View Full Version : THE 2010 FOOTBALL WORLD CUP
188 days to go.
The draw was yesterday and well, it wasn't too bad for France. (please note how FIFA decided to "punish" France for Henry's handball by giving our Pot-1 spot to Holland. All for the best in the hand as group A looks much easier than group E)
Group A
South Africa
Mexico
Uruguay
France
Group B
Argentina
Nigeria
South Korea
Greece
Group C
England
USA
Algeria
Slovenia
Group D
Germany
Australia
Serbia
Ghana
Group E
Netherlands
Denmark
Japan
Cameroon
Group F
Italy
Paraguay
New Zealand
Slovakia
Group G
Brazil
North Korea
Ivory Coast
Portugal
Group H
Spain
Switzerland
Honduras
Chili
Noticeable : disgustingly easy groups for Italy and Spain. Group G is the closest thing to the usual "Group of death". France should be alright.
Englands group looks pretty easy.
If france play like they did against ireland they will struggle
Goalies
Stekelenburg
Vorm
Boschker
Defense
Van der Wiel
Boulahrouz
Heitinga
Mathijssen
Ooijer
Van Bronckhorst
Braafheid
Defensive midfield
Van Bommel
De Jong
De Zeeuw
Schaars
Offensive midfield[/b]
Van der Vaart
Sneijder
Affelay
Wingplayers
Robben
Elia
Babel
Strikers
Kuijt
Huntelaar
Van Persie
9 players whose mind is set on attacking. And Van Bommel who has the drive to take to offense as well. The Dutch are crazy and will never make it to the final, but it'll be fun to watch.
Keeper
23 Cédric Carrasso
1 Hugo Lloris
16 Steve Mandanda
No surprise here, Lloris will be n°1 during the World Cup. Mandanda had one last chance on Wednesday and wasn't too good against Costa Rica.
Defense
3 Eric Abidal
22 Gaël Clichy
13 Patrice Evra
5 William Gallas
6 Marc Planus
4 Anthony Réveillère
2 Bacary Sagna
17 Sébastien Squillaci
There was big talks about Gallas being fit for the World Cup. But he is here and will likely have his place. Starting defense : Sagna - Gallas - Abidal - Evra.
Planus is the surprise, he has 0 cap.
Midfields
19 Vassiriki Abou Diaby
18 Alou Diarra
8 Yoann Gourcuff
15 Florent Malouda
14 Jérémy Toulalan
Lassana Diarra had to withdraw due to some blood disease they force him to rest. So we'll have to change our system and play a triangle midfield with only one defensive midfield. I like that system a lot. Starting midfield : Gourcuff - Toulalan - Malouda
Forwards
7 Franck Ribéry
20 Mathieu Valbuena
21 Nicolas Anelka
9 Djibril Cissé
11 André-Pierre Gignac
10 Sidney Govou
12 Thierry Henry
Many surprises here, mainly Nasri and Benzema staying home. But they lost a lot of credit during the Euro 2008 where they acted as divas. And Benz had a difficult season with Madrid. They'll most likely be back after the World Cup when Blanc takes over.
Valbuena is considered the new Ribéry, played his first game with France on Wednesday and scored the winning goal. But I'm still not convinced.
Cissé and Gignac being here was also kinda unexpected but Domenech took them because he knows they won't throw fits if they have to stay on the bench.
Starting forward line : Govou/Anelka - Henry - Ribéry.
So, starting eleven :
Lloris
Sagna - Gallas - Abidal - Evra
Toulalan
Gourcuff - Malouda
Anelka/Govou - Henry - Ribéry
Five forwards players. Very unexpected and a good surprise.
The Dutch starting eleven are a big subject here, presumably, it'll look like this:
Stekelenburg
Van der Wiel - Heitinga - Mathijssen - Van Bronckhorst
Van Bommel - De Jong
Sneijder
Robben - Van Persie - Van der Vaart
Given how Kuijt's always been playing under the coach, there's also the possibilty that Robben will be on the left wing, Kuijt on the right wing and Van der Vaart on the bench.
