World Cup predictions

[tricky_colour]

If anyone can beat the Argies, then they could well go all the way.

I would have liked to see the USA match, they will have a presumably easier route, they could get to the semi's.

[Sullivinho]

The winner of England and Germany likely to play the Argies in the quarter as well. Much tougher route to the final for England now as opposed to if they had won the group.

As soon as the afterglow of blessed relief wears off...I would imagine they'll be reflecting on that fact themselves.

[shakermaker1982]

I wish I could have watched the USA-Algeria game. It looked a belter.

England were miles better than they were against Algeria but Germany won't be having sleepless nights about it.

[culloty82]

Uruguay seem to have a clear run to the semis - you'd expect them to beat South Korea, and they've been playing at a much higher level so far than either America or Ghana. Brazil look to be favourites at the moment based on their side of the draw, but all depends on avoiding Spain in the last 16.

[elroy]

Ya Uruguay could be a good bet for a semi place alright, have looked very good so far.

Germany England and USA Ghana will be tough to call. Ghana qualified without scoring a goal from open play or even from any other method than a peno. If Schweinsteiger is out for Germany, you would prob just fancy England to pull through.

[OwlsFan]

The thought did cross my mind when Oz were 2-0 on Serbia whether the Germans might consider conceding a "soft goal" and thus come second in the group and face the USA rather than England. It's not everyday a win is probably worse than a draw ;)

[Stuttgart88]

Any update on Schweinsteiger injury?

[osarusan]

I watched the second half of the Italy vs Slovakia game in the UL bar today, and had one person comment to me that "Slovenia are only playing for penalties" and another that it was "karma after that headbutt on Zidane."

[Sullivinho]

Italy...sad stuff really, very severe decline. New Zealand go unbeaten! Albeit on the way to their exit. Fair play to 'em, I'd have had them down for at least one hammering.

And in the case of the jabulani ball, the defense calls Yasuhito Endo to the stand. Well played.

[culloty82]

Surprised by how impressive Japan were - they won't trouble the big guns, but extremely well organised at the back and Endo and Honda would slot into any major European side, so they could very well take Paraguay in the last 16. The jury's still out on Holland, won through handily enough, but will have to really up their game if they're going to pose any threat to Brazil (probably) in the last eight.

[endabob1]

I was impressed with Holland last night, well drilled but like a lot of the teams playing well, the defence looks like it could be shaky if tested.

[OwlsFan]

Just like the last World War:

The French surrender early and are riven by internal strife
The Yanks with a peripheral interest arrive at the last minute
The Italians collapse when put under pressure
and the Danes offer no resistance
The Anzacs show their usual spirit,
The Greeks go down fighting
and the Japanese attacks take their opponents by surprise.
The Africans' campaign is just a side show
while it remains carnaval time in South America
The Spanish aren't too sure of their position.

Meanwhile, the Irish watch with interest from the sideline
WHILE the English are left to face the Germans alone...

[Stuttgart88]

Japan is an interesting case. Even back in 1998 they played a very slick, technically accomplished style of football, but just lacked bite / streetwise-ness. I think they could be a blueprint for a "ripping it up and starting again" approach to youth development in any decent sized country.

Does anyone here still rate Nicklas Bendtner after last night? He's actually afraid of the ball in the air sometimes. I'd love to know how that Denmark team won their qualifying group and explain it to the FAI.

[bennocelt]

Can't complain with the England win, they were the better team by a mile. They were totally untested at the back, bar a few isolated scares. Slovenia's set pieces were truly shocking. I've no idea how good the German side is, so tonight will be interesting to see if they're up to it. I'd like to think they'll win convincingly but I think that England were lucky to avoid a winner of a stronger group.

I'm glad the USA prevailed. They've got some good players, and if Arsenal are looking to replace Fabregas with an overrated French tw@t when they could buy Landon Donovan they'd be stupid. He's been outstanding for me.

Hands up who didnt watch the whole USA game ............................he and Dempsey were rubbish............(even Damien Richardson was of the same opinion). if anything Bradley was America's best player, and their defences stood up well again.

