Official World Cup Thread

[InsaneApache]

I disagree, Mastroeni's tackle was mis-timed and two footed. He clearly played the man not the ball (he'd get a warning in the backroom for that ) furthermore it was completely unnecessary just in front of the Italian penalty box. What did he think he was doing?

Aside from that, a great game of footy. Lots of passion and commitment. The US had to run their legs off to stay in the game and rose to the challenge, kudos to them.

The Italians (much like the Portuguese) got more and more frustrated and it affected their moral as it became obvious that they were not going to break down the US defense. Keller, IMO, kept them in the WC with a cracking one handed save at the end.

Originally posted by InsaneApache
There's more chance of a creationist embracing Darwinism.

I'm glad I didn't say I'd eat my hat, I dont like bacon, eggs, fried bread and trilby.

[Rodion Romanovich]

Damn I missed Italy-USA... It seems like I missed out on a great game...

Ghana 2 - Czechs 0 was both a disappointment and a pleasant surprise. Ghana deserved the victory but I had hoped the Czechs would be better than they were. As it seems now, they aren't that good, and it's even doubtful if they continue to 2nd round - Italy and Ghana probably will instead (Ghana have USA left to play while Czechs have Italy left to play, Ghana has 3 points and Czechs have 3 points, plus Ghana won internal meeting between Czechs and Ghaha).

[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

[DukeofSerbia]

And BTW, Serbia is a good team and didn't deserve a 6-0 loss (of course they did play pretty bad, but they're worth more). And Duke of Serbia, Germany does have the best manpower, but they are the best.

Serbia good team?!

Nemanja Vidić is injured on training bz Mateja Kežman. Ognjen Koroman and Dejan Stanković had fought in training before game with Argentina. Yesterday, on press meeting couch Petković accused media for disastre! I just cant't believe.

[DukeofSerbia]

Mastroeni's red card was a poor decision by the ref, should have been a yellow at the most.

Hell of a game though. Even though their finishing was crap, at least the US showed up. Though if Arena plays Beasely against Ghana, he should be fired. With fresh legs and his pace, he just didn't do anything. All his teamates spent in the second half, and Beasely just stood around, didn't challenge any balls, didn't seem to put any effort in at all. Hopefully his last international performance, he doesn't deserve another.

Go Italy, go USA. Pretty entertaining group. Ghana looks tough though, wouldn't surprise me if they win the group outright.

Mastroeni's red card was clear. He tackled with both legs. New rules say that is immediately exclusion


Italy - USA was one of the best game so far in World Cup, especially second half.

[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 ?

[Alexanderofmacedon]

Damn I missed Italy-USA... It seems like I missed out on a great game...

Ghana 2 - Czechs 0 was both a disappointment and a pleasant surprise. Ghana deserved the victory but I had hoped the Czechs would be better than they were. As it seems now, they aren't that good, and it's even doubtful if they continue to 2nd round - Italy and Ghana probably will instead (Ghana have USA left to play while Czechs have Italy left to play, Ghana has 3 points and Czechs have 3 points, plus Ghana won internal meeting between Czechs and Ghaha).

You think the Czech's are going down? Did you see them play against the United States? They're amazing. They're one of the only teams, in my opinion that can take on Brazil. They will not lose out.

[Rodion Romanovich]

You think the Czech's are going down? Did you see them play against the United States? They're amazing. They're one of the only teams, in my opinion that can take on Brazil. They will not lose out.

Yes they're amazing, but now their top 2 scorers are injured - Koller and Baros. I saw them win vs USA, and USA then did a tie with Italy (which I didn't see), while Italy beat Ghana. So there might be a circle of incompatible tactics meaning that Czechs losing to Ghana doesn't mean they're worse than Italy even without Koller and Baros. But I must say the Czechs looked a lot weaker with Koller out. Even when Koller doesn't score in an attack, the threat he poses usually draws a lot of defensive strength away from others that it opens the paths for other skilled scorers. And Baros has the speed required for scoring in quick breakaways. The good news is that both Koller and Baros are back for quarter or semi finals, but the way there will be tough for the Czechs - they need to beat the spaghettis first , then they'd need to take on Brazil in the 2nd round IIRC. Would be a shame if the injuries of Koller and Baros prevented the skilled Czech team from reaching the finals.

Edit: btw if Italy got many warnings and match penalties from the earlier two games it's possible the Italians won't be able to field a good army for the crucial encounter next weak, in which case even a by injury weakened Czech team will have good chances of wining the crucial victory needed to advance.

[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.

