Argentina
Brazil
Czech Republic
England
France
Germany
Italy
Mexico
Netherlands
Portugal
Spain
USA
Some team that isn't mentioned here, such as Ukraine.
I don't think I agree with you about Serbia. They were extremely impressive in qualifying, and I think they'll prove hard for the other sides to break down. I can't wait for their match agains the Ivory Coast.
I do believe it was Uruguay in 1966, and if I am right, it finished 0-0. Now, 1966, I'm not sure how well we did in that one...
I'm not sure what happened either, didn't we get so far in the knock out stages?
The thing about the World Cup, is that there's at least one game almost every day untill the quarter finals, where there's a 3 day break till it resumes again.
A good result for the Dutch. Winning this tough game puts them in a strong position to qualify from Group C. However, they don't look as if they're going to go much further than that, since besides Arjen Robben (who was sublime in the first half) they looked rather pedestrian for the most part. Serbia and Montenegro weren't particularly impressive either, and having lost here they'll have difficulty qualifying, I think.
"The most important and recognize player in the history of the country."
Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like if I were as great as Paulo Wanchope.
Are you joking? Holland was really impressive in the first half. They played very fast with good passes (and this is not just Robben!), and in the second half Serbia and Montenegro were really pushing Holland, I was expecting them to score.
I guess I did underestimate S&M -- it was a pretty good game for them, and I wish they'd gotten a goal. That said, Dutch possession in the first half was smurfing insane -- 66%??? xD
I wanted S&M to win, but meh -- Robben was on fire, and van Persie didn't do too badly either, what with a good free kick or two and setting up the first goal. Van Bronckhorst had a pretty messy game, though. Group C has been classed by the pundits as the Group of Death along with Group F, but now the two favourites are sitting pretty on top with three points each. Good game for the sub., Koroman -- he threatened the Dutch at times.
Edit: Iran versus Mexico in a while -- I hope Iran win. I don't know that much about them, to be honest, but they are one of the best teams here in Asia, and 'twould be nice to have an Asian team progress. Granted Mexico and Portugal are the faves in Group D, but there's some talk of how Mexico's FIFA world ranking has been inflated -- a lot of them are, after all. Hopefully, Iran win.
Last edited by Resha; 06-11-2006 at 04:44 PM.
Ok, so im one, thrid right that Serbia wont win any matches, just two to go.
Only if it had been Argentina v Holland, as the first game of the group. Would of probably gone down to the last game for places.
Mexico 1-0.
Bravo, 28 mins.
Iran equalised. If Iran can get something out of this game, they have a good chance of getting out of the group
3-1 for Mexico, it was deserved of them.
Netherlands v S&M
If you ask me, these two teams were equal, with one exception: Arjen Robben, who, as Cz said, was sublime. If Eboue can shackle him when the two orange teams meet, the Africans could be in with a chance...
Mexico v Iran
Iran put up a good fight, but Mexico were the deserving winners. Marquez and Zinha impressed me the most.
Portugal v Angola
As David Pleat said, just like England's game. Portugal started off well, and then burned off in the second half. Angola, like Paraguay, didn't seem to want to get anything back. C. Ronaldo, as per usual, tried countless tricks, and as per usual, they didn't pay off. Still, it makes it all the more excellent to watch when they do. Figo was their best player, and it's a shame he didn't sign for Liverpool in the Summer - it was very close, but then Inter got involved.
Agreed. He seemed to be the real playmaker, and despite S&M's best efforts, he ALWAYS looked dangerous. If the Ivories pin him down, leaving him not much space to make those runs...It'll make a good game.Originally Posted by Psychotic
I will say that I felt S&M's attacks were good, there was something lacking in the finishing. If Holland had some of their opportunities, then the score might have been different. Their star striker MUST have been having a off day, before the game the pundicts were raving about Premiership bosses scouting him, and then: Nothing.... S&M remind me of a less good Croatia. Very good defence, but always seeming to lack a standout striker. David Suker used to do it for the Croats, but he retired ages ago and I haven't seen anyone as distinctive since.
