2010 World Cup Thread

[vanboy]

So who else is going to be sleep deprived for the next few weeks?

4.30am games will be painful....

[10d]

+1

[GTom]

I would, but my team didn't make it :( (Poland), so the second best is Germany, almost a 1/4 of the team is made up by Polish blood :D

[random]

Yep no sleep for me! I have to work, exams and world cup before I actually go to the world cup, so excited!

[vanboy]

Yep no sleep for me! I have to work, exams and world cup before I actually go to the world cup, so excited!

You're going? Awesome!

What matches are you seeing?

I remember Australia vs Japan was on the morning of my very last uni exam ever. Rolled over in bed, watched the match, went back to sleep then got up and did the exam.

[random]

I'm have tickets to watch 6 matches 2x 2nd round matches, one at rustenburg (fingers crossed australia finishes 2nd in the group) and one at Cape Town, which should involve Spain. and 1xquarter and 1x semi final both at cape town and the final at jo'burg.

I wish i didn't have exams though, would of loved to watch all the socceroos matches live. I had an amazing time at Germany 4 years ago, unforgettable moment.

[Frenchie]

Go the frenchies - not liking team too much ! Drew this morning with Uruguay

[nath_mk6]

whats with that, they had a 10 man team to play against and the French still only managed a scrappy 0-0 draw. Maybe the rumours are true about the infighting and apparent disloyalty among the players.

hopefully I can stay up to watch some of the coming matches, thank god its a long weekend....

[Bizi]

Argh, Frenchie & Nathan, you spoiled it for me!
Watching replay on SBS2 right now.

Pls, no spoilers everyone, in case anyone watches relays next morning. :)

Anyone near Hornsby/upper northshore watching at a house party or pub? PM if possible.

I figure a party could be a fun option.:)

[kaoticice]

^ farout.. was quiet disappointing. Imo Malouda shud be put earlier in the game.

[Shonen]

Going to be an interesting few weeks of sleep deprivation.

Will be rooting for the Socceroos and South Korea in their respective games but ill be putting money on Argentina to WIN :D

[vanboy]

S Korea v Greece
Argentina v Nigeria
US v England

3 awesome matches tonight!

Anyone in Melb heading down to Birrarung Marr?

[Bizi]

Is anyone hosting a house party or going to Darling Harbour for 4AM?

Or are you hoping to just get up in time for the game, from bed or couch? :)

I'm hoping to do the latter. :)

[vanboy]

I'm heading down to the basement lounge of our apartment building to watch it there on the lcd. Thankfully only an elevator ride away and I dont have to brave the cold morning wandering off anywhere in the city.

Alarm set for 4.15, better try to get an early night!

In the matches i've watched so far; Messi was inspiring, Beckhams reaction on the bench to the goalie fumble was priceless!

[MasterKevin]

Australia should win but pretty unlikely against germany :P lol

*fingers crossed* :D

[kaoticice]

2 - 0 @ 1st half.. GG

[RobR32]

4-0 5min to go
GO AUSTRALIA

[Bizi]

Tough to watch the first half and then having Tim Cahill red carded for almost nothing was awful. Cahill was a marked man by the ref, maybe, but I don't know why!

Defence 'offside' strategy was difficult to comprehend, considering our defence is normally so compact and effective. :(

C'mon boys, we can't rely on Timmy and Harry, we need to create and finish our chances.

Now for the postmatch wreckage analysis.

Full credit to the whole German team. Shame we couldn't contain their attackers.

How do we get our team psyched and able to go to Ghana with a game plan?

[Bizi]

Nobody up to discuss? Coach shafted for lots, here, particularly the desperate last-minute complete change in strategy:
Complete, utter disaster for Verbeek and the Socceroos [SMH; Mike Cockerill] (http://www.smh.com.au/world-cup-2010/world-cup-news/complete-utter-disaster-for-verbeek-and-the-socceroos-20100614-y6ft.html)

SMH full match report here (http://www.smh.com.au/world-cup-2010/world-cup-news/socceroos-mauled-by-germany-20100614-y6e4.html).

