world cup

[Moonbeam3]

I've played against 10 of the 11 who will start against Paraguay -

So what did you think of Germany this morning? Do you think they are that prepared or Costa Rica is a rung below them? I thought that even though Costa Rica lost by 2 they put on a good show, even if their second goal seemed a little offside?

I kept rewinding and pausing, both Wanchope and 'the bullet' seemed to be offside at the pass but it's hard to tell I guess when it's that close....The first one was also close but when I saw it the second time, one of the defenders was definitely even with Wanchope...

The goals were Great!! Started the tournament on a good note

(I thought it was funny how both times Costa Rica scored they panned over to see Kahn's reaction-lol), the transmission I saw anyway-

 

[mr_afk]

Yeah it's more easy for us in front of the TV to tell if he was offside. Actually the offside rule states that in case of doubt the benefit goes to the attacker.. and it was a matter of inches. All in all I think the referees did a good job.
And apart from that... WHAT a start! 8 goals on evening one.. can this get any better? Who would have thought that Germany - Costa Rica would be THAT good? And WHAT goals! Although I hope that we are going to see some more screamers like that it could very well be that we have already witnessed the goal of the tournament (either Lahm's or Frings' albeit I rate Lahm's a bit higher). I also liked Poland - Ecuador. Ecuador amazed me with their weird kind of football- and Poland was utterly disappointing...

@chrissmith: who didn't you play against? on what occasion, have you been in the England youth squad? is chrissmith your synonymous and in reality your name is david seaman?

 

[chrissmith921]

Yeah it's more easy for us in front of the TV to tell if he was offside. Actually the offside rule states that in case of doubt the benefit goes to the attacker.. and it was a matter of inches. All in all I think the referees did a good job.
And apart from that... WHAT a start! 8 goals on evening one.. can this get any better? Who would have thought that Germany - Costa Rica would be THAT good? And WHAT goals! Although I hope that we are going to see some more screamers like that it could very well be that we have already witnessed the goal of the tournament (either Lahm's or Frings' albeit I rate Lahm's a bit higher). I also liked Poland - Ecuador. Ecuador amazed me with their weird kind of football- and Poland was utterly disappointing...

@chrissmith: who didn't you play against? on what occasion, have you been in the England youth squad? is chrissmith your synonymous and in reality your name is david seaman?

In the 11 I expect will play (Robinson, A.Cole, G.Neville, Ferdinand, Terry, Lampard, Gerrard, J.Cole, Beckham, Owen, Crouch) I've never played against Joe Cole.

All the others I've played against at either youth levels or in friendlies for teams or reserve matches etc.

I think Costa Rica were lucky to get the goals they did - it was stupid that the German right back was the deepest man because he was also the most inactive defender (ball was on left side from German POV) - he should have been pushed up, plus full backs should always take position from centre backs anyway. Thus the first goal was individual error, rather than collective.

Second he was offside, I thought it when the pass came and it was clear he was from the replays, officials make mistakes however, and well done Wanchope for making the most of it - thats probably earnt him a move to some mid table English side, again.

 

[ChrisJG]

I've played against 10 of the 11 who will start against Paraguay - I know my football, I've played and coached it at a very high level.

Impressive footballing history (did you win) although, still doesn't necessarily qualify you as knowing more than everyone else about football, does it? There are thousands of 'armchair' fanatics who have never kicked a ball in their lives who I'm sure could intelligently talk to you about formation and tactics til the cows come home...

Thankfully though, just because you say they're not good enough, doesn't actually make it so

edited to add: I'm not actually saying that I think they are going to win though but, wouldn't it be nice if they did

 

[chrissmith921]

Armchair fans can talk about formations but it always makes me laugh when people say should play a flat four in midfield - yes all well and good but that gets destroyed in two passes.

Having played against these, and some of their opponents to on an international stage-you get to know certain aspects of it.

You can win a tournament (as Greece showed us) by simply keeping the ball for long periods of time and picking off your opponents after a while of giving them a bit of chasing.

England CANNOT do this - they've never been able to do it, I've got my opinions why it happens (youth system in England is diabolical) and that is what makes you good enough to win these tournaments.

If there was a league for international teams - England would win that I feel because they can play that style every week and be good at it - what they can't do is play it potentially 8 times in 3 1/2 weeks.

It simply kills them off.

 

[mr_afk]

Are you saying that England is physically handicapped or that they are not able to keep possession? I don't really understand...

 

[ChrisJG]

Armchair fans can talk about formations but it always makes me laugh when people say should play a flat four in midfield - yes all well and good but that gets destroyed in two passes.

What the **** are you talking about? You're talking ****, whilst peppering it with delusions of grandeur....dude, grow up, its just football...

 

[ChrisJG]

Armchair fans can talk about formations but it always makes me laugh when people say should play a flat four in midfield - yes all well and good but that gets destroyed in two passes.

What the **** are you talking about? You're talking ****, whilst peppering it with delusions of grandeur....dude, grow up, its just football...

 

[chrissmith921]

Play a flat four and you'll get slaughtered mate.

Thats why the wingers usually push forward to give more passing angles.

Ever played the game? Or just on the PS2 or PC?

 

[ManLondon]

They have the talent, no doubt about it. I kept hearing things about Crouch, Crouch this and Crouch that and I thought a guy that tall cannot be coordinated enough to be that good. But I guess he is LOL. I've seen little pieces here and there, mainly highlights, he seems to play well.

In office, we have a bet going on "What will happen first? Will it rain first or will Crouch score a goal first?"

Though, he has scored many times during his career, but, he does not look like a footballer at all. Well he used to play for Tottenham. What can we expect?

I am hoping that Rooney replaces him soon.

 

[ManLondon]

whos gunna win the world cup??

Of course, England! We have a really great team together. We have players who are few world cup old (becks and owen). For few players, it may be the last world cup. They would also put in their best.

Beckham believes we can do it this time. And God speaks through him.

 

[Moonbeam3]

In office, we have a bet going on "What will happen first? Will it rain first or will Crouch score a goal first?"

I just wanna see his robot bit LOL. What is the deal with Rooney, is he or is he not recovered? And for that matter why wasn't Ballack playing?

As far as England winning the World Cup, I just don't see it...Don't hate me but I've actually got money on Argentina. (ducks under desk)

But I will say this, it will be down to some of the usuals in the end. I'm guessing:
Brazil, Argentina, Czechs (crossing fingers), Netherlands, Germany, England. I've heard people saying that it may be a repeat of last WC although I haven't looked far enough to see who of the above will (may) face eachother in the round of 16...

 

[Moonbeam3]

(By the way, lets take it to the thread in Sports...the same of us are posting there, that way we can just post in one, since it's the same topic LOL)