OFFICIAL FIFA World Cup 2006 Thread

[CrzyCanuck]

Originally Posted by 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:

Heh, as a Portugal fan I find this kind of funny. I don't think to many people refer to the underachieving nation of Portugal as 'old elite'.

I think its a compliment.

[sadora]

Five minutes into the quarter final between Brasil and Ghana and Ronaldo has passed Gerd Muller's record as all time leading World Cup scorer. Ronaldo now has 15 goals and there's still 80 minutes to play.

FORCA BRASIL!!!

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by sadora

Five minutes into the quarter final between Brasil and Ghana and Ronaldo has passed Gerd Muller's record as all time leading World Cup scorer. Ronaldo now has 15 goals and there's still 80 minutes to play.

FORCA BRASIL!!!

I suppose that's what happens when you cherry pick and play in more games than the previous record holder.......jk.......sorry sadora, I just cant stand the guy or the team.

[sadora]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

I suppose that's what happens when you cherry pick and play in more games than the previous record holder.......jk.......sorry sadora, I just cant stand the guy or the team.

That's alright. Not many people can stand the, what is it now? five time world champion...soon to be six.

[Pagal4321]

Well it's fun watching a game where the linesmen seem to need glasses. Adriano has been offisde many times and it has not even been flagged once. And on the second goal he was offside TWICE and still scores the goal...does't do the Ghana team justice that's for sure.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by sadora

That's alright. Not many people can stand the, what is it now? five time world champion...soon to be six.

Did you steal that line from an Oiler fan a month ago?

[Hakan]

If Brazil wins this year will Ronaldo be considered the best player ever?

[sadora]

Originally Posted by Hakan

If Brazil wins this year will Ronaldo be considered the best player ever?

I think Ronaldo will be remembered as a good player but defenitely not the best. Pele IMO will always be remembered as the game's greatest player.
PELE
Maradona
Ronaldo?

[Pagal4321]

It's odd to see the amount of favouring a team like Brazil get's from the referee/linesmen.
It get's pretty silly after awhile.

[4X4]

Damn, TOTF... It must be party central over there. How about the thousands of hookers that have made their way over there? Is it as funny a scene as Jim Rome like to make it out as?

That place is going to be rockin' on July 9th... When Italy defeats Brazil for the WC.

[KevanGuy]

It is refreshing to watch a well reffed game today (France v Spain). Great performance by the Italian (?) ref. And wow, what a finish to that game. Great effort by Zidane.

It's odd to see the amount of favouring a team like Brazil get's from the referee/linesmen.
It get's pretty silly after awhile.

I agree. It really looked like the ref was protecting the Brazil players especially near the end of the game. And that second goal was pretty weak. Though, I think we can all agree with the finish that Ghana showed it didn't matter.

As for Austrailia, tough way to lose but I dont think the ref can be blamed for calling the penalty kick. I mean, if you go down in the penalty area like that you are really taking a huge risk. And I dont think Italy outplayed them during the game, especially when they were reduced to 10 men.

I'm a little late weighing in on Figo. What I would like to know is what the official (or linesman or whoever) said to the ref to warrant only a yellow card. I just cannot believe he told the ref "Hey, there was a headbutt there." and the response was "Oh really, I missed that, I guess I'll just yellow card him." Water under the bridge now. Looking forward to the game on Saturday.

My thoughts on England...well...the only thing that keeps me from being too disappointed in thier performance to date is the hope that they have been playing down to the competition. It will be interesting to see how they come out against a stronger side. And I hope Ashley Cole has been taking his vitamins. He is going to have a hell of a battle against Ronaldo. A question for the Portugal fans, do you think if the England right back is weak again (see: Hargraves or an unfit Neville) that they might flip Ronaldo to the left to play against a weaker player then Cole?

[Scrambler]

After watching the NED - POR game I think England shouldn't have too much difficulty getting through to the semi's. I'm salivating over a possible ENG - FRA semifinal.

[Scrambler]

I am also so very happy that France beat Spain after their coaches' racist remarks about Thierry Henry

[Jagger]

Originally Posted by KevanGuy

A question for the Portugal fans, do you think if the England right back is weak again (see: Hargraves or an unfit Neville) that they might flip Ronaldo to the left to play against a weaker player then Cole?

Obviously I'm not a Portugal fan but here's my opinion anyway! It would not surprise me in the least to see Ronaldo, if fit, switch sides. Ashley Cole is one of the best left backs in the world and a heck of a competitor. Carragher and Hargreaves are not right backs and like you said Neville will not be fully fit. That would likely their best plan of attack.

