South Africa 2010 (3 Viewers)

[Rob]

What is with the ties? Teams to scared to go for it? FIFA needs to address this stupid propensity for draws. Play till someone wins. Advance thru wins, not ties. Rewarding ties with points and you get what we are seeing, conservative play and playing to avoid a lose instead of earning a win. Open the game up. -- Al

I certainly expected better of these two.

Rob

 

[jazzeum]

Al,

That's not the way it works and FIFA is not going to change nor do I think they should. Teams, for the most part are being cautious because, as I've said, you don't want to get saddled with a loss in your first match. Things may open up a bit more in the second match.

At any rate, once you get past the group stage, there are no ties: extra time and PKs, if necessary.

 

[jazzeum]

I certainly expected better of these two.

Rob

Except for the Germany match, there has not been one match worth remembering (except maybe the England match and then only for a gaffe).

 

[lancer]

Al,

That's not the way it works and FIFA is not going to change nor do I think they should. Teams, for the most part are being cautious because, as I've said, you don't want to get saddled with a loss in your first match. Things may open up a bit more in the second match.

At any rate, once you get past the group stage, there are no ties: extra time and PKs, if necessary.

Hi Brad. Thanks for that info. Not being a very knowledgeable fan of World Cup, I did not know the format once past the group stage. This explains a bit on the strategy. I will look forward to the latter matchs. -- Al

 

[VIRIATO]

Best team until now, Ivory Coast by far, they complete dominated the Portugas.

Paulo my friend, oquê aconteceu?

Rod.

I wouldn't say they dominated, Portugal had more possession and more clear shots at goal, but it really was a very booooooooriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing game, too much fear from both teams, and a very slow Portuguese team, slower than the muscular Ivorians. Not a surprise to me, I predicted a draw, our team is just not that good anymore (in fact never looked title worthy except possibly back in 1966), some key players like Deco now look over the hill, and I don't trust the coach... Also Ronaldo played miserably, he looked very edgy... Still he had a moment that might have decided a loooooouuuuuuuuusy game like this: the first half piledriver against the post after sitting down the defender). Sometimes he is suffering real fouls, mind you, sometimes... I much prefer to watch Rooney or Messi, that's for sure!
If we happen to get to second in this group (nothing is lost yet), we'll probably play Spain next, and that'll surely mean curtains.
I liked the left back, Fábio Coentrão from Benfica, he looked very solid, it's his first World Cup and he has just started to play for Portugal, well done. Central defender Bruno Alves from Porto is also very dependable and indeed towering...
Ivory Coast, Gervinho and Kalou, quality stuff, this team has good players (Eboue, etc.) and it's a pity Drogba is not that fit...
Now to watch Brasil later this evening, I'll record it, I predict at least 3 or 4 past North Korea and the more the happier I'll be...

Rodrigo, assim não aconteceu nada que eu não estivesse já à espera. É o fado...
Paulo

 

[Rob]

I wouldn't say they dominated, Portugal had more possession and more clear shots at goal, but it really was a very booooooooriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing game, too much fear from both teams, and a very slow Portuguese team, slower than the muscular Ivorians. Not a surprise to me, I predicted a draw, our team is just not that good anymore (in fact never looked title worthy except possibly back in 1966), some key players like Deco now look over the hill, and I don't trust the coach... Also Ronaldo played miserably, he looked very edgy... Still he had a moment that might have decided a loooooouuuuuuuuusy game like this: the first half piledriver against the post after sitting down the defender). Sometimes he is suffering real fouls, mind you, sometimes... I much prefer to watch Rooney or Messi, that's for sure!
If we happen to get to second in this group (nothing is lost yet), we'll probably play Spain next, and that'll surely mean curtains.
I liked the left back, Fábio Coentrão from Benfica, he looked very solid, it's his first World Cup and he has just started to play for Portugal, well done. Central defender Bruno Alves from Porto is also very dependable and indeed towering...
Ivory Coast, Gervinho and Kalou, quality stuff, this team has good players (Eboue, etc.) and it's a pity Drogba is not that fit...
Now to watch Brasil later this evening, I'll record it, I predict at least 3 or 4 past North Korea and the more the happier I'll be...

