2014 World Cup

[ynnoj]

Well, looks as though I may have been wrong about Spain

Sucks, easily been my favourite team to watch the past 6 years or so :'(

 

[Obi Ubamba]

Really bad tournament for Spain. They were so slow with their passing, and Diego Costa was totally unlike himself up front. It will be interesting to see how they rebuild going into future with players like Xavi, Iniesta, and others looking past their best.

It has been a very exciting world cup though. Hopefully the fluid attacking play continues until the final!

 

[ynnoj]

Really bad tournament for Spain. They were so slow with their passing, and Diego Costa was totally unlike himself up front. It will be interesting to see how they rebuild going into future with players like Xavi, Iniesta, and others looking past their best.

It has been a very exciting world cup though. Hopefully the fluid attacking play continues until the final!

Most annoying aspect of Spain's tournament was their style of play. Clearly trying to incorporate an injured, overrated Diego Costa into their game. It was forced and it just didn't work. They play better without a traditional striker.

Diego Costa tournament stats: 126 minutes, 5 shots, 0 on target.

 

[UK-Trigg]

I also had Spain to win, how wrong could we all have been.

I really have no idea now, I keep changing my mind on who will win. Spain and Brazil have looked mediocre, I hate to say it but the Germans could now be favourite to win out right.

Big big game for England tonight, although I am quietly confident it will still be a tough watch, always is with England.
Will be interesting to see the team for tonight's match. For me Roy has got two choices play Rooney upfront or drop him, he was no good out on the left last match, for me it would be the latter of the two, I would drop him but bring him on upfront later in the game.

Hopefully I wont be taking these down any time soon.

Columbia V Ivory Coast soon, not a great game on paper but hopefully it will prove to be great game could well be goals in this match.

 

[anihilnation]

You wouldn't be rooting for England by any chance?

Spain needs a new coach, he is one of those typical guys who just never changes style of play, Argentina and Brazil have the same problem I think, they just keep on going by the playbook ...

Holland vs Australia was a great game, and Holland triumphed at the end because the managed to adapt their play a bit; I think at first they wanted to play the way they did against Spain and try to shellshock Australia, but you cannot shellshock a team like Australia, those dudes won't give up, so Holland really had to soak up a lot of pressure and tone down their attacking style ...

 

[Obi Ubamba]

I also had Spain to win, how wrong could we all have been.

I really have no idea now, I keep changing my mind on who will win. Spain and Brazil have looked mediocre, I hate to say it but the Germans could now be favourite to win out right.

Big big game for England tonight, although I am quietly confident it will still be a tough watch, always is with England.
Will be interesting to see the team for tonight's match. For me Roy has got two choices play Rooney upfront or drop him, he was no good out on the left last match, for me it would be the latter of the two, I would drop him but bring him on upfront later in the game.

Hopefully I wont be taking these down any time soon.

Columbia V Ivory Coast soon, not a great game on paper but hopefully it will prove to be great game could well be goals in this match.

If I was Roy, I would put Lallana on the left and Sterling on the right, with Rooney just behind Sturridge up front. England need to play more direct and Rooney is wasted on the left as he doesn't have much pace and doesn't get involved in the play as much. I would also like to see Barkley start with Gerrard behind him in a more deeper role as there is no point in playing two defensive midfielders in a must win match.

Hopefully England win, as I cannot stand Uruguay for their cheating antics in the last World Cup. SEND THEM HOME!! :fist:

 

[UK-Trigg]

You wouldn't be rooting for England by any chance?

Loud and Proud :happy::hat:

 

[UK-Trigg]

Here we go again, another 90mins of quality football please England. Rooney in his favoured position but under pressure to perform. I'm feeling a 3-1 win for us.

Well half time and we are 1 down, it just had to be Suarez. Second half is going to be a tough watch and a HUGE half for Englands, and my, world cup dreams. Rooney is in his favoured position and he must score, never having scored in a world cup is a huge burden as a "world class player" now is the time Wayne Rooney.

Fingers and toes are crossed and I hope my allies across the pond are behind us too.

 

[Jon84]

Here we go again, another 90mins of quality football please England. Rooney in his favoured position but under pressure to perform. I'm feeling a 3-1 win for us.

