Football World Cup (or soccer for the americans)
#141
Posted 22 June 2006 - 09:13 PM
We Ghanaians may be without Essien, but the might of Sulley Muntari will be back, so we have nothing to worry about.
Avoid being seen as racist by saying, "I'm not a racist, but ..." prior to making a racist comment.
#142
Posted 22 June 2006 - 09:32 PM
Except as I said above Brazil improve their form with each passing game.
Did you see their game against Japan? It was amazing, they looked so brilliant, and they were having fun since they were already through to the next round. PLUS Robhino looked fantastic, running at defenders and such.
They benched there vets such as Cafu and Roberto Carlos and still had great success from the outside defenders. Cicinho was class out there, he was probably better than Cafu right now.
And Brazil didnt lose much from benching their starting Center Mids either.
Their only weak spot was Ronaldo funny as that sounds. Sure he got 2 goals but he COMPLETELY MISSED an open net earlier. His heavy weight and poor Endurance have caused him to stand around the entire game. He no longer makes long runs, nor attacks the defenders 1 on 1.
He also ruined some beautiful set ups. One a backheel from Ronaldinho and a nice run from Rohinho after he megged the defender. He was just to "FAT" that he couldnt catch up to any of the passes and get on the end of them.
He will break Mullers record though, sorry German fans its inevitable.
BUT WAY TO GO AUSSIES. It was a thriller, riddled with cards some red. They had to stress us out once again by waiting until it was almost too late to put in a goal. I dont know who got a red but hopefully they wont be missed too badly.
Its going to be a tough affair going up against Italy. The Italians are really on form actually. They have invested their team in younger players and seem to have solved their poor form at big competitions. No repeat of Euro 04 for them.
Did you see their game against Japan? It was amazing, they looked so brilliant, and they were having fun since they were already through to the next round. PLUS Robhino looked fantastic, running at defenders and such.
They benched there vets such as Cafu and Roberto Carlos and still had great success from the outside defenders. Cicinho was class out there, he was probably better than Cafu right now.
And Brazil didnt lose much from benching their starting Center Mids either.
Their only weak spot was Ronaldo funny as that sounds. Sure he got 2 goals but he COMPLETELY MISSED an open net earlier. His heavy weight and poor Endurance have caused him to stand around the entire game. He no longer makes long runs, nor attacks the defenders 1 on 1.
He also ruined some beautiful set ups. One a backheel from Ronaldinho and a nice run from Rohinho after he megged the defender. He was just to "FAT" that he couldnt catch up to any of the passes and get on the end of them.
He will break Mullers record though, sorry German fans its inevitable.
BUT WAY TO GO AUSSIES. It was a thriller, riddled with cards some red. They had to stress us out once again by waiting until it was almost too late to put in a goal. I dont know who got a red but hopefully they wont be missed too badly.
Its going to be a tough affair going up against Italy. The Italians are really on form actually. They have invested their team in younger players and seem to have solved their poor form at big competitions. No repeat of Euro 04 for them.
#144
Posted 23 June 2006 - 06:32 AM
Brett Emmerton got the red, which is a shame, he had a great first half, but he's not really irreplacable. Shouldn't disadvantage us too much. I believe we can beat italy.
Guess it payed off that harry didn't get any match bans for his dummy spit on monday. What a feeling. You shoulda seen the streets, packed with people, unreal.
GO AUSSIE!
Guess it payed off that harry didn't get any match bans for his dummy spit on monday. What a feeling. You shoulda seen the streets, packed with people, unreal.
GO AUSSIE!
#145
Posted 23 June 2006 - 07:23 AM
Bucklund said:
Australia-Italy seems like a good one and if they play to their best the Aussies could cause an upset. Long as Graham Poll doesnt referee.
Too bloody right. How many handballs (2) and RUGBY TACKLES (1, on Mark Viduka) ... in the frickin' BOX ... does it take to get a decision your way? I don't know how that guys refs in the English Premier League, but that effort was a shocker.

At least he spotted the hand on the back of Tim Cahills' neck. I'm just completely mystified how he missed EVERYTHING ELSE?
He lost control in the last 10 mins. And what was with Simunic? 2 yellow cards = 1 red card, but he didn't go? FIFA will be all over that refs backside like a fat kid on cake.
In related news - funny how the German ref for the Aust-Brazil game came in for another blast for crappy decisions, this time for the USA match.
Oh well, at least Australia are through to the 2nd round. Huge effort!

Nice to see the coverage included random hotties in the crowd.

Now for the Italians. I figure a 3 pronged "psyche-out" approach:
1) take players of Socceroos with the Italian players girlfriends. And cars. Take bets on which will make them more upset.
2) mess with their hair products. This tactic may have been best employed against Japan, but it ended up not being necessary.
3) wear British military uniforms for the first half, and German ones for the second half, and the Italians will run backwards in both halves ...

