Football - World Cup 2010

[Graendals favourite]

It was a shame, but the US has a very good chance, they face Algeria while Slovenia faces England. However bad England is, the US should win Algeria, and then none of this matters.

 

The true game begins with the play offs. Not that I believe anyone of that group has a chance, but still.

[Graendals favourite]

My Shoe, you did not yet provide a recap???

[Majsju]

Very well...

 

Germany - Serbia 0-1

An early red card on klose, immidiatly folloed by a goal for Serbia, pretty much killed this game. Germany tried to find an equalizer, Serbia just wanted to control the game.

 

US - Slovenia 2-2

Awful performance by the US in the first half allowed Slovenia to go up to 2-0. In the second half, the US started to act as a team again, and got back in the game. They should have won, but the assisting ref saw a foul noone else on the planet saw...

 

England - Algeria 0-0

I seriously lack the words to comment on this. Rule Britannia me bum.

[Graendals favourite]

England - Algeria 0-0

I seriously lack the words to comment on this. Rule Britannia me bum.

I think this sums it all:

 

A good Song in itself of course, but the US now can beat England in Football.

[Senexx]

The trouble with any world cup sport is that you have to put up with officials from other nations that don't know their foot from the grass three feet away.  This was very much in evidence in the previous world cup soccer so this time I am not giving the sport the time of day.

[Krakalakachkn]

Disappointing day all around.

 

I though Algeria was going to pull an upset.

[WWWwombat]

Still no word on who did what to get that goal called back.  Kind of odd when the referee calls a foul and refuses to disclose an offending player and an offense.

 

Apparently FIFA doesn't require the ref to disclose that info... stupid to me but whatever... I think the Ref realized that he completely blew the call and doesn't want to have to explain it.  Seems kinda babyish to me not to own up to the mistake.

 

This is reminiscent of Jim Joyce blowing the Perfect Game for Galarraga a few weeks ago.

 

At least Jim Joyce owned up to it.  Oh well.  With our final match being against Algeria, if we don't advance to the next stage it is on us.  I think France has been more of a disgrace than England.  Then again, France has Domenech.  I don't know how he thinks they're going to score when he leaves Benzema off the team and benches Henry.  I also expect England to come out strong against Slovenia whereas I don't expect anything from France.

[Krakalakachkn]

Well Australia takes an early lead

[Krakalakachkn]

AND DISASTER FOR THE AUSTRALIANS!!!

[Majsju]

Seriously, what is it with players and handball in the own box??? This is starting to get absurd.

[Kimarja]

It would have been a sure goal had Kewell not been standing where he did. Accidents happen. Australia played pretty well undermanned, Ghana sucked big time.

[AquilaInfernus]

So we can now confidently blame Pim Verbeek for the performance against Germany after the showing against Ghana. (4-4-2 is not an Australian formation)

 

I think the referees have it in for Aus. We're a threat to the football hegemony. 2022 is shaping up as a strong chance for an Oceania Cup, after we withdrew from 2018, and can trouble traditionally strong teams when we're at full strength.

 

It was pretty clear that wasn't an intentional handball, and Cahill should never have received the red either. What we really need is an overhaul of the disciplinary system to punish divers and introduce transparency against referees. Linesmen are improving because they know any televised game allows the average punter to scrutinise their offside calls.

 

FIFA needs to root out the european politics  :D

[Majsju]

The arm was moving away from the body, and that means it is seen as intentional. Only way to avoid that is to either have your arms tight to your body, or moving the arm away from the ball so it at least looks like you are trying to avoid contact.

 

What is wrong here is the rulebook, that gives the ref little choice but to penalize the player twice. The rules should be changed to only give a penalty, not penalty plus red card.

[AquilaInfernus]

Last man and intentional rule breaking, definitely a red card offense. in the penalty area = penalty kick. I still argue that it was clear the action wasn't intentional. This is where they need transparency for decisions. If I remember correctly the punishment is quite a few weeks for such an offense. All footage shows otherwise, I just spent 8 hrs watching it (while at work)

 

Either way, the referee appeared too eager to rule on that decision. If the referee could see how his arm was moving, he should have picked up on a hell of a lot more in that match.

[WWWwombat]

Great result for the Kiwis.  Loved the 3-4-3 too.

[Krakalakachkn]

Wood almost scored!  Such a heartbreaking miss!

[WWWwombat]

My money is still on Spain in spite of their early loss and likely tough Round of 16 matchup.  Also, the situation of the French team is pretty ridiculous.

[Krakalakachkn]

ridiculously hilarious

[Krakalakachkn]

WE SURRENDER!

 

haha

[Majsju]

The French situation is quite expected. Domenech is absolutely incompetent when it comes to even basic tactics, and he lost the dressing room years ago. He allows a group of the older players (Henry, Anelka, Gallas and Ribery) to control the group, and even influence the starting 11 (The players mentioned does not like Gourcuff, and pushed Domenech to bench him against Spain).

 

What is more surprising is that England seems to follow in their footsteps.

[WWWwombat]

Being part French, I always rooted for France, especially in '98 and '06 when USA got knocked out early.  I have mixed feelings this year as I feel like Domenech and some of the players sort of deserve what they are getting, but it pains me to see France in such a shambles.  I miss Zidane :(

[Kimarja]

Because Zidane is known for his impeccable sportsmanship...  ::)

[Thorum]

They have Benzema, Henry, ...

 

It's like a better kind of Belgium: good players, but no team.

[egwenes#1hater]

Viva La'Algerie

 

 

We still have a chance. Incidentally many people seem to think we are a terrible team and all i have to say to that is WATCH OUR GAME AGAINST ENGLAND ;D 8)

[Majsju]

Heh, the French situation just gets funnier...

 

Anelka is sent home after calling Domenech some things pg13 does not allow me to quote here in the match against Mexico, and refusing to apologize.

Evra being the captain gives a press conference, but instead of criticizing Anelka, he gives Anelka his full support, and instead talks about the traitor in the group who has leaked this to media.

Sunday, the team is supposed to train. When they get on the pitch, Evra first gets in a verbal fight with the physio, and when Domenech tries to interfere, he gets verbally slapped around by Evra as well. Everything ends with the entire team leaving the pitch, leaving Domenech with a letter to read to the press. The letter is from all the players as a collective (first time they act as a group!), and explains that they refuse to train, as a protest against the decision to send Anelka home.

Team Chief Louis Valentin resigns on the spot, as the players bus leaves the facility...

 

To be continued... ;D