World Cup South Africa, 2010 Thread

[Ark2]

Originally Posted by Pastiche

Yep, it's my problem and my high expectations of wanting to see two teams try to WIN a game. Soccer sucks.

Yesterday's match-up between Italy and Paraguay showcased two teams both trying to win. It ended in a draw, but still pretty entertaining I thought.

[Ark2]

Originally Posted by troutman

I think the introduction of an offside line (like the blue line in hockey) would eliminate the cowardly offside trap, and significantly increase scoring chances.

The offside trap is a skill. Get rid of it and all we'll see is crappy English long balls all day. No thanks!

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by Ark2

Yesterday's match-up between Italy and Paraguay showcased two teams both trying to win. It ended in a draw, but still pretty entertaining I thought.

There have been a few good games that could have gone either way, and a few that were defensive, tentative, etc.

Personally, I don't need a truckload of goals for a game to be exciting. I have seen some terrible 3-2, 4-3 games. A tight game with some good chances, a nice build-up, some solid defending, etc. is more entertaining than a sloppy game that has more goals.

That being said, I'm not defending (no pun intended) some of the games thus far. There have been a few duds where both teams seemed content for a draw. I just don't think that ALL low scoring games are necessarily boring due to the score alone.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by valo403

The issue with that is the expansion of the field. I'm not in favor of any plan that will let more weak teams into the tournament.

Reduce it to 30 then.

Have 6 groups of 5. Take the top 2 teams (12), give 4 teams a bye.
More points more goals the better!

[VANFLAMESFAN]

It's truly amazing when you have so much damn passion for one team, even a game that everyone calls a complete dud, I was at the edge of my seat for. Every tackle, every corner, every turnover......I was reacting to it all. But Iunderstand why neutral fans would think this game was a letdown.

Portugal were far from inspiring and with a little finish, Ivory Coast could have easily won this match. Portugal had nothing outside of the Ronaldo post. You gotta give some love to him on that play, great technique. Everything about it, the ball control, the turn and of course the shot. One inch to the right and the entire game is different.

Portugal really needed full points here as it might come down to who can score more on Norh Korea and I see Ivory Coast as having a far superior offensive team. Which at the end of the day doesn't make a lot of sense to me given Portugal's talent up front. They're like the Flames, they should be better that they are. Should be.

Still have faith, but I am not going to be super shocked or upset if they don't go thru. They just aren;t that good and really haven't been since 2006. I've watched pretty much every one of their games since 2006 with the exception of the odd friendly here or there, but I can count the number of solid performances in the last 4 years on one hand. We need the 2000-2004 Figo back on the team.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Ark2

Yesterday's match-up between Italy and Paraguay showcased two teams both trying to win. It ended in a draw, but still pretty entertaining I thought.

Which was weird cause Italy and Paraguay are known to be ultra boring.

[Ark2]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

There have been a few good games that could have gone either way, and a few that were defensive, tentative, etc.

Personally, I don't need a truckload of goals for a game to be exciting. I have seen some terrible 3-2, 4-3 games. A tight game with some good chances, a nice build-up, some solid defending, etc. is more entertaining than a sloppy game that has more goals.

That being said, I'm not defending (no pun intended) some of the games thus far. There have been a few duds where both teams seemed content for a draw. I just don't think that ALL low scoring games are necessarily boring due to the score alone.

I agree. Some of the most exciting games end in a draw, but that just doesn't jive with this North Amercian mentality that needs to see someone score every 5 minutes for them to find it entertaining. If you don't like soccer because their aren't enough goals, then you don't understand the game. Try watching it with some people that are actually knowledgible of the sport rather than just complaining on a hockey message board about how bored you are (not directed at you).

[North East Goon]

The key to loving Soccer is to go out and play it, then you will really understand how tough it is to create a goal or to defend a person with no hands or contact allowed.

[GirlySports]

It's like golf right? People who don't play or watching is sparingly think it's godawful boring. But others are addicted to it and could watch 10 hours of the US Open on Thursday.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Ark2

I agree. Some of the most exciting games end in a draw, but that just doesn't jive with this North Amercian mentality that needs to see someone score every 5 minutes for them to find it entertaining. If you don't like soccer because their aren't enough goals, then you don't understand the game. Try watching it with some people that are actually knowledgible of the sport rather than just complaining on a hockey message board about how bored you are (not directed at you).

condescension always works to being people on board.

[Montana Moe]

Originally Posted by Ark2

I agree. Some of the most exciting games end in a draw, but that just doesn't jive with this North Amercian mentality that needs to see someone score every 5 minutes for them to find it entertaining. If you don't like soccer because their aren't enough goals, then you don't understand the game. Try watching it with some people that are actually knowledgible of the sport rather than just complaining on a hockey message board about how bored you are (not directed at you).

Funny, this is the same argument I run into when talking to people about hockey.

[Flame Of Liberty]

Originally Posted by Trojan97

Well Slovakia just completely blew that game. What a pathetic performance in the last 10 minutes. They can basically kiss their shot of advancing goodbye.

Man I'm so pissed I don't know where to start, after 20 or so minutes they dominated the game, got plethora of scoring chances only to effin blew it like that in the dying seconds. Pathetic is the right word. Especially Hamsik deserves to be kicked in the gonads!

[Pastiche]

I like to not think myself as a soccer hating philistine. I do watch EPL and generally enjoy it. And while I say it's boring it's not for the lack of goals. It's for the lack of attack or any type of sustained pressure. Two teams passing it back to the goalie. No extended runs. Virtually no shots on goal. And no real inspiring plays.

Granted I seem to have seen only the boring games so far. However, that doesn't distract from the fact that of teh games I've seen the two teams don't play like they want to win. It's frankly awful. Defend away. Talk about how I don't get the nuance of the game or the "flow." I accept that. But at teh end of the day, I've played a lot soccer, I understand its mechanics quite well, I just don't see the excitement or fun in a game like today.

[Pagal4321]

Wow, sounds like great weather for this game.

"Cold here tonight for Brazil-NKorea. Kickoff forecast: clear, 38 degrees, 14-mph winds, putting wind chill a couple degrees below freezing. "

[Matty81]

Just watched the early game, entertaining and wow didn't expect New Zealand to play so positively. They looked more courageous than Denmark or Paraguay yesterday and if it wasn't for that offside goal they would have won, Slovakia got a bit lucky there.

On paper North Korea looks like the worst team in the tourney by far and starting off against Brazil will be intense. Hopefully there will be goals.

[You Need a Thneed]

My prediction: Brazil 6-0 over North Korea.

[Ozy_Flame]

I can't believe New Zealand tied!! And the Kiwis actually scored a goal!! I LOVE UNDERDOGS!!

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Pagal4321

Wow, sounds like great weather for this game.

"Cold here tonight for Brazil-NKorea. Kickoff forecast: clear, 38 degrees, 14-mph winds, putting wind chill a couple degrees below freezing. "

i'm telling you, you'll need sweater!

[rubecube]

God, I can't stand watching Portugal. What a crap team comprised of dbag players. Ronaldo is the Peter Forsberg of soccer. All the talent in the world, but absolutely no honour or honesty in the way he plays the game.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Ark2

The offside trap is a skill. Get rid of it and all we'll see is crappy English long balls all day. No thanks!

I see your point, but the long ball is preferable to all the rushes that die on the vine for offside. I think people want to see shots on goal, not defenders looking to the ref with arms in the air.