Road to South Africa World Cup 2010 - Page 3 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Thunderball · 06-11-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

I'm upset that I missed all that Portugal talk.......They're in a world of hurt right now, but they can pull themslves out of it, only because of the two games against Hungary......there is zero reason that Portugal shouldn't beat Hungary twice.....Hungary has 12 of their 13 points from beating Malta and Albania twice......having said that, Portugal only got 4 points from Albania and not 6.......Portugal hasn't played well all campaign and it's hard to imagine a sudden change in play. Queiroz has been next to a disaster.....I would be all for a coaching change before September's games, but I don't see it happening. This team has great talent, but haven't put it together whatsoever.....they havent played a really good game since they beat the Czechs last year at Euro. They're so bad at defending crosses and set plays, it's disgusting. Without doing any research, of the last 15 goals they have surrendered in the last year or so, I would say 10-12 of them have come from a headed cross or a set play(corner/free kick)........

I hope and believe they will surpass Hungary and get that second place and a playoff spot, but I don't know if they can beat whoever they play in the playoffs......they're just not all that good right now.....

Don't get me started on yesterday's friendly with Estonia, that game made me sick.

Believe me, when you start having to rely on Tiago... THAT'S when you guys are in trouble. Man that guy is such a flake.

Jagger · 06-11-2009, 12:09 PM

Being from England it's incredibly weird to be sitting here not sweating the team making the Finals this time around. I don't particularly have high hopes for them once they get there though. You will find that *most* Englishmen are realistic with regards to that, being so used to the team sucking at major tournaments. The English press on the other hand are whacked. No wonder some of you guys hate the team, given the unwarranted hype.

Not to say I won't be cheering them on all the way though.

Table 5 · 06-11-2009, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KTown

"The Czech Republic Football Association have sacked national team coach Petr Rada after a string of poor results and also expelled six players for a breach of discipline after the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ qualifying loss at home to Slovakia last week.
Forwards Milan Baros, Martin Fenin and Vaclav Sverkos plus midfielders Radoslav Kovac and Marek Matejovsky and defender Tomas Ujfalusi have been banned from the national team."

Woah, what the hell happened? They were banned because they lost, or because of something else?

Table 5 · 06-11-2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jagger

No wonder some of you guys hate the team, given the unwarranted hype.

Not sure if its the commonwealth connection, but I always cheer for the English in these tournaments (unless of course they would ever play Canada or Hungary....which I have yet to worry about, ha). In a way they seem like the closest link to soccer in Canada.

VANFLAMESFAN · 06-11-2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderball

Believe me, when you start having to rely on Tiago... THAT'S when you guys are in trouble. Man that guy is such a flake.

When were we relying on Tiago?? He didn't play in the last qualifier.

Locke · 06-11-2009, 12:48 PM

I dont like Portugal's chances of beating Hungary even once if they cant best the "Talent from Tallinn."

If Portugal loses one of those games vs. Hungary its pretty much all over, at this point its head to head between Portugal and Hungary, and Hungary's got harder games left in Sweden, Portugal twice and Denmark.

Statistically theres a lot of wiggle room there for Portugal, but in all honesty I can see Sweden leapfrogging them for that 2nd place spot as they have potentially the easiest schedule left with games against Hungary, Malta, Denmark and Albania. I see 6 guaranteed points there with 6 up for grabs.

Suave · 06-11-2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Table 5

Woah, what the hell happened? They were banned because they lost, or because of something else?

The six players were indefinitely suspended after being photographed having a night on the town with a couple of prostitutes following their loss to Slovakia.

I think they will be reinstated once the federation gets its stuff in order and a new coach is named before qualification resumes. The only one that probably wont be back is Ujfalusi, as he has retired from the national side.

KTown · 06-11-2009, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Table 5

Woah, what the hell happened? They were banned because they lost, or because of something else?

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?...cer&id=4053189
Here is the link and here is a small cut-out, and looks like its up to the new coach if he wants to re-instate them or not. A coach won't be selected till June 27th.

Locke · 06-11-2009, 01:09 PM

Czechs, never fear!! Jan Koller is always waiting in the wings to save the day!!

Table 5 · 06-11-2009, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suave

The six players were indefinitely suspended after being photographed having a night on the town with a couple of prostitutes following their loss to Slovakia.

That doesnt sound like that big of a deal for the Czech Republic. I mean this is the country where when the last time i went to a dance club, a paid stripper showed up and started doing her thing in the middle of the dance floor, and everyone there was used to it.

