Just watched Sweden-France 3rd place highlights, the two goals by Sweden were amazing, especially the last one. And damn, those two players kicked each other in the chest on purpose when they were down! World cup pro wrestling. The French player kicked first, but the Swede got a red card, interesting.
3rd place games are usually crap. It's a game that FIFA should get rid of. They won't, because of money. As far as the red card, the official probably missed the first kick and only saw the second. I didn't see the game, but I'm pretty sure that is what happened. A lot of times, when the official misses the first one, they always see the second.
Talking about all third place or just womens? Mens are usually awesome. The last one was Germany 3-2 Uruguay with Forlan hitting the bar in stoppage time. Before that 3-1, 3-2, 2-1, 4-0. Lots of goals. Fun to me.
Fun to watch with lots of goals, but really there useless. It's a game that players really don't care about and are not fighting for anything. Again, great because of lots of goals, but a pointless game.
Ok, now that Chile, and Brasil are out of the Coppa America, Is Sanchez going to Barca? Is Ganso going to AC Milan? Is Neymar going to Real Madrid? Sanchez is practially inked in Barca IMO, just a matter of time. Is he worth $45M? I don't know. Neymar said he wouldn't mind another year at Santos, but I see him moving to Real. Again, 40 something mil for a teenager/next coming....quite the gamble at $40M but could pay off huge. Ganso to AC Milan....I am skeptical. AC like Fabregas, but also linked with Montolivo (I'd rather have him) but their spending budget is in question since Berlusconi has to pay $500M from a lost court battle involving one of his TV stations. Berlusconi is actually looking at foreign investors from Russia, even rumored to have investors lined up from the Emirates years ago. It will only be a matter of time I fear that he will need to resort to foreign investors, but it will be better for the team in the long run. As for Ganso, he had a decent Coppa America, but didn't show the flashes I expected....neither did Neymar, and he gets injured often and has already had two major surgeries. I wouldn't be disappointed if we got him, but I would prefer either Fabregas or Montolivo.
I like 3rd place games, they give out a bronze medal, whatever. Good for teams that are up and coming, but I could see fans of successful teams not caring. And, you'll want to see this, the "Truffle Shuffle kid" from the womens world cup: http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2011/07/17/young-male-fan-flashes-the-world-after-alex-morgans-goal/
Fun to watch so lets take it away? More soccer to watch instead of less? We know the game is as much as a formality as the players do, just dont see how it is hurting the world cup and needs to be taken away. also possible new sig, well done china
...Outside of the occasional BYE week escapade, there are no "Ashley Young"s being overpaid in American Football.
...is why they teach cursive in school. You finally found a practical use for cursive script and you f-ed it up. I am Disappoint.
I don't have a problem with Balotellis attempted "trick shot". The game is about skill and he had the nuts to try it. It's a pre-season game and you try this stuff out. If it works great it not, you've lost nothing. From a respect point of view it's not any worse than the youtube video doing the rounds showing some youngster performing tricks and nutmegging his teammate with the rest of the squad laughing..or going back further you could call out Henry & Pires of Arsenal with the penalty kick **** up. I also don't remember seeing people with a problem last week with the guy who ran up to take a penalty kick turned and backheeled it into the goal. The fact that Balotelli attempted it is credit to his skills and belief that he could do it. If it had been performed in a full meaningful game and scored it would likely go down as one of the goals of the season and deservedly so. If Messi had attempted it, be it regular or pre-season game then people would be having orgasms and bestowing yet another world player of the year award on him. Balotelli is only getting the rap due to his past behaviour.. this was simply a trick in a manner similar to Ronaldo's step overs or any of Barcelona's little tricks (other than falling down!) in a game that fans paid to see world class players and what they can do that they don't get to see from their own teams (no thats not meant disparagingly to the MLS). I'm glad that there are players prepared to do this rather than the route one football that has taken over the game. As an Arsenal fan it's also nice to see someone actually try something fancy in the area and actually get the shot off - although the same result.
According to Bartolli, he thought he was offside so he did it for the heck of it. He's young but the problem with him over the course of 2-3 years of him playing professionally is his disciplinary problems in and off the field.
Balotelli off the field doesn't have problems. He is a young kid who has to mature, and has temper tantrums on the field etc. Full of talent, and that trick shot, I'd have nothing against it. It is a friendly. He wouldn't try that in a real game. If Ronaldo tried it the world would say how amazing he is. But Balotelli, is NOT a problem off the field, and is a good civilian. Or how about this, constantly donating money to people.... http://www.caughtoffside.com/2011/0...gives-homeless-man-1000-after-25k-casino-win/ People want to stereotype him, but don't see what he is all about. He's a good hearted kid who was given the world. He understands he has to work and doesn't take his talent for granted, but is immature, and has to grow into being a star, which he will be for a long time I believe.
