World Cup predictions

[elroy]

Man, how good are World Cups, flipping love it and its only just started!!

Germany looked really good tonight, didnt know much about them before now but on the basis of tonight they will be up there as usual. Aussies were very disappointing though particularly at the back. Started well but that was about it. Feel sorry for Tim C, shouldnt have been sent off, just a yellow. His WC is probably over now.

The Germans and the Argies have looked the most impressive so far. Looked forward to seeing Holland against Denmark tomorrow.
Will also be interesting to see how the Italians fare against Paraguay.

As for Souness' little slip earlier, no big deal, but hes lucky it was on rte and not sky. Imo hes part of the holy trinity on rte with Dunph and Gilesy. Irwin has been decent enough so far as well.

[thischarmingman]

Denmark (who topped one of the trickiest qualifying groups) to hold Holland today anyone?

[shakermaker1982]

Denmark (who topped one of the trickiest qualifying groups) to hold Holland today anyone?

I'd be very surprised tbh (even with Kuyt starting).

[Stuttgart88]

but we couldnt beat a bad French team?:eek:Are you Father Stone from Fr. Ted?

[bennocelt]

Are you Father Stone from Fr. Ted?


No, but Im not deluded

Holland didnt impress today IMHO. Was hard to watch on RTE, Damien Richardson wasnt easy to listen to.

[pineapple stu]

Thought Rico was excellent the last time he was on commentary. Had a manager's broader insight into what to expect from the various players, and was curiously straight-to-the-point given how loquacious he is. He also (correctly) said he couldn't make a call on a corner decision because the net was in the way on the replay; many others would have said "It's hard to be sure; I think the linesman made the right call there" or fudged some other nonsense.

[Sullivinho]

Slow burn approach from the Dutch perhaps? I expected them to come out all guns blazing but keeping their orange powder dry might serve them better over the course.

[shakermaker1982]

At least you guys don't have to listen to Lawro/Shearer/Hansen moaning about the games they are 'forced' to watch. Paid to go on a jolly for 5 weeks with your mates at taxpayers expense? Yep hard life. They don't even do any research which infuriates the life out of me. If I was a tv pundit I'd be watching video's of teams and taking notes. Trying to educate the viewer on what we're watching. Unfortunately if they aren't talking about PL footballers then it's outside their comfort zoze so all 3 come out with the same old predictable crap like 'team A needs to get stuck in'. Analysis over. My dog could do better.

[Ciaran W]

1-0 Japan, bad game but i have japan in a world cup draw so im not complaining :D

[elroy]

At least you guys don't have to listen to Lawro/Shearer/Hansen moaning about the games they are 'forced' to watch. Paid to go on a jolly for 5 weeks with your mates at taxpayers expense? Yep hard life. They don't even do any research which infuriates the life out of me. If I was a tv pundit I'd be watching video's of teams and taking notes. Trying to educate the viewer on what we're watching. Unfortunately if they aren't talking about PL footballers then it's outside their comfort zoze so all 3 come out with the same old predictable crap like 'team A needs to get stuck in'. Analysis over. My dog could do better.

Good point but then again most English viewers are probably of the same mindset i.e. the EPL is the best so they dont play in the EPL or have been linked with an EPL club then they must be useless.

This point was illustrated by Shearers dismissive reference to the Cameroon striker earlier, Wome (i think is the spelling). The guy was poor today but plays in La Liga so is no slouch. However, if he had played for Wigan, Wolves etc etc he wouldve commanded much more respect.

[osarusan]

Does anybody else agree that the amount of times a player is caught in possession by an opposition player who comes from behind him ("man on" style situations) is greater than normal?

On Rico as an analyst, I found him overly negative when commentating on the Korea vs Greece game (I think it was).

So far, Germany and S. Korea are the only teams who've impressed me in the games I've seen, but their opposition, particularly Greece, have had a large part to play in that. A lot of the other games have seen some pretty lethargic efforts.

[Stuttgart88]

At least you guys don't have to listen to Lawro/Shearer/Hansen moaning about the games they are 'forced' to watch. Paid to go on a jolly for 5 weeks with your mates at taxpayers expense? Yep hard life. They don't even do any research which infuriates the life out of me. If I was a tv pundit I'd be watching video's of teams and taking notes. Trying to educate the viewer on what we're watching. Unfortunately if they aren't talking about PL footballers then it's outside their comfort zoze so all 3 come out with the same old predictable crap like 'team A needs to get stuck in'. Analysis over. My dog could do better.Well said, agree totally.

International football is something they watch when England play or just every 2 years at tournaments. In my opinion Denmark deserved some respect before the game from the pundits due to the group they won in qualifying, yet they got none.

[micls]

Does anybody else agree that the amount of times a player is caught in possession by an opposition player who comes from behind him ("man on" style situations) is greater than normal?


