View Full Version : The Quarterfinals Thread
It is useless to post in the group threads anymore. Discuss the quarterfinals here.
So far we have
Argentina vs. Germany
Portugal vs. England
Italy vs. Ukraine
Brazil/Ghana vs. Spain/France
Italy can book their ticket home, as Ukraine will easily knock them out and become World Champions! :ilol:
with games that Italy and Ukraine today have .. they can go nowhere .. maybe Italy will beat Ukraine IMO but in semi-finals they can't do nothing .. Del Piero replacing Totti whats with Lippi but i know they gonna do better next games ..
Argentina vs. Germany - for me fauvorite is Germany .. they have the support of fans and in last games played very well .. Argentina start this WC very well but then i don't know what happen looks like argentina players enyoj win agains serbia&montenegro to much .i hope Scaloni will not play this game :( .. and hope that pekerman will put in first squad Lionel Messi that would be great ..
Portugal vs. England - Portugal are playing great this year and they have a trainer who until now dosn't have a game lost in WC felipe scolari in this game Deco will be missing .. that's a plus for england team .. until now they show nothing i was wainting to see a England who is a big candidate to win WC but let's hope they get better .. in this game they should play with 2
strikers
brazil/ghana vs. spain/france
brazil vs. spain .. i think this will be another game in quarter finals !:)
How would people feel if Italy played a 4-3-3 system, like this:
------------------GILA-------------------
CASSANO-------------------------MICCOLI
---------DE ROSSI------GATTUSO--------
------------------PIRLO------------------
ZAMBROTTA---NESTA-CANNAVARO---ODDO
------------------GIGI--------------------
They kinda are playing something like this but with Totti at the triquartista and with two strikers. But mine is totaly different because they would have two wing-strikers (anyone know one better than Miccoli) and they would have a great mid field block in Gattuso and De Rossi (Perotta, spl*) and Pirlo should have enough space and three places to put the ball.
I don't want to over kill it but the Netherlands played like this but they were totaly off with !Wesley Sneider at DM and Van Persie playing the right wing striker.
Maybe ACM could play somethink like this next season (*-if we didnt have Kaka that is-*)
Cassano would first have to be selected to the squad to be able to play.
Seriously Vadim, it was more of a concept :)
But, when we look at Milan, if we sub Kaka for Gila, and add two strikers (take away Miccoli and Cassano) who (could) come out wide to the left and right and take the ball and the concept is more or less the same..
OK mate, I just thought this was somethin you actually thought was possible at the World Cup. :)
Perhaps it should be possible?
Quattri di Finale?
Italy play Brazil
and
Argentina plays England
in the semis.
I think Italy should have no problems against Ukraine, Argentina will beat Germany, although it will be close, England is sure thing against Portugal and Brazil vs Spain/France should be interesting, I donno, can Brazil loose? I dont think so.
Stezagud
27-06-2006, 15:24
England are a sure thing? :eek: Anyone who saw us play Northern Ireland will tell you we're NEVER a sure thing :)
I agree about Italy, Ukraine are a solid side but this is a major step up and i dont think they're ready for it, in the line ups before they played Switzerland half of the team looked so scared they were about to run off the pitch :D
Argentina should beat Germany (and the bookies had overpriced them for those of you interested in that sort of thing :finger: ;) ) Germany will start strong and try to score early but Argentina should be smart enough to ride out the storm and then gain control of the match gradually.
Brazil will have a tough match no matter who they face and their top heavy side could be exposed, Spain are slight favourites but the french have the players if not the attitude....
NestaIsKing
27-06-2006, 15:59
England are anything but a sure thing. They are not playing good at all, and Portugal is playing good. Only question is whether Deco will be there and Ronaldo. if they are both in, I like Portugal's chances to be quite honest.
I do look for Italy to play Argentina in the Semis, but Germany will be tough for Argentina to go by.
Brazil seems to have found their scoring touch the past couple games, but I think their defence is suspect. Lucio is their best defender really, and even he isnt great. hes good, but not good enough to cover for the others lack of skill. I think in the first half of the Ghana game they were really exploited defensively, and Ghana really should have scored atleast 2 goals but couldn't finish. I wouldn't be surprised to see a team like England or Portugal find a way through their team and beat them in the next round.
I expect Italy to take care of business against Ukraine :(
However, I didn't expect Ukraine to get out of the group after the opening loss to Spain, or to beat Switzerland, so watch out Italy! :D
If Ukraine must lose, I only hope is that it won't be by more than 2 goals. No embarassment, please.
rahul.acm
27-06-2006, 18:14
What happened today in FRA vs. ESP game?
Series of events
-I called up domenech before the game :D and told him that in every game and con there's always an opponent, and there's always a victim. The trick is to make the opponent know that you're the latter, so you can become the former by making him/her act with over-confidence.
-Spain used the off side trap to spoil henry's game which they did successfully till the 40th minute.
-Domenech realizes what I said and asks Henry to fool spanish defence by being offside and at the same time Ribery slips past Puyol and Pernia to score the first goal (41') for France and lift the team psychologically to an astronomical level to beat the spaniards by 3-1....hah haah. It's a simple game innit.
What happened today in FRA vs. ESP game?
Series of events
-I called up domenech before the game :D and told him that in every game and con there's always an opponent, and there's always a victim. The trick is to make the opponent know that you're the latter, so you can become the former by making him/her act with over-confidence.
-Spain used the off side trap to spoil henry's game which they did successfully till the 40th minute.
