The Official Football Thread

[Sides]

Originally Posted by Maceart

Although it was only a 1 to 1 tie, United States completely smothered Italy. Considering the fact that Italy had 2 more men on the field, the U.S held on it's own for the whole last half.

Now all U.S. needs to do is beat Ghana by as much of a point difference as possible and hope Italy loses to Czech Republic to enter the final 32.

hmm.., weren't they only 1 down ?
Because De Rossi was sent off first
and later on 2 US players. So it was 10 vs 9.

Btw, in the second round (knock out stage), should only have 16 teams/nations,
because there are only 8 groups.

[wingdarkness]

Why didn't the US goal count?? They could have gone up by 1...

And what was the big controversy about a referee's bad call?? I kinda missed out on the explanation??

[Arimfe]

Originally Posted by Maceart

Although it was only a 1 to 1 tie, United States completely smothered Italy. Considering the fact that Italy had 2 more men on the field, the U.S held on it's own for the whole last half.

Actually Italy only had 1 more man after 2nd half, and the last 15 minutes in 1st half USA had 1 more man than Italy

Now all U.S. needs to do is beat Ghana by as much of a point difference as possible and hope Italy loses to Czech Republic to enter the final 32.

Yes they still have a chance, but beating Ghana won't be easy
And on top of everything Italy has +5 goals compared to USA and that's not exactly easy to overcome either

I'm wondering, which of these conditions are the most realistic for USA right now:
Ghana 0-3 USA
Czech Republic 3-0 Italy

or

USA win over Ghana + Italy win over Czech Republic

What do you guys think?

Originally Posted by wingdarkness

Why didn't the US goal count?? They could have gone up by 1..

I wasn't there when they scored but apparently:

Originally Posted by Pellissier

The American goal invalidated. The offside position became active since the players was covering the sight of the goalkeeper (not allowed), but even more, because he moved his leg to let the ball pass. That's partecipating actively to the action. And since he was behind all the defenders, offside. As consequence, no goal. Correct.

[evil-samurai]

Originally Posted by Dorfl

This Group E is so much fun!

It sure is =) and now I want more upsets! Australia is playing Brazil tonight.. I really!!! want to see Australia win they do have alright chance as well, with the new coach anything is possiable

Oh! and Ghana should win (imo) seeing how the US players havn't even score a goal yet Ghana do have a couple of players out (I think) because they collected a couple of yellow cards, But still after watching the Ghana & Czech match who could tip against them? ^^

[Maceart]

Oops on the factual errors on my part. But "hope springs eternal", and I hope Italy will pull a South Korea from the 2002 world cup and beat Czech Republic and help the United States (if they pull off a win over Ghana) to advance to the single elimnation playoffs.

I really want Japan to make it also... but after the humilating lost with Australia... coupled with Brazil on their group, the outlook looks grim.

[Kinny Riddle]

Even Team USA survived, a pity their second goal was disallowed since someone was already offside and "interfering with play". Group E is probably the most exciting group so far.

Today's three matches all look mouthwatering as well. Zico has to be careful not to screw up near the end again against Croatia. (He brought on defenders whereas Aussie coach Hiddink brought on strikers, eventually coming back to win 3-1).

We'll see what secret tactics Hiddink has in store for the Brazilians.

While the Koreans aren't as defensive minded as the Swiss, it wouldn't be wise for France to think they'll have an easier game against the semi-finalist last time around.

[lavielove]

My hope lost for Japan.Have to wait a few hours more and will support Korea.

[Sides]

Originally Posted by lavielove

My hope lost for Japan.Have to wait a few hours more and will support Korea.

hmm..don't like Dick Advocaat,
reckon something similar will happen to korean like in 2001 to rangers ^^

[Onizuka-GTO]

WTF??!?!!! SOCCEROOS SHOULD OF WON!!! well at leased had a goal. They were definitely the better side.

As for the ref.... B#$%#$%$D! Goddamm Brazil LOVER!!! worse example of reffing....EVAR!!