Nice team. Just how old is Van Bronckhorst?
I think 34 or 35.
Robben injured, very likely not to the WC.
It has started!!!
South Africa drew with Mexico in a very even game. Final results is fair.
Tonight: France vs Uruguay!!!
ALLEZ LES BLEUS!!!!
well france were lucky to get a point imo.
So far pretty shitty matches, I must say. The French got a deserved point, but what cowardly play, especially with 11 against 10.
Argentina was not so great either, Nigeria had a few good chances for the equalizer and Argentina refused to get their second in.
Although the US was surprisingly good, the Brits disappointed.
They're not going to make it far, with a defense like that and a coach who doesn't put Rooney in a striker position.
ive come to face the music :(
fucking rob green couldnt catch aids in africa, trying to blaim the ball for a shot that was straight at him. wish john terry had boned his missis
Well, are your goalies are rubbish and have been in a the past decade or so. So it wouldn't matter anyway.
Well, my pool isn't going that grand. Than again, the Serbs had a shitty coach, Lazovic should've been brought in much earlier.
And on an unrelated note: apparently I've got neighbours from Ghana. :D
ChimeraCreative
06-13-2010, 01:00 PM
Germany and Australia in a half hour. Who am I rooting for? ^_^
Well, are your goalies are rubbish and have been in a the past decade or so. So it wouldn't matter anyway.
sad state of affairs when you wish david seaman was still playing. but still, rob green?
i could probably name 10 better keepers that qualify for england
i will never support germany, set of laderhausen wearing bastards.
I would imagine MGM's feelings are similar
But Germany is doing pretty well. And at least they are nice to watch which is a change considering how piss poor this WC has been so far.
Actually, I don't mind the Germas at all. They're playing well at the moment and that indeed is a nice change. And even besides that, I'd rather win from the Germans, but I'd actually prefer them as winners over Brazil.
And Green isn't alone: Schwarzer and the dude from Alergia were pretty bad as well.
MOTHERFUCKING VUVUZELA. MAKE THEM STOP!!!!!
You can't hear no chanting, it's just awful. I think players should threaten a strike if they are not banned.
Nah. I don't like it either, sure. But they ARE playing in Africa.
Crap, I predicted a 2-0.
Which reminds me for tomorrow:
Holland - Denmark: 1-1
Japan - Cameroon: 0-1
Italy - Paraguay: 1-0
The last one, I'm VERY interested in. I figure one of these two (probably Paraguay) will be the opponent of Holland in the 1/8th final.
Africa or not, you can't even watch the game without getting a headache!
And on the subject of terrible matches... :gonk:
Well, awesome predictions so far.
Anyway, two things I've noticed:
- the African goalies are, except for those of Algeria and Cameroon, are surprisingly good. Usually they're rubbish.
- the refs and assistants are doing pretty good so far.
ChimeraCreative
06-14-2010, 02:23 PM
HA! Fuck you, Italy. :hehehm:
Well, awesome predictions so far.
Anyway, two things I've noticed:
- the African goalies are, except for those of Algeria and Cameroon, are surprisingly good. Usually they're rubbish.
- the refs and assistants are doing pretty good so far.
Yep, the ref are pretty good indeed. And Ghana's keeper was surprisingly good. Cameroon is the team that's supposed to have the best keeper of them all. I didn't see the game, was it that bad?
It was terrible. Best chance in the first half was for Denmark, Holland didn't create a thing. Sneijder tried to hard, Kuijt, Van der Vaart and Van Perseie had a bad day. First goal was a crazy own goal (high ball in, Poulsen heads it against the back of another Dane into the goal). And after that, Holland didn't really create chances until Elia came onto the pitch, which was about after 70 minutes.
Cameroon indeed has a good goalie. On the bench.
