Quoteif there was any justice in this world, then Ghana would be in the semi finals of the World Cup, after losing out on a definite winner in injury time of extra time, instead of on the plane home after a penalty shoot out.
FFS!! Didn't I know it!!
if there was any justice in this world, then Ghana would be in the semi finals of the World Cup, after losing out on a definite winner in injury time of extra time, instead of on the plane home after a penalty shoot out.
Two strange games today, imo the losers of both games have only themselves to blame, Brazil were
coasting up to half time and never really recovered after Holland equalised.
As for Ghana, as much as I wanted them to win but you can't afford to miss a penalty with the last kick
of the game.
Overall I would hate to see the Dutch win it as Robben epitomises to me the diving cancer that has
afflicted the game, while I know most players do it he seems to take it to another level.
Even though I backed Spain from the start I hope Argentina win it as they have been the most enjoyable to watch.
''and I for one welcome our new insect overlords''
Very harsh on Ghana, don't think you can say they are in the same boat as Brazil and that they cost themselves the win, bar a cynical handball they were 2-1 up with time elapsed.
Over the last 9 mths we have witnessed a lot of high profile mistakes that have(and could have) altered the direction of the tournament massively, starting with that night in Paris, followed by the American goal against Slovenia, the red card for the Chile player, Englands goal that never was, Argentinas first goal when Mexico were on top and now the goal line save tonight. Some more important then others, and most which could have been solved with a quick look back over the replays.
I think Ghana's is right up there with ours, and you'd have to feel aggrieved in their shoes to be denied by blatant cheating. A situation like that should warrant a penalty goal like in Rugby, if a team purposely stops a scoring opportunity the ref can allow it, i wouldn't use it in any other situation bar a goal line save from a defender though as a 1v1 could still be missed, not much chance of the ball changing direction and going wide from that position(i.e on the line) earlier though.
The only way they could implement that though would be with video technology, or else you'd risk a situation where a player is sent off and goal given for something that didnt even hit his arm.
So if you add a small bit of modern technology you could have had a VERY different world cup, we could have been there, the English might have continued their rally and beat the Germans and the Ghanaians WOULD have made the semi final, who knows even Mexico might have maintained control over the Argies....
There's the right way, the wrong way.... and the Max Power way!! :-D
Great last paragraph Gilberto. I think Harry Kewell would agree with you. Didn't the same thing happen in a recent Celtic v Rangers game, Celtic missing the resulting penalty?
Penalty goal for handball preventing a goal going in would be straightforward. Penalty goal for a foul would be a step too far though, in my opinion.
The Ghana incident was about as extreme as it can get as it would definitely have got them through - the ref would have blown for full time at the kick off.
CBG - I agree to a large extent. I'd love to see the Dutch win a WC as they have made a unique contribution to international football over the last 36 years, but the one thing that's holding me back from fully supporting them is Robben's antics. He plays the game in such a profoundly dishonest manner - it stinks.
20 mins of Ger v Arg gone. Germany playing brilliantly, which prompts this question in my mind: how many of this starting XI played together in the winning U21 side? I think it's at least 4.
The reason I ask is because the fluency of their play is surely an emphatic endorsement of harvesting successful underage teams - in contrast to Teflon Don's corrosive neglect of the U21s, and the FAI's "policy" of fielding teams too young for their age group at all underage levels. Surely it's far more productive to try and nurture whole teams, rather than individuals, so that at least parts of the team can be added seemlessly to the established senior team.
3:0 The German war machine rolls on, heading towards Holland now....
( British expeditionary force on their way home - lol)
Watched it on BBC. Hansen is becoming a parody of himself with barely a positive word to say about Germany, all negative about Argentina. Severe criticism for allowing Germany to score from a yard out. OK, so the full back committed himself but the pass between keeper and defender was superb. Schweinsteiger's work for Friedrich's goal, and indeed throughout the game, was magnificent. Superbly accomplished football team. Heads up football. Great (simple) passing, great movement and very good collectively without the ball. What I call "speculative passing" (or low percentage) is almost totally absent from their game. If I had an ounce of charisma or footballing ability I'd be trying to drill that into young footballers!
Anyone else think Spain could be surprised tonight??? They look very lethargic again, have really failed to impress in this tournament and the way its going Im thinking Paraguay could nick this or bring it all the way to penos. Its such a shame the Spain of the last couple of years have failed to show up so far at the WC.
Very nearly were, it's as if they can't be bothered to perform against the so-called lesser teams and only come out of their skill when it's do or die. I mean, when they've Xavi, Iniesta, Villa, they could set the tempo from kick-off, like the Germans and cruise through their games. The semi-final should be a classic, but I'll tip the Germans, their passing and movement has been the best all tornament.
Germany look more potent alright. Spain overdo the passing game at times, or at least pass it without enough tempo. That said, defending against Spain like Paraguay did takes a lot of stamina, so it's no spurprise that Spain have scored late(ish) in their last two wins.
Big question now is will Del Bosque make the blindingly obvious but difficult change and drop Torres for either Fabregas (as last night) or Pedro or Llorente. Any of the three would surely be a better option that the hopelessly unfit/out of form Torres?!?!? The decision could prove the difference between progress or not.
The defending was terrible though for the free kick. I liked Lawrenson's description of Maradona as a choice between "a fan in a suit or an extra on the Sopranos".Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Schweinsteiger is class - reminds of the Saipan Keane at the top of his game. Player of the tournament.
Funny how all the complaints about how boring the tournament is have disappeared like they always do once we get in to the knock out stage. The drama in the last 20 minutes of the Spain/Paraguay game was in the words of Chris Kamara "Unbelievable Jeff".
Forget about the performance or entertainment. It's only the result that matters.
Actually, the bulk of the criticism was directed at the defending for the second goal. I thought more credit was due to the attacking team. Agree that the set piece defending was awful.
Hansen had to negative & slate the Argentinian defence because he'd already called the Germans an average team a couple of hours earlier. Give the Germans some praise? Not likely.
I'm hoping for a Dutch/German final.
You might like this attack on the BBC Panel. Hansen gets off quite likely as he writes for the Telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...l-alchemy.html
Forget about the performance or entertainment. It's only the result that matters.
The octopus has spoken
BERLIN — Octopus oracle Paul is predicting Germany will be defeated by Spain at the World Cup semifinal.
Sea Life Aquarium's spokesman Daniel Fey said Tuesday that the famous mollusk from Oberhausen chose a mussel from a glass tank marked with a Spanish flag, while ignoring the tank marked with the German colors — indicating a Spanish victory in Wednesday's semifinal.
But there could be hope for the Germans.
The only time the usually-prescient Paul erred in the past was in picking a Germany-Spain matchup in the 2008 European Championship, when he picked Germany and Spain prevailed.
Otherwise, Paul correctly predicting Germany's wins over Argentina and England, and also foretold the victories over Australia and Ghana and the country's loss to Serbia.
I hope you put money on it, 90 minutes from a staggeringly good prediction
Doh, money, mouth.....
"Your guilty conscience may move you to vote Democratic, but deep down you long for a cold-hearted Republican to lower taxes, brutalize criminals, and rule you like a king"
Sideshow Bob
Can somebody please explain how Sneider is on five goals instead of four? Only found out last night that FIFA awarded him what was obviously Mello's own goal against Brazil. Have a fair few quid coming to me if Spain win and Villa is top scorer, and now I find out Sneider is on same goals. Disgraceful. I'd say the bookies are delighted with that decision
was 50/1 before the world cup. know someone who took this bet
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