Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Agreed. Every Cup has several games decided by refs. With the passion that most nations place behind their team and soccer in general, it is impossible to find a ref who doesn't have some sort of bias.

In fact, I'm pretty sure that the US has had at least 1 disallowed goal in every Cup. This time we had, what? 3 or 4? The officiating is beyond horrible and Blatter can no longer excuse NOT using tech during the World Cup. How many times this Cup alone have we watched the better team leave the tournament? It's disgraceful!!!

...Now that that's off of my chest. I'm prepping my celebration stogie list for when Germany defeats Argentina, then Spain, and if there is a soccer God out there watching over us, Deutschland will go on to beat the Netherlands in the final.

Yeah, I said it... Netherlands. I want the Dutchmen to beat Brazil. Sooooooooooooo sick of them! Plus a Match between Netherlands and Germany would be EPIC due to their tactics and efficient play styles. Plus we won't have to hear about Messi, Ronaldo, or Kaka anymore. lol.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Hey, we can dream... I think it it will be Argentina versus Brazil in the final no matter how much I dislike the idea.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

I would actually predict Brazil v Spain. Argentina has looked like utter garbage behind the ball and Spain are masters of ball possession. So much so that they scored on the team that was considered to be the hardest in the world to put goals on. Argentina is a straight up attack squad, but with Spain having a solid back field and capable of holding 80% of the possession against top teams, I suspect that they will likely top Argentina if they meet in the Semis.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

I also think it will be a Spain v Brazil final...Argentina's defense isn't so good and I think Spain (or maybe even Germany) will be able to capitalize on it.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

I'm hoping for Spain vs The Netherlands. Can't stand Brazil, not their national team nor their tobacco ;)

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Yeah, I'd fear Germany too! lol ;)

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

The Netherlands wins! Wow.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

What a way to start the weekend! I'm shaking like a Parkinson patient

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Wow!!! Bye bye Brazil

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Might help if you put down the booze.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

The dutchmen take it away from Brazil 2-1!! Great game!

Didn't look good for NED at the start... but they held it together and pulled through. Brazil got flustered and began to crumble. NED held tight through it all! It will be great to see NED in the finals as I don't think that Ghana or Uruguay can beat them.

Yo, Don Fernando! That match I mentioned earlier... It's getting closer to actually happening!

Next up... Germany needs to beat Argentina tomorrow.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

No booze for me YET! Have to drive, alcohol & traffic don't go hand & hand.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

How about a Germany vs. Netherlands final?

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

I think it will be Spain vs Netherlands.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Wahoo! Go Netherlands! I am so glad they beat Brazil!

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Got the booze ready for you ferdinand :D

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

I am hoping for a Germany v. Netherlands!

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

I'm hoping for it! Go Deutschland!!!!
...How 'bout no. LOL. The odds favor Spain v Netherlands... but my heart desires (and we all know the universe revolves around my desires) a GER V NED

^^What he said.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Holy crap! Congrats Ferdinand!

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

I was talking with someone about the Dutch, this past Monday, and told the guy how impressed I am with their midfield, to me the best (by far) midfield in WC, everyone is fast and working non-stop. I am still not that impressed with their defense, but if mids hold up in the final this will be interesting.

Hopefully, Germans will follow suit and knock Argentina out (against my prediction). All euro final is more than fine with me...

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

I'm hoping for Uruguay v. Paraguay in the final.


2 Guays enter, only one Guay leaves.

2 Guays, one (World) Cup.
:r

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

:r:r

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

I was dying to open this thread but couldn't until I finished watching the recorded match... Congrats the Netherlands!!! I didn't hold a lot of hope for them but they overcame a lot. They had Brazil so rattled it was funny!!! Congrats to Simon and Ferdie!!!

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Ghana got what it deserved with all the acting and faking BS. Suarez, who could have and should have finished the game on at least 2 occasions in second half (how the hell do you miss from 8 feet out on an empty net?) at least redeemed himself with the hand ball. I predict at least 3-0 when Dutch take on Uruguay, have no idea how such a mediocre team makes it to semis of WC.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Actually it's easier to do than you think lol. But yes... Missing that goal was terrible. The Uruguay keeper is a national hero today for those 2 saves during penalty shots.

