OFFICIAL FIFA World Cup 2006 Thread

[SOMBRI2]

Portugal was really lucky and could hang on. I agreed they materialized on the biggest mistake Dutch created, but the second half was the weridest half i had ever seen in my whole life.

i agree on all 4 sent off. the deco tackle after the 'unsporting drop ball' possession, could have got himself a straight red.

figo might be suspended. i dont know if 'star status' is a factor for fifa to consider. yup, the assistant ref could have asked the ref and 'suggest' him to send figo off. but i was surprised by the yellow. i wonder what it was for. if for head butt = must have been red, then for what?

england is stuggling, i would see if figo is not suspended, he could carry them pass england, just like he did in euro 2004.

both teams have demontrated the best 'unsporting behaviours' in history of soccer. but lives move on.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

[quote=SOMBRI2]

england is stuggling, i would see if figo is not suspended, he could carry them pass england, just like he did in euro 2004.

quote]

Figo was dreadful in that game at euro 04, he was actually subbed in for helder postiga who scored the tying goal. Figo was in the dressing room while Portugal made the comeback.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by SOMBRI2

both teams have demontrated the best 'unsporting behaviours' in history of soccer. but lives move on.

I may be alone on this one, but whenever something "bad" happens on a soccer pitch, everyone is quick to jump on soccer's reputation or saying that something like this is bad for the sport. You really think that people who are passionate about the game give a **** about the reputation of soccer??? Hell No, this kind of game happens from time to time, but the game isnt gonna be ruined because of it. Sure, some people in Norrth America might be turned off by all of the diving and dramatics shown today, but I dunno, I can accept it. I can live with it. I aint gonna stop watching. Maybe its for the wrong reasons, but people will be talking about this game for awhile.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by Hakan

England has been the luckiest team in the tournament by far. How many real teams have they played against? They barely eek by Ecuador and will now face Portugal B squad. Ugh, I either way, they will be absolutely run over in the semis.

I wouldnt go so far to call Scolari's lineup for Saturday as a B squad. Cristiano said after the match that he doesnt think its too serious and feels he should be able to play. You never know, Figo may not be suspended, so the only really valuable piece out is Deco, he will be missed for sure. Costinha will be easily replaced by Petit who is very solid as a defensive midfielfer and one of the better free kick takers that no one knows about.

I know I sould like a bit of a homer in this post, but Portugal are not going to lay down and take it from the English, they have been the better team at this tournament so far. England have not looked good, 1-0 wins over Paraguay and Ecuador will tell you that. Look for a POrtugal squad looking to prove that they can overcome adversity.


FORCA PORTUGAL!!!!

[The Goon]

I can't imagine either Holland or Portugal have any fans left after their appalling display yesterday. Certainly, the referees let it get out of hand far too early. I can't recall in all my years of watching football seeing a match quite that bad. Just disgusting.

I was hoping for some kind of ruling afterwards where both teams would be kicked out of the Cup. Neither team deserved to win, and the only saving grace is that Holland is out, while Portugal will be deservedly be whipped by England in the quarter-finals.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by The Goon

I can't imagine either Holland or Portugal have any fans left after their appalling display yesterday. Certainly, the referees let it get out of hand far too early. I can't recall in all my years of watching football seeing a match quite that bad. Just disgusting.

I was hoping for some kind of ruling afterwards where both teams would be kicked out of the Cup. Neither team deserved to win, and the only saving grace is that Holland is out, while Portugal will be deservedly be whipped by England in the quarter-finals.

Just relax there bud, you want the teams out of the tournament?? For christs sakes, its not like they pulled out weapons or went out in a full out brawl. There has been a lot worse on a soccer field before. Sure, this was ugly, but not the worst thing ever and it's gonna be sweet when the Portuguese shock all the dillusional English fans and beat them minus some key players.

ENGLAND FANS..........YOUR TEAM ISNT THAT GOOD!!!!

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by The Goon

I can't imagine either Holland or Portugal have any fans left after their appalling display yesterday. Certainly, the referees let it get out of hand far too early. I can't recall in all my years of watching football seeing a match quite that bad. Just disgusting.

I was hoping for some kind of ruling afterwards where both teams would be kicked out of the Cup. Neither team deserved to win, and the only saving grace is that Holland is out, while Portugal will be deservedly be whipped by England in the quarter-finals.

Actually, for as much as I am upset at Portugal for beating my beloved Dutch, I hope they beat England next match.

The English seem like the Toronto Maple Leafs of soccer..........get all the media hype, and never really seem to win anything.

Pressure is all on the English now........Portugal is beat up a bit, have some guys sitting out next match.........Posh Spice couldn't have asked for a better scenario for her pretty boy husband.

[The Goon]

Well, obviously I didn't expect both teams to have been kicked out. It's just that neither team deserved to progress to the final eight. I don't really have much of a care who wins the tournament, I would just like to see some well-played football. Neither of those teams yesterday showed they have the class to win the World Cup.

I would agree that England is eternally overrated. 'Tis a shame that someone had to lose in the Argentina-Mexico match while either England or Portugal advance to the final four.

As far as the rest of the round of 16, I'm hoping for some good games and maybe an upset today by Australia.

