World Cup South Africa, 2010 Thread

[d_phaneuf]

I actually think Portugal are going to roll through Euro qualifying

the jump Nani made this year was huge, him and Ronaldo on the wings should be lethal I can't think of another European team who can match that

all they need is a striker

[ipuckedyourmom]

Glad to see Spain won. I stick by what I said before the World Cup started about wanting offensive teams to get rewarded with victories and have been very happy with how the tournament has gone.

Got to give it up to Portugal on their defense but end of the day you got to try and put an emphasis on scoring as well, especially with a Ronaldo on your team. Even after Spain scored and Portugal went down a goal, I barely saw any real attacking from them. Spain just passed the ball around and deserved the win although the goal was very close to offside.

Lastly, I hope Torres can get back to the player he is because if he can find a way to contribute, I see Spain winning it all.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Yeah, don't get me wrong, I realize that's a tough call to make in real time and it's easy for me to say no goal after looking at a slo mo replay with a piece of paper touching the screen, but it's still a kick in the junk nonetheless.

I just went to go see Toy Story 3 to put me in a good mood after a tough loss, and it did the trick. But now that I'm home, I'm back to being in a pissy mood. I need to go rent a good comedy.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

all they need is a striker

And a coach with some balls!

I can understand garbage talentless teams like Greece playing like that but not skillful artistic teams like Portugal. Portugal should be taking the game to anyone in world.

[ipuckedyourmom]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

And a coach with some balls!

I can understand garbage talentless teams like Greece playing like that but not skillful artistic teams like Portugal. Portugal should be taking the game to anyone in world.

Exactly! Look at a team like Chile and how they played offensively throughout even with less firepower then Portugal.

[Dan02]

Originally Posted by V

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's offside, but it's just too bloody close to call in real time. I do think the linesman called it good because he thought it was a through ball and didn't see the back pass.

First time I watched it in real time it looked good because I didn't notice the heel pass, once you realize it wasn't the original pass that goes through, it's quite clearly offside. I sure didn't notice it in real time though can't fault the officials for not either.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

And a coach with some balls!

I can understand garbage talentless teams like Greece playing like that but not skillful artistic teams like Portugal. Portugal should be taking the game to anyone in world.

I disagree, outside of Ronaldo they don't have much talent up front or in midfield that isn't about 3 years passed its prime

their strength is defense, if they were going to win this game it was going to be like they played in the 1st half with a goal off the counter which they almost did

until they develop some better offensive players, and I am not bashing them its a small country with 10m (compared to the other European countries, Spain 45m, England 50m, Italy 50m, France 63m, Germany 82m) that has done well for itself in International competition, they have to play that way against the big boys

[Regulator75]

This sport is about as legit as ice dancing.

[Jagger]

Originally Posted by Regulator75

This sport is about as legit as ice dancing.

Yeah, that really is brutal. The Spaniard should be suspended after that one. I really want to pull for Spain too. Tough to do so when you see BS like that.

[Regulator75]

^^^ Dirty eurotrash.

[Blaster86]

I genuinely think that the entire team should be punished for stuff like that. I'd love to see penalties in the form of forfeiture of the game for this sort of thing and have it be able to be applied after the game is over.

No one would pull that stuff if suddenly you win and then are booted from the tournie cause one player fataed up.

[wooohooo]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

I genuinely think that the entire team should be punished for stuff like that. I'd love to see penalties in the form of forfeiture of the game for this sort of thing and have it be able to be applied after the game is over.

No one would pull that stuff if suddenly you win and then are booted from the tournie cause one player fataed up.

I think a forfeit is a little strict... but maybe that team should play the rest of the game or next game a man short.

[3 Justin 3]

Out of all the teams, Spain is the worst. I really don't know how anyone could cheer for them, they are just a bunch of divers and nothing more. Something similar in the Chili game during qualifying. The red card to the Chilean guy was brutal.

I will admit I don't totally understand the rules of Soccer, but the Spaniard got clipped by the toe of the Chilean guy's foot, then the Spaniard goes flying 12 feet in the air and cries like a little girl, guy gets the red card, and the Spaniard is right back up.

Spain is a pathetic team, and I hope Paraguay annihilates them (but I know they won't).

[GirlySports]

We don't need drastic changes. Get better refs! How is it that refs have gotten worse?
Remember great refs like Collina, Sharp or Frisk? Players wouldn't dare.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

We don't need drastic changes. Get better refs! How is it that refs have gotten worse?
Remember great refs like Collina, Sharp or Frisk? Players wouldn't dare.

Stop relying on the refs. They need officials in a replay booth. The whole culture of soccer has to change. Watching that video makes me sick.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

Stop relying on the refs. They need officials in a replay booth. The whole culture of soccer has to change. Watching that video makes me sick.

Yeah but you can't replay interpretation so that doesn't solve the ref problem. They don't go to the replay booth to see if a guy smashed another guy's head into the boards or not in hockey.

[Jagger]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Yeah but you can't replay interpretation so that doesn't solve the ref problem. They don't go to the replay booth to see if a guy smashed another guy's head into the boards or not in hockey.

I agree. A replay booth would be great for close offside's leading to goals or the likes of the obvious goal from the other day that I promised I wouldn't mention anymore! Allow teams two challenges per game if the skeptics worry it will slow the match down too much.

I do, however, completely think that FIFA should be able to throw the book at pathetic cheaters like that Spaniard. That has no place in the game and really has to be stamped out.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by Jagger

I do, however, completely think that FIFA should be able to throw the book at pathetic cheaters like that Spaniard. That has no place in the game and really has to be stamped out.

Blatant dive = forfeiture of the match.

You'd see it stop reeeeal quick.

[Locke]

The funny thing is that the Spanish dont dive that much, but when they do they prefer the over-the-top theatrical.

Torres' dive that resulted in a red card and the one today are perfect examples. Honestly, I loved watching that Spain/Portugal game, every time one of those basterds hit the deck the ref would be like: "fata no, get yer ass up!"

He was great, how he was duped into that one I'll never know, but whatever, it didnt greatly affect the outcome, we're talking about 4 minutes here.

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Blatant dive = forfeiture of the match.

You'd see it stop reeeeal quick.

No game would ever finish properly though, every game would end due to forfeit in the 14th minute.