2006 World Cup

I think I have seen maybe a half dozen spectacular plays the whole World cup.

US should never have shown it's face and rely on getting a Football program going in the states without all the fuss of putting on a helmet and padding to play "hit me". disagree if you will but it is apparent the American populace enjoys the violence of hit and go through a line than well thought out playing on a "soccer field". World football is exciting but the US still doesn't get it ..........

Sadly the Antartic did not get a team playing this year

 

That may be the case with Germany Beni, but in terms of team play I think they’ve been shaping up very well and, IMHO, are well poised for some heavy duty work. Poland didn’t have a good Cup this time, but they flew at Germany possessed. Also, lets see how they win....err....play against Sweden .

”I see my numbered bank account lads are still doing well.”
Unfortunate mistake on the part of the Koreans for the second goal, but, a brave and correct decision by the ref. Swiss forward ‘C’ had indeed wandered behind the defenders BUT was not interfering with play and would only have been offside if Swiss ‘A’ or ‘B’ (who were involved in the play) had passed him the ball. Then, ‘A’ attempted to pass the ball to ‘B’, which bounced off a Korean and found its way out to ‘C’, who scored. The linesman flag was up, but the linesman probably couldn’t see who the last man to touch the ball was. The ref could and saw it came off a Korean. Therefore, per the rules, ‘C’ was “played on-side” by a Korean and the goal valid.
Ha-so

If you want to go on about refs., how about Englishman Graham Poll who became the first ref in the history of the World Cup to give a player 3 yellow cards before sending him off .

Croatian Simunic was the recipient against Australia, but as Oz won anyway no real harm done.

Plenty of ageing players announcing International retirement, as usual during a World Cup, including Nedved . However it was right after Czecho went out of the tournament and he did follow the statement by saying ‘maybe’, and ‘he’d think about it’. Don’t think he will, there’s plenty left in the superstar.

Worse news for Italy’s Alex Nesta, doctors continue to run tests and fear he’s out for the duration. Meanwhile Di Rossi, who was sent off for a brutal back-elbow in the USA contest, has been fined @ $6’500 and given a four match suspension – meaning he’s not available for selection until the final should Italy get there.

Anyway, no more ‘not so interesting’ games from now on.

No.9

 

Holland out of the game, as well as Australia due to the last minute penalty...and Totti scored.



Talking about matches of mixed emotions...



Portugal missing a couple of vital players for the next game so England has a good chance of going forward...!!

And Materazzi, surprise surprise, was that a red card??

Today´s last game Swiss against Shevi...

 

Yes it was a mixed bag of games, but nowhere as mixed as the refereeing. 16 Yellows and 4 Reds in the Holland-Portugal game and Figo headbuts a man and only gets a Yellow card . And, of the remaining Portuguese to play England next, something like 8 of them might play with one Yellow card, so if they have another FIFA cr@p referee, Portugal could end up with maybe 6 men on the field!

It occurs to me there are profound problems in the Dutch camp. Perhaps Stev can shed some light on what’s going on or has been going on .

It also occurs to me the ref in the Italy game had been ordered not to act like the pratt in the Dutch game and ‘stamp out fouls’ early. However, it ran as a comparatively clean game, but, felling he had to do his bit, turned out a ridiculous instant Red card for Materazzi when even the bigoted British commentators observed it was no more than a first Yellow offence - if that. Moreover, a Yellow was only given in the Mexico-Argentina game when the offender WAS the last defender, and brought down the attacker with a foul 3 times more severe – a clear text book Red card offence.

The Italian penalty was the result of Australian stupidity. No way the defender should slide to the ground in front of an attacker INSIDE the box. He may have got away with it but for the fact when down he turned his body to continue to track the advance of the attacker. He did not trip the attacker as such, but he did give him a perfect excuse to fall over because of the tackle.

Ukraine and Switzerland was the most boring load of dross you could ever wish not to see. Sorry, but when think of all the teams who played their hearts out and lost, I wish it were possible for both these teams to lose .

Looking forward to Ghana v Brazil and Spain playing like they should.

No.9

 

I couldn't believe what I was seeing in the Holland - Portugal game. Both what the ref did and the Dutch team...

Well, the 16 million Dutch national coaches are having a field day, of course. Holland in this WC never showed their full potential. The automatisms weren't there. Midfield could not find the forwards....Van Nistelrooy was sacrificed due to a failing midfield in my opinion. Van Basten lost only two of the last 25 games, not a bad record, but his aim was to play attacking and domineering football, which was definately not the case.

I wonder why he choose this midfield. Cocu and van Bommel were not that bad, but could not dominate. Sneijder and van der Vaart played not very good. They never could reach van Nistelrooij who was isolated. The only attacking players we had were the wingers Van Persie and Robben. Robben was effectively played out of the game by Michel(?) just like in the last Portugal game (mind you, in the last 11 games, Holland only won 1! Potugal is our angst-gegner!).