-Domenech realizes what I said and asks Henry to fool spanish defence by being offside and at the same time Ribery slips past Puyol and Pernia to score the first goal (41') for France and lift the team psychologically to an astronomical level to beat the spaniards by 3-1....hah haah. It's a simple game innit.
thenk god he listened to you :pr115: .. cuz in the other way france was going to loose
u sound like a good trainer :ilol:
France did not deserved the victory... it was a present for them from match referee and his assistants. I feel awful to see that every day good teams are doomed by idiots refs. FIFA make me sick :yuck:
France did not deserved the victory... it was a present for them from match referee and his assistants. I feel awful to see that every day good teams are doomed by idiots refs. FIFA make me sick :yuck:
i don't think ref today made big mistakes which affect in final result ? :stoned: meybe im wrong
Henry fouled Puyol and then dived sort of been fouled himself. And ref did not saw that even though he was not far away and awarded France a free kick after that the second goal was scored..
Henry fouled Puyol and then dived sort of been fouled himself. And ref did not saw that even though he was not far away and awarded France a free kick after that the second goal was scored..
I didn't noticed that .. :u125:
savage_mau
27-06-2006, 19:30
i just hope that Italy will crush Ukraine.....Gila n Pirlo scoring a goal in each half....
all i saw was puyol elbowing henry in the chest, that's a foul to me. plus puyol is always fouling, this one he didn't get away with. however, henry really shamed himself by clutching his face when he wasn't hit there.
Ironically, Puyol has been singing high praises for Henry ever since the CL semi-final, just to humiliate Shevchenko. "Henry is much better than Shevchenko", "Shevchenko is not as difficult an opponent as Henry",... :devf:
That bastard Henry, how dare he be so unappreciative.. :tong: That's no way to pay back another person's consistent compliments. :D :haha:
ukrainian_CA
27-06-2006, 23:22
Ironically, Puyol has been singing high praises for Henry ever since the CL semi-final, just to humiliate Shevchenko. "Henry is much better than Shevchenko", "Shevchenko is not as difficult an opponent as Henry",... :devf:
That bastard Henry, how dare he be so unappreciative.. :tong: That's no way to pay back another person's consistent compliments. :D :haha:
Puyol must ve been saying that before the final and then stopped.
You never want to start erritating your opponents by saying bad things about them especially before a critical game.
NestaIsKing
27-06-2006, 23:56
all i saw was puyol elbowing henry in the chest, that's a foul to me. plus puyol is always fouling, this one he didn't get away with. however, henry really shamed himself by clutching his face when he wasn't hit there.
yah Puyol didn't need to foul him nothing would have really happened if Henry reached the ball anyways, Puyol had support behind him to defend and Henry was in no dangerous position.
But yah, Henry grabbing his face and acting like he got a shot to the nose, that was retarded. He was just trying for a card to be pulled out and he got it. What a suck
Gilardino on the offensive
27.6 || webmaster
Football Italia
Alberto Gilardino has conceded that the Azzurri’s lack of killer instinct in front of goal almost cost them dearly against Australia.
The Azzurri were clearly creating the more dangerous scoring opportunities in Monday’s last 16 clash, but only went through 1-0 thanks to a Francesco Totti penalty after they had also been reduced to 10 men.
“We created plenty of chances in the first half, but were a little unlucky and not too clinical, so we didn’t get the goal,” he stated. “Thankfully, we kept our cool after the red card and in the end got the win.”
Boss Marcello Lippi reintroduced the attacking trident of Gilardino, Luca Toni and Alessandro Del Piero for the tie and Gila admits they did experience some initial difficulties.
“We changed tactics with Luca in the centre and me spreading out a little more, but it’s fairly natural for me to go towards the middle,” he added.
“Perhaps we were a little too central at times instead of pushing the play wide and are still working on this system.
“Australia were very careful and packed the midfield, so it wasn’t easy for the Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo to get the balls through to us, but we got there eventually.”
All three of the attacking trio were replaced in the game which has raised doubts about whether they will start again in the quarters against Ukraine.
“The Coach will make his decisions over the next four or five days and we are ready for whatever he proposes,” concluded the Milan man.
ukrainian_CA
28-06-2006, 22:01
Since I will be missing the 1st gameand 2nd game on Friday and the 1st on Satturday due to my flight I will post my predictions for the quarters.
(I had no idea back in April that Ukraine would be playing on the 30th of June :-)
GER 1 - 1 ARG 1 (ARG wins on the Shootouts)
ITA 1 - 0 UKR
BRA 2 - 1 FRA (maybe in OT)
ENG 1 - 0 POR (maybe in OT)
If you are right about the first match, i wont be alive for saturday
ukrainian_CA
29-06-2006, 00:39
If you are right about the first match, i wont be alive for saturday
I will have no Saturday ... almost. Just one long Friday ) and then Sunday)
ukrainian_CA
29-06-2006, 00:41
If you are right about the first match, i wont be alive for saturday
You will survive I promise.
Warro Bantan
29-06-2006, 11:34
FORZA ARGENTINA!!! I hope that they prevent Germany scoring too early, and put in two in the first half, and one to conclude the match in the second.
I expect Germany to be going with all guns out for Arg in the 1st half, but I think Arg will weather the storm, and build slowly from the back...but all for me, hinges on how the side that first concedes, reacts to the deficit.
Arg 3, Germany 1
Egoistka
29-06-2006, 12:33
England - Portugal: I d like Portugal to go through...I love fightings during the game, its entertaining.