Anyone see Alex Morgan's sideways goal? Her back was practically facing the goal and she scored with the side of her foot in the top corner, amazing goal. Skills and beauty. She could definitely be the next Mia Hamm. [video=youtube;o6WStEeJSvs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6WStEeJSvs[/video]
Agree. Balotelli is big hearted. He's young so his immaturity lets him down sometimes on the field. Off the field he's had a couple of misdemeanour's such as a car crash and threw a dart at a friend (but at that age who hasn't!?) But the two case Tone E has provided proves he's way ahead of some of his peers in the EPL!
I have no problem with these plays either, he bet and lost, simply as that, I wouldn't call it 'stupid' but an unnecessary play because if he'd have had a shot with his right foot he'd have probably scored IMO. I think Mancini should've waited untill half time and had a word with Mario to find out why he did it. If a player is not going to take friendly games "seriously" that's fine, but have to respect your teammates & coaches that want to win, I mean look at Dzeko's reaction, that's all. God no. Nice, thanks for the vid.
The problem Bab is that he had a tap in, but decided to take the piss instead of just finishing accurately. If I did that on a Sunday morning in my local league I would get taken off on the spot and get an absolute bollocking, which is exactly what Mancini did with him. I dont mind guys trying to get by players with skill, as it doesn't risk anything, nor does it affect the end result if it doesn't pay off. But that cost City a goal. As for it being a friendly and meaning noting, he is still a professional getting well paid to be professional and focus on his game. Honestly, I wish I was getting paid like he is to take the piss at my job. I can now see why Mourinho could not stand him and why Mancini is finding him very difficult.
Hey Emerald, hows it going mate? Probably best to agree to disagree as I don't see a problem with it. I honestly believe if you can do it, then go ahead and do it, especially in pre-season. if I tried it on a Sunday I'd be on the floor having tripped overmy own feet! lol I don't think Mourinho likes anybody who has a mind of their own and doesn't believe he's actually God does he?!
I think this is pretty funny. Because of this; LINK: http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1956...l-desailly-carlo-ancelotti-was-fired-because- Torres is extremely overrated. There is a reason Torres isn't in the form of three years ago, but it isn't because of a coach. Ancelotti is a personal favorite of mine because of his Milan days, but his days were numbered in Chelsea anyway, but this reasoning made me chuckle a bit. Villas-Boas....good luck with that one. Torres flops again, wait and see.
That seems to be the case alright Bab. I think people have differing opinions on his motivation for doing it. Either way, the end result was he made a complete mess of it! What you think of Arsenal's pre-season at the moment? I'd imagine its not overally optimistic?
Doom and gloom mate. I just don't understand Wengers mentality anymore!? He should just get on the phone with Bolton, Blackburn and Everton and just pay them. The market rate is set for Cahil, Samba and Jagielka (sp?) so pay them the damn money! They're a lot better than what we have and will solve the problem we have at the back. Also would have liked to have seen them take a stab at Sturridge too...even a cheeky bid for Defoe! The rate this is going we'll be lucky to finish 5th. This is my last season giving Wenger the benefit of the doubt. If we finish below third he's got to go. His "we're getting younger, playing beautiful football" plan hasn't worked. We were lucky last year that it was a poor standard in the Premier League but everyone (bar Sp*rs) has strengthend their squads where as we've got weaker without any quality additions. Got a feeling this is going to be a long season!
Mata's agents in london to talk with arsenal. Word is arsenal were able to get is price down from 21m to 15m. Stoked if this happens especially with Downing and Young going for 20m a pop, not to mention Gervinho at just 12m
Bob Bradley has been fired. http://aol.sportingnews.com/soccer/story/2011-07-28/bob-bradley-fired-as-us-national-team-coach
Im VERY happy [video=youtube_share;JVe7GtrjVek]http://youtu.be/JVe7GtrjVek[/video] It wasnt so much the Bradley was bad.....but I never felt like the US had an identity under him. It will be very interesting to see what Juergen does August 10th against Mexico...
I'm watching the LA v Portland game here tonight... loving the atmosphere at the Portland stadium. But the field seems so tiny!
Check the 3 minute mark for what is one of the greatest goals ever from distance. [video=youtube;IDQSnt-6e1k]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDQSnt-6e1k[/video]
Sorry man, Seedorf's goal trumps all others in the long range department. [video=youtube;kGQ6speL4Ww]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGQ6speL4Ww[/video]