Based on tonights performances, i predict Italy will beat USA 5-0 and Ghana will beat them 2-0. USA are absolutely the worst team in the competition.
Don't be a troll. After watching Italy, I am confident that USA can beat them. The Americans lack a good striker, which was painfully evident at the lightning pace the game was played at today. Hell, the Italians looked flat, the English looked flat. . . the only team I've seen so far that looked razor sharp has been the Czechs. I was actually impressed that USA could maintain 60% possesion through the first 60 minutes. With the added motivation of a must-win situation, it will be interesting to see what happens against Italy on Saturday.
Australia played well today I thought. 3 goals in the space of 7 minutes... they finished well. Japan's goal was pretty controversial and should have been disallowed anyway as there was clearly a foul.
Yeah that was definitely a foul, so shouldn't have been a goal, but I think Schwarzer was in the wrong position to save it anyway.
Regarding the dirty/rough play - I felt the ref was calling Aus on plenty of fouls that weren't fouls and Japan got off on a lot as they got rougher as the game progressed (maybe in response to Australian rough play?)
Australia took 12 shots on goal versus Japan's 2, so I think the final score reflected the match, even if Japan did hold out REALLY well and actually lead for most of the game.
I hadn't seen much of Japan play before last night, but afterwards I was really impressed with them.
Regarding the dirty/rough play - I felt the ref was calling Aus on plenty of fouls that weren't fouls and Japan got off on a lot as they got rougher as the game progressed (maybe in response to Australian rough play?)
Australia took 12 shots on goal versus Japan's 2, so I think the final score reflected the match, even if Japan did hold out REALLY well and actually lead for most of the game.
I hadn't seen much of Japan play before last night, but afterwards I was really impressed with them.
Japan is definitely a team you have (had) to count with.
I think 3:1 against them is a little bit over the top,
anyway, Japan have to come over with it, have to gather
all their spirit, strength and force (hopefully they are strong enough to
manage this loss) then they will fight back. I didn't give them up still.
Japanese People never give up, same spirit like German People.
However, let us bet the plays of this day:
21:00h (Europe/Germany Timezone)
Brazilia vs. Croatia (2:0)
Brazilia is one of the Top teams, sure a no-brainer.
But Croatia is surely on the ball. They are on the ball, really,
and Brazilia can get a nasty surprise, if they don't pay attantion.
18:00h
France vs. Switzerland (2:3)
I bet, Switzerland will surprise us all They are on the ball too.
15:00h
Korea vs. Togo (1:1)
I can say pretty nearly nothing about these two teams.
Brazil vs Croatia - 2:2. Brazil is a top team, but so is Croatia. Everyone predicts that they're going to destroy every team, but I just get the feeling that Croatia is going to hold out (don't ask me why )
France vs. Switzerland - 2:1
My money's on France. An ELO ranking (www.eloratings.net) of 5 vs 25 is a fair mismatch, so I'll go with the odds here.
Brazil are looking awesome. They're going to win the World Cup and they're going to batter Croatia, methinks. I can't see Croatia holding them; traditionally Brazil start their World Cups by mullering their first opponent...
Absolutely, the two of them know each other inside out.
Likely gonna be another draw, but i am crossing my
fingers for Switzerland. (I love this country)
Me too. I wasn't able to get Cup tickets, but I am going to try to go to Euro 2008, which is in Austria & Switzerland. I would really like to see Switzerland, so it would be a double bonus.
Brasil has been awful so far. Except for the Kaka goal. Why is Ronaldo even playing? Is a goal scoring record more important than winning the championship to Parreira? Ronaldo is walking on the field. Adriano can't control a single pass and no magic from Ronaldinho yet.
Cafú is looking very old and slow and his side is where Croatia attacked ALL of the half. Boring, boring so far.
Me too. I wasn't able to get Cup tickets, but I am going to try to go to Euro 2008, which is in Austria & Switzerland. I would really like to see Switzerland, so it would be a double bonus.
For half the prize you can probably go to Copa America and get to see much better quality football.
Comments
Originally posted by MarcUK
Based on tonights performances, i predict Italy will beat USA 5-0 and Ghana will beat them 2-0. USA are absolutely the worst team in the competition.
No we'll see a completely different US Team at next match.
If they get a grip on themself, you know...
Originally posted by MarcUK
Based on tonights performances, i predict Italy will beat USA 5-0 and Ghana will beat them 2-0. USA are absolutely the worst team in the competition.
Don't be a troll. After watching Italy, I am confident that USA can beat them. The Americans lack a good striker, which was painfully evident at the lightning pace the game was played at today. Hell, the Italians looked flat, the English looked flat. . . the only team I've seen so far that looked razor sharp has been the Czechs. I was actually impressed that USA could maintain 60% possesion through the first 60 minutes. With the added motivation of a must-win situation, it will be interesting to see what happens against Italy on Saturday.
Originally posted by MiMac
Australia played well today I thought. 3 goals in the space of 7 minutes... they finished well. Japan's goal was pretty controversial and should have been disallowed anyway as there was clearly a foul.
Yeah that was definitely a foul, so shouldn't have been a goal, but I think Schwarzer was in the wrong position to save it anyway.
Regarding the dirty/rough play - I felt the ref was calling Aus on plenty of fouls that weren't fouls and Japan got off on a lot as they got rougher as the game progressed (maybe in response to Australian rough play?)
