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The 2013-2014 Football Thread

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The big result of the day has to be France's meltdown against Ukraine. 2-0 to the Ukrainians and Koscielny red-carded. This could be the end of the line for the French, unless they can muster a few handballs goals in the next leg…Ukraine also lost a man to two yellows.

Scotland - USA ends 0-0 and was a dull match entirely devoid of quality.

Chile are an excellent side. I think a lot of people underrate them but that seems crazy given how well they do in CONMEBOL.

Portugal and Ronaldo prove that they are slightly better than Sweden and Ibra, which everyone already knew. But the Swedes can still turn it around.
 
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twietee said:
But was there something fishy with Mexico? Because if not I think the comparison with France isn't fair. That was just plain wrong and the only good thing about it was that it gave France the chance to play the most horrific WC ever played by any team in history.
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Like I said, Mexico didn't cheat to get where they are. It's a more abstract comparison of two teams that played poorly during qualifications, but caught a huge break right at the end to help put them through to the WC.

And yes, I think Panama overall played better than Mexico in the CONCACEF qualifiers, but they ultimately have themselves to blame for not going to Brazil.

All the South American teams are going to be tough outs. Sanchez talked mucho smack about England, then went out and scored twice against them. Well played.
 
I just found it odd to blame Mexico when, as you said, it was Panama who failed.

Well done Ukraine, just saw a brief conclusion but it seemed like a lot of penalties could have been given; at least two obvious ones for France..is that Sepp middlefingering Michel?

Italien - Ger was quite entertaining, didn't really increase my confidence in Löw's tactical gameplan though.

Sanchez..:p
 
twietee said:
But was there something fishy with Mexico? Because if not I think the comparison with France isn't fair. That was just plain wrong and the only good thing about it was that it gave France the chance to play the most horrific WC ever played by any team in history.
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There was a rumor that one of the nationalised players with mexico had already played an official fifa tournament with argentina, either that was wrong, or as with costa ricas complain about the pitch in their game in the US came too late, i guess if he never plays again with mexico there's your answer....

Everyone down here was cheering for the panameños, what a way to give it all away...
 
Pioneers%20Cup.jpg


Sheffield won the CUP!
 
There are some things I wanted to reply, but had no time and even now I am just stepping by:
For those of you still interested in the Sweden-Portugal match (tweetie?), there is a 45 minute summary on Eurosport (well, I guess it's not worth to move your LNB to get the right ASTRA Satelite, but if you get Eurosport anyway, I wanted to share the Information).

Nov, 18th, 12.15-13 o' clock German time. (there may be some more follow up dates).

(I am not saying "Monday", because last time I said "Thursday" to Lord Blackadder, it was actually Wednesday).
 
England must be looking forward to the Germany match with trepidation...there's no way they'll beat the Germans. Still, it's a good opportunity to measure themselves against a top team and see where they stand. Gerrard is supposedly going to get a painkilling injection for the match, I'm worried about him getting injured.
 
There is a small chance we see Weidenfeller against England. Though I lately find, there are times where he risks too much. He is not that much of a keeper who can play like a field player, like Neuer, but he does try to do so. As if he thinks he has to show that he can do that, too. This is the only little thing, that I would criticise.
 
Of course, ;) a shame actually. :(


PS: I wish the last friendlies Germany had against the Netherlands would be as fast and dedicated as the Italy match was.
 
The Sweden-Portugal match has been exciting so far - quite back & forth with some decent chances on both sides…

France cheat on their second goal and are very close to a second undeserved WC appearance in a row…they had a legitimate goal previously disallowed so perhaps one could call this justice. I don't.

EDIT: Sweden back in it…this game continues to be a cracker and it's all about Ronaldo v Ibra. Ukraine down to 10 and hanging on by their fingernails.
 
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oscillatewildly said:
Watched the Portugal v Sweden games; nervous football with some good goals - liked Ronaldo's third tonight, thought he was going to chip.
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The game was played at a high tempo, very back and forth with a feeling of tenseness. It truly was all about Ronaldo and Ibra.

