World Cup South Africa, 2010 Thread - Page 135 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

GirlySports · 06-25-2010, 09:50 AM

If I were Portugal I'd go for it, nothing to lose, they can't get knocked out now.

Cactus Jack · 06-25-2010, 09:51 AM

Terrible game. Other than the Nilmar near miss, not much to be excited about. The ref has been the biggest star and in a good way, he was fantastic. I wish I could say the about Brazil and Portugal. Shame, I expected a ripper of a game this morning.

Locke · 06-25-2010, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GirlySports

If I were Portugal I'd go for it, nothing to lose, they can't get knocked out now.

They should be going for it to avoid Spain. This is a great opportunity for them because Brazil look like they really couldnt care less. Unfortunately Portugal havent exactly been anything to write home about either.

I think this is Portugal 'going for it.'

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cactus Jack

Terrible game. Other than the Nilmar near miss, not much to be excited about. The ref has been the biggest star and in a good way, he was fantastic. I wish I could say the about Brazil and Portugal. Shame, I expected a ripper of a game this morning.

Ref has been excellent, the performance of both teams was pretty pathetic.

GirlySports · 06-25-2010, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cactus Jack

Terrible game. Other than the Nilmar near miss, not much to be excited about. The ref has been the biggest star and in a good way, he was fantastic. I wish I could say the about Brazil and Portugal. Shame, I expected a ripper of a game this morning.

Yeah usually 2nd place is not good. Portugal have to come back on Monday now while Brazil plays on Tuesday. Also I believe Portugal have to travel far as well while the Group winners get to stay put.

And yes if Spain kills Chile then Portugal gets Spain right away in the more difficult half of the draw.

Not good if you're Portugese. Opportunity wasted.

Da_Chief · 06-25-2010, 10:19 AM

Oh boy...

rubecube · 06-25-2010, 10:29 AM

Pretty unimpressive showing from Brazil today. I get that they were playing not to lose, but their passing and ball-control was absolutely terrible.

VANFLAMESFAN · 06-25-2010, 10:50 AM

Pretty dreadful game this morning. Maybe the worst of the tournament outside of France/Uruguay. Brazil were embarassing. They had no desire in playing with any kind of pace the ENTIRE game. Portugal when they did have the ball, at least tried once in a while to move forward and to create something. They weren't great either by any stretch.

But at any rate, holding Brazil to a draw in a World Cup is a minor accomplishment. Portugal are the only team so far to play 3 games without conceding a goal. Carvalho and Alves in the middle have been very solid for three games now.

Hoping for a Chile win or a huge Swiss win coupled with a Spain win. Obviously do not want Spain but are not scared by the either.

Going into the tournament, I didn't think Portugal would go thru. I honestly didn't because they had been Sooooooo bad recently. Color me pleasantly surprised with the 5 points and a berth to the knockout round.

Oh and for the comments about Ronaldo and his 45 yard free kicks. He's not trying to score a direct goal. He has had many opportunities by him hitting it hard and low, hoping for the ball to skip and handcuff the keeper and have the other players follow up for rebounds. He's done it plenty in qualifying and he did that today. He just mis hit both of them today miserably.

VANFLAMESFAN · 06-25-2010, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Yeah usually 2nd place is not good. Portugal have to come back on Monday now while Brazil plays on Tuesday. Also I believe Portugal have to travel far as well while the Group winners get to stay put.

And yes if Spain kills Chile then Portugal gets Spain right away in the more difficult half of the draw.

Not good if you're Portugese. Opportunity wasted.

Wrong, Portugal plays 1h on Tuesday. Brazil plays Monday.

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/kostage.html

GirlySports · 06-25-2010, 10:54 AM

whoops, i can't read

oh and Uruguay haven't allowed a goal either.

VANFLAMESFAN · 06-25-2010, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GirlySports

whoops, i can't read

oh and Uruguay haven't allowed a goal either.

Apparently I can't read standings. My bad.

GirlySports · 06-25-2010, 11:02 AM

I find that fact that Uruguay is playing South Korea and Paraguay is playing Japan amusing.

Cecil Terwilliger · 06-25-2010, 11:07 AM

Just for kicks I'm going to predict Paraguay vs Argentina in one Semi and US vs Brazil in other.

Have any pundits mentioned the fact that many SA countries play at high altitudes and many of the venues are at high altitudes? Maybe I'm out to lunch but the SA countries are doing extremely well and I'm curious if the altitudes they normally play at might be an advantage for them.

GirlySports · 06-25-2010, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Just for kicks I'm going to predict Paraguay vs Argentina in one Semi and US vs Brazil in other.

Have any pundits mentioned the fact that many SA countries play at high altitudes and many of the venues are at high altitudes? Maybe I'm out to lunch but the SA countries are doing extremely well and I'm curious if the altitudes they normally play at might be an advantage for them.

Interesting but to me the high altitude SA countries aren't there like Bolivia, Ecuador and Columbia.

Chile plays at a fairly high altitude but i think the others are at sea level.
Brazil and Argentina for example hate playing up in the mountains.

My theory is more to do with the ball. The SA countries play the ball more on the ground and with the ball flying into row Z when shot, they are controlling it better. SA teams stereotypically are short and have trouble defending high balls and crosses. But there haven't been many goals scored on crosses in this WC because the ball is uncontrollable so they have been able to avoid goals against.

V · 06-25-2010, 11:30 AM

Chile also has yet to concede a goal. That may or may not change after today.

Cactus Jack · 06-25-2010, 11:31 AM

Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina don't play at home with any kind of altitude. Chile does and perhaps at times Paraguay. The true high altitude countries in South America are Chile, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru.

The Goon · 06-25-2010, 11:43 AM

I don't know that we can assume Spain will beat Chile today, which opens up the idea of Switzerland going through. It's certainly not beyond the realm of possibility, given how this World Cup has gone thus far.

Bertuzzied · 06-25-2010, 11:47 AM

Japan and South Korea are going to beat Urugay and Paragay so badly they will be arrested for hate crimes.

Asian power!

Locke · 06-25-2010, 12:12 PM

A Spain win will see Portugal bounced out by early next week, I am all for that.

Go Spain!

VANFLAMESFAN · 06-25-2010, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

A Spain win will see Portugal bounced out by early next week, I am all for that.

Go Spain!

I'm all for you having a very pro Portugal sig/avatar. If Spain and Portugal play in the next round, care for a bet?? I'll put whatever on the line.

Locke · 06-25-2010, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

I'm all for you having a very pro Portugal sig/avatar. If Spain and Portugal play in the next round, care for a bet?? I'll put whatever on the line.

Hm, I'll think about it. Could be fun. Lets watch and see what happens here first shall we?