I hope he get's his Arse kicked by Aussie fans...

[rtwesen]

i thought the reffing was ok...we just missed too many chances

[sanghyun1990]

First, Korea got lucky, and I am happy that Korea tied better than losing. Second, I love Park Ji Sung.

[Blizzer]

Korea vs France was awesome
France was dominating completely and then scored and they thought this is ok we'll keep it at 1-0
and then then Korea scored Yeah!!!!!!
That's what France get for underestimating them

I was supporting Korea in the match cus they were the underdogs
England ftw

[Onizuka-GTO]

GOOOOOAAAAAAL!!
Typical Korean Goal....Like the underdogs they were, they kept pushing, and oushing and not even france knew that they were on the back feet!! I swaer they were feeding off the stupidly insane korean fans! they would sing for at leased 20+30mins non-stop!!!
The magic of the World Cup, nothing is certain!!!
Beware of the little dogs, they might have more then a bark!

[chucky]

France can't find anyone to blame but themselves. They completely dominated the game, got unlucky in several occasions, but those can't be excuse for them to lose concentration in the final minute and let their opponents draw this game.

And sorry Korean fans, it doesn't mean the Koreans played well. I am expecting an even better performance from the Korean side, but they have got the midfield in tight control of the French. How possible is it to go to the second round and face, say Spain?

[Onizuka-GTO]

Originally Posted by chucky

How possible is it to go to the second round and face, say Spain?

That my friend would be the icing on the cake!


Spain would be over the moon.
Revenge! muwahaha.

That's just what we need,
RSK vs Spn
Eng vs Ger
Age vs Bra

Ahhh..... dreams.....

[evil-samurai]

Originally Posted by Onizuka-GTO

That my friend would be the icing on the cake!


Spain would be over the moon.
Revenge! muwahaha.

I'm sure that Italy would also love to have a chance to crush South Korea Well... I would love! To see Spain face the Koreans =)

WTF??!?!!! SOCCEROOS SHOULD OF WON!!! well at leased had a goal. They were definitely the better side.

They played well for a team that loss 2:0 From what I saw. I didn't watch all of the match so I dont know about the bad reffing.. but it didn't look to bad. Brazil looks like a side that can get beaten =) They still have a way to go if they want to get another cup. So much for Ronaldo I loved watching him miss time that ball right infront of goal he did set up the first goal but overall he didn't play well.

Well Australia only needs a Draw, (unless japan wins, then it would comes down to goals..) I think they could beat Croatia seeing how good they have been playing. They just need to a little more pratice in front of goals.. they missed a couple of shots which they should of got in the Brazil game.

Oh! and that was a great! Penalty save by the Japanese Goal keeper, only saw the first half of that match but the japanese goal keeper was in really good form.

[raphaël]

*definitely ashamed to be French...

[4BiddenKnight]

You should be more ashamed of your French coach because he needed Zidane to tell him which formation to use to score a goal.

[raphaël]

Originally Posted by 4BiddenKnight

You should be more ashamed of your French coach because he needed Zidane to tell him which formation to use to score a goal.

Domenech is a real jerk. Even worst than Lemerre.
Anyways, Zidane can't run anymore, that's painful to watch. He's too rich, too famous, too old probably...

[Onizuka-GTO]

Originally Posted by evil-samurai

They played well for a team that loss 2:0 From what I saw. I didn't watch all of the match so I dont know about the bad reffing.. but it didn't look to bad.

Well, that's what some people have said, but when you watch the replays that have been on the TV at the time of the match, the majority of the Free kicks given were non-substainable, there was no fouls, this is expressed by Aussies being award only three yellow cards, while Brazil got three, which in my opinon should of been more.

Over all Brazil was award twenty five free kicks, Aussies only nine! While it was blantantly obvious that Brazil was the more aggressive & producing the more dangerous challenges during those exchanges.

The ref was walking a thin line, he was giving advantage after advantages to Brazil way more then can be considered normal.