Official World Cup Thread - Page 4

Koga · 06-11-2006, 04:02 PM

Iran started stronger than I expected, but I wasn't suprised by the Mexican victory.

Portugal only got a meagre 1-0 victory against Angola. After a flying start and a goal in the 4th minute they didn't perform that well anymore, whereas Angola got better, especially defensive. One of the least exciting games I've watched so far, particularly the 2nd half.

Tomorrow is the first match for the US against the Chech Republic. To be honest, I don't think they stand a chance, but then again, I don't know the American team very well.

ShyGuy727 · 06-11-2006, 07:34 PM

I think the Czechs are waaay overrated, and could be this year's flop. They had to go to a playoff against Norway just to qualify. The US squad is 100% healthy, but the Czechs are worrying about Milan Baros' foot and if he's healthy enough to play or not. Rosicky and Nedved have all been injured recently as well. A draw is essential, but a win would be absolutely huge. I have no problem being the underdog heading into tommorow though- Portugal, anyone?

Group E could finish in any order and I wouldn't be surprised. The US could get 9 points or 0 points, as could any of the other nations.

Koga · 06-12-2006, 06:08 AM

I have never heard of Ghana, and I think they are almost certain of a last place in that group. The other three are maybe interchangeable, but I think Chech republic will come out on top, with Italy and US getting close for 2nd place. 2nd place is almost certainly a last 16 match against Brazil, btw.

I think the Chech Republic have a very good side, even without Barros. As far as I know he's the only uncertainty at the moment. The team is pretty much the same as the one of Euro 2004 where they looked favourite until Greece knocked them out in the semi-final. They were the only team to win all their group matches.

They only needed to play a playoff against Norway, because they were in the same qualifiying group as the Netherlands who won twice against the Chechs, making that side 2nd in the group. After that it was (allegedly) a random draw which put them together with Norway, although some suspect that a strong team was drawn against a weak team for all the playoff matches, in order to have as many big names as possible at the World Cup.

**NintendoNut** · 06-12-2006, 08:48 AM

Yeah Ghana are fairly unknown, their only recognisable name over here is Michael Essien, who plays for Chelsea. I believe they paid £24 million for him or something like that.

The Czechs are good, they had a great Euro 2004 tournament and have more great players than you'd expect. Nedved tends to come good for his country. Petr Cech (the goalkeeper) is also one of the best in the world. They are a real dark horse.

As I type this, Australia are losing 1-0 to Japan with a few minutes to go until half time. The goal was a controversial one to concede, as Schwarzer, the Australian goalkeeper, was fouled by a Japanese player to stop him from getting to the ball and saving it from going in. The referee just allowed the goal to count.

Koga · 06-12-2006, 08:58 AM

I'm also watching that match and I really wasn't sure whether it was a foul or not. I'm now looking at it again and it does look like a foul. At frist glance it looked a terrible mistake from Schwarzer, but he proved that he is a very good keeper in the friendly match against the Netherlands.

**NintendoNut** · 06-12-2006, 09:47 AM

Australia score with 6 minutes to go!

**NintendoNut** · 06-12-2006, 09:51 AM

Australia score again! It's 2-1! Tim Cahill has scored twice to no doubt win the game for the Convicts.

**NintendoNut** · 06-12-2006, 09:54 AM

3-1 now. This is a joke.

Loco2185 · 06-12-2006, 11:44 AM

After Watching portugal play i Know mexico is goin to win the group like nothin As all you saw that game was a salut to Sanchez father who died on his way to germany

Lurch1982 · 06-12-2006, 12:42 PM

US played flat and sloppy for the entire game. Embarressing. Granted, putting 3 out of the top 12 teams in one group is criminal to begin with.

10 minutes to go plus stoppage, and I have no faith in the US even getting ONE goal this game. They need to regroup and concentrate on the next two games.

**NintendoNut** · 06-12-2006, 03:33 PM

Yes they did play quite badly in that game and didn't really deserve anything. The Czechs were just the better team. I still think the USA can ruffle some feathers.

Koga · 06-12-2006, 04:06 PM

Interesting outcome of the Australia - Japan match. Of course the Dutch commentator gave all the credit to Guus Hiddink, but it has to be said that all three goals were scored by substitutes.

I think Mexico have a good chance of winning group D indeed. Portugal didn't look good against Angola at all after the first 15 minutes.