Italy - Ukraine: Italy is through to the next round
Germany - Argentina: Argentina ll win
Brazil - France: Brazil will win...France didnt deserve to go even to quater finals...didnt sjw any good performance so far.
Why so sure Italy is going to go through? they have nothing, they wherent much superior to any of their rivals, even Australia. The match is going to be very even, and it will depend on individual talents to show up. I have faith in Ukraine to be in semifinals, if they can go to shootouts (unless the referee plays for Italy again).
ukrainian_CA
29-06-2006, 20:05
Why so sure Italy is going to go through? they have nothing, they wherent much superior to any of their rivals, even Australia. The match is going to be very even, and it will depend on individual talents to show up. I have faith in Ukraine to be in semifinals, if they can go to shootouts (unless the referee plays for Italy again).
I think differently, and somehow I changed my mind and think that score cannot be 1-0, rather it should be 2-0, because it will be all-out kind of game when it is 1-0 with little time remaining. Well, we shall see.
Only 12 hours to go for our bigest game in many years. Tension is growing... the worst thing is that they are giving me the results of my math test for uni tomorrow, so i could have 2 big dissapointments in one day..besides, i have to come home running, to see the match in the same bed, with the same friend sited in the same chair we watched earlier games. Every little thing is impportant, hehe.
Well, what will be will be. Like Carlitos Tevez said, all i hope is the guys play with ''balls'', what ever happens if they give their lives on the field, i will be happy.
coman pauel .. italy have much more experience in WC ukraine is there for the first time in histroy plus you sad that this game depends in players who can end decide the destiny of game - italy got more of those players there is totti , toni , pirlo etc and for ukraine i would noticed only shevchenko .. the game betwen australia was a good lesson for italian players .. so i don't think they are going to make any mistake in this game ..
FORZA AZZURRI !!! :D
BAD NEWS !!!
looks like lippi is going to start the games against ukraince with 4-4-1-1 :)
and our gila possible could be out of game .. he possibly is going to do this after playig with same formation against cezch rep .. and wining 2-0 but the diference is : in that game played gila in this game looks toni is going to start
Italy (possible): Buffon; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Barzagli, Grosso; Camoranesi, Pirlo, Gattuso, Perrotta; Totti; Toni
Kev Ryan
30-06-2006, 07:32
I hope Camoranesi doesn't start ahead of Gila. It would be a negative move by Lippi in my opinion. Either way I still expect Italy to win.
I also think Argentina's passing game will be too much for Germany's shakey defence.
Argentina & Italy to win for me!
NestaIsKing
30-06-2006, 09:08
I hope Camoranesi doesn't start ahead of Gila. It would be a negative move by Lippi in my opinion. Either way I still expect Italy to win.
I also think Argentina's passing game will be too much for Germany's shakey defence.
Argentina & Italy to win for me!
yup yup :)
If Italy continue to play like in last game than I'd like that Ukraine go to the semies..
It's was very boring to watch game Italy-Australie...
zlatanov
30-06-2006, 13:42
Yesssssssssss, baby.
As Diego would have said - "God must have had a hand in this!" ;)
Bye, bye Argentina. Maxi, hope to see in Milan next year.
When will someone find a better way other than a penalty shoot out......neither team are my faves but still my nerves are shot :D
Bosniaco
30-06-2006, 13:50
Argentina player wanted to fight Oliver Bierhoff for some reason after the game. I think that Maxi Rodriquez swing to hit Oliver in the face. I think there will be more on TV later on but this was unneccesary from Argentina who I respected a lot until today...
Blokhin falls through Trap door Thursday 29 June, 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ukraine boss Oleg Blokhin says his side will be going for victory against Italy, even if he seems unsure who their Coach is…
The former USSR international was left red faced today when responding to a question about Azzurri ace Francesco Totti.
“Totti? He is a problem for [Giovanni] Trapattoni,” he stated before realising that the latter had been replaced after Euro 2004.
“I’m sorry, I was meant to say [Marcello] Lippi. I got a little confused because they are two great Coaches.”
The two teams meet in the quarter-final of the World Cup tomorrow night and, although he concedes the Italians are favourites for victory, he is remaining optimistic.
"We are not afraid of playing Italy, we will play freely. We are going to aim for victory," he noted.
Star striker Andriy Shevchenko yesterday suggested that his side wouldn’t be feeling any pressure and Blokhin agrees.
“Italy are more under pressure because they are the favourites in our game and we have already achieved what we wanted to,” he added.
“We have already made history. Our intention now is to add a new chapter to that and that is why I am hopeful going into the match,” he added.
Ukraine were the first European side, apart from hosts Germany, to qualify for the competition but they have been criticised for their mediocre football in the tournament so far.
"People are saying we are playing practical, modest football. But I like the soccer Ukraine are playing and we are in the quarter-finals," he concluded.
:ilol:
Lippi, Trapatoni, it doesn't make a difference! Ukraine will conquer all! :D
I Phuckin Hate :yuck: Germany
I knew, that the game will finished with a penaltyshootout.
After the earlier goal from Argentina I was a bit shocked, but it was somehow the wakeupcall for my team.
I had the feeling, that Argentina wanted to "hold" the 1:1, especially after Pekerman (right spelled?) put Riquelme out, didnt brought Messi but another defence player in.
Penaltyshootout goes always together Hand in Hand with luck and good nerves, today my team had both. :)
I think, that Italy will beat Ukraine tonight and it will be another "heartattackmatch" .....puh..my nerves :D
rahul.acm
30-06-2006, 14:39
What a relief! I wanted Germany to go through because they are much easier to beat than the intelligent argentina side. Now all that is left is the ukraine hurdle and then a master plan of lippi to go past the germans.