No attack. Not playing as a cohesive team. Letting the Germans get in and under while just hoping to get them called offside. I thought Green, the UK goalkeeper was poor, but this was painful.

Tactics, strategy, morale boosting? Come on, who watched the Ghana game and what is our way forward for this game?

[Capercat]

All it took was a team like Germany to expose our weaknesses which IMO were always there, but hadn't really been exploited.

Anyhow let's look forward to the Ghana match, be tough progressing from here.

[derek]

gg

[vanboy]

Verbeek's tactics were respected by many commentators prior to the game, as quite a reasonable and rational way of playing given the lists we have. Try and hold on to 0-0 till half time then make changes?

The start was very unexpected, a few real chances. I was expecting the need to defend hard from the kickoff, but Australia made some solid surges into their area. If Garcia had made that one early goal then have the Aussies hold out as long as possible before (when not really if) the first German goal came, Verbeek would have been heralded a genius.

The Germans just played classy textbook football, sweet runs crosses to the far post, clinical goals. Podolski's early goal was such a rattler for the Aussies. Mindset went from defend to knowing we needed a goal to secure the draw. Then it was just wave after wave of German runs, How many times did Ozil get caught in the offside trap? But they kept coming, and sooner or later the classy passes would come and theyd get through for real chances.

Red card was the final nail, 2-0 and it seemed ok. Losing your only recognisable forward in the 56th minute would have thrown then psychologically into disarray. Neill's save on the line was great, Wilkshire worked hard I thought. But I think the discipline and compact defense just fell away after wave and wave of solid attacks.

Lets look to the next game though, nothing we can do about that match.. gotta move on.

[vanboy]

65th Minute and Drogba finally comes on..

[funkymonkey]

I swear if I ever meet someone with a vuvuzela I will punch them in the genitals.

[random]

all whites have 1 point on the board.... they could very well end up with more points than our socceroos!!! that would be embarrassing!! all my kiwi friends have been bombarding me with abusive text messages lol

[vdubin]

vuvuzela worst thing at the world cup.
I cant watch it, the noise does my HEAD IN.

[random]

vuvuzela is a little annoying, but it gives this world cup a distinctive flavour. at least the crowds are making some noises!!! unlike some other grounds in europe. Eg. Old trafford, went to a few united games in the past, they are dubbed the prawn sandwich brigade for a reason, the stadiums is pretty quiet, despite what it sounds like on tv (microphone right next to the loudest section of the crowds)

[Tux]

Ha, I took my holidays so I could watch as many games as possible. The first few days I watched every game but life gets in the way and I found I had to sleep sometime.. Now I'm watching the first two and taping the 4.30am game to watch later during the day... I'm loving it... well except for the Oz game. Boy our defenders looked slow but we were playing a top class team. I go back to work on the 12th July which is the day after the final. I should have my new GTI sometime by then as well.. :)

[random]

Ha, I took my holidays so I could watch as many games as possible. The first few days I watched every game but life gets in the way and I found I had to sleep sometime.. Now I'm watching the first two and taping the 4.30am game to watch later during the day... I'm loving it... well except for the Oz game. Boy our defenders looked slow but we were playing a top class team. I go back to work on the 12th July which is the day after the final. I should have my new GTI sometime by then as well.. :)

lucky you!!! i work from home (i play with shares) so my times varies, and recently i have been investing in european markets instead to fit in with the world cup schedule!! but still i'm still at uni and i have exams, i tried to fit all 3 things, but struggling to find time and energy.

Like you i try to watch all the games, but for the group games, i'm only picking the ones i'm interested in, i skipped all the lesser games, can't possibly watch 3 games in one day for 2 weeks straight!


On a side note, at least alot of people are taking interest for the world cup, even on facebook, people i know who never liked football when they were at school, now are football fanatics, which is great to see.