Predictions:
New Sealand - Slovakia: 0-2
Ivory Coast -Portugal: 0-2
Brasil - North Korea: 3-0
Only saw the first half of the Netherlands games and my thoughts were that Van Persie still needs reminding that he has partners on the pitch. You'd think he would have learned that by now...
The problem was more that Van der Vaart went into the center of the pitch, instead of staying on the left. That, and him and Sneijder at times were on their own half. Not where yhey should be.
Just saw the last five minutes of Ivoray Caost - Portugal. Seems like that was a great match.
Ah yes, Bastos... the guy who wasn't even good enough for Feyenoord's satellite club, let alone for Feyenoord.
What?
(I had predicted the right score for Brazil North Korea at work. Success)
yeah have to admit germany have been the only entertaining side so far.
This whole world cup is being ruined by the flyaway ball, lack of air resistance, negatitive tactics and them shit horns
Where are you, Spain? You're going home!
I hear Argentina was pretty good today.
ChimeraCreative
06-17-2010, 12:56 PM
Are we rooting for France or Mexico now? ^_^
I'm rooting for France and it'll be my bane. What the fuck is Anelka doing in there? And Govou? Come on guys, get your fingers out of your collective asses and play some football.
Lloris 6
Sagna 4
Gallas 1
Abidal 0
Evra 1
Toulalan 3
Diaby 3
Malouda 4
Ribéry 0
Govou 0
Anelka 0
Gignac 0
Valbuena -2
We are on the plane home. And we fucking deserve it. What a disaster. I feel puking. I feel like punching all of them in the face. I feel like crying. Shit.
Let's start from scratch. Laurent Blanc can't come soon enough.
MOTHERFUCKING VUVUZELA. MAKE THEM STOP!!!!!
You can't hear no chanting, it's just awful. I think players should threaten a strike if they are not banned.
apparently they expect to make £2 million profit off the sales of them during the world cup. noway they'll ban them
Where are you, Spain? You're going home!
so are you:hehehm::smilielol5:
Lloris 6
Sagna 4
Gallas 1
Abidal 0
Evra 1
Toulalan 3
Diaby 3
Malouda 4
Ribéry 0
Govou 0
Anelka 0
Gignac 0
Valbuena -2
We are on the plane home. And we fucking deserve it. What a disaster. I feel puking. I feel like punching all of them in the face. I feel like crying. Shit.
Let's start from scratch. Laurent Blanc can't come soon enough.
justice for the irish.
that domenech is a fucking oddball though, how the hell is he still in a job
France has seemed over the hill ever since Euro 2000. Four years ago Zidane played two of his best matches ever, otherwise France wouldn't have made it past the quarter finals then. Ribery just isn't good enough to carry the team. What's this I heard about Blanc building the team around Govou, though?
As for the Brits, they've been over the hill ever since '66. What godawful play again tonight. I wonder if they'll make it to the next round.
Oh, and the US were robbed by the first real wrong decision of a ref this WC.
ChimeraCreative
06-18-2010, 03:58 PM
I only came home in time to catch the end of the England/Algeria game but that was not the best soccer I've ever seen. I think the poor ol' Brits are done.
I'll watch the replay of the USA game later but I heard it was interesting, a very :icon_bs: call.
Only bullshit call so far this Cup.
Tomorrow the Dutch! Win over Japan for sure.
Very interested in Australia - Ghana as well, too bad I can't see that one.
ChimeraCreative
06-18-2010, 04:29 PM
That's right, Netherlands and Japan tomorrow. I'll get up at the ass-crack of dawn to watch it. Brazil and Ivory Coast Sunday as well as Italy and New Zealand (Adam has a fondness for NZ). Have most of my weekend planned already. ^_^
Which reminds me... I've got to fill in the scores on my poster. :D
apparently they expect to make £2 million profit off the sales of them during the world cup. noway they'll ban them
I heard something interesting yesterday. Some dude who'd looked into the deep history of the vuvuzela. Apparently the tradition exists exactly since the last Confederations Cup. Which was last year.
