Official World Cup Thread - Page 2

Lurch1982 · 05-29-2006, 08:17 PM

Brazil, disadvantage or not, will likely be among the final four teams in the tourny. Betting against Brazil in the Cup is like betting against the Braves (no matter how bad they look, they've found a way to win their division every year for 15 straight years) or the Yankees (most world series wins and appearances, constantly in pennant contention) in baseball.

Koga · 05-30-2006, 03:02 AM

True, but maybe they won't get past the semi-finals this year.

I just checked their history and they only won the tournament on European soil once, and that was Sweden 1958. They didn't even get to the final until France 1998. Of course this doesn't really mean anything, but it's an interesting statistic.

**NintendoNut** · 06-01-2006, 03:41 PM

I watched the final of France 98, they played woefully. Ronaldo was shut down entirely.

Koga · 06-01-2006, 04:25 PM

Yes, I remember really enjoying that after they beat the Netherlands in the semi-final.

The Dutch B-team beat Mexico 2-1 today in a friendly match. I didn't watch it live, because I was working tonight, but from what I've seen in summary it could've easily been 4-1.

**NintendoNut** · 06-02-2006, 03:44 AM

Saw the goals this morning, the winner was a good'un. Great cross by Kuyt.

Koga · 06-02-2006, 07:46 AM

Yeah, I really don't know who I'd rather see as right attacker: Kuyt or Van Persie. Both played great in the last two friendly matches.

**NintendoNut** · 06-03-2006, 05:23 AM

Depends if Kuyt has played more. Van Persie missed quite a lot of the season with Arsenal through injury, did Kuyt suffer anything similar?

Koga · 06-03-2006, 07:53 AM

No, I think he played pretty much all season. But he only played in the Dutch competition, which is of course not comparable to the premiership or the champions league which Arsenal played in this year. Kuyt looked to be certain of his position until only a few weeks ago. He impressed Van Basten (the coach) at the training and he got a chance to prove himself against Cameroon, which he did.

At least it's good that they have two excellent players for that position this year. I remember how they struggled with van der Meyde, Overmars and Robben (better from the left) on that position in Euro 2004.

I just realised that as it looks now, the three attackers will be from the three biggest English teams. Robben (Chelsea), Van Nistelrooy (Man Utd) and Van Persie (Arsenal).

Loco2185 · 06-04-2006, 08:33 PM

I think that Mexico has the best chance to win. Wait not the best chance they are gonna win it all Its all bout Mexico this year and they are goin to win it all

Koga · 06-05-2006, 03:46 AM

I don't think this guy is serious, but I think Mexico are a very underrated team. I think they will at least easily go through the group stages as they're grouped with Iran, Angola and Portugal, and only the latter is a threat.

Loco2185 · 06-05-2006, 10:19 AM

i am serious i think mexico will go all da way and win the world cup

Koga · 06-05-2006, 10:44 AM

Fair enough, but I don't see them coming that far. In fact, their last 16 Match is against a side from group C, which is the group of Argentina, Ivory Coast, Serbia & Montenegro and The Netherlands. I think it's most likely that they will play Argentina or the Netherlands, and that will be a tough match for the Mexicans.

Loco2185 · 06-05-2006, 12:40 PM

we will find out in a couple of weeks

ShyGuy727 · 06-05-2006, 11:42 PM

^ Or in four days, but who's counting? (the world)

For someone who the Oranje as their runner up in his pick em group, Holland's draw with Australia the other day has me worried- please explain what the hell happened Koga.

I think I'm one of the few who believed that Mexico deserved their 8th seed at the draw in December. Marquez is one of the best defenders in the world, and adjusts very quickly to different styles of play. Jaime Lozano, Francisco Fonseca, and Jared Borgett are notable on the offense. They also beat Brazil in the Confederations Cup last year IIRC. I think Mexico could do something big- it's gonna be an exciting race for that group between the Mexicans and Portugal. Probably one of my sleepers for the tournament along with Sweden.

Koga · 06-06-2006, 03:39 AM

Even though I watched the entire match, I don't even really know what happened.