[srbsta]

go serbia but too bad they are playing shit LOL

[kaoticice]

Spain vs Swiss.. Best match ever!!! I'm too tense to sleep now LOL

[random]

Spain choking at a world cup... surprise surprise lol

I'm pissed that i only made $400 tonight... i placed a bet of $50 when Switzerland's odds was 1:8 :) because i usually bet alot more (i have gambling problems).

[vanboy]

Arg v Korea was entertaining. Korea sure had their chances in the 2nd, then just got drowned out by full time.

[random]

bye bye to the frenchies lol

[Frenchie]

pfff weren't they woeful
! guess everybody but the French FA knew they were't going through with that coach !! Coach is getting hammered on the French blog - Will they learn this time !
I mean come on that farking coach has GOT to go, didn't they learn from the last world cup..
Frenchies's problems.

1. Worst coach ever ( my pick Zidane to coach )
2. As a team crap but as individuals - superstars.
3. Thierry Henry a top striker on the bench for the whole game ! wtf , not to mention Ribery and Anelka out of their position

[Big Yellow]

hahaha Frenchie!!! even Australia still has a chance to make it through still LOL.

and btw, Henry lost his game as soon as he left Arsenal!!!

[Frenchie]

Yeah he getting old now ! Still on excuse to have on the bench.

Will be cheering hard for Australia but you have to admit - NO way will they get past Argentina/Germany/Uruguay

[nath_mk6]

Yeah Zidane was my fav pleyer for a while years ago, but the question is can he transfer those skills from the playing arena to the coaching one, I'm not sure to be honest, he is a great player though...

Anelka had an off season for Chelsea compared to the previous season, way done on goals, and he rarely seemed to be in full gear, didnt see the french play so I'm not sure if that has flowed over to the WC.

Henry is another player that works very well in a certain formation, with certain players, I think he still has some life left in him but he needs a certain calibre of player and coach around him to bring it out.

may have to watch the Aussies on the weekend if I get a chance, hopefully they can pull themselves together and put some runs on the board

[fuzion]

think might go watch germany at lowenbrau or b-cafe tonight maybe! with the germany jacket again lol

[Mr Scruff]

England Vs Algeria tonight/tomorrow morning. C'mon England!!!

Just read an article saying Capello still hasn't decided who to put in goal. In the same article it showed a pic of Greene miss handling a shot in training in the same way as he fumbled the USA goal. Surely he won't be picked again. We can't be stuck with a donkey in goal and a donkey up front (Heskey).....

[Big Yellow]

England Vs Algeria tonight/tomorrow morning. C'mon England!!!

Just read an article saying Capello still hasn't decided who to put in goal. In the same article it showed a pic of Greene miss handling a shot in training in the same way as he fumbled the USA goal. Surely he won't be picked again. We can't be stuck with a donkey in goal and a donkey up front (Heskey).....

If you play David James, you are pretty much starting the match 1-0 down already >D. whos the third choice? Ben Foster or Hart?

[Bizi]

France may need to resort to illegal behaviour (again) to get through the group, just as it had to against Ireland. Will the referees be more competent than the one in that qualifier?

I'm thinking Germany and Argentina look to be the teams to beat.

Lots of games tonight, starting with an interesting one in our group - Serbia v Germany. Will be interesting to see if Serbia can come up with a way to contain the young, quick Germans, who are playing amazingly.

I am still angry at the VW Mexico employee (ahem, Mexican referee of our Germany game). We are all attached to our VWs, but is it right for Mescuns to referee to the benefit of their employer?

[M4RK0]

Go the frenchies - not liking team too much ! Drew this morning with Uruguay

Sorry my friend but we WON !!!! :)

Go Mexico!

[random]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MYgSGSFGo0&playnext_from=TL&videos=yenB9MGRm2g&feature=sub

i love special1tv :) so funny

[Jig]

So when does Australia play against Ghana? What are their chances do you think? One game at a time.

[random]

definitely 1 game at a time, i'm hoping the germany game woke us up!

Before the tournament, i think the australians got too cocky, with the media etc. all thinking we had a chance to top the group. We have to go back to basics, and play simple football and just tough it out. I'm definitely hoping for a win, or else the last game would be meaningless

[Frenchie]

definitely 1 game at a time, i'm hoping the germany game woke us up!

