2006 Soccer Football World Cup in Germany

[UK Skins Fan]

So, what have we learned today so far? Well, the Czechs may not be a one man team, but the loss of Jan Koller during the first game just seemed to sink them utterly. Ghana are a darn good team, and deserve to have qualified. They probably won't go any further though. Italy are exactly what they always are - a contender, but probably not quite good enough to go all the way. And the USA? Well, I suspect that they overachieved four years ago, and that sent expectations a little too high. They had a chance, but they drew a really bad group. Still, if their last game had been against the Czechs (without Koller), who knows?

I hope that the elimination of the US doesn't switch you guys off of the World Cup - please stick with it, because the best of this tournament is yet to come.

As for the refereeing, I have to say that this is actually one of the best officiated World Cups I have seen. Honestly, the refs have been pretty good so far. FIFA have put far too much pressure on them to book players for offences that really don't deserve it (FIFA would probably ban tackling if they could), but they've done pretty well compared to the last tournament for example, when the officiating was downright criminal.

[JansenFan]

I'll be rooting for Ghana (at least for one more game). I also enjoy watching Brazil play. I'll continue watching.

[This_Heat]

Anyone see the Australia and Croatia match? It was very exciting, I think I'll be pulling for the Aussies from now on.

[Redskin in Canada]

Anyone see the Australia and Croatia match? It was very exciting, I think I'll be pulling for the Aussies from now on.

It was an exciting match alright. The nearest two team have come to a fist-fight during and after the game. I guess the ref will not be taking a holiday vacation in Croatia any rime soon.

Australia has done great. But now they face serious and experienced opposition against Italy. It will be very tough.

[welch]

JF wrote:

I'll be rooting for Ghana (at least for one more game).

JF is more fair-minded than I am. I will be rooting for someone to cripple the Ghana creep who scored by kicking Reyna in the back of the knee, and a cop to jail the referee who then allowed the Ghana creep to score because of what we would call a personal foul.

What a third-rate bottom-feeder operation FIFA appears to be. Yes, Juventus, crooks, fixed games. Reyna.

[Punu]

Okay well as for me. Go SOUTH KOREA!

[Amberion]

Well nearly all of Australia was ecstatic with the result.

Interesting point but at one point there were 13 Australian born players on the pitch in this game as 2 of the Croatian team were born in Australia but were only eligible for Croatia as there parents were born there.

Seems the "great" referee did not get any better when in control of your game. Aussie press and fans were very upset based on his display in our Brazil game.

Italy are next and we are confident

[JansenFan]

Seems the "great" referee did not get any better when in control of your game. Aussie press and fans were very upset based on his display in our Brazil game.

Italy are next and we are confident

Yeah, he should stick to Denistry.

JF wrote:
Quote:
I'll be rooting for Ghana (at least for one more game).


JF is more fair-minded than I am. I will be rooting for someone to cripple the Ghana creep who scored by kicking Reyna in the back of the knee, and a cop to jail the referee who then allowed the Ghana creep to score because of what we would call a personal foul.

What a third-rate bottom-feeder operation FIFA appears to be. Yes, Juventus, crooks, fixed games. Reyna.

I don't think that he purposely kicked him in the knee, so I gave him a pass on that. They were just aggressive, something our boys couldn't seem to do (although only having one striker on the field was certainly a BIG part of that problem). They are the ultimate underdog though, so I'll pull for them in the next round.

[UK Skins Fan]

Congratulations to Australia - the result was no more than they deserved. Frankly, if there was any justice, they would have topped the group, as they were far better than Croatia, and Brazil were outrageously lucky to beat them.

I'm dreaming of an England v Australia final! If only England were playing well enough to keep their end of the bargain.

As for the referee - oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Graham Poll has a reputation for not being able to control himself once he starts handing out the yellow cards. I thought he'd done pretty well until the last 20 minutes, when he lost the plot completely. The Aussies should have had three penalties in all, and no way should they have had a man sent off. Then again, their second goal was offside.

I think the game against Italy could be a real cracker.

[Redskin in Canada]

I'm dreaming of an England v Australia final!

