World Cup 2010

The US v England game was fun to watch, England did press for most the game but got lucky the deflection off the post didn't go in or have someone there to finish. I always like watching Japan play so I'll be up tomorrow for that. Best game coming up is Tuesday, Ivory Coast vs Portugal. Ronaldo vs Drogba is going to be fun.

AtrumX wrote:The US v England game was fun to watch, England did press for most the game but got lucky the deflection off the post didn't go in or have someone there to finish. I always like watching Japan play so I'll be up tomorrow for that. Best game coming up is Tuesday, Ivory Coast vs Portugal. Ronaldo vs Drogba is going to be fun.

You can't put not having a player there down to luck. That's like me saying 'USA were incredibly luck that Lampard didn't shoot from 25 yds out and score'.

It was a good save and you had nobody following up because right from the start of the game you were only playing for a draw.

S7 Epic wrote:It was a good save

As a keeper of 15+ years, that was not a good save. That was a lucky save that should have been handled a LOT better, it would have gone in if it didn't bounce off his face before hitting the post. Easy angle, easy height, but TERRIBLE form. His hands were in a really poor position and it looked like he was trying to volleyball it over the top, plus he should not have left his near-post so open. I'm sure Coolhand will agree with me on this one.

As badly as I feel for the guy, he needs to be benched and come back in 2014. A keeper with no confidence is a horrible keeper.

I didn't say it was a brilliant save... but any save that results in the prevention of a goal can definitely be described loosely as 'good', especially compared to his previous efforts.

He did have an awful game though, it should've been James. Maybe let Green have a game or 45 mins against one the other teams, not the first game, against the 'strongest' opposition in the group.

I was in the pub watching the game with the Barnsley FC training staff and Academy (youth program) staff and the keepers went batshit when that goal went in....I was genuinely scared, lol.

S7 Hellogiraffe wrote:

S7 Epic wrote:It was a good save

As a keeper of 15+ years, that was not a good save. That was a lucky save that should have been handled a LOT better, it would have gone in if it didn't bounce off his face before hitting the post. Easy angle, easy height, but TERRIBLE form. His hands were in a really poor position and it looked like he was trying to volleyball it over the top, plus he should not have left his near-post so open. I'm sure Coolhand will agree with me on this one.

As badly as I feel for the guy, he needs to be benched and come back in 2014. A keeper with no confidence is a horrible keeper.

Totally agree! That was an extremely lucky save given his poor form. I thought for sure one of those headers would find the mark but we couldn't keep them down. Looked like Green's nerves were just getting the better of him - It sucks that this was his WC debut; I hope he recovers his confidence and plays well later, but yeah I'd say you almost have to start James next game. That will further lower Green's confidence but at this point England needs to ensure they make it out of the group. A couple more blunders like that and they may be headed home early. Those yellow cards could cause a headache later too, for both sides.

Tim Howard, on the other hand, looked top notch to me - he stayed composed after that early defensive breakdown and goal and kept us in the game. With Dempsey's goal, you know, sh1t happens, so put it on target and at least you have a chance - maybe the new ball had something to do with it.

It was definitely a favorable outcome for us, especially after allowing the early goal. We were knocking on the door for a while though and almost had the go ahead goal. Maybe should have brought in Buddle earlier (subbed in around 75th minute) or started him and brought in Findley after the 60th minute. I would also start Jon Specter over Demerit, especially now that Demerit has a yellow.

The new ball is fine, i've trained with it (an authentic one, not a replica) and it's probably my favourite ball, behind the Nike one (I forget the name but it was a 'geo-balanced' ball, around the time the total 90 came out).

Howard didn't have much to do tbh, neither did our strikers. Heskey had the best chance but he's a crap finisher, that said, he was probably our best player throughout that match...so I can't slate him just yet....

Spain fell to the Swiss earlier today 1-0. Huge upset. I'm starting to think we may end up with a less traditional winner, ya know, outside the Brazil, Germany, France, Italy, Argentina, Spain, England crowd. My spidey sense is tingling!

sorry, wont happen. a smaller team might make the semis, but in the end one of the higher ranked teams will win.