I didn't watch the US - Czech Republic match, but I will catch a summary in a few minutes. I watched the end of Italy - Ghana, and saw Ghana literally give a goal to Italy. From what I've seen it was a typical Italian victory.

The US still have a chance, but they would probably either need to win against Italy or score more goals against Ghana if they draw. Assuming that both Czech Republic and the US win against Ghana (which is plausible, I think).

**Sean P Kelly** · 06-12-2006, 04:14 PM

I watched the Italy/Ghana match. Bit of a bore (especially when it was obvious Italy was going to win)

Koga · 06-12-2006, 05:06 PM

Matches with Italy are usually a bore. They're probably my least favourite side of the 'big' countries.

ShyGuy727 · 06-12-2006, 11:40 PM

Embarassing, we were a mess all match, right from the start. The first goal should have never happened, there is no reason whatsoever that Gooch shouldn't have been marking up on Koller all match, Pope having to match up with him was regoddamndiculous. Reyna was the only American who seemed to have his head in the game, he was living up to his captain rule for sure. McBride and Donovan were ghosts, Beasley needs to be put on the left side since he's left footed. Ugh ugh, I am ashamed. Now we've dug ourselves in a hole, allowing 3 goals is going to make it tough to win a tiebreak if necessary. So go Ghana, please beat or draw the Czechs, then let us beat you only after we draw or beat the Azzurri.

But hats off to the Czechs, we were purely outclassed and outsized.

*sigh* And that ruined another good chance of making people care about football in America. I want to move to a country that gives a **** for a summer every four years.

Koga · 06-13-2006, 03:53 AM

In Europe we care for a summer for every 2 years (European Championship is in the same year as summer Olympics).

Did anyone care 4 years ago? The US did pretty well back then and I was really rooting for them against Germany, because that's the biggest rival in football of the Netherlands.

This afternoon's match is one of the lowest profile matches so far: South Korea - Togo. I will still be watching as I'm curious how the Koreans will do without a home advantage and without Hiddink as coach. They do have another Dutch coach this year (there are 4 Dutch coaces at this year's world cup) Dick Advocaat who got to the quarterfinal with Holland in 1994 and to the semi final at Euro 2004. Yesterday, I saw that some Korean big-shot in the football world said Korea would do better than 4 years ago, in other words, reach the final. I think that's a bit if wishful thinking, but they should be able to get through the group stages.

I probably won't watch much of tonight's matches as I have a BBQ party tonight. I'll still try to catch something of France - Switzerland and I'm really curious if Brazil can live up to the hype tonight against Croatia.

Lurch1982 · 06-13-2006, 05:11 AM

If anyone can give me a reasonable explanation as to why Beasley was on the wrong side the entire match, I'd love to hear it. That simply makes no sense. Alot of the US' failure has to land on coaching. Granted, you can't do much when only 4 on the squad remember there's a match.

People noticed last time around, but it faded off. More people here root for teams of other countries (at least according to sports radio). The best way I've heard it is this: A US loss in the cup will make people reading the paper say "Business as usual" after seeing the headline and turn the page. A US win in the cup gets people to actually read and care about the team. It didn't help that they spent the last month jamming US Soccer on every media format in the States for the last month and hyping them up to be better than they were, but it REALLY doesn't help that the US' first match was on a Monday in the middle of the day, when nobody in the States could actually watch it. Actually, that's a good thing since we were embarressed off the pitch.

**NintendoNut** · 06-13-2006, 09:10 AM

I've seen some of the South Korea/Togo match. The Koreans are hugely disappointing and that's why Togo are leading 1-0 at half time.

I remember one tactical I had a dog once.I had a dog once.I had a dog once.I had a dog once. up that Sven made once in a friendly. He put Andy Johnson, one of the highest scoring strikers in the Premiership at the time on the left wing...

ShyGuy727 · 06-13-2006, 09:26 AM

Korea just equalised. This is turning into a nice match.

It just irks me because Arena changed formations at half, from 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 that pushes Beasley back into more of a defensive midfielder type position, and then Arena says afterwards "“We got nothing from Beasley on the right", to which Beasley said “I was playing right back. I was back there defending the whole time. I don't know what he wants me to do. It's not my fault I couldn't get forward.”

Now Beasley probably won't start, they've been going at it verbally for months. I'm starting to lose my faith in coach Arena.

**NintendoNut** · 06-13-2006, 03:26 PM

All fairly regular stuff from Brazil at the moment. An hour gone and they lead 1-0 over Croatia. Ironic as they haven't played all that well so far and yet, they don't need to be. Croatia showed some real pluck going forward in the first half and patience whilst defending. They are unlucky to be behind.