It must be in dreams because in the other thread you are predicting Italy to beat Australia.

[UK Skins Fan]

I'm dreaming of an England v Australia final!

It must be in dreams because in the other thread you are predicting Italy to beat Australia.

Well, there is a difference between dreaming and thinking!

[Redskin in Canada]

Well, there is a difference between dreaming and thinking!

Still thinking about Commonwealth diplomacy, aren't you?

[Amberion]

Hey RiC if I remember correctly - Canada is the largest country in the Commonwealth

And when we beat Italy you can join the band wagon

[UK Skins Fan]

Hey RiC if I remember correctly - Canada is the largest country in the Commonwealth

And when we beat Italy you can join the band wagon

Graham Taylor, former England manager, predicted last night that Australia would see off the Italians. I've hognosticated an Italian victory, but I honestly think that six of the round two games could go either way. Only Brazil and Argentina are locks for the quarter finals in my mind.

Germany will have their hands full with Sweden, but the Swedes have barely won a game all year. The Germans are clearly improving, but the Swedes are very well organised, and make the best use of their resources. Could go to penalties.

Portugal and Holland is very tough to call. The Dutch have looked a little better so far in this tournament, but Scolari is a master coach, and will have the Portugese well organised to deal with the threats of Robben and Van Persie on the flanks. Could go to penalties.

The Australians have the best coach in the tournament (and the man I wanted to be next England coach), and that gives them a chance against the Italians, who still don't convince me they can go all the way. But the Italians can beat anybody on their day.

Switzerland against Ukraine could also go to penalties. In truth, who cares?

Spain have to be favourites against France because of their good form so far, but the French are still capable of lifting their game sufficiently to catch the Spaniards out. Plus, Spain have always underperformed at World Cups, so why should they stop now? Could go to penalties.

As for England, nothing would surprise me. If they lose to Ecuador, then they'll be coming home in disgrace. This is the best set of England players for 35 years, but it isn't the best team yet. I have a hunch that they will really perform tomorrow, but I can also imagine another penalty shoot out failure. I always get nervous at this stage of the World Cup, and it makes it difficult to think straight!

[UK Skins Fan]

Speculation (informed speculation?) on England's team for tomorrow:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991536.stm
I'd be surprised to see Michael Carrick in the team now, but also very pleased. This could be just the line up to see England's strengths properly used. I can see goals for Gerrard and Lampard out of this set-up.

[Redskin in Canada]

Only Brazil and Argentina are locks for the quarter finals in my mind.

You may not be familiar with the Black Stars, and the Argentina-Mexico rivalry going back to 1930 and just recently ending up in a tie at the Confederations Cup last year.

These twomatches are a lot closer than everybody thinks. I predicted Mexico to win notwithstanding the fact that the odds are 4 to 1 in favour of Argentina. The Black Stars will be the toughest opponent of Brazil to date. Yes, Argentina and Brazil -may- win but locks? I respectfully do not think so.

Mark it down. You read it here at THN first.

[UK Skins Fan]

Look, I'd jump for joy if they were both eliminated - I don't like either team. I like Ghana a lot, and I'll be cheering them on against fatboy Ronaldo and his friends. I don't particularly like Mexico, but if they can turn over the Argies, I'd be delighted. But the Mexicans current world ranking flatters them greatly, and I don't think they have anything to hurt the Argentinians much.

That won't stop me hoping that Brazil and Argentina get knocked out, mainly because I don't think England can beat them at the moment, and we need somebody else to do it for us!

[welch]

Current game: Sweden / Germany. Blechhh. Sweden is lousy.

However, the red card against Lucic is yet another bit of evidence that FIFA is about on par with minor league baseball. No, as I think about it, more like professional wrestling, roller derby, or the Olympics as run by Avery Brundige.

Pathetically corrupt, amateurish, officiating. FIFA runs it, FIFA is responsible.

Didn't see the play? Lucic, with one yellow already in the match, spread his arms as he drippled. German play came from behind. Ref calls yellow -> red.