[scotchedpommes]

Oh the princesses will show up alright. The question is, will the combined striking force of Arsenal, Manchester United, Olympique Lyon and Juventus manage to break the record currently held by Bolivia: that of the team that went longest without scoring at a world cup?

Really, how can you have Henry and manage to field a team that can't score goals?
(well I know why: because Domenech won't play Trezeguet, the natural couple with Henry front. Because he didn't bring Giuly, champions league winner with Barcelona and whose goal kicked out AC Milan in the semis. Because Zidane is worried about his status as number one and refuses to have the team play in a manner that fits Henry. And blahblahblah)

I'm struggling to understand why Giuly wasn't included, really. He's a pain in the
neck for anyone when he starts his runs and links up with passes for Barca. I
think he'd really bring yet another cutting edge to the French team. Maybe just
another princess though?

France will pull something off - if not, I think it'll be hard to deal with the
resulting fallout.

[Alexanderofmacedon]

Australia better beat the pants off Brazil.

But seriously...

[doc_bean]

Croatia -Japan was rather lame, especially the second half...

[Dutch_guy]

Croatia -Japan was rather lame, especially the second half...

How did it turn out ?

0 - 0 ?

[scotchedpommes]

0 - 0, yes.

Aussies doing well against Brazil so far - had some bad offside calls against them,
and one of their players just stopped a run thanks to a whistle from the crowd.

[Alexanderofmacedon]

0 - 0, yes.

Aussies doing well against Brazil so far - had some bad offside calls against them,
and one of their players just stopped a run thanks to a whistle from the crowd.

Go Australia! If they win or even tie, I'll be so happy.

[Red Peasant]

From what I've seen so far, Italy and Brazil are both overrated. Italy were particularly poor with the US dominating possession and the play before going down to nine men. The tackles that led to the dismissals for the US were really stupid and totally unnecessary. But the referee was correct, no doubt about it, and if I was their coach then I'd be mad as hell with those players.

Just watching Brazil v. Aus game and the ref seems determined to protect the Brazilians no matter what. Every 50/50 decision has gone their way so far, and god help you if you so much as breathe on Ronaldihno. Aus are playing well, and they potentially carry an attacking threat that the US so obviously lack.

[Alexanderofmacedon]

I HATE BRAZIL!

Australia will come back. They'll tie it up. I hope...

[Sasaki Kojiro]

Brazil is a lot of fun to watch. When they got it together for a bit near the end of the game they just ran circles around the aussies. The reffing was much better in this game. One of the best games I've watched this world cup.

[Alexanderofmacedon]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dutch_guy]

Oh well, the Aussies did what they could and had some great chances to tie the game, Brazil on the other hand played at about 60 % I reckon - they're capable of much more.

Hope they manage to grow into the tournament.

Well let's hope Australia beats Croatia next game !

[Rodion Romanovich]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! MUUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
I agree I don't like Brazil's play. It's static, slow and boring to watch, not anything like the speed and entertainment of Argentina or Portugal, or the tactics of Germany and Holland, or the mix of those that Italy can be from time to time. Brazil are just walking around in the field for 70 minutes, then they score a few lucky goals because they have the worlds best long-distance shots. And as a fan of Turkey last world cup I'll never forgive them for Rivaldo's simulation that incorrectly gave a red card, and in the same game some Brazil player's simulation incorrectly gave a game-winning penalty shot.

[doc_bean]

Brazil has great players, they just don't come together as a team. That pass by Ronaldo was a great move though, nice to see him not trying to score himself and ruining it for a change. I hope the Aussies go on, they certainly seemed better than Croatia...

[Red Peasant]

Well, some people watched a different Brazil to me, very pedestrian. The first half was terrible, but it picked up a little in the second although it was hardly a gripping contest. Argentina and Spain have been the standout teams so far, but little can be read into World Cup group games and results.

[Alexanderofmacedon]

I want Brazil to fail miserably.

[Dutch_guy]

Well, some people watched a different Brazil to me, very pedestrian. The first half was terrible, but it picked up a little in the second although it was hardly a gripping contest. Argentina and Spain have been the standout teams so far, but little can be read into World Cup group games and results.

Indeed, Spain always manages to get out of the groups un damaged, but then never quite does what it's supposed to do - win.

As for Argentina, they usually do well and are therefore one of the favorites to win the cup. Personally I hope they win, as they've made the best impression overall in my opinion.

Of course I'd love it if we won, but it's still a long way to the finals...

[Justiciar]

Fred saves the day.

[LeftEyeNine]

What I predict is happening for the early stages of the cup. Though they are far behind of how they are expected to play, you will be stunned with Brazil's play in the further rounds.