*World Cup Game Discussion Thread* (SPOILERS)

[Icy]

Originally Posted by GoldenEagle

That is fine. I know a ton about the game of soccer. So if I do not know anything, then that is probably pretty amazing.

The thing is Europeans and people from Europe have no "unbiased" eyes toward the US team. They simply do not want to see the US side do well. They will see oh, yea, I pull for the US knowing damn well it is a lie.

Just because you are from the US you "have no clue in hell" about soccer. That is the attitude of most Europeans and it is obvious in this thread.

I'm sorry but that is not true, i can tell you that everybody in Spain rooted for USA, and also most of Europeans.

Let's say we don't have alot of sympathy for the Italian national team. They always play ugly soccer, border lining the legality and they end winning the games. A clear example was the game vs USA but also the game they won against Spain in the past USA WC when Tassoti broke Luis Enrique nose with his ankle into the penalty area and the referee ignored it. I'm sorry to say this for my buddy Emiliano in this board, but we in Spain hate the Italian national team and want them to lose always.

About the USA team, we in Europe simply don't care a lot as we never saw them as contenders. As it's a young team in international competitions without a long tradition, not any king of positive or negative feelings have grown in us by now. In my case i have big sympathy with the USA team because the friends i know in this board that are becoming real soccer fans thanks in part to FM. Also i said it before, i think USA will become a powerhorse in a few years.

[daedalus]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

It didn't in mine. I think sovereignstar was saying is how can someone be not biased and not unbiased? There's no middle ground really. If you're not unbiased, by definition, you must have a bias. If you have a bias, you are biased.

If I were to take a chance at interpreting Bug's comment:

He does not feel that Matthijs had a bias opinion specifically AGAINST THE US team (ie, an attitude "if it's the US team, they must suck"). On the other hand, as he remains quite human, Matthijs probably has various preconceived notions much like the rest of us (ie, Terrell Owen is an asshole, Greg Maddux benefits from a wide strike zone, Allen Iverson is not worth the headache, Rafael van der Vaart WOULD look great in the Arsenal kit).

[Easy Mac]

Well, looks like Japan is likely out of it. Anything can happen, but a win v. Brazil is unlikely.

[Groundhog]

Japan's 0-0 draw helps us get through, but I was hoping they'd pick up a win tonight. We are about to face Brazil and I'm nervous... I don't expect a win, though a draw or a 1 goal loss would be super. As long as they don't score 6 goals on us...

[Cringer]

What is with this Togo team? First the coach and now the players demanding stuff?

You would think they are as good as the Brazilians with the attitude coming from there (as perceived from the couple media stories I have heard in the U.S. I should say).

[Celeval]

Originally Posted by Cringer

What is with this Togo team? First the coach and now the players demanding stuff?

You would think they are as good as the Brazilians with the attitude coming from there (as perceived from the couple media stories I have heard in the U.S. I should say).

I'm pretty sure the coach flap was around the players not getting paid in the first place.

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by Celeval

I'm pretty sure the coach flap was around the players not getting paid in the first place.

What I heard was that the coaching staff supported the players until the players decided to stay away from the training sessions without notice to the coaches. The coaches called it quits over this lack of training. Why they returned, I'm still puzzled on.

[Critch]

Originally Posted by Cringer

What is with this Togo team? First the coach and now the players demanding stuff?

You would think they are as good as the Brazilians with the attitude coming from there (as perceived from the couple media stories I have heard in the U.S. I should say).

Seems like there's been something wrong with them for a while, they turned up at the African Nations tournament in January, lost all three group games and went home.

[Cringer]

Originally Posted by Critch

Seems like there's been something wrong with them for a while, they turned up at the African Nations tournament in January, lost all three group games and went home.

I know Musberger said they want (I guess what equals) $200,000 for each player. And that that is a huge amount of money in there country.

What is the normal amount for other teams who will not get out of the Group Stage?

[Icy]

Originally Posted by Cringer

What is the normal amount for other teams who will not get out of the Group Stage?

There is no "normal" amount. The bonus offered by each country depends a lot from the country federation economy, how hard is the goal to acomplish etc etc. In fact i think there shouldn't be any kind of bonus, all the players got a wage for being in the national team, and thy should try to win not because money but because they love their country. Of course that would be in a perfect world, so far from the reallity.