France has seemed over the hill ever since Euro 2000. Four years ago Zidane played two of his best matches ever, otherwise France wouldn't have made it past the quarter finals then. Ribery just isn't good enough to carry the team. What's this I heard about Blanc building the team around Govou, though?
Gourcuff, not Govou. Dude, Govou is done and other with.
Interesting article in today's newspaper. There was a big clash between Domenech and Anelka at half time. It ended with Domenech deciding to sub Anelka to which Anelka replied "Go fuck yourself, you fucking son of a bitch".
I think we should just pull out of the game South Africa game. No point in playing it.
There is a theoretical chance, of course. If Uruguay or Mexico decides they definitely don't wanna play Argentina, you need to win. Preferably 2-0 or more.
Who's Gourcuff exaxctly?
Dreadful Holland match. Especially the first half, where Van der Vaart AGAIN left the left wing completely open by running to the middle every time. Passing was terrible as well. Basically, Holland played well for about 10 minutes after the break and then got some help from the goalie. To be fair, the ball curved, but it was still a major fault.
A number 10. People are saying he is the heir of Platini and Zidane. Was AC Milan and now at Bordeaux.
Apparently, he was "bullied" by Ribéry and Anelka since the start of the preparation. They are jealous of his newfound fame and of the influence he could have on the pitch.
And Anelka has been excluded from the French team today, following his clash at half time with Domenech.
It's the only thing they could've done, really.
Holland the first to qualify for the next round. I hope this means the pressure will be off the next match and they can improve their game because of that.
As for the Brits, they've been over the hill ever since '66. What godawful play again tonight. I wonder if they'll make it to the next round.
I wouldn't go that far, id say since italia 90. I dont understand capellos insistence of playing heskey, or moving gerrard to the left after he was one of the few players who looked interested against the usa.
yeah that was a bullshit call from the ref.
Gourcuff, not Govou. Dude, Govou is done and other with.
Interesting article in today's newspaper. There was a big clash between Domenech and Anelka at half time. It ended with Domenech deciding to sub Anelka to which Anelka replied "Go fuck yourself, you fucking son of a bitch".
I think we should just pull out of the game South Africa game. No point in playing it.
never a dull moment with with anelka in the side:smilielol5:
ChimeraCreative
06-20-2010, 03:32 PM
Way to be a douchebag, Kaka.:coffee:
wolf_2099
06-20-2010, 07:35 PM
I hear the French have now refused to take the field.
Someone is getting fired on that coaching team.
Way to be a douchebag, Kaka.:coffee:
Hmm, sorry, did you see the same game? Kaka did nothing. Keita ran straight into him and then fell to the ground as if he had been punched by Mike Tyson.
Kaka is the victim of someone who has nothing to do on a football pitch.
And yes, French players refused to participate to the training session yesterday, saying they protest the exclusion of Anelka from the team. These guys should all be drown in ocean. They are ridiculous. Here, this is turning into a national matter.
I resent this players and I can't wait for this mockery of a team to be over.
I hope Laurent Blanc will make a good analysis and get rid of players who are nothing but a nuisance (Gallas, Ribéry, Evra, Anelka...).
Mr Wallstreet
06-21-2010, 10:39 AM
I have absolutely nothing whatsoever to add to this, rather lively, discussion as I did not watch any of the matches.
Most of the matches that come on during the U.S. are early in the morning and during work hours. My boss is a huge football fan and has been watching the games in his office all week but tries to be sneaky about it. It just makes him look like a big dork.
Maybe I should DVR the games...
And USA are doing rather well so yeah you should!
Mr Wallstreet
06-21-2010, 12:42 PM
My office is located on the 10th floor of my building and last week during the games, every time a team scored the workers down on street level would cheer so loudly you could hear them all the way up to my floor.
the rumour over here (on sky sports news) is that their is genuine doubt over wether france will be able to field 11 players.
i pray to god this is true, i could do with a good laugh
Mr Wallstreet
06-22-2010, 09:13 AM
Why does France hate Football?
