2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Locke · 06-30-2007, 01:25 AM

On CBC, first game is 12:00 noon saturday. Brazil vs Poland. This whole tournament is going to be awesome. I'm really looking forward to seeing Brazil's wonder-kid Alex Pato. He is supposedly the next Phenomenon.

This tournament is always great to watch, just kids who are playing in the biggest tournament of their lives with nothing but the thought of winning for their country on their minds.

I honestly hope Canada can make an impression in this tournament.

Locke.

FlamingLonghorn · 06-30-2007, 08:12 AM

I myself can't wait to see Altidore and Adu play together... I have a feeling Altidore will turn this into a job in Europe possibly the EPL as he turns 18 in November...

Resolute 14 · 06-30-2007, 12:40 PM

Man, what a nice goal on a free kick by Poland.

sadora · 06-30-2007, 12:44 PM

That was a beautiful free kick. Great first goal of the tournament, it's just too bad it didn't go to Brazil.

sadora · 06-30-2007, 12:49 PM

I missed the first three minutes or so of the game and I'm unsure about something, did the Polish player get a yellow card in those opening minutes??

Resolute 14 · 06-30-2007, 12:57 PM

They thought he got a yellow initally, but I guess Brazil needs help, as that was a pretty weak play to send a player off over.

I think Brazil's plan of action is to dive until every Pole gets 2 yellow cards...

Locke · 06-30-2007, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snakeeye

They thought he got a yellow initally, but I guess Brazil needs help, as that was a pretty weak play to send a player off over.

I think Brazil's plan of action is to dive until every Pole gets 2 yellow cards...

To be fair, Poland is playing a very aggressive physical game, and against a team that plays an attack with flair and very little aggression it can work against you.

That Polish player received a yellow earlier, and then another later on. It was a pretty weak second yellow, no question. The other calls after that though are fairly routine. I have no problem with the other calls. The commentator suggesting that Brazil's 'theatricality' is influencing the call to be a cardable offence as opposed to just a foul presumes that the ref is an idiot and hes falling for that.

He refs in England, diving is no stanger there....

, hes making good calls but Poland isnt adjusting their play. If they keep this up they are screwing themselves royally for the rest of the tournament.

Really good game so far though, regardless of who you're cheering for.

Locke.

EDIT: And Dave Howard on the Half time show just confirmed everything I said. Poland making too many reckless challenges after their player got sent off, weak send off, and Armitage should shut the hell up because the ref isnt buying the theatricality. Way to go Dave. They should get him to commentate, he at least knows what the hell hes talking about.

On that note, after yesterday's Argentina game and Today's Brazil game, I noticed that the commentators are always jumping on these guys backs, always praising their opponents and bashing them everytime they dont score, and then when they do score, its like, "well thats Brazil/Argentina for you, the best team ever, I dont know why the other team thought they had a chance." What they want from these guys? Games are 90 minutes long, if you want to say a team played like crap, anlayze the whole game and then sum it up. Its getting frustrating. Yeah, Brazil's not playing great, but theres the whole second half yet.

Resolute 14 · 06-30-2007, 01:20 PM

What did he get the first yellow for? Not even the commentators knew that there was already a yellow awarded until half time, when they replayed the video of the 2nd yellow.

Locke · 06-30-2007, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snakeeye

What did he get the first yellow for? Not even the commentators knew that there was already a yellow awarded until half time, when they replayed the video of the 2nd yellow.

Brazil's first free kick from 30 yards out.

Honestly, the commentators arent even paying attention. I clearly saw the second yellow given (I will agree, weak call for a yellow, no question), and the subsequent red, and watched the player walk off the pitch crying, and the commentators hadn't even realized it yet. The player was actually missing for about 3 minutes before they finally figured out that he got sent off.

Resolute 14 · 06-30-2007, 01:36 PM

Obviously I missed that call too. Ah well.

Poland still looking good, an hour in.

melvillemillionaire · 06-30-2007, 01:54 PM

Why didn't Calgary bid for the tournament? FIFA approves field turf. A missed opportunity

Locke · 06-30-2007, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melvillemillionaire

Why didn't Calgary bid for the tournament? FIFA approves field turf. A missed opportunity

It has to be FIFA Approved Field Turf. Montreal didnt have it, theirs is less than a week old, and I think McMahon's is older than me. I played on it for a provincial tournament as a kid and its crap. They may have changed it recently but I still doubt its FIFA approved and new turf ain't cheap. That field surface probably cost well over $100 Grand.

