World Cup predictions

**tetsujin1979** · 15/06/2010, 11:45 AM

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** · 15/06/2010, 11:50 AM

New zealand playing fairly well

**shakermaker1982** · 15/06/2010, 11:54 AM

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** · 15/06/2010, 12:36 PM

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** · 15/06/2010, 12:47 PM

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** · 15/06/2010, 1:01 PM

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** · 15/06/2010, 1:19 PM

Slovakia 1-1 New Zealand

**Sullivinho** · 15/06/2010, 1:26 PM

Terrible game but fair feckin' play to the Kiwis.

**Ciaran W** · 15/06/2010, 1:39 PM

Great end to the game

**tetsujin1979** · 15/06/2010, 1:39 PM

Originally Posted by 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** · 15/06/2010, 2:06 PM

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

**Ciaran W** · 15/06/2010, 3:44 PM

I guess i was wrong

**Ciaran W** · 15/06/2010, 3:50 PM

Ivory coast 0-0 Portugal.

**Stuttgart88** · 15/06/2010, 4:06 PM

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** · 15/06/2010, 4:08 PM

Originally Posted by 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 ?

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** · 15/06/2010, 4:29 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

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** · 15/06/2010, 4:30 PM

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

Kim reckons they'll score 5..

...and catch Brazil cold.

I'll go for the reverse.

**keenanboy** · 15/06/2010, 4:50 PM

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

**Ciaran W** · 15/06/2010, 5:07 PM

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** · 15/06/2010, 5:18 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

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?