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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