Well, first of all, they had a lot of trouble scoring, even though they got quite a few chances. Credits also to Schwarzer who did some amazing saves. Secondly the Australians injured three of our players: Cocu, Sneijder and Van Bronckhorst, which effectively eliminated the chance of a good attack from the left side. Thirdly, the Socceroos got a penalty which they only scored from via the most insane pinball goal I've ever seen. The Dutch could've had a penalty as well, for a hands ball.

But I've also got to give credit to Guus Hiddink and Australia who were just playing very good defensively.

I'm not too worried, but they definitely had trouble scoring, which you cannot afford in the group they're in. They played much better against Cameroon and Mexico, which are stronger teams, and I think they will play much better when there's something at stake.

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

Holland are a very threatening team, if Brazil go out I see them winning it.

Is it just me or is nobody talking about France. They have, on paper, one of the world's strongest sides and this year they supposedly have Thierry Henry on fire for them (the only reason I say supposedly is because sometimes league form doesn't carry through to international form). They have Zidane who will no doubt give it his best seeing it's his last tournament if I remember right. Claude Makelele is also quality...maybe the team is too old to go all the way?

Koga · 06-06-2006, 06:50 AM

Well, maybe it's because France didn't score a single goal in the last World Cup. They did better in Euro 2004, but lost to Greece in the quarterfinal. I think they've got a good side, and I think they've got quite an easy group as well, but I'm not sure ow far they will get after that.

Loco2185 · 06-06-2006, 05:16 PM

hey wut i ment in a couple of week is that in the finals mexico is goin to win the world cup
I will be stayin up to see all the competions in the world cup and especially watch my fav team
Jared Borgetti is the best offensive player in the qulifing with 14 goal and that will help mexico in the world cup

toluqueno08 · 06-06-2006, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NintendoNut

Just over 2 weeks away now. I thought it would be nice to start it now so we can get some pre-tournament predictions underway.

Lets start with the easy one. Who's gonna win?

now only a couple days on friday ready for a month of soccer and action.
Que VIVA MEXIXO!!!!

Loco2185 · 06-06-2006, 05:43 PM

your right toluqueno08 Viva Mexico pero Toluca?
Its All bout the Santos guay

06-04-2006, 08:33 PM	#29
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	World Cup I think that Mexico has the best chance to win. Wait not the best chance they are gonna win it all Its all bout Mexico this year and they are goin to win it all

05-29-2006, 08:17 PM	#21
Lurch1982 Senior Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Katrinaland, USA Gender: Posts: 9,278 Thanks: 122 Thanked 253 Times in 140 Posts Points: 36,454.03 Bank: 338,725.11 Total Points: 375,179.14 Donate	Brazil, disadvantage or not, will likely be among the final four teams in the tourny. Betting against Brazil in the Cup is like betting against the Braves (no matter how bad they look, they've found a way to win their division every year for 15 straight years) or the Yankees (most world series wins and appearances, constantly in pennant contention) in baseball.

05-30-2006, 03:02 AM	#22
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	True, but maybe they won't get past the semi-finals this year. I just checked their history and they only won the tournament on European soil once, and that was Sweden 1958. They didn't even get to the final until France 1998. Of course this doesn't really mean anything, but it's an interesting statistic.

06-01-2006, 03:41 PM	#23
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: 49,482.76 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 49,482.76 Donate	I watched the final of France 98, they played woefully. Ronaldo was shut down entirely.

06-01-2006, 04:25 PM	#24
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	Yes, I remember really enjoying that after they beat the Netherlands in the semi-final. The Dutch B-team beat Mexico 2-1 today in a friendly match. I didn't watch it live, because I was working tonight, but from what I've seen in summary it could've easily been 4-1.

06-02-2006, 03:44 AM	#25
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: 49,482.76 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 49,482.76 Donate	Saw the goals this morning, the winner was a good'un. Great cross by Kuyt.

06-02-2006, 07:46 AM	#26
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	Yeah, I really don't know who I'd rather see as right attacker: Kuyt or Van Persie. Both played great in the last two friendly matches.

06-03-2006, 05:23 AM	#27
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: 49,482.76 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 49,482.76 Donate	Depends if Kuyt has played more. Van Persie missed quite a lot of the season with Arsenal through injury, did Kuyt suffer anything similar?

