EN World World Cup blog

[johnsemlak]

Germany defeat Sweden 2-0, a scoreline that doens't reflect Germany's strong peformance. Sweden did have a missed penalty, but Germany could have added more if they had played with more urgency in 2nd half. It was a very dominating performance--63% possesion.

 

[jonesy]

The Swedish defenders were standing around like statues. Did you see near the end how Hansson almost deflected a shot straight into the goal, and he didn't even notice because he was looking in the wrong direction.

And the Swedish center was wide open because of this even though the Swedes had way more players at the scene than the Germans. When it's a 1-5 attack you'd think the defenders would win the ball...but no.

Against Togo? I honestly don't believe you thought that was going to happen.

You'd be right. But I was kind of hoping it would.

 

[Jdvn1]

If its a deliberate hand ball ita yellow card, no matter where the offense is.

That's a relevant issue--I've seen lots of players claim the other side had a hand ball.

If I kick the ball and it hits your hand--and your hand was at your side the entire time (ie, you didn't move it specifically to block the ball), it's not hand ball. For a hand ball to be a hand ball, it has to be deliberate. And that's exactly how the refs have been calling it.

 

[Agamon]

What a sweet goal by Rodriguez to win against Mexico. Looking forward to Argentina vs Germany, should be a great match.

 

[STARP_Social_Officer]

Germany defeated Sweden. I thought it was an excellent match, and I thought the Germans were in better form than ever. With Brazil pretty much guaranteed a victory over Ghana, it's looking like my prediction may have some weight. Now Germany will have to play Argentina, which will be their toughest game yet. I predict they'll win, but only after extra time or penalties.

 

[Klaus]

Argentina didn't look so hot against Mexico (even if the extra time goal was neat). They'd better pick up the pace if they want to defeat Germany backed up by 60,000 fans. And boy, did the referees suck in these matches...

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

As for the handball yellow, I don't think it was deliberate- it cost his team a throw in.

And did you catch the one in the Argentina/Mexico match where the ref carded the wrong player?

 

[johnsemlak]

Just watched the 1st half of Mex-Arg on replay. (still have the 2nd to go). Man, that foul by Heinze should have been a red card. I don't know any way it should have been interpreted differently. The Mexican had a definite 1 on 1 goal attempt if it wasn't for that foul.

Not to mention that that was a horrible defensive mistake by Heinze, absolutely dreadful. That was play unworthy of the MLS.

 

[Keith Robinson]

The England V Ecuador game kicks off in a couple of hours. England are reported to be going with a five man midfield and Rooney upfront. If they do, it'll be interesting to see how they deal with the new formation (as reported, 4-1-4-1). Ecuador will have a lot of possession, so the England midfield will need to be at their heals, breaking up attacks.

I think it'll be a tough game, with England to squeeze through 2-1. England will have a good first half and score 1 goal, and then wilt in the sun in the second half, concede a goal and be under constant pressure from that point on. Crouch then to come off the bench, cause mayhem in the Ecuador defense and get a late winner!

Maybe...

BTW, it's amazing what good team spirit and home advantage can do for a team. They were absolute pants a couple of months ago, but now they've certainly set themselves up as amongst the favorites IMO.

 

[johnsemlak]

And England win on, what else, but a Beckham free kick. It was an interesting moment when it went in--no one in the Bar I was at was sure it was in until the England player actually picked the ball up from inside the goal.

I've firmly believed for years that Beckham is worth being on the field for whatever team he plays for solely for his free kicks. Besides that he's one of the best at it, in a tight match like that his free kicks were the only real threat.