FIFA WORLD CUP - Official thread!

[Taviii]

I said so too, but that result isn't indicative of it. The US played a good game against a stuttering but still strong Italian side.

USA-Ghana will be good. I can't predict a winner, though I'm afraid Ghana might grab it.

You know there is a saying in Romania:

"You can only play as good as your oponent lets you"

Italy did let usa play good because they didnt have a great performane.

Anyways they could go far, they always had a mediocre start in the group stage...

 

[CLOONEY]

Damn, that was close....
2-1 Holland-Ivory Coast

Nice game though.
Van Persie was definetly the man of the match. Fantastic performance.
Too bad Robben did to much solo stuff, he needs a good talk.

Are you serious?

I thought man of the match was between Robben and Van Persie. But Robben was given the honour by the FIFA technical study group, and argueably so. I think Robben has been the man of the tournament for the first two rounds so far. Everytime he touches it, he looks dangerous, and his runs create space, just look how free Ruud was for his little backwards chip. People seem to like to critisise Robben for his attacks, but he is always dangerous, creates space, and does it on a regular basis for Chelsea. Improve his crosses and passes in the next couple of years, and him along with Messi are my picks to Ronaldinhos crown as the worlds greatest player!

 

[CLOONEY]

Does the 18yr old Argentinian Messi play for Barcelona?

Sure does.

On other notes, I thought that the Elephants deserved a draw against both Argentina and Holland.

Ghana played well against Czech, but they had a few bad refs calls and the balls always seemed to bounce against them, not to mention, the game was close until that red card. Then it was a romping, lucky for the Ghanians inability to finish off and Peter Cs teriffic ability! Czech just didnt seem to be on, and they are missing their two best strikers!

Italy V USA, what mayhem! Dont think I can really take anything out of that game! But a good draw for US to keep their hopes alive!

Portugal looked dominant against Iran, but didnt seem to create too many good chances!

Mexico V Angola, keeps Angolas chances open!

Tonight we have Australia V Brazil (3-1 to Brazil I predict), Japan V Croatia (I am going with 2-1 Croatia, but hope Japan wins), and France V South Korea (2-0 France).

I also hope Ghana makes it through, it will add some spice to the tournament, along with Ecuador. But then again, I hope they go through for Italy (Italy is boring as FUKC STILL), although due to goal difference, that looks unlikely and will be sad to see the Czechs miss out! They play entertaining football!

Oh and England looked solid in their win, finally Gerrard turned it on! He could be a real force in this tournament! England has an outstanding midfield, with him alongside Lampard and Beckam. That being said, Owen and Rooney are both overrated IMO (I just havent seen much out of Rooney from what I have seen of him, he has skills, but like Cristiano Ronaldo, his hype has far outgrown his talent), although I think Crouch looks dangerous. England also have a solid defence, looks like this might finally be their year to do something big, but this year has some very very good sides! All the older veterans like Zizou, Nedved, Figo, Ronaldo etc will be playing their last world cup, and all the young guns are just blooming now!

What an exciting tournament!

 

[CLOONEY]

One more thing, who is Real Madrid owned by? Is it a syndicate of millionaires?

 

[three12]

clooney, is australia v brazil on at 1.30 on sbs? thats what i'm hearing.

 

[CLOONEY]

clooney, is australia v brazil on at 1.30 on sbs? thats what i'm hearing.

Yeah mate, coverage starts at 1:30, game kicks off at 2. SBS.

 

[DrMetallica]

Brazil 2 - 0 Australia

Really good game, Australia had some great moves...missed some close opportunities but none the less they played well. The last goal by Fred was impressive, that was the last thing I was expecting and Fred made it seem so easy.

France 1 - 1 Korea Republic

TERRIBLE!! France should have won fairly, that was a horrible call by the ref not to allow that goal!!! France got fcked just like it usually does!! Was an awesome game to watch though.

 

[DrMetallica]

???? The last goal was a Tap-In into an empty net from 7 yards lol

But a goal is a goal!

Sarge On...

Well, he passed it to another who kicked it and it rebounded to Fred who was wide open, I was expecting him to do a dance before kicking it in or backkick it or something silly like that because it was SO OPEN!! It was like, Australia played this really impressive game and then that happens...

 

[djbr]

Brazil 2 X 0 Australia

1) Fred was awesome. In 6 minutes the guy did what Ronaldo didn't do for 45+ minutes.
2) The game got a LOT better for Brazil after Ronaldo left. They started to play for real. Dammit, the guy lost SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES in FRONT of the net. Sucker.

