17 Jun 10
1 edit
Originally posted by PalynkaI'd hope it's nothing serious for Samuel. I'd also like to see Demichelis down three strong cups of coffee before every game to wake him up. Sloppy goal.
Great game so far, Argentina going forward is a beauty to watch. But the defense... They'll miss Samuel a lot, if the hamstring injury is confirmed.
Nigeria v Greece was interesting. Started out looking like a bad game between two surprisingly weak teams but then Nigeria scored and Kaita earned a disgraceful red card and the game became much more interesting to watch. WP Greeks.
It's now impossible to predict who is going through in second place for this group.
17 Jun 10
1 edit
Originally posted by hopscotchKorea has the advantage, because they have the easier game.
I'd hope it's nothing serious for Samuel. I'd also like to see Demichelis down three strong cups of coffee before every game to wake him up. Sloppy goal.
Nigeria v Greece was interesting. Started out looking like a bad game between two surprisingly weak teams but then Nigeria scored and Kaita earned a disgraceful red card and the game became much more i ...[text shortened]... eeks.
It's now impossible to predict who is going through in second place for this group.
Standings:
1-Argentina, 6 pts
2-Korea, 3 pts, leading on goals scored, as they have the same goal difference as greece, but one more goal scored, -1 goals
3-Greece, 3 pts, -1 goals
4-Nigeria, 0 points, -2 goals
Last round:
Korea-Nigeria
Greece-Argentina
Possible situations:
Greece wins and Korea wins. In this case greece have to win by more goals than Korea or score more goals than korea.
If Greece draws, Korea only needs a draw, except if the draw by greece is a draw with goals, in which case Korea has to draw with just as many goals in order to go through.
If any of these teams looses then the other only needs a draw to go through.
If greece and korea loose, then nigeria enters the frey and all three teams will disputing the place on goal difference and/or goals scored.
I'm not entirely sure what happens if teams have the same goal difference and the same amount of goals scored.
Obviously I will be rooting for nigeria!!!
17 Jun 10
The post that was quoted here has been removedFrance are garbage now. But yes, they used to be awesome. 4 years ago, when they played Brasil, I think in the quarterfinals, there was a 10 minutes spell in the 2nd half were they played the best footie I have seen in my life (I've been watching football for 20 years now). Ribery is no "new Zidane" it appears; well, that was always too much to ask.
17 Jun 10
Very well played Mexico. They engender that sort of spirit that makes you really want to get behind the team and pray for goals.
France are probably the exact opposite. 11 men each playing their own game. They can still make it through to the next round if they beat South Africa by a massive amount of goals (which is likely) and Uruguay and Mexico don't draw. But whoever comes in second here will have to meet Argentina...
18 Jun 10
Originally posted by hopscotchWe could tell France ws toast from their poor showing against Uruguay. For those who think one game is not enough to evaluate a team I submit France, Nigeria, Australia, England. Worst of cup so far!
Very well played Mexico. They engender that sort of spirit that makes you really want to get behind the team and pray for goals.
France are probably the exact opposite. 11 men each playing their own game. They can still make it through to the next round if they beat South Africa by a massive amount of goals (which is likely) and Uruguay and Mexico don't draw. But whoever comes in second here will have to meet Argentina...
18 Jun 10
3 edits
Originally posted by scacchipazzoHow do you come to that conclusion about France being toast based on their Uruguay game? it was drawn, then South Africa who were beaten convincingly by Uruguay previously held Mexico to a draw?
We could tell France ws toast from their poor showing against Uruguay. For those who think one game is not enough to evaluate a team I submit France, Nigeria, Australia, England. Worst of cup so far!
In other words there was no indication given that France were toast prior to their match up against Mexico....infact they are still not toast, they have an opportunity still against South Africa and also depending on the other result they still have an opportunity to sneak into 2nd spot?
England were hardly among the worse of the cup so far... If they were then you would have to include USA for didnt they draw with England??
18 Jun 10
1 edit
Originally posted by barstuddGoes without saying that USA is not that good. You're absolutely right. Never said they were good. But because they are not that good England drawing and with a whimper at that is a bad bad sign about how overrated they truly are. I saw France as listless, lifeless and almost comatose. No cohesion, just like England. Great individual players. That's about it. Never forget they snuck into the cup by that ref debacle against Ireland. Uruguay and Mexico can play to a scoreless draw and both advance. France is done. No ands, ifs or buts. I predict England will come out lifeless tomorrow and will draw against Algeria. They stand a chance only because USA is in a must win against Slovenia and wil likely draw now that Slovenia does not need the win to advance. Slovenia will draw against USA and England and move on. Rest of group a crapshoot. If USA wins and Algeria draws England is pretty much toast. England simply a bunch of crybabies playing lackluster football. If teams played with the heart and guts of Mexico and Swtizerland and add a modicum of talent they might yet get booted, but would have no reason to hang their heads. African teams, except Ghana, are pretty much done. Frankly, I saw more life in your Socceroos than in Italy, Spain, and England despite their loss. Had they only scored that missed goal they might have made life miserable for Germany.
How do you come to that conclusion about France being toast based on their Uruguay game? it was drawn, then South Africa who were beaten convincingly by Uruguay previously held Mexico to a draw?
In other words there was no indication given that France were toast prior to their match up against Mexico....infact they are still not toast, they have an opp ...[text shortened]... cup so far... If they were then you would have to include USA for didnt they draw with England??
But back to France. If you really think France has any chance you are a true man of faith. That would be a miracle of the very first order. Since the French are a secularist bunch they don't even have a prayer! Now the bad refereeing has finally started. Nigerian ejection was stupid. Mexico's penalty was a dive right in front of line judge. Ref had worse angle. Mexico player sold it quite well, but it was clearly a dive. Frenchi never touched him. He threw himself against the French leg and got away with it. I am no French supporter, but believe in fair play. Not to say Mexico did not earn the win since France will end the WC without goals and likely would not have score again anyway.
18 Jun 10
Originally posted by scacchipazzoBla bla. England and USA are both going through to the next round, whether you like it or not.
... USA is not that good. ... England will come out lifeless tomorrow ... Now the bad refereeing has finally started. Nigerian ejection was stupid. Mexico's penalty was a dive right in front of line judge.
Kaita displayed petulance and maliciously lashed out and was very, very deservedly sent off.
Mexico's penalty was solid, the referees had no choice according to the rules of the game. You don't know the difference between simulation (that's a dive) and a proper foul. There's no way you can carry on running at full sprint right through a player that suddenly puts both legs right in front of you.
18 Jun 10
Football has so many twists and turns, quite often even the superstars of the game are on the wrong end of the lucky bounce of the ball....thats life.
the best can be worst for 1 game...and the worst can the best for 1 game.
funny how everyone predicts with such certianty on who is or who isnt going to win, France whom are not my pick for this group still have a window of opportunity to make it in, Mexico or Uruguay could be on the wrong end of a scoreline leaving an opportunity for France to sneak in.... France would probably right now rather be in Mexico or Uruguay position.
Mexico thoroughly deserved to win against France but the rolly polly pretend stuff that lead to the penalty seriously spoils the game.... serious they should use a video ref to determine penalty's of that nature.
18 Jun 10
Originally posted by darvlayOr running...
They'd be dancing on the streets of Pyongyang tonight if only they knew how to dance and/or could understand the concept of joy.
For now, marching will do.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/north-korea/7836959/World-Cup-2010-four-North-Korea-players-fail-to-show-for-Brazil-match.html