Official World Cup Thread

**Big King Sanctaphrax** · 06-10-2006, 19:43

The T&T game was great, I was really hoping they'd do well. Excellent goalkeeping from Shaka Hislop.

**ShadesWolf** · 06-10-2006, 19:54

Excellent match by T&T well played boys.

And BTW its not Brits, its Engllsh.

Next up a victory for Ivory Coast would be great

**Dutch_guy** · 06-10-2006, 20:55

Argentina - Ivory coast is quite an impressive match, with the former leading with 2 - 0 at half time. You might not say so judging by the score, but ivory coast is playing great, and has had at least one great chance to score a goal.

Also, the second goals was a beauty, a brilliant Riquelme moment - need I say more ?

Hope the second half 'll continue to be as interesting to watch as the first half was.

**Dutch_guy** · 06-10-2006, 20:56

Never mind, double post...

**ShadesWolf** · 06-10-2006, 22:00

Ok that was the best game Ive seen so far, I've watched 4 out of the 5 matches ( missed the Poland match as we had a power cut)

I felt IV were very unlucky, not that impressed with the defense of Argentina but they luck very quick and dangerous going forward.

**Dutch_guy** · 06-10-2006, 22:13

I agree ShadesWolf, best match thus far.

I didn't think IC would be as good as they were, didn't really see them as a threat but I've come to my senses - they're quite dangerous in the offense.

Argentina, plays solid and always has at least one ( in this case 2 ) moments where it just sneaks in a goal, also a Riquelme - Crespo combination is deadly to say the least.

**LeftEyeNine** · 06-10-2006, 23:05

England - Paraguay

More impressive England -quite better than I expected...until it was the second half.. I had predicted Paraguay to get one point from the game since I thought they would be rather stable and error-free in defence however the first half was a complete disaster for Paraguay backline and they were fortunate to have conceded only one goal.

Valdez is someone to trust in the attack force, he really merits being the best subsitute in Werder when Klasnic or Klose is somehow out -he has even more potential and I don't think he 'll be waiting behind those two after the World Cup, he may leave Werder provided this form. Paraguay captain Gamarra was a bit out of concentration today, creating the first goal into his own net and a couple of minutes later heading a ball back to his keeper which would nearly be completed as a goal by Owen. The subsitute keeper Bobadilla is a good keeper, by the way.

England, as always, still lacks some spirit. You look at the squad and can not keep your jaw dropping, however when it comes to wear that shirt of Three Lions, things do change. A change in the coaching team will greatly benefit this bright generation of England, me thinks. This good generation of players should win some trophy before time runs out for them.

Man of the Match : David Beckham. He is a captain, a playmaker, a dead ball expert and despite his enormous fame, still very enthusiastic. He showed his class in this match as well.

Argentina - Ivory Coast

No team without a pinch of World Cup experience could be any more comfortable and self confident than the Elephants were today against a giant like Argentina. There are many unwritten rules of football and one was valid today -"big teams do it instantly and win it". Above all enthusiasm, sheer class and confidence of Ivory Coast, Argentina is the aged wolf of these tournaments and Crespo and Saviola have killer feet.

No, Argentina is still a great team, they are the way we are accustommed to see although they may stumble in times they are integrating new "parts" to the body. However Ivory Coast is meeting and overlapping expectations indeed. I think every football fan would like to see them progressing at least to the next round. Experience is their block -and the group drawn, of course- and they seem well enough to get over it sooner than any other World Cup rookie team.

Arthur Boka and junior of the Toure brothers, Yaya Toure were the ones standing out for this match within Ivory Coast squad.

Man of the Match : Juan Roman Riquelme. Ortega or Gallardo won't be missed for too long. What's more to say ?

**ShadesWolf** · 06-10-2006, 23:13

Originally Posted by Dutch_guy

I agree ShadesWolf, best match thus far.

I didn't think IC would be as good as they were, didn't really see them as a threat but I've come to my senses - they're quite dangerous in the offense.

Argentina, plays solid and always has at least one ( in this case 2 ) moments where it just sneaks in a goal, also a Riquelme - Crespo combination is deadly to say the least.

I watched the IC in the African Cup of Nations and was impressed. Drogba, toure and Eboue are all premier league players, so I have seen them quite a lot over the last season. If they had a quality midfield player then I think they would be a real threat. But that, for me, looses them down.

Agentina on the other hand seem to be able to find that defense spliting pass, but the defence I felt looked quite weak. But if you score more goals than the other team who needs a defensc.

Im looking forward to your game against Angola tomorrow.