As for England, sure Ive not been pleased with their performance but they are where they are, lucky or not.

I'd also like to think that they've played down to the opposition but, quite honestly, I think you can blame Sven for a lot of it. He has the tactical accumen of a wet noodle. His selections have been very poor.

Why he continues to play the pitiful Frank Lampard is beyond me? If he played a holding midfielder like Hargreaves or Carrick that would allow Gerrard to play in Lampard's position, where he would be much more effective. Then play the much maligned Crouch up front to hold up the ball and as a foil for Rooney.

Beckham might be good at set plays but he offers little else. Lennon has offered more in the few minutes he's played. (Although to be fair Beckham has been instrumental in quite a few of the goals England have scored though.)

It's going to be an interesting game and a tough one. Portugal will be the first real tough test for England. Can they raise to the occasion? They have the players but do they have the coaching and tactics?

[KevanGuy]

Originally Posted by Jagger

Obviously I'm not a Portugal fan but here's my opinion anyway! It would not surprise me in the least to see Ronaldo, if fit, switch sides. Ashley Cole is one of the best left backs in the world and a heck of a competitor. Carragher and Hargreaves are not right backs and like you said Neville will not be fully fit. That would likely their best plan of attack.

And with Beckham not playing his best that right side is looking pretty weak. The more I think about it the more I think it would make sense for Portugal..lets hope they don't think of it.

Originally Posted by Jagger

I'd also like to think that they've played down to the opposition but, quite honestly, I think you can blame Sven for a lot of it. He has the tactical accumen of a wet noodle. His selections have been very poor.

That's the truth. I am not a big fan Sven Goren Boringsson and I do blame him. For example, I think he should have left Joe Cole out there at the end of the Ecuador game. Taking off a scoring threat in a 1-0 game drives me nuts.

Originally Posted by Jagger

Why he continues to play the pitiful Frank Lampard is beyond me? If he played a holding midfielder like Hargreaves or Carrick that would allow Gerrard to play in Lampard's position, where he would be much more effective. Then play the much maligned Crouch up front to hold up the ball and as a foil for Rooney.

I agree 100%. But, I am sure Lampard will play again. The only positive in that is that the longer he goes without a goal the more likely it is that he will eventually score.

Originally Posted by Jagger

Beckham might be good at set plays but he offers little else. Lennon has offered more in the few minutes he's played. (Although to be fair Beckham has been instrumental in quite a few of the goals England have scored though.)

I think, despite my previous comment, that we could get away with Lennon in for Beckham and have Lampard take the free kicks. At least Lennon has some above average pace.

Originally Posted by Jagger

It's going to be an interesting game and a tough one. Portugal will be the first real tough test for England. Can they raise to the occasion? They have the players but do they have the coaching and tactics?

I sure hope they can. It would be good to see them just take control themselves and go like hell out there. Forget Sven's plans, ball to the wall!

[Hakan]

I hope Lampard keeps kicking balls over the goal. That never gets old.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Scrambler

I am also so very happy that France beat Spain after their coaches' racist remarks about Thierry Henry

That's what I was thinking too. I'm glad that coach won't be winning anything. I must be a wierd spot for Reyes and Febragas to be in playing for a coach who said that about their teamate.

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

That's what I was thinking too. I'm glad that coach won't be winning anything. I must be a wierd spot for Reyes and Febragas to be in playing for a coach who said that about their teamate.

I missed the original comment... what was said?

[Sylvanfan]

I'm hoping that my Ukranians can take out those dastardly Italians. Hopefully they can get it to penalty kicks again and the Italians can't hit the net. After a terrible first game the Uke's have fared alright.

[Jagger]

Originally Posted by Hakan

I hope Lampard keeps kicking balls over the goal. That never gets old.

It's hard for me to support players like Lampard. He comes across as arrogant, plays for the most arrogant team on the planet, and is playing miserably to boot. However, so does Joe Cole. Wonder why I don't have trouble supporting that particular player then.

It's telling when you look at the stats. Lampard 20 shots 0 goals. Gerrard 8 shots 2 goals. Stevie should shoot more and be played in the correct position.

I guess KevanGuy's law of averages is possible but I'm not holding my breath on it tbh. Oh, and yeah, genius Sven will play Lampard and Beckham for sure with Rooney again likely being the lone striker.