*World Cup Game Discussion Thread* (SPOILERS)

[DaddyTorgo]

oooh. wow that's great defending by...Ayala? Nice...that's what solid defense does for you, cuz Drogba could have done so much more with that ball

[DaddyTorgo]

horrible give-away there. and kalou needed to do MUCH better with that ball, even if it was to not shoot. what a waste

[Eaglesfan27]

Beautiful attack by the IC. Very nice save by the keeper for Argentina!

[DaddyTorgo]

WOW. that was a hell of a save! Kita helped him though by heading it right at him, although he didn't have much of a choice.

[Cringer]

Nice knees.

[terpkristin]

SAVED WITH THE LEGS!

/tk

[DaddyTorgo]

END TO END FOOTBALL ACTION!!!

[MJ4H]

this is a Great Fucking Game(TM)

[DaddyTorgo]

whatever happened to Cambiasso? Real Madrid had him a few years ago and I thought he was headed for GREAT things in Europe, and then he just...dropped off the map almost.

[Celeval]

So far, best match of the cup.

[Eaglesfan27]

Such a great pass and Saviola with a very nice finish.

[DaddyTorgo]

whoa. beautifully beating the trap by Saviola!! and just a sweet touch

[Cringer]

poop.

Argentina is not too bad.

[DaddyTorgo]

Riquelme ---> Saviola = the beautiful game

[rexallllsc]

Originally Posted by Crapshoot

No doubt - as a right sided midfielder, he's one of the best in the world. Becks is one of the world's 40 best players - the problem is that the hype suggests he's top 5. IN the England squad, I would argue only Gerrard and Rooney are better.

Unfortunately, it seems that Gerrard is terribly misused by Sven.

I agree though, Beckham looked better than I thought he would today.

[rexallllsc]

Originally Posted by Critch

That was awful, glad it's over. England were pretty bad but never really looked in trouble either.

For the coverage, I gave up on ABC and watched the second half on Setanta with German commentary. I couldn't understand a word, but the screen wasn't covered in graphics and the picture quality was much better. I wonder if ABC intentionally toned down the picture quality to make their HD look better?

I think it was just that match, because the quality (non-HD) was way better for the Sweden game. I did notice that, though.

[terpkristin]

FIFAWorldCup.com RSS feed has an article that Villar (Paraguay's starting keeper) is out 2-3 weeks with a calf injury so is likely out for the remainder of the tournament. Talk about a blow!

/tk

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

whatever happened to Cambiasso? Real Madrid had him a few years ago and I thought he was headed for GREAT things in Europe, and then he just...dropped off the map almost.

He plays for Internazionale these days. Incidentally he was elected into the European team of the year by the European soccer magazines.

For those wondering who the others are:
Cech (Chelsea & Czech Rep), Cris (Lyon & Brazil), Lucio (Bayern Munchen & Brazil), Puyol (Barcelona & Spain), Juninho (Lyon & Brazil), Lampard (Chelsea & England), Ronaldinho (Barcelona & Brazil), Cambiasso (Internazionale & Argentina), Toni (Fiorentina & Italy), Eto'o (Barcelona & Cameroon), Messi (Barcelona & Argentina)

[terpkristin]

Here's the article on Villar I was referring to http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060610/1/7bdd.html

Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar is unlikely to play any further part in the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ after he injured his calf just eight minutes into Saturday's Group B opener against England. Villar left the field in tears after sustaining the injury when making a clearance under pressure from Michael Owen. Speaking after the South Americans' 1-0 defeat, Paraguay coach Anibal Ruiz said his first-choice goalkeeper would be absent for "two or three weeks," which could well rule him out of the rest of the tournament.
"The information I have is that he got a leg injury when he tried to kick the ball," said Ruiz. "He will take at least two or three weeks to recover. It is a calf injury."
Back-up goalkeeper Aldo Bobadilla replaced Villar and made several important saves during his sixth international appearance. However, for Paraguay the damage was already done with the unfortunate Villar having been beaten just four minutes into the match by a Carlos Gamarra own goal.

[Critch]

At last, two good teams and a great game. Hardly a stray pass, strikers who know how to take chances, great off-the-ball play, no 10 men behind the ball desperation defending.

It finally feels like the World Cup has started.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by MIJB#19

He plays for Internazionale these days. Incidentally he was elected into the European team of the month May.

oh i know he's playing for Inter. I'm just surprised that I dunno, he's not more of a "name" player, because he was SO highly touted coming up.

[aran]

It looks like Argentina has IC quite on their heels. I won't be surprised if Argentina scores another goal or two. They are just slightly sharper as a team.

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

oh i know he's playing for Inter. I'm just surprised that I dunno, he's not more of a "name" player, because he was SO highly touted coming up.

Did you catch my fix.

[Critch]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

oh i know he's playing for Inter. I'm just surprised that I dunno, he's not more of a "name" player, because he was SO highly touted coming up.

Yeah, I agree. I've always thought Cambiasso deserves to be ranked near the best, but he rarely gets mentioned. Always in control.

Real Madrid shipped out Cambiasso and Makelele and replaced them with Graveson. Mad.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by MIJB#19

Did you catch my fix.

yep

edit: oops but i didn't notice it. so nope

[MIJB#19]

Just saying that, for a guy playing at Internazionale making it into the team of the year means he does get noticed and does get a lot of credit from the media.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by MIJB#19

Just saying that, for a guy playing at Internazionale making it into the team of the year means he does get noticed and does get a lot of credit from the media.

true. i didn't notice your fix actually. but yeah that's enough recognition. like critch, still not sure why real madrid would ship off him and makelele and replace them with graveson (ugh)

[AlexB]

Just adding my vote for the best match (and the most impressive two teams) so far...

