Official World Cup Thread - Page 5

Koga · 06-13-2006, 04:59 PM

Korea ended up winning. The red card and the equalising goal were too much for Togo.

The other two sides in that group France and Switzerland both looked unimpressive in a very unexciting goalless match (and only the 2nd draw of the tournament so far).

Brazil were also underwhelming. They won, but their play didn't live up to the hype. I must admit that I didn't watch the match closely, because I was at a party where we had the tv on for the whole match, but we weren't watching it all the time.

Koga · 06-15-2006, 05:37 AM

Spain had a big win against Ukraine today: 4-0. Partly, because of a red card and a penalty, of which I'm not sure they should've been given, but Spain also really outplayed Ukraine, who I thought would be a bit of a dark horse this world cup.

The other two teams in this group, Tunisia and Saudia Arabia, tied at 2-2 with a late equaliser from Tunisia. Both teams don't really benefit from this, and I still think Spain and Ukraine are the sides to survive this group.

Germany played their second match yesterday, against Poland and in typical German fashion they won with a goal in the 90th minute.

Valentine · 06-15-2006, 06:33 AM

Ive missed all the good games so far besides Czech Rep. vs USA. Managed to catch the Germany game last night and I must've jinxed it or something because it was only 1 - 0.

Still, was a good game and Germany deserved the win.

ShyGuy727 · 06-15-2006, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Ive missed all the good games so far besides Czech Rep. vs USA

That was not a good game.

That had to have been the most resistance Poland's ever given Germany in anything.

Sweden-Paraguay today, but Sweden hasn't beaten a South American side in 32 years, so I'm kind of nervous.

And by the way, go T&T!

Koga · 06-15-2006, 10:17 AM

Ecuador just beat Costa Rica 3-0, and thus it is certain that Germany and Ecuador will go through to the last 16: their last match is only to decide the group winner.

Poland - Costa Rica is only of statistical value now.

Koga · 06-15-2006, 05:11 PM

Both England and Sweden won their matches today, with very late goals. I didn't watch England - T&T, and only the last part of Sweden - Paraguay, but it must've looked like T&T would pull another stunt and that Sweden would have another goalless match.

It's now certain that England will go through to the last 16, and almost certain that Sweden will join them unless T&T win against Paraguay many goals and Sweden lose to England, which is not very likely.

ShyGuy727 · 06-15-2006, 10:17 PM

Another ugly win for a favorite.

Even though England obviously outplayed T&T (as they should have) there's no way iCrouch's winning goal should have stood, he clearly had both hands on Sancho's shoulders to elevate himself. I hate Crouch. He plays horrible all game and has to cheat to score. Sancho couldn't even jump. Had that been called back I firmly believe T&T had enough left in them to hold on for the draw. Sven should realize once Rooney is healthy that Crouch is proably the weakest link.

My boy Zlatan is probably done for the tournament after injuring his groin in warmups.

Lurch1982 · 06-16-2006, 01:20 AM

England, as well as Germany have totally underwhelmed me.

Koga · 06-16-2006, 03:18 AM

The thing with Germany is that they don't need to have a good team, and don't even need to play well in order to win. They have the advantage of a ridiculously easy group and the home advantage. I think they will get to the quarter final at least (where they could face the Netherlands if both groups come in first of the group and win their last 16 match).

**NintendoNut** · 06-16-2006, 04:08 AM

It's good that we're playing badly and still winning. At least, I would be saying that if we had better opposition.

One thing's for sure. We can't fluke our way through the knockout stages.

Valentine · 06-16-2006, 05:25 AM

Every one of the big teams have been underwhelming so far besides Spain and Czech Republic, although I'm convinced France and Brazil will show us some magic before the end.

Lurch1982 · 06-16-2006, 07:46 AM

I'm going for a second straight goal-less cup appearance from France.

Valentine · 06-16-2006, 11:54 AM

Argentina just whooped Serb & Monty 6 - 0, fantastic stuff. They were amazing and have easily played the best game in the tournamnet so far.

