Official Football Thread
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national acrobat
Ancient Mariner
Forostar said:
Possible, but as it stands Mexico would finish 2nd and probably face Argentina next so it's in their best interests to win the match.
It was quite nice to hear the fans for once, wasn't it? And those Mexican fans look great fun.
Dr. Eddies Wingman
Brighter than thousand_suns
On a side note:
The beatuiful game!
The beatuiful game!
Albie
Keeping an open eye on the Weeping Angels.
Too late.Will-I-Am said:Please France, don't fuck up again
I don't think Mexico and Uruguay will do a deal and play out a draw - I think Mexico will probably beat Uruguay. Not only that, France will beat South Africa and progress to the next round. I can't remember when it was but there was a similar situation a few world cups back when West Germany had to play Austria in the last game of the group stages (1982 - I just checked it). A 1-0 German win would put through both teams - surprise, surprise it was 1-0 to the Germans and the game was so contrived both teams got a lot of flak for it. I seem to remember they spent the last 15 minutes or so passing in neat little triangles in midfield to eat up the time. That will not happen again, I'm sure.
In fact: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiImsCsg ... re=related
Some commitment amongst both set of players. the crowd weren't best pleased either.
Dr. Eddies Wingman
Brighter than thousand_suns
If Mexico beat Uruguay by one, Uruguay will have +2.
To equal that, France need to beat SA by four. I'd give France better odds if Uruguay win.
It was probably offside, by a few inches. However, those calls, where the last defender and the attacking player are going in opposite directions at full speed, are so difficult to call that I never give the linesman stick for those. I reserve it for those who are clearly wrong - meaning one can see it without a single slo-mo.
I think Henry's hands should've been easier to spot
Today we're up for some interesting stuff.
Germany vs Serbia: Whereas Germany perhaps were the most impressive team in the first round of group matches, they will have more of a handful today. The match between Ghana and Serbia was among the more promising of the early ones, and despite Ghana won that one I think Serbia have enough quality in their team to cause trouble for ze Germans. Especially since they have to win.
(Not completely true, if they beat Australia and the Aussies beat Ghana, they may go through on goal difference - but I don't see Australia beating Ghana). Should be an open and pace-filled affair.
USA vs Slovenia: For the Americans this will be a completely different task. Against England they were focused on defending, which they for most of the match did well. Against Slovenia they are the bookmakers' favourites, and will probably face a team set on defending. Slovenia didn't show much promise against Algeria, but a soft goal saw them take the lead in group C. Still, with a draw today, Slovenia will still be in it - but then they also need to get something from the match against England.
England vs Algeria: If Slovenai looked weak, Algeria looked even weaker. Anything but a win is unacceptable for the Three Lions, period. Preferrably by more than one, so they are ahead of Slovenia even if the Slovs can get something today. Should England not win this, it will be an even bigger upset than Switzerland beating Spain.
To equal that, France need to beat SA by four. I'd give France better odds if Uruguay win.
Will-I-Am said:By the way, the first goal of Mexico wasn't offside ??
It was probably offside, by a few inches. However, those calls, where the last defender and the attacking player are going in opposite directions at full speed, are so difficult to call that I never give the linesman stick for those. I reserve it for those who are clearly wrong - meaning one can see it without a single slo-mo.
I think Henry's hands should've been easier to spot
Today we're up for some interesting stuff.
Germany vs Serbia: Whereas Germany perhaps were the most impressive team in the first round of group matches, they will have more of a handful today. The match between Ghana and Serbia was among the more promising of the early ones, and despite Ghana won that one I think Serbia have enough quality in their team to cause trouble for ze Germans. Especially since they have to win.
(Not completely true, if they beat Australia and the Aussies beat Ghana, they may go through on goal difference - but I don't see Australia beating Ghana). Should be an open and pace-filled affair.
USA vs Slovenia: For the Americans this will be a completely different task. Against England they were focused on defending, which they for most of the match did well. Against Slovenia they are the bookmakers' favourites, and will probably face a team set on defending. Slovenia didn't show much promise against Algeria, but a soft goal saw them take the lead in group C. Still, with a draw today, Slovenia will still be in it - but then they also need to get something from the match against England.
