World Cup 2006

[FlaFlu]

Hmm, I read your post and I'm sorry to say that I think you're opinion is pretty biased, Aveslacker.

Don't be sorry to say that, it is absolutely true. :D

I don't think that Mastroeni should have gotten off scot-free, either. But I don't think that's a guaranteed red. I think many refs would give that a yellow.

And I looked at the Pope foul again; there wasn't even contact from what I could see.

In any event, the US still has everything to play for, and I'm happy about that.

And I still believe that the Azzurri were shameful today.

Hmm, it might be because of the fact that I try to get the best out of each football game, but I didn't really notice that many shameful acts by the Italians.

I think the red card for Mastroeni was a 100% red card. If you're not going to give it for a tackle like that, then what kind of tackle can you give a straight red card for?

The second yellow for Pope is worthy of a discussion. Although Pope did get the man first and then the ball, in my opinion.

[ZoefdeHaas]

Well with the new week starting, I'm very much looking foward to the Argentine clash.Hopefully some yellow card dudes will be rested. I want to see this line up:

Van der Sar
Jaliens
Boulahrouz
Ooijer
De Cler
Maduro
Sneijder
Van der Vaart
Babel
Kuyt
Van Persie

[DanK]

I can understand you're upset, Aveslacker, but what did the referee do wrong in your opinion?

There is no way the tackle by Mastroenni at the end of the first half was a straight red. A foul, sure. A yellow, maybe. But it was a heck of an acting job by whichever buttnugget Azzurri happened to have his pussy hurt by the play. No way that was a straight red.

And the yellow-red on Pope in the beginning of the second half was another botched call. Again, I can see it being a foul, but a card? Hell no.

It seemed like every time one of those douchebags fell over, the ref awarded them a free kick.

I do think he got it right on the disallowed US goal though.

And I'm pleased with the way they performed today. Wish they could have played like that/been as lucky against the Czechs.

It was definately an interesting match to say the least. I thought the ref got it spot-on on all three major card decisions.

Mr Elbow should be given a 2 or 3 match ban. He never had any other intention than to hurt the other player. The players were warned by FIFA before the WC that this sort of foul play would be punished (and rightly so btw). No excuses.

IMO Mastroenni tackle was a straight red. It was pretty bad, two footed and hitting the Italian player just above the ankle. These can be ankle breaking. I don't think the ref had a choice.

Popes was maybe a little harsh, but i could see how he got the 2nd yellow. Makes no difference if you get the ball, a tackle from behind and then bringing down the player is a yellow. I thought, though the ref may have used a bit of common sense and given Pope the benefit of the doubt. I think if he hadn't been given the 2nd yellow, not too many people would have thought much of it.

Where the ref let himself down though was letting the Itialians get away with there usual play acting. For once though, they didn't end up coming away with a last minute winner.

Well done to the US, but why, oh why didn't you guys show the same spirit in the first game. Good luck against Ghana, going to be tough, but the chance is still there. Hopefully Czech Rep destroy Italy and they get kicked out by Ghana or yourselves. Now that would be sweet :D

Oh yeah, and of course tonight (local time) is Brazil - Australia. I just pray its not a hammering. I think Brazil will come out firing to make up for the backlash from their last outing. I really think this ones going to hurt X'C

[carcajou]

Popes was maybe a little harsh, but i could see how he got the 2nd yellow. Makes no difference if you get the ball, a tackle from behind and then bringing down the player is a yellow.

I beg to differ. A tackle from behind should always be a red, that's the rule.

[aveslacker]

Unfortunately I have to root for Italy. If Italy beat the Czechs and the US beat Ghana, the US will go through. Unless the Czechs beat Italy by something like three or four goals and the US beats Ghana by a similar margin.

I wouldn't mind that.
:headbang:

[aveslacker]

One more thing:

Go Australia! :xyxthumbs:

[SE6Ajacied]

One more thing:

Go Australia! :xyxthumbs:

Yeah, I'll second that. I do want one of the African teams to go through though and at the moment that looks like Ghana. Hopefully Italy will be going home, their conspiracy theories and blaming all but themselves are always good for a laugh.

[carcajou]

One more thing:

Go Australia! :xyxthumbs:

OK, just ONE more thing. I hope they'll be eliminated. They don't entertain me and Culina stating that the Aussies were "going to break legs" or something like that before the upcoming game against Brazil... Geez... As far as I'm concerned, there's no room on the pitch for such a philosophy. I totally don't want them to hack and slash their way to the knock out stage, with all due respect.

[AjaxPDX]

Bottom line for me after the U.S.-Italy match... it was a game to be proud of for Americans. It was an extremely intense battle, and the team showed enormous heart, character, and fighting spirit. This was the kind of match that people will talk about for a long time and is what helps build soccer culture.

And now on to today's matches... go Aussies! :xyxthumbs:

[AsgAarD_xxx]

OK, just ONE more thing. I hope they'll be eliminated. They don't entertain me and Culina stating that the Aussies were "going to break legs" or something like that before the upcoming game against Brazil... Geez... As far as I'm concerned, there's no room on the pitch for such a philosophy. I totally don't want them to hack and slash their way to the knock out stage, with all due respect.