ShyGuy727 · 06-16-2006, 12:14 PM

The ref in NED-IVC is terrible. Missed several handballs so far but the worst call was the yellow to Drogba (his 2nd). He tried his best to dodge van der Sar who came sliding into him. He can't and barely knicks the keeper who fakes injury while the other players try to start a fight. So Drogba gets the card. WTF. Not to mention it took about a minute for the card to be issued.

Koga · 06-17-2006, 09:10 AM

Argentina definitely made up for their sub-par performance against Cote d'Ivoir in their match against Serbia. It was truly amazing.

I'm even more happy now that the Netherlands won against Ivory Coast, because now they are allowed to lose to Argentina, which I think is a very good possibility if both teams play like they did yesterday. The Netherlands definitely need to improve if they want to get far, although I think a quarterfinal place is also very well possible, because group D is one of the weakest groups so far. Mexico tied 0-0 against Angola, and that is currently the score in Portugal - Iran. All four can still get through to the second round with these scores, and I think Holland should be able to win against any of them.

I'm looking forward to tonight's matches, because I haven't seen any live action from group E yet, except for the last 15 minutes of Italy - Ghana. Do you think the US can beat Italy tonight? I will be rooting for the Americans, because I really dislike Italy.

Koga · 06-17-2006, 01:21 PM

A major upset as Ghana beat Czech Republic 2-0. In the first half both teams had good chances, but in the second half Ghana was definitely the better of the two, and got plenty of chances, including a missed penalty. After that penalty the Czech Republic had to finish the match with 10 players, and that's when Ghana really got going and eventually scored the 2-0.

This could make group E very interesting, especially if Italy don't win against the US tonight.

Lurch1982 · 06-17-2006, 04:22 PM

Bravo. Once again, the referee has screwed the fans of soccer out of a good match. Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda should NEVER be allowed to disgrace a pitch again. This ref was removed from the 2002 World Cup roster after accusations of calling irregularities, and today's Italy/US game shows why. While the elbow to the face was deserving of a Red card, Maestrioni's red and Pope's red were barely, if at all deserving of a yellow card. This ref should never be allowed to do international games again. Disgraceful. This makes the call against Arsenal's keeper against Barca a few months ago look brilliant. Total trash game caused by a total trash ref who magically swallowed his whistle in the last 15 minutes. If anything, FIFA should expell him simply because his gross ineptitude as a referee has put the development of soccer in the US back 10 years.

Koga · 06-17-2006, 05:04 PM

I was expecting this kind of reaction from supporters of the US, but from a neutral point of view, I think all his decisions were justifiable. Del Rossi's elbow was a definite red. Maestroni tackle was with both legs aimed at the defender's ankle and not the ball, for which a red card can be given, although maybe yellow would have been enough in this case.

In my opinion, there's no doubt about Pope's two yellow cards, though. He should've known better when he committed his second fould that this ref is not afraid to show a card.

But red cards aside, it was a great game for a neutral audience, although I was kind of hoping for a stunt of the US and I even cheered when I thought Beasly scored. This group is turning out to be the most interesting group of them all, and more deserving of the 'group of death' label than group C. It's also the only group (so far) where all four can still proceed. For the US this would require a win against Ghana, which will be quite difficult if the Africans play anything like they did today. On top of that Italy must also beat the Czech Republic, which is a very hard game to call, if you ask me.

ShyGuy727 · 06-17-2006, 06:17 PM

WE GOT HOSED.

Yes, Pope should've known better, hell I would've taken him out, but his 2nd yellow seemed like more of a "make up call" than anything. Mastroeni should have gotten a yellow at most, he slid in from the front, the Italian could've avoided the tackle if he wasn't practicing for the 2008 summer games. I would say we got away with a few in the end like the jersey tug in the box but then again there had to have been less than 5 fouls called in the final 15 minutes. And how the hell can you miss handball that clear, he literally scooped it with his fist inside of the box. I've seen several missed handballs this tournament, FIFA had to have told their officials something we don't know.

