2006 Soccer Football World Cup in Germany

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 12:51 pm

Some of you stick to the NFL and that is fine. Some of us LOVE soccer as well, particularly many of us outside the USA. So, as the attention of many of us fades from the NFL during the coming off-season, we rejoice in the opportunity to witness another World Cup, an event only held once every four years.

So, let us get started.

As many of you might know, and others may want to know, the path to Germany has bee a VERY LONG one already. Several qualification rounds have taken place and MANY teams have been eliminated by now.

To keep you up-to-date:

The World, I mean the big one not the small one referred to in the World Series in MLB Baseball :lol:

, is divided into several MAJOR regions:

Africa
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/t/zone/afr.html

Asia
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/t/zone/asn.html

Europe
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/t/zone/eur.html

North, Central American and Caribbean Zone
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/t/zone/ncc.html

Oceania
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/t/zone/ocn.html

South America
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/t/zone/sam.html

Each one of these major Regions has already gone through two or three rounds of preliminary group matches and in some cases direct elimination matches. Each link above has other links to these previous groups and their previous results over the last two years. :shock:

A draw for the creation of the final groups has held a few weeks ago. The result of the draw led to the creation of eight groups:

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/group/index.html

The match schedule has been announced too:

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/calendar.html

Although some people claim that there is always a group of death (and this time it appears to be group E with Italy, Ghana, USA and Czech Republic), the truth is that not a single group is easy.

So, here you have it folks. Those interested, like my British colleagues and others, can start posting their impressions and opinions on this truly fantastic and international event in this thread.

There will be plenty of opportunity to show who knows what about whom throughout the period leading and arriving at the Championship.

PS: I am a CONCACAF hard-core fan first and foremost. So, watch it when you write about my beloved teams Costa Rica, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, and USA. :twisted:

BadgerKing · Post by **BadgerKing** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 2:07 pm

Costa Rica, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, and USA

Well there is no way I could mock those Soccer powerhouses!

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 2:13 pm

BadgerKing wrote:Costa Rica, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, and USA

Well there is no way I could mock those Soccer powerhouses!

Several of them have attended World Cups that England has not even qualified for.

USA and Trinidad have a few good players in the British FA Premier League. Costa Rica has a good track record against South American Teams. The USA went further than England and several European sides in the past World Cup held in Korea/Japan. Mexico has defeated time and time again European sides in past World Cups.

I am glad to know there is no way you could possibly mock them. :wink:

UK Skins Fan · Post by **UK Skins Fan** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 4:07 pm

Well, to be fair, USA qualified for the 1994 World Cup by virtue of being hosts, while England were sorely hampered by having a pillock for a coach at the time. And I guarantee that qualification from the European groups is the toughest area to qualify from. I'd love to see Brazil try to qualify every single time when paired with the European nations.

The US are a good solid team, although I think their world ranking flatters them a great deal. Trinidad and Tobago are just the sort of team that could give England fits, but only if England underperform. I know nothing about Costa Rica, except for their glorious result against Scotland years ago, that still brings a tear to my eye. Mexico have had a stronger team in the past, but they have a pedigree, and should not be underestimated. They've only really made an impression when the finals have been held in Mexico though, which bizarrely has happened twice.

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 4:12 pm

RiC, isn't that similar to claiming an entire basketball conference as your "favorite team(s)" when March Madness rolls around? It seems a little odd to me. . .

If soccer was televised more often here in the states (especially the EPL), then I'd probably be a much more avid fan. When it comes to the World Cup, I love watching games and following the scores.

Of course, I'll be cheering for the USA. I also hope that England does well, since I lived there for a short while.

UK Skins Fan · Post by **UK Skins Fan** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 4:15 pm

The Italy, Ghana, USA and Czech Republic group is certainly this year's so called "Group of Death". Two established powerhouses, a tough US side, and Ghana are just the sort of team that could ruin anybody's day, without threatening to reach even the final eight.

I'll save my thoughts on England's chances for another day, but I'd love to hear from our Australian friends about their team - they have a great manager, a sprinkling of decent players, and beat a tough team to qualify (Uruguay).

SkinsFanInHawai'i · Post by **SkinsFanInHawai'i** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 5:34 pm

I like USA's chances.
If France can win it, we can.