I hope Camoranesi doesn't start ahead of Gila. It would be a negative move by Lippi in my opinion. Either way I still expect Italy to win.
I also think Argentina's passing game will be too much for Germany's shakey defence.
Argentina & Italy to win for me!
i still wonder how could lippi put perrota in first squad and leaving cammoranesi ni bench .. he is much better then perrota :p1510:
What a relief! I wanted Germany to go through because they are much easier to beat than the intelligent argentina side. Now all that is left is the ukraine hurdle and then a master plan of lippi to go past the germans.
If it comes to penaltyshootout, then neverever Italy will win :)
Remember 1994, 1998, they didnt had the nerves :D
Shameful sub. by the Argentinian coach. No one to blame.
zlatanov
30-06-2006, 14:53
Shameful sub. by the Argentinian coach. No one to blame.
... but themselves ;)
Penaltyshootout goes always together Hand in Hand with luck and good nerves, today my team had both. :)
when germany has a PK shootout, luck has nothing to do with the final result - the last time Germany lost on PKs was the Euro 1976, that's quite some record. To be honest, I am not sure what Argentina were hoping/planning for by pushing the game into PKs.
Forza Ukraina :clap:
no chance that italy and ukraine will go to penalty shootout !
Shameful sub. by the Argentinian coach. No one to blame.
I think he was forced into the subs he made b/c of the keeper being injured. Had that not happened, I'm sure we'd have Messi. I don't understand taking Riquleme out tho....
Graeme C
30-06-2006, 17:03
Well done Italy!!!!!!!!! Toni got a brace at Last!!! we have to get zambrotta and Buffon at Milan, Brilliant!!!!!!!!!!
well i think pekerman was afraid to put riquelme in first 5 palyers to take penalty as we know .. riquelme is afraid to take penalty since he lost one in CL against Arsenal .. and since then in Villareal Forlan is taking the one who takes penalties
zlatanov
30-06-2006, 17:09
when Riquelme got subbed off, pekerman was hardly thinking of PKs as Argentina were still 1-0 up. That was a purely defensive move that was supposed to keep the Germans away from Franco but it just didn't work.
when Riquelme got subbed off, pekerman was hardly thinking of PKs as Argentina were still 1-0 up. That was a purely defensive move that was supposed to keep the Germans away from Franco but it just didn't work.
i didn't noticed that .. i thinked that he was tooked of when the result was 1-1- :tired: ' i was tired :ilol:
ACMILAN1983
30-06-2006, 17:15
Italy had a very comfortable match tonight, but will need to be more alert against Germany, who are looking extremely strong now.
Possibly a classic match that, and who knows what'll happen. I'm slightly towards Italy for Milan players, but in all look forward to a great game! :D
If it comes to penaltyshootout, then neverever Italy will win :)
Remember 1994, 1998, they didnt had the nerves :D
well, this time it might be different. at least Totti and Pirlo are extremely calm when taking penalties.
i still wonder how could lippi put perrota in first squad and leaving cammoranesi ni bench .. he is much better then perrota :p1510:
trust me, camo is sh*t playing for italy. i wanted to kill him since a long time ago and he show that he's crap in the previous matches too. His first touch is bad and his 1 touch passes ALWAYS miss the target, keep losing the ball. Perrota is consistent and work hard, doesn't lose the ball easily too.
Zambrotta, buffon was great today. Gatusso is so vital to italy, he practically kill off the ukraine's attack before they even reach the defenders. He push forward a couple of time too and did well.
trust me, camo is sh*t playing for italy. i wanted to kill him since a long time ago and he show that he's crap in the previous matches too. His first touch is bad and his 1 touch passes ALWAYS miss the target, keep losing the ball. Perrota is consistent and work hard, doesn't lose the ball easily too.
seems to me like he was stabil today maybe the most player in the field .. perrota did well to :) but maybe im wrong i just think that puting cammo in first squad would be better ..
zlatanov
30-06-2006, 17:49
Zambrotta, buffon was great today. Gatusso is so vital to italy, he practically kill off the ukraine's attack before they even reach the defenders. He push forward a couple of time too and did well.
agree. Buffon, Zambrotta, and Rino carried Italy on their backs today. Zambrotta was MoM IMO as he scored the so vital 1st goal and set up the 3rd. Inbetween, he cleared the ball off the line when the result was still 1-0, I think. Rino was king of the midfield, the guy was everywhere.
Ördöglány
30-06-2006, 18:13
What a match from our Rino!!!!! He was amazing especially in the 1. half. Picked up many balls in midfield....almost faultless performance from him.
He was Man of the Match by FIFA!:clap: :clap: :clap:
NestaIsKing
30-06-2006, 18:32
So happy Italia won. The streets downtown are getting closed off tonight! Its going to be awesome!
Zambrotta was great...
I'm just sorry that Inzaghi didn't played in this match, at least in last 10min....
Have you seen Sheva on the end, he was with Inzaghi and Pirlo, I think that he exchanged his jersey with Pirlo...
I liked Italys display. No objections.
Did anyone notice at the end of the game did Shev bow down to the Italian fans or the Ukrainians (well, the whole stadium was azurri)? And then the look :)
Zambrotta was great...
I'm just sorry that Inzaghi didn't played in this match, at least in last 10min....
Have you seen Sheva on the end, he was with Inzaghi and Pirlo, I think that he exchanged his jersey with Pirlo...