Before the tournament, i think the australians got too cocky, with the media etc. all thinking we had a chance to top the group. We have to go back to basics, and play simple football and just tough it out. I'm definitely hoping for a win, or else the last game would be meaningless

x2 - Too much hype from the Aussie media and as soon as things go sour, out comes the media slagging ! hate that.

[Big Yellow]

x2 - Too much hype from the Aussie media and as soon as things go sour, out comes the media slagging ! hate that.

yep the media have no clue!!! our team this year is so much crappier than from the last world cup!!!

and boooooooooo to craig foster for slagging out verbeek after the loss to the germans. not all his fault that the team lost. we were outclassed. wouldnt have made a difference if kewell, bresciano, or even kennedy was in the starting lineup.

[random]

I want australia to play less defensive, none of this 2 holding midfielders crap!! luckily grella is injured!! i say throw throw culina to partner valeri in midfield, emmo on the right bresciano on the left and kewell and kennedy upfront!

Not a big fan of kennedy, because he doesn't have a good touch, but he can lay it off for kewell to strike, it is a shame timmy cahill is out, but we have to win, none of this defensive bullshit.

[nath_mk6]

yeah I think Aus has a chance, but they have to get their heads in the right space, the loss to germany was an demoralising to the say the least and I agree with you BY you cant totally blame the coach, after all the players are the ones the need to perform. My only question is why the different formation, it seems stupid to say the least to, in your first world cup match, change the tried and tested formation of the team and play completely difference tactics. You could argue that it was an experiment given the game was an expected loss (and hoped draw) for those with any real knowledge in the game (so not the majority of the aussie media) but given how badly the Germans were shredding the Aus line a switch back to the normal should have occured after the first half at least, if not earlier.

But its in the past and no point contuning the debate, we can win the next match for sure, but den525 is right we need to be more attacking, having some height up front with Kennedy would help too

[Frenchie]

Agree there gents. I also think Australia had a better team and a better chance at the last World cup. Forget this year out classed just look at the talent from Argentina etc but go the Aussies !

[srbsta]

i hope to god serbia wins tongiht otherwise my garage will be a pool of water (plasma screen in the garage :P ) haha

[random]

i'm hoping serbia wins as well!!! if they do and australia wins, then everyone would be on 3 points, and take the group to the last game... instead of germany winning therefore they would be through, and when ghana plays germany in the final game, germans would rest their star players, giving ghana an easier route, plus if australia wins tomorrow night, our goal difference would still be crap.

[Capercat]

In the last world cup Germany powered through their games until they met Italy in the semi final.

The best way to play Germany is to slow down the pace, this was Italy's tactic and thumped them 3-0. Your not going to outrun them.

[random]

The germans are known for their organisation, then you add that to their youthful enthusiasm of their team. It makes them dangerous. Personally i don't rate their chances, it was just australia that played very poorly, and had no organisation or communication which led to Germany winning so convincingly, the germans also played well, but we made them look even better than they actually are.

[nath_mk6]

the german team is a development team, average age is low, in fact they only have three players older than the youngest person on the Aussie team, so I dont believe that they are expected to win like in previous years. I'd say that by the next world cup they will be a force and the one after a power to be rekoned with.

[random]

The thing i fear is... what will happen after the world cup... if our "star" players can't get us a win or perform... what will happen when the bulk of the starting xi retires!! Schwarzer, moore, neill, chipperfield, grella, bresciano, emerton, kewell will all likely to retire in the near future, as they won't be around in 2014... just thinking about it scares me, australia would struggle to qualify for the world cup.

[Capercat]

The modern World Cup has become a massive money spinner, FIFA are milking it for all its worth.

The billions of dollars they accumulate from advertising rights, TV rights etc where does it all go?

Supposedly it's meant to go back into programs, development of the game, but most countries around the world are still playing on dirt.

[vanboy]

Group D just got very interesting...