EDIT: OK, OK, that last one was a bit cruel. But this is the Cup, gorramit!

Cheers,
La Sombra, psyops
"Fortune favors the bold, though statistics favor the cautious." - Indomitable Courteous (Icy) Fist, The Palace Job - Patrick Weekes
"Well well well ... if it ain't The Invisible C**t." - Billy Butcher, The Boys
"I have strong views about not tempting providence and, as a wise man once said, the difference between luck and a wheelbarrow is, luck doesn’t work if you push it." - Colonel Orhan, Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City - KJ Parker
"Well well well ... if it ain't The Invisible C**t." - Billy Butcher, The Boys
"I have strong views about not tempting providence and, as a wise man once said, the difference between luck and a wheelbarrow is, luck doesn’t work if you push it." - Colonel Orhan, Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City - KJ Parker
#146
Posted 23 June 2006 - 07:50 AM
I'm over complaining about the refereeing, in three games its just gotten worse and worse. But we are still getting the results we need so stuff it. As soon as we get a fair referee, we will absolutely dominate.
By the way. What the hell was Kalac doing on the field? The guys a hack. That second goal was rediculous.
By the way. What the hell was Kalac doing on the field? The guys a hack. That second goal was rediculous.
#147
Posted 23 June 2006 - 08:47 PM
I HAD successfully repressed the memory of Kalacs' blunder until you cruelly dredged it up from the dark(er) side of my mind. 
Just watching the end of Switzerland-South Korea at the moment. Poor SK with that second Swiss goal - they really didn't know what was going on. The ref was correct according to the laws of the game in overruling the linesman on the offside, but you can't help feeling sorry for SK. They saw the flag go up and didn't realise it was play on.
I think there's been more talking points about this cup so far than the last one. Except for Rivaldos' (*spit*) dive and the conspiracy theories over Italy-South Korea ...
Cheers,
La Sombra, alternately can't wait and has horrible butterflies at the thought of Aust-Italy

Just watching the end of Switzerland-South Korea at the moment. Poor SK with that second Swiss goal - they really didn't know what was going on. The ref was correct according to the laws of the game in overruling the linesman on the offside, but you can't help feeling sorry for SK. They saw the flag go up and didn't realise it was play on.

I think there's been more talking points about this cup so far than the last one. Except for Rivaldos' (*spit*) dive and the conspiracy theories over Italy-South Korea ...

Cheers,
La Sombra, alternately can't wait and has horrible butterflies at the thought of Aust-Italy
"Fortune favors the bold, though statistics favor the cautious." - Indomitable Courteous (Icy) Fist, The Palace Job - Patrick Weekes
"Well well well ... if it ain't The Invisible C**t." - Billy Butcher, The Boys
"I have strong views about not tempting providence and, as a wise man once said, the difference between luck and a wheelbarrow is, luck doesn’t work if you push it." - Colonel Orhan, Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City - KJ Parker
"Well well well ... if it ain't The Invisible C**t." - Billy Butcher, The Boys
"I have strong views about not tempting providence and, as a wise man once said, the difference between luck and a wheelbarrow is, luck doesn’t work if you push it." - Colonel Orhan, Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City - KJ Parker
#148
Posted 23 June 2006 - 11:37 PM
Yeah, but France made it throught. I guess we havent seen the last of Zizu.
Goood for that hes a novelty, but they wont go very far.
Goood for that hes a novelty, but they wont go very far.
#149 Guest_Lily_*
Posted 24 June 2006 - 05:30 AM
Lord of Salvation said:
Yeah, but France made it throught. I guess we havent seen the last of Zizu.
Goood for that hes a novelty, but they wont go very far.
Goood for that hes a novelty, but they wont go very far.
You're nice with us

Maybe we won't go far but we can win versus the Spain if they have the guts

#150 Guest_Fool_*
Posted 24 June 2006 - 05:33 PM
Woah, Klose beat Sweden almost single handedly. Two goals that were 75% his and the swedish player got the second yellow card because of him, too.
He still runs like a girl, though.
He still runs like a girl, though.
#151
Posted 24 June 2006 - 05:45 PM
polish born people still in the champs! 
tbhm the first 20-odd minutes of the match were interesting in terms of Germany playing nice (Sweden played catastrophically throughout the match), but after that it was a sleeper