*****

Certainly, I don't expect FIFA's WC referees to be as good as baseball umpires. Our umpires are prosessionals, working six days out of seven. They work as a four-man team covering every area of the field. And, certainly, they have tougher decisions: the ball is smaller, a pitch moves at 90 mph, it loops, turns, and dives. Plays on the bases are often bang-bang, and umpires almost always get the call right. OK, we can't expect this skill from once-a-week amateurs.

However, the NFL also has 11-man teams, a big field, players move much faster: they huddle, they have a breather, and they sprint on every play.

How would the NFL handle a soccer match? The NFL and the (professional) big colleges scatter their refs around the field. The refs see and call off-the-ball fouls. AND...

The NFL allows limited coach challenges affimred by slow-mo replays.

Serie-A, Juventus. Juventus, the NY Yankees of Italian soccer. Belgium. France. Is this really a big-league operation?

**

Which is sad because all of FIFA's swamp-feeding qualies have been exposed on US national TV. The excitement, the focus on every game. A chance to win this giant nation to the sport, and "poof".

[UK Skins Fan]

Of course, one guarantee that Mexico will beat Argentina tonight is that Germany have to play the winner. No way will lucky old Germany have to play the best team in the tournament to survive.

So, chances of a Mexican win have been increased tenfold.

[UK Skins Fan]

Current game: Sweden / Germany. Blechhh. Sweden is lousy.

However, the red card against Lucic is yet another bit of evidence that FIFA is about on par with minor league baseball. No, as I think about it, more like professional wrestling, roller derby, or the Olympics as run by Avery Brundige.

Pathetically corrupt, amateurish, officiating. FIFA runs it, FIFA is responsible.

Didn't see the play? Lucic, with one yellow already in the match, spread his arms as he drippled. German play came from behind. Ref calls yellow -> red.

*****

Certainly, I don't expect FIFA's WC referees to be as good as baseball umpires. Our umpires are prosessionals, working six days out of seven. They work as a four-man team covering every area of the field. And, certainly, they have tougher decisions: the ball is smaller, a pitch moves at 90 mph, it loops, turns, and dives. Plays on the bases are often bang-bang, and umpires almost always get the call right. OK, we can't expect this skill from once-a-week amateurs.

However, the NFL also has 11-man teams, a big field, players move much faster: they huddle, they have a breather, and they sprint on every play.

How would the NFL handle a soccer match? The NFL and the (professional) big colleges scatter their refs around the field. The refs see and call off-the-ball fouls. AND...

The NFL allows limited coach challenges affimred by slow-mo replays.

Serie-A, Juventus. Juventus, the NY Yankees of Italian soccer. Belgium. France. Is this really a big-league operation?

**

Which is sad because all of FIFA's swamp-feeding qualies have been exposed on US national TV. The excitement, the focus on every game. A chance to win this giant nation to the sport, and "poof".

welch, you're spot on of course. Although, as I've said before, the officating at this tournament really isn't as bad as it's been in previous years, in my opinion. That doesn't mean that it's been good enough, of course. FIFA is capable of making all kinds of decisions about advertising rights, and what colour socks teams have to wear, or whether they are allowed to drink water during matches played in 90 degree heat. But expecting them to sort out the officiating properly is hoping for too much.

Actually, Sepp Blatter (a prat of the highet order usually) wants to go to full time professional officials. For the world's most popular game, you would think it was about time, wouldn't you?!

As for the numbers of officials; two umpires, one referee, four linesmen, and a reply official would seem to be sensible for the highest level of the game. Just as in the NFL, crews should have to work together for all games, to build continuity and teamwork.

The traditionalists would cringe, but it's time to sort it out, once and for all.

As for the US being switched off the game though, I fear that would be more as a result of the US not actually having been very good at this tournament.

[Redskin in Canada]

Germany had its best prformance to date. They improved in the second round as all good teams do. They will be tough to stop going into the next round.

Allow me to take some time off to tell you about the tailgate that I have going at home over the entire weekend.