That was our match, except for the final 10 minutes when we were winded from being down 2 men and went into a defensive shell, we dominated every single aspect of the game. McBride as well as Keller deserve MOTM: while the Italian sausauges were diving all over the place and leaving the game on stretchers and running in perfectly fine 2 minutes later McBride had blood pouring all over his jersey like he just lost a boxing match, and went right off and came right back on. Gotta love the American grit. (Proving he would bleed on the flag to keep the stripes red. What a patriotic man. Americans are so awesome

)

BEAT GHANA

Lurch1982 · 06-17-2006, 06:45 PM

I'm sorry Koga, loyalty to my squad aside, that was a poorly officiated match. He was stopping play if he turned around and saw someone on the ground and made several notible no-calls on top of the questionable reds. My personal favorite was, like Shyguy, the handball in the box. I wasn't aware that you could punch it out if you weren't the keeper. But then again, what the hell do I know? That was almost--but not quite--topped by the crosscheck against Beasley in the midfield when he was breaking.

If anything, the Italians should have been penalized for diving that much. Typical of their playstyle though, they tried to play dirty and failed miserably at it. And if you don't want to penalize them for that many dives, do something about the offsides. I don't think any team has an offsides trap THAT good.

The sickening thing is the Italians have the best record in that group right now. They played underwhelming against Ghana and they should have rightfully lost against a US squad that outplayed them for 80 out of the 90 minutes, even with a 10v9 advantage.

06-13-2006, 04:59 PM	#81
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	Korea ended up winning. The red card and the equalising goal were too much for Togo. The other two sides in that group France and Switzerland both looked unimpressive in a very unexciting goalless match (and only the 2nd draw of the tournament so far). Brazil were also underwhelming. They won, but their play didn't live up to the hype. I must admit that I didn't watch the match closely, because I was at a party where we had the tv on for the whole match, but we weren't watching it all the time.

06-15-2006, 05:37 AM	#82
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	Spain had a big win against Ukraine today: 4-0. Partly, because of a red card and a penalty, of which I'm not sure they should've been given, but Spain also really outplayed Ukraine, who I thought would be a bit of a dark horse this world cup. The other two teams in this group, Tunisia and Saudia Arabia, tied at 2-2 with a late equaliser from Tunisia. Both teams don't really benefit from this, and I still think Spain and Ukraine are the sides to survive this group. Germany played their second match yesterday, against Poland and in typical German fashion they won with a goal in the 90th minute.

06-15-2006, 06:33 AM	#83
Valentine Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Rural NZ. There are lots of sheep here. Gender: Posts: 6,933 Thanks: 22 Thanked 60 Times in 43 Posts Points: 15,624.45 Bank: 93,028.32 Total Points: 108,652.77 Donate	Ive missed all the good games so far besides Czech Rep. vs USA. Managed to catch the Germany game last night and I must've jinxed it or something because it was only 1 - 0. Still, was a good game and Germany deserved the win.

06-15-2006, 10:17 AM	#85
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	Ecuador just beat Costa Rica 3-0, and thus it is certain that Germany and Ecuador will go through to the last 16: their last match is only to decide the group winner. Poland - Costa Rica is only of statistical value now.

06-15-2006, 05:11 PM	#86
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	Both England and Sweden won their matches today, with very late goals. I didn't watch England - T&T, and only the last part of Sweden - Paraguay, but it must've looked like T&T would pull another stunt and that Sweden would have another goalless match. It's now certain that England will go through to the last 16, and almost certain that Sweden will join them unless T&T win against Paraguay many goals and Sweden lose to England, which is not very likely.

06-15-2006, 10:17 PM	#87
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: 32,218.98 Bank: 25,651.08 Total Points: 57,870.06 Donate	Another ugly win for a favorite. Even though England obviously outplayed T&T (as they should have) there's no way iCrouch's winning goal should have stood, he clearly had both hands on Sancho's shoulders to elevate himself. I hate Crouch. He plays horrible all game and has to cheat to score. Sancho couldn't even jump. Had that been called back I firmly believe T&T had enough left in them to hold on for the draw. Sven should realize once Rooney is healthy that Crouch is proably the weakest link. My boy Zlatan is probably done for the tournament after injuring his groin in warmups.

