World Cup 2010 - South Africa Thread

[iguana_tonante]

I think it's all a matter of motivation, really. From what I've seen, Slovakia is really, really bad, and Italy's destiny lies in its own hands, entirely.

Italians can still defend their title, if they get their shit together. If they finish second in their group (which they probably will), they'll go against the Dutch in the round of 16, and the Dutch didn't impress me at all.

I'm not really worried about motivation (we usually start off quite poorly and then improve as we go), but the lack of finalizing. We build a lot of movement but we rarely shoot for score. That's worrisome.

Other than that, I completely agree with you.

 

[Candlelight]

Ok, that was an embarrassing match. New Zealand scored while off-side but we got a non-existent penalty, so I guess it's kinda fair. .

Only in Italy could you pull a man's shirt from behind and have him fall forwards.

Great game. Great result. If Italy does this badly against lowly New Zealand I can't see them progressing much past the final 8.

 

[iguana_tonante]

Ok, that was an embarrassing match. New Zealand scored while off-side but we got a non-existent penalty, so I guess it's kinda fair.

Only in Italy could you pull a man's shirt from behind and have him fall forwards.

So you admit there was illegal shirt-pulling. By the rules, it deserves the penalty.

Great game. Great result. If Italy does this badly against lowly New Zealand I can't see them progressing much past the final 8.

Considering how bad we are playing right now, getting to the final 8 would be a success.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

NZ have been fearless today. Paston was made to work hard in particular. Well done.

Wasn't there an insane shot differential in that game? It seems to me that it was the NZ goalie that pulled out that tie.

BTW, I think there should be a ref whose only job is to watch for fouls and determine if the player who is fouled is embellishing (for example, holding his face when elbowed in the chest). It would be the job of this ref to kick that player in the nuts in response. I think it would make soccer better in the long run.

 

[Roger Wilco]

Haha, that was a bit embarrassing, Italy, wasn't it?

This World Cup is starting to look like "rebellion of the dwarves" or something.
[also: "reality check for African Football" - again only Ghana in the next round or maybe none at all... ]

 

[iguana_tonante]

NZ have been fearless today. Paston was made to work hard in particular. Well done.

Wasn't there an insane shot differential in that game? It seems to me that it was the NZ goalie that pulled out that tie.

Yup. I don't have the statistics here, but if I remember correctly New Zealand had just a couple of shoots, while Italy was in the double digits range, even if most were not very accurate. The kiwi's goaltender was excellent, and the goalpost gave a hand too. Italy was clearly the superior team technically, but in the end it doesn't mean shit. I would take winning while playing poorly over losing while playing masterfully every day of the week, and twice on Sundays.

Haha, that was a bit embarrassing, Italy, wasn't it?

Yes. Yes it was.

 

[Angel4576]

And why is Terry making the statement? I thought Gerrard was the Captain? (Keeps JT away from other people's wives and girlfriends I guess...)

Part of the problem I'm afraid. It's been mentioned many times that Gerrard's style of leadership is by example. Given his performances for England down the years, he's probably not best suited to lead then. Personally, with Rio's late withdrawal from the squad, as much as I'd have loathed to have done it, I'd have given the captaincy back to Terry.

Joe Cole is an absolute must for the Slovenia game. I'd have serious thoughts about taking Rooney AND Heskey out of the frontline as well.

The way that Rooney is riled up at the moment, it'll either be a magnificent performance, and he'll bag a a hat-trick, or the red mist will descend and he'll end up doing something stupid and get himself sent off.

 

[Orac Zen]

I read / heard a news report suggesting that New Zealand has the grand total of 25 professional footballers. If that's true, they're not so much a football minnow as football plankton...and they held Italy to a draw. Fantastic result.

 

[Roger Wilco]

New Zealand has no domestic professional league except for one club in the Australian league and few player overseas so that number sounds believable to me.

 

[Starkers]

And why is Terry making the statement? I thought Gerrard was the Captain? (Keeps JT away from other people's wives and girlfriends I guess...)

Part of the problem I'm afraid. It's been mentioned many times that Gerrard's style of leadership is by example. Given his performances for England down the years, he's probably not best suited to lead then. Personally, with Rio's late withdrawal from the squad, as much as I'd have loathed to have done it, I'd have given the captaincy back to Terry.

Joe Cole is an absolute must for the Slovenia game. I'd have serious thoughts about taking Rooney AND Heskey out of the frontline as well.

The way that Rooney is riled up at the moment, it'll either be a magnificent performance, and he'll bag a a hat-trick, or the red mist will descend and he'll end up doing something stupid and get himself sent off.

I see the point re Terry, but at least one news story floating around this morning suggested the players weren't happy with him making that statement. It's a shame that Beckham wasn't given the titile of club captain for the tounament, even though injured, because he'd have made a very good spokesman for the team.

