Thoughts on WC2006 so far....

[pagey]

Germany: Great going forward but I think will be caught out in defense against a better opposition.

Was impressed with Argentina and Ivory Coast. Good fast pace to the game.

England, Portugal and Holland disappointed me a lot. I know its three points and a win in the first game is very important but they all scored within the first 20mins and then did nothing for the rest of the game. Will be punished if they play like that against greater opposition.

Poland didn't start playing till they were 2-0 down and their defense looks shaky.

Costa Rica, Angola, Paraguay, Iran and T&T there to make up the numbers.

Shocked at how poor Sweden were. No urgency in them until there was 10mins to go.

Mexico in the second half yesterday were great but not getting carried away cus of the opposition they were playing.

How frustrating were Serb&Monte to watch. How many free kicks did they waste. Played well up to the final ball into the box.

[therock67]

I've seen precious little of the tournament so far because I was at a wedding on Saturday and yesterday's games were terrible. Flicking between Cork v Limerick and the soccer yesterday was horrific - no quality on either station.

Agreed on Germany - very tidy and dangerous attacking but they need to sort out the defence - still it's not as though it's a new problem and I think they'll improve over the tournament from playing together. Klose looks razor sharp as predicted.

Disappointed to be missing Australia v Japan today because that has the potential to be a cracker - I think Japan will shade it.

[whyohwhy]

Its been more entertaining than the previous World Cup so far.

Tis good to see the african nations doing reasonable so far, delighted to see them battering (physically) Portugal last night. Hopefully one of em will, at least, get out of their group.

The Germans will be entertaining and should be capable of scoring more with Balllack back for the Polish game.

Engerland were shoite.

Holland looked disjointed at times. Argies best so far along with Mexico.

Delighted, absolutely delighted, to see one of the Serbian & Montenegro players booked for trying to get a player booked. Fooking hate that.

On another matter, I think this is my last post as 'Pat Spillane'. Gutted.

[eamo]

Argentina and Ivory Coast was by far and away the best match so far. I was greatly impressed with Argentina until they decided to shut up shop. I think that it is between the Ivory Coast and Holland for the second spot there. Kolo Toure was fantastic. He must be up there with the best defenders around at the moment.

Apart from that nothing more to report. I read Hugh McEllvany yesterday in the Times on recommendation by Rock and was hugely impressed with what he said. He basically said that England were muck. Anyone see Hansen for the England game? Disgraceful is the only word for it. He went on about how seeing the St George's flags sent a tingle down his spine.

[whyohwhy]

Click on the result, then on the ball icon and then play. See all the goals

coupedumonde2006.topela.info/index.php

[therock67]

whyohwhy said:

Click on the result, then on the ball icon and then play. See all the goals

coupedumonde2006.topela.info/index.php

won't work for me in work but that's a smashing link.

[pagey]

Exalt for that link. Good work.

[lyonsee]

England have been absolutely shit - no invention and no plan B. If Germany do not beat Ecuador they will finish 2nd. If England then were to finish 1st in their group they will be knocked out by Germany.

Pissed off I'm missing Argentina today - they are in with a shout. Brazil were very disappointing although still favourites for me, just shading Argentina.

Only saw highlights of the Spain game but Ukraine did fashion a lot of chances so maybe the 4-0 scoreline flattered them. Still wouldn't rule them out - they looked very, very good. As I said in another thread 14/1 is/was good value.

Italy impressed me against a very solid Ghana side. Italy are so defensively solid that they'll be very difficult to beat.

[steamboatsam]

just been watching a bit of the Argies game, they're an absolute joy to watch. superb football

[pagey]

Heard Cambiasso's goal was meant to be a cracker. 4-0 now that is some thumping.

[therock67]

Sounds like an awesome display from all accounts. This is from the Guardian's minute by minute:

29 mins - Argentina 2 - 0 Serbia and Montenegro How the f**k am I supposed to describe that? The goal of the tournament so far and quite possibly the greatest goal I've ever seen.

31 mins: Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Back-heel from Crespo. Cambiasso ... goal!

