Road to South Africa World Cup 2010

[carom]

Hup holland hup

[Locke]

Interesting note: Germany just won the UEFA Under 21 competition pie driving English skulls into the turf in a 4-0 victory.

They've also won the Under 19 and Under 17 tournaments.

They have some depth!!

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Locke

Interesting note: Germany just won the UEFA Under 21 competition pie driving English skulls into the turf in a 4-0 victory.

They've also won the Under 19 and Under 17 tournaments.

They have some depth!!

So let me get this straight; you're a Germany fan who also rabidly cheers for Brazil?

[CrusaderPi]

Originally Posted by rubecube

So let me get this straight; you're a Germany fan who also rabidly cheers for Brazil?

Makes sense. When the Germans lose something they inevitably flock to South America.

[Pagal4321]

Not all that related to the game on the pitch, but workers building the stadiums in South Africa are on strike.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200....ap/index.html

The venues need to be completed by December to meet deadlines set by the game's ruling body FIFA before the tournament kicks off in June 2010.

[icarus]

Originally Posted by Pagal4321

Not all that related to the game on the pitch, but workers building the stadiums in South Africa are on strike.

This is going to be a major issue. The unions have the organisers by the balls, they know that they'll have to pay up or else. The labour courts will not rule the strikes illegal. The builders will have to increase the wages and that could lead to all sorts of problems... instead of running a loss they might look at cutting corners or using inferior materials. I think this could blow up.

[Locke]

International break update:

I know those following Portugal will not be happy to hear about their 1-1 draw against Denmark. They were lucky to draw, good God Portugal is terrible...

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Locke

International break update:

I know those following Portugal will not be happy to hear about their 1-1 draw against Denmark. They were lucky to draw, good God Portugal is terrible...

Awesome. More to rub in the faces of the girlfriend's brother and father.

[KTown]

Czechs dissapointing again a 2-2 draw against the slovaks. Pretty much eliminates them. The Czechs will need to win out and hope for some help just to finish second. It definately looks like the Czechs are on there downturn.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by Locke

International break update:

I know those following Portugal will not be happy to hear about their 1-1 draw against Denmark. They were lucky to draw, good God Portugal is terrible...

Are you seriously on crack?? Did you watch the game or just read the boxscore and see that Portugal tied it late. They were the stronger team for the entire game, got screwed on a non call for a penalty and two minutes later, Denmark does well to score on their only real chance of the game.

We get it dude, you don't like Portugal, but don't make some ridiculous fabrication that they were lucky to get the draw. If anything, they were unlucky not to get the full 3 points. They played a solid game. If you truly believe that Portugal were the lesser of the two teams, you really know nothing, NOTHING, about the game.

Portugal is now in a world of hurt, they no longer have destiny in their hands to get the second place playoff spot. But win their remaining 3 games(2 v Hungary and at home to Malta) and get some help, they can still do it, but not likely.

[GirlySports]

Yeah Denmark were really timid and Portugal finally played with the desperation needed in WCQ.

My favorite story is Argentina losing to Brazil. Maradona doesn't have a clue and they now have another tough match on Wednesday in Paraguay.

By the end of Wednesday, Argentina could see themselves in 6th! with only 2 matches left. A World Cup without Argentina would really be something...

[SeoulFire]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Yeah Denmark were really timid and Portugal finally played with the desperation needed in WCQ.

My favorite story is Argentina losing to Brazil. Maradona doesn't have a clue and they now have another tough match on Wednesday in Paraguay.

By the end of Wednesday, Argentina could see themselves in 6th! with only 2 matches left. A World Cup without Argentina would really be something...

I would laugh. A lot. And then I would fart in Tevez's general direction. Then laugh some more. And then wonder how that move to City is working out so he can get more first team time to get on the WC squad.

Petty I know.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Are you seriously on crack?? Did you watch the game or just read the boxscore and see that Portugal tied it late. They were the stronger team for the entire game, got screwed on a non call for a penalty and two minutes later, Denmark does well to score on their only real chance of the game.

We get it dude, you don't like Portugal, but don't make some ridiculous fabrication that they were lucky to get the draw. If anything, they were unlucky not to get the full 3 points. They played a solid game. If you truly believe that Portugal were the lesser of the two teams, you really know nothing, NOTHING, about the game.

Portugal is now in a world of hurt, they no longer have destiny in their hands to get the second place playoff spot. But win their remaining 3 games(2 v Hungary and at home to Malta) and get some help, they can still do it, but not likely.

Dude, take your prozac. I watched all 94 minutes of that match, and Portugal were lucky to draw.

Solid game? Stronger for the whole match? Come off it. That game was painful to watch, both teams were pretty brutal but Portugal evidenced to desperation, no drive and no desire. Every free kick was wasted, each and every single one until finally they got one in off a header because Denmark decided to defend like hell for the last 30 minutes.

Portugal managed to piece together a solid 15 minutes of play, and thats probably because the best Portuguese player on the night was Nuno Gomes who pretty much only played about 20 minutes but had more shots on goal than Ronaldo.

Honestly, Portugal almost won that game but Liedson missed his final chance in injury time. Portugal essentially gave up after the 70th minute, no more energy, no more creativity, nothing. They got fortunate that his header went in the 86th, but that was hardly an impressive performance.

