Curse

I pwnd U · Jun 16, 2010, 11:48 PM // 23:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by galbat0rixx

Well I have to agree with Winterclaw, the US didn't look that great in the second half. As was said above their defence was certainly lacking, and when you play against a team with great individuals such as Gerrard, Rooney and Lennon, you're gonna have problems. You could see that they were often being worried especially down their left side by Lennon who's pace allowed him to get in behind the defence a few times.

Never said the USA looked great by any means. For most of the 2nd half they looked like the better side, which in that game isn't much of a stretch as neither team played particularly well. The US defense, ya we mentioned that earlier. No debating that they have issues to work out.

Losing Ferdinand is a HUGE blow to the England backline. But it isn't one that they shouldn't be able to recover from somehow as they have many world class players.

One of the reasons that I heard Heskey was out there instead of Defoe was because Rooney swears by Heskey and I can see why. As was pointed out he is experienced and can hold onto the ball well. He is also a BIG body to put in the box and can be a force in the air. You already have Rooney, who is speedy but small, to make the runs. Let Heskey be there to clean up any rebounds whether they be on the ground or in the air.

Spain getting beat was a HUGE surprise especially since them and Brazil, who didn't have a good outing either, are the big favorites to win.

Winterclaw · Jun 17, 2010, 01:27 AM // 01:27

pwnd, I wouldn't be surprised if one or both of them failed to make the final match. It's just how these things go. I'd rather not look at the pre-cup favorites and start looking for the teams that are getting that team of destiny vibe. In football everyone make predictions before the season starts and often those predictions are wrong.

I pwnd U · Jun 17, 2010, 03:01 AM // 03:01

Oh I would be absolutely SHOCKED if they both made it. At this point it looks like it will be Germany and someone else. No other team besides Germany has really impressed me, of course the Germans did play Australia so eh. When they face a more stacked side we will get to see their true colors.

Snograt · Jun 17, 2010, 10:54 PM // 22:54

Germany are looking far and away the best side so far - damn their hides!

There's a reasonable chance of France not making the next round after their not-much-of-a-shock-really defeat by Mexico.

I pwnd U · Jun 18, 2010, 02:09 AM // 02:09

There is more than a reasonable chance. Here are the ways they don't make it:

1) Mexico and Uruguay tie.
2) France loses to South Africa.
3) France ties South Africa.
4) France beats South Africa but Mexico and Uruguay tie.
5) France beats South Africa but doesn't have a better goal differential than Mexico or Uruguay.

Basically, France is screwed.

I pwnd U · Jun 18, 2010, 10:46 AM // 10:46

Also, update that I just saw. Capello has opted to go with David James over Robert Green for their match today versus Algeria.

Rocky Raccoon · Jun 18, 2010, 01:54 PM // 13:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snograt

Germany are looking far and away the best side so far - damn their hides!.

Not looking so awesome anymore.

zelgadissan · Jun 18, 2010, 01:59 PM // 13:59

To be fair, Klose got sent off ~40' in on two really, really horrible calls - neither was really yellow worthy (at least to me).

That said, any team/keeper that saves a penalty earned their win in my book.

Winterclaw · Jun 18, 2010, 05:15 PM // 17:15

Did anyone here see the penalty that took away the US goal at the end? I think the US got robbed.

galbat0rixx · Jun 18, 2010, 06:29 PM // 18:29

Heheheh Slovenia > Germany.....that's just too funny.
Well so far, if England win this match then they are looking fairly stable out of the biggies: Brazil, Germany, Spain and Italy.

Yeah shame for the US losing that last Goal but in all honesty the ref had already blown the whistle so he could not under any circumstances allow the goal. Shame there was too much Argy Bargy!

I pwnd U · Jun 18, 2010, 08:05 PM // 20:05

The US got majorly robbed. 1) there was NO offsides on the US (Bradley was held on) and 2) the only foul there was AGAINST Slovenia. That was total bullshit and then the ref wouldn't say who it was on. Terrible reffing in that game. The commentators kept talking about how the calls were going against the US. Ya, Slovenia got a lot of yellow's but nothing game changing. Terrible terrible call. Should have 4 points now instead of only 2. Screw the freaking stupid ref.

