Curse

I pwnd U · Jun 16, 2006, 01:08 AM // 01:08

Its a pretty good chance. Italy is another reason that the US is said to be in the hardest group. (actually its the 2nd hardest to Argentinas group) Italy will more then likely win a hard game. My guess is it will be 2-1 in the end. It will be a great game to watch (i hope) with a close outcome.

Edge Martinez · Jun 17, 2006, 06:10 AM // 06:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordDeArnise

Argentina romping Serbia & Montenegro

Picking Argentina wasn't much of a prediction, but boy... you sure hit that romping thing on the head. I can't fault Serbia for losing to Argentina, but this is the world stage... your chance to shine and represent... why bother showing up if you're going to allow 6 goals? I was pissed at America for giving up 3, but 6?!?!?

I know some teams are better than others. I know some leagues are better than others. But if you make it to the world cup, you're pretty damn good. To allow 6 goals tells me they came into that game scared and in awe of Argentina. That's unacceptable at this level. If you can't kick the ball, kick the other players... hell, kick these silly referees they hired for this thing, but don't go out 6-0.

If I was an underdog team, I'd just rather just stick me in a group with Argentina, Brazil and England... let me get the hard shit out of the way first. If you can't play with the best, what's the point in even playing the rest?

Much respect to Angola for their performance!

LordDeArnise · Jun 17, 2006, 06:45 AM // 06:45

Perhaps the Serbs and Montenegrans were scared of the Argentinian side, but 6 goals doesn't cut it. Angola really played a respectable match against Mexico, and the Ivory Coast did fight hard against the Dutch in a losing effort.

Saturday predictions, some of them already given:

Portugal one goal better against Iran (or Iran will just explode in cheers if they win)
Czech Republic blows Ghana away
Italy romps the US of A

The Real Roy Keane · Jun 17, 2006, 03:35 PM // 15:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordDeArnise

Saturday predictions, some of them already given:

Portugal one goal better against Iran (or Iran will just explode in cheers if they win)
Czech Republic blows Ghana away
Italy romps the US of A

1. Close, but no cigar.
2. I think the Ghanains(sp?) might shock them(May end up eating my words).
3. I think you're right here, but I'd really like to see the yanks do well.

master_of_puppets · Jun 17, 2006, 09:39 PM // 21:39

Aw man, so far the biggest blowout was Argentina 6 - Serbia 0 and I missed it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edge Martinez

But if you make it to the world cup, you're pretty damn good.

That is not neccesarily true. In the qualifying matches teams are put into groups with countries nearby or in the same continent. Why do you think teams like Arabia are in the world cup? Because the countries nearby were so bad that even a not-so-good team can top the group.

US-Italy game was crazy. 3 red cards and an embarassing own goal by Italy.

Czechs upset by Gana though if the Czechs didnt have so many injury problems im sure they would have won.

Edge Martinez · Jun 17, 2006, 10:06 PM // 22:06

All I can say for Ghana is... Heart, heart and more heart! I think this was the best match of the whole cup. I'm putting Ghana on my 'cheer for' list.

USA? Upset me again. We need wins, not ties. I'll touch on the red cards in a sec...

Iran played gamely from what I heard. I missed that game because I fell asleep. Got off work at 3AM and was trying to just stay awake all day to watch the matches. Anyhow, good job to Portugal.

Now red and yellow cards and the refs... to borrow a US basketball saying, those refs in USA/Italy must like chicken, because they blew alot of fouls todays. I didn't agree with any of them. So far I think the referees are doing a crappy job all around. I think the European teams are getting the better of most calls, but I can't really be vocal about it, because all my friends would be like 'You're pulling for America and T&T... of course you think they are getting bad calls.' But just to appease everyone, I really think the refs should let everyone just play some football and stop with the cards already. Enough with the questionable offsides. I remember back in the day Maradona would get away with murder and get murdered in return, and there would be no calls. So far the only sports news that has even addressed this has been Yahoo sports. It's... annoying.

awesome sauce · Jun 17, 2006, 10:18 PM // 22:18

The U.S. shouldn't play beasley. Yes, he almost scored a goal. But overall he seems lazy as hell. He's supposed to be the fastest player on the team, yet even when he's fresh off the bench he barely runs at all. He's had so many opportunities at midfield where he has a wide open lane, but stops and passes it instead.