Could have something to do with the vuvuzelas. Apparently they amke it difficult to even hear other players on the pitch

[EAFC_rdfl]

At least you guys don't have to listen to Lawro/Shearer/Hansen moaning about the games they are 'forced' to watch. Paid to go on a jolly for 5 weeks with your mates at taxpayers expense? Yep hard life. They don't even do any research which infuriates the life out of me. If I was a tv pundit I'd be watching video's of teams and taking notes. Trying to educate the viewer on what we're watching. Unfortunately if they aren't talking about PL footballers then it's outside their comfort zoze so all 3 come out with the same old predictable crap like 'team A needs to get stuck in'. Analysis over. My dog could do better.
i was watching them after the Italy game, it was very bad form then the way they openly joked about having to cover the New Zealand game today - Hanson and Dixon getting a great laugh out of it. Thought it was very poor/funny (not sure which), the way seedorf couldnt remember the Italian sub, except that he was 'number 10', wouldnt mind, he plays in the same fecking country.
I think dunphy and giles fall into that same category, re not knowing much outside of the PL. Dunphy it seems had wrote of Germany on Sunday based on not knowing any of the players!
Mick mccarthy is a bit of craic as co-commentator on bbc, he's like a toned down ian holloway some of the stuff he comes out with

[pineapple stu]

On Rico as an analyst, I found him overly negative when commentating on the Korea vs Greece game (I think it was).
In fairness, it's hard to be positive about any of the competition so far, Germany aside.

[endabob1]

Argentina were very good I thought, Nigerian keeper kept that game respectable, could easily have been 4-0
Korea were good against poor opposition, same for Germany. I think Ghana did well and could sneak as far as the last 8.
Italy were poor last night, very little creativity and their strikers are completely devoid of movement, until Camoranesi came on I couldn't see them getting anything from it.

[pineapple stu]

Argentina were very good I thought, Nigerian keeper kept that game respectable, could easily have been 4-0
Korea were good against poor opposition,
Only saw the first half of Argentina; they were excellent for 20 minutes and then faded into comfort, I thought.

South Korea looked ok, but I thought you could really no more make a judgement based on that game than a judgement on Ireland based on a game against Andorra. Greece were like 11 lumps of meat on the pitch; truly shocking and clueless.

I actually think Australia are being slightly harshly done by. OK, they were fairly poor, but at least they gave it a go and were still launching a few attacks late on. That's more than can be said for a lot of the other teams.

[Closed Account 2]

I agree about Australia, they tried to take the game to the Germans even at 2-0 down. They also had a great chance to take the lead inside 2-3 mins, blocked by Neuer / Lahm. The sending off destroyed the contest.

[shakermaker1982]

Please let us see some goals today.

[pineapple stu]

Brazil v North Korea? I think there's going to be a couple of goals there.

And at least we have some interest in New Zealand v Slovakia given the Slovaks are in our Euro qualifying group.

[tetsujin1979]

Slovakia already looking dodgy from crosses from the left, Fallon could have had two goals. One from a set piece, one from a cross. Got above Skrtel on both occasions to head at goal
Duff and Doyle/Dunne take note

[Ciaran W]

New zealand playing fairly well

[shakermaker1982]

Love how the Norn Iron fans were bigging up their tough group. Slovenia were pitiful the other day and Slovakia are getting outplayed by New Zealand!

[pineapple stu]

1-0 Slovakia.

Vittek with a good header after getting free of his marker.

Edit - replays showing he was offside. Bit harsh on New Zealand. But the only debutantes (kind of) are still in the lead.

[Ciaran W]

Ireland should have enough to deal with slovakia in the qualifiers, then again we usually struggle against the worse teams, what do you's think of richardsons commentary ?

[Sullivinho]

They're freezing their nads off and I just heard Richardson say "It's great to be here." I'd rate him for being the anti-Lawrenson alone, but I like him as a co-commentator anyway.

[Ciaran W]

Slovakia 1-1 New Zealand :o:o:o

[Sullivinho]

Terrible game but fair feckin' play to the Kiwis.

[Ciaran W]

Great end to the game :D

[tetsujin1979]

Slovakia already looking dodgy from crosses from the left, Fallon could have had two goals. One from a set piece, one from a cross. Got above Skrtel on both occasions to head at goal
Duff and Doyle/Dunne take note
93rd minute equaliser, cross from the left, headed in
nailed it!

[Ciaran W]

Good to see both teams passing the ball. . This could be a good game :)

[Ciaran W]

I guess i was wrong

[Ciaran W]

Ivory coast 0-0 Portugal.

[Stuttgart88]

As a fan of a small country I can totally empathise with the countries who are being cagey in their opening games. The first round of games are like the first round or two of a boxing title fight - you're just finding your range and you don't want to risk being knocked out. Appreciating the early rounds requires an appreciation of context in my opinion. OK, some games have been outright dull, but I remember how important it was not to lose to Cameroon in 2002, and England in 1990 (less so v Italy in 1994 as we had 2 decent chances to recover after facing the favourites) and I couldn't have cared less if we got points in a dull game. I think commentators need to appreciate this.

