The 2010 FIFA World Cup thread (will contain spoilers)

[cartman]

Playing conditions look bad in the Italy-Paraguay match. 45 degrees and raining.

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by Kodos

Wow. Sounds like the horns are another reason to ignore South Africa.

Fixed.

[cartman]

Wow, great goal there by Paraguay. Nice cross in off of a set piece kick, and the guy got a perfect header into the top corner.

[Big Fo]

Alcarez gives Paraguay a 1-0 just before halftime with a well-placed header off a free kick. Italy have had more possession but aren't doing a whole lot with it.

[Logan]

Sick play.

[jbergey22]

This is why I dont understand soccer and why everyone says it is such a tactical game. Italy has dominated this entire first half and are losing 1-0 which will likely be the final result for the game.

Some of these goals in the world cup just make me laugh. Perhaps the talent is too great for a good team to run a solid offense but it seems most of these goals are fluky if a team does score.

[Blade6119]

Originally Posted by jbergey22

This is why I dont understand soccer and why everyone says it is such a tactical game. Italy has dominated this entire first half and are losing 1-0 which will likely be the final result for the game.

Well that happens in any sport, one team dominates and the other team gets a luck hit/shot/pass/etc...upsets against the flow of the game happen in every sport.

[jbergey22]

Originally Posted by Blade6119

Well that happens in any sport, one team dominates and the other team gets a luck hit/shot/pass/etc...upsets against the flow of the game happen in every sport.

I would compare it to the Colts in the NFL controlling possession for 45 minutes until a team like the Rams sack Manning, cause a fumble, and kick a FG to win 3-0.

These World Cup goals just seem fluky. They dont seem to come from a well run offense other than Germany. Perhaps its because the talent is so great it makes the offenses unproductive.

[Galaxy]

Originally Posted by Big Fo

Last night I read a few articles which said FIFA is considering banning the vuvuzelas because of possible ear damage it might cause for the spectators. I don't mind them much but it'd be nice if they were done away with so people can stop complaining about them and focus on the games.




Nicely done.

How long are they going to take to make the ban? The final?

[Masked]

Originally Posted by jbergey22

I would compare it to the Colts in the NFL controlling possession for 45 minutes until a team like the Rams sack Manning, cause a fumble, and kick a FG to win 3-0.

These World Cup goals just seem fluky. They dont seem to come from a well run offense other than Germany. Perhaps its because the talent is so great it makes the offenses unproductive.

A better comparison might be a team that moves the ball between the 20's and keeps settling for field goals and ultimately loses 10 to 9 (i.e. a very low scoring football game).

[Crapshoot]

On another note, is there really any neutral that's not happy to see Italy losing? Most disliked team or what? I'd rather see North Korea win the tournament than the Italians.

[Galaxy]

Lot of empty seats.

[Big Fo]

Originally Posted by Galaxy

How long are they going to take to make the ban? The final?

They didn't say, I think it's just being considered at this point.

Buffon has been subbed at halftime, hopefully it's not too serious.

[Celeval]

Buffon subbed out - injury?

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by jbergey22

I would compare it to the Colts in the NFL controlling possession for 45 minutes until a team like the Rams sack Manning, cause a fumble, and kick a FG to win 3-0.

These World Cup goals just seem fluky. They dont seem to come from a well run offense other than Germany. Perhaps its because the talent is so great it makes the offenses unproductive.

1) New ball is causing some problems. I don't think there is any doubt some of the outfield players are having a tough time judging some headers.

2) Play has been conservative so far. Nobody taking a lot of chances. Teams want to win or draw their first match.

3) Things like this happen in every sport. Just a few weeks ago I watched the Sharks destroy the Avs throughout the entire game. The Avs were outshot 52-17. they gave up 6 power plays and only had 2 of their own. And. . . the flukiest goal you'll ever see happened in OT and the Avs won the game.

Does it "look" like it happens more in soccer? Maybe. I think once teams NEED W's, you'll see the games open up a little more.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Masked

A better comparison might be a team that moves the ball between the 20's and keeps settling for field goals and ultimately loses 10 to 9 (i.e. a very low scoring football game).

Cubs had a no-hitter last night through 8 and were one White Sox hit in the 9th away from losing

SI

[whomario]

Paraguay impresses me. Sure, they didn´t do much offensively, but they also didn´t just sit back but really got stuck into challenges and were scrambling after every ball, a ton of effort from them so far.

[Galaxy]

Originally Posted by Big Fo

They didn't say, I think it's just being considered at this point.

Buffon has been subbed at halftime, hopefully it's not too serious.

Appears no ban is coming:

AFP: FIFA rules out banning vuvuzela horns

Sounds like all the players, media, and coaches want them banned:

World Cup’s Incessant Drone Will Stay for Now - NYTimes.com

[Big Fo]

Nice, de Rossi ties it up. There's been some awful goalkeeping so far in this WC.

[k0ruptr]

beautiful corner.

[cartman]

Nice corner kick to score the goal there for Italy

[Galaxy]

Damn it.