Australia took 12 shots on goal versus Japan's 2, so I think the final score reflected the match, even if Japan did hold out REALLY well and actually lead for most of the game.
I hadn't seen much of Japan play before last night, but afterwards I was really impressed with them.
Originally posted by dojobi
...
Regarding the dirty/rough play - I felt the ref was calling Aus on plenty of fouls that weren't fouls and Japan got off on a lot as they got rougher as the game progressed (maybe in response to Australian rough play?)
Australia took 12 shots on goal versus Japan's 2, so I think the final score reflected the match, even if Japan did hold out REALLY well and actually lead for most of the game.
I hadn't seen much of Japan play before last night, but afterwards I was really impressed with them.
Japan is definitely a team you have (had
I think 3:1 against them is a little bit over the top,
anyway, Japan have to come over with it, have to gather
all their spirit, strength and force (hopefully they are strong enough to
manage this loss) then they will fight back. I didn't give them up still.
Japanese People never give up, same spirit like German People.
However, let us bet the plays of this day:
21:00h (Europe/Germany Timezone)
Brazilia vs. Croatia (2:0)
Brazilia is one of the Top teams, sure a no-brainer.
But Croatia is surely on the ball.
and Brazilia can get a nasty surprise, if they don't pay attantion.
18:00h
France vs. Switzerland (2:3)
I bet, Switzerland will surprise us all
15:00h
Korea vs. Togo (1:1)
I can say pretty nearly nothing about these two teams.
Someone else shed some light...
France vs. Switzerland - 2:1
My money's on France. An ELO ranking (www.eloratings.net) of 5 vs 25 is a fair mismatch, so I'll go with the odds here.
Korea vs. Togo - 2:0
Korea should win this fairly easily imo.
Originally posted by dojobi
France vs. Switzerland - 2:1
My money's on France. An ELO ranking (www.eloratings.net) of 5 vs 25 is a fair mismatch, so I'll go with the odds here.
Keep in mind that Switzerland won their qualifying group, which included France, and that included two 1-1 draws against France.
Originally posted by Splinemodel
Keep in mind that Switzerland won their qualifying group, which included France, and that included two 1-1 draws against France.
Absolutely, the two of them know each other inside out.
Likely gonna be another draw, but i am crossing my
fingers for Switzerland. (I love this country
Originally posted by Vox Barbara
Absolutely, the two of them know each other inside out.
Likely gonna be another draw, but i am crossing my
fingers for Switzerland. (I love this country
Me too. I wasn't able to get Cup tickets, but I am going to try to go to Euro 2008, which is in Austria & Switzerland. I would really like to see Switzerland, so it would be a double bonus.
Originally posted by Splinemodel
Me too. ...
Originally posted by Splinemodel
...I wasn't able to get Cup tickets, ...
half time 0:0
An all exciting match, chances on both sides,
France with slight advantages over Switzerland.
But defense of Switzerland bears up.
My bet is whoever manages the first goal
will win.
Draw, Switzerland go go go
France seemed to be very exhausted, well, with all respect,
what do you expect, if elderly guys kick the ball
like paying homage to splendid '98. No dice, if you ask me.
And lurking for free kicks doesn't fix a wonder.
Originally posted by New
off to see Brazil now, sun is shining. hoping for some real samba!
Yeah, the guys...
Cafú is looking very old and slow and his side is where Croatia attacked ALL of the half. Boring, boring so far.
Brasilia scores 1, Croatia scores, ahmm, zero.
The match is pretty often stalled by tactical fouls,
by and large Brasilia is slightly better, a few fast paced moves
gave a glimpse of their power, basically in the beginning.
Brasilias attack (Ronaldo and Adriano) is a mere ghost shadow,
hence very simple to defense. Danger and real hazard comes
from Ronaldino and Caca, well sometimes.
Funny. but Croatia was closer to score the first Goal than Brasilia.
Well, off to second half...
EDIT:
The match is over, Brasilia wins (as EVERYBODY expected). BUT
the victory over Croatia doesn't represent the true course of the
game. I think a draw would have been more justly.
Anyway, now looking ahead to tomorrow.
Predictions please
Germany vs Poland
2:1
Spain vs. Ukraine
2:3
Tunisia vs. Saudi Arabia
1:1
Originally posted by segovius
Brazil are playing 4 -2 -2 -2 tonight!!!!!!
This should be beautiful - now we will see the men sorted from the boys....
How true in the end
Originally posted by Splinemodel
Me too. I wasn't able to get Cup tickets, but I am going to try to go to Euro 2008, which is in Austria & Switzerland. I would really like to see Switzerland, so it would be a double bonus.
For half the prize you can probably go to Copa America and get to see much better quality football.
Originally posted by soulcrusher
For half the prize you can probably go to Copa America and get to see much better quality football.
Originally posted by soulcrusher
For half the prize you can probably go to Copa America and get to see much better quality football.
Mmm... have you seen the European Cup? It's pretty awesome.
Originally posted by Hassan i Sabbah
Mmm... have you seen the European Cup? It's pretty awesome.
Yep, all the time. And none of the ones I've seen has been as impressive as the 1997 Copa America.
Now, the question for you is, have you ever seen Copa America?