Road to South Africa World Cup 2010

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Bagor

From the replays I've seen it was as clear a penalty as you can get.

Given "clearly" catches Anelka's ankle with his hand.

I can't spot even a hint of contact. What I can spot is Anelka throwing himself to the ground like an absolute twat.

[Locke]

Wow....no Russia...thats a surprise!

[Pagal4321]

Who wants to tell me when they do the draws for World Cup groups?

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by valo403

I can't spot even a hint of contact. What I can spot is Anelka throwing himself to the ground like an absolute twat.

All of the articles I've read support your argument. Typical dirty French.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Pagal4321

Who wants to tell me when they do the draws for World Cup groups?

Dec 4th

[Locke]

Originally Posted by rubecube

All of the articles I've read support your argument. Typical dirty French.

Its actually a conspiracy to generate revenue.

Also, this just in: Gary Bettman is also the Commissioner of FIFA...

[Pagal4321]

Originally Posted by valo403

Dec 4th

GIGGIDY!! Can't wait to see who I'll be watching! Thank you valo.

[J pold]

Ha ha stupid Irish.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by rubecube

I'd love for England to draw Portugal in the group stage and just destroy them.

Just like 2000, 2004 and 2006 right??

[VANFLAMESFAN]

[quote=Locke;2159173]I'd love that too. Portugal is going to create a group of death as they're going to come in as a low seed, so there will be 2 higher seeded teams, a lower seeded team and Portugal. It'll be interesting, but they had better get their act together or they're going to get slaughtered. Squeaking out a couple of narrow wins against Bosnia doesnt really inspire tons of confidence.

[quote]

Doing it without their best player and their starting right back will help their confidence and going into a hostile enviroment like Bosnia should not be overlooked either.

I do agree that if they play the way they've been playing in the qualifying, they stand no chance of getting out of the first round unless they get a really fortunate draw, but that's unlikely pending the seeds of course.

My expectations going into South Africa will be low, no doubt about it, but they were really low going into 2004.

At the end of the day, they didn't embarass themselves by not getting in and all this will be forgotten if they can put some kind of a run together. I'm not counting on it, but the World Cup will be a lot more interesting with a team like Portugal in.

[d_phaneuf]

Portugal's problem is that they lack a striker, they are great up front but unless they put Ronaldo up front (which Man U did to great effect in the Champions League last year) than they have no real finishers or targets in the box.

They are great defensively though, which allows them to take games to penalties once they are out of the group stages. Which is just like Italy.

They are probly going to need a very good draw in 2 weeks to be able to make any noise next summer. They are in the 3rd pot so if they could get something like South Africa/Algeria/New Zealand than they should be through. But if they get something like Brazil/Cameroon/Mexico they could be in trouble.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Just like 2000, 2004 and 2006 right??

Care to guess what the Brits all-time record against Spain Jr. is? You beat us on penalties, which is about as much to brag about as an NHL team winning a game in the shootout.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Care to guess what the Brits all-time record against Spain Jr. is? You beat us on penalties, which is about as much to brag about as an NHL team winning a game in the shootout.

Why bring up ancient history?? None of the current Portuguese players were even alive when England used to dominate Portugal. The past is exactly that, the past. How did England do at Euro 08?? Who did they lose to in 04 and 06?? You have nothing to brag to a Portuguese supporter about. England supporters are like Leaf fans.....probably worse........just absolutely clueless.

Dis credit the shootout all you want. It's the way matches are settled. It's part of the sport and everyone should accept that because it's not gonna change.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Why bring up ancient history?? None of the current Portuguese players were even alive when England used to dominate Portugal. The past is exactly that, the past. How did England do at Euro 08?? Who did they lose to in 04 and 06?? You have nothing to brag to a Portuguese supporter about. England supporters are like Leaf fans.....probably worse........just absolutely clueless.

Dis credit the shootout all you want. It's the way matches are settled. It's part of the sport and everyone should accept that because it's not gonna change.

I'm curious, why is 04, 06, and 08 not considered the past? I guess the past is something you've decided to use where convenient.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by valo403

I'm curious, why is 04, 06, and 08 not considered the past? I guess the past is something you've decided to use where convenient.

There are still key pieces on BOTH team that played in 04 and 06.

[d_phaneuf]

England finally have a coach now though who knows hot to set up a team with formation and tactics

no more Gerrard as a DM, no more Beckham taking away all the pace on one of the wing spots

The way Capello has set the team up is far superior to what Sven did

[valo403]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

There are still key pieces on BOTH team that played in 04 and 06.

Barely, there are a few players that have carried over but neither squad is even a shadow of the team from 04. Different captains, different coaches, different tactics, different players, vastly different teams.

Picking and choosing which history is valid to be talked about is ridiculous. It's either valid or it isn't. England's historical domination of Portugal has just as little bearing on any future matchup as the the matches of 04 and 06.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Why bring up ancient history?? None of the current Portuguese players were even alive when England used to dominate Portugal. The past is exactly that, the past. How did England do at Euro 08?? Who did they lose to in 04 and 06?? You have nothing to brag to a Portuguese supporter about. England supporters are like Leaf fans.....probably worse........just absolutely clueless.

How about we use current history, as in England qualified for the World Cup with ease, and Portugal had to slink by Bosnia-Herzegovina. If Englad supporters are like Leafs fans, then Portugal fans are like Canucks fans. Years and years of ineptitude, followed by a brief glimpses of success but no actual championships, yet they crow like they've actually done something noteworthy.

Tell me exactly what Portugal supporters have to be proud of? The Portuguese hype around Ronaldo is almost Luongo-esque. Fitting since they both do the same amount of diving.

Dis credit the shootout all you want. It's the way matches are settled. It's part of the sport and everyone should accept that because it's not gonna change.

So then I guess Korea is a better team than Italy?

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

There are still key pieces on BOTH team that played in 04 and 06.

Really? Because I can think of several little differences between the past England squads you mentioned and the current squad, plus one big one (Capello).

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

England finally have a coach now though who knows hot to set up a team with formation and tactics

no more Gerrard as a DM, no more Beckham taking away all the pace on one of the wing spots

The way Capello has set the team up is far superior to what Sven did

You forgot to mention no freaking Michael Owen at striker.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by rubecube

You forgot to mention no freaking Michael Owen at striker.

Careful, until the tournament starts there's no guarantee that the injury bug doesn't leave England with Owen in the mix. It's scary, but it seems to happen every 4 years.