[k0ruptr]

LMAO - great line there, the keeper has a hamstring injury, not sure how that happened as all he had to do in the first half was pick up the ball from the back of the net!

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by k0ruptr

LMAO - great line there, the keeper has a hamstring injury, not sure how that happened as all he had to do in the first half was pick up the ball from the back of the net!

Yeah, that was kindof cold but funny

SI

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by TroyF

1) New ball is causing some problems. I don't think there is any doubt some of the outfield players are having a tough time judging some headers.

2) Play has been conservative so far. Nobody taking a lot of chances. Teams want to win or draw their first match.

3) Things like this happen in every sport. Just a few weeks ago I watched the Sharks destroy the Avs throughout the entire game. The Avs were outshot 52-17. they gave up 6 power plays and only had 2 of their own. And. . . the flukiest goal you'll ever see happened in OT and the Avs won the game.

Does it "look" like it happens more in soccer? Maybe. I think once teams NEED W's, you'll see the games open up a little more.

In addition, Italy isn't exactly known for an all-out offensive style of game and one of the potential weaknesses for Italy in this go around was in scoring of goals... so they could perhaps dominate, but not get a goal.

[digamma]

Does anyone know why the schedules for Groups G and H are flipped from the standard 1st pot vs. 2nd pot in the opening game? (i.e., Brazil-Portugal is the final game in the group)

[Celeval]

Originally Posted by digamma

Does anyone know why the schedules for Groups G and H are flipped from the standard 1st pot vs. 2nd pot in the opening game? (i.e., Brazil-Portugal is the final game in the group)

I thought when they made the draw, they drew into slots in each group for scheduling as well.

[Marc Vaughan]

Feeling much better about Englands result now, thanks Italy

[terpkristin]

originally seen a presented without comment - WWdN: In Exile

/tk

[cuervo72]

That made me laugh out loud.

[Groundhog]

Me too.

[sterlingice]

SI

[Buccaneer]

[PilotMan]

That was funny Buc. They don't bother me watching the game, but to be there in person would be terrible. OTOH, I really hate that I can't hear the songs and chants too.

[terpkristin]

So, I've been watching the WC games on Friday-Sunday with the TV volume off, not because of the horns but because of the announcers--I really hate them.

However, today I came home from work early, not feeling well, and climbed into bed, and put on the game. Since I had taken off my glasses and was trying to sleep, I left the volume on so I could hear what was going on. I found that I fairly quickly tuned out the horns, though once I realized I had tuned out the horns, they were noticeable again until I stopped focusing on them. Yes, they're kind of annoying, but tuning them out seemed to work for me, too.

/tk

[GoldenEagle]

Here are my very belated World Cup Day 2 thoughts.

World Cup Day 2 Thoughts « SoccerAppeal.com

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by cartman

I'd be all for the vuvuzelas in any game that OU or Tennessee plays. Anything to drown out incessant repeats of "Boomer Sooner" or "Rocky Top".

+1000 for the Seminole war chant

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

Oh great! I can't wait for everyone to complain about how distracting the Brazilian women while they dance and how they take away from the action on the pitch. Ban them too!

[MJ4H]

Oh how I laughed at the Patrick Stewart pics.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by Jari Rantanen's Shorts

And I'll add to the list of questionable decisions: why SWP instead of Joe Cole?

I know i'm 3 days late, or a month since the rosters came out, but am I the only one who thinks Ashley Young is the best choice? He would have destroyed Cherundolo imo, and if his worst asset is cutting inside, it's not like England was getting any width on the left anyways.

[B & B]

Cant wait to see if Drogba's cast keeps him from being a 100% ball hog.

Also the O/U for C.Ronaldo hitting the ground from contact or diving is 6.

[PilotMan]

What a finish for the Kiwi's!

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

What a finish for the Kiwi's!

Yes. Very exciting finish! I'm home today because my home generator is getting installed and looking forward to watching some soccer, at least until the power is cut out to finish the installation. Hopefully, all of the matches are as exciting.

[sterlingice]

Definitely

SI

[Easy Mac]

Originally Posted by B & B

Cant wait to see if Drogba's cast keeps him from being a 100% ball hog.

Also the O/U for C.Ronaldo hitting the ground from contact or diving is 6.

Take the over

I think the bet should be:

Which will there be more of: 2010 World Cup Goals for all teams or the number of times C.Ronaldo dives/goes down from contact.

[MJ4H]

fuck ronaldo - there's one

[MJ4H]

good grief that would've been amazing

[cartman]

nearly an incredible goal from CR

[Logan]

Reputation hurting Ronaldo there.

[Marc Vaughan]

Regardless of what the commentators are saying .. great bookings by the ref imho - wrong tackle to do it on imho (as it was a foul for a change ) ... but if he hadn't taken charge of things and dissuaded Ronaldo from his play acting then there would definitely have been real trouble at some point.

By booking both the defender and Ronaldo he's warned them not to act like prats (which was looking more and more the case as time went on).

Now Ronaldo's on a card its unlikely that he'll dive because he knows if he's caught he's off - in a similar manner the defenders are less likely to argue calls for the same reason (although there is the danger one will be off if they do mis-time a tackle).