My conclusion is: damn I am really pissed of at Ronaldo. Fvck you Ronaldo. Go back to your usual overeating (fat ass!) and let the big guys play large.

PS.: Yes Ronaldo was fvcking awesome in the past. But now he just can't do it anymore, and when he is in the field all the team get wrecked, dunno why. It was weird, the minute he left Brazil started to play like crazy.

 

[Charm&Style]

dude ronaldo has become a fat chipmunk. He needs to get back on training and lose some weight. I remember their first game ronaldo was walking the field >=[

commmme on now !!

 

[Derek Flint]

:yawn: :yawn: :yawn:

 

[CLOONEY]

ha ha, yeah Shez, I have seen those before! Awesome huh! Such skill!

Brazil V Australia! DAMN, Australia just has trouble finishing as always! Was a very close game for most of it! Robinho looked dangerous when he came on! Ronaldo didnt look that bad, he tried hard and ran a bit, plus he drew the defenders and put the ball onto Adriano for the most important goal of the match. Ronaldinho played alright also, he put that ball through to Ronaldo, plus he was the general all match.

Japan V Croatia was a good match I think! Japan looked good, but wont be enough to put them through, they desperately needed a win!

I think Australia will beat or at least Draw Croatia to give them a spot in the next round!

Tonight, should be interesting to see how Ukraine can come back from that shocking defeat! And will be good to watch the skill of Spain in action again! Switzerland should get a win over Togo also! I just hope France picks it up and beats Togo easily in the next match to give them a spot in the next round! Although they might flop out again, considering Zidane is gone for the next match!

Final round is on its way! Will be interesting to see how all the groups pan out! We may just get some super-powers going up against eachother in the second round! Game of the group stages though will be Argentina V Holland! Go Holland!!!!

 

[theory of knowledge]

france 1-1 south korea

last ten minutes had me on the edge of my seat, but looks like france won't make it very far again.

 

[Holland]

It'll be more a game of honor. Argentina and Holland are already qualified for the next round. Both teams won't take much risk (injury's, cards etc.). We might even see a fair game

 

[CLOONEY]

It'll be more a game of honor. Argentina and Holland are already qualified for the next round. Both teams won't take much risk (injury's, cards etc.). We might even see a fair game

Yeah, but both wont want to play Portugal in the next round, Mexico would be an easier match.

Will be interesting to see if players with yellows are rested or not. But either way, I think it will be a hard fought, well contested match. I predict 1-1, with Argentina topping the group on goal difference.

Games over night went as expected. Switzerland over Togo, Spain over Tunisia and Ukraine over Saudi Arabia. Hopefully Ukraine makes it through, they are a good team, just looked disorganised and flat against Spain!

 

[Nexxus]

Spain 3-1Tunisia
They're really playing a great attacking style and I can see them going to semi's at least, great game

other 2 matches I didn't watch, but I heard they weren't bad either

 

[CLOONEY]

Yeah, the Ukraine match was good, but I found the Switzerland match boring like always! Not to mention, Togo are not that fast or dont play as entertaining football as Ghana and Ivory Coast.

Spain should do ok, but fukc, they might be facing France in the second round, and possibly Brazil in the Quarters the way things are shaping up!

 

[SamePendo]

I see Spain currently as the strongest, they have very good understanding between them. Not the individual best players, but very good team work. Kind of like Mexico, besides Rafael Marquez, we don't have a lot to offer (as in STARS) just team work.

 

[CLOONEY]

Yeah, England played brilliantly in the first half! But their defence looked VERY shaky in the second half! Maybe Campbell and Ferdinand need to be used at the same time like last WC!

Spain look good, and have some great individual talents! Alonso and Xavi are awesome! Not to mention, Torres is great (he just doesnt get superstar recognition YET, as he plays for the team he always supported growing up *Atletico Madried*, and probably needs a bigger move to a bigger club to find superstardom)! David Villa is the second top scorer in the Spanish league, behind Eto. Raul is overrated IMHO. But I agree, Spain looks the most complete package so far in the WC! Only perhaps Argentina look as dangerous! But then again, you can never bet against Brazil, if they dont play beautifully, they still do enough to win!

Ecuador was disgraceful! They only wanted to have some fun, have a rest and loose! Germany played very well!

 

[Contender]

I can't wait for the match between the United States and Ghana.