As for how did they make it? Well, they typically play a lock down defense and rely on Forlan and Suarez to counter attack and score... While they certainly aren't the best, they're far from bad. They also got lucky with the group and bin draws... bin 1 was basically a cake walk with the exception of Brazil and Netherlands (it was a real cake for them lol). Whereas bin 2 is a nightmare.

As for the score between Uruguay and Netherlands. I won't go 3-0. But I foresee something closer to 2-1.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Maybe, Maybe not.... I woulda never guessed Brazil lost 2-1

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

I did... Won me $5 at work :).

Brazil just hasn't been playing that well. They also get rattled too easily, and Netherlands is pretty good at rattling the cage. It was over the minute NED scored their goal to tie it up.

Statistically speaking, Brazil "should" have won the game. But the funny thing about statistics in soccer. They're only good until kick off. There's so many mental aspects to the game :)

Tomorrow's game - GER v ARG I predict overtime. Statistically, ARG should win. However, it's hard to say how well they will play from behind if GER scores first. Germany has the discipline to pick ARG apart... provided that Germany continues to do well behind the ball and maintain possession.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Don't want to argue, but if you think Uruguay play lock down defense I have news for you. They will be taken apart by a decent team (I consider Ghana "4th best" of the African teams in WC), they are lucky they played Ghana.

As for missing from 8 feet out, well, I play and even I, at my old age would consider it a shame, for a professional to do so is ridiculous IMO. Not that Suarez is alone in this, Forlan was doing this crap to ManU before being shipped out (I was ripping my hair out every time he played for us). Yes, I know misses happen, but they are still inexcusable.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Also, we're talking about the Semi's here... You can look for most teams to score, and then secure their lead with one more goal. Once they have it, they'll typically go into a conservative lock-down mode and try to maintain possession. Taking shots leaves you vulnerable to counter attacks. But if you keep possession of the ball and control the midfield while only taking carefully set up shots you can diminish your opponents chances on counter.

This is why you see so many teams this late in the stages with 2-1, 2-0 victories... or going to over time and penalty kicks.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Actually... they typically do. At least tactically speaking. Their line up, formation, and initial strategy all indicate lock-down (I'm not talking Switzerland lockdown here lol). Lack of communication or individual error behind the ball is their real defensive problem as I see it.

Ghana is a good team. They have a plethora of talent... and luck, apparently. Their problem is that most of their team are real young bucks with no experience. Takes time to develop a finishing touch.

Most strikers have plenty of misses that shouldn't be misses. Not every striker is David Villa. Putting that solid finishing touch on a ball (especially off of a cross) while running isn't easy. Hell, Ronaldo, Robinho, Fabiano, Messi, Higuain, Ozil, Klose chip shots all the time... and they're considered some of the best strikers in the world.

I also played, granted, I was a midfielder / stopper / and sometimes fullback, so I can't speak from a striker perspective... but I did have plenty of shots on goal and a couple of goals from 30+yrds out... but I when I got up into that 18yrd box, I had plenty of trouble with finishes.

As for Uruguay... I have no doubt that Netherlands will pick their defense apart. But I honestly don't foresee a 3-0 trouncing. I doubt that Forlan will go quietly into that good night. Plus the Dutch have discipline... I think they'll secure their victory and happily hold onto the ball while draining the clock. Why give Suarez and Forlan more shots on their goal?

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Suarez won't even be playing. As for Forlan, I seriously doubt he'll get anywhere near scoring against Dutch midfield. We'll see...

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Ohhhh yeahhhh. He's out on yellows. I forgot about that :r. Uruguay is totally screwed lol.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Well I've been saying all tournament that Argentina will get exposed defensively once they face a quality team...but wow...I didn't expect this!!!

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Nor I!! I predicted 3-1. But 4-0!??!?!?!?! God, I love the German squad! Epic epic epic!! Just made my weekend!

