Official World Cup Spoiler Thread

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 1:48 pm

I'd like to welcome Argentina to the penalty losers club. They can take their seats between the 98 Holland sqaud and the 90 England team.

Ayala gets pride of place for his god-awful penalty that had no power at all. Total choke job.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 2:25 pm

I've never seen so many Englishmen supporting Germany - get in there !!

Looks like a bit of 'afters' once the game was over as well, but the coverage was a bit indistinct. Gabriel Heinze looked like he'd been taking lessons from his boss, the Drunken Scot, in losing with class and dignity.

Having said that, he was mainly going off at Oliver Bierhoff, who is now part of the German coaching staff, so I'm not sure what was going on there.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 2:43 pm

Dave where you are wacthing all this action, at a pub or at home?

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 3:17 pm

At home - I got in from work in time to see the pens, but was on the train when I heard on the radio that Germany had equalised, and there were a lot of people with headphones in their ears and big grins

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 7:26 pm

I thought both games today were out and out stinkers. Germany's physical play and their own odd tactics and substitutions took the teeth and beauty out of the Argentines. As dramatic as the late equalizer was, it did seem a bit inevitable given Argentina's inability to hold the ball for more than 2 passes.

As for the second game, I hope Ukraine enjoys the home version of our game

Italy looked good, but Ukraine had no ambition whatsoever.

dougb · Post by **dougb** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 8:04 pm

RobVarak wrote:I thought both games today were out and out stinkers. Germany's physical play and their own odd tactics and substitutions took the teeth and beauty out of the Argentines. As dramatic as the late equalizer was, it did seem a bit inevitable given Argentina's inability to hold the ball for more than 2 passes.

As for the second game, I hope Ukraine enjoys the home version of our game Italy looked good, but Ukraine had no ambition whatsoever.

But Argentina may have been sabotaged by their manager's substitutions. Granted, the injury to the keeper forced his hand a bit but I really didn't understand why he took off Riquelme for Cambiasso (only 1 goal lead after all) and putting on Cruz made absolutely no sense at all with Saviola on the bench.

Seems like he was struck by Erickson syndrome - the sudden compulsive urge to make bizarre defensive substitutions in a vain (and ultimately unsuccessful) effort to hold onto a 1 goal lead.

Full credit to Germany though - that tying goal was beautiful!

Never take the Germans to a shootout.

Best wishes,

Doug

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 8:43 pm

dougb wrote:
But Argentina may have been sabotaged by their manager's substitutions. Granted, the injury to the keeper forced his hand a bit but I really didn't understand why he took off Riquelme for Cambiasso (only 1 goal lead after all) and putting on Cruz made absolutely no sense at all with Saviola on the bench.

Seems like he was struck by Erickson syndrome - the sudden compulsive urge to make bizarre defensive substitutions in a vain (and ultimately unsuccessful) effort to hold onto a 1 goal lead.

I question this guys intelligence. He did the same type of garbage vs Ivory Coast. He took out both forwards with 30 minutes to play and a 2-0 lead. Argentina sweated that one out hanging on 2-1. Id think hed learn from that but nope. He pulls out the guy that runs the teams attack whit a half hour to go....
He got what he deserved.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 11:35 pm

RobVarak wrote:I thought both games today were out and out stinkers. Germany's physical play and their own odd tactics and substitutions took the teeth and beauty out of the Argentines. As dramatic as the late equalizer was, it did seem a bit inevitable given Argentina's inability to hold the ball for more than 2 passes.

As for the second game, I hope Ukraine enjoys the home version of our game Italy looked good, but Ukraine had no ambition whatsoever.

Rob - I feel the same exact way except for Italy. Italy didn't look good, the Ukraine made them look good. Aside from their 4-0 win over Suadi Arabia they have not been able to the ball in the goal. Italy played a hapless team. If Italy beat Germany, I'll eat my words but I expect to see a 3-1 game.

I really hope we'll see some exciting football tomorrow. The France-Brazil game on paper looks to be a stormer, that is if France decides to show up.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 12:53 am

Italy haven't been scored on in the whole tournmaent by another team, but Germany are going to get three past them? The same Germany who could only score once in 120 minutes against an Argentina team which is not nearly as solid defensively as Italy....

