World Cup South Africa, 2010 Thread

[SeoulFire]

This now could be a really awesome last day if this scoreline holds -

Greece 1-2 (assuming loss to Argentina) minus 1 differential going into game which would pretty much eliminate them with another loss. A draw would be spectacular and hope for a Nigerian win.

Korea 1-2 (assuming a loss to Nigeria) minus 1 differential going into game which would pretty much eliminate them with another loss. A draw would probably do it (with the expectations of a Greece loss). A win almost assures a spot given the other match.

A Greek win and Korean win would come to differential with Greece needing to win by one more than Korea (as Korea holds the head to head).

Nigeria 1-2 (assuming a win against Korea) even differential going in. Must win game. Win and in with an expected Argentinian win.

I think.

[Ark2]

There are some aspects to diving that you guys don't seem to be considering. Each team is only allowed 3 subs, that means that for each team, 8 players will have to play a full 90 minutes with only a 15 minute break during half time. If a game goes to penalty kicks, these 8 players have to play for 120 minutes. Unlike hockey, when a player gets tired, he can't just signal to the bench to come off for a change, the coach can't call a time out, heck, he's hard pressed to even get a drink of water. If a player embellishes a tackle, while he writhing on the ground, pretending to be injured, he's giving his teammates a chance to catch their breath, get back into position and even get a quick drink. Granted, I wouldn't say that this is always why it is done, but there is some actual strategy behind it.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Ark2

Save the sport? It's the biggest sport in the world, and always will be.

Biggest does not equal good.

Its like the whole music discussion...

Nickelback sells a crapload of records and are one of the largest acts in R&R...yet their detractors will claim the product still sucks and anyone listening is a sheeple type who knows nothing...suggesting that because they are the 'biggest" does not mean they are good.

Could that same 'logic" not then be applied to the game of soccer when it is pretty clear there is a fundamental problem within the game? Or is it because the game is the "biggest" in the world, that all obvious flaws can be ignored and swept off because....well....because its the most popular sport in the world?

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Ark2

There are some aspects to diving that you guys don't seem to be considering. Each team is only allowed 3 subs, that means that for each team, 8 players will have to play a full 90 minutes with only a 15 minute break during half time. If a game goes to penalty kicks, these 8 players have to play for 120 minutes. Unlike hockey, when a player gets tired, he can't just signal to the bench to come off for a change, the coach can't call a time out, heck, he's hard pressed to even get a drink of water. If a player embellishes a tackle, while he writhing on the ground, pretending to be injured, he's giving his teammates a chance to catch their breath, get back into position and even get a quick drink. Granted, I wouldn't say that this is always why it is done, but there is some actual strategy behind it.

Improve the game. Have line changes and no diving.

[Ark2]

Originally Posted by troutman

It could be so much better.

We could say that about every sport. Look, if you aren't a fan of soccer, that's fine. I think that baseball, American football, and basketball are some of the most boring sports in the world. But you don't see me in threads pertaining to those sports repeating over and over how boring I think those games are.

[Machiavelli]

Noooooooo no no no no NO!

[Resolute 14]

Don't be so arrogant as to assume that hatred of the acting and diving in soccer automatically equates to not being a fan of soccer, Ark.

The fact is, even within the game, there is widespread concern about the embarrassing acting jobs and what they are doing to the reputation of the sport. So much so that FIFA considered introducing hockey style penalty boxes for such acting - 5 minute penalties for it.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...on-diving.html

[SeoulFire]

Just ignore the jacktards whose only purpose in this thread is to be as annoying as possible.

Clarification - directed at the haters using the same tired "arguments" why soccer is bad

[Ark2]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Don't be so arrogant as to assume that hatred of the acting and diving in soccer automatically equates to not being a fan of soccer, Ark.

The fact is, even within the game, there is widespread concern about the embarrassing acting jobs and what they are doing to the reputation of the sport. So much so that FIFA considered introducing hockey style penalty boxes for such acting - 5 minute penalties for it.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...on-diving.html

I wasn't talking about diving in that post. I was talking about the handful of posters that come in this thread and seem to do nothing but complain about how boring they find the sport. Diving is another issue.

[transplant99]

Yeah this last couple days the games are hardly "boring"...but there is a lot of questionable stuff to be discussed for sure...and not because of anything other than this is the sports showcase event.

I am starting to enjoy it quite a bit actually, which I will admit is surprising me a bit. I am a bit home bound with an illness the last 4 days or so, and that has allowed me to watch a whole bunch more than I normally would have as well...which is why I have been asking some questions and commenting what i observe as a pretty uninformed watcher of the event.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Ark2

I wasn't talking about diving in that post. I was talking about the handful of posters that come in this thread and seem to do nothing but complain about how boring they find the sport. Diving is another issue.

