World Cup 2006

[Albert Tatlock]

I am now wearing my 'roo costume in a gesture of support for the men in yellow. I'm finding the pouch comes in very handy for spare change, library books, etc.

[G_willy]

The problem with that is that England has probably the best midfield in the whole world, and David Beckham kicking the ball over their heads every time is a bit of a waste. It kind of makes sense when Crouch and Owen are up front together, but that's not going to happen now. He won't be able to do that if England maintain this new formation though as it'll be pointless kicking the ball up to Rooney on his own, so maybe Beckham's place in the team will be redundant. They are never going to drop him, but after seeing Carrick in midfield with Hargreaves in defence (which worked very well), Beckham really needs to justify his place when someone as sharp and skillful as Lennon is left on the bench.

 

 

OK, I agree with you there...he is not affective when they are playing a loner striker with Rooney up top. And you are right, with that much talent in the mid, they should be moving the ball up the field instead of playing dump n run.

 

BUT when you have a 6'8 gangly looking dude uptop doing the robot, a nice inswinger always looks good on their head. Beckham should be a second half sub with Crouch. If they do that, they will be able to get those late second half winners, like the game yesterday.

 

AND ANOTHER THING!

 

no one has ever said anything about the fact that England has given up 1 goal all tournement...people are talking shit about how they arent producing, a 1-0 win is production, any one notice a coincidence???

[Welsh Rich]

*has very odd image of Andrew in a kangaroo outfit and fiddling with his spare change*

[Albert Tatlock]

*has very odd image of Andrew in a kangaroo outfit and fiddling with his spare change*

If you're very lucky I'll wear it when I come up to Cambridge.

[Welsh Rich]

If you're very lucky I'll wear it when I come up to Cambridge.

 

At least I'll be able to spot you in the crowd!

[Albert Tatlock]

Australian just booked for swearing at the ref. Old national characteristics die hard

The Aussies just need to hang on long enough for Italy to start getting jumpy and self-destruct.

[Synthesizer Patel]

no one has ever said anything about the fact that England has given up 1 goal all tournement...people are talking shit about how they arent producing, a 1-0 win is production, any one notice a coincidence???

 

We've had 2 poked in against us, in the Sweden game. I agree with you on people being too negative toward England, but ultimately they have to prove they are better - I think they will, but clearly other people don't.

[Albert Tatlock]

I am disappointed that a shoulder-barge no longer seems to be allowed. The other player just has to fall over to gain a free kick. As far as I am concerned, side to side upper body contact (i.e. not obvious blocking) when going for a ball should be legitimate and allow the stronger player to gain some advantage.

[G_willy]

We've had 2 poked in against us, in the Sweden game. I agree with you on people being too negative toward England, but ultimately they have to prove they are better - I think they will, but clearly other people don't.

 

 

thats right...it was a 2-2 against Sweden.

 

England plays a game of possession and they do it well. They dont give up too many opportunities and when they do, they have soo many great players in the back that will chase down any ball. A good team wins when they aren't clicking...I have a feeling england will get it going on all cylinders and now that Rooneys back, I smell a goal fest coming real soon

[Synthesizer Patel]

I am disappointed that a shoulder-barge no longer seems to be allowed. The other player just has to fall over to gain a free kick. As far as I am concerned, side to side upper body contact (i.e. not obvious blocking) when going for a ball should be legitimate and allow the stronger player to gain some advantage.

 

Totally agree. Rooney shoulder barged one the Ecuadorians in the last game and the bloke went flying, I think that there is nothing wrong with that, especially as Rooney is built like a brick shit house, and he's never going to get barged off the ball. None of these FIFA rules fit into the British style of football though, they want to kill off the fun of the game, clearly.

[Albert Tatlock]

The red plague continues. A straight red for a wanton piece of Italian defending (though in truth not that bad). Are Italy going to blow up in a big tournament again?

[Albert Tatlock]

An Italian dives and wins a penalty. They win with the last kick of the game. Terrible outcome.

[Elixir Sue]

An Italian dives and wins a penalty. They win with the last kick of the game. Terrible outcome.

Totally lame.

[cryptique]

An Italian dives and wins a penalty. They win with the last kick of the game. Terrible outcome.

