[pokkeherrie]

In other words:

The tournament ends here, kokot!




edit: Van der Vaart injured, so Kuyt moves to the left and Robben returns in the starting line-up, playing on the right. Will he shine or will he be limping off the pitch before the national anthems are even finished?

[demonrail666]

Originally Posted by pokkeherrie

I really think video-refereeing to some dgree needs to be introduced. Certainly not as much as in American football (kills the game), but maybe something like the Hawkeye-thing in tennis, where the managers could dispute a referee's claim 2-3 times a match. Or at least a camera on the goal-line. I understand the "human error charm factor", but the modern game is played so fast and the interests (Champions League is a multi-billion euro industry) are so high. FIFA needs to get with the times.

I agree. FIFA has its head in the sand over this. Personally I think it should only be used to determine whether the ball crosses the goal-line. Fans like to debate wrong decisions but there's far too much at stake to stop goal-line technology just for that.

I'm not just saying that because of what happened to England - although it's fair to say that, while Germany were by-far the better team, had the first half ended 2-2, Germany would've certainly been the more cagey in the second half and England wouldn't have had to press in the way that they ended up having to. The better team won but that doesn't (necessarily) make it right. I suspect FIFA are just relieved that the England Germany game didn't end 2-1, making the referee's decision a tournament affecting one. As it is though, we can't have a crucial knockout game in the future being decided by something that could so easily be sorted out almost instantly.

[pokkeherrie]

Originally Posted by demonrail666

.
I'm not just saying that because of what happened to England - although it's fair to say that, while Germany were by-far the better team, had the first half ended 2-2, Germany would've certainly been the more cagey in the second half and England wouldn't have had to press in the way that they ended up having to.

Yes, that's what I meant. They wouldn't have been able to lean on the counter as much. Not to mention the psychological shock the Germans would have surely felt of being 2-0 ahead and then within a minute conceding 2 goals making it even again.

Mind, it was still bad tactics from England having 9 men in front of the ball during that free-kick that led-in the Germans counter-attacking to 3-1. You only take that many risks in the last 5-10 minutes, not when there's still half an hour to play.

What do you think Capello will/should do?

[demonrail666]

Originally Posted by pokkeherrie

What do you think Capello will/should do?

I think Capello will stay. England did great in the qualifiers and the players have proved themselves for their clubs. There's just something about the big national tournaments that makes them freeze. Although I've dismissed it in the past, maybe there is just too much pressure on England players. There's an irrational expectancy at the heart of England supporters. It's stuck in some mythical past with no real acknowledgement that the game has changed a lot since 1966. England fans see everything in black and white: either England are the best team in the world, or the worst. Most people are looking for a scapegoat and Capello's the obvious target - especially as he's foreign and therefore "doesn't understand the English way". God knows.

I'm starting to wonder how other nations' supporters think of their team? Is there the same pressure on Holland's players, for example?

[pokkeherrie]

^^I'll get back to you on that. Have to watch the game now. will edit in here.


I've just arranged to have the Friday afternoon off to watch the next game, so Holland better win this now.

[demonrail666]

Things could be worse (from an England/Mexico/Slovakia/USA perspective, anyway)

[_slavo_]

Originally Posted by pokkeherrie

In other words:

The tournament ends here, kokot!

Too bad Vittek didn't properly polish his shoes today (except for the penalty in the last seconds). We had our chances, but the Dutch were a tough cookie today. From now on, I hope for you guys to go far, because it's a pleasure to see Robben, Kuyt and Sneijder play.
I didn't like how some of our guys played today (especially Weiss, no.7, who is a very gifted and technically skilled guy, however he's too young and tends to hold on to the ball for too long), but there's room for improvement, as majority of our team memebers are under 25 yrs.

Brazil is not as strong as it used to be, you can sail through if you really try.

[jon boy]

In the jungle, the South African jungle, 3 lions sleep tonight, coz in the morning, the early morning, they have to catch a flight. No win away no win away no win away no win awa

[demonrail666]

Sorry to see Slovakia go out, although simply for beating Italy they're already tournament heroes.

Holland look so good going forward but I have to wonder about the opportunities they give the opposition. Although I thought Holland were the better team today, on another day, chances could've easily gone the other way and they'd be out. And yet, by not having to meet Germany, Spain, Portugal until earliest the final, they're avoiding all the most potent strike-forces. Brazil (assuming they beat Chile) will be far harder to break down than Slovakia but offer less of a threat up front than the teams they'll avoid.