Who is Sheva?
Who is Sheva?
That great player that played for Milan for seven seasons before he left for a reason that, because of my compassional nature and my proper respect for the player while he was stil in Milano, I want to believe but my reasoning rejects so I would be inclined to call him a traitor and discard every emotion I have for him. But no, he will be a player I like and support and deeply respect like many other non Milan players such as Henry, ... uhm well maybe not so many others..
Wow wow congert to Azzurri I'm so so
so happy that Azzurri qulified for Smi finel
I told my parent and brother that Azzurri will win 3-0 so happy
that we will face Germany not Argentina
I think Azzurri will win their next game
and hopfuly
the World cup tittle is for Azzurri
Forza Azzurri
Forza Zambrotta- Toni- Totti -Cannavaro + all Azzurri players
agree. Buffon, Zambrotta, and Rino carried Italy on their backs today. Zambrotta was MoM IMO as he scored the so vital 1st goal and set up the 3rd. Inbetween, he cleared the ball off the line when the result was still 1-0, I think. Rino was king of the midfield, the guy was everywhere.
i remember the commentator for the aus game saying gatusso is a busybody sticking his nose everywhere. :coffee:
if we can get zambrotta and buffon to milan then it would bring our team to another level altogether.
ACMILAN1983
01-07-2006, 07:42
i remember the commentator for the aus game saying gatusso is a busybody sticking his nose everywhere. :coffee:
if we can get zambrotta and buffon to milan then it would bring our team to another level altogether.
It would be pretty great to have them, as Zambrotta, Cafu and Serginho can rotate throughout the season. Buffon especially impresses me, as he commands the defence brilliantly on set pieces (note: in what situations have Milan often conceded in the past).
Who is Sheva?
Enough is more than enough.
I mjust hope we can finally figureout how to string several truly exceptional performances together. We always complain about inconsistency with the Milan squad, and I happen to think it is amplified many times with the national squad. Hopefully yesterday's game gave them enough confidence to carry them...well....you know how far....
What a relief! I wanted Germany to go through because they are much easier to beat than the intelligent argentina side. Now all that is left is the ukraine hurdle and then a master plan of lippi to go past the germans.
Forget it. Italy is out. Unless Lippi has a plan to beat Gerrmany's best player..what was his name?...oh, the referee.
Germany is this years champion. You cant beat FIFA's decitions.
rahul.acm
01-07-2006, 14:02
Phew what a game it was. I missed a lot of action but still the last 20 minutes + ET + PSO were enough to increase my heart beat. I'm happy that Portugal progressed because they came in to the game without deco and costinha. Its getting hotter and hotter day by day. Wonder what a classy feast we will have in the brazil vs france game
hitmannq8
01-07-2006, 14:16
it actually wasnt the best game u could see but i dont care, just as long as england are eliminated..they hav been lucky with the draw getting to face very mediocre teams so far and even luckily beating them.. now they face a team which is good, but not exactly one of the greats, and got beat..
rahul.acm
01-07-2006, 16:50
Yaaaaaaaaaaaay Brazil is out too. Finally a change in guard
Congratulations to France. I am happy to see the over-hyped Brazil team finally crash out. They did not nearly live up to any of the pre-tournament hype and expectations. Zidane played like he wants go out on top, and if Italy does not win I hope France wins.
zlatanov
01-07-2006, 17:03
Great game by The whole French team and especially Zidan. He is about to retire but was the best on the field by a long shot. Brazil simply were not good enough for this French team and couldn't penetrate their midfield let alone the defence. All the Ronaldinhos, Ronaldos, and Adrianos chocked big time. kaka was a shadow on the field, the guy looked really tired and seemd to be running with lead boots - always second to the ball and very predictable.
Not sure what Brazil was thinking at the goal - a cross from a free kick by Zidane and there were 4 Brazilian defenders and 5 French attackers in the small PA. That was some horendous defending by Brazil.
All in all, France is deservedly through to the semis, which will be an all-European affair ;)
Its not like Henry ran away from his marker, on the replay I saw (maybe I am wrong) he was free and unmarked from the time the kick was taken.
NestaIsKing
01-07-2006, 17:21
Yup nobody picked Henry up from the very beginning of the set piece play. Horrible defending by Brasil, and lets face it, they were never known for their defence anyways, which is why I said all along they wouldn't win. They don't have the defense to go all the way again. I thought they even got lucky by Juan not getting a red card on Veira. I thought he should have gotten one, but its all good because the better team won again, and Brasil and all its hype and fake fans get to finally go away
ukrainian_CA
01-07-2006, 17:31
As soon as start watching Brazil's game, France scores and keeps the lead. Amazing stuff... It is Sunday and I thought I had no Saturday sinced I have leaped through 11 time zones.
Farewell, Ukraine! I saw only bits and pieces in an airport. I guess I scared some bystanders who ate lunch in a sports bar. Ukraine almost tied the game, but Italy clearled it off the goal line, then we got beat by a beautiful header by Luca Toni. That was all I could see of me natioanl team. BTW, who had a shot from a wide angle seconds prior to clearance of the line? Sheva i thought?
I will support Italy now, especially since I am not a big fan of Germany's style.
Milan_Mad
01-07-2006, 17:34
Germany are playing the best football out of the 4 left the style is so slick
ukrainian_CA
01-07-2006, 17:40
Have you seen Sheva on the end, he was with Inzaghi and Pirlo, I think that he exchanged his jersey with Pirlo...