How does CR stack up to other European teams.

One of my old soccer coaches was from Ghana, and all he used to say was how much the US sucked.
He claimed it was easier for the US to get in, but what powerhouse teams come from Africa?

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 6:21 pm

SkinsFanInHawai'i wrote:I like USA's chances.

It is very tough. The USA is placed, in most observers views, in the "group of death" a cliche used to described the toughest group in the first round of the tournament. This is a perception based on past performances and, as such, really does not account for the real value of the team -actually- playing in the tournament, I will say the opposite. I think that the USA's chances to begin with are not really great -BUT- if they go ahead in the first round, they will be a REAL power to reckon with.

By the way, there is no more UNAPPRECIATED team in the entire world than team USA. You almost always find that they have the smallest 12th man in the stadium of all teams I have ever had the privilege to watch.

SkinsFanInHawai'i wrote:If France can win it, we can.

Well, you almost did in Los Angeles a few years ago. Brazil had a real tough time to eliminate your team then. So that we understand one another, there actually is a REAL rivalry between teams on this side of the Atlantic and the fellows on the other side.

Almost anybody, with the exception of -some- USA fans, will support a team from this continent against a team from the OLD one. European teams have NEVER EVER won a World Cup when played in THIS continent in the entire history of the game. But they are almost invincible when they play over there. So, the odds are definitely in their favour now.

SkinsFanInHawai'i wrote:How does CR stack up to other European teams.

Costa Rica has, perhaps with the exception of Trinidad, one of the most physical teams in CONCACAF. Costa Rica has participated with some success in past World Cups (they qualified to the last 16 teams in Italy in 1990) but this is an improved team now. Paulo Wanchope is one of the most gifted, talented and skillful players any team in the world would want. A player to watch for sure.

Costa Rica is ranked as the 21 top team in the world, behind Croatia but ahead f Poland:

http://www.fifa.com/en/mens/statistics/ ... 06,00.html

For a more detailed review of Costa Rica's chances, see:

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060119/1/5v6y.html

SkinsFanInHawai'i wrote:One of my old soccer coaches was from Ghana, and all he used to say was how much the US sucked.

As you can tell already from some of the posts in the thread above, EVERYBODY feels that THEIR elimination rounds are tougher than ANY other. This is not true of course.

African football in general, and West African football in particular has experienced tremendous progress over the last two decades. Teams like Cameroon, Senegal and Nigeria have become football powerhouses and net exporters of players to European leagues.

SkinsFanInHawai'i wrote:He claimed it was easier for the US to get in, but what powerhouse teams come from Africa?

Interestingly, ...

... the powerhouses were ELIMINATED in earlier rounds!

The African contingent in this Cup is very talented and very inexperienced in international competitions:

Angola, Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Togo and Tunisia.

I visited Ghana recently and had an opportunity to become familiar with the game and players of the "Black Stars", the nickname of the Ghana team for the symbol in their flag. It is an extremely talented and physical team.

So that you get an idea, this group eliminated very powerful teams such as South Africa, Cameroon, the Green Super Eagles from Nigeria, and Senegal! :shock:

I expect very difficult matches against these teams. One of them, and there is always one in every Cup, may become the SURPRISE like Portugal (with Eusebio) or North Korea or Cameroon became surprises in previous tournaments. The Africa. Unpredictability is the name of the game in Africa. Have a look at the recent results in the ongoing 2006 Africa Cup:

http://www.egypt2006.com.eg/English/Mat ... d_Results/

The SURPRISE may also come from a different continent altogether. I suspect that after eliminating Uruguay, Australia has to be a team to watch very carefully this year. :shock:

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 6:28 pm

FanfromAnnapolis wrote:RiC, isn't that similar to claiming an entire basketball conference as your "favorite team(s)" when March Madness rolls around? It seems a little odd to me. . .

Not really. This is a different scenario. It is US against them. After competing over the last two years "to the death" each group develops a certain degree of solidarity and sportsmanship. These are the teams that represent OUR region.

To be truthful, it will be very difficult for two CONCACAF teams to meet in the second round because thecasualty rate is very high for all groups anyway.