Nightmare is over. This so-called team lost to South Africa. Now is the time to rebuild everything. Everybody at the Federation should be sacked if they don't have the balls to resign.
Some players should be banned from the national team for many months.
This was a big joke and they betrayed all the French people who wanted to believe in this team.
Fuck them all.
Nightmare is over. This so-called team lost to South Africa. Now is the time to rebuild everything. Everybody at the Federation should be sacked if they don't have the balls to resign.
Some players should be banned from the national team for many months.
This was a big joke and they betrayed all the French people who wanted to believe in this team.
Fuck them all.
i wish i could rub this in abit more but, while its not been quite as big a shambles off the pitch, orfootball has been of a similar uninspiring level.
on the plus side our sides can share a plane back:smilielol5:
At least, your side didn't drown in travesty with a strike or the search for a bogus traitor.
Rehhagel is a disgrace. Knowing you HAVE to win and then play like that?
wolf_2099
06-22-2010, 03:37 PM
France has taken the Professional out of Professional soccer.
That has been absolutely insane..
Mr Wallstreet
06-23-2010, 10:56 AM
U.S.A. just beat the shit out of Algeria and by "just beat the shit out Algeria", I mean narrowly avoided another embaressing tie.
Sucketh iteth Bitches!
Btw, I only caught this game because my boss stepped out for a long meeting, and my entire team went to a bar right by our building to catch the game.
It was a great game!!! That goal at the last minute was pure orgasm.
Also, bye bye Italy, just as bad as France.
Tragic Angelus
06-24-2010, 02:03 PM
Isn't that the second time that the USA has had a bad call that resulted in a lost point? or was the earlier one just a bad call that cost them a game?
Do you understand the concept of football? 'Cause I do, and I have no clue what you just meant.
Slowakia vs. Holland next Monday! I'm sure we can handle them, but the game will have to improve. Yesterday was rather terrible. But with Robben on the bench (I'd prefer that over him starting) we'll have a great weapon.
Mr Wallstreet
06-25-2010, 08:36 AM
Italy losing to Slovakia was a huge, huge upset. I caught the second and it just didnt look good for the Italians. They weren't playing with urgency so much as they just looked ragged and running on fumes.
I read the follow-up article that gave some stats on Italy which stated that this was the first time they'd failed to advance beyond group 1 since 1950. <Woofta> My co-worker, though, was bouncing off the wall at Slovakia's win because his parents from Slovakia. Gotta root for the motherland.
Gonna try and catch the U.S.A. game on Saturday but its just impossible to watch a game at home, too many distractions but I'll try.
Where has Stocky been? The absence of his voice in this decidely European sport weighs heavily in the air. I need for him to rationalize U.K.s ridiculous performance :)
Tragic Angelus
06-25-2010, 02:18 PM
No.. I don't understand all of it, and only just realized how the grouping and point system for this round worked. I just meant that I've heard the USA team has had refs make bad calls against them a few times, even from those outside the US, and was trying to figure it all out.
World Cup system actually confused me for this first round of 32.
I don't know about the second one, I didn't see it (although I've heard it WAS a bad call). The first one definitely was a bad call and it DID cost them the win. All in the end, it didn't really matter since they ended up winning the group anyway.
Where has Stocky been? The absence of his voice in this decidely European sport weighs heavily in the air. I need for him to rationalize U.K.s ridiculous performance :)
you mean England.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all have there own teams .
Mr Wallstreet
06-26-2010, 08:33 AM
Yes, my bad England.
U.S.A. vs. Ghana today @ 2:30pm eastern standard time! It'll be a rematch of sorts because Ghana knocked the U.S. out in 06. Vengeance!
http://www.cracked.com/funny-5691-vuvuzelas/
Mr Wallstreet
06-27-2010, 10:30 AM
History repeated itself yesterday. Ghana bitchslapped the U.S. down in exactly the same manner the previous time they met: 2-1.