[Noelys Guitar]

Algeria did their homework on Donovan and kept him quiet for most of the 90 mins. Dempsey played the way he always plays (which is in and out of games). But when it really mattered both players played their part. Altidore was the US's best player on the night. He led the line ala Kevin Doyle. Bradley played well but for me it is his old man who is the US's best asset. The US have 5 very good players. 7 or so championship level players. And the rest are first/second division standard. Unlike many teams at this world cup (Swiss, Danes) Bradley takes calculated risks with his selections/tactics. And his teams always try to attack. And so far it has payed off. But they will need to improve again to beat Ghana tomorrow (who I thought unlucky against Germany). Should be a great match. And I expect Donovan to score again.

[superfrank]

I think they could be a blueprint for a "ripping it up and starting again" approach to youth development in any decent sized country.
Decent-sized? There's about 130 million of them!

AFAIK, their youth system seems to rely a lot on the secondary-school teams who produce and train the players before being snapped up by the J-League clubs once they graduate. It seems like a mix of the rugby schools system here and the NCAA system in the States. It seems to be working well for them.

[culloty82]

Why have African countries failed to make any real progress in the last decade - after Senegal's QF in '02, you'd have expected them to kick on and get to the last four, instead of Ghana possibly crashing out against America? Could the club structure be partly to blame when you've decent quality leagues in Korea, Japan, the US, and Mexico, but the leagues in Egypt and South Africa fall short of even that mark. Also, most of their national teams seem to be managed by mediocre European coaches, when you'd expect Roger Milla and other experienced players to step up to the mark. The last factor could be coaching, French clubs seem to take players from its former colonies at a very young age, which does no favours for national sides.

[Stuttgart88]

The best bits of Ghana really impressed me tonight, though I thought they lacked a bit of savvy when it counted in the second half.

I really enjoyed both of today's games (missed first half of Uruguay v Sth Korea). The winning goals in each were very good.

Watching World Cups "back in the day" really enthralled me as I got to see styles of football I wasn't used to seeing. Sth Korea play just like they did in '02, really high tempo, athletic and technical. Japan, when they go for it, are the same. I like it.

I think Ireland would struggle in open play against Sth Korea, yet I saw nothing in the USA that suggests they're better than us, though Bradley & Donovan stood out for me. Altidore - does anyone else see Leon Best in the same mould? Both are raw and physical, but need a bit (lot) of polish.

[bennocelt]

Just after watching Australia - Serbia. Outstanding second half, well worth a look, end to end
http://www.rte.ie/player/#v=1075372

Fair play to RTE they do show ALL the games on their realplayer. I thought it was just highlights...........great stuff. Caught up on 3 games yesterday, also watched the Korean - Uru game and seen an 8 goal cracker at Athlone. Am I sick of football yet?? No way, keep it coming!!!!
And my friends are going to want me to watch the gah games today in the pub - wonder how they will react when i tell them i actually fancy watching the england game!!!!

[Stuttgart88]

Good on you.

[Sullivinho]

Jogi, you've put a hell of a team together and I wouldn't begrudge them the trophy.

[tricky_colour]

Well fed up with backing the oursider and losing I decided to back Argentina, I wish I had put money on Mexico now, the odds on mexico winning have
already shortened!! they were 11/2 now 9/2, Argentina were 8/15 but are now out to 8/13.
Just my luck. Could be a draw after 90 mins.

[tricky_colour]

Goal clearly offside!!


Better not change it. :)

Another terrible decision, but I will take the money :D

[passinginterest]

All Mexico need to do is get the ball into the Argentina box, guaranteed penalty to even things up if the ref gets any chance.

[passinginterest]

Guess they'll need two now, what a mistake. Mexico haven't been clinical all tournament so even though they'll probably have chances they're not likely to pull this back.

[tricky_colour]

Well my money is looking safe now, it's 8-1 even to get a draw, Argies 25-1 on, pretty unbackable.
However England went 2-0 down so you never know.

