Official World Cup Discussion Thread (No Spoilers)

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:02 pm

ya it wasn't that they lost, it was the way they lost. You don't have to be a soccer expert to see how uninspired they played today.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:11 pm

pigpen81 wrote:The US played like cowards...extremely timid.

Notice almost every 50-50 ball went to the CR. Notice how many times we pulled up uinstead of challenging loose balls on the ground.

Also, where was the speed? Landycakes and Beasley were abysmal.

4 Years ago they counterattacked to a T against Portugal....great class.

Today, they showed the best way to beat them is to let them have possession, lose it near midfield, and counterattack.

UGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bingo. Very good analysis. Great post, Piggy.

Take care,
PK

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:16 pm

I have to disagree with you guys....Czech Repuplic is just a better team who played a great game.

Ignore the FIFA rankings...They are bullshit....Go with the odds instead...CR is anywhere from 26-1 to 20-1 while the US is from 100-1 to 500-1...

The better team played better....

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 2:26 am

What the hell happened to the Japanese team in the last 10 minutes of the game? Three consecutive goals is inexcusable and they are not a bad team. First appearence by the Aussies since in the WC since 74.

WillHunting · Post by **WillHunting** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:38 am

I guess both the US and Japan are just happy to be there. Either that or they were both awestrucked by their opponent.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 10:59 am

You guys make it out like the Czechs are on the same level as the US. The Czechs aren't on the level or Brazil or Germany but I would put them on the 2nd teir with England, Italy, Argentina.

You can't say the US are happy just to be there, you don't know what's in their minds. All we know is that they lost 3-0 which could have been a 2-1 game easily. The Czechs are a very good team. Second of all this isn't like 2002 where everyone overestimated the US. The U.S. are no longer a sleeper team.

I guess we'll see what they do against Italy. They have to win out to get into the 2nd round.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 5:53 pm

Brazil was far from a vintage performance, yeah the Croats had their chances too but no cigar. Opening matches are always harder than what people think, so I expect them to improve as they play the remaining matches.

I don't know about the French team though, they haven't scored a goal in a WC since 98. What was Zidane telling his teammates in what seemed like a heated chat?

sfz_T-car · Post by **sfz_T-car** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 6:03 pm

10spro wrote: I don't know about the French team though, they haven't scored a goal in a WC since 98. What was Zidane telling his teammates in what seemed like a heated chat?

They've finished first reached the knockouts in the European Championships since WC98. That's a slightly more representative sample.

I'm sure they were hoping for three points, but the draw against the Swiss wasn't a bad result in terms of the group. I've seen penalties awarded for less blatent handballs.

It was nice to see Zidane back in action for Les Bleus. He's always been a very fun player to watch.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 8:01 pm

What is the deal with injury replacements?

If Koller is out, could they recall another player who wasn't on the original roster? Were the French able to replace Cisse?

Also, Serbia is missing players too so they're apparently down to fewer players than other teams.

Are the rosters set and once submitted, they can't be changed even for injuries?

sfz_T-car · Post by **sfz_T-car** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 8:26 pm

France could replace Djibril Cisse because his broken leg happened before the WC rosters were set.

Once the rosters are set, all teams have to live with the 23 players they came in with, regardless of injuries and suspensions.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 8:29 pm

Reports today indicate that Koller's injury wasn't as severe as feared, and he may return to the tournament. A scan showed no damage to the hamstring.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 8:30 pm

wco81 wrote: Are the rosters set and once submitted, they can't be changed even for injuries?

Correct.

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 10:55 pm

French were just awful!!!

Brazil looked fine today but Ronaldo looked out of shape.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 6:07 am

Well gang, here I am in Hamburg. The Czech game was a nightmare. They played like absolute garbage, like they were afraid of something and with no agression at all. Grrr. Very disappointing. Now we really need a miracle. But hey, such things can happen so until it is really over, I will dream of good things and hope for the best.

