Official World Cup Thread

[The Black Ship]

That was quite the game, exiting really.

Must say the referee knew what he was doing, 3 red cards and each and every one of them was deserved, also props to the linesman for cancelling the late US goal. Would have been great had they won, but it really was offside.

I'd expected the Italians to eventually score the winning goal considering how each and every American was thoroughly exhausted, but the goal wasn't scored, mainly due to some great reflexes by the US keeper.

As said, this group is definitely the most interesting one, each team is still able to progress to the next round!

Looking forward to the Italy - Czech republic game, bound to be interesting !

Well, being a fan of the team that received the smelly end of the stick I can't believe you're serious about the ref. Pope's two yellows, OK, if we're going by the letter of the law...but when does any ref go by the letter of the law? Mastroeni's was a yellow, plain and simple. Has been all tourney, why the sudden change in interpretation? And, I've seen Drogba take a swipe at a ball when he was "passive" and the goal stood... are you saying THAT ref was wrong

Do I sound biased

[Dutch_guy]

Well, being a fan of the team that received the smelly end of the stick I can't believe you're serious about the ref. Pope's two yellows, OK, if we're going by the letter of the law...but when does any ref go by the letter of the law? Mastroeni's was a yellow, plain and simple. Has been all tourney, why the sudden change in interpretation? And, I've seen Drogba take a swipe at a ball when he was "passive" and the goal stood... are you saying THAT ref was wrong

Well my friend, Pope should not have tackled from behind, with an outstreched leg and in front of the referee. That's asking for it. Also a referee likes to appear unbiased, meaning that when he gave a red card to the italians he was itching to give one to the Americans, to even it up again - it's what you usually see in a match, especially if a referee made a very bad call and thus appeared ill favoured towards a particullar side. It's no written rule,but it does happen quite a lot really.

Keeping that in mind I wasn;t surprised when Mastroeni got a red card, only moments before had the ref. given the Italians a red one, for that horrible elbow to the face

ALso I didn't really understand Mastroeni's intention...it was what, another 2 minutes to half time ? You don't take risks like that when you're almost there.

Do I sound biased

A bit yes, but it doesn't matter, we all want our team to do well

[The Black Ship]

Well my friend, Pope should not have tackled from behind, with an outstreched leg and in front of the referee. That's asking for it. Also a referee likes to appear unbiased, meaning that when he gave a red card to the italians he was itching to give one to the Americans, to even it up again - it's what you usually see in a match, especially if a referee made a very bad call and thus appeared ill favoured towards a particullar side. It's no written rule,but it does happen quite a lot really.

Keeping that in mind I wasn;t surprised when Mastroeni got a red card, only moments before had the ref. given the Italians a red one, for that horrible elbow to the face

ALso I didn't really understand Mastroeni's intention...it was what, another 2 minutes to half time ? You don't take risks like that when you're almost there.



A bit yes, but it doesn't matter, we all want our team to do well

So if I tell you that ref is going to control your game against Argentina...you're cool with that? Not worried by the way he interprets the rules of the game...I mean it's not as if Van Persie or Van Nistelroy have ever made a rash tackle, right?

Oh and BTW, Mastroeni's call was the make up call, so why did he feel the need to have another make up call with Pope's tackle from the SIDE?

[Rodion Romanovich]

Today is the great day - Brazil vs Guus Hiddink. To simplify a bit - will unmatched tactical skills beat unmatched technical brilliance ?

[Dutch_guy]

So if I tell you that ref is going to control your game against Argentina...you're cool with that?

Well yes I am, that ref. did a good yob in my opinion.

Not worried by the way he interprets the rules of the game...I mean it's not as if Van Persie or Van Nistelroy have never made a rash tackle, right?

Well no I'm not worried really, I found the ref. to be a good one yesterday and I do hope our players don't go elbowing other players or tackling for behind, also I'm a bit more worried about those players that already have a yellow card, if they get another one they're suspended for their next match - meaning against either Portugal or Mexico.

But as those players you mentioned don't have a yellow card at the moment, I'd say the chances they're getting one in a game with nothing at stake is pretty slim

Oh and BTW, Mastroeni's call was the make up call, so why did he feel the need to have another make up call with Pope's tackle from the SIDE?

Well I found Pope's tackle kind of a stupid thing to do with one yellow card already owned, and sliding in from the side in front of a referee who isn't afraid to send you off the pitch isn't the best thing one could do.

[The Black Ship]

Cool, when you quote it says "citaat"...never noticed that before.

I chose those two players because, having watched the EPL for years, I've seen them perform the Mastroeni tackle with great frequency. Ask an Arsenal fan if they believe Ruud would do such a thing Don't worry about the other players...yellows get wiped clean in the next round, unless those players get red they're safe.

Have you watched the Crotia/Japan match? By that (Larrionda) refs standards there should have been 4-5 yellows by now... and it's only early in the second half

I know I have to get over it...I'm trying.

[Dutch_guy]

Cool, when you quote it says "citaat"...never noticed that before.

Indeed, took me a while to notice that too.

I chose those two players because, having watched the EPL for years, I've seen them perform the Mastroeni tackle with great frequency. Ask an Arsenal fan if they believe Ruud would do such a thing Don't worry about the other players...yellows get wiped clean in the next round, unless those players get red they're safe.

I'm not surprised really, the EPL is a somewhat tougher league than the one here in Holland.

Have you watched the Crotia/Japan match? By that (Larrionda) refs standards there should have been 4-5 yellows by now... and it's only early in the second half

Well as it wasn't the best match I've ever seen I just watched bits and pieces of it, I saw the missed penalty, but I didn't really pay attention to the referee - as he wasn't too dominant from what I saw.

I know I have to get over it...I'm trying.

It takes time, it takes time.