[tetsujin1979]

Stunning goal from Tevez for his second and Argentina's third. The clearly offside first goal will only add fuel to the fire for calls for video technology, but you just have to admire the play of this Argentina side.

[Dunny]

http://i45.tinypic.com/2s6agqf.jpg

:D

[pineapple stu]

Why have African countries failed to make any real progress in the last decade - after Senegal's QF in '02, you'd have expected them to kick on and get to the last four, instead of Ghana possibly crashing out against America?
Politics and infighting, I think. Despot heads of state taking all the bonus money leading to demotivated and p!ssed off players, but rich despots. Over-expectation arising from some execllent underage results which were the result of some quite blatant age-related cheating. (Interestingly, Ghana were one of the worst for this, but have since started playing fair at underage level and are reaping the rewards at senior level).

There's many different factors of course, but they're some others to add to your post. Try get your hands on Filippo Maria Ricci's book Elephants, Lions and Eagles (http://www.amazon.com/Elephants-Lions-Eagles-Filippo-Maria/dp/0954013492); will give you a bit of insight into the game there.

[endabob1]

The big problems in African Football are related to coaching

Ivory Coast - 6 coaches in 6 years
Cameroon - 6 coaches in 6 years
Ghana- 6 coaches in 6 years
Nigeria - 5 coaches in 5 years
South Africa - 6 coaches in 6 years (plus Parreira has had it twice)


None had an African coach for the world cup, Ivory Coast last African Coach was in 1992. Nigeria sacked their coach despite a 3rd lace finish in the ACN to bring in a foreigner.

Without good local coaches the problems will continue. The problem with having a local coach is that the European based Star players tend to ignore them and do a Terry, essentially picking the team and tactics and refusing to play unless it's done their way.

[Stuttgart88]

Wouldn't be extraordinary if the Dutch could win this WC with a perfect record, including qualifying?

[The Apostle]

I think Argentina are playing some nice football and could go on to win it. Could there be a Brazil/Argentina Final! That would be something!!

[tetsujin1979]

away from any discussion on the England team, did anyone watch the Brazil - Chile match?
Probably the best I've seen Brazil play thus far in the tournament, and I think they can still improve. Struggled to break down Chile until the first goal, which meant the Chileans had to push forward to score. Of course this left space for the counter attacking Brazilians to exploit, and score.
This is probably the most well drilled Brazilian defence I've seen. The two central midfielders drop in front of the 12 yard line while the 4 man defence fill the penalty area. The opposition can't attach through the middle, and haven't space to move in front of goal. Of course, they were all taller than the Chilean strikers, so heading was out of the question.

It'll be interesting on Friday to watch them VS Holland, two counter attacking sides, neither of which has hit its potential yet, playing each other.

[osarusan]

They're so organised defensively, Chile never really did anything apart from long shots, a sign of desperation even as early as the 10th minute. They simply had no other options. They didn't trouble the defence at all until the game was basically over. Dunga's got the whole team working so hard to fill their own penalty box when needed.

I still don't think they've faced a really top-class attack yet, and I wonder how they'd cope with Argentina's ability to play through defences.

[shakermaker1982]

They're so organised defensively, Chile never really did anything apart from long shots, a sign of desperation even as early as the 10th minute. They simply had no other options. They didn't trouble the defence at all until the game was basically over. Dunga's got the whole team working so hard to fill their own penalty box when needed.

I still don't think they've faced a really top-class attack yet, and I wonder how they'd cope with Argentina's ability to play through defences.

Did you see the Brazil-Argentina game in WC qualifying? Brazil countered the **** out of em. It was heartbreaking stuff because I was rooting on Messi but Brazil were too cute for em. Argentina might have improved since that game in Argentina but whether it's enough to see off a superb Brazil side is something we'll hopefully find out on July 11th!