U.S. played terribly in the first half. Ghana constantly kept U.S. on the defensive even in the few instances when the U.S. had the ball and attempted to score. Second half saw the U.S. play far more aggressively and much better. There was a visible difference in how much better U.S. was playing and even Ghana noticed but alas it was not enough. Ghana won and sent the U.S. packing.
The England vs. Germany match today is a bloodbath. It's 4-1 Germany right now. The match is over.
Vuvuzelas. Ha!
we were terrible and didn't deserve to go through, but the dissallowed lampard goal was the worst decision ive seen in my life.
Yeah, I agree with that. Can't wait for Spain - Portugal tomorrow.
Bye bye crybaby Ronaldo! :D
Goal seemed a bit offside, but other than that Portugal gave everything I expected: baby Ronaldo, red card... too bad I didn't see any tears. Spain in the semi-finals for sure, given how weak Paraguay was today.
Anyway, Holland. Yeah, not too grand again, but still. I seriously hope they'll improve next Friday. They can definitely beat Brazil, which has a very weak midfield and two weak defenders. Of course, offense is awesome. So basically it'll be a test for our defense and see if we can score from the chances we'll surely have.
You know, after doing it the whole season, I still can't believe Robben manages to score the very same goal every goddamn game. Come on defenders! Learn!
I know! Friday he can do it three times again!
So, given how we undeserved lost to Brazil in '94 and CERTAINLY in '98, we're bagging this tomorrow. Especially since we weren't there in 2002 and in 2006 we got kicked out by the ref and a bit by Portugal. No way we lose 4 times in a row undeservedly of Porugese speaking people. That, and Brazil's midfield is not that great. There, we can win the game.
Do you really want to feel the shame of being eliminated in 1/2 by Ghana? ;)
AWESOME!!
Uruguay, here we come to dispose of you in our way to the final!
AWESOME!!
Uruguay, here we come to dispose of you in our way to the final!
Mr Wallstreet
07-02-2010, 11:39 AM
Wtf?!?
How did that happen?
With superior gameplay in the second part.
A bit more seriously:
First half was rather terrible, Brazil was so much better. If Stekelenburg didn't get that shot from Kaka (great save, BTW), it would've ended right then and there.
But the second half, Holland was much better. Pressure on the ball, which Brazil doesn't like at all, and much better stamina. Even before the equalizer it was visible that Holland was outplaying Brazil at that moment. And of course Brazil's always vulnerable through the air (although, that was a great mistake by the César, of course). But after the equalizer, there was no way Brazil was going to get the win. The only thing that would've been nice, if Holland made a third goal, so a stray shot wouldn't mean the Brazilian equalizer. And although I'd expected more serious fouls, the red card closed the deal.
Mr Wallstreet
07-07-2010, 01:18 PM
I didn't watch any matches this past weekend due to the holiday. I'll see who is playing this upcoming weekend and decide if any of those games are worth my time.
ChimeraCreative
07-07-2010, 03:33 PM
Germany and Uruguay Saturday.
Holland and Spain Sunday.
Spain I fear. Germany we would've had, but Spain? I hope they'll have a complete offday, like the Paraguay match.
I was actually pretty unimpressed with Spain vs Germany. I Thought they were guilty of trying to score the perfect goal at times. Atleast you know with holland that if you get a chance you'll take it, spain will prob try to fiti n an extra 20 passes.
Glad this is the final, soon as england was out I wanted either spain or holland to win
True enough, I noticed that as well. If you pass the ball 20 times, at a point you really do need to take the shot.
That, and their defense is not their strongest part, with the efficiency Holland's been displaying, that might give us a shot at them.
