2014 World Cup

[UK-Trigg]

Thoughts on the opening match then? I thought it was a little disappointing; the penalty should not have been given, and the first two goals were complete luck. I thought Croatia were actually disadvantaged by the own goal as well because before that they were pushing and attacking, but after that they sat back and then got caught. Oscar was the absolute unsung hero, too.

Neymar should have been sent off before he scored his first and I agree, it was never a penalty. Shocking dislplay by the referee, lucky Brazil.

On a positive note I love the temporary line to keep the wall back for free kicks, great idea which certainly seemed to do the job it was designed for, should lead to more free kick goals.

Tonights Spain V Holland match should be a good'en.

 

[anihilnation]

3-1 is what I had predicted, lol, though Brazil defintely did not play as good as I thought they would. Seems to me that the players of Brazil don't connect too well with one another.
Will be watching spain vs holland later, think this one will be 1-1.

 

[Horrornightsste]

Sadly some European countries see it as tricking the ref and part of the game.

I think anyone found doing it should be given a red and a three game ban. It would soon stamp it out.

 

[Mad Dog]

Sadly some European countries see it as tricking the ref and part of the game.

I think anyone found doing it should be given a red and a three game ban. It would soon stamp it out.

I remember the US World Cup in the 90's. They tried to shame the divers by taking them off of the field on a stretcher every time they went down. That didn't work. They just smiled & enjoyed the break. I refereed for a few years when I was still playing. With my background playing primarily stopper or fullback, I was rarely fooled. I'd usually give the diver a card and they were generally amazed since they were used to getting away with the dives....That Netherlands header was a beautiful goal.Nice counter attack Spain was dominating but it's a tie right now.

 

[Jon84]

Will be watching spain vs holland later, think this one will be 1-1.

What a difference 4 years makes!!

 

[Mad Dog]

Netherlands 5 goals, wow. No one expected that kind of score.

 

[Obi Ubamba]

Spain's defense was all over the place. Casillas had a shocking match, as did Sergio Ramos. Wouldn't be surprised to see Spain revert back to their false 9 formation, as Diego Costa doesn't look fully fit. Holland were great going forward, in many ways playing like they used to with their "total football" in the past. If Robben and Van Persie stay fit, Holland could go far.

Chile look very dangerous going forward, but Australia are probably the weakest team in the tournament. Will be interesting to see how Chile's defense does against Holland and Spain...

 

[Mad Dog]

Yes, "Total Football' from 40 years ago. They looked as good in the second half as they did back then. Spain looked fine until the counter attack goal by Netherlands at the end of the first half. Then their defense just fell apart. A shocking second half as Spain just totally lost their composure.

 

[UK-Trigg]

Well my bet for Spain to lift the trophy seems to be in tatters.

Gonna be a long day today, 4 games back to back including Englands opener V Italy,5pm, 8pm, 11pm and 2am (BST) best get stocked up on energy drinks.

What do you guys think of Englands chances V Italy, naturally I am going for a win for England, a tight game with us taking a 2-1 victory.

 

[Horrornightsste]

I remember the US World Cup in the 90's. They tried to shame the divers by taking them off of the field on a stretcher every time they went down. That didn't work. They just smiled & enjoyed the break. I refereed for a few years when I was still playing. With my background playing primarily stopper or fullback, I was rarely fooled. I'd usually give the diver a card and they were generally amazed since they were used to getting away with the dives....That Netherlands header was a beautiful goal.Nice counter attack Spain was dominating but it's a tie right now.

RVP could be a shock player this World Cup. He's coming into it on the back of a poor season by his standards. But that header was crazy good.

Will be interesting to see how England perform today. Call me mad but I think we will win our group.

- - - Updated - - -

I remember the US World Cup in the 90's. They tried to shame the divers by taking them off of the field on a stretcher every time they went down. That didn't work. They just smiled & enjoyed the break. I refereed for a few years when I was still playing. With my background playing primarily stopper or fullback, I was rarely fooled. I'd usually give the diver a card and they were generally amazed since they were used to getting away with the dives....That Netherlands header was a beautiful goal.Nice counter attack Spain was dominating but it's a tie right now.

RVP could be a shock player this World Cup. He's coming into it on the back of a poor season by his standards. But that header was crazy good.

Will be interesting to see how England perform today. Call me mad but I think we will win our group.

 

[anihilnation]

Wow ... I was definitely way off on Spain vs Holland lol, I never expected Holland to play as they did, simply amazing!

 

[Obi Ubamba]

I think England have a chance, but will have to play at their best to beat Italy today. I would love to see Barkley or Sturridge have a good game, which could happen because Italy have some key injuries for the game. I'm going with a 2-2 draw...

 

[USO92]

^^Close call! I enjoyed watching the end of the 1st and the entire 2nd. An entertaining game! I wish England would have won but oh well! Who's up for Japan and Ivory Coast?

 

[UK-Trigg]

^^Close call! I enjoyed watching the end of the 1st and the entire 2nd. An entertaining game! I wish England would have won but oh well! Who's up for Japan and Ivory Coast?

Gutted for England, still optimistic we can go through. Yes Japan just about to start.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Gutted for England, still optimistic we can go through. Yes Japan just about to start.

I'm Italian, but I'm a Liverpool fan so I'm split like crazy. Great match, fantastic goals by Sturridge and Ballotelli. I'm really looking forward to the Japan v Ivory Coast match.

 

[USO92]

Gutted for England, still optimistic we can go through. Yes Japan just about to start.

A few more chances yet!

Just pulled up the Japan game! op:


Great match so far! Really pulling for Ivory Coast!


Great ending! Great match!!!

 

[UK-Trigg]

Nursing a hangover this morning :ack:

Even though England lost last night I am remaining positive, we played well against a very organised Italian team who played some fantastic possession football. Our youngsters looked promising with Sterling being the pick of them. Rooney had a poor game but was played out of position.

I am `hopeful that was our toughest group game and we should pick up the results required in our final 2 group games, Uruguay on Thursday is now a must win game, wonder if Suarez will be fit?

Costa Rica had a great result and that could really shake up the group.

3 more games today :happy:

 

[anihilnation]

Thought Italy vs England was only so so, but then, perhaps I was spoiled because I think Uruguay vs Costa Rica was simply amazing.

 

[Felipe]

Been watching most of the matches this weekend. Very excited to watch Argentina play this afternoon!

 

[Obi Ubamba]

Great games so far today. One great last minute goal from Switzerland and a dominant display from France have kept up the incredible pace of this year's world cup. It will be interesting to see how Messi and co deal with the immense pressure they are under to win today, but I am sure they will do well.