As I wrote that Ronaldinho just forced a fantastic save off of the Croatia 'keeper.

06-12-2006, 04:06 PM	#72
Koga Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: The Netherlands Gender: Posts: 17,095 Thanks: 104 Thanked 186 Times in 117 Posts Points: 109,339.07 Bank: 25,861.92 Total Points: 135,200.99 Donate	Interesting outcome of the Australia - Japan match. Of course the Dutch commentator gave all the credit to Guus Hiddink, but it has to be said that all three goals were scored by substitutes. I think Mexico have a good chance of winning group D indeed. Portugal didn't look good against Angola at all after the first 15 minutes. I didn't watch the US - Czech Republic match, but I will catch a summary in a few minutes. I watched the end of Italy - Ghana, and saw Ghana literally give a goal to Italy. From what I've seen it was a typical Italian victory. The US still have a chance, but they would probably either need to win against Italy or score more goals against Ghana if they draw. Assuming that both Czech Republic and the US win against Ghana (which is plausible, I think). Last edited by Koga; 06-12-2006 at 05:05 PM.

06-11-2006, 04:02 PM	#61
Koga Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: The Netherlands Gender: Posts: 17,095 Thanks: 104 Thanked 186 Times in 117 Posts Points: 109,339.07 Bank: 25,861.92 Total Points: 135,200.99 Donate	Iran started stronger than I expected, but I wasn't suprised by the Mexican victory. Portugal only got a meagre 1-0 victory against Angola. After a flying start and a goal in the 4th minute they didn't perform that well anymore, whereas Angola got better, especially defensive. One of the least exciting games I've watched so far, particularly the 2nd half. Tomorrow is the first match for the US against the Chech Republic. To be honest, I don't think they stand a chance, but then again, I don't know the American team very well.

06-11-2006, 07:34 PM	#62
ShyGuy727 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: O-H! I-O! Gender: Posts: 10,061 Thanks: 37 Thanked 62 Times in 46 Posts Points: 32,221.98 Bank: 25,651.08 Total Points: 57,873.06 Donate	I think the Czechs are waaay overrated, and could be this year's flop. They had to go to a playoff against Norway just to qualify. The US squad is 100% healthy, but the Czechs are worrying about Milan Baros' foot and if he's healthy enough to play or not. Rosicky and Nedved have all been injured recently as well. A draw is essential, but a win would be absolutely huge. I have no problem being the underdog heading into tommorow though- Portugal, anyone? Group E could finish in any order and I wouldn't be surprised. The US could get 9 points or 0 points, as could any of the other nations.

06-12-2006, 06:08 AM	#63
Koga Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: The Netherlands Gender: Posts: 17,095 Thanks: 104 Thanked 186 Times in 117 Posts Points: 109,339.07 Bank: 25,861.92 Total Points: 135,200.99 Donate	I have never heard of Ghana, and I think they are almost certain of a last place in that group. The other three are maybe interchangeable, but I think Chech republic will come out on top, with Italy and US getting close for 2nd place. 2nd place is almost certainly a last 16 match against Brazil, btw. I think the Chech Republic have a very good side, even without Barros. As far as I know he's the only uncertainty at the moment. The team is pretty much the same as the one of Euro 2004 where they looked favourite until Greece knocked them out in the semi-final. They were the only team to win all their group matches. They only needed to play a playoff against Norway, because they were in the same qualifiying group as the Netherlands who won twice against the Chechs, making that side 2nd in the group. After that it was (allegedly) a random draw which put them together with Norway, although some suspect that a strong team was drawn against a weak team for all the playoff matches, in order to have as many big names as possible at the World Cup.

06-12-2006, 08:48 AM	#64
NintendoNut NinNut Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hold on, I know this..... Gender: Posts: 8,298 Thanks: 84 Thanked 41 Times in 31 Posts Points: 49,478.76 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 49,478.76 Donate	Yeah Ghana are fairly unknown, their only recognisable name over here is Michael Essien, who plays for Chelsea. I believe they paid £24 million for him or something like that. The Czechs are good, they had a great Euro 2004 tournament and have more great players than you'd expect. Nedved tends to come good for his country. Petr Cech (the goalkeeper) is also one of the best in the world. They are a real dark horse. As I type this, Australia are losing 1-0 to Japan with a few minutes to go until half time. The goal was a controversial one to concede, as Schwarzer, the Australian goalkeeper, was fouled by a Japanese player to stop him from getting to the ball and saving it from going in. The referee just allowed the goal to count.

