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Worthless defending from the US, but it says something that I saw the ball get to Nani in that position and instantly thought "He's going to **** this up somehow".
I know it goes against the grain a bit, but I've never been truly impressed by the US since 2002. Defence is consistently poor and potential is ruined by their terrible confederation.
Or maybe I'm biased because of my opinion of their fanbase, who I find insufferable.
The claim was that 18 of them were actually born in Germany, but it can't have been correct. Richardson didn't really go into detail and I think he said he'd gotten the info from someone who e-mailed in, so I'm not sure anyone at the Guardian even verified its veracity.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
I was at a kids birthday party today (my son was invited, I didn't just turn up) and the parents were Australian. I got talking to the dad and I said that they had played well in the World Cup. He said something like "I heard that but I was away. How did we do?".Quote:
Originally Posted by BonnieShels
Have Portugal changed their keeper from the first game?
Why? They've actually made it harder for themselves, joining the Asian Federation...Quote:
Originally Posted by BonnieShels
Yep; I think Rui Patricio was down as injured on the team lists.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
So strangely, squad number 1 turns out to be the third-choice keeper.
The answer will be on Wikipedia if anyone's assed to trawl through 32 squads and the best part of 650 names?Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
Aye, they've replaced Rui Patrício with Beto. Rui Patrício was a complete liability against Germany; his kicking was diabolical and only invited further pressure upon the team.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Edit: Maybe he's injured, as stu mentions, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was simply dropped.
I was having a brief look earlier but I just couldn't see any team other than Germany that would likely be filled with a significant number of Germans. Turkey usually have a few Germany-born players in their squads, don't they, as there's a significant Turkish diaspora in Germany, but they've not qualified this year. I might have trawled through the squads a bit further if I'd had a bit of time to pass and thought the claim might actually be accurate, but I think Richardson must have been mistaken. I just can't see how there'd be 18 players from Germany playing in this World Cup for teams other than Germany. Maybe he'd meant to say 8...Quote:
Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy
Surely they've made it easier. Now competing for one of four guaranteed places, instead of playoff spotQuote:
Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy
Nani hits the post and then Eder forces Howard into a fantastic hopping save. Game livened up on the Portuguese end in the last few minutes.
The more consistent qualification would indicate it is easier.Quote:
Originally Posted by A N Mouse
Ronaldo makes absolutely nothing of a tough, late bodycheck by Jeff Cameron. Mark Lawrenson: Ronnie makes the most of that. Adds a pike as well.
a commentator said yesterday that Germany had huge support in Brazil, as there's a large 2G German population. There's even a town called Novo Hamburgo.Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
I can't think of why Germans would have emigrated to South America 70 years ago myself.
Following the leader?
The Asian confederation is undoubtedly more competitive than Oceania, but, as you highlight, they're now competing for a greater number of qualification spots rather than a single cross-confederation play-off spot (and then having to come through that too), so it enhances their chances of qualifying in the overall run of things.Quote:
Originally Posted by A N Mouse
Nerves are shot to bits watching this. Nani is the most frustrating player in the world to watch, he constantly gives the ball away but then can score from anywhere. US playing well but Im hoping Ronaldo can catch them on the break as they push forward more in the 2nd half
Lawrenson is the absolute worst of the old breed of commentator. I've seen him dismiss the most awful challenges with those dreaded "he made the most out of that". Things were better in his day. 1907 or so.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Thanks for the clarification. :PQuote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
I've had Canadians ask whether Canada have done well. Or how Ireland are doing. I had a Canadian bet me a beer last night that Ireland were at the 2010 World Cup. I had someone query that if England are out why are they playing next week again.