[Jagger]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

ENGLAND FANS..........YOUR TEAM ISNT THAT GOOD!!!!

Why, thanks for sharing that.

I think that you'll find that most, but admittedly not all, English fans expect to be disappointed by the team. For one, nobody rates the terrible coach, the majority don't believe he picks the best team, he plays his favourites whether they are playing well (see Lampard for one), the majority hate the tactics or lack of them so don't try and tell us something that you think we don't know.

It really bugs me the anti-English rhetoric out there. I'm English and I know you don't like it but is it ok if I follow my county's team anyway, even if they are not that good?

[Footscray]

This game is going to be great, there were something like 200,000 italians in Melbourne, I can only imagine the atmosphere there right now. I've gotta go at half so here's hoping for a decisive one!

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by Jagger

It really bugs me the anti-English rhetoric out there. I'm English and I know you don't like it but is it ok if I follow my county's team anyway, even if they are not that good?

That comment was more of a "bring it on" to the English. It's gonna be a fun week of trash talk.

No, I dont like the ENglish team, but I respect the hell out of them, on paper, their midfield should be dominating games, and this team should be playing better than they are, so i think it's a fair comment that they are overrated. And I got no issue with you cheering for England or whoever you want to support, the thing that bugs people about England is their arrogance and in North America, it's because of their over exposure, sometimes, its as if there are no other leagues in Europe. Thats more of a broadcasting issue, but you would find it annoying as well when you were opening the paper and saw Portuguese league division 1-4 standings and no English Premier Standings. Stuff like that, it's bloody annoying.

[Hakan]

This is why England can go rot.

I hope the maple leafs choke up again and those pasty English fans cry all ferry ride home.

[Jagger]

Hakan, are you sure you have half English heritage? That's extremely doubtful. You seem more like a true Scot every day.

The hooligan element are total scum. I hate them. However to say that all the English fans are like that would be ridiculous which I'm sure even you could agree (or maybe not?) The Germans, Dutch and other teams have a hooligan element too. In fact, the German police said that the Germans started the latest problems by throwing chairs etc. at the English fans. Not that that really matters as there really is no excuse for it. I would like to point out though that I was an English fan abroad on occasion before moving to Canada. I never caused problems, was always extremely polite and friendly with the locals, and just supporting my country's team, hard as that was. I rarely saw problems even in a large group of fans. It's a vast minority for crying out loud. Don't lump us all in with those thugs.

As for the English fans crying all the way home, that's doubtful. Like I said, they expect to be disappointed by the team. If they managed to win it with this poor excuse for a coach and his crappy selections it would be a minor miracle.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

FIGO NOT SUSPENDED!!!!!!!!!.........FIFA made their ruling!!!! Figo will play, Ronaldo says he hopes to play, Portugal wont be as depleted as people think.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...372563&cc=3888

[Cheese]

LOL....well Im not much of a soccer fan so take this for what its worth...first off ...Go Portugal!!!! ...

This was at least an entertaining game....the VAST majority of matches are about as boring as watching a tennis match...a great way to catch up on some Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzs.

I just wish the players would be tossed out immediately for the play acting...that is the disgraceful part of soccer. The odd occasion where we get to see the skill sets in action are so far and few between the acting, it rreally makes the sport unpalpable for North Americans who are used to tough bone jarring hits where the players get up and keep going....Darcy Tucker excluded.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

The English seem like the Toronto Maple Leafs of soccer..........get all the media hype, and never really seem to win anything.

You took the words right out of my mouth (see the pre-tourny thread).

And C. Ronaldo is the biggest PRINCESS I have ever had the misfortune of seeing play top level sports. You should have heard the Dutch commentators surmise on whether he was an 8 or 9 year old brat. POR got away with one last night.

[Hakan]

Jagger, I'm not saying that all English fans are a bunch of hooligans. I'm just saying that I'll never cheer for a team with a group of fans that consistenly goes out to be violent. It's the reason I'll never cheer for the Canucks or the Oilers too.

Sure every single nation will have a problem every now and again with its crowd but why is it that there is always a problem with the English fans? Because of which, England deserves no love from me.

Besides that, they play the most boring pathetic 'winning' soccer I've seen all tournament. We will sure see how they fare against a real team in the quarters. About bloody time England plays a real team.

My prediction, England sniffs around all first half without a goal. Rooney goes off in a huff, miscue gives Portugal a goal early in the second and England goes crying all the way home to a public roasting on Coronation St.

[Jagger]

Originally Posted by Hakan

My prediction, England sniffs around all first half without a goal. Rooney goes off in a huff, miscue gives Portugal a goal early in the second and England goes crying all the way home to a public roasting on Coronation St.

Actually, I could see that happening quite easily. There's something we can agree on. I could also easily see a 1-0 boring England victory too, only to go out 2-1 to Brazil in the semis. If England had a great coach like big Phil or Aussie Gus then things would probably be very different.

How 'bout those Aussies eh!

[Jagger]

Australia was absolutely robbed! What a pathetic descision by the referee. That really is a travasty of justice.

[octothorp]

Oh, that was a tough way for Australia's run to end. Not sure I agree with that call.