With 24 short, high speed passes, the blurry shapes that are assorted Argentina players carve open Serbia and Montengro, before Cambiasso pulls the trigger from the edge of the penalty area. The Serbia and Montenegro players were left standing like statues they were so mesmerised. Make it your business to see that goal - it was unbelievably good.

[pagey]

6-0 What am doing in work. Can't wait to see the highlights tonight. Did anyone on here back the Argies??

[bandage]

That sounds like a superb goal. 6-0 now fooking hell. Got Serbia in the work sweep so I'm delighted - in with a shout for the prize for last. Great to see Messi back too.

[therock67]

pagey said:

6-0 What am doing in work. Can't wait to see the highlights tonight. Did anyone on here back the Argies??

I have Argies with Crespo as top scorer at 33/1

[bandage]

pagey said:

6-0 What am doing in work. Can't wait to see the highlights tonight. Did anyone on here back the Argies??

Have €20 quid at 17/2. They better keep this up. Serbia only conceded 1 goal in 10 qualifiers. Ha

[steamboatsam]

admin said:

pagey said:

6-0 What am doing in work. Can't wait to see the highlights tonight. Did anyone on here back the Argies??

I have Argies with Crespo as top scorer at 33/1

also have Argies with Crespo...... @ 40/1

[therock67]

steamboatsam said:

admin said:

I have Argies with Crespo as top scorer at 33/1

also have Argies with Crespo...... @ 40/1

Frantically checked my odds there and I can confirm I have 40/1 also. That's brightened up my day a little cause I hate getting shit odds.

[eamo]

admin said:

Sounds like an awesome display from all accounts. This is from the Guardian's minute by minute:

29 mins - Argentina 2 - 0 Serbia and Montenegro How the f**k am I supposed to describe that? The goal of the tournament so far and quite possibly the greatest goal I've ever seen.

31 mins: Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping. Back-heel from Crespo. Cambiasso ... goal!

With 24 short, high speed passes, the blurry shapes that are assorted Argentina players carve open Serbia and Montengro, before Cambiasso pulls the trigger from the edge of the penalty area. The Serbia and Montenegro players were left standing like statues they were so mesmerised. Make it your business to see that goal - it was unbelievably good.

This from the BBC

Argentina gave a master class of passing skills to double their lead with the sweetest of goals.

They patiently strung together 21 passes before Juan Pablo Riquelme fed Saviola who slipped a pass inside for Cambiasso. The Inter midfielder knocked the ball into Crespo who backheeled a return pass into his path to thump in a goal from 12 yards.

I reckon that we could well be looking at the WC winners here. Hopefully - if Tunisia don't win it!

[briantinnion]

Don't miss the highlights tonight, team goal of the tournament, to use a Mick Wallace phrase it was "orgasmic", a pleasure to watch, god bless study leave.

Delighted Tevez scored as soon as I took him off my (atocious) fantasy league team too.

[iamthelaw]

lyonsee said:

England have been absolutely shit - no invention and no plan B. If Germany do not beat Ecuador they will finish 2nd. If England then were to finish 1st in their group they will be knocked out by Germany.

Still hoping (for monetary reasons) for Sweden to top that pool, but at the moment (& I'm setting myself up for a fall here), out of England, Sweden, Ecuador & Germany, I think Ecuador are the best team.

[pagey]

What a performance from the US of A on saturday night. The ref was an absolute disgrace. IMO the first 2 red cards were warranted but sending of the Pope was a bit much. Fed up with the Italians diving and then rolling around on the ground. For a team down to 9men for 45mins they didn't sit back and defend until the last 5mins or so. McBride was absolutely shattered. Great to see Bruce on the sideline, when they had their goal disallowed him running up and pointing at the ref, cursing. I actaully thought it was a good match, although Giles said it was the worst match so far.

Brazil I think have not lived up to expectation. I'm hoping they can switch it on come 2nd round. Also everyones name in the squad sounds cool (Dida, Adriano, Kaka, Ze Roberto etc) and then you have FRED!! Whats the craic there?

Japan looked good but unfortunately couldn't finish. Reckon Aussies should at least get a draw out of Croatia. They didn't look that great.

Can't wait to see Spain tonight to see how really good they are. Expecting a 4-0 or more win.