06-03-2006, 07:53 AM	#28
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	No, I think he played pretty much all season. But he only played in the Dutch competition, which is of course not comparable to the premiership or the champions league which Arsenal played in this year. Kuyt looked to be certain of his position until only a few weeks ago. He impressed Van Basten (the coach) at the training and he got a chance to prove himself against Cameroon, which he did. At least it's good that they have two excellent players for that position this year. I remember how they struggled with van der Meyde, Overmars and Robben (better from the left) on that position in Euro 2004. I just realised that as it looks now, the three attackers will be from the three biggest English teams. Robben (Chelsea), Van Nistelrooy (Man Utd) and Van Persie (Arsenal).

06-05-2006, 03:46 AM	#30
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 don't think this guy is serious, but I think Mexico are a very underrated team. I think they will at least easily go through the group stages as they're grouped with Iran, Angola and Portugal, and only the latter is a threat.

06-05-2006, 10:19 AM	#31
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	i am serious i think mexico will go all da way and win the world cup

06-05-2006, 10:44 AM	#32
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	Fair enough, but I don't see them coming that far. In fact, their last 16 Match is against a side from group C, which is the group of Argentina, Ivory Coast, Serbia & Montenegro and The Netherlands. I think it's most likely that they will play Argentina or the Netherlands, and that will be a tough match for the Mexicans.

06-05-2006, 12:40 PM	#33
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	we will find out in a couple of weeks

06-05-2006, 11:42 PM	#34
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	^ Or in four days, but who's counting? (the world) For someone who the Oranje as their runner up in his pick em group, Holland's draw with Australia the other day has me worried- please explain what the hell happened Koga. I think I'm one of the few who believed that Mexico deserved their 8th seed at the draw in December. Marquez is one of the best defenders in the world, and adjusts very quickly to different styles of play. Jaime Lozano, Francisco Fonseca, and Jared Borgett are notable on the offense. They also beat Brazil in the Confederations Cup last year IIRC. I think Mexico could do something big- it's gonna be an exciting race for that group between the Mexicans and Portugal. Probably one of my sleepers for the tournament along with Sweden.

06-06-2006, 03:39 AM	#35
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	Even though I watched the entire match, I don't even really know what happened. Well, first of all, they had a lot of trouble scoring, even though they got quite a few chances. Credits also to Schwarzer who did some amazing saves. Secondly the Australians injured three of our players: Cocu, Sneijder and Van Bronckhorst, which effectively eliminated the chance of a good attack from the left side. Thirdly, the Socceroos got a penalty which they only scored from via the most insane pinball goal I've ever seen. The Dutch could've had a penalty as well, for a hands ball. But I've also got to give credit to Guus Hiddink and Australia who were just playing very good defensively. I'm not too worried, but they definitely had trouble scoring, which you cannot afford in the group they're in. They played much better against Cameroon and Mexico, which are stronger teams, and I think they will play much better when there's something at stake.

06-06-2006, 06:16 AM	#36
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: 49,482.76 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 49,482.76 Donate	Holland are a very threatening team, if Brazil go out I see them winning it. Is it just me or is nobody talking about France. They have, on paper, one of the world's strongest sides and this year they supposedly have Thierry Henry on fire for them (the only reason I say supposedly is because sometimes league form doesn't carry through to international form). They have Zidane who will no doubt give it his best seeing it's his last tournament if I remember right. Claude Makelele is also quality...maybe the team is too old to go all the way?

06-06-2006, 06:50 AM	#37
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	Well, maybe it's because France didn't score a single goal in the last World Cup. They did better in Euro 2004, but lost to Greece in the quarterfinal. I think they've got a good side, and I think they've got quite an easy group as well, but I'm not sure ow far they will get after that.

06-06-2006, 05:16 PM	#38
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	hey wut i ment in a couple of week is that in the finals mexico is goin to win the world cup I will be stayin up to see all the competions in the world cup and especially watch my fav team Jared Borgetti is the best offensive player in the qulifing with 14 goal and that will help mexico in the world cup

06-06-2006, 05:43 PM	#40
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	your right toluqueno08 Viva Mexico pero Toluca? Its All bout the Santos guay