World Cup 2010 - South Africa Thread

[Shaytan]

To fire Domenech in 2008 was apparently too expensive for the FFF.

So basically, the team's performance at the World Cup (a once-in-every-4-years event) was less important to them than some cash...

How much did they pay him anyway? Is the FFF poor or something?

No idea, that's what was said in 2008. Actually, he must be well paid (WC 2006 plus he workes for the FFF since a long time).

I won't disagree with, I don't like him since he was responsible of the youth team when he made the team according to astrology

 

[Zulu Romeo]

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

 

[StolenThunder]

Italy duff again. Well done NZ.

 

[Ayelbourne]

Oh dear. The French team are now apparently refusing to train.

They trained before?

 

[Whizzer]

Well say what you want but at least the french team is entertaining off the pitch.
Now, if they could also be entertaining on it ....

 

[Shaytan]

J-1 (countdown addict ? me ?).
I'm finally ready to be completely ridiculous tomorrow evening...

I wasn't totally wrong. It took a little more time but the ridicule is here.
The entertainment is an unexpected bonus
You should see the drama on TV. Someone who is not aware of the problem could think that someone is dead.

 

[QCzar]

Is it safe to assume ANYTHING now? Spain defeated. Germany defeated. Brazil harried by North Korea. NORTH FUCKIN' KOREA?! England, Italy AND France looking like total shite (and prima donnas). New Zealand not looking like the abject failures they were predicted to be. Argentina the lone team that has, more or less, performed as expected.

This may turn into a South American rout, as they (BRA, ARG, PAR) have been playing much better football that the Europeans. But then again, slow starts happen quite often (especially with Spain and Italy), and thus it's too early to tell.

It's the fucking Twilight Zone down there.

 

[HappyDayRiot]

Go New Zealand haha!

More of the same please, Ivory Coast.

 

[Eyes]

Is it safe to assume ANYTHING now? Spain defeated. Germany defeated. Brazil harried by North Korea. NORTH FUCKIN' KOREA?! England, Italy AND France looking like total shite (and prima donnas). New Zealand not looking like the abject failures they were predicted to be. Argentina the lone team that has, more or less, performed as expected.

This may turn into a South American rout, as they (BRA, ARG, PAR) have been playing much better football that the Europeans. But then again, slow starts happen quite often (especially with Spain and Italy), and thus it's too early to tell.

It's the fucking Twilight Zone down there.

The other two South American teams are also hardly failures. It's entirely possible, although quite unlikely, that we could see an all-South American semi-final.

What's even worse for the Europeans, is that the only big team which is doing well is the only big one never to have won a World Cup before, the Netherlands.

However, while it's almost certain that France will be a casualty of the group stage, Germany, Italy, England and Spain are still within their chances to qualify, and now that defeat and shame are looking real possibilities, they might finally wake up and play decent football.

Of course, that's what I said before the England-Algeria game...

 

[Angel4576]

None of the European favourites really deserve to get anywhere near the final, with the possible exception of Holland. Most of them seem to have been of the attitude that they just needed to turn up.

I think we'd also be wrong not to mention the fact that there are quite a few teams there who're playing above themselves, and far beyond the expectations that many have put on them.

France will go out, but I expect England, Italy, Spain and Germany to all proceed. Interestingly though, some of those might finish in second, meaning likely meetings between Spain and Brazil & Italy and Holland.

 

[Danny99]

It is funny to watch France implode.

It is sad to remember Ireland could be here instead.

 

[Danny99]

The vuvuzela's sound like a swarm of killer bees.

 

[Zulu Romeo]

It is funny to watch France implode.

It is sad to remember Ireland could be here instead.

Ah yes, Ireland and the controversial handball in that qualifier. I never thought that karma existed in football... until now.

Incidentally, I hope France go out, preferably without scoring a single goal. Ah, a man can dream...


Speaking of teams imploding, it's not looking good for Fabio either, it seems:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8750672.stm

The Football Association expects coach Fabio Capello will resign if England are knocked out of the World Cup on Wednesday night, BBC Sport understands.

The FA is refusing to publicly discuss the possibility of England's elimination from the World Cup.

But privately it admits it is already considering its next move if England crash out following the Slovenia game.

 

[Danny99]

Well for being in a group they were expected to win, I'd be surprised if he didn't resign.

 

[Danny99]

Damn Brazil!

We need Ivory Coast to win to make sure Ronaldo and Portugal are knocked out!

 

[Shazam!]

LOL @ Kaka's sending off. That Ivory Coast player holding his face... it was like Rivaldo in 2002.

 

[StolenThunder]

Hm. Ivory Coast disappointed me in their performances in 2006 and have done so again here - but it's a real shame the game fell to that level of simulation and time-wasting from both sides. Leaves a bitter aftertaste.

 

[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. Italy's play was horrendous, New Zealand did what they could (barricade themselves with all men inside their penalty area), but considering the circumstances it's hard to criticize them. We got a bit of bad luck (the goalpost denied Montolivo a well deserved score), but we just didn't do enough to win. A shame, really.

Now we have our last chance with Slovakia, but I don't know if we have that in us anymore.

 

[Mach5]

Now we have our last chance with Slovakia, but I don't know if we have that in us anymore.

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.

 

[Starkers]

Thank goodness for France, and maybe Italy for making England look not quite as hopeless.

I'm hoping Capello gave as good as he got in the clear the air meeting tonight. Clear the air...for the love of God!

Can anyone imagine Brian Clough having a clear the air meeting? Sounds like the sort of thing Sven would have done. And was Terry seriously suggesting that England are shite because they're bored? Give me strength!

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...)

If nothing else changes I think Cole has to start the next game.