Soccer is definitely a sport that would be improved by REPLAY...clearly NOT OFFSIDE, clearly a Goal, and the difference...instead of wasted 1-1 tie, it would have been 2-1 Mex....get it right for such a LOW SCORING sport...make each count and correct.
On ESPN, they said the offside call was earlier than the replay we saw and that it was a "good call". Problem is that the FLAG went up when it DID. I smell BS.
The south african selection really turned it up at the end. They play fast with long balls. They suprised me. I'm a bit disappointed in Mexico... For the next game, I'm going to a local Irish pub which promises shots for everyone when any team scores on France HAHA. I thought that was nice touch.
It was offside. Borderline but 100% offside. What made it so was the GK was ahead of the ball leaving only one person there which is technically offside. Stupid rule anyway and nearly impossible to get right all the time Replay wouldnt work as it would slow the game down too much (IMO) football is fast paced (or should be anyway) and really doesnt lend itself to having breaks to dispute decisions. Although it may work in certain occasions like disallowed goals and penaly decisions only but its a difficuly decision to take. Personally I would be against replay
It was the right call. Very GOOD call by the official. The rule states that you must be behind or even with 2 players when the ball is played. In that case, he was behind only 1 player (the player on the goal-line). The goalie, who is counted as a player, was ahead of him. Great call by the linesman. I've seen this call only a couple other times in my life and each time the ref made the right decision.
Ok, if you all think if was a legit call...bully! Glad it was a tie for SA sake! The IMAGINARY clock in soccer still says REPLAY is warranted and perfect for the sport! If this call was correct without it...great.
Disappointing game so far. Expected Uruguay to come at France a bit more, but they seem happy to only attack with three players and try hit them on the counter. France, have been ok, but have struggled to break Uruguay down. Uruguay certainly the happier team at the half.
Very good result for Uruguay. They were really coming into the game until the sending off and then they really worked hard and defended well to hang on to a point. As for France, no cutting edge and struggled to break Uruguay down. Domenech again clueless, taking off Anelka, not starting Malouda and persisted with 1 upfront till the end of the game. Putting Gignac out wide, really??????
Alright guys, got a questuion for you, and it's a tough one. Would you rather see your team win the world cup or see the Miami Dolphins win the Super Bowl this year? I know, I know, its like that question every girlfriend seems to ask, we've all been there, "if me and your best friend were dying who would you run to first?" I personally take Italy. Although I bleed aqua and orange and am consumed by the Dolphins, I'm much more passionate for Italian soccer. I would take the Dolphins over an AC Milan champions league title though. What say you?
Dude, if you think the NBA has strange officiating, you ain't seen nothin until you watch WC matches.. Glad to see the Mexican team got a tie as the fellas at work were predicting a loss.
South Africa/Mexico was a really good game. I thought Mexico got robbed of a goal earlier, and attacked and got a lot of nice looks in the first half, but South Africa had their moments of dominating the ball in the second half. It's unfortunate that they couldn't get anything to hit, especially that late breakaway at the 88th minute mark that went off the left side of the goal...
Well, I was born in Jamaica and we suck. I was raised to root for Brazil because my father (and pretty much everyone else in Jamaica) idolizes Pele and the way Brazil plays the ball, and roots for Brazil as well. I am not from Brazil, though, nor do I have any family from there. I'm merely a fan of their style of play. With that said, no... I wouldn't take any of my other teams winning a championship over the Dolphins. I've been a season ticket holder since I was 4-years old... there's just a different level of passion associated with the Miami Dolphins for me. Almost equal with the Heat and Hurricanes, but I've seen both of those teams win titles. Assuming that you're from Italy... I completely understand where you're coming from, though. Trust me... I saw tears from many people when Usain Bolt did what he did in the 08 Olympics, so I can only imagine.
I'll take Bosnia winning the WC over the Dolphins any day. I'm not that big of a Dolphins fan where I'd take them over my country winning something. Besides that, I'm more of a general football fan than Dolphins fan.
Dolphins, no doubt. I've been asked this many times before though. I root mostly for Italy in the World Cup as you've probably noticed. And as awesome as it was to see them win in 2006, I'd still rather the Fins win if I had a choice. My list is as follows: 1) Dolphins SB 2) Italy WC 3) Juventus CL 4) Mets WS
A tough question indeed, but in my life I've seen AC Milan as Champions (Serie A, Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, Intercontinental Cup,) but I haven't seen the Phins as Super Bowl winners, so my list goes like this: 1) Dolphins SB. 2) AC Milan CL. 3) Mexico WC. 4) Inter in Serie B.