I think it would have been a backward step to make Terry Captain though, and I don't think there's anything wrong with a lead by example captain.

I think Roony has to start, but I also think the moment he does anything daft or picks up a yellow he needs taking off. He can still take this tournamant by the scruff of its neck, but he could, like you say, just as easily do something stupid.

 

[Starkers]

I read / heard a news report suggesting that New Zealand has the grand total of 25 professional footballers. If that's true, they're not so much a football minnow as football plankton...and they held Italy to a draw. Fantastic result.

the guy who scored against Italy is basically an english non league player near as I can tell! Or has been...

 

[Angel4576]

I see the point re Terry, but at least one news story floating around this morning suggested the players weren't happy with him making that statement. It's a shame that Beckham wasn't given the titile of club captain for the tounament, even though injured, because he'd have made a very good spokesman for the team.

I think it would have been a backward step to make Terry Captain though, and I don't think there's anything wrong with a lead by example captain.

This whole issue revolves around Gerrard's suitability for England captaincy. For me, he's not suitable. Whilst there's nothing wrong with a 'lead by example' attitude, that's fine as long as you can set a good example. For most of Gerrard's performances for England it's been a case of 'why isn't he as good as when he plays for Liverpool'. Also what works against him is that he isn't vocal, either on the pitch or off it. The reports I've seen suggest that nine players got together and talked, a group that includes Terry, along with Gerrard and Lampard amongst others. I think it's Terry that's come out and said what he has largely because Gerrard wouldn't.

I think Roony has to start, but I also think the moment he does anything daft or picks up a yellow he needs taking off. He can still take this tournamant by the scruff of its neck, but he could, like you say, just as easily do something stupid.

I'd drop him for the next game. We need a proven partnership in the final game. I'd risk it with Crouch and Defoe. beyond getting us through it also highlights to Rooney that he's not untouchable. Perhaps the boot up the arse that he needs. Bring him back into the lineup for the second round game, thinking that he has something to prove again.

Let's face it, when we've gone out in the last world cup, there's always been a red card involved; Beckham in '98, Ronaldinho in '02 and Rooney in '06. Wouldn't surprise me if there's another one in this WC.

 

[Roger Wilco]

North Korea incredible so far. Portugal also looks totally shellshocked, can't get anything going.

 

[Starkers]

If nothing else Defoe and Crouch might unnerve slovenia somewhat. I just worry that if you then need to change things you'd have to put Rooney on, and he'll likely be more wound up coming on with 15 minutes to go than playing from the start. I do hope its Milner and Cole on the flanks though (possibly swapping over during the game) and apparently Upson will partner Terry.

 

[Angel4576]

Yeah, Upson playing now confirmed.

Playing Milner and Cole on the wings has at least one huge advantage, they can both cross! Why we persist in playing wingers that can't cross in decent balls is beyond me. Seems that we're obsessed with speed. SWP, Lennon etc loads of pace, no decent supply.

It's a fine line with Rooney. You want him motivated, but not to the point of becoming rash.

 

[V'ger]

Yeah, Upson playing now confirmed.

Playing Milner and Cole on the wings has at least one huge advantage, they can both cross! Why we persist in playing wingers that can't cross in decent balls is beyond me. Seems that we're obsessed with speed. SWP, Lennon etc loads of pace, no decent supply.

It's a fine line with Rooney. You want him motivated, but not to the point of becoming rash.

i agree, get gerrard with Rooney with Milner and Cole and least then we have a better chance of getting good shots on target

 

[HappyDayRiot]

North Korea incredible so far. Portugal also looks totally shellshocked, can't get anything going.

Haha. Oops. 4-0 and counting...

 

[Eyes]

Well, looks like its game over for North Korea now, unless they can beat what Portugal did to them last time they met.

3 goals in 7 minutes. Portugal is really playing on form today.

Looks like in about 25 minutes, the Group of Death will claim its first casualty.

Not unexpected, but NK put up a fight.

 

[Angel4576]

Is this right? Apparently Wolfang Stark is going to be reffing England's final group game.

How does that work considering that we could potentially play Germany in the next round? No conflict of interest there then......

 

[Angel4576]

Well, looks like its game over for North Korea now, unless they can beat what Portugal did to them last time they met.

3 goals in 7 minutes. Portugal is really playing on form today.

Looks like in about 25 minutes, the Group of Death will claim its first casualty.

Not unexpected, but NK put up a fight.

I want to know how North Korean state television is going to cope.

After editing out the Brazilian goals from the first game, so 1-0 win for them, and editing out Portugal's goals in today's game, hence 0-0 draw. How will they explain them not being in the second round? Obviously some nifty video editing is going to be called for......