Be it soccer or football, it's that time again, time for the world to temporarily stop and watch 736 men try and win the greatest prize in international team sport. I'm posting this right after the awesome South Africa-Mexico opener, and we've already got a goal of the tournament candidate from the game's opening goal.
At any rate, asides from the United States (naturally, it's my country), the other country I'm really rooting for is Honduras, my fellow Central Americans, though I understand they've got little chance of moving on. Anyway, hearing it from me, I'm picking Spain to win the whole thing, either David Villa or Fernando Torres will win the Golden Boot for top scorer, and England will not get past the quarters.
Posted by forced2smelll (Member # 34874) on :
i cant wait till they get spanked next week!!
Posted by blackHxC88 (Member # 15094) on :
Spain really took it on the chin earlier from Switzerland. I feel surprised, and yet not surprised at the same time.
The next match with the hosts and Uruguay should be good, if Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez (not sure why I said Abreu, must have been confused) get some opportunities. The commentators made a big deal about them before the match with France...and it was a 0-0 tie.
EDIT: Well, Uruguay ended up popping the hosts in the mouth, 3-0. Can't say I was expecting that. But my guy Diego Forlan came up huge. Tomorrow looks good as well; Argentina's up against South Korea, and France plays Mexico.
[ June 16, 2010, 06:19 PM: Message edited by: combine_hunter ]
Posted by Salvy_Mic (Member # 13384) on :
Well, so much for my pick. Spain can still turn it around, but I see something there that I really should have remembered going back to when they lost to the U.S. last year in the Confederations Cup, and also something I noticed when Barcelona lost to Inter this year in the Champions League (which I only bring up because it seems half the Spanish side play for Barcelona)....but they have a really hard time playing from behind. They simply don't know what to do. Spain is the best team in the world when they're in the lead, but in a pressure situation like that, they panic. Not good, especially when there's Brazil, who've repeatedly shown how well they play when they're behind and in other pressure situations.
With that said, two potentially great games todays: Argentina vs. South Korea and France vs. Mexico. The winner of the first game should win the group.
Posted by combine_hunter (Member # 39526) on :
I figured that the way Spain relentlessly attacked, they'd get lucky at least once and score the tying goal. The Swiss defense had some big onions.
I didn't see much of the first two games today. Looks like Argentina put a beatdown on South Korea, and Nigeria had a red card that essentially turned the game in Greece's favor. Disappointing, because I thought the Nigerians would have beaten Greece handily.
I'm hoping Mexico wins. If they do, the final group match against Uruguay should be spectacular.
EDIT: 2-0 Mexico! That leaves France pretty much SOL as far as advancing goes.
It dawned on me over the last few minutes that since Mexico and Uruguay are pretty much guaranteed to advance, they'll probably be playing for the draw. Maybe we'll get lucky anyway and see something noteworthy.
[ June 17, 2010, 04:56 PM: Message edited by: combine_hunter ]
Posted by Salvy_Mic (Member # 13384) on :
This whole thing is wide open. Germany just lost to Serbia after the referee sent of Klose in the first half. If Ghana beats Australia tomorrow, they'll pretty much go through.
I was conflicted about Mexico-France game. As a Salvadoran American, I can never cheer for Mexico, it'd be like cheering for the Giants (I'm a Dodger fan). However, considering I was also raised Irish, I don't really want France to do well. In the end, the ancient enmity that I have for Mexico prevailed, so I was disappointed in the game. South Africa can beat France, but they have to play the game of their lives. Hopefully, Uruguay and Mexico don't pull a Germany-Austria '82.
Let's see, England should smash Algeria today, and the U.S. need to win. We need to come out, go forward, and kick ass.
Posted by combine_hunter (Member # 39526) on :
That's amazing, especially after Germany's result in the first match.
One of my grandfathers was from Mexico, so that's my "connection", I guess.
I'd really like to see England lose. I don't think it'll happen, but it'd be nice.
One thing I noticed about the US team: the defense blows! They let Birsa go right in the kitchen and do whatever the hell he wanted. The European sides I've seen have looked so much more disciplined on both ends, whereas our guys are running around like chickens sans heads on defense and acting undisciplined on offense. It's a bit difficult to believe there were expectations of this team getting out of the group. Not impossible, but difficult.
