Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
The Official World Cup 2006 Thread
- Thread starter Blue Velvet
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Definitely a bit of a roller coaster. Ivory Coast came out strong and got Argentine on their heels. Argentine got it together and went up 2-0. Ivory Coast floundered for the first part of the 2nd half but then turned it on again the last 20 minutes. Some close calls/non-calls in the game, but I think Dropa<sp?> got hammered in the box in the 2nd half and it shoulda been a PK for the Ivory Coast.BakedBeans said:
I was surprised Argentine pulled their starting strikers so early in the game. A bit smug, IMO, and it all most bit them in the butt.
Lethal
I watched the England game in Philly on Univision (ironically we just signed up for cable before finding it is free to view!) After the game I listened to the post match chat on BBC Radio 5, and I am so glad I havent lived in UK for years, what a bunch of moaning downers. 3 points for a 1-0 win playing badly in humid and hot conditions, that smacks of a lot of potential from a team with their star striker in waiting and as strong a defense and midfield of any of the teams in Germany. The only words of wisdom on 5 live were from someone who asked how many more points they would have got had they played well?
Although not too worried about Englands chances at the moment, the other games were rather spectacular and capture, for me, the spirit of the World Cup. For great football, you want two teams with contrasting styles, so dont bank on much form in inter European team games, but it was no surprise to see Trinidad and Tobago team play out their skins against a very good Swedish side, and Argentina v Ivory Coast was like toe to toe full out aggressive skill that made me wonder how England would ever cope with that pace and class play.
Then I remembered, actually in cup competitions England do raise their game to match their opponents, as in the last World Cup when they took part in one of the greatest soccer spectacles ever against Argentina. So back to the beginning and England are on course to get better and better, but there will be lots more excitement from unexpected sources.
Although not too worried about Englands chances at the moment, the other games were rather spectacular and capture, for me, the spirit of the World Cup. For great football, you want two teams with contrasting styles, so dont bank on much form in inter European team games, but it was no surprise to see Trinidad and Tobago team play out their skins against a very good Swedish side, and Argentina v Ivory Coast was like toe to toe full out aggressive skill that made me wonder how England would ever cope with that pace and class play.
Then I remembered, actually in cup competitions England do raise their game to match their opponents, as in the last World Cup when they took part in one of the greatest soccer spectacles ever against Argentina. So back to the beginning and England are on course to get better and better, but there will be lots more excitement from unexpected sources.
It was a very close call. Too bad there wasn't a camera lined up evenly w/the end line. A thing to remember is that the entire ball must cross the end line (goal line) for it to be considered a goal.xsedrinam said:
Lethal
I'm a bit short and one time when I was in goal I had to back peddle like a mofo to get under a ball (I got caught playing way too far off my line). I knew I was very close/on the end line when I caught the ball so I made sure to keep my arms fully extended so that the ball was as far "up field" as possible. When I look around I was standing IN my goal, but my arms and the ball were on the outside so it was cool. But, yeah, fielding a ball in my own goal was a bit too close for comfort.xsedrinam said:
Lethal
good game for T+T, fantastic to watch, even though it was 0-0. I thought Sweden were very strong, but it disappoints me to see them crumble to the ground so easily and then rolling around, pathetic. the red card was unfortunate and undeserved.
as for the England game, i don't think i've ever seen as boring a game as that for years. SGE, i just don't get his positional play. Gerrard was wasted today, Lampard does his usual of volleying it straight at the keeper and hoping for a rebound, Terry was terrible, Crouch and Owen were crap. The only two worth anything in that game were Robinson and Beckham.
as for the England game, i don't think i've ever seen as boring a game as that for years. SGE, i just don't get his positional play. Gerrard was wasted today, Lampard does his usual of volleying it straight at the keeper and hoping for a rebound, Terry was terrible, Crouch and Owen were crap. The only two worth anything in that game were Robinson and Beckham.
XIII said:
Like Ferdinand for instance.
England did not look like a team likely to get to the semi finals, let alone win a world cup.
dogbone said:Like Ferdinand for instance.
England did not look like a team likely to get to the semi finals, let alone win a world cup.
England wont be the only top side to look a little rusty when playing in that heat. Thankfully for England they don't have to play at that time again.
They looked OK, other than some average short passing, in the first half. Downing on for owen ruined the game to be fair, Crouch can't flick the ball on to himself and Cole playing in the hole was hugely ineffective.
3 Points means that all they have to do is beat trinidad and tobago to be in the next round.
XIII said:Wasn't a goal for me, the Argentina one. I would've liked to see the Ivory Coast draw that one.. they sorta deserved it. Plus they have Kolo Toure, who is just the coolest.. thats gotta count for something?
I think the Argies showed their class against a very good and very powerful Ivory Coast side that is packed with premiership players (or soon to be premiership players). If they can keep that type of attacking power at bay then they will go far in the tourny.
They didnt use tevez either... So a lot more to come
BakedBeans said:
Yeah I'd put some dough on another draw for TnT, at the moment they're dynamite.
dogbone said:
I'm not a bookie, its a straight bet...
I bet england win, if htey do i win the $100 from you and if they draw or lose then you win.
Our turn this afternoon.
The Holland game will be the first I can enjoy live!!! Been working Friday evening and Saturday the whole day and evening.... what bad timing too.... excellent weather here aswell....
But you bet ya, I'll be more than making up for it this afternoon! Sunny day, 27º C, bars with huge screen, everyone coloured orange, and many, many, many beers!!!
Now... I wonder if we'll win though
The Holland game will be the first I can enjoy live!!! Been working Friday evening and Saturday the whole day and evening.... what bad timing too.... excellent weather here aswell....
But you bet ya, I'll be more than making up for it this afternoon! Sunny day, 27º C, bars with huge screen, everyone coloured orange, and many, many, many beers!!!
Now... I wonder if we'll win though
MacsRgr8 said:Our turn this afternoon.
The Holland game will be the first I can enjoy live!!! Been working Friday evening and Saturday the whole day and evening.... what bad timing too.... excellent weather here aswell....
But you bet ya, I'll be more than making up for it this afternoon! Sunny day, 27º C, bars with huge screen, everyone coloured orange, and many, many, many beers!!!
Now... I wonder if we'll win though
You'll win, pretty sure about that... I'm hoping Kuyt gets a run out to be honest.
Soak up the atmosphere! and have a great day
BakedBeans said:
Cheers, m8!
I expect to see van Persie instead of Kuijt on the righthand side.
Good to see the Gunner in orange colours!
But, IMHO Kuijt would be a better choice than van Nistelrooij. The way he plays in Feyenoord impresses me much more than van Nistelrooij does in Man Ure.
But in this country no-one agrees with me...
MacsRgr8 said:Cheers, m8!
I expect to see van Persie instead of Kuijt on the righthand side.
Good to see the Gunner in orange colours!
But, IMHO Kuijt would be a better choice than van Nistelrooij. The way he plays in Feyenoord impresses me much more than van Nistelrooij does in Man Ure.
But in this country no-one agrees with me...
I ould knock either to be honest, both know where the net is.
I am a fan of Kuyt/Kuijt though, I really hope liverpool go in for him again because he is just hte player we need and he will do well in the premiership too.