Although maybe they should stick to partying after wins. Losing to Slovakia is pretty pathetic (I should know, I was born there, ha).

sadora · 06-11-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jagger

Being from England it's incredibly weird to be sitting here not sweating the team making the Finals this time around. I don't particularly have high hopes for them once they get there though. You will find that *most* Englishmen are realistic with regards to that, being so used to the team sucking at major tournaments. The English press on the other hand are whacked. No wonder some of you guys hate the team, given the unwarranted hype.

Not to say I won't be cheering them on all the way though.

I would probably pick England as one of my 4 possible cup winners this time around. They definitely have the quality to go far, and assuming that Becks is on the team come World Cup time, he's going to be giving it his all out there to make sure he gets something out of his last World Cup appearance.

Thunderball · 06-11-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

When were we relying on Tiago?? He didn't play in the last qualifier.

I just meant that he's actually being called up and used (as he was in the game before last). The day Portugal is really in trouble is the day he's a starter, right now its just a little struggle.

VANFLAMESFAN · 06-11-2009, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderball

I just meant that he's actually being called up and used (as he was in the game before last). The day Portugal is really in trouble is the day he's a starter, right now its just a little struggle.

I'd put Tiago in before Boa Morte like Queiroz did last Saturday. That was ridiculous.

Locke · 06-11-2009, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

I'd put Tiago in before Boa Morte like Queiroz did last Saturday. That was ridiculous.

Boa Morte is still playing? Well I'll be damned.

GirlySports · 06-11-2009, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

I think that is fair. Games in La Paz and Quito were very unfair for the visitors. That is the only reason Bolivia ever qualified for a World Cup. Mexico City is high altitude too. It is a chore to climb a set of stairs in Quito.

Bolivia: La Paz - 3,600m (11,811ft)
Peru: Cuzco - 3,400m (11,154ft)
Ecuador: Quito - 2,800m (9,186ft)
Colombia: Bogota: 2640m (8,661ft)
Mexico City: 2,240m (7349ft)
Denver: 1,609 m (5,280 ft)
Calgary: 1,048 m (3,438 ft)

To put this in perspective, the highest peak in Alberta, Mount Columbia, is 3,747 m (12,293 ft).

I often thought Canada should have it's home games in Inuvik. That would be a real hardship for Caribbeans and Central Americans.

Canada's stupid. They always have games in Toronto or Vancouver and sometimes Edmonton. Have games in Winnipeg at least.

The only time Canada made the World Cup, they sealed the deal in St. John's Newfoundland! The Hondurans didn't even know how to get there!

Thunderball · 06-11-2009, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

I'd put Tiago in before Boa Morte like Queiroz did last Saturday. That was ridiculous.

Boa Morte?? Yikes. Isn't he a winger? and a pretty lousy one at that?

Issue with Tiago is that he's very, very soft and prone to coughing up the ball.

GirlySports · 06-11-2009, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Don't get me started on yesterday's friendly with Estonia, that game made me sick.

I don't know why they played like crap in a friendly. They should have just relaxed and experimented. They barely got a shot on goal.

Look at a team like Italy. They're boring and defensive in tournaments cause there's alot of presure to win. But you give them a friendly against New Zealand and they relax and do all sorts of goofy stuff. Italy winning 4-3? Should have been something like 6-5 cause it was just a scimmage. They were having fun

Suave · 06-11-2009, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Table 5

That doesnt sound like that big of a deal for the Czech Republic. I mean this is the country where when the last time i went to a dance club, a paid stripper showed up and started doing her thing in the middle of the dance floor, and everyone there was used to it.

Although maybe they should stick to partying after wins. Losing to Slovakia is pretty pathetic (I should know, I was born there, ha).

I think it’s more to do with losing to Slovakia and the general suckiness of the team lately, rather then the partying but it makes for good headlines. Since we are not exactly the most sexually oppressed or anti-drinking culture. The team and the Federation are just in turmoil, and I think this was a message to get it together.

rubecube · 06-11-2009, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jagger

Being from England it's incredibly weird to be sitting here not sweating the team making the Finals this time around. I don't particularly have high hopes for them once they get there though. You will find that *most* Englishmen are realistic with regards to that, being so used to the team sucking at major tournaments. The English press on the other hand are whacked. No wonder some of you guys hate the team, given the unwarranted hype.

Not to say I won't be cheering them on all the way though.

I will admit to not being a very knowledgable supporter, but I think the English have a great team. It's definitely the deepest team they've fielded in at least a decade.

troutman · 06-11-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubecube

I will admit to not being a very knowledgable supporter, but I think the English have a great team. It's definitely the deepest team they've fielded in at least a decade.

No, they are the Toronto Maple Leafs of World Soccer. Have not won anything since the mid-60s, combined with obscene amounts of hype.