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Anyone see Argentina - Mexico? Best match of the tournament, so far. The Mexicans didn't care about Argentina being the favourites and simply played great, offensive football. But Argentina kept cool and came back. Good referee, too. Me thinks this is how the game should be played.
Argentina - Germany could be a great quarter final!
[edited by: engine at 1:20 pm (utc) on June 27, 2006]
Sorry, please advise me of who I should regard as the best player in the world and I will immediatly change my opinion.
You seriously think Henry is better than Roaldhino, Zindane etc? and I support none of their teams.
Anyway, regardless who is going to the semis?
I would have said Argentina but their display against Mexico was less than convincing.
Sorry, please advise me of who I should regard as the best player in the world and I will immediatly change my opinion.
Ronaldinho and he is seldom if ever guilty of "simulation". ;)
Todays first match?
Argentina!
They didnt deal with Mexico as expected but Mexico played some really good football, was a shame one of the teams had to go.
you have to admire german resilience and will though, you can't ever rule them out. It aint over until Ronaldo sings.
Yet I wouldn't swap any of them for Wayne Rooney who at 20, is arguably one of the best all-round players in the game today. It is scary as to just what he could achieve or become because he's just a baby really in footballing terms.
Best all-round midfielder I'd say would be Steven Gerrard.
Best defender: Ayala
Best 'keeper: Shay Given :)
Best team: Newcastle United :)
Maybe Argentina would have done better if they had Given in goal.
that's all he needs to do as a striker...score a goal here and there and he's the man. He also happened not to be selfish at all; passed the ball for both of Podolski's goals (if I am not mistaken).
does anyone really want to see a clinical football machine win?
I suppose different nations inevitably have their own behavioural tendencies in some things (for whatever reason), and Germany is renowned for its "efficiency", but in this game they played fine football by any standards, driven on by the emotional Klinsmann.
We will probably see England raise their game against Portugal too, but if it ends up with a penalty shoot-out, I hope they are as clinical as Germany were in theirs (or call it "bottle").
[edited by: Patrick_Taylor at 10:24 pm (utc) on June 30, 2006]
Does anyone really want to see a clinical football machine win?
Have you seen any of the matches Germany against Costa Rica, Poland, Ecuador or Sweden? This is the first german team I have ever seen playing good offensive and entertaining football. Klinsmann has changed the style of the german team entirely.
The match against Argentina was a bit dull I have to admit, since both teams were a little bit to timid until the first goal. However the german team had more clear chances than Argentina and deserved to win.
What more can you ask for, sigh.
apart from a win of course
I think England played very well indeed, especially after Crouch came on. He and Lennon made such a difference to the game with England looking likely to score.
And as for France- wow many did not expect them to get past Spain nevermind Brazil.
the idiot deserved to get thrown out, stomped a player's private parts, and then pushed C. Ronaldo in front of the ref. Even if the stomping was unintentional, pushing Ronaldo would have been enough (He might have gotten away only with a yellow card had he not pushed Ronaldo.)
Think of the hundreds of millions of worldwide fans hoping England wins, and he can't contain his anger for another 20-30 minutes, causing his team to play with ten players. I know he's mad that he sucked and didn't score, but that is his problem. If I was the coach, he would not be on the team ever again--unless he got clearance from a psychologist. I know anger makes him who he is, but still, he needs to control it somewhat.
On another note: What the h_ll is wrong with Beckham anyway? Did he break a nail or something? Unless he got out so his hair wouldn't be messed up any more because of sweat. This is the second time he had to leave because he didn't feel good.
Just finished work, its a glorious sunny day, England are playing in the quarter finals of the World Cup and I'm going for a beer.What more can you ask for, sigh.
Now? Try Solpadeine ;)
Football is a wonderful game although it can be very cruel at times. Being a passionate England fan feeling completely devastated in big tournaments is something I'm used to.
The only good thing to come out of this is Sven has gone, good riddance. I never liked him as our manager from day one. I like Beckham as a person he does alot for kids and charities but his time as Englands captain has come to an end IMO. <added, just seen the press report he has stood down>
The only form of "relief" I need right now is for France to beat Portugal so I can glee over Ronaldo's tears, that will make me feel a whole lot better :)
[edited by: jdhuk at 11:53 am (utc) on July 2, 2006]
One thing I dislike about the German team is the way they thank the referee when an opponent gets booked. Thumbs up, pad the referee's shoulder: rather sick, IMHO. Seen it twice this tournament.
with a personal masterclass from Zidane.
I only survived the first half of the France game before I could keep my eyes open no longer and have to agree that Zidane was on fire last night.
If he can keep that sort of performance up for just two more games, France could well win on German soil.
I fully agree with you about the German habit of patting the ref... it is sickening. I thought there was a rule never to touch the ref. And no true sportsman should enjoy an opponent being penalised for something unless rule exploitation is an inherent part of the sport in question, as it is in yacht racing (but not in football).
One thing that will marr France's stardom, if they achieve it, is Henry's cheating towards the end of their match against Spain.
Visit Thailand, it's a pity you missed the second half, because that was when the masterclass really took place.
It was a pleasure to watch Brazil and France, what a contrast. Two teams of classy players with respect for each other and the game.
Absolutely!
And he was well within his right to push Ronaldo, the guy is a sneak and a cheat.
Absolutely not! (It's against the rules) ;)
But I have said this before and I will say it again. Can you see the situation the other way round? Let's say that Joe Cole went down and one of the Portuguese players deliberately stood on his knackers. Wayne Rooney (or any of the other English players) is in the vicinity and sees this happening. Can you see them quietly standing by while the ref deals with it? Do you honestly believe that they would not be protesting to the referee?
but great, what a great final of cricket test between West Indies and India. Irrespective of the result, it was a great game and great sportsmanship by both teams.
I know cricket for many of you is a stranger but for us here in Indian Subcontinent, its what football is for rest of the world.
and yes what else can one do seeing rooney out for no fowl of his, atleast presence of third umpire in cricket discounts for any refree errors.
FIFA should learn something from cricket authorities and start using technology for better decision making. this will enable red cards for faking as discussed by walkman in [webmasterworld.com ]
and towards the orignal question, now Germany seems to be the favourite.