Ivory Coast were better than I expected having seen them in the ACN earlier in the year.

I couldn't really focus on the earlier game. Any view on Slovakia?

[Stuttgart88]

Ireland should have enough to deal with slovakia in the qualifiers, then again we usually struggle against the worse teams, what do you's think of richardsons commentary ?I think Slovakia are probably good enough to extract a performance from us though. They'll think they have a great chance in this group too so it'll be very competitive.

[pineapple stu]

As a fan of a small country I can totally empathise with the countries who are being cagey in their opening games. I think commentators need to appreciate this.
I think the point, though, is that it seems to be much worse than previous years. So yes, not wanting to lose is understandable, but why is this tournament so much worse than other years when it was also important not to lose early?

[Sullivinho]

Well, it says 'predictions' on the tin so how many are Brazil going to hit the Koreans for?

Kim reckons they'll score 5..

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/brainiac/Kim%20jong%20il.jpg

...and catch Brazil cold.

I'll go for the reverse.

[keenanboy]

ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz........... ......... WHAT A SNOOZEFEST THIS YEAR

[Ciaran W]

Im going for brazil to get 2. . I just have a feeling its going to be another big let down. . Obviously im picking such a low score in the hope of being very wrong and if it is another low scoring game il be right :) i cant lose ;)

[micls]

I think the point, though, is that it seems to be much worse than previous years. So yes, not wanting to lose is understandable, but why is this tournament so much worse than other years when it was also important not to lose early?

Is it though? Or do people just remember the good games when they think back to 4 years ago?

[Stuttgart88]

I think the point, though, is that it seems to be much worse than previous years. So yes, not wanting to lose is understandable, but why is this tournament so much worse than other years when it was also important not to lose early?Has it been worse? I haven't really noticed. Maybe I enjoyed it more this year because I was on a 3 day jolly to New York (no work, no wife, no kids..), just me and a nice bar for 5 games!

[Stuttgart88]

93rd minute equaliser, cross from the left, headed in
nailed it!

The prophet had spoken!

[Ciaran W]

Come on north korea :D

[tricky_colour]

Just backed a Korean win and also the draw, that usually mean Brazil score a few minutes after I hit 'post'. :D
I like the underdog.

[tricky_colour]

Brazil have baerly had a chance on goal.

NK look well drilled and organised, fingers crossed for second half.

[pineapple stu]

Stuttgart - is it poor? I think so, though it's hard to quantify alright. It's the lowest scoring World Cup ever (average goals per game), with 20 goals in the 13.5 games so far. Does that make it crap though?

Italia 90 was crap by all accounts, but my memories are positive - of our involvement, Baggio's superb goal and a couple of dramatic games like England v Cameroon. I do distinctly remember thinking during Euro 2008 that it was a great tournament though. I'm not thinking that now.

I looked at livescore at half time of Ivory Coast v Portugal and saw there hadn't been a single shot on target all game. I think Japan scored with their only shot. I hate using facts to prove stuff about football, but those kind of stats are too common thius tournament I think. Does it make it crap? I think it helps.

But it's the general standard which is poor, I think. How many careless missed passes? How many free kicks on target, let alone scored? How many surging runs bar Messi? How many great saves bar those from Messi? How many great games? How many players standing out?

And I don't think it's just the World Cup. The Champions' League final was dire, as was Man Utd v Chelsea a couple of years ago. The Big Four Premiership games are frequently criticised for being dull. Is it just that in footbalkl generally, avoiding defeat is the number one aim? Is all football now catenaccio? Is that why the German game was so good - a young, enthusiastic, skilful, well-coached team going out to play. A well-run domestic scene (it appears; massive crowds, atmosphere, beer, affordable tickets, no big debts. They've taken chances and are reaping rewards.

I'd like to think I have some objective judgement of what's a good game and what's not from watching games week in week out; I've seen far better games in the Bowl this season.

So yes, I do think it is, so far, about the worst tournament in recent memory. Euro 2000 was poor too. Maybe it's just problems with years ending in 0?

(And speaking of UCD, North Korea are very similar to us - no fear, well-drilled defensively, lacking that bit of inspiration up front, bugger all fans and ruled by a despotic mad-man determined to crush all opposition. :p)

[Ciaran W]

I agree pineapple, good post :) i think you'll agree with me when i say this world cup is an absolute shambles, so far !

[elroy]

Still no goals in the Brazil game and there was I thinking they would get the goal count up.

Hopefully things will improve once we hit the second round of games when many teams will actually have to win to stay alive. At present, alot of teams are going on with the first aim of not losing and cancelling each other out.

[Sullivinho]

Kinda sad to see Brazil labouring against North Korea. What on earth has happened to Kaka?

Maicon in top form though. :D

[Ciaran W]

Wow :o