Of course there's no place for such a philosophy, but... who cares? Man, that's the part of modern football. I don't want to say that I like it or think it's good, but there are a lot of teams which do exactly the same. It's sad but I've noticed that during such a big tournaments as World Cup is, the only thing that reminds of fair play rules is that yellow flag on the center of the ground before the game... Look at Italians - they try to do everything to beat the rivals, including kicking, pushing etc. when the referee can't see. The teams like Australia, which are not consider as the greatest ones and - to be honest - with worse technique and players' abilities have to fight... And if you keep fighting it's easier to make a foul. Sometimes it works, because the players may be afraid of the next contact with rival. Psychological advantage is very important thing, so I can understand that kind of "tactic"...

[SE6Ajacied]

Well done Australia for getting to half-time with 0-0, they played well. I see Ronaldo was first off for Brazil as someone waved a pie at him!!!

My girlfriend has said that I am no fitter but I did point out that I am not on £30,000 a week + as a professsional athlete.....

I'd like to see Oz go thru - just worked out that Popovic (palace player) must live fairly near me - I'll pop by and say hello later!

[aveslacker]

Tough loss for the Aussies. I thought they battled hard, but at the end of the day Brazil, despite playing less than optimally, was too good.

But all is not lost for the Socceroos, I think a draw against Croatia should see them through.

[AsgAarD_xxx]

Call me stupid, but I really believed that Australia can draw (or even win) that game... Unfortunately, Brazil have won again. Majority of newspapers said before the World Cup that in will be their tournament, but - to be honest - they didn't show nothing special against Croatia, and today as well. But they are typical tournaments' team, which play bad in qualifies and a group stage, but then change into a great machine in the most important moment...

And now something sad informations - the players of Togo may won't play against Switzerland, because they couldn't agree with their federation about money for the tournament... It's really bad that during the World Cup players think about money instead of the games :sad: .

[SE6Ajacied]

And now something sad informations - the players of Togo may won't play against Switzerland, because they couldn't agree with their federation about money for the tournament... It's really bad that during the World Cup players think about money instead of the games :sad: .

I do agree on the face of it, but it's also bad that the federation (who have got paid up front) cannot agree to pay their players (a lot of whom do not play in Europe and don't get paid a lot of money) a decent amount of money proportionate to what they have done. I don't have the figures on this one but the federation will get the same as anyone else for qualifying and a small bit of that will be just reward (and a huge sume bu African standards) to the players for qualifying.

[Blind3]

The Aussies had their chances, but, as Sambacistas are known to do, Brazil took several of theirs. Culina's comments deserve rebuke and more, but full credit to Australia for taking the game to Brazil on a number of occasions. The Australia - Croatia tie should be a cracker...win and you're in.

RE: The Togo soap opera, the latest I heard was no boycott of their match v. Switzerland . Also, it was reported here that they've flown on to Dortmund. But, they missed an afternoon practice.They were supposed to hold an evening practice.No word whether they did from commentators here.

Couldn't tell for sure ,but I may have just seen the sequel to the film "The Italian Job" . "The French Jobbed" , about a WC goal that looked good, but wasn't given .Still , full credit to them for trying to play positive footie from the kick off. Henry, Zidane, Malouda, and Wiltord have all had their moments.1:0 deserved. 2:0 ...we may never know.

[ozzerdibazio]

well said carcajou. I totally agree. I've had enough of cynical, defensive football. Happy to see Brazil win.

[ozzerdibazio]

By the way, im not implying Australia were defensive. Or Cynical... well maybe a little! :bis:

[SE6Ajacied]

I think I've heard it all now. BBC TV just interviewed Rio Ferdinand and asked whether England have become a bit of a long-ball team. Rio said "No, we just know where to aim it" - obviously that means at (6'7") Crouch's head..........enough said!!!

[AsgAarD_xxx]

Marco van Basten decided not to use his best players during the last game in group stage (21.06 against Argentina). He said that he wants to avoid yellow cards for his first-team players.

[Van der Vaart]

Will Van der Vaart play ??

Edit : I saw in Voetbalzone ,some guys saying that the lineup will be

Sar
Kromkamp-Ooijer - Cocu - Cler

Landzaat-Sneijder-Van der Vaart

Kuyt - RvN - Van Persie


He should let important players off .Like Van Persie ,Nisterooy and Cocu
Maybe Van der Sar

[ZoefdeHaas]

Not Van der Sar.

But Cocu isn't fully fit, Ruud should make way to give Kuyt the proper chance. And maybe Babel or Maduro may be given a chance.

[jakobg]

Why should Basten not play his important players? I can understand that he wants to let the players with a yellow card rest, to avoid suspensions, but it must be a hell of a lot better to win the group and face Mexico than meet group winners Portugal in the next round. (I'm expecting at least a draw for Portugal against Mexico on Wednesday.)

I'm also looking forwars to the Sweden-England clash on Tuesday. England hasn't defeated Sweden in 60 years or something like that. Anything other than a draw would be the biggest surprise this far in the World Cup. ;)

[AsgAarD_xxx]

Jakob, Portugal is not in a much better form than Mexico, so I can understand it. Besides, no one says that Holland must lose a game against Argentina ;) . Maybe Albicelestes also put their reserve squad?

[ZoefdeHaas]

Both Holland and Argentina have great "reserves" (maybe Argentina better but so what) Babel, Maduro, Kuyt...Messi,Tevez etc.

So you can still expect a good game :xyxthumbs:

[Feest]

It'll probably be Tevez and Cruz up front for the Argentines.