Very unlikely.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 8:28 am

Don't cry now Argentina!!
The truth is your going home
So stop picking fights, go get to the airport.
Your flight is waitingggg, don't let the door hit you in the ass!!

My best rendition before my morning coffee.

dougb · Post by **dougb** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 10:22 am

XXXIV wrote:
dougb wrote:
But Argentina may have been sabotaged by their manager's substitutions. Granted, the injury to the keeper forced his hand a bit but I really didn't understand why he took off Riquelme for Cambiasso (only 1 goal lead after all) and putting on Cruz made absolutely no sense at all with Saviola on the bench.

Seems like he was struck by Erickson syndrome - the sudden compulsive urge to make bizarre defensive substitutions in a vain (and ultimately unsuccessful) effort to hold onto a 1 goal lead.
I question this guys intelligence. He did the same type of garbage vs Ivory Coast. He took out both forwards with 30 minutes to play and a 2-0 lead. Argentina sweated that one out hanging on 2-1. Id think hed learn from that but nope. He pulls out the guy that runs the teams attack whit a half hour to go....
He got what he deserved.

In fairness to him,

I think the injury to the keeper really through him off and had a huge impact on his subsequent substitutions. I wonder what he would have done had he not had to burn one of his substitutions like that. And Argentina had a couple of chances to go 2-0 up and kill the game off. After one of them I turned to my friend and told him that Germany were going to come back and tie the game because they are one team you absolutely have to be ruthless with if you want to beat them. They just do not give up and will play hard the full 90 minutes.

Best wishes,

Doug

dougb · Post by **dougb** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 11:56 am

Not a very good first half but not absolutely horrible either.

England look to continue to be a one trick poney - if they don't score off a free-kick or corner they don't score. They've looked dangerous on the right side on occassion but there seems to be an absolute unwillingness by either Cole to get to the touchline down the left. Attacking up the middle is an absolute non-starter as it looks like there is very little running off the ball and frequently England have 3 midfielder standing together about 3-4 yards apart easily covered by 1-2 Portugese.

Lampard is absolute rubbish - can't pass, can't cover, and isn't shooting well (though he didn't have a bad effort just before the half). Beckham - is he even on the pitch? Hargreaves looks about the best midfielder for England with Gerrard and that prety much sums it up.

Tactically and technically Portugal look superior - but it's scoreless so England still have a reasonable chance - unless they end up going to penalties. If they go to penalties England might as well pack their bags now.

Best wishes,

Doug

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 12:18 pm

How is the Portugese diving team?...Im thinking it must be indredible..

Ronaldo gets a 9.5 for that last one..

The one thing I cant stand about soccer...these pricks diving ...

dougb · Post by **dougb** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 12:20 pm

MORON!

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 12:20 pm

Rooney needs to work on that temper..

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 12:21 pm

dougb wrote:MORON!

He sure is...

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 12:26 pm

FIFA really needs to address the diving issue.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 12:27 pm

Dave wrote:FIFA really needs to address the diving issue.

It is an ugly scar on a beautiful game...

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 12:32 pm

I think the ref may have let him slide with a yellow, but he exacerbated things by shoving Ronaldo. Stupid.

Edit:

Headed for extra time. I just want to type this for the novelty value, but it's true. Owen Hargreaves has really played well.

dougb · Post by **dougb** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 12:52 pm

Is there some rule that when England play in the World Cup some Manchester United player has to have a Moment of Madness?

Best wishes,

Doug

dougb · Post by **dougb** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 1:24 pm

The commentator keeps stating that Portugal's best chance to win is to score prior to penalties...

I can't imagine why.

Best wishes,

Doug

dougb · Post by **dougb** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 1:29 pm

F*ck,

penalties.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 1:33 pm

They should just keep playing till someone scores. Penalties in hockey and soccer are just stupid.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 1:45 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:They should just keep playing till someone scores. Penalties in hockey and soccer are just stupid.

God damn right...

Lampard should have to walk home.

dougb · Post by **dougb** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 1:45 pm

Well,

That was predictable. Thanks Wayne!

Best wishes,

Doug