England vs Algeria: If Slovenai looked weak, Algeria looked even weaker. Anything but a win is unacceptable for the Three Lions, period. Preferrably by more than one, so they are ahead of Slovenia even if the Slovs can get something today. Should England not win this, it will be an even bigger upset than Switzerland beating Spain.
national acrobat
Ancient Mariner
national acrobat said:
Repeat the above post, except for "harsh red card for Australia" substitue in Germany. Cracking match to watch though. Germany not so good now, eh Beckenbauer?
[This time wearing matching cardigans....
]
Dr. Eddies Wingman
Brighter than thousand_suns
Yeah, agree on that the sending-off was harsh.
As for how well the Germans actually were - I think they took over more and more in the 2nd half despite being one man down, but after they missed the penalty they seemed to give up a little - very unlike them.
It's also very unlike them to actually miss a penalty. The last time that happened in a World Cup, I was definitely not watching.
BOOO! Ugly elbow there from Clint Dempsey after just a few seconds of the match vs Slovenia. Should clearly have been booked there.
As for how well the Germans actually were - I think they took over more and more in the 2nd half despite being one man down, but after they missed the penalty they seemed to give up a little - very unlike them.
It's also very unlike them to actually miss a penalty. The last time that happened in a World Cup, I was definitely not watching.
BOOO! Ugly elbow there from Clint Dempsey after just a few seconds of the match vs Slovenia. Should clearly have been booked there.
Germany usually goes down fighting. Not this time, very interesting.
Wow, the US guy just elbowed a Slovenian.
Wow, the US guy just elbowed a Slovenian.
Dr. Eddies Wingman
Brighter than thousand_suns
Quite a contrast. The ref from the previous match would have given Dempsey a straight red card, no doubt. This ref hesitated to give a free kick 
PS: And now it is 2-0 for Slovenia. Didn't see that coming!
PS: And now it is 2-0 for Slovenia. Didn't see that coming!
national acrobat
Ancient Mariner
Did not see that coming either. Could be a Slovenia - Algeria 1 - 2 in this group. (Assuming England are relying on an Emile Heskey one-on-one chance again)
(Assuming England are relying on an Emile Heskey one-on-one chance again)
Dr. Eddies Wingman
Brighter than thousand_suns
Now it's 2-1, Donovan got one back for the US. A draw would probably suit England.
I really hope a certain Scouse powerhouse can get out some more of his potential today. I mean, a Rooney in form will destroy Algeria if he gets decent delivery from midfield. Unfortunately he wasn't utilized very well against the US. I keep my fingers crossed.
I really hope a certain Scouse powerhouse can get out some more of his potential today. I mean, a Rooney in form will destroy Algeria if he gets decent delivery from midfield. Unfortunately he wasn't utilized very well against the US. I keep my fingers crossed.
Dr. Eddies Wingman
Brighter than thousand_suns
Don't be difficult now 
In my opinion, both Gerrard and Rooney are essential. They both need to improve. As does Fat Frank.
... and there it is, 2-2 by Altidore. Hope it stays 2-2 now!
And so it did. But I really didn't see what reason the ref had to disallow the 3-2 goal of the US? It was not due to an offside, and I didn't really see much holding either.
In my opinion, both Gerrard and Rooney are essential. They both need to improve. As does Fat Frank.
... and there it is, 2-2 by Altidore. Hope it stays 2-2 now!
And so it did. But I really didn't see what reason the ref had to disallow the 3-2 goal of the US? It was not due to an offside, and I didn't really see much holding either.
The US were fucking robbed by that ref. A phantom handball call in the first half and a phantom holding call in the 2nd to deny them a goal? Utter. Bullshit. No reason to call back that goal.
That was one of the most exciting games I've seen yet.
That was one of the most exciting games I've seen yet.
Prisoner Of Maiden
Trooper
I'm finally done my withdrawal from the hockey season..
Yup that was for sure a phantom call on the US goal. That was the second full game I watched and I have to agree with LC, that was an exciting game.
Yup that was for sure a phantom call on the US goal. That was the second full game I watched and I have to agree with LC, that was an exciting game.
Dr. Eddies Wingman
Brighter than thousand_suns
It was exciting, yes.
To balance this a bit: A stricter ref would have sent Dempsey off for that elbow, and that would have meant 90 minutes with 10 men. Still, I agree - the 3-2 goal should have stood.
LooseCannon said:
To balance this a bit: A stricter ref would have sent Dempsey off for that elbow, and that would have meant 90 minutes with 10 men. Still, I agree - the 3-2 goal should have stood.