[nath_mk6]

I'll say, Germany didnt look too convincing, and missing a penalty is woeful at a world cup

[Capercat]

Congratulations Serbia

[srbsta]

ohhhhhhhhhleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee oleeeeeeeeeeeeeee oleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee best day ever even if i slept 2 hours HAHAH

[random]

england hahahahaha and their own media dubbed the group Easy lol they are hopeless!! if england has a chance of winning the world cup, so do australia lol

[Pharkus]

WTF happened in the USA match last night. There was no foul committed for that last goal, umpire just randomly blew his whistle.

[Justin Fox]

USA game was awesome!

[derek]

^ +1

[nath_mk6]

hmm Frenchie, whats going on Anelka kicked out of the World Cup for an argument with the coach, wow whats going on there!

sad to see the Aussies go down, makes the possibility of progressing a near impossibility, the card against kewell may not have been nice, but more than justified under the rules, intentional or not, but the studs up tackle from behind is a red card as well and he didnt hand that one out, pretty poor form there from the Referee.

I think the Aussies recovered well from their loss to Germany and showed some level of their potential and more importantly the fight and determination that was lacking in the previous match, it'll be a shame to see them go out in the group stage but thats the world cup, at this rate England will be joining us as well as the French....

[SUGA]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpXN8BvGp_o
.

[Big Yellow]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpXN8BvGp_o
.

Hahaha vuvuzela!!!

Theres an vuvuzela iphone app as well!!! Its bloody great and awesome to annoy people with hahaha

[random]

sad to see the Aussies go down, makes the possibility of progressing a near impossibility, the card against kewell may not have been nice, but more than justified under the rules, intentional or not, but the studs up tackle from behind is a red card as well and he didnt hand that one out, pretty poor form there from the Referee.

I think the Aussies recovered well from their loss to Germany and showed some level of their potential and more importantly the fight and determination that was lacking in the previous match, it'll be a shame to see them go out in the group stage but thats the world cup, at this rate England will be joining us as well as the French....

yes, proud of the boys lifting their game. They played much better. Disappointed with the referee, quite a few mistakes. I don't think the red card was justified at all, should never punish an offense twice. Penalty and yellow card was justified, as it was not intentional at all, don't see how the referee saw that as intentional.

Anyways, i still believe in the team and there is still hope. If Ghana beats Germany and we beat Serbia than we are through. Or Germany win by 3 and we win by 3 as well (not as likely scenario).

Disappointed that one game cahill gets sent off, than the next kewell. Probably won't see them playing together again

[schoona]

Was good seeing the figh back in the Aussies. Especially 10 men for 3/4 of the game. Kewell dind't "deserve" a red, but them's the rules. How's about Luke Wilkshire!!!!

PS We didn't really miss Cahill, he's not the Gerrard or Lampard he (and half of Australia) think he is because of 1 goal....

[Capercat]

I've noticed the lack of clinical finishing in front of goal from most teams. The skill level in this world cup so far is sub-standard compared to 2006.

I'm hoping the skill level will improve in the remaining games.

[schoona]

Also an interesting thing I note, I don't think I have seen any long range goals at all. Certainly watching the 3 million attempts from Ghana last night didn't give me confidence like Phillip Lahm or Torsten Frings at Germany '06 :(

[elisiX]

Kewell dind't "deserve" a red, but them's the rules.

Well no, it's not the rules.

Under those circumstances, where the his arm's position resulted in a blocked ball, a penalty is valid only.

If his move was deliberate, which is obviously was not when you watch it - the rule has been taken out of context.

World cup is over I am afraid. Really shitty. :(

[random]

It's the ball, it is too light. It floats like a balloon, and people can't keep it down. Hence less long range (good shots) more long range and keeper fumble like we've seen so many times already in this tournament. People are shooting just hoping the keeper would fumble and score, just like the bresciano freekick last night, or Demspey's long range effort against England. Hit and hope is what everyone is doing.