[shakermaker1982]

I'm also gutted to see Chile go out. They have been my favourite team of the tournament and deserve a lot of credit for the way they try and play football. Sanchez would make my team of the tournament so far despite him being relatively quiet last night. I have high hopes for him and would expect to see one of the bigger sides sniffing around him this summer.

[Stuttgart88]

I thought Brazil's defence was generally very strong, but still Chile got through a few times where better finishing or a better final ball would have caused real trouble. Mexico did the same to Argentina. I'd love to see Brazil v Argentina as both teams are terrific with the ball and are very inventive, and both defences are vulnerable to the type of play each other specialises in.

[Ciaran W]

Bad owl game.

[culloty82]

Spain fully deserved the win, but the worry is that they lack width, and on meeting Germany/Argentina who combine a strong defence with a powerful attack, they could struggle. Paraguay-Japan must be up there with our match with Norway and the '90 Final for the worst World Cup match ever.

[endabob1]

Every time Spain got it wide they looked dangerous, Vila was attached to the left touchline and when the full backs got forward (esp Ramos) they looked like they would score. The problem is that didn't happen very often and they tried to pass it through 6/7/8/9 white shirts, and Portugal were able to defuse most of their attacking play.
That said, they keep the ball magnificently, an absolute lesson in defending a 1-0, just don't let the other team have the ball.
Spains main concern is Torres, nowhere near match fit and running out of games. Without him on form they will struggle to score a lot of goals the way they are set out, but some of their football is a joy to watch.

[Stuttgart88]

Re-Spain giving a lesson on maintaining possession to defend a lead, it helps when the opposition play a Trapattoni style wall behind the ball even when they're 1 down. Portugal were embarrassingly short on ambition last night.

[endabob1]

Portugal played as much as they were allowed I thought. They got it forward quickly and arguably had the better chances in the first half, once Spain scored it was over, they simply couldn't get the ball off them. They tried to change it but the only criticism I would have is that they didn't press the Spanish back 4 when they had the ball the way Spain pressed theirs, other than that they were just the recipients of a master-class in possession football

[osarusan]

No balls from the Brazilians today. 2-1 down with a semi-final place at stake, and they showed nothing. I'm not sure the Dutch are even that good, as they were pretty limited in the first half. Rarely has a piece of good/bad fortune changed a game so drastically.

RTE panel are criticising the referee, but I thought that apart from booking Bastos for very little, and not giving Van Bommel a yellow (which was admittedly a bad error), the team of officials got most things right. Right about the red card and the offside goal, right about the booking for diving and Ooijer's booking for kicking the ball away (where lino told refe to book him).

It seemed to boil down to the pathetic argument that as he's not from a big football nation (He is Japanese), he cannot possibly be capable of refereeing big games competently.

[pineapple stu]

Was it not a dive for the free for Holland's equaliser? Only saw a quick flash of a replay, so may well be wrong. Red card was nasty and stupid.

[Stuttgart88]

It seemed to boil down to the pathetic argument that as he's not from a big football nation (He is Japanese), he cannot possibly be capable of refereeing big games competently.

I largely agree based on the 75 mins I saw. I think Bastos could have been sent off.

That corner was one of the best executed set pieces I've ever seen, up there with the Argentina equaliser against England in '98. Perfectly delivered, Kuyt made a perfect run to get ahead of his marker and got a perfect flick on. Schneider couldn't miss.

[strangeirish]

Thought it was one of the better refereed games so far. Glad Brazil are out. Bunch of pretentious whiners!

[tricky_colour]

I have not enjoyed watching Brazil much.

I am having a little bet on Ghana at 100/30, worth a few pennies, but a bit of a long shot.

[tricky_colour]

Get in!!! :D

I was just about to say Ghana were begining to look a bit good!!

Cracking goal.

They were 4-1, then 7/2 now 8/11 :)


Also Ghana seemed to get stronger against Germany, so hoping they repeat that.

[tricky_colour]

Back to 7/2 which I think undervalues Ghana, it's a coin flip as to who can win now.

[tricky_colour]

They better score this peno I have money on it.


I have a bad feeling though!!!