Well half time and we are 1 down, it just had to be Suarez. Second half is going to be a tough watch and a HUGE half for Englands, and my, world cup dreams. Rooney is in his favoured position and he must score, never having scored in a world cup is a huge burden as a "world class player" now is the time Wayne Rooney.

Fingers and toes are crossed and I hope my allies across the pond are behind us too.

I blame the above jinx!! Haha

 

[ynnoj]

World class player(s) were the difference.

Pretty poor performance overall in comparison to the Italy game, but can't play that badly for majority of game with key mistakes and expect a result.

 

[Horrornightsste]

Love this! I thought I had done well with my flags.

Got to keep them up though while we have a faint hope. all be it a very small one.

 

[UK-Trigg]

Italia, Italia, Italia.

I am gutted to be in the position we are in but as the saying goes, It ain't over til the fat lady sings.

I do not think it is unreasonable to hope for Italy to win against Costa Rica and Uruguay, then we have to beat Costa Rica. For me this is still doable. If Italy get the win V Costa Rica tonight next Tuesdays round of matches will be edge of your seat stuff. Believe.

This is the first time ever that England have been beaten in their first 2 games, and if they fail to escape the group stage then that will be the first time since 1958,sad thing is I think we were the better team in both of our games so far, maybe I am biased though.

 

[Obi Ubamba]

Italia, Italia, Italia.

I am gutted to be in the position we are in but as the saying goes, It ain't over til the fat lady sings.

I do not think it is unreasonable to hope for Italy to win against Costa Rica and Uruguay, then we have to beat Costa Rica. For me this is still doable. If Italy get the win V Costa Rica tonight next Tuesdays round of matches will be edge of your seat stuff. Believe.

This is the first time ever that England have been beaten in their first 2 games, and if they fail to escape the group stage then that will be the first time since 1958,sad thing is I think we were the better team in both of our games so far, maybe I am biased though.

England were definitely not better than Italy, but I think they were better than Uruguay. Godin should have gotten a second yellow for the blatant block he did, which would have totally changed the complexion of the game. Uruguay just capitalized on their chances, and England didn't. They need to play someone else other than Wellbeck, who is the worst of the attacking players.

There still is a chance for England, it all depends on what Costa Rica side turns up today and how seriously Italy will take their final game against Uruguay if they win tonight.

 

[ynnoj]

Costa Rica :wave:

I don't think anybody would have picked them qualifying from this group. Fair play to them!

Hope the Italians beat Uruguay on Tuesday to join them.

 

[USO92]

Ready for 'Murica to kick some Portugal butt!

 

[UK-Trigg]

I stayed up late to watch the USA V Portugal Game last night, too late really as I only got 2 hours sleep before work. What a game though thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish, such a shame that US couldn't hang on for the win. Dempsey ran his heart out but the team just couldn't keep the ball when they needed too.

How many times in this tournament have we seen a key player step up with a moment of brilliance when it matters? Ronaldo last night, Messi, Suarez and our very own socceroo, Brooks even stepped up with a late winner. This is the kind of player England lacks and has done since Beckham and Gascoigne before that.

With both Germany and USA needing only a draw to progress and taking into account the German connections in the USA team could we see the two play out a 0-0 draw? anyone remember this game from 1982? Either way I really hope the US progress as with England knocked out I have taken them on as my adopted team.

With the final group games now in effect the tournament should really hot up, not that it's been bad already, in fact it has probably the best group stage (apart from England) that I can remember. The so called smaller teams have improved no end and have gone toe to toe with some of the worlds most recognised teams, some amazing football and one or two surprising results have ensued, long may it continue.

 

[Brian G.]

That tie hurt as much as a loss, but at least we're in a good standing.

 

[UK-Trigg]

That tie hurt as much as a loss, but at least we're in a good standing.

Indeed Briman, I was cussing at the screen like it was England. I think they will, and sincerely hope they qualify.

 

[USO92]

I honestly still feel like Ive been punched in the gut. Such a great game but wow, that ending...

 

[Obi Ubamba]

Absolutely disgusting behavior from Suarez today, biting an opposition player for the THIRD time. He has serious issues and deserves a year ban away from the game to sort out his mental state. It is especially bad that he did at a world cup, where millions of people have their eyes set upon the games and expect good, honest play.

[video=youtube;ot9Vh2XDNZU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot9Vh2XDNZU[/video]