[Celeval]

Originally Posted by Cringer

I know Musberger said they want (I guess what equals) $200,000 for each player. And that that is a huge amount of money in there country.

What is the normal amount for other teams who will not get out of the Group Stage?

From BBC Sport:

"Players from the tiny West African country have demanded US$196,300 each to play and US$38,000 for each win, half that for each draw. But officials from the country with an average per capita income of well below US$1,000 have said those demands are too high."

I haven't been able to find anything saying what the typical pay for a WC player is.

[Cringer]

Originally Posted by Icy

There is no "normal" amount. The bonus offered by each country depends a lot from the country federation economy, how hard is the goal to acomplish etc etc. In fact i think there shouldn't be any kind of bonus, all the players got a wage for being in the national team, and thy should try to win not because money but because they love their country. Of course that would be in a perfect world, so far from the reallity.

I agree, would be nice but pretty unrealistic.

Originally Posted by Celeval

From BBC Sport:

"Players from the tiny West African country have demanded US$196,300 each to play and US$38,000 for each win, half that for each draw. But officials from the country with an average per capita income of well below US$1,000 have said those demands are too high."

I haven't been able to find anything saying what the typical pay for a WC player is.

Man, if they gave them that nearly $200,000 they may be set up for life in that coountry. Or be able to move the f' out.

[Easy Mac]

First half of Brazil/Australia has been extremely boring. Not that I really blame Australia for dropping 9 men back, but it makes for some boring football.

[Cringer]

Originally Posted by Easy Mac

First half of Brazil/Australia has been extremely boring. Not that I really blame Australia for dropping 9 men back, but it makes for some boring football.

I am into it some. Mainly because I have hope of the Aussie's getting a draw. Probably won't happen, but it would be cool to see. I didn't think it would be 0-0 at the half either.

[Groundhog]

Boring if you're not Australian.

We've had some decent looks, but 2 of them were weak-ass shots by Cahill. Decent look at the end of the half too.

[Groundhog]

dola

and man, having our game broadcast at 2:00am Sydney time is lame.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

dola

and man, having our game broadcast at 2:00am Sydney time is lame.

Better than tape delay.

[daedalus]

I thought Aus actually tried to attack when they could, even if they are (rightfully) cautious. They aren't just sitting 9 behind the ball and just hoofing the ball upfield.

[Critch]

Brazil look like they thought they just had to turn up to get the three points, same as they looked against Croatia. Turn up, not play too hard, not get injured and save themselves for the next round. At least I hope they've got a gear to step up to.

And the chubby guy up front looks old.

[vyshka]

Is it playing on anything besides univision right now? What was Ronaldo's yellow card for? Talking smack to the ref about the offsides call?

[Groundhog]

Yeah, Renaldo's go-for-the-shot-and-miss-the-ball-completely move was awesome.

*knock on wood before Renaldo goes for a hattrick in the 2nd half*

[Groundhog]

Renaldo got the card for kicking the ball after the whistle I think it was.

[Cringer]

Originally Posted by vyshka

Is it playing on anything besides univision right now?

All three games today are on ABC. Unless your local station is screwing you over for something else I guess.

[Easy Mac]

Goal Brazil. They made that look easier than it was. The keeper made a poor effort on the shot.

[GrantDawg]

Ouch. They make it look easy, don't they?

[sovereignstar]

Woo-hoo! Got the church and infomercial combo on ABC again!! Praise jesus!

[RPI-Fan]

Ronaldo has been one of if not Brazil's best player in this game IMO.

[Cringer]

Originally Posted by Easy Mac

Goal Brazil. They made that look easier than it was. The keeper made a poor effort on the shot.

I agree, the keeper looked kind of bad on that shot to me.

Damn nice shot between the legs though, thats impressive to someone like me.

[Cringer]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar

Woo-hoo! Got the church and infomercial combo on ABC again!! Praise jesus!

I would riot.

[RPI-Fan]

What a horribly taken breakaway. That had to be SO much better. Use your fucking left foot.

[Cringer]

Originally Posted by RPI-Fan

What a horribly taken breakaway. That had to be SO much better. Use your fucking left foot.