If it bothers you, you should make it a point to continually respond to their posts and constantly bring it up.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by SeoulFire

Just ignore the jacktards whose only purpose in this thread is to be as annoying as possible.

Who would they be?

[chid]

Enyeama had some great saves, too bad they lost, that 2nd goal was unfortunate! Exciting game. The Greeks are elated!

[SeoulFire]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Who would they be?

Bertuzzied for one.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Biggest does not equal good.

Its like the whole music discussion...

Nickelback sells a crapload of records and are one of the largest acts in R&R...yet their detractors will claim the product still sucks and anyone listening is a sheeple type who knows nothing...suggesting that because they are the 'biggest" does not mean they are good.

Could that same 'logic" not then be applied to the game of soccer when it is pretty clear there is a fundamental problem within the game? Or is it because the game is the "biggest" in the world, that all obvious flaws can be ignored and swept off because....well....because its the most popular sport in the world?

It sure does when the statement responded to was "save the sport." Despite the flaws it's still the most popular game globally, the elite franchises make money hand over fist, the international tournaments are the biggest world sporting events on the calendar and the popularity continues to build as previously uninterested nations are now taking on lead braodcasting roles.

Eliminate some issues and fix others, sure. Save the sport? That's just stupid.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Ark2

We could say that about every sport. Look, if you aren't a fan of soccer, that's fine. I think that baseball, American football, and basketball are some of the most boring sports in the world. But you don't see me in threads pertaining to those sports repeating over and over how boring I think those games are.

I am a fan of soccer. It could be much more entertaining. The changes made in the NHL since the lock-out have resulted in a more entertaining product - I think most people would agree with that.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by valo403

It sure does when the statement responded to was "save the sport." Despite the flaws it's still the most popular game globally, the elite franchises make money hand over fist, the international tournaments are the biggest world sporting events on the calendar and the popularity continues to build as previously uninterested nations are now taking on lead braodcasting roles.

Eliminate some issues and fix others, sure. Save the sport? That's just stupid.

How much better would it be without the diving?

Soccer criticism on a hockey forum is pretty justified. Watch the 2 sports. Soccer as the way it is played and the rules can't compete with hockey.

Otherwise we would all be posting on calgaryball.com

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by valo403

It sure does when the statement responded to was "save the sport." Despite the flaws it's still the most popular game globally, the elite franchises make money hand over fist, the international tournaments are the biggest world sporting events on the calendar and the popularity continues to build as previously uninterested nations are now taking on lead braodcasting roles.

Eliminate some issues and fix others, sure. Save the sport? That's just stupid.

Sigh.

If its OK with you...I am sticking with what i said...biggest does not equal good. Sorry if you have a problem with that....but I dont believe its such a stretch to believe "save the sport" is valid in regards to NA and growing the game here. (sans Mexico of course). If FIFA has no interest in that, no problem (dont believe that though) but I have to believe that even fans around the world have concerns about what happens within the game.

No, futball is not in trouble of falling off the world landscape as popular. It does appear as though it would be impossible for that to happen considering the support it has now...flaws and all.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Biggest does not equal good.

Its like the whole music discussion...

Nickelback sells a crapload of records and are one of the largest acts in R&R...yet their detractors will claim the product still sucks and anyone listening is a sheeple type who knows nothing...suggesting that because they are the 'biggest" does not mean they are good.

Could that same 'logic" not then be applied to the game of soccer when it is pretty clear there is a fundamental problem within the game? Or is it because the game is the "biggest" in the world, that all obvious flaws can be ignored and swept off because....well....because its the most popular sport in the world?

This is a subjective statement. It is not a fundamental problem in the game to some people. It's a common tactic in soccer. It's frown upon in some places and celebrated in others. There's no right or wrong.

[Ark2]

Originally Posted by troutman

I am a fan of soccer. It could be much more entertaining. The changes made in the NHL since the lock-out have resulted in a more entertaining product - I think most people would agree with that.

Sure, but they also introduced so gimmicks just to attract people that were casual fans to begin with, and that isn't right. Calling a penalty when a player accidently shoots the puck over the glass is one. Introducing the shootout is another. I would argue that these are things that have not made the sport better and that's the risk you run when you make changes to the game to appease people that were never really fans of it in the first place. If you introduced a blue line type offside, all you would see is a bunch of strikers parking themselves in the goalie crease, couple by their defensive partners and a giant gaping hole in midfield. With one rule change you would marginalize the roles of defenders and midfeilders just so you could see some more goals. Like I said, you aren't thinking this through.