World Cup reader Q&A: Ewan Murray answers your questions
Key events
What are the chances of a Iran v US match?
KTwoDJF asks: I know that there is technically a path to it, but what are the chances USA will be knocked out of the tournament by Iran ?
I have the USA being knocked out by Belgium. But I also have the USA winning their section; the mood in this country does not seem to suggest much confidence at all in that happening.
Shout out for Shankland
Mauberley asks: As a fellow Hearts fan, will you join me in saying well done to Lawrence Shankland for his big move.
The line is breaking up here, I can’t hear your question. Apologies.
Scotland’s nemesis: Haiti or Brazil?
richardinmadrid asks: Being a Scot, aged 69, and a football fan all my life, I really think Scotland will play awful against Haiti and play a great match against Brazil. What do you think of my premonition?
Yes, this isn’t a wild theory at all. I disagree though; I think Scotland have been wounded by failures in the last two finals. They have players a) with a point to prove over that and b) aware this will either be their best or last World Cup opportunity. So I actually believe they will seize the day against Haiti.
The Brazil fixture is dependent on whether they are comfortably through already or have incentive to damage Scotland. If there is nothing on it for Brazil, and knowing how the big nations manage their way through tournaments, I wouldn’t at all rule out Scotland taking a point.
Bracketology predictions
3chordgenius asks: According to my Bracketology predictions Scotland will need to beat Germany, France, Spain, the Netherlands and Argentina to win the trophy, assuming they qualify as one of the best 3rd placers. How much do you recommend I invest in this outcome?
You could invest £20 to lose £20. My own predictions on the same Guardian page had Scotland losing to Mexico in the last 32. And my scenario added England plus Brazil to the possible opponents.
Will Scotland make it past Group C?
Lambchops asks: It’s a well known fact that Scotland’s group opponents never end up meeting their expectations in the World Cup? Having faced Ronaldo’s convulsive fits in France 98 what misfortunes may befall Brazil this time? Will the “curse” be lifted if Scotland make it out of the groups this time? And speaking of curses, should we actually just try and get WWE wrestler Danhausen to curse our opponents as he seems to be having some success with US sports teams?
Not a “curse” I have previously contemplated. The Netherlands did reach the final in 1978 … The historical comparisons for Scotland are fair but of course skewed. This team will generally be regarded as the greatest of all time should they emerge from group C, which a 2-0 win over Haiti and nothing else might be enough to secure. The Scotland team of 1974 didn’t reach the group phase but also didn’t lose a game. A glance at that squad and suggesting this team might be superior feels silly.
My wrestling interest ended in the days of Big Boss Man but I will take your word for it re: Danhausen.
What’s become of Max Johnston?
Fearandloathingpart2 asks: Three right backs in the squad but no Max Johnston. Is he injured again, does he have the wrong attitude for Clarke, or does Clarke genuinely just rate Ralston higher?
I thought Johnston had a very difficult time when he came on in Copenhagen at the start of the World Cup campaign. Clarke is of course fiercely loyal and emphasises the club feel within this squad but I think the reality is he does rate Ralston higher. Hickey is by far and away the outstanding right back. Patterson needs a transfer from Everton to reignite his career and, like Johnston, is far better on the attacking elements from right back then he is defending.
A flutter on Scotland reaching the semis?
misterbadexample asks: Well, I’ve put £50 on us at 28-1 to reach the semifinals, and I never gamble. Do you think the excitement at qualifying may have overexcited the nation?
That has ebbed and flowed. People were hugely excited at qualification. That mood dampened a little but noticeably in the following months. Yet the comeback to win against Curaçao and the 4-0 victory over Bolivia on Saturday has, I sense, boosted the mood again. You will lose your £50 but I think the last-32 is a legitimate, proper target.
Will Norway-Scotland friction escalate?
DeJongandtherestless asks: Ewan, do you anticipate that the issue between Norway and Scotland will develop into a full-scale war at some point?
A wonderful story, largely because it is so utterly trivial. Norway are right to be irked about the late cancellation of a training game and the Scotland explanation doesn’t exactly tally. After all, Billy Gilmour was injured a week before they postponed the bounce game. However, the existence of the fixture wasn’t known publicly at all until the Norwegians made it that way. I also fail to see how it can significantly impact their build up.
There may be lingering Norwegian animosity of course. Scotland stole a late win in Oslo, which was key to qualification for the last Euros.
What do Scotland need to progess?
stooze asks: What do you think Scotland need to progress from the group – the minimum? I’m thinking 3 points and even a -2 GD might just scrape through.
Those who look at modelling suggest that will indeed be the borderline scenario. It’s a strange World Cup for Scotland in that it is so heavily based on game one. Without a win over Haiti – and I would argue a win by a couple of goals – the whole thing could fall flat within 90 minutes. I don’t fancy Morocco in game two after, I assume, they lose to Brazil. So I think Scotland have to win with a little to spare against Haiti then cling on for dear life.
Welcome to the Conversation
Hello, and welcome to the first Guardian World Cup Q&A
Ewan Murray is one of our newly expanded team of Guardian football correspondents scattered across North America to cover all 104 games.
Ewan is now here live from Charlotte, North Carolina where Scotland didn’t play Norway on Monday, to answer any questions you might have about the World Cup as a whole and, specifically, Scotland’s chances in group C alongside Haiti and France 98 group rivals Brazil and Morocco. Post your comments and questions below the line and Ewan will answer as many as he can.
Here’s some reading/watching/listening in the meantime:
