So... no World Cup thread yet? (also featuring TTLG fantasy world cup game) - by D'Arcy
ACT SMILEY on 12/6/2006 at 18:04
I was suprised how little they actually threatened the Czech Republic - for a team thats based around hard work rather than quality, they didn't really work for it. Looking on the bright side, Rosicky has singlehandedly saved my otherwise awful fantasy team.
Australia vs. Japan was a great match, except my flatmate turned over to the tennis in the second half.
SD on 12/6/2006 at 18:06
Japan-Australia certainly was entertaining as two mediocre teams with leaky defences facing off against each other generally are ;).
However I hate that blueshite twat Cahill even more now for bringing his gay little shadow-boxing celebration on to the world stage. Hopefully he'll snap both of his cruciate ligaments in training and we won't have to endure the embarassment for a long time.
The Czechs looked good, although they were undoubtedly helped by USA's one-dimensional play, bizarre lack of fitness (the season has only just started over there, they should be fresh as daisies) and inability to put the ball in the back of the net.
I like the Czechs, but I do suspect that their gung-ho attacking style will be exploited by better teams than the USA.
D'Arcy on 12/6/2006 at 18:14
Quote Posted by Strontium Dog
I like the Czechs, but I do suspect that their gung-ho attacking style will be exploited by better teams than the USA.
Namely Italy ;)
While I was watching the game, and USA's poor performance, I kept remembering how idiotic it is that FIFA awards 3/4 places in the World Cup to CONCACAF. Since Mexico always qualifies, this is the way they found to ensure that USA is always present in the World Cup, since FIFA would love it if football finally made it in the US. Everytime FIFA decides to award more places in the World Cup to other confederations, it's always at the expense of UEFA and european teams.
Shevers on 12/6/2006 at 18:23
Japan vs. Australia was the first match I missed :mad: I was looking forward to it as well because I've adopted Japan as my second team (Well, maybe 3rd behind Sweden) But at least Naka's goal gets my fantasy team an extra few points after slipping from 1st to 6th.
I like the Czechs, so it was nice to see them score as well.
ACT SMILEY on 12/6/2006 at 18:37
Quote Posted by D'Arcy
While I was watching the game, and USA's poor performance, I kept remembering how idiotic it is that FIFA awards 3/4 places in the World Cup to CONCACAF.
Although the worst team in qualifying was Trinidad and Tobago, who managed to hold off Sweden with 10 men? For me, the most idiotic things were the USA's tactical choices.
Haegan on 12/6/2006 at 18:44
I hear they had to get some new footballs after crouch sent the first two into low orbit. (amazing talent that boy has, shame that when he is TWO FEET from the goal he sends the damn ball FLYING?!?!?!?) WHAT AN IDIOT!!!
Paz on 12/6/2006 at 18:51
Um ... ok?
Anyway! I have THE FEAR for Italy tonight. They're risking Nesta (not fit) and Totti (also not fit), which wouldn't be my personal choice ...
Without Gattuso, I think the midfield is going to get seriously bullied.
D'Arcy on 12/6/2006 at 19:37
Quote Posted by ACT SMILEY
Although the worst team in qualifying was Trinidad and Tobago, who managed to hold off Sweden with 10 men? For me, the most idiotic things were the USA's tactical choices.
The point is that Trinidad has absolutely no ambitions in this tournament... they celebrated the draw as if they had won some major trophy. The World Cup is supposed to be the tournament for the elite footballing nations. Instead, now you get teams like Angola, composed of amateur players, others who play for portuguese minor and secondary teams, and whose goalkeeper doesn't even has a club at the moment.
Four teams qualifying from CONCACAF is definitely too much, especially since, apart from Mexico and a few small countries in central america, football doesn't seem to be that popular in that area.
SD on 12/6/2006 at 20:32
Quote Posted by Haegan
WHAT AN IDIOT!!!
get out and never come back ta
Quote Posted by D'Arcy
The point is that Trinidad has absolutely no ambitions in this tournament... they celebrated the draw as if they had won some major trophy. The World Cup is supposed to be the tournament for the elite footballing nations. Instead, now you get teams like Angola, composed of amateur players, others who play for portuguese minor and secondary teams, and whose goalkeeper doesn't even has a club at the moment.
The World Cup is also supposed to be the
World Cup, and as such it requires a fair share of representatives from each of the footballing regions.
Sure, the average quality of team taking part might be higher if we bumped up the European and South American contingent, but would it be as much fun to watch? I doubt it.
ACT SMILEY on 12/6/2006 at 20:57
Also - if you replace Trinidad and Tobago with say, Scotland or Belgium, you aren't necessarily going to get any improvement. If what matters is that teams are "elite", you might as well only put in 8 teams - after all, Australia, Japan, Paraguay, etc. are hardly "elite" either. The Angolan team might not be premiership stars, but they still deserve to be there with decent results against the likes of Nigeria.