As for the Mexico game... Iran in the first half were driven and it was quite tightly contested. As soon as the second half started, I don't know what happened but you could see it slowly going it away from them. The difference here from the England game is that they blew it. I think Mexico have a high rating because they are consistently qualifying and doing well in their region. However on the International scene they are not World Cup winners, but they are always surprising and CAN win games against giants IMO. However, like in the first half today, they lacked the focus needed to topple a giant like Argentina. I think it's lucky they are in this group, because if it had a real giant then they might struggle to get to the 2nd Round. All my opinion guys.
Even Gerrard's on Saturday? Didn't even touch the player!!
In the 1st round, Refs always are strict because they are trying to inforce the rules early on so players will break them less later on. Plus, FIFA try and stamp out a particular thing each time and refs are looking out for it. You mention the England/Paraguay game, that was a good example of what most refs are doing this year. Cracking down on small things (Crouch's dissent (Meaning he probably gave a finger to the Mexican) and keeping the play moving (The Water thing...) is what I think FIFA is trying to do this year. Notice time wasting is being cracked down on (The ball holding by the keeper in Paraguay) because I think they want the pace flowing.
(Although I think the Mexican lost the plot in the 2nd half and slowed the game down with his late descisions, and made it a very disjointed game to watch and no doubt troublesome for the players on both sides.I'll be curious to see if he does it again, or was rapped for it after the furoue on both sides about the water)
As for England... Didn't we play badly! I'm worried because Sweden (Who we NEVER beat) drew against T&T. This means that it won't be as easy as anticipated. However, if Sven plays Hargreaves again... Another thing, does Sven care?
Weirdly enough, I'm looking forward to Japan & Australia. I don't know why, but Japan played some interesting games last World Cup and I REALLY think Australia are improving. Also, IMO It'll decide who comes 3rd since neither have any real chance of getting through to the second round.
(Oooooh I'm mean)
"I think you'd make any (nice) woman happy... & I think you really deserve for someone to make you happy too for a change"
Though the only difference there, is that Portugal are use to extreme heat, so they got no excuses, they should of beat them quite comfortably.
T&T wont be able to peform like they did Saturday, basically holding Sweden off for 90 mins and half of that with only 10 men, that would of deffinately taken alot out of them, plus England are a better team than Sweden so i see nothing but 3 points on Thursday and a place in the 2nd round already.
Sweden deffinately need to worrie, Paraguay will be alot tougher than T&T and morale with Sweden will be low after Saturday and i see a draw happening here, therefore England winning the group.
Last edited by Russielloyd; 06-12-2006 at 12:44 AM.
Australia 0 - 1 Japan. Aussies played brilliantly first 15 minutes of the game, and honestly, I don't know what to think about the Japanese goal. It was pretty controversial, from Nakamura -- was Schwarzer fouled/impeded? I thought he came too far forwards to save it, myself. Japan looked much better after their goal, and the Aussies are getting more aggressive. Viduka's shining, and I haven't seen as much of Kewell as I'd expected -- hopefully, some more in the second half.
(Haha I'm so happy ^___^ Kewell CUT HIS HAIR! He doesn't look so ugle anymore. It made my day.)
I hope Japan win. They've looked quite good with the fast breaks, and hopefully...more goals?
Australia are a goal down to Japan at the moment, and it's been an interesting game so far. The Aussies have been playing the better passing football, but they've been prone to counter attacks because their packed midfield hasn't been doing its defensive duties as well as it should. However, they've probably been the better side, and were unlucky to go a goal down, since Schwarzer was clearly impeded.
Also, Harry Kewell has sorted out his hair at last. His recovery from suckiness is complete.
"The most important and recognize player in the history of the country."
Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like if I were as great as Paulo Wanchope.
Bah humbug. Cahill, Cahill. Aloisi.
Edit: I'm disappointed in Hiddink. Doubtless he's still a brilliant coach, and maybe his reaction to the Schwarzer incident is understandable, but why the smurf push away a Japanese official when Tsuboi was injured? That was unnecessary and I don't like Hiddink anymore.
Last edited by Resha; 06-12-2006 at 04:01 PM.
YAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!!!11!!!!!!111!!!!!!!1111!!!!1111111111!!!!!!!!!111!!111!!!
This is a happy scream btw. xD
Admittantly, 6 months ago, I couldn't have given less of a stuff about soccer. But wow. I <3 Australia.
Bring on Brazil! maybe
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