Also, in the last 10 minutes of the game they completely abandoned their offense and decided to settle for the tie. Instead of trying to get another goal, they just kept clearing it down the field at any given opportunity. That takes up a small amount of time, but it also gives the Italian offense numerous opportunities to score. If you want to waste time, do it on the other end of the field. This tie was pure luck.

Night Daftshadow · Jun 17, 2006, 10:38 PM // 22:38

Watch how the Italian National Football Team practice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z3ZJ...ian%20football

Hailfall · Jun 17, 2006, 11:19 PM // 23:19

Hehe I normally don't watch football at all but because Italy was playing (Zambrotta = yum!) I was watching xD

I pwnd U · Jun 18, 2006, 12:02 AM // 00:02

Wow Ghana played an absolutly fabulous game! They couldnt have been beat today, they were just on.

Ok here it goes, the USA Italy game, great close game except... for the RED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GOING REFS!!! Honestly what the hell? Giving a red card for a late tackle taht wasnt even bad? Bull! Giving Pope his second yellow on a similar play? CRAP! Giving the Italian player a red for elbowing McBride in the face, cutting him right below his eye? Congrats, thats about the only right call you made all game! That was deserving defiently, but their were so many horrible calls. Even some of the offside calls were bull! I have never seen a worse officiated game in my life. The refs ruined that game. Towards the end they let them play, but by that time it was to late. You never see a game that ends with 9v10! Sure ive seen 11v10 or 10v10 but come on? 10v9! WHAT THE HELL REFS? Hopefully we went see them back for a long time, that was absolutly pathetic! Great game if you take out the refs. US is still scoreless in the World Cup. But they got a point finally. If they beat Ghana and Italy beats Czech then US moves on. Will be interesting but we need the US to step up their play a ton. Need to put more pressure and finish goals.

master_of_puppets · Jun 18, 2006, 12:19 AM // 00:19

Quote:

Watch how the Italian National Football Team practice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z3ZJ...ian%20football

LOL its funny cuz its true. Some of the teams like Italy probably have their players go to acting school.

I never realized how hard being a referee can be, especially for soccer/football. Having to decide in a split second whether that moron player is actually in pain or just pretending. You know its usually the latter but you cant always be sure. Also whenever you call a foul against the team that has more supporters in the crowd you get booed, even though half those idiots out there dont even know the proper rules of the game. Most of the games ive seen the refs were fine a few were messed but it didnt change the outcome of the game that much.

captainccc · Jun 18, 2006, 01:43 AM // 01:43

I watched the replay game on espn classic 'cause i missed the first one. (Driving home from Disney World so i cant complain.)
GOD that game was intense/bad. 3 red cards?!WTF? That ref was terrible. I dont think the Italian own goal was "Embarrasing" i just think they werent...on top of their game. USA commin so close to winning is a shocker to fans on both sides.
IVC vs. NED....gah this just makes me mad. I wanted Ivory coast to win so bad. I dont even know or root for them but it would be so good for there country if they could win some. Political wise. I mean they just got (finally) peace in their country winning would only be icing on the cake. Well there is my opinion on somethings. Enjoy.

Snograt · Jun 18, 2006, 01:45 AM // 01:45

Man, that group E is so wide open now - ANY team can go through, it's all down to the last two matches on Thursday.

For USA to progress, they obviously need to beat Ghana, but rely on the other result too.

If Czech Republic win and USA win, USA will need to have a better goal difference to proceed.

If Italy win and USA win, USA go through whatever happens.

If Italy and Czech Republic draw, USA will need to beat Ghana by a three-goal margin or better.

Fascinating viewing.

LordDeArnise · Jun 18, 2006, 01:45 AM // 01:45

Soccer referees, IMO, has the most difficult officiating job in all of sports, especially at the World Cup. One bad call that costs a side a game, and chances are that side's hooligans will go after the ref.

I just couldn't really understand the need for all the bookings by the Uruguayan Referee that was officiating the US-Italy game. It'll certainly make headlines instead of the Italians embarrasing themselves with that OG that gave them the 1-pt. draw instead of 3 and KO'ing the Americans. The above posters already said much about the officiating.