I am doing the BBQ of course. Different meats and meat cuts and I am doing BBQ Indian tandoori, Spicy Thai, and Jamaican Jerk for those in the know. Delicious. Beers are pouring (mainly Mexican Corona and Argentinian Malbec red wine). We also had Swedish smokesd Salmon and a few Frankfurters on the Grill earlier today!

My wife did the slads and apetizers. Other friends brought other things to munch on. But the central food theme was either spicy or for any of the teams playing today!

Enjoy wherever you are!

Did I say red wine UK? I am in trouble now.

[Redskin in Canada]

Hey RiC if I remember correctly - Canada is the largest country in the Commonwealth

And when we beat Italy you can join the band wagon

Two points:

Yes, I actually know personally the Governor General of Canada (Her Majesty's representative in Canada) and the LT Governor in Nova Scotia. So, I better smarten up and get in the Socceroos bandwagon soon ...

... after the game against Italy.

[welch]

Aregentina is excellent. They were powerful through most of the game against Nederlands a few days ago, although the Dutch held out Arjen Roben...

Sharp, quick play by Mexico, great winning goal.

Another preposterous call: Mexian player has possession. Argentine runs half the length of the field, hits him from behind like a sloppy football tackle, lands on top, and another Argentine takes the ball. No foul.

Watch out for Argentina. The Dutch, the Argentines, and the Germans look to have the best chance of beating Brazil, and whoever wants to win everything will have to be able to beat Brazil.

*

I recall arguments, several years ago, for and against adding an extra ref. The Traditionalists argued that one ref might have a stricter standard than the other. Fooey. Real referees, professionals, would work like a major laegue umpiring team. Even amatuers should be as good as NFL refs.

Replay could work by having a coach challenge a call, just like the NFL, and they could review the call during a stoppage. Soccer claims to be a continuous flow game, but there are whistles about every 30 seconds or sooner (I once timed that during a Columbia University game). Further, the ball goes out all the time.

If a team felt robbed, they could put the ball out...and if the bad call leads right into a goal, such as the cheating Ghanaian's kick against the back of Claudio Reyna's knee, then you have you built-in stoppage.

*

Yes, the US played poorly against the Czechs. Unaggressive. Like the Norv Turner teams with Mike (?) Lynn as defensive coordinator. If you remember, Lynn was brought in to replace the Gerge Allen / Jack Pardee / Richie Petibon defense, and all of Petibon's coaches, with a "read and react" (ie, passive) defense that had led the mighty Bengals to about 15 defeats in 1993.

Overall: it hurts the view of the game here to show

(a) the sleazy refereeing, and

(b) the crying, whimpering, and rampant diving. (RiC: what what Don Cherry say about these guys?)

For both the US and Canada, where soccer is growing at a phenomenal rate, the turning point will be when the finest athletes decide they can make as much money in soccer as in football, basketball, or baseball.

That's what I meant when I wondered when the "next generation" Sean Taylor will chose to play soccer in high school. When he does, the gamne will have arrived in North America.

[Redskin in Canada]

I don't particularly like Mexico, but if they can turn over the Argies, I'd be delighted.

You have to love the way Mexico -and- Argentina played today. Best match of the tournament by far.

Argentina should have had a player expelled with a red card after a key tackle when the Mexican striker was about to be alone in front of the goalie.

But all in all, I am very proud with the way Mexico represented Concacaf against the best team in the tournament (not only South America so far). I wish Canada, USA, Trinidad and Costa Rica would play like that, and I mean not only technique but character too.

I feel so sad for the fans of Sweden and Mexico. But there can only be one winner in each game. There is no more drama than there is in the World Cup.

[Redskin in Canada]

Trouble is looming ...

Over 300 English fans arrested
Sat, June 24, 2006

STUTTGART, Germany (AP) - More than 300 people were arrested after two brief, but violent disturbances involving English soccer fans Saturday, the day before England meets Ecuador in a World Cup second-round match.

After Germany's 2-0 afternoon win over Sweden, English and German fans clashed in a plaza near outdoor viewing screens in this southern German city. German fans were singing in celebration when England fans began throwing plastic chairs and bottles at them, police spokeswoman Christiane Honer said.

...

Rest of the article:
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/WorldC ... 57-ap.html