We might not have the quality needed. We don't really have one or two players that can really turn a game around, like a Ronaldinho, Henry, Requelme, etc. (although they haven't done that yet). Van Basten started two years ago with letting go of a generation of "old" players and started with many new, young ones. I guess they lack the international experience. I do think in two years time they will have grown, but tactical changes are needed.

As far the Italy game goes; it is Karma. Last WC Italy was kicked out of the WC by a Hiddink-led South Korea on disputable grounds. Althought the red card was ridiculous in my opinion, so was the penalty, but alas.

The Ukraine-Switserland game was atrocious...Matched the level of refereeing at this WC (in general). Less said here, the better.

I also look forward to the Brazil-Ghana game. At leasdt that promises some football!

 

Brazil winning 3-0, but if Ghana had score when it was only 1-0 it would have been a very different game, I believe. Dida did same great saves there. And Ronaldo seems to be getting in better shape with every game.

 

I for one am looking forward to seeing Holland play in a couple of years time in the Euro, and the next World Cup.

Re Italy, it may be Karma but the 2002 S. Korean game was another awful FIFA travesty. For one thing Italy was disallowed a perfect second goal because a FIFA fool flagged it as offside. View the incident from any camera angle and it’s clear it was not – clearly not. For another, FIFA had brought in the kiddies ‘Golden Goal’ rule. viz. When playing in an additional 30 minute period you don’t play for 30 minutes, you just play till someone scores.

And, if we’re talking Karma, how come France won tonight . I suppose it was because Spain did what they usually do in major Internationals, and blew it .

No.9

[ 28. June 2006, 12:07 AM: Message edited by: No.9 ]

 

Brazil got outplayed, but still managed to win 3-0. I'm not a fan of Brazil but they keep wining.

Zazou did well for France against Spain, but does anyone realy expect Spain to ever win in the World Cup?

All I can say is: Forza Italia! It wasn't the prettiest game ever, but they got past the vastly underrated Australians and Italy is finding ways to win. I don't see the Ukraine posing much of a problem, and after that it's all up in the air. No one has scored on buffon yet, they seem to be doing well on defense and doing enough on offense.

 

Alessandro Nesta, Italy’s defence diva, remains on the sick list for their next match against Ukraine on Friday. Possibly he may be fit thereafter, though we might just see him on Fridays’ bench – ‘to take the air’?

The job of man-marking Shevchenko is being lined up for 25 year old Palermo defender Andrea Barzagli, which would leave Cannavaro as back-up.


It’s an opportunity for Barzagli to establish himself, perhaps in the vein of footballs’ original and unsurpassed ‘Denver Boot’, Claudio Gentile. Though that’s probably a taller order than marking Shev well .

Whats'a da probalem - one'a leg'a still works?

And, In Thailand police seek a Thai Azzuzi follower who alledgely stabbed and killed a Thai Ozzi follower in an argument over 'The' penalty .

Meanwhile in Wimbledon, Tim Henman was slaughtered once again while imitating a tennis player, 6-4 6-0 6-2. British commentators proclaimed how unlucky poor little Timmy was – after all, the other player turned up and had the audacity to play .

No.9

[ 28. June 2006, 09:40 PM: Message edited by: No.9 ]

 

I was really shocked to see Spain miss its chance again. They definitely had the quality players to win but somehow nothing happened...I don´t know, during the last ten minutes I was watching the tactics of the Spanish team and I think they never put the amount of pressure to the French defence like 3 attackers or more and thus the French never had to put more men to defend. Actually the French simply took the ball in the midfield and were not in any big trouble like they should have been.

I do think the French did play better and better towards the end of the game and earned the victory. Great smile by ZZ after 3-1 goal! Maybe Thierry is getting a bit disappointed with himself as he was looking at the linesmen and the referee after every time he was offside or lost the ball...Just keep on playing and stop moaning, man!

Well, anyone who is told to take care of Shevi I wish a lot of good luck...

 

Deutschland über alles !

actually guys I am looking forward more to the TdF than the world cup elimination rounds and final ......

hey put that rock down ♫

 

Do what! Now striker Vincenzo Iaquinta has picked up a minor strain in training and is doubtful for the Ukraine game . This gives Lippi the perfect excuse not to follow my advice of course, i.e. start with Toni on the right and Iaquinta on the left, then second half sub Toni for Inzaghi .