[ June 18, 2010, 10:37 AM: Message edited by: combine_hunter ]
Posted by Salvy_Mic (Member # 13384) on :
You know, I'm just gonna stop making predictions, I'm way off. The defense is really bad, and with Torres being such a liability....well, there's still 45 minutes left to play.
Posted by combine_hunter (Member # 39526) on :
Two great chances wasted near the end of the first half, and they went down 2-0. Terrible.
Donovan got us back into it with a nice shot. But is he really the best player this country has put out?
EDIT: 2-2! SNAP! They have to keep this up now.
[ June 18, 2010, 11:39 AM: Message edited by: combine_hunter ]
Posted by Salvy_Mic (Member # 13384) on :
Fuck that referee, that's all I have to say right now.
Posted by combine_hunter (Member # 39526) on :
Yeah, that's understandable. He was inexcusably bad; I could recognize that without even being much of a soccer fan.
Edu's goal should have been allowed, and we should be leading the group. Now we're up against it, unless by some miracle England and Algeria tie.
Posted by Mona (Member # 8351) on :
quote:Originally posted by Salvy_Mic: Fuck that referee, that's all I have to say right now.
Completely Robbed
Posted by combine_hunter (Member # 39526) on :
Well, I was wrong. No miracles necessary; England just looked like dog crap. So much for that myth about Algeria being the weak link in Group C. I don't think the US can expect a walkover in the last group match, by any means.
Posted by Salvy_Mic (Member # 13384) on :
We need to come out and attack like motherfuckers against Algeria. They've got no real finishers, we need to take it right to them and attack before we decide to sit back, defend, and counter after we've got a couple of goals in the bag. It's crazy how good we are when we go forward.
We need to start Edu in the middle with Bradley and let Bradley go box to box. Put Buddle in alongside Altidore to begin with, then maybe bring in a midfielder and move Dempsey up front after awhile. Bradley is all man and Donovan was absolutely clutch, he took over the match right from the beginning of the second half. The only thing is that our defending is very shaky and unless we shore that up, there's really only so much Howard can do. With all that said, I hope this match was a real wake-up call, because we can't afford to start so slow. Maybe this'll light under their asses and they can go out and kick ass. We can do it.
Posted by combine_hunter (Member # 39526) on :
People in the media have been saying the Netherlands is unimpressive. So far, of all the teams that have two matches done, Argentina is the only other one with two wins. I'd take that any day.
I'm surprised Ghana tied with Australia though. Seems like the "weak" teams in each group aren't as weak as expected.
The US has to get Donovan running out early, I think. If he's really as good as he reputation says he is, he's got to be attacking too.
Posted by Salvy_Mic (Member # 13384) on :
The U.S. usually has Donovan create from the flanks, but yeah, when he does decide to attack, good things always happen. Coach Bradley is just very cautious.
Posted by combine_hunter (Member # 39526) on :
I think a cautious approach would pay off if the defense was better. Or at least not total garbage.
Ugh, Brazil plays tomorrow and I won't get to see it. I really liked watching them against N. Korea, and now they're playing a better team.
Posted by blackHxC88 (Member # 15094) on :
france, without Zidane, falling apart as usual
Posted by combine_hunter (Member # 39526) on :
From the recap of today's Paraguay-Slovakia match:
"Enrique Vera and Cristian Riveros provided the well-taken goals in each half as Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss' own cautious approach was heavily punished."
I'm surprised Italy had a draw with New Zealand too.
Posted by RJFoot (Member # 37988) on :
Brazil vs Ivory Coast: What a joke, referee fails to see 2 clear handballs for Brazil's second goal and Kaka gets sent off for what exactly?! French team have gone off the rails completely!
[ June 20, 2010, 10:41 PM: Message edited by: RJFoot ]
Posted by combine_hunter (Member # 39526) on :
So if Portugal wins tomorrow, we might see something good on the 25th when they play Brazil. Of course, I'm not sure they'll beat North Korea. If Brazil plays like they did today, I'm betting they'll drill Portugal, even without Kaka.
Another interesting trend is big-time players coming up small, or non-existent. Besides Diego Forlan of Uruguay and Drogba of the Ivory Coast (who even had an excuse for playing like crap), it seems like the "superstars" have done very little.
We'll see what Cristiano Ronaldo does tomorrow, though. Oh, and the disappointing Spaniards.