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

true. i didn't notice your fix actually. but yeah that's enough recognition. like critch, still not sure why real madrid would ship off him and makelele and replace them with graveson (ugh)

Because it's Real Madrid? They've got a feeling for finding good players ans not getting anything out of them.

And then your point is very valid. Defensive midfielders hardly ever get the big media attention goalscorers get. I honestly didn't realize Cambiasso had such a good season, until I read his name in the team of the season two weeks ago. If you'd ask me to name the 50 best players in the world, I wouldn't mention him.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by MIJB#19

Because it's Real Madrid? They've got a feeling for finding good players ans not getting anything out of them.

And then your point is very valid. Defensive midfielders hardly ever get the big media attention goalscorers get. I honestly didn't realize Cambiasso had such a good season, until I read his name in the team of the season two weeks ago. If you'd ask me to name the 50 best players in the world, I wouldn't mention him.

Haha. True that (re: DM's).

[Crapshoot]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Argentina v. Ivory Coast is about to kickoff.

And can I take this tangent to wonder aloud why Riquelme hasn't made his "big-money" move in Europe yet? I think if Argentina has a good showing at this WC he certainly ought to move to something more high-profile than Villareal.

FWIW - he did - he was at Barcelona, but they focused more on the fact that he's slow (and Barcelona has a great, up tempo system) and is a classic playmaker - Barcelona didn't play that way. He works well at Villareal, which is definitely a team on the up, becuse he has Senna in the midfield to do the dirty work for him, and all the plays run through him. He needs to be the focal point of an attack for his brand of genius to work, and it wasnt going to happen at Barca.

[Crapshoot]

Sweet!

[Eaglesfan27]

Wow. Nice goal by the Ivory Coast!

[terpkristin]

Wow, when they didn't convert that goal I was upset, but then on the follow-up they got it, that was a fantastic effort!

/tk

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Crapshoot

FWIW - he did - he was at Barcelona, but they focused more on the fact that he's slow (and Barcelona has a great, up tempo system) and is a classic playmaker - Barcelona didn't play that way. He works well at Villareal, which is definitely a team on the up, becuse he has Senna in the midfield to do the dirty work for him, and all the plays run through him. He needs to be the focal point of an attack for his brand of genius to work, and it wasnt going to happen at Barca.

right. i know he came over to Barca, but he barely lasted there IIRC and I'm just speculating that if he has a good WC then perhaps a team larger than Villareal will take another look at him and make a move for him. Villareal is a team on the up, but they're not a "Major" team. IMO he'd work well in Italy for example.

[MrBug708]

Yay!

[Crapshoot]

Dola, is it just me, or does Drogba looked far more inspired at international level than he does with Chelsea ?

[st.cronin]

COTE D'IVOIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[terpkristin]

Hmmm and all of a sudden IC looks alive again.
They looked dead on their feet for most of the 2nd half and then WHAM.

/tk

[Crapshoot]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

right. i know he came over to Barca, but he barely lasted there IIRC and I'm just speculating that if he has a good WC then perhaps a team larger than Villareal will take another look at him and make a move for him. Villareal is a team on the up, but they're not a "Major" team. IMO he'd work well in Italy for example.

Nah - cattenacio would stifle him, and while he could be a playmaker becuse of the slower pace, none of the big teams would accomodate him the way Villareal does. A similar example might be Matt Le Tissier at Southhampton, back in the day - although he wasn't in Riquelme's class.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Crapshoot

Nah - cattenacio would stifle him, and while he could be a playmaker becuse of the slower pace, none of the big teams would accomodate him the way Villareal does. A similar example might be Matt Le Tissier at Southhampton, back in the day - although he wasn't in Riquelme's class.

waving that off?? wow that was a late flag

[terpkristin]

IC just got lucky.
But it was definitely offside.

/tk

[MrBug708]

Oo..easy call

[DaddyTorgo]

aaaah, passive offside...i see. i was looking down typing a response.

[Crapshoot]

Yeah, looks offside - good call.

[MrBug708]

That was stupid

[Crapshoot]

Dola, this has been a great game to watch - almost as fun as Germany - Costa Rica

[MIJB#19]

Now that was a game. Too bad Ivoery Coast didn't draw, but somehow I have a feeling this is better for my country's chances...

[Crapshoot]

Originally Posted by MIJB#19

Now that was a game. Too bad Ivoery Coast didn't draw, but somehow I have a feeling this is better for my country's chances...

By the way, I still think Van Basten is nuts for leaving out Seedorf and Makaay. Seedorf seems to think (or at least seems to hint) that there was a racial element to that, which is an old problem in Dutch squads (right ? between the Surinam born players and the Dutch born ?)

[tanglewood]

Originally Posted by Crapshoot

Nah - cattenacio would stifle him, and while he could be a playmaker becuse of the slower pace, none of the big teams would accomodate him the way Villareal does. A similar example might be Matt Le Tissier at Southhampton, back in the day - although he wasn't in Riquelme's class.

Rumors have been swirling in England for the last two weeks that Alex Ferguson is VERY interested in Riquelme. Of course, I seem to remember him paying big money for a word class Argentine playmaker before...