You are allowed to use your other foot? Cool!

[Easy Mac]

Well Robinho is having fun.

[bhlloy]

Originally Posted by Easy Mac

Goal Brazil. They made that look easier than it was. The keeper made a poor effort on the shot.

That's tough because he couldn't have seen it before it was right on him. I'd blame the defender for standing off so much - either give the keeper a clear view of the shot, or make a tackle. Don't just stand in the way with your legs open like a moron. Neill should never have let Ronaldo make the pass either.

[GrantDawg]

Australia has had some chances. They need a break.

[Easy Mac]

They won't get a break. Eveerytime the wind blows on a Brazilian the ref calls a foul. They're not even diving, they're just getting the michael jordan treatment... if there were a team full of jordans.

[Easy Mac]

Methinks that one might do it. Still Aussies have a good shot to advance.

[bhlloy]

One question... who the hell is Fred? I guess all the good names were taken

[Groundhog]

One word: Fuck.

So many chances, no luck. I'm a "homer", but still, I was getting a little sick of Brazil's free-kick-athon.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by Easy Mac

They won't get a break. Eveerytime the wind blows on a Brazilian the ref calls a foul. They're not even diving, they're just getting the michael jordan treatment... if there were a team full of jordans.

They ARE a team full of Jordans . They just haven't reached their comfort level with each other yet.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

dola

and man, having our game broadcast at 2:00am Sydney time is lame.

It's revenge for the rest of us having 2:00 AM games when it was played in Korea/Japan .

[Critch]

Originally Posted by RPI-Fan

Ronaldo has been one of if not Brazil's best player in this game IMO.

He wasnt as bad as he was in the first game, but he's nowhere near as sharp as he was a couple of years ago.

I'd have gone for Ze Roberto or maybe Kaka as thier best player.

[RPI-Fan]

Originally Posted by Critch

He wasnt as bad as he was in the first game, but he's nowhere near as sharp as he was a couple of years ago.

I'd have gone for Ze Roberto or maybe Kaka as thier best player.

Right, I made that comment far too early. He had been pretty active for most of the first half, presenting himself to the ball a lot (which is unusual for him), but then didn't do any of that in the 2nd half.

Ze Roberto made some great defensive plays, I agree.

Brazil really started to percolate when Robinho (and to a lesser extent, Fred) came on, though. I think Robinho has to start the 3rd game for them.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Critch

He wasnt as bad as he was in the first game, but he's nowhere near as sharp as he was a couple of years ago.

I'd have gone for Ze Roberto or maybe Kaka as thier best player.

I agree with Critch. He certainly doesn't seem to have "it" right now, and I think they can only wait so long for him to find "it" before they put Robinho in ahead of him. Robinho is certainly the more complete player at this point, and likely more dangerous too (his ability to draw fouls is amazing).

For me personally, give me Robinho. Partnering Adriano with Ronaldo is two players that are too similar up top. Robinho's speed and moves bring a different dimension and force defenders to play him differently then they do Adriano.

[ISiddiqui]

I don't think Parreira has a choice. It has to be Robinho with Adriano. Brazilians have been clamoring for that pairing before the cup! Ronaldo would be a Hell of sub though.

[Crapshoot]

Beautiful through ball, and Henry comes through. Good for him - one of my favorite players.

[Critch]

France are looking good, much better than the first game. It's only the ref that's keeping South Korea in this game.

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by Critch

France are looking good, much better than the first game. It's only the ref that's keeping South Korea in this game.

It's tough being denied a goal like the one where the Korean goalkeeper stopped it inside his goal. This is argument 4,530,431 for adding camera's in the goal to assist the referees.

[Critch]

Incidentally, did anybody see the French fan showing his cock before kickoff?

I know it's their national symbol, but I'm surprised he was allowed to get his cock inside the stadium, never mind get his cock out and wave it about.

It was a very nice cock, though.

[MIJB#19]

Well deserved equaliser there!
But it also makes the ignored goal even more costly for France.

[MIJB#19]

Oh wow. Zinedine Zidane gets booked. If the French fail to make the last 16, this the next 5+ minutes are his last as a pro soccer player...