Yeah I just don't see it, you have to play way to consistent with the best of the best out there. I'm not going to lie though it would be very interesting to see something like that happen.

Germany have looked the best so far, so i'd imagine it'll be them or Spain to win it. That said, Spain have to play either Brazil or Portugal (maybe Ivory Coast...) in the knockout stage.

I'm putting my money on argentina. right now they are already two up and they just have too much talent up front.

spain isn't going to win sh1t playing like they did against switzerland.

brazil has a great chance as they always do.

England could get there if they sort their sh1t out.

Argentina is a good bet. With Maradona at the helm their chances are even better I think. Like him or not, the guy is a winner.

I wouldn't bet against them neither Messi is the premier player and hard to stop when he's on a roll he can create his own scoring chances. But it's going to be fun to watch especially in the elimination rds. when things get intense.

messi is out of this world. clearly superior to ronaldo. He has such a wonderful control of the ball. Its like the ball is stuck to his feet.

he centers his gravity like no one else can which helps him maintain superb balance.

and he is only 22!!! has at least another 13-15 years of footballing ahead.

Mexico just offed France 2-0.
France tied their opener against Uruguay, so they are sitting with 1 point after 2 games. Their 3rd game is against South Africa who, as hosts, have a lot to play for. They really don't want to be the first host nation to not make it out of the group stage.
I was surprissed France didn't look to Henry or Cisse for fresh legs. Cisse still hasn't made an appearance for the French side. I'll be happy if they get eliminated, but I would much rather see Bafana Bafana advance, and Mexico too, but not Uruguay.

Mexico PWNED France, it was an awesome game. Now, if URU and MEX draw, there'll be nothing France can do. Ha!

RSA Won't go through.

Germany lost 0-1 to Serbia! Klose had two yellows so he's gone. Podolski had a lot of looks at goal but couldn't find it. Group D is now a 3 way tie for Germany, Serbia, and Ghana each with 3 points. Australia at 0 is eliminated.

WTF is going on! We look terrible!

Well after a bad first half we were down 2 nothing, but we came back in the second half. After Michael Bradley tied it up we should have gone ahead with the Edu goal but it was called back on a mystery foul. If anything a PK shoulda been awarded to Bradley, but really the goal would have been counted due to advantage. The ref also did a great job handing out a second yellow in two games to Findley for an imagined handball. Coach did well to pull Onyewu out who looked poor in this game and the last, but why won't he bring in Beasley or Buddle? I'm unhappy with the result but at least we are still in the mix. Gotta win the next one.

On a lighter note, here's a link of vuvuzela pics
http://nextround.net/2010/06/15/vuvuzelas-vs-the-internet-there-can-be-only-one/
I just want to say that I thi-BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!BBBBBZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!
BBBBZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!

England draws nil-nil with Algeria!
So that leaves our group like this:
Team....Points....Goals
Slovenia...4..........3
USA.........2..........3
England....2..........1
Algeria.....1...........0

Next Wednesday, the USA will face Algeria and England faces Slovenia.

It's going to be interesting for sure!

algeria were VERY organized at the back. i can see them causing us problems next game.

Yes i know, we hold our own destiny, but if we keep shipping in cheap, early goals, we dont deserve to progress to the second round.

oh and, FU.CK that mali referee. screwed us out of 3 points.

Well, we certainly played awful tonight. Luckily, I think that's the worst we could play, so we'll have to wait and see for the next set of matches...

Well it's going to be win and advance or hope we atleast tie, coupled with an england Tie or loss.
Sh!t we need to get on FIFA 10 or world cup do some Team Play or even have a lil tourney ourselves.

Italy ties New Zealand....wtf

Brazil kicked Ivory Coast's ass, can't wait for their next game against Portugal. They are definitely looking like they should actually be ranked at the top, unlike Italy and Spain. I started the tourny putting my money on Brazil, Argentina, and Netherlands and stickin to it....well, not real money, I'm broke

Portugal just crushed the North Koreans 7-0. I would be scared to return home if I were on that team.