 911 right away, he is extremely dangerous and watch out!

yours truly, RCMP and the Regina Police

Anonymous said...

If Peter has any balls at all, he'll identify himself properly. Your anonymous posts have no validity buddy. Don't be a coward.

Aleks Wosik

Anonymous said...

I bet you any money Peter probably thinks the Saskatoon World Cup is better than this. what a loser, he probably also thinks the quality is better too

Anonymous said...

Wosik why do you even care who Peter is. You are one of the dirtiest soccer players I have ever seen. Bud, you need to call it quits. You have no skill.

Anonymous said...

Mitch Wosik is almost as big as a joke as Mitch Collins. I am shocked those two aren't BFF.

Anonymous said...

Isn't easy being a celebrity. Takes balls to come on here and post with a name. Props to Aleks for doing so.

anonymous

Anonymous said...

The only reason Aleks plays for Poland is because of his mom. Other than that, the guy is a huge, and I mean huge dud. Chill out bud.

Anonymous said...

@9:16 & 10:45

Petey bro you're the one running your mouth and trash talking people with a fake name, maybe you need to sit down and chill "bud".

Aleks might not be the most technically skilled player out there but at least the guy works hard and is loyal to his team.

Pete, just try not being an immature bitch for once in your life. That'd be pretty cool.

Anonymous said...

The clowns on this blog are a joke. Only in Saskatchewan would terrible players who couldn't even crack the squad as a div. 5 water boy in a normal sized city be trash talking each other. Regina and Saskatoon are such microcosms in the soccer world. This blog shows the stereotypical small town mentality that runs our soccer community...all star know it alls that have never actually done anything at all worth noting in the real soccer world. Hell many of these jokester have likely never played a game of significance outside of Saskatchewan, let alone outside of Canada. Proof of this is that not a single player from Saskatchewan on the men's side has had a good chance at making a National team in the last 20+ years since Holness did. We all know how brutal our Canadian MNT is yet no one for here can make it...keep bragging about how awesome the players are in this tournament. Lol

If you want multiculturalism this tournament is great. If you want to watch great soccer? Not so much.

Anonymous said...

Anon 19:35; you are right yet so wrong. 98% of the players have never experienced soccer outside of this province; correct.

I can name more than a handful of players that have had some sort of experience within the national youth ranks over the past 20 years. I would name them, but them there is also some anonymous clown that claims that player is junk. Unfortunately their opinion meant nothing to the coaches that selected these players.

You actually provide a great example of the negative attitude that is present on this blog and province, maybe you should really read into what you write before you write it. I really doubt that you have any idea what would be required in a top player and which players in this province actually had a shot at playing at a higher level if circumstances were slightly different. You are very ignorant and negative and act like you know it all, but unfortunately you are just a MITCH. You may criticize the way I write, but at least I can back it up with some knowledge unlike you and many of the other ignorant bloggers on here who just insult people for no reason.

Peter

Anonymous said...

I'm not talking about the youth players. I'm well aware youth players that have had a skills over recent years who have had their chances like Ceasr Santamaria or current kids like Kelly Lowry. What I'm referring to are these clowns like Mitch Collins and others in this tournament who think they are gods gift to soccer when they have no clue how truly average they are in the grand scheme of things.

There is a TON of potential youth talent in this province that never sees the light of day because most of that talent gets wasted on completely pointless games and tournaments that do absolutely nothing but reinforce the bad habits that are never corrected (like the brutal kick and chase game that even many of our top U16 teams play).

My issue is not with the youth and potential, it's with the amount of 'no net worth know it alls' on this board who think theynare the top of the soccer world because they because they are amongst the better teams in a very watered down small town amateur soccer tournament. If people invested half the time they spend talking about how awesome theynare and how awesome their buddies in this tournament are and instead try to develop our youth players we'd have a much better tournament in future years.

Anonymous said...

What you fail to realize is that Mitch Collins may not be much of a player now, and may have not accomplished much in his time as a player; yet in U15-U17 he was one of the few players in this province that competed in the NTC program. I think the list of players that have been invited and stuck around with NTC program is less than 20 and surprisingly Mitch Collins was one of them. I am not going to herald Mitch Collins as an amazing player. Unfortunately he didn't develop to be a top level player but he was blessed with decent physical attributes (height, etc).

There have been much better players that have played in this province and have had an opportunity to possibly go somewhere; yet due to location and a lack of proper development options, many of those players flamed out before their 18th birthday and I wouldn't be surprised if that happens to Kelly Lowry as well.

Everyone comes on here and insults the level of talent that players like Mitch Collins have; and I agree that at this moment in time he isn't anything special. Yet in his youth he was able to compete against some very talented players and only a handful of other players can say the same and that deserves some acknowledgement.

The youth development has gone down hill. There is a huge development gap between the players born in 83-90 and present day. The players from the 83-90 years provided some top quality teams and more quality then what is present in the development program now. Say what you will but the truth lies in the lack of skill that is currently present in players aged 16-23. I don't know how many times I have heard that Team Scotland is the model of youth development, yet not one of those Scotland players are remotely good for their age. Compare Mitch Collins at that age and he was double the player of any of the Scotland players and that can be said for other players that get hated on such as David Brown.

Too many people have opinions and comments, but not enough people think or educate themselves before making negative comments. I don't much care for Mitch Collins, but at the end of the day I have to respect the fact that he achieve something very few players in the province have done while in their youth.

Peter

Anonymous said...

Peter you seem to have all this knowledge. I'm guessing you are either some dud coach who thinks he knows it all, or you are a major loser who stalks people. You can shut up now.

Anonymous said...

Peter you should be one to talk. Look at the noise you type up. Sorry bud, no time to read your pathetic essays. You have no clue about coaching or youth development.