As for kewell... yes the rules are for intentional hand ball and would deserve a red card and penalty, what happened last night, was 1. not intentional 2. not handball. So it was a dodgy decision and wasn't by the rules.

Just the other night with Vidic's handball, that was intentional, and he didn't get sent off.

The standard of referees at world cups are getting worst and worst. It is simply because it is a world cup, therefore they have to spread the referees around, instead of using the best referees available, and also it seems like different referee have different standards, instead of a unified standard, they just referee the game like a league game in the domestic league, which most likely have slightly different interpretation, which is disappointing, the biggest tournament in the world, yet sub standard referees, which costed us dearly.

Without a doubt with cahill and kewell on the park, the result would be different.

[random]

World cup is over I am afraid. Really shitty. :(

Believe my friend believe!!

I don't see why commentators and the rest alike are saying it is all over, and presuming that Germany will beat Ghana without lifting a finger... Germany played poorly against Serbia, and Ghana beat Serbia... so really anything can happen. OR Germany winning 3-0 and Australia winning 2-0 is not impossible either... tough and don't see it happening, but our bad luck has got to turn around sometime, hopefully against serbia!!!

It would be justice if serbia have 3 players sent off, and australia win by 6 nil, then whatever happens elsewhere doesn't really matter because we would be through lol

[Frenchie]

Yeah don't know Nath - The French piss me off, its biggest problem is that coach ! guillotine him and bring a new coach and I believe the frenchies will do alright..

Back to Aussie game last night - tough call, games are not going there way ! tough call on Harry but fair call as it would of been a goal anyway. Sorry to say though Aussie may still scrape by but forget winning world cup, not enough depth.

[schoona]

Yeah don't know Nath - The French piss me off, its biggest problem is that coach ! guillotine him and bring a new coach and I believe the frenchies will do alright..

Back to Aussie game last night - tough call, games are not going there way ! tough call on Harry but fair call as it would of been a goal anyway. Sorry to say though Aussie may still scrape by but forget winning world cup, not enough depth.

RD seems like a douchE for sure. They have a great squad. In saying that, these players shouldn't really need coaching.

[srbsta]

reason serbia lost against ghana was because we decided to change our formation that we played with for 1 year straight. and not to mention the stupid handball... i am very to watch the aus vs srb game ;)

[random]

The whole thing i don't get about RD is he didn't do too bad 4 years ago... france got to the final

[schoona]

The whole thing i don't get about RD is he didn't do too bad 4 years ago... france got to the final

x2, why the change of heart :( they have had a pretty gun squad for the last 15 years, this squad isn't nay "less" special yet seem to be under so much more pressure.

[random]

well i do get one major difference... ZINEDINE ZIDANE! in my opinion the best player ever ahead of pele and maradona. When i thought about it... from memory... france did struggle to qualify until zidane came out of international retirement...

And i think that was what saved RD back in 2006. France have probably one of the better squads around evra, gallas, abidal at the back, gourcuff, ribery, malouda in the middle and anelka (not anymore lol) upfront, but watching them, they are a team full of greats and not a great team.

[schoona]

Yeah i'm more inclined to think that way too. Ok I'm an Arsenal fan, but Gallas, Wiltord, Pires, Henry, Toure.....all feature. But I am a massive Zizu fan!!!

[random]

Toure? lol he is not french. They did have pires, wiltord and a peak henry... but player on paper, this team "should" be better than 2006 (minus zidane)

[schoona]

Ha my mistake, was thinking of "dark"" arsenal defenders. But yeah, you makes a good point. We await the final game to see how they fare...

[random]

france have no chance. Their players obviously believe that as well, or else if Anelka though they had any chance of progressing, he would of apologised.

This won't exactly be match fixing, but i can guarantee you that both Uruguay and Mexico would be happy and settle for a draw. They have no point trying to do any more. The only reason there would be a winner or loser would be if Mexico fears Argentina... but would they risk missing out on the round of 16 all together? (France possibly beat South Africa by more than 3-0) I think they would settle for 2nd and fight another day against Argentina in the 2nd round.