Posted by Salvy_Mic (Member # 13384) on :
Well, Uruguay and (for better or worse) Mexico are through, even though South Africa made a valiant effort to advance themselves. For a team expected to lose all their games, they acquitted themselves very well and if this World Cup were played anywhere else, it would be considered a more than respectable tournament for them. In the end, that big loss to Uruguay is what killed their chances. They lose that game 2-1 or so, and they're the ones going through.
At any rate, Uruguay is dangerous. They'll avoid Argentina and probably play either South Korea or Nigeria, either of whom they'll be heavily favored against.
Posted by combine_hunter (Member # 39526) on :
I kinda feel like Mexico lucked out. Backing into advancing like that is never a good thing.
How about that French team? Oh, goodness.
Uruguay looked lost in the first game, and then boom! They just freakin' exploded.
The games from yesterday were pretty good too. Portugal putting up 7 goals, Spain winning and looking sharp, and Chile picking up another win were all good things. It's probably better for the tournament as a whole if Spain and Portugal are playing better. Or at least, not as moribund as they showed in their first match.
Posted by Salvy_Mic (Member # 13384) on :
The U.S. game was amazing. Holy shit man, you want dramatics, there you go! Donovan is an all-American hero after that goal.
Posted by combine_hunter (Member # 39526) on :
High drama leads to high frustration!
Donovan makes things happen, though. Dempsey and Altidore played well, as did Buddle off the bench.
I'm surprised they won the group. So we didn't win the battle with England, but we won the war.
Posted by Salvy_Mic (Member # 13384) on :
We get Ghana. We can win that game! I'd be worried about Germany, but Ghana is an even match-up for us, and if we can get to the quarters, I think we can play with either Uruguay or South Korea. Again, it all goes back to defense, and ours needs to step up big time.
And a traditional power will be getting knocked out in the round of 16 between Germany and England. Should be a damn good game too, but I have to favor Germany there. Their offense can give a slow England defense all kinds of problems, and their own defense has been solid, only allowed one goal when they were a man down. Even more, the winners of that match likely get Argentina. Argentina's gonna have to earn their shot at the title, because Mexico is no joke, either England or Germany next, then the semis, where they could end up meeting Spain (should they win their group, of course).
As for England again, damn, let the nerve-racking begin. Potentially two games in a row against their two arch-rivals....I think if they make it to the semis and lose at the cost of beating both Germany and Argentina, the English might actually walk away satisfied at not winning it all. And if they somehow manage to take it all by going through their rivals, then likely Spain and Brazil....most legendary World Cup title EVER.
Posted by combine_hunter (Member # 39526) on :
Assuming we beat Ghana, we probably hit the end of the line in the next match. If we face Uruguay, Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez will be licking their chops, just waiting to pick apart the US defense. Then again, we might be able to beat South Korea. I'm not sure, because I didn't see a lot of them.
I've got Germany over England too. What has England done, besides suck less than France?
If by some stroke of luck they get past Germany, I'm almost certain Argentina would punk them. Messi still hasn't woken up, so they are very dangerous; even without an actual contribution from Messi, they swept the group stage.
Posted by Salvy_Mic (Member # 13384) on :
Are you kidding about Messi? He's been the single most important player for them, and the catalyst for nearly every single goal they've scored so far. Yeah, he's not scoring, but every time he touches the ball, he's drawing two or three guys to him at a time, opening it up for everyone else on his team. Not only that, but his passing has been absolutely instrumental. With a team with that much firepower, he doesn't have to score much to have an impact. And let's not forget all the superhuman saves he's been forcing opposing keepers to make on nearly every single one of his shots.
This would probably be my all Group A-D team.
GK:Enyeama
RB:Heinze CB:Vidic CB:Mensah LB:Lahm
RM:Donovan CM:Ozil CM:Bradley LM:Messi
SS:Forlan
CF:Higuain
Posted by Keyfeet (Member # 27313) on :
I dont understand the world cup. Why would people watch a 90 minute game just to see 1-1 tie?
Posted by combine_hunter (Member # 39526) on :
No, I wasn't kidding. By "actual contribution" I meant scoring.
All I've heard is how Messi is the "best player in the world". To me, that implies scoring. He looks more like LeBron than Kobe (to make an analogy to something I know a bit more about), meaning a facilitator rather than premiere scorer/game-clincher/clutch performer.
That said, I expect that he'll score more as the tournament continues. But so far, he's been as disappointing as the rest of the "superstars".
![[Laugh]](graemlins/laugh.gif)