I got to meet Jared and his beautiful wife in Essen before the game and we saw each other in Gelsenkirchen as well. What a great scene! So many US fans getting geared up. Our federation is shite. The Czechs had one whole corner, all decked out in their red, and we were spread all over the place, what a joke. Still we made lots of noise, but it didn't seem to help the boys on the pitch.

Les Bleus are a joke. I love them a lot but they STILL haven't scored a goal since '98. The way things haev worked out, however, will make the France v Korea game in Leipzig very important, so I am extra excited to see that one.

Looks like ticekts for the US Ghana game will be free if not cheaper! C'mon over if you want to, because there will be nobody there!

Still I am hopeful for some serious luck and good fortune (and maybe some confident forward play) against the Italians. Think good thoughts!!

Take care, and I'll try to check in again soon!

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 8:26 am

Sounds like Zeppo is having a blast in Germany. I wasn't impressed either with the French team based on their performance yesterday and although both teams had their chances, Swiss had two clear opportunities to score, one on each half.

Among the main candidates Les Bleus and England were dissapointing to watch. There's no more excuses now, everyone had their feet wet and we'll see how the second matches turn out.

Among the lesser known teams I was impressed with Cote D'Ivoire and how the Aussies turned the match in their favour against Japan. Italy looks strong on D as usual, and actually Germany was fun to watch too although they'll need to tighten up on D.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 8:55 am

wco81 wrote:
Also, Serbia is missing players too so they're apparently down to fewer players than other teams.

From memory, the Serbs lost a player when a guy receiving a late call up to the squad was the son (I think) of the coach. There was a bit of a furore about it, so he dropped out voluntarily. I think that's why they couldn't replace him. I think FIFA need a medical cert to allow a replacement, so they couldn't just say he was injured.

Glad Zeppo and Jared are having fun.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 9:07 am

That one play by one of the French forwards (Ribery?) was ridiculous. He was in the box on the right side, practically alone against the goalie and he passed back to the middle to Henry, who had defenders all over him.

Almost as if he was afraid to shoot in a big game.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 9:54 am

On my way in to work this morning they said the US/Czech game drew a 2.4 cable rating on the Mike and Mike show. We'll see if that tails off against the Azzuri. It's good to see some interest in the World Cup in this country.

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 10:18 am

ScoopBrady wrote:On my way in to work this morning they said the US/Czech game drew a 2.4 cable rating on the Mike and Mike show. We'll see if that tails off against the Azzuri. It's good to see some interest in the World Cup in this country.

I would expect the rating to go up because ti is on the Network and is played on a Saturday afternoon thus more people able to watch.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 10:43 am

That 4th goal by Spain was amazing.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 10:59 am

JRod wrote:That 4th goal by Spain was amazing.

Bah off to the spoiler thread with you

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 11:07 am

I don't know what goes where and I don't care. Avoid all news sites and this forum if you don't want to know the result.

I wonder if the U.S. Open ratings will draw higher than the US game on Sat. Granted NBC will make sure everyone knows Tiger's father passed away and because of the that, Tiger's appearence will be like the second coming of Jesus.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 11:24 am

So who was worse, US or Ukraine?

Or who was better, CR or Spain?

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 11:42 am

Just listening to a reporter on New Zealand sports radio who's in Germany covering the WC. I turned him off as soon as he said "Everyone expected France to comfortably beat Switzerland." How the hell do people that clueless get sent to cover such an important event??

France and Switzerland have now played three consectutive 0-0 draws. Bobby McMahon said on FSC that if they happened to meet in the knock-out stages they should just go straight to penalty kicks, hehe.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 11:43 am

JRod wrote:I don't know what goes where and I don't care. Avoid all news sites and this forum if you don't want to know the result.

Ordinarily I would, but I was checking to see if Zep had posted again or if Jared had posted his personal impressions.

I didn't think the concept of a spoiler thread was so foreign or difficult to comprehend, but I should know that Barnum's Law doesn't rest.

Digital Sportspage

Official World Cup Discussion Thread (No Spoilers)

Greetings from Hamburg