...Now for Spain. I honestly hope that Paraguay wins (they won't... I know... but hey) b/c Spain will be a VERY tough match. Spain's ball possession and tendency to slow the pace of the game will really hurt. Plus David Villa is lethal in the box.

Edit: To clarify... My official prediction (in the poole at work was Overtime with Germany winning by 1)... However, once they scored I predicted 3-1.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

4-0 wow!

I caught most of the second half. Germany looked strong.
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Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Germany's counter attack is something special. There were a couple of times when Argentina got the ball at the top of their box and I expected them to fly out and counter but they couldn't move the ball with enough speed...Germany kill their opposition in those situations. The way they move forward together is insane.

I think Spain will go through simply because they've already had their bad game. I can't see them being upset 2 times in one tournament. If they lose again I think it will be against top opposition.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

No, he's out on straight RED.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Germany is a machine! They are efficient and disciplined. The key to breaking Germany is to disrupt their rhythm. However, if you can't... once they get going they just roll over you and don't stop.

Spain will be difficult for this reason. They are ball hogs. They tend to control that ball for 70%+ time. They slow the game and disrupt formations. If Germany can capitalize on Spain's inefficient movements and disrupt their passing game then Germany can beat Spain. The midfield will truly be the key in this match, I think. And to be frank... Germany's midfield is no laughing matter. They're tough, talented, team minded, and quick.

Statistically Spain should come out on top. But I really think that Germany has what it takes to beat them and gain a spot in the finals against Netherlands!

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Yeah, you're right. I must be thinking of Fucile. He's out for next match as well... He was booked against Ghana and Mexico I believe.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

I dig the Netherlands. Maybe cause I'm part Dutch but we'll see what happens.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Isn't it funny that the two best German players can't even get a game at their club. If I were their club president I would be talking to the coach in no uncertain terms right about now: Kiss their ass and make up or find another job since it is obvious it is a coach problem. Podolski Klose linkup is unreal.

If Germans play like they did today Spain is in deep trouble.

BTW, can anyone remind me why so many people were so hard on Rooney (when he rarely saw the ball to begin with) while Messi gets a free ride? What did World Player of the Year show at this WC? He looked like a little boy against determined German team, they dispossessed him of the ball at will, not that he showed much in earlier games. Same for the fabled Kun Aguero (aka Maradona's son-in-law), invisible. Tevez was their driving force all tournament long.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

They will be in for a much tougher time against Spain than Argentina. Spain's midfielders are much more complete players than Argentina's...Alonso and Busquets alone are more capable of disrupting Germany's counter than the whole Argentine midfield.

But you never know what's going to happen, I love the World Cup!

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Yeah, it's hard to believe that Klose and Podolski don't see much field time at the club level. Definite coaching issue!! Of course, there is something to be said about playing for ones country that boosts a player up. Plus this German coach is ALL about team work. Many club coaches look mostly at individual efforts. Of course, having Bastian Schweinsteiger helps a lot too :D.

No idea why Messi gets a free ride. Granted, he was very creative with opening up defenses for other players to score in some of the earlier matches... But frankly, I think Tevez was the better player between the two in this cup.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Oh definitely going to be Germany's toughest match! And not having Muller there is going to hurt! But I think that they can overcome that... Ozil, is going to have to pick up some slack and settle some of those poor finishing touches. I'm not sure who will start in Muller's stead... Probably Cacau or Gomez... But both seemed to be lacking in earlier matches.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Paraguay look pretty good so far (minute 28) , not duly "impressed" by the the much touted Spain. If anything, Spanish defense looks unsettled and if Paraguay pick on Puyol on consistent basis this may be a surprise game.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Paraguay actually look better (half time), way more relaxed and settled on the ball. Spain is lucky, so far. And Paraguay is playing with 6 second teamers to boot...

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

I was thinking the same thing... This very well could be an upset!!! How awesome would that be?

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Haven't been too into World Cup this go 'round.

I really got into that Uruguay/Ghana game yesterday though as work was winding down.

Woke up this morning and dropped six bucks on a Germany/Paraguay parlay. 25 to 1 seemed like a fun way to either enjoy the games more or kick myself for losing six dollars.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

OMG there is no end to the drama...