QuoteLooks like an awful lot of empty seats at this one
I fairly sure I read that Navas didn't make the squad, unless he got a late call up I didn't hear about?Originally Posted by cfdh_edmundo
Looks like an awful lot of empty seats at this one
Super goal. Costa Rica deserve that. Or maybe more accurately, Uruguay deserve that.
So, 3-1. Interesting. Uruguay look ordinary. It's not often Andy Townsend is worth quoting, but one paced and straight lines is exactly what I thought.
But was Duarte not a couple of feet offside for the second goal?
Costa Rica must put something in their tea at half time. Makes our result look more respectable.
Joel Campbell must be playing his way into the Arsenal squad for next season. If Yaya Sanogo can play for them...
Maybe a smidgen offside, but not that much. Remember the arm doesn't count. It was a very tight call, and I think you yourself suggested (correctly, as far as I know) that in doubt, advantage should be given to the attacking player.
Three superb goals; Costa Rica were a joy to watch once they got going. Uruguay's only contribution was to add to my stereotype bingo card - rough, nasty fouling. Pereira's kick was a disgrace. I think I said it in the Ireland v Costa Rica thread too, but CR are exactly the kind of team I can see giving England trouble.
After a slow start, this World Cup is really picking up.
Campbell is a good Arsenal name.
I didn't think there was that much difference between 1st and 2nd half from Costa Rica, it was more Uruguay who wilted through being one paced. Costa Rica have a good quality and gradually took their grip on the game. They have adjusted well to losing 4 from their original squad. A great result for the smaller football nation, here's hoping they make it through.
This time is absolutely the golden generation for Japanese football. They have best midfield they've ever had. They probably have the best strikers ever too. They are very very good at passing the ball and creating chances.
I think they are pretty weak defensively though, and I'm not sure how they handle the pressure of expectation at a World Cup. They've selected good passers of the ball at the expense of some strength in midfield too, which might be a problem.
I think they have a chance of finishing second in the group behind Colombia, because I don't think Ivory Coast are all that good.
Last edited by osarusan; 14/06/2014 at 9:54 PM.
Italy and engie look like they have cement in their shoes. Too hot in the rain forest? Also how old is Pirlo? He looks like he is in his 50s. I thought italians all aged like sofia loren.
Im betting heavily on Japan. Anyone else wagering?
This is a cracking game too. Two lovely goals. England look more threatening in the final third. Apart from Rooney looking a little lost on the left (though what a cross) this is the best balanced England team I've seen in a long time.
Italy controlling the midfield but they are missing someone to link the play up or offer a proper goalscoring threat. Pity Darmian is a RB and not a LB. If he can do what he is doing to Baines, imagine what he could do to Johnson.
Welbeck and Stirling are what Italy are missing up front. Torturing Italy's defence. Chiellini out of position is disadvantageous.
Gerrard in being pedestrian and bossed by Pirlo and Candreva et al. at this level shocker.
Agree, it kind of all depends on what team is out on the pitch, would love to see Cazorla get some game time
Strange that Luca Toni wasn't called up. They don't have anyone in his (or Christian Vieri) mould on the bench. Darmian on the right wing is crying out for Toni to get on the end of things. He's been scoring on average more than one in every two games this season for a cracking Verona team.
Pirlo is an absolute God. Not a pass wrong that half, and even when he wasn't touching the ball he was doing amazing things. As Dunphy said "Nobody's marking Pirlo. You can't."
Author of Never Felt Better (History, Film Reviews).
His first two passes went into touch! Just finding his range, George Hamilton said. He wasn't wrong in fairness.
Hard to see Uruguay getting points off either of these two, even with Suarez back
Last edited by pineapple stu; 14/06/2014 at 11:05 PM.
Those foreigners. Always diving.
Well Italy didn't miss Montolivo at all. Candreva was class.
Giles and Dunphy making a point about how many England players were going down with cramp in contrast to Italy and how Italy used the humidity to their advantage.
It's not that they used the humidity to their advantage; they just didn't give the ball away and forced England to do all the running.
Some free from Pirlo at the end
Sterling looks about 12 but had a super game. Can't remember the last time England looked that good in attack in a finals, even with Rooney on the wing.
All this talk before hand of English "youth" having an advantage. Man of the match was a 35 year old Italian who played 97 minutes, who was smashing the ball against the bar while English players were down with cramp. Very unimpressed with England. Rooney, Gerrard, very poor. Once Sturridge went off any spark they had vanished. I can easily see a refocused, Suarez-led Uruguay and progression chasing Costa Rica beating them.
According to Twitter, Italy's pass completion rate was over 92%.
Author of Never Felt Better (History, Film Reviews).
I don't know if Suarez - if he returns - will be enough to compensate for Uruguay's deficiencies. They were awful today.
I think England paid for a high-tempo attacking first half in particular. Italy's goal was perfectly timed and they could conserve energy and leave the running to England. Uruguay could hardly create a chance today; that'd be a big factor.
Uruguay aren't as good, and I think Manaus is about as bad as it gets in terms of humidity? England will need to tweak their team - Rooney was wasted on the left - but on the basis of today's two games, I don't think England should be too worried about facing Uruguay.
I thought England impressed, did well and came very close, though I was more impressed by Italy, playing their retro 70's style. That's Brady's type of football, he would have fitted into that slow placed, playmaker role like a glove. I didn't think beforehand that Italy would sit back on a lead but it's just their second nature, that's what Italy do.
Overall, 2 very good games from this group.
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