06-16-2006, 01:20 AM	#88
Lurch1982 Senior Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Katrinaland, USA Gender: Posts: 9,278 Thanks: 122 Thanked 253 Times in 140 Posts Points: 36,423.03 Bank: 338,725.11 Total Points: 375,148.14 Donate	England, as well as Germany have totally underwhelmed me.

06-16-2006, 03:18 AM	#89
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	The thing with Germany is that they don't need to have a good team, and don't even need to play well in order to win. They have the advantage of a ridiculously easy group and the home advantage. I think they will get to the quarter final at least (where they could face the Netherlands if both groups come in first of the group and win their last 16 match).

06-16-2006, 04:08 AM	#90
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: 49,475.76 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 49,475.76 Donate	It's good that we're playing badly and still winning. At least, I would be saying that if we had better opposition. One thing's for sure. We can't fluke our way through the knockout stages.

06-16-2006, 05:25 AM	#91
Valentine Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Rural NZ. There are lots of sheep here. Gender: Posts: 6,933 Thanks: 22 Thanked 60 Times in 43 Posts Points: 15,624.45 Bank: 93,028.32 Total Points: 108,652.77 Donate	Every one of the big teams have been underwhelming so far besides Spain and Czech Republic, although I'm convinced France and Brazil will show us some magic before the end.

06-16-2006, 07:46 AM	#92
Lurch1982 Senior Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Katrinaland, USA Gender: Posts: 9,278 Thanks: 122 Thanked 253 Times in 140 Posts Points: 36,423.03 Bank: 338,725.11 Total Points: 375,148.14 Donate	I'm going for a second straight goal-less cup appearance from France.

06-16-2006, 11:54 AM	#93
Valentine Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Rural NZ. There are lots of sheep here. Gender: Posts: 6,933 Thanks: 22 Thanked 60 Times in 43 Posts Points: 15,624.45 Bank: 93,028.32 Total Points: 108,652.77 Donate	Argentina just whooped Serb & Monty 6 - 0, fantastic stuff. They were amazing and have easily played the best game in the tournamnet so far.

06-16-2006, 12:14 PM	#94
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: 32,218.98 Bank: 25,651.08 Total Points: 57,870.06 Donate	The ref in NED-IVC is terrible. Missed several handballs so far but the worst call was the yellow to Drogba (his 2nd). He tried his best to dodge van der Sar who came sliding into him. He can't and barely knicks the keeper who fakes injury while the other players try to start a fight. So Drogba gets the card. WTF. Not to mention it took about a minute for the card to be issued.

06-17-2006, 09:10 AM	#95
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	Argentina definitely made up for their sub-par performance against Cote d'Ivoir in their match against Serbia. It was truly amazing. I'm even more happy now that the Netherlands won against Ivory Coast, because now they are allowed to lose to Argentina, which I think is a very good possibility if both teams play like they did yesterday. The Netherlands definitely need to improve if they want to get far, although I think a quarterfinal place is also very well possible, because group D is one of the weakest groups so far. Mexico tied 0-0 against Angola, and that is currently the score in Portugal - Iran. All four can still get through to the second round with these scores, and I think Holland should be able to win against any of them. I'm looking forward to tonight's matches, because I haven't seen any live action from group E yet, except for the last 15 minutes of Italy - Ghana. Do you think the US can beat Italy tonight? I will be rooting for the Americans, because I really dislike Italy.

06-17-2006, 01:21 PM	#96
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	A major upset as Ghana beat Czech Republic 2-0. In the first half both teams had good chances, but in the second half Ghana was definitely the better of the two, and got plenty of chances, including a missed penalty. After that penalty the Czech Republic had to finish the match with 10 players, and that's when Ghana really got going and eventually scored the 2-0. This could make group E very interesting, especially if Italy don't win against the US tonight.