Ghana looked great and reckon they will do enough to get through. So pissed off that the match is on at 3pm Thurs. That and the France group are the only two that are tight.

[therock67]

pagey said:

What a performance from the US of A on saturday night. The ref was an absolute disgrace. IMO the first 2 red cards were warranted but sending of the Pope was a bit much. Fed up with the Italians diving and then rolling around on the ground. For a team down to 9men for 45mins they didn't sit back and defend until the last 5mins or so. McBride was absolutely shattered. Great to see Bruce on the sideline, when they had their goal disallowed him running up and pointing at the ref, cursing. I actaully thought it was a good match, although Giles said it was the worst match so far.

Brazil I think have not lived up to expectation. I'm hoping they can switch it on come 2nd round. Also everyones name in the squad sounds cool (Dida, Adriano, Kaka, Ze Roberto etc) and then you have FRED!! Whats the craic there?

Japan looked good but unfortunately couldn't finish. Reckon Aussies should at least get a draw out of Croatia. They didn't look that great.

Can't wait to see Spain tonight to see how really good they are. Expecting a 4-0 or more win.

Ghana looked great and reckon they will do enough to get through. So pissed off that the match is on at 3pm Thurs. That and the France group are the only two that are tight.

I thought all the red cards were deserved to be honest. Pope got a bit of ball in the end but it was a ridiculous challenge to make when he was already on a yellow - asking for trouble. Italians were very poor.

Ghana were excellent - they could and should have hammered Czech. This last round of games looks like it will be very poor in general now because as you say there aren't many tight groups. They should abandon this geographical diversity crap and just go back to old fashioned seedings.

[whyohwhy]

whyohwhy said:

Click on the result, then on the ball icon and then play. See all the goals

coupedumonde2006.topela.info/index.php

site has been changed, now its www.11football.com/coupedumonde2006/

Alas Cambiassos goal doesnt show all 24 passes, just the last few

[whyohwhy]

whyohwhy said:

whyohwhy said:

Click on the result, then on the ball icon and then play. See all the goals

coupedumonde2006.topela.info/index.php

site has been changed, now its www.11football.com/coupedumonde2006/

Alas Cambiassos goal doesnt show all 24 passes, just the last few

www.houseofharry.com/camb.html

for all 24 passes, argentinian commentary, commentator does his nut. great stuff

[iamthelaw]

pagey said:

What a performance from the US of A on saturday night. The ref was an absolute disgrace. IMO the first 2 red cards were warranted but sending of the Pope was a bit much. Fed up with the Italians diving and then rolling around on the ground. For a team down to 9men for 45mins they didn't sit back and defend until the last 5mins or so. McBride was absolutely shattered. Great to see Bruce on the sideline, when they had their goal disallowed him running up and pointing at the ref, cursing. I actaully thought it was a good match, although Giles said it was the worst match so far.

Brazil I think have not lived up to expectation. I'm hoping they can switch it on come 2nd round. Also everyones name in the squad sounds cool (Dida, Adriano, Kaka, Ze Roberto etc) and then you have FRED!! Whats the craic there?

Japan looked good but unfortunately couldn't finish. Reckon Aussies should at least get a draw out of Croatia. They didn't look that great.

Can't wait to see Spain tonight to see how really good they are. Expecting a 4-0 or more win.

Ghana looked great and reckon they will do enough to get through. So pissed off that the match is on at 3pm Thurs. That and the France group are the only two that are tight.

Thought Arena was a disgrace. Hurling abuse at the officials on every possible occasion and I didn't see any occasion where he was right. Thought Pope's challenge was reckless and merited the second yellow, and the goal was correctly disallowed too. I enjoyed the game though and was glad the US got something out of it.

Ghana were class. I think they'll take Brazil in the 2nd round if they face them. Not sure how cool i'd find it if my parents had named me "Kaka".

Thought Spain were class in the 2nd half tonight in the face of adversity. Aragones made the brave calls (unlike Domenech the previous night) and they changed the game. Don't know how Luis Garcia was in the side, or how Fabregas was not, but I think they're a stronger side now than they were before the game. Torres has got on to a nice goal streak now too, and Saudi Arabia up next.