Rodrigo, assim não aconteceu nada que eu não estivesse já à espera. É o fado...
Paulo

Ronaldo really did almost liven things up with a great shot off the post,its a shame about his temperament sometimes as he does have a lot of skill and is very talented.But I don't think we should write Portugal off by any means,maybe they are just warming up,often teams need a game or two to get going.

Rob

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Ronaldo really did almost liven things up with a great shot off the post,its a shame about his temperament sometimes as he does have a lot of skill and is very talented.But I don't think we should write Portugal off by any means,maybe they are just warming up,often teams need a game or two to get going.

Rob

Ivory Coast is a very good team now that they play well organized when they don't have the ball. I don't think a Portugal win was a given. And I don't think Brazil will have wins against both Ivory Coast and Portugal. This is going to be a tight group with Korea a wildcard if somehow they avoid giving 3 points to one of the top 3 teams.

Terry

 

[lancer]

I am looking forward to seeing Brazil play tonight. Does anyone know anything about the N.Korean team? Pretty sure that they get enough to eat (even though the rest of NK is starving), but are they a decent team? Would like to see Brazil hang a 10 spot on the NK team. -- Al

 

[Rob]

You'd have to expect Brazil to win this one,but so far we've thrown the form book out of the window in this competition so who knows!.

Rob

 

[jazzeum]

I am looking forward to seeing Brazil play tonight. Does anyone know anything about the N.Korean team? Pretty sure that they get enough to eat (even though the rest of NK is starving), but are they a decent team? Would like to see Brazil hang a 10 spot on the NK team. -- Al

They're one of the lesser minnows. According to the betting odds posted by Gebhard on the prior page, the odds are 2,000 to 1 for them, only slightly better than Algeria.

This is their second appearance in the Cup. They scored a 1-0 upset of Italy in 1966.

 

[lancer]

I'm a little shocked it's 0-0 at half. After all I'd heard I expected Brasil to walk off with this game. N.Korea are holding their own quite well. -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

I'm not liking what I'm seeing

This has to be the worse set of opening round games that I can remember seeing in many a year.

 

[Rob]

Yep, never thought I would say it, but so far it's boring

Rob

 

[lancer]

I'm a little shocked it's 0-0 at half. After all I'd heard I expected Brasil to walk off with this game. N.Korea are holding their own quite well. -- Al

Thought it was a rather unimpressive contest for Brasil. N.Korea hung with them very well and although they never really threatened to win, they came close to embarrassing the #1 team. -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

they came close to embarrassing the #1 team. -- Al

Number 1 team?

La Furia Roja is the number one team! (at least for one more day)

 

[lancer]

Number 1 team?

La Furia Roja is the number one team! (at least for one more day)

Once again, forgive my ignorance. I don't know the seeds, I was just going by the list showed during the game that showed Brasil ranked 1 and N.Korea ranked last out of some 100+ FIFA ranked teams. -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

Just busting your chops . Brasil is ranked number 1 and Spain number 2. Spain won the Euro Cup in 2008 which, outside of the World Cup, is considered (sorry Latin American fans) the most prestigious tournament. Brasil is the holder of the equivalent for Latin America as well as the Confederations Cup (where Spain was ousted by the US, their only loss in about 60 matches).

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Guys,

I wonder if the din of those stupid horns is causing the lack luster performance of some of these teams. I know most folks think that the pros can block out or ignor the crowd noise but these horns are over the top annoying. Anyway I certainly hope to see some better games as this series progresses.

Dave

 

[lancer]

Hi Guys,

I wonder if the din of those stupid horns is causing the lack luster performance of some of these teams. I know most folks think that the pros can block out or ignor the crowd noise but these horns are over the top annoying. Anyway I certainly hope to see some better games as this series progresses.

Dave

There have been several referrals to the noise by the players and how it is hindering on field communications. Apparently the TV broadcasters are effected, too. I heard a news broadcast that said the noise filters at the stadium broadcast locations have been doubled in order to cut the noise that the viewers are hearing in half, starting with todays games. Not sure I noticed any difference. -- Al

 

[kogu]

I watched the Brazil - North Korea game today and I thought that the omnipresent noise was lower in volume then in any previous games.
So, hopefully the additional filters will work for any upcoming games.
Konrad