2014 World Cup

[Closed Account 2]

Wow what a howler

[DannyInvincible]

That was coming. I feel bad for him, but Akinfeev's had butter fingers all evening. We'll see what Russia are really made of now.

[Stuttgart88]

Capello must think he's getting stitched up by his keepers in game 1 of world cups. Remember his first game in 2010?

[pineapple stu]

Wonder can Akinfeev claim credit for that equaliser?

There's been a lot of teams coming from behind in this tournament; teams who are struggling at 0-0 but come to life at 1-0 down.

[DannyInvincible]

Akinfeev will be relieved. Game a bit more frantic now.

Who the hell is that?

Had never heard of Mick Morgan myself, but I think he's a former rugby league player who engages in general commentary now.

[Stuttgart88]

Real snooze fest now alright.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Only had to wait 70 minutes.

[Crosby87]

Ian Darke pointing out somewhat ruefully that Capello makes 11 million.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Thought it was 16? (Or is that roubles?) Difference between Russia's performance here and in their first game at Euro 2012 was stark. At least this group looks interesting on paper, any one of the four could get to the next round judging on their performances today.

[DannyInvincible]

Ian Darke pointing out somewhat ruefully that Capello makes 11 million.

Rubles, I hope!

Just seeing more replays of the South Korean goal and the ball did swerve from side to side quite a bit in the air. Still no excuse though, really. Palm it over the bar if you're not sure you can handle it.

[Charlie Darwin]

Classic comment from Giles at half-time: "I played against Capello and he had no imagination then so I'm not surprised he doesn't have any as a coach."

[Crosby87]

that group is not so great. i think ireland would give south korea a game. am i wrong?

[Charlie Darwin]

Given that we barely gave Russia a game last time out, I'd say no. South Korea are a classy, if lightweight, side. Much like Japan.

[Crosby87]

I didnt think they were very good Charlie but i understand your point. Ian Darke was intimating weakest group. Not the strongest though.
Watch USA beat Portugal and then draw with the Germans. That's what im thinking.

[Charlie Darwin]

I think you're thinking back to 2002 Crosbo.

[Crosby87]

Come on Charlie. The US is getting to the semis and it ****es you off. All of you. But I digress.

[bennocelt]

I don't think I said that. I said that the ref had no option.

From my reading of what happened the referee was probably and realistically going to yellow Pepe for the "elbow". If Pepe didn't react that's what may have happened.

However given that he did react in the fashion that he did the referee probably felt that they were 2 yellow, and therefore a red card incidents, and duly sent off Pepe.
That's my reading. I think Pepe was stupid and was always going to get carded for the reaction


I was talking about the "elbow" to the ceann.

I am sure I saw something different before your edit!

Surprised no one in the media has mentioned the reaction of Jermaine Jones in the USA game where he calmed the situation right down after a heavy collision with Muntari who wanted to strangle him, had his arms on his neck even. Jones relaxed the Ghanaian right down, shook hands and got on with the game. What would Muller have done in that game? Fair play really is all you ask for

edit: by the way, yesterdays games were very hard work!

[Stuttgart88]

I thought Brazil v Mexico was great, just lacking goals. Belgium v Algeria was interesting, especially seeing how Belgium changed things around to good effect against a team that looked like it had been coached by Trap for years.

Korea v Russia was pretty poor, bar a frantic end.

I've actually been struck by how sporting a lot of these games are but some Brazil players and Muller have really stood out for me as playing the game in the wrong spirit.

[geysir]

Muller got hit in the face. Pepe the idiot reacted and whatever the ref's opinion on card colour he had no real option but to send him off as it was more likely he was about to give him a yellow for the "elbow".

Of course Pepe should have walked away from Muller's histrionics, but he didn't, he walked back and touched Muller's face while he lay on the ground.
Muller then simulated getting hit. When a player simulates getting hit in the face, loud groan, agonised grimace and hand clutching the wounded face, he is trying to fool the ref into thinking he was actually hit. He is not just trying to grab the ref's attention to an incident, or get a free kick, or a penalty, but he's embellishing the context for the ref to dish out a red card. The red card is the only option for violent conduct. The purpose of Muller's simulation was to get a fellow pro sent off.
When players don't simulate agonised prolonged torture from the mildest of touches you'd be surprised at just differently a ref treats such an incident and still keep control over the game.

[Charlie Darwin]

I am sure I saw something different before your edit!

Surprised no one in the media has mentioned the reaction of Jermaine Jones in the USA game where he calmed the situation right down after a heavy collision with Muntari who wanted to strangle him, had his arms on his neck even. Jones relaxed the Ghanaian right down, shook hands and got on with the game. What would Muller have done in that game? Fair play really is all you ask for

edit: by the way, yesterdays games were very hard work!

I suspect Jones' contrition was largely motivated by the fact he had just kicked Muntari in the head and didn't want to get sent off himself.