Gotta hand it to the Ghanans for stepping up and beating the Czechs, which make Thursday's final Group E matches important.
Italy v. Czech Republic - winner advances
Ghana v. USA - Ghana advances with a win, US advances with a win and an Italy win.
There are other scenarios too for Group E:
- A draw between Italy & the Czech Republic plus:
- - Ghana win = Ghana & Italy Advances
- - US win = US & Italy Advances
- - Ghana & US draw = Italy & Czech Republic (with a GD +1 compared to Ghana's Even GD) advances
- US has a -3 GD, the Czechs have a +1 GD despite the loss to Ghana, & Italy has a +2 GD. So the US can join the Czech Republic in the next round if the US has a better GD than Italy after Thursday.
**** Early predictions based on today's matches: Italy & Ghana advances ****

Portugal had a convincing win over Iran, which is not surprising.

Sunday Predictions:

Croatia 1 goal better than Japan
* With Australia having beaten Japan, Croatia should have some idea of Japan's weakness, and played well against Brazil in a losing effort.

Brazil beats a very game Australia
* Australia has alot of heart and have some good play, so they should play fairly well against a Brazilian side that may step up and score a few goals.

South Korea upsets France
* The Koreans are playing very well, and with France's scoring woes so far in World Cup competition, it could plague the French side again, and South Korea got alot of confidence after their win.

Snograt · Jun 19, 2006, 12:32 AM // 00:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordDeArnise

Sunday Predictions:

Croatia 1 goal better than Japan
* With Australia having beaten Japan, Croatia should have some idea of Japan's weakness, and played well against Brazil in a losing effort.

Brazil beats a very game Australia
* Australia has alot of heart and have some good play, so they should play fairly well against a Brazilian side that may step up and score a few goals.

South Korea upsets France
* The Koreans are playing very well, and with France's scoring woes so far in World Cup competition, it could plague the French side again, and South Korea got alot of confidence after their win.

Hey, not bad!

Croatia only managed a 0-0 draw against Japan.

Australia played EXTREMELY well against a lacklustre Brazilian side; the 2-0 Brazil scoreline does not tell the tale of the match - it could have so easily been 1-1 which, for me, would have been a fair result.

South Korea did indeed upset France - it was a 1-1 draw but SK defended well and could easily have shocked France with a winning goal in the closing minutes.

I pwnd U · Jun 19, 2006, 12:39 AM // 00:39

I didnt catch the Crotia Japan game but i am sure it was good.

The Brazilian Aussie game was great to watch. Australia really played a great game but Brazil was just tooo strong. Ronaldo is getting to old and fat to play at this level. I think this may be his last year.

South Korea did a great job coming back from a 1-0 deficit. Frances goal scoring woes contuine. They need to step it up and quickly.

LordDeArnise · Jun 19, 2006, 03:59 AM // 03:59

I saw the highlights from the Japan-Croatia match, and I think both of them played well enough although neither of them could get the ball into the net.

I did like the way Australia played against a fairly lackluster Brazil side. The "Socceroos" could've at least scored a couple of goals. As for the Brazilians, I think they could use some lineup changes to add more of their finesse flavor to their play since they're advancing anyway. Definently get Ronaldinho more involved, for one.

France did finally score a goal, but could've done better against the Koreans. Gotta like the way the Koreans are playing this World Cup, as every Korean native--both in South Korea and those in other parts of the world (there are plenty of Koreans here in my part of California) were rooting for them.

Monday Predictions:

*** Togo & Switzerland draw ***
I haven't seen much of either team outside of the web highlights, but Togo does have a promising offense. Still, I think both sides will play to a draw.

*** Saudi Arabia & Ukraine draw ***
The Saudis are fairly decent, although I think the Ukranians will rebound some from their dusting by the Spaniards. They may score at least one goal on both sides, playing to a draw.

*** Spain beats Tunisia ***
The Tunisians are a fairly tough side in World Cup pool play, but I think Spain will outplay them in the end. Probably a final score of 3-1 for the Spaniard victory.

master_of_puppets · Jun 19, 2006, 04:55 PM // 16:55

I heard that the referees aren't allowed to use instant replay, is that true? Cause if it is thats pretty stupid since I have already seen at least 3 bad calls concerning goals. France should have won vs. Korea the ball was clearly in at one point and that would have made it 2-0. Also Argentina scored one in their first game that didnt count though they did end up winning. \

Also what happens if 2 teams in the same group have the same number of points and goals scored/against? Who advances if its tied for 2nd place?

TurinPT · Jun 19, 2006, 06:15 PM // 18:15

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Jetai12 · Jun 20, 2006, 01:15 AM // 01:15

im guessing its gonna be Argentina Vs. Brazil in the finals, i think its gonna be close, unless they play earlier