Sheva kept his jersey. He had said he has many relatives and friends who want one from him after
the games at the WC. He did hug all or almost all Italians on the pitch, except Marco M. who was not playing.
what an amazing day for me... the 2 teams that i hate the most are out, england in the best way possible, by the same nemesis and brazil the team everyone supports, the team to chose when you dont have a club, got spanked by france, i was in a room with 9 friends of mine, all supporting brazil, and I never knew i could be such an A$$hole, i dont think they want to see me anymore after what happened, its just that they make them look like gods when they havent performed what was expected of them for one second during the whole tournament, they keep saying how bad italy look, how brazil will destroy france and whoever, i stayed quiet until henry's goal was scored and then all hell broke loose at home! it feels so nice to see brazil fighting for it for once, god i hope italy win it, it will make up for everything bad that has happened for me football-wise this year, just the look on the faces of my friends who keep saying how italy drew with the US, who got to the semi's the easy way through ukraine, who will get spanked by germany...
Inshallah!
Kev Ryan
01-07-2006, 21:43
I was really shocked at Brazil not beating France.
Guess what the reaction in England is about England being knocked out? They all blame Cristiano Ronaldo. Many are blaming him for the Rooney sending off and not admitting that Roonay stamped on Carvalho.
Maybe if Chelsea & Liverpool players could kick a ball and score a penalty they wouldn't have to make a scapegoat out of an un-deserving person. Rooney will get some of the backlash too.
zlatanov
01-07-2006, 21:57
what an amazing day for me... the 2 teams that i hate the most are out, england in the best way possible, by the same nemesis and brazil the team everyone supports, the team to chose when you dont have a club, got spanked by france, i was in a room with 9 friends of mine, all supporting brazil, and I never knew i could be such an A$$hole, i dont think they want to see me anymore after what happened, its just that they make them look like gods when they havent performed what was expected of them for one second during the whole tournament, they keep saying how bad italy look, how brazil will destroy france and whoever, i stayed quiet until henry's goal was scored and then all hell broke loose at home! it feels so nice to see brazil fighting for it for once, god i hope italy win it, it will make up for everything bad that has happened for me football-wise this year, just the look on the faces of my friends who keep saying how italy drew with the US, who got to the semi's the easy way through ukraine, who will get spanked by germany...
Inshallah!
well, what can I say, good luck making new friends :5nana: :5ok:
I can't say that I was shocked by France beating Brazil. If anything surprised me, it was how helpless Brazil looked going forward and trying to create a single decent goalscoring chance.
Anyway, I think the best teams at this year's WC are in the last 4. Don't think that based on overall performance, one could argue that there was a team that deserved that honor but didn't get it for some external reason.
may the best team win it ;)
Forget it. Italy is out. Unless Lippi has a plan to beat Gerrmany's best player..what was his name?...oh, the referee.
Germany is this years champion. You cant beat FIFA's decitions.
Comparatively speaking the ref was ok.
Like the red card to Materazzi, if thats a red card then 90% of games should end up with 7 against 7 players or something so FIFA needs to realize what 'enforcing the rules' really leads to, this is not ice hockey where the players can come back after 2 minutes of penalty...
Forget it. Italy is out. Unless Lippi has a plan to beat Gerrmany's best player..what was his name?...oh, the referee.
Germany is this years champion. You cant beat FIFA's decitions.
Agreed ! the referee of the game might as well wore White/Black for that game for the Biasness that he showed.. its was damn horrendous performance by a referee at the highest standard ( damn i sound like a sore ) but look at the game! everytime a german falls, its a foul. Everytime riquelme gets a tug of the shirt, its a Play-On..
Fug You FiFa ! Fug You Sepp Blatter !
Last But Not least, F U G - Y O U - J O S E - P E K E R M A N ! :5horse:
:w221: :dontkn: :5130: :1whis: :musk:
Germany are playing the best football out of the 4 left the style is so slick
agree with u // :)
by the way France played wounderful game last night !!
Zidane was great .. i didn't like Henry he wasn't active but he scored a goal that past throght his team . im glad that brazilian team is not in semi final !!
Agreed ! the referee of the game might as well wore White/Black for that game for the Biasness that he showed.. its was damn horrendous performance by a referee at the highest standard ( damn i sound like a sore ) but look at the game! everytime a german falls, its a foul. Everytime riquelme gets a tug of the shirt, its a Play-On..
Fug You FiFa ! Fug You Sepp Blatter !
Last But Not least, F U G - Y O U - J O S E - P E K E R M A N ! :5horse:
:w221: :dontkn: :5130: :1whis: :musk:
I think it will be a different story against the Italians. The hosts made it to the semis, they are guaranteed to play 7 matches, and i strongly believe they won't be getting any more help from now on.
Similar thing happened with France in 1998, when every 50-50 situation was a call for the Frenchmen, until the semifinal, where we've seen good refereeing, with Laurent Blanc even getting a red card against Croatia.
We all remember Korea in 2002. It was unbelievable how the referees "killed" Italy and Spain, so Korea could get to the semis, but in the semifinal match against Germany, we saw a fair referee.
Hey, and did you guys see Zizzou yesterday :v408: :v408: :v408:
He still has it !
And what about Makelele-Vieira duo ????? I couldn't believe how they stopped every single Brazilian action in midfield allready. Ronaldinho, Kaka and Juninho were eaten alive by them.