[vanboy]

Just party time in the Nth Korea - Portugal match now :|

[AP]

Go BRAZIL!!!!!

[random]

Kim Jong-il won't be happy at all!!!

[Bizi]

Kim Jong-il won't be happy at all!!!

The team will be feeling rather il at the consequences of not showing the superiority, nay God-like quality, of their Dear Leader's coaching and playing strategy.

Do or die for NK!

[Justin Fox]

S M A S H E D !

[random]

well done to the frenchies, they have managed to utterly embarrass themselves even more!!

[vanboy]

Got up for work this morning after about 4 hours sleep. Good to see England get through, though the last part of their match was very very nervey. Got a quick 2 hour nap in before waking up again to cheer on the Socceroos. First half was messy, just needed time to get settled. Schwarzer was a champ. 2nd half opened up very nicely. There was a small window of time where I thought there was a glimmer of hope to advance, maybe if we went 3-0 and Germany went 2-0 (seeing that they were already up 1-0). Not to be in the end, but proud of the Aussies to pull out with a win against a European team.

[Bizi]

Got up for work this morning after about 4 hours sleep. Good to see England get through, though the last part of their match was very very nervey. Got a quick 2 hour nap in before waking up again to cheer on the Socceroos. First half was messy, just needed time to get settled. Schwarzer was a champ. 2nd half opened up very nicely. There was a small window of time where I thought there was a glimmer of hope to advance, maybe if we went 3-0 and Germany went 2-0 (seeing that they were already up 1-0). Not to be in the end, but proud of the Aussies to pull out with a win against a European team.

Their first win against a Euro team in our three WCs. It was a great match. I am very sorry that this is the end for so many in our team.

As Meatloaf once said...

[random]

But still extremely proud of the boys, they got humiliated against Germany, and they picked themselves up and put in 2 good performances, we deserved better really. But life goes on. Kinda disappointed i don't get to see the socceroos play... now i'm stuck with Ghana vs USA....

[vanboy]

Les Murray and Craig Foster discuss the World Cup. Very very passionate
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/video/272742/Les-and-Fozz-reveal-all

[Big Yellow]

Their first win against a Euro team in our three WCs. It was a great match. I am very sorry that this is the end for so many in our team.

As Meatloaf once said...

didn't we beat Croatia 3-2 or something in the last world cup??

[DubSteve]

didn't we beat Croatia 3-2 or something in the last world cup??

No we lost to Croatia 3-1 I believe, it was our 3rd game. You have to remember up until the last WC Australia had not actually scored a goal... We did well but that Germany cost us. Fuckin Ghana they only know how to score through penalties, and Germany played absolutely lousy against Germany, wasn't until Moset Uzil scored a floppy goal big thanks to the Jubilanie ball its rediculous!

[Justin Fox]

Japan game was awesome, Italy game too!

[vanboy]

I missed those two games.. was busy catching up on sleep :(

Portugal Brazil tonight!

2006 WC, Australia drew with Croatia: 2-2, but it was enough for us to go through to the next round so it felt like a win. Beat Japan, lost to Brazil, drew with Croatia.

[Ozram]

Got to be Pommie

http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss36/Ozram57/634128666398965040-Vuvuzela.jpg

[Cam]

http://tiny.cc/rp0g3

For all you soccer fans out there.
:lol:

[Clifton]

Pretty boring match Brazil vs Portugal.

[Justin Fox]

Was sooooooo scrappy! We were watching it at the big screens too at Darling Harbour. Got out of there before there was a riot due to how lame it was :lol:

[Capercat]

Last match before the knockout stages (both teams had qualified), could have predicted that. Not worth getting injured before the business side of the tournament.

[GTom]

Luis Suarez should be banned from the game for the next couple of years.

Red card for his actions is just not strong enough!!!!


All in all, this world cup has by far been the worst to watch in the last few that have occurred, bad referring, sportsmanship and the fake fouls just doesn't make it a pleasant game to watch anymore.

[AP]

Man couldn't believe Brazil lost!!