Well played game by Poland, no doubt there. They analyzed their opponent's strengths and successfully neutralized them for the entire game. Not the prettiest play ever, but they got 3 points which is whats important.

Very impressive, and, as a Brazil fan, I'm looking forward to them really coming out of the gates hard for their next two games. That should be great to watch, not to mention this really shifts the dynamic of the group.

Now we just have to wait for the Argentina game later today.

Locke · 06-30-2007, 03:04 PM

If you're watching the game on GOLTV the commentator is way better than the hack they had doing the Copa America games.

I'm expecting the US to beat Korea right now on CBC, their players are the only ones in this tournament who arent old enough to drink in their home country, I bet their coach hopes they dont get into it up here....

Argentina vs Czech Rep. should be the most hotly contested game of the day. Its gonna be good.

melvillemillionaire · 06-30-2007, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

It has to be FIFA Approved Field Turf. Montreal didnt have it, theirs is less than a week old, and I think McMahon's is older than me. I played on it for a provincial tournament as a kid and its crap. They may have changed it recently but I still doubt its FIFA approved and new turf ain't cheap. That field surface probably cost well over $100 Grand.

.

Ottawa's field turf is older than McMahon's

Locke · 06-30-2007, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melvillemillionaire

Ottawa's field turf is older than McMahon's

Maybe McMahon just didnt get turf that was FIFA approved, I dont know what you want me to tell you, its really as simple as that, and to be honest I really dont know.

As for the games, the US is going to run into the same trouble as Poland if they keep this aggressive style up. Too many fouls are going to result in cards that are going to screw them later in the tournament. But that game is really good.

As for Korea/Panama that game looks like its going to en 0-0, but not for lack of trying, really exciting game.

Maserati · 06-30-2007, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

If you're watching the game on GOLTV the commentator is way better than the hack they had doing the Copa America games.

Thank god

melvillemillionaire · 06-30-2007, 05:16 PM

Did Calgary bid for this tournament Locke? That's what I'm wondering

Addick · 06-30-2007, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melvillemillionaire

Did Calgary bid for this tournament Locke? That's what I'm wondering

I believe they threw their hat in and then promptly removed it. The problems with the bid were quite typical of football in this city; poor venue, and politics. By poor venue I mean the fieldturf, which I believe was the main problem with using McMahon. I think it was the fact that the lines are permanent, but I could be wrong.

***

I got to watch parts of the Korea/United States match and that was quite a treat for the neutral! Korea played some beautiful football; their display was what I was expecting from Argentina in the Copa America. It was like watching an NBA team play a WNBA team, America just couldn’t keep up and looked like pylons on Korea’s goal. In the past I’ve talked about how Canada need’s focus on developing quality players, and I believe North America needs to emulate what Korea has done. They have come quite a way in what seems like a short period of time.

Locke · 06-30-2007, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Addick

I got to watch parts of the Korea/United States match and that was quite a treat for the neutral! Korea played some beautiful football; their display was what I was expecting from Argentina in the Copa America. It was like watching an NBA team play a WNBA team, America just couldn’t keep up and looked like pylons on Korea’s goal. In the past I’ve talked about how Canada need’s focus on developing quality players, and I believe North America needs to emulate what Korea has done. They have come quite a way in what seems like a short period of time.

As for the Bid, I honestly dont know, but I doubt it as the bid would be handled by the Canadian Soccer Association, which would know which fields would be acceptable. So I doubt it, but I admit I have no idea.

As for Korea. I have also stated numerous times that Canada should emulate them. They have gone from nobodies to contenders in less than 8 years. Impressive, and they thoroughly dominated the US today for large portions of the game. That was a fun one to watch.

sadora · 07-01-2007, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

They have gone from nobodies to contenders in less than 8 years. Impressive, and they thoroughly dominated the US today for large portions of the game. That was a fun one to watch.

I wouldn't go as far as to call them contenders but their soccer program is very good. They have improved considerably and it would be great to see Canada follow a similar program.