06-12-2006, 08:58 AM	#65
Koga Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: The Netherlands Gender: Posts: 17,095 Thanks: 104 Thanked 186 Times in 117 Posts Points: 109,339.07 Bank: 25,861.92 Total Points: 135,200.99 Donate	I'm also watching that match and I really wasn't sure whether it was a foul or not. I'm now looking at it again and it does look like a foul. At frist glance it looked a terrible mistake from Schwarzer, but he proved that he is a very good keeper in the friendly match against the Netherlands.

06-12-2006, 09:47 AM	#66
NintendoNut NinNut Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hold on, I know this..... Gender: Posts: 8,298 Thanks: 84 Thanked 41 Times in 31 Posts Points: 49,478.76 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 49,478.76 Donate	Australia score with 6 minutes to go!

06-12-2006, 09:51 AM	#67
NintendoNut NinNut Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hold on, I know this..... Gender: Posts: 8,298 Thanks: 84 Thanked 41 Times in 31 Posts Points: 49,478.76 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 49,478.76 Donate	Australia score again! It's 2-1! Tim Cahill has scored twice to no doubt win the game for the Convicts.

06-12-2006, 09:54 AM	#68
NintendoNut NinNut Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hold on, I know this..... Gender: Posts: 8,298 Thanks: 84 Thanked 41 Times in 31 Posts Points: 49,478.76 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 49,478.76 Donate	3-1 now. This is a joke.

06-12-2006, 11:44 AM	#69
Loco2185 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: somewhere in hell Gender: Posts: 146 Thanks: 13 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts Points: 4,880.53 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 4,880.53 Donate	After Watching portugal play i Know mexico is goin to win the group like nothin As all you saw that game was a salut to Sanchez father who died on his way to germany

06-12-2006, 12:42 PM	#70
Lurch1982 Senior Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Katrinaland, USA Gender: Posts: 9,278 Thanks: 122 Thanked 253 Times in 140 Posts Points: 36,441.03 Bank: 338,725.11 Total Points: 375,166.14 Donate	US played flat and sloppy for the entire game. Embarressing. Granted, putting 3 out of the top 12 teams in one group is criminal to begin with. 10 minutes to go plus stoppage, and I have no faith in the US even getting ONE goal this game. They need to regroup and concentrate on the next two games.

06-12-2006, 03:33 PM	#71
NintendoNut NinNut Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hold on, I know this..... Gender: Posts: 8,298 Thanks: 84 Thanked 41 Times in 31 Posts Points: 49,478.76 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 49,478.76 Donate	Yes they did play quite badly in that game and didn't really deserve anything. The Czechs were just the better team. I still think the USA can ruffle some feathers.

06-12-2006, 04:14 PM	#73
Sean P Kelly SMBHQ Mod Movies Mod Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Gender: Posts: 3,393 Thanks: 10 Thanked 46 Times in 36 Posts Points: 207,634.73 Bank: 152,388.02 Total Points: 360,022.75 Donate	I watched the Italy/Ghana match. Bit of a bore (especially when it was obvious Italy was going to win)

06-12-2006, 05:06 PM	#74
Koga Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: The Netherlands Gender: Posts: 17,095 Thanks: 104 Thanked 186 Times in 117 Posts Points: 109,339.07 Bank: 25,861.92 Total Points: 135,200.99 Donate	Matches with Italy are usually a bore. They're probably my least favourite side of the 'big' countries.

06-12-2006, 11:40 PM	#75
ShyGuy727 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: O-H! I-O! Gender: Posts: 10,061 Thanks: 37 Thanked 62 Times in 46 Posts Points: 32,221.98 Bank: 25,651.08 Total Points: 57,873.06 Donate	Embarassing, we were a mess all match, right from the start. The first goal should have never happened, there is no reason whatsoever that Gooch shouldn't have been marking up on Koller all match, Pope having to match up with him was regoddamndiculous. Reyna was the only American who seemed to have his head in the game, he was living up to his captain rule for sure. McBride and Donovan were ghosts, Beasley needs to be put on the left side since he's left footed. Ugh ugh, I am ashamed. Now we've dug ourselves in a hole, allowing 3 goals is going to make it tough to win a tiebreak if necessary. So go Ghana, please beat or draw the Czechs, then let us beat you only after we draw or beat the Azzurri. But hats off to the Czechs, we were purely outclassed and outsized. sigh And that ruined another good chance of making people care about football in America. I want to move to a country that gives a **** for a summer every four years.