Diego Forlan gave France troubles IMO. I'm only through the first half and am watching it in Spanish, which I don't understand any of (lol), but I think he's given them a lot of issues so far. Through this first half, I think France's biggest issue is that they don't have quick enough feet when it comes to their fullbacks and centrebacks. Every run Uruguay has made has been off of Sagna's side and they just keep attacking it. When they get to the box, Gallas and co. are not quick enough to close down on Uruguay and then Evra on the opposite wing is playing up and down IMO. Also, why no Sakho on the squad? He's young, yeah, but he's the youngest captain ever in Ligue 1 and he's a very talented centreback IMO. Further, I think that France NEEDS to find someone to run down the right wing, opposite of Ribery. He's creating everything for them right now and it was no different when I watched them against China. They literally got the ball on defense and then just kicked it down field to Ribery on the left wing. Every time, same thing. I also think that they need someone to step up from the midfielders. I want to say Yoann Gourcoff needs to step up the most because I think he's their most creative midfielder in attack. I think he's got a ton of talent and his footwork is pretty damn good. He had a beautiful free kick that nearly bended in on the near post but other than that, he's been off by quite a bit. Last, when they DO get chances at the goal, they don't capitalize on them. I think about 6.5 minutes in, Govou missed a shot right in front of the goal which should have been an easy goal. Ribery was credited with the ball he put through on that, it was fantastic but Govou did not execute. If you go back to France against China, they missed at least three balls right in front of the goal. Gallas missed two tip-ins. I don't recall the other, I think it may have been Anelka. They ended up losing one-nil. Ultimately, I think that's what will decide their fate in this World Cup. Re: Gignac - He used him on the wing against China and they had a couple good runs from him. I agree with you that he shouldn't be out there but I think Domenech saw those few runs from Gignac against China and ran with it.
Well that was an interesting first day... South Africa 1... Mexico 1... As well as Mexico played in the first half and for a team that got robbed of a goal on a completely bogus offside call, they played very poorly in the second half especially once South Africa got their counter goal. It looked like RSA would get another one shortly thereafter. But Mexico did well to get equal as RSA fell asleep on their marking. I did think overall Mexico was the better side, and I stick with my prediction that they will advance out of this group. Quick, organized and composed.... RSA? Most of their chances came on counters, as was to be expected. I will say that their goalie deserves a nod as the man of the match. France 0... Uruguay 0... A snoozer of a game IMO. Till the end that is. France really misses the creativity in the middle by Zidane. Uruguay seemed to be the more dangerous side in this one, particularly in the second half. Nothing that happened here changed my mind that RSA will be the second team to advance out of this group. One other note... I'm sick of hearing those noise makers!! I hope they aren't allowed into the stadium for the Eng vs USA match as I am looking forward to hearing the usual chorus from Inglaterra....
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...a-vs-england-will-bring-back-memories-of-1999 Pretty good for a BR article. Could a USA victory over England capture the attention/emotions of the 1999 womens world cup? They'd probably need to win the whole thing the make the cover of SI as sportsmen of the year. Americans do seem to care about the World Cup though. I read an article that said the ratings for the 1994 World Cup and 1999 Women's World Cup were higher then the ratings for the Lakers-Celtics NBA Finals are. Both tournaments also filled football stadiums. So we care when either 1.USA is hosting or 2.USA is doing well[pretty much only 2002 for the men and all of the womens]. I don't think soccer itself is the problem, the problem is the World Cup is only once every 4 years, and you can't possibly expect too many people to care about MLS after watching the WC.
Tough question alright and I actually dont think I could answer that one. Since I have been alive I have not seen either Newcastle, Irealnd or the Fins win a trophy at the highest level and in all honesty the only team I can really see doing that would be Miami. Because my expectations of the other two would not be that high, I think I would rather see them winning a trophy, as it would be a more unexpected achievement. But I would like to think that I would celebrate a Fins SB win in the same fashion. I know I would considering how much time I have spent on Dolphins' forums.
I think you see this even more in the second half Alen, when Uruguay for a 15 minute spell totally dominated France and really should have scored. In that spell they looked far more dangerous than France did pretty much all night. For me Alen, Malouda has to play on the right side opposite Ribery. How on earth someone picks Govou over him is crazy. All night, Govou did noting on that right side. When Malouda came on he actually started getting on the ball, trying to beat players and taking shots. As for the centre midfield, Toulalan was very good I felt. Everything France do goes through him and he is a crisp passer of the ball. Diaby was solid, yet unspectacular. I dont expect much to come from him attacking wise so cant knock him too much. But didn't see him on the ball enough. Whats your take on Diaby Alen, since your an Aresnal fan? As for Gourcoff, he is very hit and miss and tonight he was poor. On his day he can be very good, but he was average and his shooting was awful at times. I totally agree, France have no cutting edge up front, which is why I was so shocked at Anelka coming off for Henry. Why did he not just take off Govou, play four in midfield and put both Henry and Anelka up front. What really amazed me was seeing Gignac being put out wide. Now I'm not his biggest fan, but he has shown he can get goals at Toulouse and gets in decent scoring positions. I know you said he did well out wide against China but to have him out wide in a World Cup game when your searching for a goal is just awful coaching. And to think Karim Benzema is sitting at home watching all of this.
Agreed. Yeah I thought Toulalan played well. I don't like Diaby much, honestly. He does have some creativity and strength when attacking downhill but he often loses the ball from what I've seen of him. He has his great moments and sometimes even great games consecutively but then he drops off. Agreed. Yeah, I don't agree with Gignac being out wide, I was merely suggesting a reason for it. Regarding the awful coaching, it is Domenech coaching them so it should be expected lol. They are just a mess though and its kind of sad to see because I actually enjoy watching French football. Benzema must be laughing.
Some people have compared him to Viera, do think thats being too kind to Diaby? I know they are similar in size and build but I have not seen enough of Diaby to comment really. Also do you think Nasri would have been a better addition to the French team?
Two things on Nigeria/Argentina.... Messi had a good shot at 4 goals if that goalie wasnt Superman!! and Nigeria is incredibly frustrating to watch.... Boomer brother wish I could watch the game today with ya...been waiting for this day for a long time.....