Imagine Makelele-Vieira-Gattuso playing together. We won't see much creativity, but there is a good chance their opponents not to be able to pass the midfield more than once :)
ACMILAN1983
02-07-2006, 07:56
i don't think the ref in the Argentina-Germany match was too bad. He made a few incorrect decisions, but overall I definately don't think he showed any clear bias against the Argentines.
I must say though, Zidane last night was simply incredible, it looks as though he intends to end his career in the same manner he played it. Simply beautiful to watch.
Agreed ! the referee of the game might as well wore White/Black for that game for the Biasness that he showed.. its was damn horrendous performance by a referee at the highest standard ( damn i sound like a sore ) but look at the game! everytime a german falls, its a foul. Everytime riquelme gets a tug of the shirt, its a Play-On..
Fug You FiFa ! Fug You Sepp Blatter !
Last But Not least, F U G - Y O U - J O S E - P E K E R M A N ! :5horse:
:w221: :dontkn: :5130: :1whis: :musk:
Right, if you look closely, the germans where allowd to do whatever they wanted, and comitted clear fouls all the time, for Instance Podolsky should've been sent off in the first half, he was warned, got a yellow, and in the next play he fouled agian but nothing happened. The play when Abbondanzieri was injured was just disgusting. The referree didnt even call a foul, and the game was on with our GK on the floor, and the germans almost scored. Not mentioning the foul was so bad that Abbondanzieri had to be replaced, what was a shock to the team, there the match was allready lost for us.
Then for stupid fouls, he showed yellow cards to Mascherano and Sorin, he was clearly looking to send off one of our players during the whole game, and germans kept commiting fouls and nothing. Maxi Rodriguez was shown another YC for diving in the area, and Ballack for doing the same got nothing.
But its ok, it's germany's party, they paid for it, they hav to be the stars, even if they have nothing. Their team was total BS, Klose and Podolsky are awfull, and Ballack didnt existed (and was picked player of the game, pleaseee, didnt they saw Ayala?).
At least England and Brazil are out, what gives me a little comfort, both are BS teams too.
First I was only thinking to make a small statement, but from now what i read here....nonsens.
You can blame the referee to be biased, thats what all fans say when their team loses.
To use the referee only as execusion why argentina lost the game is a very lame excuse.
The refereeing was alright, the small decisions went germany's way for the most part but not to decide the final result. The ref made some mistakes in small fouls, or balls correctly stole and calling a foul, but not even near of a major wrong call.
However on the Maxi issue, it was a blatant dive IMO, quite clearly visible in the replay. Maxi started falling before the leg of lahm touched him. About Abbondazeri it was an accident, nothing more or less.
I could also say Argentins player are class actors. Trying to complain, stealing time, rolling over the pitch....somehow funny that it stops, as the ref. start to ignore it. How soon they stand on their feet and start running again as nothing had happen before.
Of course we didn't play well especially in the first half.
Face it, after the goal, Argentina stopped playing, just wanted to hold that 1:0 lead.
Passing the ball around at the back and dominating posession won't get you anywhere (ask Spain). Argentina stopped going forward and paid for it, it's as simple as that. Do you still think they deserved to win with their two shots on goal over 120 minutes? Riquelme and Crespo didnt played their best match. They had no excuse going defensive with so much talent at their disposal. Thats the reason why Argentina is out of the WC and should also learn to lose with dignity.
You should blame Pekermann for his poor tactic, not putting Messi in.
We didnt loose. We where undefeated in the WC. We where taken out with dignity, with dignity from ours, but not from our rival.
We didnt loose. We where undefeated in the WC. We where taken out with dignity, with dignity from ours, but not from our rival.
Now you really made me laugh.... :haha:
Another reason, why you should learn to lose with dignity....how disgusting.
zlatanov
02-07-2006, 15:25
We didnt loose. We where undefeated in the WC. We where taken out with dignity, with dignity from ours, but not from our rival.
I don't think that since that hand-of-god, the name of Argentina NT could be even remotely associated with words like dignity.
Of course it so much easier to just throw it all on FIFA and the ref rather than face the truth that you can only blame yoursleves for going out. Not to mention the scenes after the game made that exit a rather cheap one, not sure where the dignity in all of that was.
And from what I read, it all started because the Argentina players were trying to distract the German players during the PKs by cheering and booing them. Then, after having scored his PK, Borowski went to the Argentinians and told them to shut up, that's how it all started. Again, it's probably just me, but I fail to see the dignity in any of this. All I see is rather cheap and childish behavior but that's something I expected anyway, so ...
As for what happened after that, I guess the picture above is worth a million words.
Great game by The whole French team and especially Zidan. He is about to retire but was the best on the field by a long shot. Brazil simply were not good enough for this French team and couldn't penetrate their midfield let alone the defence. All the Ronaldinhos, Ronaldos, and Adrianos chocked big time. kaka was a shadow on the field, the guy looked really tired and seemd to be running with lead boots - always second to the ball and very predictable.
Not sure what Brazil was thinking at the goal - a cross from a free kick by Zidane and there were 4 Brazilian defenders and 5 French attackers in the small PA. That was some horendous defending by Brazil.
All in all, France is deservedly through to the semis, which will be an all-European affair ;)
I agree. I tend to not want back to back champions. France did play a wonderful game IMO. And... although there is national rivalry between American and French citizens on just about everything, I did AGAIN as in '98 said to myself "Viva L'France". Too bad for Brazil as I wasnt hoping that they would leave the WC like this. It was just the luck of the draw and a bad streak at the worst time. We all still love Brazil if not the country, at least the Rossoneri who play for them.
