OFFICIAL FIFA World Cup 2006 Thread

[josef]

what a ****in joke!! never ever was this a penalty shot - just brutal to loose because of a call like this

[Jagger]

Originally Posted by josef

what a ****in joke!! never ever was this a penalty shot - just brutal to loose because of a call like this

Some of the refereeing in this tournament has been the worst ever seen imo. That's two games straight where there has been some brutal refereeing on display.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by troutman

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.

I understand why people despise him, but you can't deny his skill. And Im not just talking about the flashy crap which Im not a huge fan of. If you watch lots of Man U games, he is always the one supplying the pass to Nistlerooy or Rooney and the action seems to always be around him. He may be a princess and a whiner and all that and like I said if you aint a portugal or man u fan, you probably wont like him, but to dent the guy as a good player is foolish.

[CrzyCanuck]

^^^^ to add...if you watch any games he plays you know he is fast and he is tricky. This leads to defenders playing his body virtually everytime he is near, and drawing a significant number of calls his way.

He knows that the ref knows this so he may play it up a bit. 90% of the calls are good ones.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by Jagger

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

Its hardly a travesty... the rules clearly state that a poor tackle in the box is punishable by a penalty kick. Just like hauling a guy down on a breakway is punishable by that in hockey. Had that tackle been outside, it would have been a free kick and there'd be no complaining. He happened to be in the box, and as soccer players/coaches/refs/fans know, there are much tighter rules in the 18 yd. box. I'd be saying that even if it went the other way, thats the rules, don't like it, suck it up... that defender knew exactly what he was risking, Grosso was clear on net otherwise.

Don't forget, the red card against Italy was a disgusting display too... Materazzi didn't even touch the guy, but was handed a red card. The game would have been completely different had the Italians not have to retreat to a 1-4-4 formation, rather than a 3-3-4 trident.

The refs have been ruining this World Cup, that much is certain. Its upsetting that two playoff games so far have been decided by a ref call (England's free kick, and this penalty shot), but both were well within defined boundaries.

[Jagger]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

Don't forget, the red card against Italy was a disgusting display too... Materazzi didn't even touch the guy, but was handed a red card..

I have to admit that I never saw the red card, I only watched the last 20 minutes or so. Still, I don't believe that should have been a penalty. The Italian fell over him rather than it being a poor tackle. It looked extremely harsh to me.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by Jagger

I have to admit that I never saw the red card, I only watched the last 20 minutes or so. Still, I don't believe that should have been a penalty. The Italian fell over him rather than it being a poor tackle. It looked extremely harsh to me.

Its more, he tackled with the intent to get the ball, and failed, while in the process clipped the player (ever so slightly) causing him to fall. Its soft, but its sadly the rules, and its not a freak occurance... it happens a lot in league play.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

He happened to be in the box, and as soccer players/coaches/refs/fans know, there are much tighter rules in the 16 yd. box. I'd be saying that even if it went the other way, thats the rules, don't like it, suck it up... that defender knew exactly what he was risking, Grosso was clear on net otherwise.

.

Im sorry, Im having trouble taking your post seriously considering you called it a 16 yard box. I dont mean to come off as an *******, and I hope that was an error on your part because it seemed like you knew what you were talking about.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Im sorry, Im having trouble taking your post seriously considering you called it a 16 yard box. I dont mean to come off as an *******, and I hope that was an error on your part because it seemed like you knew what you were talking about.

yep, that was a typo. Supposed to be 18. I'll fix my previous post.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

Its more, he tackled with the intent to get the ball, and failed, while in the process clipped the player (ever so slightly) causing him to fall. Its soft, but its sadly the rules, and its not a freak occurance... it happens a lot in league play.

Judging by the highlights, I dont think he even clipped him. The Italian player simply ran into him and tripped.

I cant judge the red card, but on that play, the referee completely handed the game to Italy.

[Jagger]

^^^^ I don't think he clipped him either. It was not just a 'soft' call it was a crucial call that sent a team home from the World Cup. Yeah, that's football but I don't have to like it.

[Jagger]

Some comments regarding Portugal. I don't think they are in that bad a shape really. Scolari, being a great coach, will have them ready and they have excellent players in reserve in any case. Sure they will have less options on the bench but I truly admire what big Phil brings to a team. He actually practices 10 vs 11 which really helps in situations like yesterday and England vs Brazil in the last WC. His tactics are usually on the money.

When you consider Scolari compared to England's pitiful excuse for a coach I don't believe that England has any advantages going into this one whatsover. (Yeah, I don't like Sven.)

[JayP]

Finally saw the highlights and that's a disgrace.

The Italian player falls over the Aussie after he missed the tackle. Maybe I'm not familar with soccer, but how in the world is that a foul? The Aussie player didn't even do anything!

[sadora]

It was a sad way for the Australians to lose that game. They played very well and to lose by a late penalty shot is almost robbery. Watching the replay many times over, the Italian player did run into the Aussie player and over-acted the incident but I can only venture two guesses as to why the ref gave the penalty shot.

A) The Aussie player was the last man on Defence, and b) while the Aussie player did not tackle the Italian striker, the Aussie did obstruct the Italian's run.
Even outside the box obstruction calls are often bookable offenses so an obstruction inside the box and late in the game warrants a penalty shot.

I was hoping for the game to go into extra time because I thought both teams were playing well. I don't think that Australia deserved to lose the way they did but you have to hand it to the Italians for not retreating after loosing a man early on. If it wasn't for Buffon's brilliant play I think the Aussies would have pulled off the first upset of the tournament.

FORCA BRASIL!!!