tbhm the first 20-odd minutes of the match were interesting in terms of Germany playing nice (Sweden played catastrophically throughout the match), but after that it was a sleeper
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.
#152 Guest_BAD_*
Posted 24 June 2006 - 06:32 PM
And still the commentators don't think the Jormans stand a chance. *sigh* When will they understand. They score goals, they win games. Fin. Having said that they play great football to watch for the first time I've seen since 1990. Their centre midfield is as strong as it gets with Ballack and Frings, the wings they have Schweinstieger (?), Lahm, Steiner and the best striker duo I've seen this tournament in Klose and Podolski. Only weak links are the two centre backs. but they never see the ball anyways. Maybe that could be their only weakness in games to come. keeper is solid too, not awesome (like Swedens keeper was today), but still good.
I've only seen Ballack misplace two passes in three games. And every shot he's had has needed to be saved ie it's on target with pace. He's my player of the tournament so far. :cool:
Also, "Let's all laugh at Larsson, let's all laugh at Larsson! Nah nah nah nah! Nah nah nah nah!" :lachen70:
I've only seen Ballack misplace two passes in three games. And every shot he's had has needed to be saved ie it's on target with pace. He's my player of the tournament so far. :cool:
Also, "Let's all laugh at Larsson, let's all laugh at Larsson! Nah nah nah nah! Nah nah nah nah!" :lachen70:
#154 Guest_Lily_*
Posted 24 June 2006 - 09:27 PM
Fool said:
Woah, Klose beat Sweden almost single handedly. Two goals that were 75% his and the swedish player got the second yellow card because of him, too.
He still runs like a girl, though.
He still runs like a girl, though.
And how run a girl ???
#156
Posted 24 June 2006 - 10:02 PM
well, Klose and Podolski can have worse days - like when they were playing against us.
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.
#157
Posted 24 June 2006 - 10:21 PM
Yeah Germany is playing much better, at least this game. But then again it was against Sweden.
They still have their work cut out for them against Argentina now.
Mexico v Argentina was much closer than anyone expected. I tell you what Mexico came out to play today. But once Argentina put fresh legs on being Teves and Messi the game sung in their favor.
Argentina were somewhat laid back today but they did what was necessary. I have to give Mexico an applause because they gave Argentina all they could handle.
Now tomorrow England might go down, and be the first victory for an underdog in the knock out stages.
And Netherland vs Portugal should be a shootout maybe literally.
They still have their work cut out for them against Argentina now.
Mexico v Argentina was much closer than anyone expected. I tell you what Mexico came out to play today. But once Argentina put fresh legs on being Teves and Messi the game sung in their favor.
Argentina were somewhat laid back today but they did what was necessary. I have to give Mexico an applause because they gave Argentina all they could handle.
Now tomorrow England might go down, and be the first victory for an underdog in the knock out stages.
And Netherland vs Portugal should be a shootout maybe literally.
#158
Posted 25 June 2006 - 02:50 PM
Is Sven Erikson going to be writing his final tale of the England book of the Fallen....after Whiskyjack Owen's knee failed him will the Burntallourbridges finally make their way to Wembley AKA Moons Spawn
#159
Posted 25 June 2006 - 06:00 PM
Well, they made it through - Beckham scoring from a setpiece for the first time in three years was a surprise, as was Sven taking off Joe Cole instead of an underperforming Lampard or suffering Beckham (throwing up after a goal? Bit Zidane post penalty, that), thought that was silly. Glad Beckham did come off for Lennon, he needs to play more, and was good for what time he had on. Incidentally, was there a no-foul zone set sixty yards around the Ecuadorian goal? Whenever an England player was fouled/brought down/beaten up in that range, the ref saw nothing. Nothing! Got a bit ridiculous.
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#160
Posted 25 June 2006 - 08:07 PM
Yes once again England looked AWFUL. But Ecuador seemed laxed and didnt really ever push to score a goal.
Lampard has missed every shot this tournament thus far, and Beckham is he an idiot or what. Who puts on long sleeves in 90+ degree temperature. Plus hes throwing up on the field.
Also this Portugal vs Netherlands game just completely changed. Christiano Ronaldo came off in the first half injured which takes away from their attack severely.
And Costhina is an idiot, he was bound to get a red sooner or later but WHY right before half time and for a stupid thing like reaching out to handle the ball.
The above ^^ changes everything, instead of Portugal getting another goal they will have to defend for their lives and preserve their one goal lead. They will get VERY tired, because even when they had 11 men the Dutch stilll dominated posession like they do against evey team.
Lampard has missed every shot this tournament thus far, and Beckham is he an idiot or what. Who puts on long sleeves in 90+ degree temperature. Plus hes throwing up on the field.
Also this Portugal vs Netherlands game just completely changed. Christiano Ronaldo came off in the first half injured which takes away from their attack severely.
And Costhina is an idiot, he was bound to get a red sooner or later but WHY right before half time and for a stupid thing like reaching out to handle the ball.
The above ^^ changes everything, instead of Portugal getting another goal they will have to defend for their lives and preserve their one goal lead. They will get VERY tired, because even when they had 11 men the Dutch stilll dominated posession like they do against evey team.