ChimeraCreative
07-11-2010, 01:05 AM
Paul the Octopus picked Spain. Sorry, Michel, looks like the psychic cephalopod doesn't favour Holland's odds.:disappointed:
Paul also picked the winner of the European Cup two years ago wrong. :D
ChimeraCreative
07-11-2010, 12:22 PM
BAD OCTOPUS!:smackbum:
If it helps at all, my family is committed to cheering for Holland. I suspect my mother might even stoop to hand-wringing, explosive cursing and bargaining with God on the Netherlands' behalf.:e2drunk:
ChimeraCreative
07-11-2010, 04:15 PM
ENGLAND
CAN'T PLAY
CAN'T REF
(I still love Stocky and CBKA :e2flowers:)
True enough, I noticed that as well. If you pass the ball 20 times, at a point you really do need to take the shot.
That, and their defense is not their strongest part, with the efficiency Holland's been displaying, that might give us a shot at them.
close game i thought, even if you lot were abit dirty(nowt wrong with that in my eyes).
I think everyone would agree that spain are the best team in the world though, so fair play.and with arguably there best striker, torres, unfit for the competition
Paul the Octopus picked Spain. Sorry, Michel, looks like the psychic cephalopod doesn't favour Holland's odds.:disappointed:
probably didnt see it over there but on sky sports news all dutch were giving a fuck ton of abuse saying he'll be calamari in morining:smilielol5:
ENGLAND
CAN'T PLAY
CAN'T REF
(I still love Stocky and CBKA :e2flowers:)
i dont like howard webb but im not sure what he did wrong (apart from show yellow instead of red to de jong?)
Mr Wallstreet
07-12-2010, 07:42 AM
Yesterday's match was terribly unimpressive. Excessively aggresive tactics on Netherlands part & excessive drama on Spain's part.
Somewhere there should have been soccer being played in all this...
Webb gave a horrible performance. De Jong should've caught red, the same for arguably Van Bommel but certainly Iniesta and Puyol. That, and the corner he failed to give led to the attack (offside, if I'm correct), which led to the goal.
And yes, it was a bit dirty, but at a certain point, Webb started to decided pretty much everything against Holland. Some of the yellows he gave certainly weren't yellow cards at all.
That said, Spain did deserve the win more than Holland. 'Cause let's face it, if you get two chances like Robben did and you don't score...
Webb gave a horrible performance. De Jong should've caught red, the same for arguably Van Bommel but certainly Iniesta and Puyol. That, and the corner he failed to give led to the attack (offside, if I'm correct), which led to the goal.
And yes, it was a bit dirty, but at a certain point, Webb started to decided pretty much everything against Holland. Some of the yellows he gave certainly weren't yellow cards at all.
That said, Spain did deserve the win more than Holland. 'Cause let's face it, if you get two chances like Robben did and you don't score...
The way holland set out to play, he was always going to be heavily involved. You could have easily started the second half with 10, 9 or even 8 players
While that is true, everyone does seem to overlook teh fact that Spain made some rough fouls as well in the first part of the match.
But what were they supposed to do? Let Van Bommel and co. walk all over them? If the ref can't take his responsibilities, then you have to show your opponent that you can reply to their challenge.
It was a dreadful game. Lots of foul play, lots of godawful rulings from the ref but I think in the end, it's the best team that won. Holland showed nothing.
Oh, the best team definitely did win. But I'm still gonna argue about teh decisions before the goal, which in the end were wrong and made the match.
ChimeraCreative
07-14-2010, 05:45 PM
Bearing in mind that I'm a North American casual viewer of soccer. :blah1:
EDIT: I had a response and deleted it, I'm just not up to dissecting the World Cup with my fine Euro friends.:Hug2:
Wuss, you just can't handle our superior views on football. :D
Yes! Superior!!
I think the final world is : that was a rather poor World Cup. Unenjoyable games, rubbish refs, disappointing players, vuvuzelas...
Agh, true. It was a terrible Cup. Fifa needs to learn to give the players some rest.
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