163 replies to this topic

[freedom78]

Germany - Serbia was weird. I knew Klose would get sent off as soon as he got his first yellow, soft but very silly on his part. And I don't think a German has missed a WC penalty since 1982? Makes that group very interesting, and now could be that the winner of the US-England group has to play a second place Germany next?

That was weird. The ref was card crazy and it certainly hurt Germany. BUT, the Germans were the better team in the second half and had their chances to at least get a point (missed PK, etc.). If Ghana beats the Aussies, that group could get interesting.

[TAP]

US - Slovenia - wow! General observation (not mine): In round 1, the referees were good and the games sucked. In round 2 the referees have sucked and the games have been way better.

[TAP]

They wuz robbed - good result for England though.

[freedom78]

They wuz robbed - good result for England though.

They still have a good chance to get through. Assuming that England beats Algeria, it'll be England 4, Slovenia 4, US 2, Algeria 0, with the top two playing each other next week.

So, if (repeat "IF") the US can beat Algeria, they'll move on if either England or Slovenia posts a win in that final match. And, if it's a draw, that means the US is, at worst, even in goal differential with Slovenia (again, IF they beat Algeria).

Anyway, the end of today's match was highway fucking robbery, but the US is still in decent position to make it through if they can post a win against Algeria...especially if there's an outright winner in the England/Slovenia match.

I suppose the lesson today is this: don't play so fucking lazy that, when you get screwed by the refs, it kills your chances. Slovenia's two goals were hardly the fault of Howard...the defense was plain lazy on the first and too worried about forcing an offside call on the second. A second lesson is that it's an intentional handball if the ball hits you in the face. Yellow card, and you're out a match. Can that be appealed? When you get a card for something that simply didn't happen?

Before every British event, I always wait for someone in the technical department to accidentally click "God Save the Queen - Sex Pistols".

[TAP]

Well done England - they can even make Algeria look like a decent team.

[freedom78]

Well done England - they can even make Algeria look like a decent team.

An all around uninspired first half. Algeria had no real chances, England had quite a few very mediocre shots.

[TAP]

Awful. Not a single England player had a decent game. They will qualify though, with a single lucky goal in a terrible performance against Slovenia.

[freedom78]

Awful. Not a single England player had a decent game. They will qualify though, with a single lucky goal in a terrible performance against Slovenia.

Win and in for both US and England...no more excuses.

[TAP]

How about the excuse that we suck and don't deserve to go through England always do this - look terrible in 2 group games, just about qualify (don't think they ever failed to get out of a WC group) then lose heroically by the odd goal or on penalties to a better team. Honestly, I usually enjoy the WC more after they go out

[TAP]

[TAP]

Dear ESPN, Referees make mistakes. Let's move on. Sincerely, TAP

[TAP]

^^ cc:ed to ABC

[TAP]

Cameroon - Denmark is the most entertaining game so far, neither defence showed up.

[freedom78]

A return to form for Portugal...and North Korea, sadly.

[TAP]

A return to form for Portugal...and North Korea, sadly.

Portugal vs Brazil should be fun, and then one of those teams to face Spain in the last 16 I think.

France are clearly the drama queen champions, but John Terry is making a strong bid for England to be runners up in that contest. Total douche.