World Cup South Africa, 2010 Thread

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by V

Crap, another 5:30 start for Holland. At least it's on a Saturday this time.

Holland will crush Japan. 2-0.

Hup Holland Hup!!!

PS3 commericals > ING commericals.

Japan 7-0.

Hump Holland Hump.

[doozwimp]

Is anyone else cheering for North Korea?

[Locke]

English fans hit back at Rooney.

Wayne Rooney was clearly furious with the fans' reaction, saying into a camera at the final whistle: "Nice to hear your own fans booing you - that's loyal supporters."

Richard Sanderson, a fan from Lincolnshire, told Sky News: "Rooney had the worst game he's ever had for England. The lack of effort put in by the English players was unbelievable. They're not fit to wear the shirt.

"With the effort they put in and the money we've paid to get out here, if they think they deserve the English fans' applause they can think again."

Another fan, Steve Stoddart, said: "For us it's cost a lot of money to come out here. We are loyal supporters. The England players at the end never came over and clapped the crowd. When I go to watch Bristol City they always come over at the end and we always applaud them, no matter how bad they've played."

Julian Jackman, 61, said: "The team just didn't turn up. There was no fire, it was as though they felt they'd done enough just by being there."

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-c...901&ver=global

Rooney should do his job on the pitch. England had 5 shots this game, if Rooney had had them all he'd still have had a terrible game.

The 'White Pele' doesnt show up till he gets paid apparently.

[NBC]

Capello is wasting Gerrard on the left. He's probably the most influential player in the side and he's floundering in a position he never plays.

It just boggles the mind. Every single analyst, commentator or pundit that has been around the England side for even a brief period of time, realizes that 4-4-2 isn't going to work and the Gerrard-Lampard midfield thing is a pipe dream.

I have to admit that I was a big fan of Capello initially and during qualifying as he brought structure, discipline and professionalism to a side in desperate need of all three. But his inflexibility and unwillingness to look at other options just might be the downfall here. Players have ultimately take responsibility for their actions on the pitch, but a tired old formation and playing people out of position for the sake of discipline borders on the sublime.

It looks like through his rigidity and poor team selection any creativity has been stifled and Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney and the like look completely handcuffed.

Most England managers get a rough time from supporters and the media after an initial honeymoon phase, some deservedly so. Even though this was good enough to get through qualification, he, so far, has got this all wrong. I wish these were solely my thoughts, but everything you see, read or hear, echoes this line of thinking.

Further to this...

Clueless England on the brink

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philmcnul...the_brink.html

BBC pundits on England

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...10/8749236.stm

[flames_fan_down_under]

Beginner soccer fan question/confirmation:

So England beating Slovenia guarantees them a berth in the next round?

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by flames_fan_down_under

Beginner soccer fan question/confirmation:

So England beating Slovenia guarantees them a berth in the next round?

Yes. Actually, if the Americans tie Algeria, then they (Slovenia and England) would advance if the Brits win.


Algeria can advance if they beat the US, and Slovenia wins or ties England

USA can advance with a win, or if they tie and England Loses or ties, or if both lose by the same score.

England can advance with a win. If the USA loses, then they need to lose by a lower goal differential, or tie to advance. If the Americans win, they need to win.

Slovenia will advance if they get a tie or better and can advance if they lose and the Americans draw or lose as well.

[Hades]

Ugh so early for a saturday...but lets go Holland!

[PIMking]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Yes. Actually, if the Americans tie Algeria, then they (Slovenia and England) would advance if the Brits win.


Algeria can advance if they beat the US, and Slovenia wins or ties England

USA can advance with a win, or if they tie and England Loses or ties, or if both lose by the same score.

England can advance with a win. If the USA loses, then they need to lose by a lower goal differential, or tie to advance. If the Americans win, they need to win.

Slovenia will advance if they get a tie or better and can advance if they lose and the Americans draw or lose as well.

Wanna give me the deal with group D?

I'm confused if I want the Aussies to win or not and I have a huge head ache.

I'm still pissed that we lost to serbia....

[PIMking]

Originally Posted by Hades

Ugh so early for a saturday...but lets go Holland!

I'm torn in this game. I would like another upset plus I know some of the dutch have a little bent up frustration from 74 towards us.

I just want a good match. Not a card fest.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

They need the stretcher out for that?

[PIMking]

Foot meet mouth...

Did he seriously need a stretcher for that? Duncan Keith laughs at him.

[PIMking]

Between the horns and the wave these fans are real excited for the football match.

[The Goon]

The Dutch certainly can't take this match for granted. Japan's a hard-working side who will take advantage of any lapses.

[Flame Of Liberty]

I think this World Cup is strengthening the notion that hardcore near flawless defense IS killing the sport for everyone but the hardcore fans of said defensive team.

Something to keep in mind when real and sophisticated fans praise rigid defense only coaches and look down on people who want to see some offense.

[The Goon]

Wow, that's a really nice looking stadium in Durban.

[Trojan97]

Originally Posted by Flame Of Liberty

I think this World Cup is strengthening the notion that hardcore near flawless defense IS killing the sport for everyone but the hardcore fans of said defensive team.

Something to keep in mind when real and sophisticated fans praise rigid defense only coaches and look down on people who want to see some offense.

Similar to hockey of the late 90s/early 2000s.

[nemanja2306]

Originally Posted by PIMking

Wanna give me the deal with group D?

I'm confused if I want the Aussies to win or not and I have a huge head ache.

I'm still pissed that we lost to serbia....

It happens to the best of them...
Well, the best thing for Germany in your case (and Serbia in mine) is for Ghana and the Aussies to draw or Australia to win. Of couse, a lot of depends if Germany beats Ghana, that's a MUST! If Ghana beats australia today, things are a lot more complicated. A likely scenario is that all three Ghana, Serbia and Germany finish with a score of 2 wins and a loss which in that case goal difference will decide who goes on, and considering Germany so far has the best GD, it puts you in good shape. But if Australia beats Ghana, and then Serbia beats Australia (which they should), even a draw against Ghana will put you through the next round as second place team, which COULD be a good thing as there is a good chance England might take second in their group. So, winning this group isn't necessarily a best thing. All in all, cheer for Australia.

[nemanja2306]

Sneijder 1-0

[Hades]

yessss, not a great goal but...now lets hope things open up!

[KootenayFlamesFan]

1-0 final. The Dutch had a couple of other chances to extend the lead, but I'll take the win. So far, so good.