As for the other matches - no surprises:

Iceland are out. :(

France 3-0 Ukraine. The French played well but they have been so bipolar over the last four years it's hard to draw too many conclusions…will they build on this or have another big meltdown next year? Ribery continues to dive as much as anyone in the game.

England 0-1 Germany. England lost by just one goal. Progress.

Austria 1-0 USA. Flat performance from the USA, had a probably legitimate goal or clear penalty not given. Not much else to say.

Poor New Zealand will get knocked out later tonight, I hope they at least scare the Mexicans with a couple goals. Seeing France and Mexico sit this WC out would have made things more interesting.
 
Jaffa Cake said:
The World Cup is dead to me now.
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None of the playoffs went the way I would have preferred…I'd like to see France out, Mexico out, Iceland in and Ibra finally getting a chance to play at the WC. But it was not to be.

I read that Allam is offering refunds to any season ticket holder who don't like the idea of his name change. "My way or the highway", apparently?
 
Lord Blackadder said:
I read that Allam is offering refunds to any season ticket holder who don't like the idea of his name change. "My way or the highway", apparently?
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Yesterday, the City Till We Die folk put out an open letter in response to Allam's false claim that the vast majority of supporters back his plans.

They proposed a simple vote of season pass holders - both parties would agree the wording of a simple 'yes/no' question, and support their respective arguments with a short statement explaining their position. Surely Allam would be in favour of this, after all the majority back him so he's in no danger of losing, right?

His response today was to reject this suggestion and instead say people should vote with their feet. He's authorised the ticket office to refund pass holders if they don't back him and he says that the number of people at the KC on Saturday will be all the consultation he needs to do, as everyone there will clearly be in favour of his change to the club name.

In short, no. Like thousands of others I don't go along to the KC or travel up and down the country to support Allam, I do so to support the team - Bruce and his players. Allam can't seem to grasp the notion that supporting the team and opposing his plans aren't mutually exclusive.

Let's remember too that he hasn't actually changed anything on the playing side of things yet, apart from in his own mind - the team is still Hull City AFC and that's who we'll all be supporting on Saturday. We're not going anywhere.
 
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Jaffa Cake said:
Allam can't seem to grasp the notion that supporting the team and opposing his plans aren't mutually exclusive.
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I agree, and would venture to suggest that, like other despotic owners, this misunderstanding stems from a business-dominated perspective of the world. In Allam's mind (and the same goes for Vincent Tan through the Glazers), paying punters = support for his ownership. Just about the only thing that would get him to admit that he is wrong would be empty stands and team shops full of unsold merchandise.

Either that, or he takes the even more cynical view that football fans are a captive audience who will stick with their team through thick and thin, so who cares what they think?
 
Lord Blackadder said:
... empty stands and team shops full of unsold merchandise.
...
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this: keep your season tickets but quit going. or organize a peaceable protest and just stand outside listening on the radio or the wifi or whatever...

or boycott a few matches...

any of you lot read or go their website: when saturday comes
 
pachyderm said:
this: keep your season tickets but quit going. or organize a peaceable protest and just stand outside listening on the radio or the wifi or whatever...

or boycott a few matches...
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One problem with boycotts that's been identified is that if there isn't a massive uptake on this - not unreasonably, as many people still want to go and show their support for the team itself - Allam will claim it as evidence that most aren't bothered about the name change.

The current feeling seems to be to go along and support the team but be vocal and visible with our displeasure. One reason why he may have offered the refund is that he sees it as a way to get dissenters out of the ground.

In terms of merchandise, I know many fans aren't buying and with Christmas coming up people are asking families not to get any gifts for them from the club shop. Looking further ahead, next season we'll have a new kit maker and a new kit - that will certainly have a 'Hull Tigers'-based crest on it, which will hit sales very badly. Indeed, this season's shirt would have had the modified crest on it had the club not missed Adidas' deadline to supply the amended artwork.

By the way, I don't know if I've mentioned this before but there is an online position and we're inviting fans of all clubs and nationalities to sign it. I normally don't place much truck in petitions - certainly, Allam is non-plussed - but we're going to have to show the FA the numbers opposed to this and a petition is a good way to do it. Anyway, here it is...

Petitiony-woo
 
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