Group F Discussion/Predictions

**Closed Account 2** · 13/06/2006, 9:31 PM

Brasil were very average vs Croatia tonight. The Croats were good, but I've a feeling the Brazilians wont find life that easy against the Auzzies.

**FarBeag** · 13/06/2006, 9:36 PM

Brazil were not great and i use more energy to get up out of bed in the morning than Ronaldo used all match.They will need to improve a lot if they are to go all the way.

**eirebhoy** · 13/06/2006, 9:51 PM

Originally Posted by cfdh_edmundo

Brasil were very average vs Croatia tonight. The Croats were good, but I've a feeling the Brazilians wont find life that easy against the Auzzies.

I don't know. Australia must be one of the most overrated teams at this world cup.

They had a Bristol City player starting for them yesterday.

Brazil were poor tonight but they'll no doubt get better and should certainly beat Australia.

**Poor Student** · 14/06/2006, 11:07 AM

Barzil didn't look like they were trying. Ronaldinho barely broke a sweat. Parreira said they were going to start off at 40% rate in the tournament and kick it up a notch as they went on. Ronaldo looked very off the pace and very unfit. Croatia on the other hand gave their all.

**Red&White Rover** · 14/06/2006, 3:51 PM

Ronaldo was playing?...how can he start ahead of Robinho if he plays like that...he just walked!

**Marked Man** · 14/06/2006, 6:43 PM

Why does Roberto Carlos think he can take free kicks?

**Red&White Rover** · 14/06/2006, 6:49 PM

Originally Posted by Marked Man

Why does Roberto Carlos think he can take free kicks?

watch this Link

then you'll see why...

**DmanDmythDledge** · 14/06/2006, 6:52 PM

Carlos was never that good at taking free kicks. A few good ones here and there was all he ever did.

**Snoop Drog** · 16/06/2006, 7:01 AM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

Australia must be one of the most overrated teams at this world cup.

They had a Bristol City player starting for them yesterday.

Brazil were poor tonight but they'll no doubt get better and should certainly beat Australia.

I don't think they are overrated- They are ranked about 40 in FIFA rankings and 28 out of the 32 finalists which I think is fair enough. If they get to the last 16, surely they will have been underrated.

Go Socceroos!

**eirebhoy** · 16/06/2006, 7:55 AM

Originally Posted by Snoop Drog

I don't think they are overrated- They are ranked about 40 in FIFA rankings and 28 out of the 32 finalists which I think is fair enough. If they get to the last 16, surely they will have been underrated.

Go Socceroos!

The rankings aren't the be all and end all.

Australia seem to be very overrated by people on the net. Described as "dark horses", etc. If you see the post I replied to I think cfdh_edmundo is overrating them. Croatia are the better team. Japan are better too imo but didn't have a great game on Monday.

**Stuttgart88** · 18/06/2006, 6:23 PM

Brazil are definitely beatable but two poor performances are still good enough to win against two good sides. They definitely rode their luck though. Ronaldo dreadful again, Robinho miles better. Dida as erratic as ever.

eirebhoy, enjoy Nakamura-san today?

Mod edit: Keep your conspiracy theories out of this.

**pineapple stu** · 18/06/2006, 9:33 PM

Originally Posted by dmandmythdledge

Carlos was never that good at taking free kicks. A few good ones here and there was all he ever did.

I think after the Tournoi free, it was five years before he scored a free for Brazil again - when most of the Chinese wall fell over in the 2002 World Cup. No idea why he takes them so often either - don't think he ever crosses for someone else either. Minimal contribution really.

**Closed Account 2** · 18/06/2006, 11:36 PM

The Auzzies more than matched them today. Brazil look like a spent force, if they dont improve soon I doubt they'll make the semis.

**Snoop Drog** · 18/06/2006, 11:52 PM

Originally Posted by cfdh_edmundo

The Auzzies more than matched them today. Brazil look like a spent force, if they dont improve soon I doubt they'll make the semis.

The difference was that Brazil took their chances and Australia didn't. Both goals came from defence mix-ups which is a worry for the Aussies. Impreseed at kewell when he came on but Viduka didn't look all that sharp.

Still, the Cro V Aus game should be a good one

**stojkovic** · 18/06/2006, 11:55 PM

Originally Posted by cfdh_edmundo

The Auzzies more than matched them today. Brazil look like a spent force, if they dont improve soon I doubt they'll make the semis.

I said it before and i'll say it again. Brasil won't get past the second round.

**Stuttgart88** · 19/06/2006, 7:13 AM

With regard to the moderator intervention above, may I respectfully point out that there was no conspiracy theory suggested whatsoever?

I merely pointed out, maybe too strongly, just how little I think of Marcus Merk as a referee. He made a total mess of Brazil vs Australia and, like he did at Lansdowne in October vs Switzerland, he made no attempt to let the game flow, penalised physical contact in the most pedantic manner (and usually incorrectly too) and so on. He ruins every game he takes charge of in my opinion.

I'm sorry superfrank, but I honestly can't comment on Brazil vs Australia without pointing out how bad a referee I think this man is.

**jockser** · 19/06/2006, 8:26 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

With regard to the moderator intervention above, may I respectfully point out that there was no conspiracy theory suggested whatsoever?

I merely pointed out, maybe too strongly, just how little I think of Marcus Merk as a referee. He made a total mess of Brazil vs Australia and, like he did at Lansdowne in October vs Switzerland, he made no attempt to let the game flow, penalised physical contact in the most pedantic manner (and usually incorrectly too) and so on. He ruins every game he takes charge of in my opinion.

I'm sorry superfrank, but I honestly can't comment on Brazil vs Australia without pointing out how bad a referee I think this man is.

the ref was woeful alright

**superfrank** · 19/06/2006, 9:39 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I'm sorry superfrank, but I honestly can't comment on Brazil vs Australia without pointing out how bad a referee I think this man is.

That's fair. Just choose your words carefully.

**razor** · 19/06/2006, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I'm sorry superfrank, but I honestly can't comment on Brazil vs Australia without pointing out how bad a referee I think this man is.

Agree, How Grella did not walk for that early "tackle" on Ronaldo defies belief.

**Snoop Drog** · 19/06/2006, 11:56 AM

grella's tackle was mistimed and nothing more. A booking at worst.

Stuttgart- Without having read your comments, I can just imagine what they were. I believe I was thinking something similar myself. Merk appeared incredibly one-sided, esp in the first half.