Official World Cup Thread

**Dutch_guy** · 06-22-2006, 13:06

Originally Posted by Soulforged

Well, it was a draw... not boring but a draw in the end. It was, without doubt, the most expected and concurred match so far. Many stars witnessing the match: Maradona, Platini, Beckenbauer, Rumenige, between others. I liked the spirit of relaxation both in the field and in the tribunes between the fans. That's the only thing that compensated my anxiaty.

Indeed, a decent game with decent football shown by both teams.

As said, it would have been great had there actually been something at stake, well maybe we'll meet you again in the semi's ?

Would most definitely be a great match if both sides start with their best team, unlike yesterday.

**Goalie** · 06-22-2006, 15:48

GOOAALL for the U.S. finally a goal that we actually scored. GAH! Now ghana has a pk, come on keller.

**Goalie** · 06-22-2006, 15:50

Dang, Ghana scored, 2-1 Ghana, haha the czechs got a guy sent off now and are playing with 10.

**Goalie** · 06-22-2006, 15:50

Dang, Ghana scored, 2-1 Ghana, haha the czechs got a guy sent off now and are playing with 10.

**Sasaki Kojiro** · 06-22-2006, 16:53

So ghana wins? That's cool, I was kinda rooting for them anyway, they were more fun to watch than the us. Hopefully they'll broadcast the ghana vs brazil game.

**Alexanderofmacedon** · 06-22-2006, 17:24

Doesn't really matter if USA advances, they'd play Brazil...

**DukeofSerbia** · 06-22-2006, 18:59

For one hour Croatia play against Australia. Or maybe I can say Croatia B as 7 Australian players have Croat origin and two players of Croatia are born in Australia.

I did't comment game between Serbia nad Cot d'Ivore. Žigić is defenitely best Serbian striker.

But Dudić played volleyball.

**Big_John** · 06-22-2006, 21:55

whoa, that australia/croatia game was strange. more awful refing.. but it was just a weird finish anyway.. wild.

**[DnC]** · 06-22-2006, 22:04

I'm so angry, yet so happy.

I'm angry that Graham Poll is such a useless referee. Australia should have been given 3 penalties. First Viduka was clearly held by the croatian defender. Second he actualy managed to see it right, wow, is that possible for Poll? Third was again hands as was the second, it was so clear in the replay. Really you ought to think he at least should have seen the first, he was standing right behind them for crying out loud!!

Also... let me catch my breath for a moment because I'm crying in laughter here... Hahaahahahahahahha.
Here it goes: Poll gave Simuníc 3 YELLOW CARDS, yes T H R E E!
What a bloody fool.
Incase you are wondering if Simuníc was given red with the third yellow card, yes he did (if you haven't watched the match that is).

And ofcourse I'm happy AUSTRALIA IS THROUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[i]GO AUSSIES GO!!!!

Despite the second aussie goal was offside, they DESERVED it!!!

**Soulforged** · 06-23-2006, 00:43

Originally Posted by Dutch_guy

Indeed, a decent game with decent football shown by both teams.

As said, it would have been great had there actually been something at stake, well maybe we'll meet you again in the semi's ?

Would most definitely be a great match if both sides start with their best team, unlike yesterday.

I've a question though. Many times I heard people refering to your country as Holanda (i.e. "Holland"), but then I hear Países Bajos (i.e. Netherlands). And I see that in your location it says Holland... My question is: How do you refer to yourselves then, as Holland or The Netherlands or Nederlands (as I saw in some flag)?

**Kralizec** · 06-23-2006, 00:49

Usually as the Netherlands. Holland is used more in sport, it's how we're known internationally I guess and shouting "Netherlands!" is a whole mouthfull.

**Soulforged** · 06-23-2006, 00:57

Originally Posted by Kralizec

Usually as the Netherlands. Holland is used more in sport, it's how we're known internationally I guess and shouting "Netherlands!" is a whole mouthfull.

Thanks.

**Louis VI the Fat** · 06-23-2006, 01:02

That ref was Pollocks. The single worst refereeing I've ever seen. Bloody unbelievable.

The US we're very unlucky too. No way that was a penalty for Ghana.

Shame, I rather enjoyed team USA. They were spectacular at times, if a bit immature tactically. You don't clear through the centre, never, ever. Would've spared them the penalty.

So far, the refereeing has been mostly disastrous at this tournament.

**scotchedpommes** · 06-23-2006, 01:33

Originally Posted by Louis VI the Fat

The US we're very unlucky too. No way that was a penalty for Ghana.

Shame, I rather enjoyed team USA. They were spectacular at times, if a bit immature tactically. You don't clear through the centre, never, ever. Would've spared them the penalty.

Spectacular, Louis? When? I remember them being quite a bit better at the last
World Cup, but the only thing that was impressive about them this time was
their stamina against Italy.

As for Graham Poll, I remember an English friend of mine telling me after a
particularly bad game that he would surely make terrible mistakes at the World
Cup because he's such a... so-and-so, shall we say. Well, I watch the
Premiership too, and I'm sure I'd said [more out of hope that he would improve
for such a big stage] that he'd be fine. But that was unbelievable. I'm glad the
Australians survived regardless - although with their useless Croat keeper how
they managed it is simply inexplicable.

Originally Posted by DukeofSerbia

Or maybe I can say Croatia B as 7 Australian players have Croat origin and two players of Croatia are born in Australia.

Was it not even as many as 4 players on the Croatian team that were Australian
born? I'll almost be surprised if I don't see the likes of Šimunić wearing Australian
colours against Italy.

**Papewaio** · 06-23-2006, 01:51

Yes the Aus vs Croatia game was umm interesting.

If you divided it up into the top 3 ethnic group combinations it was somthing like this:

Australia/Croats
Croats
Australian/other.

**Soulforged** · 06-23-2006, 02:06

Australia and Ghana the two surprises of this World Cup definetively!! Australia has a great team they might even get to Quarters.

**Fragony** · 06-23-2006, 07:46

Originally Posted by Soulforged

I've a question though. Many times I heard people refering to your country as Holanda (i.e. "Holland"), but then I hear Países Bajos (i.e. Netherlands). And I see that in your location it says Holland... My question is: How do you refer to yourselves then, as Holland or The Netherlands or Nederlands (as I saw in some flag)?

Holland is really just the western part of the Netherlands, us calling the country it kinda slipped in somehow.

**Big_John** · 06-23-2006, 16:37

ouch, tunisia got absolutely robbed. don't think anything could be worse than the reffing in the croatia/australia game, but this is certainly as bad. feel bad for tunisia, they are playing better with 10 than the ukraine is with 11. assuming this score holds, i'd say the ukraine is the least impressive team going through to the round of 16.

**Alexanderofmacedon** · 06-23-2006, 16:55

Originally Posted by Big_John

ouch, tunisia got absolutely robbed. don't think anything could be worse than the reffing in the croatia/australia game, but this is certainly as bad. feel bad for tunisia, they are playing better with 10 than the ukraine is with 11. assuming this score holds, i'd say the ukraine is the least impressive team going through to the round of 16.

Did you see what they did against Saudi Arabia though? It's pretty nice.

**Big_John** · 06-23-2006, 17:45

Originally Posted by Alexanderofmacedon

Did you see what they did against Saudi Arabia though? It's pretty nice.

not sure what you mean.. did i see what the ukraine did against saudi arabia? sure, but the saudi's aren't a very good team. the ukraine hasn't shown anything to me in this first round. all they do is argue with each other and play individually. they should have lost this game, only the ref kept them from that. they look like a second-rate team. maybe their form will improve in the next round. they better hope it does.