06-17-2006, 04:22 PM	#97
Lurch1982 Senior Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Katrinaland, USA Gender: Posts: 9,278 Thanks: 122 Thanked 253 Times in 140 Posts Points: 36,423.03 Bank: 338,725.11 Total Points: 375,148.14 Donate	Bravo. Once again, the referee has screwed the fans of soccer out of a good match. Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda should NEVER be allowed to disgrace a pitch again. This ref was removed from the 2002 World Cup roster after accusations of calling irregularities, and today's Italy/US game shows why. While the elbow to the face was deserving of a Red card, Maestrioni's red and Pope's red were barely, if at all deserving of a yellow card. This ref should never be allowed to do international games again. Disgraceful. This makes the call against Arsenal's keeper against Barca a few months ago look brilliant. Total trash game caused by a total trash ref who magically swallowed his whistle in the last 15 minutes. If anything, FIFA should expell him simply because his gross ineptitude as a referee has put the development of soccer in the US back 10 years.

06-17-2006, 05:04 PM	#98
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 was expecting this kind of reaction from supporters of the US, but from a neutral point of view, I think all his decisions were justifiable. Del Rossi's elbow was a definite red. Maestroni tackle was with both legs aimed at the defender's ankle and not the ball, for which a red card can be given, although maybe yellow would have been enough in this case. In my opinion, there's no doubt about Pope's two yellow cards, though. He should've known better when he committed his second fould that this ref is not afraid to show a card. But red cards aside, it was a great game for a neutral audience, although I was kind of hoping for a stunt of the US and I even cheered when I thought Beasly scored. This group is turning out to be the most interesting group of them all, and more deserving of the 'group of death' label than group C. It's also the only group (so far) where all four can still proceed. For the US this would require a win against Ghana, which will be quite difficult if the Africans play anything like they did today. On top of that Italy must also beat the Czech Republic, which is a very hard game to call, if you ask me.

06-17-2006, 06:17 PM	#99
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: 32,218.98 Bank: 25,651.08 Total Points: 57,870.06 Donate	WE GOT HOSED. Yes, Pope should've known better, hell I would've taken him out, but his 2nd yellow seemed like more of a "make up call" than anything. Mastroeni should have gotten a yellow at most, he slid in from the front, the Italian could've avoided the tackle if he wasn't practicing for the 2008 summer games. I would say we got away with a few in the end like the jersey tug in the box but then again there had to have been less than 5 fouls called in the final 15 minutes. And how the hell can you miss handball that clear, he literally scooped it with his fist inside of the box. I've seen several missed handballs this tournament, FIFA had to have told their officials something we don't know. That was our match, except for the final 10 minutes when we were winded from being down 2 men and went into a defensive shell, we dominated every single aspect of the game. McBride as well as Keller deserve MOTM: while the Italian sausauges were diving all over the place and leaving the game on stretchers and running in perfectly fine 2 minutes later McBride had blood pouring all over his jersey like he just lost a boxing match, and went right off and came right back on. Gotta love the American grit. (Proving he would bleed on the flag to keep the stripes red. What a patriotic man. Americans are so awesome ) BEAT GHANA

06-17-2006, 06:45 PM	#100
Lurch1982 Senior Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Katrinaland, USA Gender: Posts: 9,278 Thanks: 122 Thanked 253 Times in 140 Posts Points: 36,423.03 Bank: 338,725.11 Total Points: 375,148.14 Donate	I'm sorry Koga, loyalty to my squad aside, that was a poorly officiated match. He was stopping play if he turned around and saw someone on the ground and made several notible no-calls on top of the questionable reds. My personal favorite was, like Shyguy, the handball in the box. I wasn't aware that you could punch it out if you weren't the keeper. But then again, what the hell do I know? That was almost--but not quite--topped by the crosscheck against Beasley in the midfield when he was breaking. If anything, the Italians should have been penalized for diving that much. Typical of their playstyle though, they tried to play dirty and failed miserably at it. And if you don't want to penalize them for that many dives, do something about the offsides. I don't think any team has an offsides trap THAT good. The sickening thing is the Italians have the best record in that group right now. They played underwhelming against Ghana and they should have rightfully lost against a US squad that outplayed them for 80 out of the 90 minutes, even with a 10v9 advantage.