World Cup South Africa, 2010 Thread

[GirlySports]

Nigeria had the best missed chances of the tournament. At least you can give them that.

[rubecube]

How embarassing will it be if no African teams qualify for the KO stage?

[troutman]

Originally Posted by rubecube

How embarassing will it be if no African teams qualify for the KO stage?

Could it be much worse than Canada not being able to qualify in CONCACAF?

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by troutman

Could it be much worse than Canada not being able to qualify in CONCACAF?

Canada not making the hex was bad but missing the world cup, to anyone who follows them was far from embarrassing.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by rubecube

How embarassing will it be if no African teams qualify for the KO stage?

At this point I dont think any of them will.

The only one that I think might have a chance is Ghana, assuming the get some sort of result against Germany, which I feel is unlikely.

Algeria can technically make it if they beat the USA and England lose or draw. Unlikely.

Ivory Coast is boned basically, and that idiot who got Kaka sent off is probably going to get lynched when he steps off the bus once people realize the implications of what he did.

But basically, they'd need to beat Korea by more than 7 and have Portugal lose. I doubt thats happening.

I'd wager we'll see a draw between Portugal and Brazil. It depends on the motivations I guess. Brazil are missing Kaka, and will sit anyone who is on cards and basically dont care at all about the Portugal game. All Brazil need to do is not lose and they win their group. Hell, they might lose just to get the more favourable draw against Chile rather than run the risk of having to play a potentially second place Spain.

[ipuckedyourmom]

I was very happy to see Greece not make it. South Korea was the better team and played a much better style.

[united]

Some quotes from Slovenia going into tomorrow

Matjez Kek
I would like to point out that England has to go through to the second round - Slovenia wishes to go to the second round.
The quality of England is clear. For me, England is still the favourite to win the World Cup at the very end.

Bostjan Cesar
Everybody knows Rooney deliberately tried to injure me. He should be ashamed of himself. We will try to wind him up and make it an unpleasant experience for him and his team-mates.


I've also read that Ronaldo and Sir Alex Ferguson have called Rooney to calm him down and hopefully set him straight. Come on boys, time to wake up and win the group in convincing fashion!
3-0 England.

[SeoulFire]

Originally Posted by ipuckedyourmom

I was very happy to see Greece not make it. South Korea was the better team and played a much better style.

Everybody in that group (except for the obvious) was crap - Korea got through by being slightly less crappy.

They have the potential to make some noise but need to learn how to defend between now and their next game. The only reason they made it was due to Nigeria's laughable finishing and complete lack of discipline (and Nigeria would have advanced had they won - not Greece anyways).

Korea was just lucky that somebody had to finish second and advance. I hope they take advantage of their opportunity.

[NBC]

Watching the BBC coverage last night hosted by Gary Lineker. The guest pundits were Alan Hansen, Harry Redknapp and Alan Shearer. They were all giving their advice on the formation and who should start for England. Harry made a pitch for Lennon to start as would be expected. Hansen disagreed claiming that Lennon was very poor against Algeria and looked 'out of his depth'. I was expecting a bit of a rebuttal from Harry, but there wasn't one. You don't usually see many disagreements on Match of the Day, but I was fully expecting to see something. Alas, no. Harry backed down and they started talking about something else. It's not like Harry Redknapp to back down from anything.

Good coverage over here. I feel bad for you guys having to deal with the CBC. As irritating as the BBC's policies can be, they do football well.

[NBC]

FYI...

World Cup 2010: Group stage permutations

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...10/8753285.stm

Group C: Slovenia will qualify if they draw against England, although if they lose, they will still go through as long as the United States and Algeria draw. England have to win to stand a chance of topping the group but if both they and the US draw their respective games, England would need to score two goals more than the US (eg 2-2 as opposed to 0-0) just to stand a chance through the drawing of lots. Three goals better in those final draws would send England through on the number of goals scored overall. Algeria are certain to go through if they beat the US by two clear goals.

[rubecube]

England starting XI:

James
Cole, Johnson, Upson, Terry
Milner, Barry, Lampard, Gerrard
Rooney, Defoe

[Cheese]

Originally Posted by rubecube

England starting XI:

James
Cole, Johnson, Upson, Terry
Milner, Barry, Lampard, Gerrard
Rooney, Defoe

I hope there will be salty beer in England after the match...from all the tears of sorrow.

[bigtmac19]

Let's Go England!!

[GirlySports]

Don't know if it's been shown yet, not near a tv atm, but I heard England will wear all red from head to toe (shirt, shorts, socks)

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Don't know if it's been shown yet, not near a tv atm, but I heard England will wear all red from head to toe (shirt, shorts, socks)

Commies!

[d_phaneuf]

Milner for Lennon makes sense because Glen Johnson doesn't even allow the Right winger an ability to get to the wide area

nice to see a striker who can score

come on England

[GirlySports]

Upson looks nervous.

England fans > vuvuzela

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Upson looks nervous.

England fans > vuvuzela

Especially when they riot, break things and beat up people. hehe

[North East Goon]

Ugh, the lack of creativity on this English team is killing me.

[d_phaneuf]

Defoe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!