For the Argentina game... well I wont comment on the game or what happen after the game too much. I'll just say that it is so INTER at how they got eliminated. I would even say that about Brazil. INTER players and their former players were just a no-show.
Imo, the problem with Brazilians was loosing the midfield battle, and it was because they lacked the Gattuso Italy has, the Makelele-Vieira France has ....they really missed Emerson is what i mean. He's alpha and omega both in defense and in taking the ball out of his field, and Gilberto Silva is not same calibar !
Zidane could have had the ball in his feet as much as he wanted, while Ronaldinho and Kaka were his guards. I believe it would have been different if Emerson was his guard.
This is where the quality of players such as Makelele and Emerson lyes. We (non-proffesionals) can see how good and important they are, only when they aren't playing :)
Warro Bantan
03-07-2006, 12:01
Arg lost because Messi wasnt played, and Pekerman (such an unfortunate name) chose to field two Inter players...My philosophy is this: Players that play for a losing club, are by definition, losers, and therefore will lose come crunch time...Cruz did nothing, while Cambiasso threw his penalty away...
Germany only started to attack when Riquelme was withdrawn, and I cannot tell you how upset I am, over Arg´s departure.
¨
Though Pekerman has been one of the better coaches of Arg in recent times, he disappointed me by his choice of players when only 1-0 ahead of Germany (of all countries).
"Then for stupid fouls, he showed yellow cards to Mascherano and Sorin, he was clearly looking to send off one of our players during the whole game, and germans kept commiting fouls and nothing. Maxi Rodriguez was shown another YC for diving in the area, and Ballack for doing the same got nothing."
(1)The Referee was wearing *white* singlets & *black* boxers
"You can blame the referee to be biased, thats what all fans say when their team loses.
To use the referee only as execusion why argentina lost the game is a very lame excuse.
The refereeing was alright, the small decisions went germany's way for the most part but not to decide the final result. The ref made some mistakes in small fouls, or balls correctly stole and calling a foul, but not even near of a major wrong call."
(1)First of all, Its not an excuse. Its a REASON why we lost.
(2)Argentina was clearly Head & Shoulders above the rest in the competition in terms of Skill, Teamwork, Finishing & Defending. So we had to be booted out the only way we can be sent Packing/Peking. With Dubious decisions, just the same way Australia were booted out too.
"For the Argentina game... well I wont comment on the game or what happen after the game too much. I'll just say that it is so INTER at how they got eliminated. I would even say that about Brazil. INTER players and their former players were just a no-show."
(1)We all knew Inter Players Were nothing but a bunch of BS's
(2)Inter Players Cost us the game yet again (rem the England Friendly? )
(3)Pekerman has shown he is a bigger *Deek* that Mr Advocaat Himself
(4) :hah2:Cruz < Messi < Aimar < Saviola ?
Imo, the problem with Brazilians was loosing the midfield battle, and it was because they lacked the Gattuso Italy has, the Makelele-Vieira France has ....they really missed Emerson is what i mean. He's alpha and omega both in defense and in taking the ball out of his field, and Gilberto Silva is not same calibar !
Sorry, as a brazilian I must say: Emerson sux. He could have been sacked earlier.
What lacked for Brazil and that France, Italy, Germany, Argentina and Portugal players showed, was will. Our squad didn´t seem to have understood they were playing a World Cup. They just didn´t fight!
We saw today in the semi final Italy and Germany getting energy from nowhere to fight till the end. Argentina showed desire in winning. Portugal was all will against Holland and England.
That is why we are out.
In your team wasn't just Emerson .. but the hole squad accept 2-3 players maybe .. :) im surprissed by brazil .. but in first games even that they didn't played well they sad that .. there are more important games in which one you can see the real brazil . the one who every spectator was waitin' to see .. ( ronaldinho magic .. adriano , carlos shots .. kaka' making great passes scoring great goals ) .. So time for real brazil camed .. France !! i thought today is brazils day but not .. it was the same old sh*t brazil palyed the same games as in start of their camane and they deserved nothing more then a lose from France ..
Haha.. it gives me great pleasure that Brazil is out but it also saddens me that they never lived up to their reputation.. I'd love it if they played great but still got knocked out but to only conjure up 1 shot on target after 90++mins is quite Dissapointing. Wait, dissapointing is a great understatement, its really BullCrap.
Arg lost because Messi wasnt played, and Pekerman (such an unfortunate name) chose to field two Inter players...My philosophy is this: Players that play for a losing club, are by definition, losers, and therefore will lose come crunch time...Cruz did nothing, while Cambiasso threw his penalty away...
Germany only started to attack when Riquelme was withdrawn, and I cannot tell you how upset I am, over Arg´s departure.
¨
Though Pekerman has been one of the better coaches of Arg in recent times, he disappointed me by his choice of players when only 1-0 ahead of Germany (of all countries).
Well, materazzi didn't screw it up at least lol
Its not like Henry ran away from his marker, on the replay I saw (maybe I am wrong) he was free and unmarked from the time the kick was taken.
If you look carefully at te replay you will see Roberto Carlos marking him, before Zidane cross. Then, instead of running with Henry to the area, he was mending his socks standing on the semi-circle!! And that is true!
One of the greatest mistakes Parreira made, and he is an awful coach, was selecting Cafu and Roberto Carlos, both too old to play an WC and with good replacements, better than them, in my opinion: Cicinho and Junior (who was not called because Parreira doesn´t like São Paulo. He was summoned all the time he was a reserve in Italy and when he started playing in SP, in his best form, he stopped being called.)
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