I know these teams very well and like them very much. But I also know other teams well and I do not like them as much! :shock:

Most importantly, I am on for a GREAT championship with GREAT teams and GREAT games. These championships produce some of the most exciting matches EVER. Imagine the playoffs in the NFL being played FROM THE FIRST MATCH AT THE BEGINNING with great sportsmanship and with the colours of your country. It does not get any better than this.

Punu · Post by **Punu** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 6:32 pm

Dont pay too much attention, I try.... But i'll be there this summer! Personally my team is Newcastle United. But in the Cup..... GO USA!

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 6:40 pm

UK Skins Fan wrote:I'll save my thoughts on England's chances for another day, ...

The worst enemy of England in the past has been... England! :shock:

Somehow, England has found a way to defeat itself in previous tournaments. Whether it is a fault or a red card at the wrong time, something comes up (just ask Mr. David Beckham). The chemistry of the team is key. I expect Michael Owen to really blossom in this tournament (if he can recover from his injuries). It was too early four years ago.

England has played truly HISTORIC matches in the past. From Wembley in 1966 against Germany (Experts are still scrutinising if that goal was really a goal) to the games against Germany, Italy and Argentina, my goodness, great games in the past.

Somehow, it will be rather awkward to watch how the English team plays with a Swedish coach against Sweden! :shock:

The track record of England against Sweden is not really something to show off at all. We will see. :wink:

BadgerKing · Post by **BadgerKing** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 4:06 am

I have a terrible feeling that this World Cup will break new records for fan violance. The English, the Germans, the Dutch and the Poles all together in an easy to get to destination..makes me go pale.

I am English so I root for England but we do have some absolute idiots following us and despite my joke at the expense of Trinidad etc at least they have proper fans

UK Skins Fan · Post by **UK Skins Fan** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 3:52 pm

SkinsFanInHawai'i wrote:I like USA's chances.
If France can win it, we can.

How does CR stack up to other European teams.

One of my old soccer coaches was from Ghana, and all he used to say was how much the US sucked.
He claimed it was easier for the US to get in, but what powerhouse teams come from Africa?

The day that France won the World Cup was a dark day for me. Possibly the most limited team to win the trophy in my lifetime. Unbelievable tha a team with no decent forwards could win a World Cup. Not as horrible as Greece winning the European Championship a couple of years ago, but pretty horrible all the same.

UK Skins Fan · Post by **UK Skins Fan** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 3:57 pm

Punu wrote:Dont pay too much attention, I try.... But i'll be there this summer! Personally my team is Newcastle United. But in the Cup..... GO USA!

Newcastle United? Poor fella. That really is a labour of love. They sacked their head coach today - I believe that now makes it 146 coaches in the last three years. OK, a slight exaggeration, but I applaud you for your loyalty to one of English football's most frustrating teams.

UK Skins Fan · Post by **UK Skins Fan** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 4:03 pm

Redskin in Canada wrote:

Costa Rica has, perhaps with the exception of Trinidad, one of the most physical teams in CONCACAF. Costa Rica has participated with some success in past World Cups (they qualified to the last 16 teams in Italy in 1990) but this is an improved team now. Paulo Wanchope is one of the most gifted, talented and skillful players any team in the world would want. A player to watch for sure.

Wanchope undoubtedly has talent, but wouldn't get anywhere near the team sheet for the stronger nations. When he's in the mood, he can dazzle, and playing for his country might be just the thing to get him in the mood. But in English league football, he has only ever flattered to deceive. It's players ilke this though that make the World Cup - any team and any player can have their moment in the sun.

UK Skins Fan · Post by **UK Skins Fan** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 4:13 pm

Redskin in Canada wrote:
UK Skins Fan wrote:I'll save my thoughts on England's chances for another day, ...
The worst enemy of England in the past has been... England! Somehow, England has found a way to defeat itself in previous tournaments. Whether it is a fault or a red card at the wrong time, something comes up (just ask Mr. David Beckham). The chemistry of the team is key. I expect Michael Owen to really blossom in this tournament (if he can recover from his injuries). It was too early four years ago.