It's actually the opposite. They qualified for only 2 world Cups from Oceania ever. And the last one was 2006 just before they moved to the AFC. They have since easily qualified for 2010 and 2014. They will continue to qualify from the AFC with ease.Quote:
Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy
I nominate Nigel or Tricky.Quote:
Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy
I think Gisele Bündchen is probably one of the most famous pop culture examples of a Brazilian of German descent. Former manager Dunga happens to be another.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Das wagen phones ist ein nuisance phone.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
American football culture all seems very artificial. All footballing cultures obviously have to find their roots and influences somewhere, but there's just something about the American one that seems really manufactured. It probably doesn't help that their clubs are franchises. I thought this example of cultural appropriation by an American supporters' club was amusing: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27668750Quote:
Originally Posted by NeverFeltBetter
You might enjoy this: http://northernladsclub.wordpress.co...tball-culture/
It was written by a pretty interesting guy I happened to meet and converse with after a night out a while back on the nature of football support amongst other things.
Yeah, but explain Wanderley Luxemburgo.Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
It's the way they talk about the game that's weirdest. Even the American emphasis on stats that just sounds wrong here.Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
Yes, but the 'top' teams are generally much better, at least in theory, and there's far far more travelling involved. Though can understand your logic.Quote:
Originally Posted by A N Mouse
Also if this was the case, why don't Turkey and some of the former Russian republics which are actually in Asia join them...and even in theory, er, Israel....
Israel can't really play in Asia given the amount of teams that refuse to play them (that's why they left in the place)
Most of the Russian republics that are actually in Asia feel European, given they were part of a European country for decades (certainly pretty much their entire footballing existence). Ditto Turkey, I think.
Obviously it helps that the money in UEFA is far, far more.
You are being ironic?Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Loads of relatively recent arrivals in S.America, also of Italian, Portuguese and Spanish descent, the latter two based on colonial ties and a common language.
Not to forget the Japanese in Peru and Brazil...plus the Welsh in Patagonia!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
He was a bit of a wagen.
Agreed, but far far harder for them to qualify for Finals too...Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Besides Israel, Turkey's is more political as they always wanted join NATO(!) and the EU. Personally, in both cases along with UEFA feel there should be more rigid geographic constraints...though not just them.
Nothing artificial about that goal.
Not a bad aul finish there.
Cracker there for the US, fully deserved!
And decent goal from the Welsh American there...
Another German comes to the rescue for the US.
There's more money in UEFA, even if it might be a bit tougher to qualify. Joining the Asian confederation was more lucrative for Australia than remaining in Oceania.Quote:
Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy
That's part of it certainly. But they also have an awful bandwagon culture, that mixes terribly with expectation of instant success.Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
I have an American friend who went off on a mad rant during the Olympics about how dressage wasn't a "real" sport and had no place in the Games. He suggested replacing it with horseback lasso competitions. I wanted to point out he was suggesting replacing a sport American never won anything in with a sport they would win everything in, but couldn't psyche myself for the argument. And lo and behold, you get ****e like this during the World Cup: http://time.com/2864483/world-cup-20...razil-america/
The rigidity of the confederations is pretty absolute unless the odd team manages to move.Quote:
Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy
Israel, Australia, Suriname and Guyana are the only ones I can think of that don't play in their continental confederations but the reasoning behind that is pretty sound and obvious for al of them.
My feed is behind the forum so I waited and waited... worth the wait.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Not just about the international team of course. More money for Galatasaray, Fenerbache, et al playing Champions' League rather than the Asian equivalent.
I think the main reason Australia (re) joined Asia was because the competition in Oceania was basically worthless.
On this group - what odds Germany beat the US and Ghana get a result off Portugal to go through?
A bit tougher? Hmm.Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
Though agree leaving Oceania would be an upwards move financially.
USA playing a great second half. Are they playing a regular 442, with Jones and Bradley? They may be lacking something in finesse but nothing in athleticism.
Edit: nah, Bekerman looks to be deep lying.
Three in both Bosnia Herzegovina and USA.Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
Two in Cameroon and Ghana
One in Iran. Probably also one a piece in Greece and Croatia
Too difficult to call Dutch and Swiss based only on place names. Schneiderlin is French side of border. I may have missed some.
One of the French players is listed as born at sea. How would that work?