[Bizi]

Man couldn't believe Brazil lost!!

I couldn't believe the way some Brazilians took it... sore losers when you stomp an opponent's leg and cop a red card. :( He couldn't believe his team were on their way out.
Dutch got their luck and took it.

I suppose you need brilliance from some players in these games to win at this level.

So tonight's Argentina v Germany match: do you expect brilliance on both sides?

Any predictions? I will go out on a limb and say 3:2. :)

[vanboy]

What just happened! :|

So therefore.. Aus = Argentina? :P

Over in HK at the moment, watching football with Cantonese commentary is hilarious. No idea what they are saying though

[derek]

another epic upset!!

[nath_mk6]

so will Germany go on to win...?

[schoona]

I had Argentina picked to go all the way, on the effort last night, I'd say Germany can do it. Spain though, the chronic underachievers... ?

Go Deutscheland!!!

[Cam]

Haha


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXt2KcUv7Yk

[schoona]

Hahahahahaah that is awesome Cam!

[Shonen]

I had Argentina picked to go all the way, on the effort last night, I'd say Germany can do it. Spain though, the chronic underachievers... ?

Go Deutscheland!!!

x2

I backed and even bet on Argentina from the start. Such a disappointing loss, but to be fair Germany played an awesome game last night.

[Bizi]

I couldn't believe the DK-ARG result when I heard about it this morning.

I think I fell asleep 30min through the first half and it was 1:0.

Despite people virtually laughing when I declared Germany a chance after demolishing our boys. :D
Germany may well have the next couple of cups in hand if their young team can keep this up.

Was the refereeing a good standard for the rest?

[Justin Fox]

Sloppy 1st half but Come on Germany!

[vanboy]

I was fading during that half time break.. really struggling to stay awake. Pace has picked up a fair bit though, Puyol!

Going for ESP, cos if they get through.. then definately someone will win the cup for the first time.

[nath_mk6]

So I had to leave with Spain up 1-0 and Germany pushing hard, did it change or did Spain go through?

[G-rig]

Spain is through.

[Capercat]

The best team won on the night.

[Pharkus]

The best team won on the night.

No. They lost so they wouldn't prove the psychic octopus wrong and have to send him to the griller.

Go the Dutch!

[Frenchie]

^ haha

Should be a good final - hoping Holland comes through.

[Big Yellow]

go the oranje!!! i had backed holland to make it to the finals from the start!!!

my boy RVP better get on the score sheet!!

[vanboy]

No. They lost so they wouldn't prove the psychic octopus wrong and have to send him to the griller.

Go the Dutch!

Hehehe Paul the Octopus only has to tip the winner of the GER vs URU correctly for a clean sheet!

[Frenchie]

Game on tonight folks !

Would like Holland to win

[Bizi]

Hehehe Paul the Octopus only has to tip the winner of the GER vs URU correctly for a clean sheet!

Clean sheet so far, you mean.
Consensus on this page is that this forum should be orange tonight.

Holland has the greater amount of goodwill and support here.
Spain has recent form and the celebrity tipping expert's support.

Good luck to both teams! I am hoping that those of us awake will be the winners. Transgrid substations hopefully are well enough maintained to not fail again.

My heart says Holland, my head and Paul says Spain.

Go Orange!!!

Game on tonight folks !

Would like Holland to win

[schoona]

I am backing the Spanish, simply because a fella at work will not shut up for 6 months if the Dutch win (he is dutch), though I think the Dutch do have the good to get over the Spaniards. Will be a great game. Shame ill only see some of it :(

[vanboy]

Clean tipping record for Paul!

I thought the ref was pretty decent all game, yellows to control the game, but really didnt want to have to send anyone off - till ET. Was just thinking about the pressure of that job for the 90+ minutes, so many billions of people critiqing your work!

[schoona]

^ x2.

Congrats to the Spaniards!

[Shonen]

x3

Friend of mine was in Barcelona when they won, apparently the Spaniards went absolutely mental, jumping on statues, dancing, drinking, people beating drums around every street corner.