Precisely why I will never, ever cheer for Italy.

 

Too bad that the Australians had to lose that way.

[tugmoose]

That's a great match? According to the ESPN guys, it is. The play-by-play guy seemed to think it was a wonderful play.

 

If that's what soccer's all about, no need to worry about it catching on in the US. The main draw of the World Cup is it appears to be the world's biggest drunken orgy.

[Guest Laminated Kat]

Totally lame.

Didn't see it but had the play by play up. What a total drag for the Aussies.

[bjorn_skurj]

An Italian dives and wins a penalty. They win with the last kick of the game. Terrible outcome.

Well, the Azzuri have had a lot of bad luck in World Cups, so maybe it's just karma balancing itself out. Australia had a man advantage, and couldn't convert, so it's not like they was robbed.

It's not good, though, that the refs are playing such a pivotal role in so many games.

[Synthesizer Patel]

Well, the Azzuri have had a lot of bad luck in World Cups, so maybe it's just karma balancing itself out. Australia had a man advantage, and couldn't convert, so it's not like they was robbed.

It's not good, though, that the refs are playing such a pivotal role in so many games.

 

I wouldn't say that; they've won it three times. Now, we've had some bad luck (Maradona's Hand Of God for example, Penalties against Germany). I wouldn't mind the Italian's winning so much if they were actually enjoyable to watch, but they aren't.

[groselicain]

As much as I cheered for my team throughout, this was the lamest call yet of the cup. Should've been a yellow for the dive, free-kick from the goal, and start over in extra-time. At least then Italy could've won wth some pride. That was a hideous thing to watch. As beautiful as the PK was, there's no way any of the Italian side could really be happy with that win. I'm pretty disappointed... but I hope the Azzurri win the next one in a more deserving way.

[froggie]

Totally lame.

 

people are really pissed off down here about the call. bottles were been thrown on the big screens around the town that were screening it. it was obviously a setup to get italy through

[G_willy]

That's a great match? According to the ESPN guys, it is. The play-by-play guy seemed to think it was a wonderful play.

 

If that's what soccer's all about, no need to worry about it catching on in the US. The main draw of the World Cup is it appears to be the world's biggest drunken orgy.

 

 

 

...new rule on the VC, NO MORE QUOTING ESPN/ABC COMMENTATORS. They are all a bunch of jag-bags who refer to their "glory days" of the '94 world cup.

 

[m_thomp]

Been away for a few days so here's my take on what's been going down.

 

Czech Republic bowing out (my dark horses) - as soon as they lost Koller - and with no Baros - they were going to struggle, a lack of firepower cost them dear. A bit like if England didn't have Rooney or Owen..er, hang on.

 

Beckham scoring - well despite the goal, he didn't really do anything apart from water the pitch (I thought it was the Croatians with the exploding guts?) I just feel quite uncomfortable with the fact that he's effectively a specialist player - only really doing anything at dead ball situations. I don't think we can afford to carry anyone like that. Also, we don't really know if anyone else can do a similar job because Beckham monopolises all these situations - I'm pretty sure someone like Gerrard is just as adept at delivery and free kicks. I thought it was quite telling that Lennon created more from open play in the ten minutes he was on, than Beckham did in the previous 80 mins.

 

Australia v Italy - felt sorry for Aussies. I think Italy can book their place in the semis now as Ukraine 'shouldn't' pose them too many problems. The Italians though are one of the luckiest teams ever, they always seem to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, and play pretty depressing football with it.

[Albert Tatlock]

The main draw of the World Cup is it appears to be the world's biggest drunken orgy.

And your point is?

 

Very dull last night. Both teams too scared of losing. Lets hope Brazil and Ghana go at it hammer and tongs today.

[Guest Laminated Kat]

Lets hope Brazil and Ghana go at it hammer and tongs today.

I am worried about poor Ghana. I hope that they can at least hold their own. It would be a shame to see their "tongs" wiped all over the pitch.

[cryptique]

I am worried about poor Ghana. I hope that they can at least hold their own. It would be a shame to see their "tongs" wiped all over the pitch.

I think Ghana will give Brazil all they can handle -- though with Essien out after two yellows, they won't have quite enough to upset them.