England has played truly HISTORIC matches in the past. From Wembley in 1966 against Germany (Experts are still scrutinising if that goal was really a goal) to the games against Germany, Italy and Argentina, my goodness, great games in the past.

Somehow, it will be rather awkward to watch how the English team plays with a Swedish coach against Sweden! The track record of England against Sweden is not really something to show off at all. We will see.

Crikey, you're beginning to sound like an Englishman there RiC! No offence intended, but this is the sort of stuff we English are always telling ourselves.

"If only Brooking and Keegan hadn't been injured in the run up to 1982, we could have been contenders."

"We could have won in 1986, if it wasn't for that cheating crackhead Maradona, and his filthy Hand of God"

"1990 - bloody Germans again. Penalties - that's no way to win a football game. And they got Gazza booked. Rotten cheats..."

"1994 - could have won that too, if we had actually qualified. That was Ronald Koeman's fault. Bloody cheating Dutchman this time."

"1998 was a really good chance. Owen burst on the scene, Beckham arrived and then - whoops, Beckham went again. Dirty cheating Argentinian got him sent off. We could have won that one"

"No idea how we lost to Brazil in 2002. Shame Beckham and Owen weren't fit. And that Ronaldinho - he wasn't even trying to score. Lousy stinking fluke from a toothy Brazilian swine"

Punu · Post by **Punu** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 5:52 pm

Newcastle United? Poor fella. That really is a labour of love. They sacked their head coach today - I believe that now makes it 146 coaches in the last three years. OK, a slight exaggeration, but I applaud you for your loyalty to one of English football's most frustrating teams.

They'll always be my team! I had a rough stretch with the SKINS, so i've been there. But we had so many injuries this year, we'll play better when were healthy.

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 6:24 pm

I have to admit that when it comes to EPL I feel like a bit of a tool.

When I was living in England, I was in northern London--Arsenal territory. Of course that became my favorite team--kind of the equivalent of becoming a Patriots fan in the past 5 years.

It's always easy to like the best teams (the year I was there they had a perfect season. . .), so I don't know that I'd call myself an Arsenal supporter outright. I tend to like underdogs, which is why my Scottish friend didn't have too much trouble persuading me to become an Aberdeen supporter.

Sir_Monk · Post by **Sir_Monk** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 9:54 pm

Celtic Celtic thats the team for me! Celtic Celtic on to victory!

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:45 pm

UK Skins Fan wrote:Possibly the most limited team to win the trophy in my lifetime.

That's an Englishman speaking, alright! :shock:

Let me put a stop to that with something you can relate to first hand. About three weeks ago, Henry played for Arsenal the BEST game I have seen a player play this season ANYWHERE in the world! :shock:

Zidane played in an inspired way too in that World Cup. French teams are like that. They may play garbage, as they did in the last World Cup, -or- in an inspired manner. Paraguay was the closest any team ever came to eliminate France in that World Cup. And they did not.

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:48 pm

UK Skins Fan wrote:Crikey, you're beginning to sound like an Englishman there RiC! No offence intended, but this is the sort of stuff we English are always telling ourselves.

You tell yourselves that for good reason. No offense taken. :lol:

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:53 pm

Sir_Monk wrote:Celtic Celtic thats the team for me! Celtic Celtic on to victory!

A good catholic boy like you should marry a good ptotestant Rengers girl! :shock:

Quite a few years ago, I once sang "I belong to Glasgow" a thousand times while drinking with three Celtic girls all night long. :wink:

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:53 pm

UK Skins Fan wrote:
Punu wrote:Dont pay too much attention, I try.... But i'll be there this summer! Personally my team is Newcastle United. But in the Cup..... GO USA!

Newcastle United? Poor fella.

Maybe, but the draft ALE BEER is great!

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:59 pm

FanfromAnnapolis wrote:Of course that became my favorite team--kind of the equivalent of becoming a Patriots fan in the past 5 years.

I thought that was analogous to Manchester Unirted fans. But that is only me. :oops:

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 11:03 pm

UK Skins Fan wrote: But in English league football, he has only ever flattered to deceive.

Do not measure the talent of players by the way the perform in England. The World is -anything- but English football. The fantastic aspect of a world cup is the clash between very radically different styles. A style that does not match well at all against one national team may be deadly against another.