World Cup-General

[globaleagle]

argentina score in the 88th minute!

Then in injury time, a swiss player had an open goal to head a ball in...bounced off the post, back into the player, then over the line.

Even the swiss goalie came up into the front line.

But then a swiss player dive a big dive (other player didn't even touch him) got a free kick...so I hoped Argentina would win...and they did.


belgium v usa....nothing in 90 mins of regular time, then 3 goals in extra time! weirdos

 

[RiverEagle]

Yeah perhaps the Yanks and Belgium should've just skipped to extra-time global...lol.

Ole Colombia, Costa Rica (or the Belgians in a pinch)!

I want a relative minnow to be on top of the world!

 

[globaleagle]

me too, but the world cup soccer refs make shame hayne look like the most honest person in the world!

 

[RiverEagle]

So the games resume overnight.

We have Belgium half a chance against Argentina.

Then Costa Rica up against the enigmatic Dutch.

Should be interesting and, I hope, an upset in one or the other!

 

[globaleagle]

Dan keeps his job for another day thanks to a win by the Netherlands in a penalty shoot-out.

Must admit, the last half of extra time was pretty exciting.

 

[RiverEagle]

Yep and I'm surprised how disappointed I am.

Got up to watch the 2nd half, then extra time and penalties.

You always feel (in the back of your mind, and heart) the result will almost always go that way...

But well done to a very brave Costa Rica.

And ho-hum, Argentina too.

Only Colombia can now provide the fairytale.

 

[globaleagle]

yeah I thought it was a bit of a dud, subbing in a specialist goalie in the last second...but nothing against the rules there.

I can't stand that #11 dutch striker....must be in the top 5 divers of all time/1

 

[RiverEagle]

The SBS commentators were raving about him (Robben) and his effort over the whole 2 hours.

I agree with you tho; you only have to look twice at him and he hits the deck.

Ole Colombia, plz.

EDIT: Well I've somehow managed to overlook a quarter final, and Colombia are gorne!

Down to hosts Brazil v Germany and Argentina v the Netherlands.

Some are regarding the Brazil and Germany game as the two best teams left (and worthy of the final) but that's how the cards have fallen.

In keeping with the underdog vein I'll probably cheer for either Argentina or the cumbersome Dutch in the final; although I can't begrudge Brazil if they were to win...One hell of a party for them and the country if they do!

 

[ssar]

Looks to be over at 2-0 up to Germany after 20 mins.
Now at 4-0 up after 27 mins the Brazilian defence letting them doing it way too easy is amazing.

EDIT: er, make that 5?! ...And counting..

 

[globaleagle]

sheesh! half time 5-0.

Pretty much unheard of at this stage of a world cup!

lots of booing and crying Brazilians in the crowd.

1 half to go!

 

[RiverEagle]

I have just heard...7-1...

Extraordinary and I got a text from a soccer-mad mate...He believes (sadly) it's more than the pressure of a nation.

A fix, in short.

I have no idea guys but that's beyond belief at this stage.

Any thoughts?

 

[globaleagle]

Well.....the Brasil had their captain plus their best player out so that is always a blow to the team.

But the defence did seem to be spinning around in 1 spot confused for most of the game, so that would not have helped either.

 

[lsz]

First loss for Brazil at home (in a competitive match) since 1975....

Amazing game...again!

 

[RiverEagle]

The margin though (conceding 5 goals in the 1st half...And then being relatively competitive from then on...) is just out of the box!

Can you imagine the odds you would get for that result?!

You'd almost accept that theory, such is the astonishing result.

If it was a genuine effort, I feel terribly sorry for all. Players, coaches and the country.

 

[lsz]

They just froze after the first goal (massive pressure etc)

 

[RiverEagle]

So this time the Dutch stumbled.....Sorry @Dan

Time for the Netherlands to grieve and wonder what-if!

They didn't turn to Super-goalie, Tim Krul, this time; and some are already questioning that choice (after he was a hero in penalties against Costa Rica).

Argentina against the Germans, in an interesting final now...

Think I'd prefer the Argentines to get up, but Germany probably will; and fair enough.

It will be insignificant to the Brazillians anyway!

 

[globaleagle]

If Germany lose, they'll probably all move to Argentina!




*that's gold right there lads and ladies and you heard it here first!!!!

 

[Dan]

So this time the Dutch stumbled.....Sorry @Dan

Time for the Netherlands to grieve and wonder what-if!

They didn't turn to Super-goalie, Tim Krul, this time; and some are already questioning that choice (after he was a hero in penalties against Costa Rica).

Argentina against the Germans, in an interesting final now...

Think I'd prefer the Argentines to get up, but Germany probably will; and fair enough.

It will be insignificant to the Brazillians anyway!

Yup RVP was off his game and Robben looked tired and made a tonne of dum mistakes

 

[RiverEagle]

Maybe it was karma (for Robben's theatrics especially).

I admit I didn't see the game, but I can't help but feel penalties is a lame and empty way to decide such important matches.

 

[globaleagle]

The Argentinian goalie was amazing in the penalty shoot out.

I was hoping they would win as I was sick of robben's constant gutless honour-less diving!


And RE, every word cup the soccer people complain about the penalty shoot out and how it must be changed...then after the world cup they all forget about it and carry on as usual.

- for the record...I agree with you.