As it is, come on England Algeria tie! Would really help the US be closer to getting to the next round as the standings would be:

Slovenia 4
USA 2
England 2
Algeria 1

Than England can beat Slovenia next week and the US should be able to beat Algeria to play themselves into the knockout round... Of course that means the US has to win, which they haven't, at least not on the score board (RED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GO you ref), done yet.

Edit: Oh ya, and Germany still shouldn't have lost. Even with 10 men they should have been good enough to be Serbia. But that just completely messes up that group. 3 tied atop with 3 points and poor Australia with 0, though that might change tomorrow.

Rocky Raccoon · Jun 18, 2010, 08:24 PM // 20:24

England 0 Algeria 0

I pwnd U · Jun 18, 2010, 08:37 PM // 20:37

Yes! So that result comes through for the USA. Though had the ref not made that horrendous call (RED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GO you ref) it would be the US leading the group, Slovenia 2nd, England 3rd and Algeria bringing up the rear.

Snograt · Jun 18, 2010, 09:48 PM // 21:48

What a terrible, terrible performance from England.

I don't know what it is - there's no lack of world-class talent in the side. Do they want it SO badly that they're over-reaching? Is it the altitude? Is it the ball?

Oh, and I agree - team USA were robbed.

Winterclaw · Jun 18, 2010, 10:18 PM // 22:18

Snograt, from what I've heard and seen from england they seem to be less than the sum of their parts. If they don't advance (they probably will because the US won't) this could be a great learning experience for them: build a team around people who can act together as a team.

I also have to say this about the US getting robbed: if they hadn't given up 2 goals early on, they wouldn't have needed that 3rd goal to win. One of my sports rules is that you can usually overcome two mistakes/bad calls and still win. At 3 or more, you have to hope the other team is playing worse/getting worse calls than you are.

zelgadissan · Jun 18, 2010, 10:26 PM // 22:26

I admittedly fell asleep while waiting for the England - Algeria match (I work nights so it was hard enough to stay up for the American match), so I didn't get to see it.

Rumor has it that the official from the USA - Slovenia match might be done, and I'd be amazed if the Germany - Serbia official doesn't receive the same treatment.

Rocky Raccoon · Jun 18, 2010, 11:33 PM // 23:33

A group of superior players doesn't always jell as team, whereas a group of good players can make an excellent team.

Snograt · Jun 19, 2010, 01:24 AM // 01:24

Basically, England need to win their last match to guarantee progression. If both sets of matches are draws (again) it gets tricky - and may even be decided by the drawing of lots.

Might be fun - it's the only remaining way to lose the world cup that England haven't tried yet

zelgadissan · Jun 19, 2010, 01:34 AM // 01:34

Yeah, it's basically win and you're in for every team in Group C - Algeria would need some slight help, as an England win would leave Algeria and Slovenia with the same number of points for second and then the tiebreakers kick in.

If both matches are draws, England needs to score two more goals than the Americans to get past them in tiebreakers.

With the way Slovenia and Algeria are playing, I really don't think that both England and the USA will be moving on, but I hope so.

galbat0rixx · Jun 19, 2010, 10:58 PM // 22:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Pwnd U

Yes! So that result comes through for the USA. Though had the ref not made that horrendous call (RED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GO you ref) it would be the US leading the group, Slovenia 2nd, England 3rd and Algeria bringing up the rear.

You really have to feel sorry for the US after that. I mean, if the USA hadn't scored it wouldn't have been as bad a call. It's just a shame because the ref blew the whistle before the ball had gotten into the box, so he literally could not under any cirumstances allow it. Poor USA, but at least it saves England's bacon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zelgadissan

With the way Slovenia and Algeria are playing, I really don't think that both England and the USA will be moving on, but I hope so.

I think if England don't step up a gear, they won't beat Slovenia, although you never know if a great individual effort might save them. However, if the USA and England play as well as they can, I think Slovenia and Algeria might get steamrolled. At the moment I'm thinking England will win 1-0 over Slovenia and USA will win 2-1 over Algeria (which I think would mean USA go through as first due to more goals for).

I definitely cannot see Algeria getting through. Even against a completely awful and lost England side they didn't even look as if they could be bothered to do anything. If the USA had been playing England instead, England would probably have gotten easily beat. I reckon it's hopeless for Algeria.

EDIT: Feeling sorry for France right now too. They look kind of screwed.