World Cup South Africa, 2010 Thread

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by troutman

More for the glossary:

Danger Man - threat to score

Talisman - franchise player/face of the team

Level - tie score

This team is well organized - I've never seen this team play before but must say something nice about them

[SuperMatt18]

0-0 and pretty uneventful so far in Paraguay vs Japan.

Prediction is Japan will score on a free kick late to win it and go through.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

0-0 and pretty uneventful so far in Paraguay vs Japan.

Prediction is Japan will score on a free kick late to win it and go through.

Hope so. Two poor teams just trying to survive.

[GirlySports]

Silly yellow card by the Japanese player for arguing with the ref for a nothing foul at midfield. Stupid way to get suspended for the quarterfinal.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Silly yellow card by the Japanese player for arguing with the ref for a nothing foul at midfield. Stupid way to get suspended for the quarterfinal.

It was for a handball.

Actually, the second half hasnt been that bad. Its not as bad as those "Zidane Hoody" commercials. Besides, now we get extra time and maybe penalty kicks and that should tide me over all the way until lunch, then lunch, then Spain/Portugal. My day is set!

[Matty81]

So didn't watch this one, any interest at all or was it as boring as the scoreline indicates?

Paraguay looked good in the group stage, I thought they'd handle Japan.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Matty81

So didn't watch this one, any interest at all or was it as boring as the scoreline indicates?

Paraguay looked good in the group stage, I thought they'd handle Japan.

Japan is doing exactly what you'd expect them to do, defend, defend, defend and then come back on the counter.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Locke

It was for a handball.

Actually, the second half hasnt been that bad. Its not as bad as those "Zidane Hoody" commercials. Besides, now we get extra time and maybe penalty kicks and that should tide me over all the way until lunch, then lunch, then Spain/Portugal. My day is set!

not the handball on honda, the one before that for pulling the jersey.

The game hasn't been bad, alot of good rushes and ball control but everytime the ball goes into the box it gets defended.

Japan hit the bar early in the game, they would have changed everything if it had been a goal.

Both teams seem to be going for it in OT.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by narbeZ

Might as well chime in on Italy now that I have come out of mourning.

Lippi used too many Juve players this year. Juve was 7th in serie A and he practically brought the entire team with him. Not only that, he played half of them out of position.

I knew this team was done when he didn't select Miccoli, Totti, and Cassano. Those players, especially the first two deserved to be there. Everyone thinks Balotelli should be there, but the truth is hes too immature/young (19) for Italy.

Also the constant starting of Milan scrubs Gilardino and Juve ""HITMAN"" Iaquinta, was pathetic. Every Italy fan knows that Quagliarella and Pazzini should have been starting, with di Natale being a possible second half sub, and Iaquinta only coming on for closing.

The defence was just baffling. The only player worth his salt for Euro is possibly Chellini, but even I wasn't all impressed with him. I like Cristico, but like a Santon or a Motta he is too inexperienced for NT work.

Prandelli will no doubt bring a different era for Italy, and we should see some young players on the team like Aquafresca and Giovinco. I don't think Italy needs to change it's style at all.

I just hope Italy keeps it's identity of having ITALIAN players. I would hate to see them bring NT-eligible players like Thiago Motta, Zarate, and Amauri. We are not germany here.

These players are not good enough for italy anyways.


Anyways, here's looking forward to Euro, and until July 11th I can still proudly say ITALY are the CHAMPIONS.

Ps. Go Uruguay.

I agree with some reservation.

Aside from Marchisio (who was played ridiculously out of position), Buffon, and Chiellini (who looked poor because he was being asked to cover for Criscito and Cannavaro's poor defending), the other Juve players he brought were WHY they ended up in 7th place. Iaquinta was hurt for much of the season, and has been trash ever since. Cannavaro was a disaster for Juve, same with Grosso (at least he resisted the urge to re-unite them). Camoranesi is unreliable at best, and I'm surprised he avoided injury.

The one Juve player they could have used as a late game sub (like how Mexico deployed Blanco), Del Piero (who at 35 still lead the team in goals), was left home for age, yet Cannavaro, who is one year older, heading to a retirement league, and came off a brutal season, was not only an undisputed starter, but captain too. Baffling.

I agree that Prandelli will be a breath of fresh air, and we'll see a lot less nepotism, and a lot more youth. I agree that Thiago Motta, Zarate and Amauri are no better than their Italian equivalents, and should not be capped.

I too am watching Uruguay with great interest, I think they could go far.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

not the handball on honda, the one before that for pulling the jersey.

The game hasn't been bad, alot of good rushes and ball control but everytime the ball goes into the box it gets defended.

Japan hit the bar early in the game, they would have changed everything if it had been a goal.

Both teams seem to be going for it in OT.

Its actually been a pretty entertaining second half, and now in OT they're really going for it, but Japan has few opportunities because 2/3rds of their team are back defending. The possession stats are pretty telling.

[GirlySports]

Looks like we're heading to our first penalty shootout.

Those are never boring

[GirlySports]

I keep thinking his name is Piston Honda.

[SuperMatt18]

Even as a neutral these things are nervous to watch.

[Matty81]

I always feel for the guys who miss here.

[Matty81]

Kinda rooting for Paraguay, although I respect Japan alot and like several of their players I don't want to see another 0-0 game in the QFs.

[GirlySports]

1-1 after 1 (paraguay shot first)

[GirlySports]

2-2 after 2

keeper has had no chance on any of them

[Matty81]

5 for 5, some sharp shooting so far.

[GirlySports]

oh noes Japan hit the bar!

3-2 Paraguay after 3

[GirlySports]

4-2 Paraguay, Japan must score.