The FIFA World Cup: Which country will win and who will be the star?

[incywincy]

So it all kicks off today in Munich. The best footballers (not soccer players) on the planet will be competing in a festival of the beautiful game.

So who do you think will win the trophy? Who will win the Golden Boot? And who will be the new kid on the block that everyone will be talking about.

WebmasterWorld is a global forum so there must be lots of different opinions out there.

[Visit Thailand]

I am hoping Japan beat Australia and Ghana manage a draw with Italy. As for the US match I think the US are much better than in the previous years and could well cause an upset.

[Syzygy]

Have drawn Czech Republic in the office sweepstake and my world cup fantasy football team presently ranks 175,761 overall and joint 16 out of 19 in the inter-office league with a team of 12 comprising:

Gk - Cech - Czech Rep

Def - Toure - Ivory Coast
Def - Marquez - Mexico
Def - Chigrynskiy - Ukraine

Mid - Riquelme - Argentina
Mid - Ronaldinho - Brazil
Mid - Kaka - Brazil
Mid - Zidane - France

Str - Messi - Argentina
Str - Valdez - Paraguay
Str - Toni - Italy.

Still, it's early days yet and, bearing in mind that it's a tournament of two halves I could be sick as a parrot or over the moon depending...

[RonPK]

I am hoping Japan beat Australia

Well, at the moment it's Japan 1 - Australia 0. Still in the first half, though. I do hope that Hiddink's Aussies are the more heat-proof team and that they'll beat the Japanese!

[BeeDeeDubbleU]

That was never a goal. The net tender was clearly fouled ;)

[Visit Thailand]

net tender?! You mean goalkeeper. At least you are able to watch it. Thai TV has not switched to the game yet. Sounds like a good match. I see Australia are living up to a physical game with 17 fouls to Japan's 7.

[Visit Thailand]

Well they finally turned it on. Terrible mistake by the Japanese goalkeeper on the equaliser but two excellent goals followed. Lots of yellow in the crowd too. Am sure there will be a few people late for work tomorrow.

[lorax]

Watched Mexico take it to Iran - nice game. Took Mexico the entire 1st half to settle down.

Re: Iran and US

Payback's a #*$! - we're gunning to get even on that bogus call.

[Patrick Taylor]

net tender

I've never heard of it in England, except as a Quantity Surveying term. Must be a Caledonian thing :)

[BeeDeeDubbleU]

Actually I was being a smart @ss. The Caledonian term is "goalie" or in Andy Goram's case "The Flying Pig". I was looking at a report on a US site last night and I saw them using "net tender". I have also seen "goaltender".

Different world :)

[BeeDeeDubbleU]

Great result for Australia. They got what they deserved as the better team but Japan were also great. This must have been one of the best matches so far.

Congrats to both of them for providing a rip roaring cup tie.

[Dayo_UK]

Well the US "Net Tender" was beaten 3 times.

Actually "Net Tender" may have been used for that American Beer they are advertising in the advert breaks when they make fun of the Americans?

US as good as out unless they beat Ghana and at least draw with Italy.

[lorax]

Yup. We took a beating from the Czechs. The US squad just didn't seem awake. Bad passing and couldn't get a decent shot off save for the two near misses we had. But it only counts when it crosses the line.

[Visit Thailand]

I actually think the US did pretty well against very tough opposition. After last night's performance not many teams will relish meeting the Czechs or the Italians. Ghana also played extremely well just lacking prowess in front of goal.

[tomda]

Yeah, Ghana played very well...
And I am very sorry for the referree but there was one - or even two - penalty for Ghana at the second half!

The Italian team is strong... They will go far, unless we get an "Italian drama" like in 2002 against Korea.

[incywincy]

I was a little disappointed with USA, they are ranked in the top 10 by FIFA. Having said that Czr=ech Replubic looked very good, they could be the dark horses of the competition.

I agree that Ghana looked a bit naive up front but they played some good stuff. Italy looked relieved when the second goal went in.

Tonight it's the turn of the Brazilians, looking forward to seeing France too.

[ska_demon]

Anyone see Neighbours or Emmerdale?

Fantastic!

Ska

[BeeDeeDubbleU]

Change your name from Ska to Sak then ... Sad Sak ;)

[ska_demon]

Ha Ha!

To be honest I have started to get sucked in to the whole thing. I even watched the Ghana v Italy game last night. It would be cool to see England win but I don't feel like it's going to happen.

Sad Sak

[Visit Thailand]

I was a little disappointed with USA, they are ranked in the top 10 by FIFA.

I would not pay any attention to that ranking at all, especially with regards to the US. The rankings can be manipulated. I think even the US coach and players would agree they should not be so high.

Not yet anyway.

[limbo]

The Czechs will win it.

[Patrick Taylor]

Nope. Spain.

[mack]

I still think Brasil, although their last game wasn't exactly inspirational.

Mack.

[powerstar]

I would like to see the US win it all...

[Draconian]

Oh my, was just brought back to life after laughing to death... USA = Top 10? Delusional... Honestly: Italy, Brazil, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Mexico, France, Spain, England, Argentina, and Cameroon (In my opinion, obviously arguable) are all teams that can devastate team USA.

Oh... and how many times has the U.S. even made it to a final? Never... We made 3rd once. The first year of the competition in 1930! XD... And there were like 13 countries involved. USA really ranks at about 26... pathetic.

I don't think there is a team that (insert word here) so much for the size of their nation. I've heard that top 10 malarky too, and hmmm... coincidental that it's coming from an american source?

(Too bad Canadians aren't as good at soccer as they are at hockey, or we could pay them to live here and play soccer too)

PS - Even Australia would pummel our team.

[Draconian]

PPSS - I believe we were ranked ~26 prior to 2002. Which, btw, was a joke and entire upset anyways...

[RonPK]

Well, Germany did it again: winning a match in extra time ;)

I often zap to the BBC at half time as I like their analysis. But I'd really appreciate subtitling whenever those Scottish experts are in the studio - what language is it they speak ;) Do we have a member who could pull some strings?

[limbo]

Felt sorry for the Poles

They had a good match - their keeper was on fire!

[BeeDeeDubbleU]

But I'd really appreciate subtitling whenever those Scottish experts are in the studio - what language is it they speak

We speak English with our accent, which is recognised throughout the world. This is just like English people speak English with an accent, e.g. Cuckney, Beermeengam, Laivehpool, Nyook ASSEL, Saffend, etc, etc.

Do you know that some of we Scots struggle to understand what is being said in programs like Eastenders? Is that what you would call English? ;)

BTW, we Scots also have to get to the World cup somehow and Scotland is playing in the World cup this afternoon. (That's Jason Scotland of TnT).

[Dayo_UK]

Draconian

The FIFA rankings are very skewed and are based on how US have performed in qualifying etc. EG Competitve matches against teams in their group - and does not seem to take into account the opposition.

Therefore both Mexico and USA rank high because they play and beat sides in the North American region - eg other poor footballing countries.

For some reason the rankings work out as:-

Poor Footballing Country Beat Poor Footballing Country = Good Rank.

US and Mexicos true world ranking must be 20-30s.

[olga]

<snip>

[edited by: trillianjedi at 10:27 am (utc) on June 15, 2006]
[edit reason] TOS - no self-promo please ;) [/edit]