Now, you can shove your tired "did you even watch the game or just read the box score" tripe, if you consider that a strong performance by Portugal then you can put down the crack yourself. If that was a strong or dominating Portuguese performance then good riddance to them, they would get absolutely destroyed by any serious competition.

[The Special One]

Originally Posted by icarus

This is going to be a major issue. The unions have the organisers by the balls, they know that they'll have to pay up or else. The labour courts will not rule the strikes illegal. The builders will have to increase the wages and that could lead to all sorts of problems... instead of running a loss they might look at cutting corners or using inferior materials. I think this could blow up.

The average construction worker on these stadiums makes seven Canadian dollars a day. I don't think they're out of line asking for a raise when the tickets are going to be 200-500 dollars for each match.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by Locke

Dude, take your prozac. I watched all 94 minutes of that match, and Portugal were lucky to draw.

Solid game? Stronger for the whole match? Come off it. That game was painful to watch, both teams were pretty brutal but Portugal evidenced to desperation, no drive and no desire. Every free kick was wasted, each and every single one until finally they got one in off a header because Denmark decided to defend like hell for the last 30 minutes.

Portugal managed to piece together a solid 15 minutes of play, and thats probably because the best Portuguese player on the night was Nuno Gomes who pretty much only played about 20 minutes but had more shots on goal than Ronaldo.

Honestly, Portugal almost won that game but Liedson missed his final chance in injury time. Portugal essentially gave up after the 70th minute, no more energy, no more creativity, nothing. They got fortunate that his header went in the 86th, but that was hardly an impressive performance.

Now, you can shove your tired "did you even watch the game or just read the box score" tripe, if you consider that a strong performance by Portugal then you can put down the crack yourself. If that was a strong or dominating Portuguese performance then good riddance to them, they would get absolutely destroyed by any serious competition.

Never said it was an impressive performance or one that would be the elite teams, but they played soild from start to beginning and were the better team and you saying they were lucky to get a draw is just plain ridiculous.

I've got better things to do right now than argue soccer with a guy who has such a hate on for Portugal. There's really no point talking soccer with you because you can be pretty clueless sometimes. Have a swell day!

[The Special One]

I watched the Portugal match. They were terrible and were lucky to get a draw. Just my opinion.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Awesome. More to rub in the faces of the girlfriend's brother and father.

Haha....and you would too....

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Never said it was an impressive performance or one that would be the elite teams, but they played soild from start to beginning and were the better team and you saying they were lucky to get a draw is just plain ridiculous.

I've got better things to do right now than argue soccer with a guy who has such a hate on for Portugal. There's really no point talking soccer with you because you can be pretty clueless sometimes. Have a swell day!

Alright man, but when you squeak out an equalizer with 4 minutes left to play, I'd call that somewhat fortunate regardless of supposedly dominant play. Anyways, thats enough of that, Portugal still has a chance but its dwindling rapidly.

[Cactus Jack]

Although Datolo scored a beauty goal for Argentina, they were dominated. The Argentine defence looked terrible all game and bled goals in the first half. Messi and Tevez couldn't create much although they did have some times were they made nice passes. Maradona is a terrible coach and Argentina is a disaster right now. If they miss the World Cup, heads will roll in that country. Paraguay will be a stiff test tomorrow.

And my Chile will qualify with 1 more win or a tie if both Colombia and Ecuadar lose a game. VAMOS CHILE, MIERDA!

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Cactus Jack

Although Datolo scored a beauty goal for Argentina, they were dominated. The Argentine defence looked terrible all game and bled goals in the first half. Messi and Tevez couldn't create much although they did have some times were they made nice passes. Maradona is a terrible coach and Argentina is a disaster right now. If they miss the World Cup, heads will roll in that country. Paraguay will be a stiff test tomorrow.

And my Chile will qualify with 1 more win or a tie if both Colombia and Ecuadar lose a game. VAMOS CHILE, MIERDA!

Argentina are too weak in goal and defense and have no depth overall. The keeper and two central defenders are from the weak Argentine league and there's no way they can stop Kaka, Robinho, Fabiano etc...

The three Brazilian goals were all made from mistakes.

[troutman]

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/ne...alian+showdown

Robbie Keane has sent a warning shot across the bows of world champions Italy ahead of their crucial meeting with Republic of Ireland in Dublin on 10 October 2009.

Away wins for the Italians and the Irish on Saturday keep Marcello Lippi's charges a point clear at the top of Group 8 heading into 9 September's clash with third-placed Bulgaria in Turin.

Keane's late strike in Nicosia finally saw off Cyprus, while the Italians won 2-0 in Georgia to set up a showdown at Croke Park when a major blow could be struck either way in the race for qualification for South Africa.

Irish eyes will be fully focused on Turin on Wednesday evening - Trapattoni's men play a friendly against South Africa in Limerick 24 hours earlier - and opinion may be divided on the best result.

Victory for Italy would make winning the group intensely difficult for Ireland, but would virtually guarantee them the runners-up spot. A Bulgaria win would blow the race wide open, although that would drag Dimitar Berbatov and company back into striking distance.