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I have not seen such an under whelming start to a World Cup in the Netherlands since 1982. There are very few of these.

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Unlike other WC/EC there are very few flags and bunting hanging across streets. The general consensus is that this team will fail and fail badly. The older players are to old and the younger players are far to inexperienced. Even the advertising is tired and frankly boring, also unusually families are still booking vacations, and not staying home as is normal in other WC/EC years.
There is more animo in the press about Louis van Gaal and his move to Manchester Utd, Dutch TV are showing his infamous press interview back in 2002. Most people have only seen a few clips, they are due for a spectacular feast.

bet things are going to change fast now :D
 
I think they should have instant replay with time to correct referee mistakes. But that would make it harder for referees to fix games. :confused:

totally against video review ... since it would break the game flow and separate the big leagues from lesser leagues even more (whore teams wouldn't be able to afford it)

also the amount of referees which were entangled in fixing scandals is minuscule compared to players

the real referee problem since countless world cups is the obvious referee quality difference between confederations.(asia, central america i'm looking at you). Somehow the amount of errors at the EURO championships are always lower ;)

Side fact: nearly all referees at the world cup are amateurs who have an actual job in their normal life. lawyer, architect, engineer, co-owner of a hair studio, working at insurance company, financial consultant, biology teacher, a priest, etc.
 
Without getting too PRSI, I thought ESPN did a great segment on Mario Balotelli, but the treatment he receives from his people in his own home country breaks my heart.
 
totally against video review ... since it would break the game flow and separate the big leagues from lesser leagues even more (whore teams wouldn't be able to afford it)

I would require an additional official in the TV truck at the stadium at every World Cup match and at UEFA Champions League matches. That official in the truck will watch for diving and other blatant misconduct by players and have the power to get a player involved in diving or serious misconduct sent off by a red card.
 
totally against video review ... since it would break the game flow and separate the big leagues from lesser leagues even more (whore teams wouldn't be able to afford it)

If the NFL is any indication, we're talking 25 minutes of stoppage time.:(

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But realistically, you really only need a replay official to say over intercom "No that was out", "diving" and the like.
 
bet things are going to change fast now :D

It was a fantastic match, BUT it's only one match, last night everything went 100% right, but you are only as good as your last match.

This was a high point, but the team will have to keep pup this level, to achieve anything, and that is were the major doubt is.

Realistically we are hoping for a place in the quarter finals.
 
I think they should have instant replay with time to correct referee mistakes. But that would make it harder for referees to fix games. :confused:


I'm completely against instant replays. It would ruin the flow of the game. I wouldn't want to watch a match that would get constantly interrupted; there would be a lot of commercial interruptions which would make watching a game a lot less enjoyable. The referee's decision whatever that may be should be the final decision. Having video replays would weaken the referee's position. Plus, many teams would abuse this and demand replays.
 
I always root for Spain and Germany in the World Cup.

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The game between Brazil and Croatia was a good opening match, albeit not the best. Croatia fought so hard. I really wanted them to win, they played so much better than the Brazilians but unfortunately (yes, unfortunately) Brazil managed to be victorious even though they were clearly struggling. And then came Fred and Mr. Nishimura; gosh, got me so mad. He should've been sent off for that stupid dive, he basically just dropped himself to the ground. And for the referee, FIFA should think twice before letting him take charge of another World Cup game again. It was obviously not a penalty! My previous comment still stands though (I'm still against video replays). Neymar was the player of the match, that was expected. So yes, I don't think Brazil deserved the win (no offense to those who think otherwise).

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Now yesterday's game between Spain and Holland was a clean and fair play. The penalty in this game was a penalty, fair and square. As I stated in the beginning, I always root for Spain but come on, they were a huge disappointment. It felt like it wasn't Spain playing, where was Xavi, Iniesta, Silva, Torres?? They were all quiet. Five goals! And it could've been worse as they missed many chances. That diving header from Van Persie and Robben's volley which was saved by Casillas but nevertheless was absolutely superb. They say Van Persie was the best player of the match, but I say Arjen Robben is, his performance was excellent, he was all over the field, while Van Persie was just waiting for the ball to come to him. Anyway, this game is bound to be a World Cup classic.
 
The penalty in this game was a penalty, fair and square.
You think?

Costa puts his left foot on de Vrij's calf, which is sliding past him at speed. It wasn't a foul and I don't *think* that Costa was trying to con the referee.

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Yea, it really wasn't a pen. But hard to see on pitch I guess. 3:1 was a real farce though. Many ridiculous facepalm moments, Torres? Iker? Xavi? WTF!?

But still very enjoyable game of course! :D
 
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The defender left his trailing leg and Costa was brought down by it. He got his leg swept from under him. The contact was minimal but it is a definite penalty. The defender was reckless to dive like that anyway. That said, I don't like Diego Costa. I don't think having him in the team was a good decision. They shouldn't have granted him his "wish". He does not fit in the team and their style of play. He is Brazilian, Brazil is a really good team, why did he turn his back on his country? I want him out and Villa in. It'd be better if he just leaves.
 
At any rate, the dutch comeback was fantastic. The Van Persie goal may very well be the most spectacular goal of this WC.

The pressure was huge on both ends. On one end, Spain is trying to defend its title as World Champion. On the other end are the dutch, who have been waiting for payback ever since.

I really enjoyed this match. I hope Holland gets far in this tournament.
 
World Cup 2014 Brazil

The Colombia vs Greece game started five minutes ago. Colombia just scored.
 
If the NFL is any indication, we're talking 25 minutes of stoppage time.:(

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But realistically, you really only need a replay official to say over intercom "No that was out", "diving" and the like.

The NFL is the worst at video review. College football is infinitely faster and just as accurate. The NHL with a centralized war room in Toronto is infinitely faster as well. The NFL video review is a complete joke.

That said, I don't think soccer should adopt video review for plays like diving (subjective) for sure and probably not even offside. That's a slippery slope you start going down. I really think the only place video review is good for is goals (whether the ball crossed the line).
 
At any rate, the dutch comeback was fantastic. The Van Persie goal may very well be the most spectacular goal of this WC.

The pressure was huge on both ends. On one end, Spain is trying to defend its title as World Champion. On the other end are the dutch, who have been waiting for payback ever since.

I really enjoyed this match. I hope Holland gets far in this tournament.

Agree! What an awesome goal! The Dutch really wanted to get payback from the Spanish.
 
The World Cup 2014

I am watching the games and is totally amazing, it feels like the final battle in the Return of the Jedi.

What I like the most is to see countries that are so different playing against each other. The other day was Camerun vs Mexico and it was watching africans vs indians... wow! two different races and now I am watching Japan vs Costa de Marfil. Who knows the outcome.

Yesterday Spain that was a favorite in Europe and Latin America lost 5 goals against 1 against the Netherlands. All the bets are i the trash.

I mean, the best teams of the world are playing against each other. Amazing. Here in Miami there is no traffic, everybody is watching the games, 3 games per day for 2 weeks. =)
 
Nah.... Japan look so tiny against Costa the Marfil but all of the sudden they came and strike a goal! The Japaneses are super fast! lol. Japan is dominating the game.
 
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