[chicka]

Originally Posted by jon boy

terry, gerard, upson, ferdinand (didnt play but still), lampard, green, barry, wright-philips should never put on an england jersey again. some of them wont anyway due to age but they where just terrible.

How you can leave Rooney off this list is shameful. As I've said I'm new to this game as far as knowing players and all I heard pre-tourney was Rooney
was one of the top 3 players in the world. Right now it's tie between him and the Italians for the most over-rated players in the field.

[jon boy]

Originally Posted by chicka

How you can leave Rooney off this list is shameful. As I've said I'm new to this game as far as knowing players and all I heard pre-tourney was Rooney
was one of the top 3 players in the world. Right now it's tie between him and the Italians for the most over-rated players in the field.

i think that he has something more than any of those tired old men. he just didnt show any of it but looks like he can in the future where as the rest of them dont give a fuck.

[chicka]

As much as I like Argentina I think they are in serious trouble against Germany. Their goaltender sucks and the defense can get sloppy at times. Heinze played a great game yesterday saving a certain goal with his face.
I believe they're going to need to score at least 4 to get by Germany. I don't know how the bracket breakdown but the only team that has looked solid enough to me to win is Uraguay.

[chicka]

Originally Posted by jon boy

i think that he has something more than any of those tired old men. he just didnt show any of it but looks like he can in the future where as the rest of them dont give a fuck.

ok I can buy that

[!@#$%!]

picard was awesome, can brazil hire the borg queen to even the odds?

[demonrail666]

I really thought Brazil were awesome tonight. Strong in every area. Maicon and Lucio at the back seem like immovable objects while Silva is running things from midfield.

Brazil v Holland is gonna be a great game but I think, even with Robben's return, that Holland will have to improve if they wanna get through that defence. Never mind the fact they seem capable of cutting teams open on the counter-attack, almost at will.

That was the most impressive team performance I think I've seen in this tournament so far.

[Keeping It Simple]

Originally Posted by pbradley

 

Tree murders baby in Central Park?!

[SuchFriendsAreDangerous]

Originally Posted by !@#$%!

suchfriends-- the best team won, period. one on one, argentina has better players, and that carries weight even with tactical errors. the opportunities mexico created were wasted, whereas argentina took every opportunity & converted goals. argentina had mexico pinned down at the midfield so they could rarely make good plays.

I it was never in doubt that Argentina would win, but Mexico wouldn't have been slaughtered outright had they played a bit stronger like they did the first 25 minutes and the last 15 minutes..

Originally Posted by pokkeherrie

Hopefully it'll be a good match, yes.

To be fair, it would be embarassing for the Dutch to go out against Slovakia, but I hope there's no underestimation sneaking into the squad.
.

that was such a Booooring first half, it got exciting in the second when the Slovakians finally showed up.

Originally Posted by demonrail666

Sorry to see Slovakia go out, although simply for beating Italy they're already tournament heroes.

exactly. thats why I was happy they at least got that goal in the 93rd minutes, they didn't deserve to go out scoreless after having so thoroughly humiliated Italia! Peace out Eurotrash teams, Germany is getting knocked out soon, and Spain will join them. I am so glad to see Europe go!

[chicka]

Originally Posted by demonrail666

I really thought Brazil were awesome tonight. Strong in every area. Maicon and Lucio at the back seem like immovable objects while Silva is running things from midfield.

Brazil v Holland is gonna be a great game but I think, even with Robben's return, that Holland will have to improve if they wanna get through that defence. Never mind the fact they seem capable of cutting teams open on the counter-attack, almost at will.

That was the most impressive team performance I think I've seen in this tournament so far.

I agree 100%. Especially the last statement. Definitely the most complete game by all players. I love the way they just kept attacking the Chileans even when they were in their own end. Too many other defenders (USA comes to mind) just keep backing up until the box.

[gualbert]

Shh..
What have you got against Europe, suchfriendsaredangerous?

[SuchFriendsAreDangerous]

Originally Posted by gualbert

Shh..
What have you got against Europe, suchfriendsaredangerous?

what don't I have against Europe