However, this all goes together with the right format. viz:

Already seen is positive networking on the left with Zambrotta at the back, Pirlo in the middle and Iaquinta up front. Zambrotta though, was played on the right when Grosso came on, as Grosso is a left back who’s not known to switch well. Solution, play Massimo Oddo on the right who is a natural right back. Yes we’re resting Grosso because I too go along with relative International freshman Andrea Barzagli in the centre with Cannavaro. I just know they are going to go for a flat back four instead of using a sweeper, just like I’m sure they’re going to put Cannavaro on Shev. OK, there’s logic and merit in that plan, but please, please have the sense to have Buffon in goal directing the defenders as Cannavaro won’t be able to do both jobs properly .

With a back four that’s going to start the game under pressure, my logic says you MUST play a midfield four in front of them. Pirlo’s on the left so put his AC mate Gattuso inside of him. With Gattuso in the centre goes Simone Perrotta and on the right, Simone Barone . Yes Barone, I can’t see why he’s’ been dissed as the man’s industrious, effective and makes intelligent forward moves – give him a break!

After Tottis’ goal I don’t suppose you can leave him out – and fair dues that goal ‘may’ just have been the required come-back catalyst? I can’t see him working hard enough in a middle four, so, you’d have to start him up front with Toni as Iaquinta is not fit.

If front men performances don’t improve this game, I would see Totti and Toni being subbed for Gilardino and Inzaghi – the old AC firm .

But, but, but – Lippi will play Zambrotta on the right and Grosso on the left, only three in midfield without Barone, and freelance Totti behind the front two which will be Gilardino and Toni.

Then if Italy win, everyone will say; ”Yeah, that’s the team I would have played.”

No.9

 

Germany vs Argentina...Wow, what a match. On paper Argentina should win but we´ll see how much the home advantage will help the Germans. So far the home crowd has been getting wilder and wilder and according to news extra working shifts were necessary to make more German flags because the demand was that big.

Italy should win as well but I trust Shevi will have a couple of tricks in his pocket. He definitely seems to be in great shape as in the last game they showed his face alot before the penalties and even after the extra time he looked like he could play another 90 minutes straight away.

PS. The TdF seems to be losing its stars. The news claim Basso and Ulrich are out because of possible doping accusations....??

 

Kai it is unfortunate and stupid that pro-cycling has the most dope heads of any sport and this has been going on for years. what is totally idiotic is that these bozos really don't even need this crap in their system as it has been proven that the arteries and veins plug with the poison when you climb anything over 6 %. Whatever, I'm going to form my own team next year and shatter the competiton.

Look for Team Psycho next year and jersies will go on sale in the spring 2007

 

"Don't cry for me Argentina - I don't cry for you!"

 

For a wild moment I thought that football had come over all sportsmanlike and gentlemanly, but the charming little brawl at the end restored my faith.....

 

hmmmmmmmmm my prediction of Germany vs England is becoming ever true.

let the street fighting begin !! oh they already have, I forgot

Germany over all, you maggots

now back to TdF action, hey man pass the doobie over here will ya ?

 

BTW, what did Oliver Bierhoff tell the Argentinian players? I mean Oliver almost got lynched!

Great game by Italy. Did not suffer too much to put Shevi et co out of the game. I wonder who Shevi gave his shirt to or was he too **** after the game not to change shirts with ??

 

I’m sure Shev did change shirts Kai. I don’t see it as a shameful game, Ukraine were just out played.

Did you spot the clever game play marking Shev? Not Barzagli, not Cannavaro, but Gattuso – his AC team-mate who for years learned the best way to feed him balls and therefore knew the best way to starve him . Did you also notice how Zambrotta went from excellent to brilliant when, in the latter changes, he was switched from right to left . I think for the start, Lippi didn’t want to risk the right defence to Oddo, so played Zambrotta there as Grosso has yet to show he can play other than on the left. With what is effectively a third choice central defender (Barzagli) to partner Cannavaro, he went for caution – choices being 1.Nesta and 2.Materazzi, respectively injured and suspended.

Re Materazzi, he’s back on line for the Germany game and I’m sure Lippi will play him in the centre with Cannavaro, leaving Zambrotta back on the right and Grosso on the left. Nesta being fit would change this, but unfortunately remains doubtful – though I’m sure he’ll be on the bench.

In the midfield Lippi used his Juve mate Camoranesi again on the right. I admit he’s industrious, but he’s quick rather than fast, and repeatedly seems to get lost when trying to get past defenders . I’d still go for Barone until De Rossi is available, but no doubt Lippi will stick with Camo.

Lippi pushed Toni up front as ‘Poacher’, which he did very well. I’ve read several reports claiming Totti was ‘his support’ (i.e. 4-4-1-1). I don’t know if this is the polite way of saying ‘Freelance’, but that is exactly the way it was. Totti was mostly useful and showed some very good touches, but, if he had never played better than this I can’t see he would have ever been picked for Italy. If you change Totti his logical replacement is Gilardino, but I still want to see Inzaghi subbed second half .

No.9

ps. Erich, could you leave your pump alone for a moment and advise if you’re putting any money on your prediction?