[troutman]

FIFA needs to clean house, and eliminate the play-acting, and favortism towards the old elites. The performances by ITA and POR have been especially disgusting. The Aussie's got jobbed:

Later, the Aussie defender lamented that referees always seem to favor the powerhouse teams.

"They look after the big nations," Chipperfield said. "They want the big nations through to the semis and finals. It's always the way."


"I just can't believe it, mate," Australian forward Tim Cahill said. "We play all our lives to be honest on the pitch and to work hard and I suppose these days you fall over on the pitch and get a penalty, free kick whatever. It's disappointing.

I'm furious. It's unbelievable. The luck we've had with refereeing decisions this World Cup. Everything's been against us."

About the only people in the Fritz-Walter-Stadion who thought Grosso was fouled were the Italians - and Medina.

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/5731350

The Aussies made big fans of me; they played through every foul, getting up right away and continuing play; the Italians and most other teams on the other hand, flop to the ground on the slightest of contacts and roll around until the stretcher come out.

My solution: any player taken off on a stretcher must be substituted out of the game. Stiff fines and suspensions handed out retroactively on video review of each game. It is too hard for a ref in the heat of the action to detect a dive.

[4X4]

Just thought I'd come along and tell you guys what it's like here with the world cup going on... Roma went ****ing bonkers last night. I watched the game and I agree that it was total BS, but I was pretty glad that Italy won (the party, and the fact that I'm half Italian).

So yeah, Rome was in full party mode yesterday. People driving around honking their horns, waving flags out car windows, people on scooters with flags around their necks like capes... Campo de Fiori (a piazza with a bunch of bars) was a helluva party too...

Man, this is fun...


Too bad about the Swiss... My mother's side is swiss so I was going for them too. They deserved to win, IMO. But I guess the Ukraines won fair and square. Not like Italy, who DID outplay and take it to Australia, but still won in a terrible way.

Here's hoping for a Brazil v Italy final. Go Italy! This place is going to go absolutely crazy if Italy wins. Did I say IF? I mean WHEN!

[4X4]

Forgot to mention something else... It is just so funny how the city shuts down while Italy is playing. Literally. No traffic, nobody on the street except pasty white tourists that don't give a damn about football.
Not a black haired person in sight. Everybody finds a bar or a lounge to watch the game. The doormen, who need to be there to keep the places from overfilling, stand inside the bar and just put their backs against it to keep people out, so that they can watch the game too. Hilarious. Getting a beer is a pain in the ass because the bartenders are watching the game. Glasses pile up on tables until some player goes drama queen on the field and the ensuing minute of doctoring stops the play long enough for the bar staff to furiously run around the bar and grab some glasses off the tables.

And to be clear about what I mean about the partying, the place goes Red Mile after an Italy victory. Piazza Venezia (the humongous traffic circle in the center of town) gets blocked off by police, and fills up with italians with their flags and air horns... Insane.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Forgot to mention something else... It is just so funny how the city shuts down while Italy is playing. Literally. No traffic, nobody on the street except pasty white tourists that don't give a damn about football.
Not a black haired person in sight. Everybody finds a bar or a lounge to watch the game. The doormen, who need to be there to keep the places from overfilling, stand inside the bar and just put their backs against it to keep people out, so that they can watch the game too. Hilarious. Getting a beer is a pain in the ass because the bartenders are watching the game. Glasses pile up on tables until some player goes drama queen on the field and the ensuing minute of doctoring stops the play long enough for the bar staff to furiously run around the bar and grab some glasses off the tables.

And to be clear about what I mean about the partying, the place goes Red Mile after an Italy victory. Piazza Venezia (the humongous traffic circle in the center of town) gets blocked off by police, and fills up with italians with their flags and air horns... Insane.

Glad you are enjoying it in Italy!!!! It is pretty nuts here in Germany as well. I was in Amsterdam on Saturday and had to watch the game there, and I was not very well liked for cheering for the Germans haha.

Too bad for the Aussies though. What a crappy way to end the game. The call was OK I guess, but it still a very crappy way for a game to end. I know this game is a bit old but the comment about bad reffing reminded me of the USA and Ghana game. The Americans were really robbed in that game. They were not spectacular but still not a very good job by the officials. The Americans here in Germany are ****ED. I hope Brazil kicks there asses tonight.

Also last week, the Australia and Croastia game was the best game of the tourney up to that point. We were at a Biergarten, and they were showing the Brazil and Japan game, and a very loud ''change the channel'' chant was started by the ''socceroos.'' After the Cloutier like goal the Aussie goalie let in, he was jeered all night lol.

I cant comment on the Portugal game because I missed it unfortunately. I am headed to the Schlossplatz for the games tonight though. Should be a good time!!!!

Oh, one more thing. How about those Germans? Ballack played his best game of the tourney so far, and Podolski and Klose are on fire. Can they beat Brazil, Argentina or Portugal?

[Footscray]

I think the ref thought that there was a lean or obstruction while the player was on the ground, it was a really sad way to end it for the importance of the match. I think for a country like Australia who actually played with a little dignity and didn't act like they'd been hit by a bus every time someone nicked their shin to go out this way is particularly brutal. Especially when FIFA is trying to develop the game there and win some fans, it's a black eye. Gotta work and miss the games today, but i will catch them tonight because there are two beauties - a guy passing by me with his daughter yesterday in the street said 'that's right susie, italy won today' and spoiled that one, what are the odds, here's hoping for a clean slate tonight.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Footscray

I think for a country like Australia who actually played with a little dignity and didn't act like they'd been hit by a bus every time someone nicked their shin to go out this way is particularly brutal.

So very, very true... Italian football is just brutal for diving and acting. Well, fotball in general is, but italians ham it up like no other.

Good job Australia.