06-13-2006, 03:53 AM	#76
Koga Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: The Netherlands Gender: Posts: 17,095 Thanks: 104 Thanked 186 Times in 117 Posts Points: 109,339.07 Bank: 25,861.92 Total Points: 135,200.99 Donate	In Europe we care for a summer for every 2 years (European Championship is in the same year as summer Olympics). Did anyone care 4 years ago? The US did pretty well back then and I was really rooting for them against Germany, because that's the biggest rival in football of the Netherlands. This afternoon's match is one of the lowest profile matches so far: South Korea - Togo. I will still be watching as I'm curious how the Koreans will do without a home advantage and without Hiddink as coach. They do have another Dutch coach this year (there are 4 Dutch coaces at this year's world cup) Dick Advocaat who got to the quarterfinal with Holland in 1994 and to the semi final at Euro 2004. Yesterday, I saw that some Korean big-shot in the football world said Korea would do better than 4 years ago, in other words, reach the final. I think that's a bit if wishful thinking, but they should be able to get through the group stages. I probably won't watch much of tonight's matches as I have a BBQ party tonight. I'll still try to catch something of France - Switzerland and I'm really curious if Brazil can live up to the hype tonight against Croatia.

06-13-2006, 05:11 AM	#77
Lurch1982 Senior Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Katrinaland, USA Gender: Posts: 9,278 Thanks: 122 Thanked 253 Times in 140 Posts Points: 36,441.03 Bank: 338,725.11 Total Points: 375,166.14 Donate	If anyone can give me a reasonable explanation as to why Beasley was on the wrong side the entire match, I'd love to hear it. That simply makes no sense. Alot of the US' failure has to land on coaching. Granted, you can't do much when only 4 on the squad remember there's a match. People noticed last time around, but it faded off. More people here root for teams of other countries (at least according to sports radio). The best way I've heard it is this: A US loss in the cup will make people reading the paper say "Business as usual" after seeing the headline and turn the page. A US win in the cup gets people to actually read and care about the team. It didn't help that they spent the last month jamming US Soccer on every media format in the States for the last month and hyping them up to be better than they were, but it REALLY doesn't help that the US' first match was on a Monday in the middle of the day, when nobody in the States could actually watch it. Actually, that's a good thing since we were embarressed off the pitch.

06-13-2006, 09:10 AM	#78
NintendoNut NinNut Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hold on, I know this..... Gender: Posts: 8,298 Thanks: 84 Thanked 41 Times in 31 Posts Points: 49,478.76 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 49,478.76 Donate	I've seen some of the South Korea/Togo match. The Koreans are hugely disappointing and that's why Togo are leading 1-0 at half time. I remember one tactical I had a dog once.I had a dog once.I had a dog once.I had a dog once. up that Sven made once in a friendly. He put Andy Johnson, one of the highest scoring strikers in the Premiership at the time on the left wing...

06-13-2006, 09:26 AM	#79
ShyGuy727 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: O-H! I-O! Gender: Posts: 10,061 Thanks: 37 Thanked 62 Times in 46 Posts Points: 32,221.98 Bank: 25,651.08 Total Points: 57,873.06 Donate	Korea just equalised. This is turning into a nice match. It just irks me because Arena changed formations at half, from 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 that pushes Beasley back into more of a defensive midfielder type position, and then Arena says afterwards "“We got nothing from Beasley on the right", to which Beasley said “I was playing right back. I was back there defending the whole time. I don't know what he wants me to do. It's not my fault I couldn't get forward.” Now Beasley probably won't start, they've been going at it verbally for months. I'm starting to lose my faith in coach Arena.

06-13-2006, 03:26 PM	#80
NintendoNut NinNut Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hold on, I know this..... Gender: Posts: 8,298 Thanks: 84 Thanked 41 Times in 31 Posts Points: 49,478.76 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 49,478.76 Donate	All fairly regular stuff from Brazil at the moment. An hour gone and they lead 1-0 over Croatia. Ironic as they haven't played all that well so far and yet, they don't need to be. Croatia showed some real pluck going forward in the first half and patience whilst defending. They are unlucky to be behind. As I wrote that Ronaldinho just forced a fantastic save off of the Croatia 'keeper.