EN World World Cup blog

[Ruavel]

Japan totally handed over the match on the second half.

Actually I'm pretty confident we pretty much dominated that match from the 1st minute. Don't let the 1-0 half-time score fool you. The Japanese defense was under pretty constant pressure throughout the match (12 shots on goal to Japan's 2). The goals were (as I see it) a matter of time, though I would have felt much better if they'd come sooner rather than later.

Lucky for us Japan played the game Guus had predicted (Defend-Fast Counter) cos it's really the only one they've got. He trained the Socceroos fairly heavily to be ready for it. Tonight's game between Brazil & Croatia will be viewed with great interest.

The Socceroos are definitely in a whole 'nother class since Hiddink took over.

Aren't they just. We looked like a world class team last night. Let's see if we can do it again in either of our other group matches.

I just wish we'd stop crowing about it already.

Already...? We only won the game last night/yesterday...!
Trinidad & Tobago are still celebrating, and they only drew their match...

 

[Jdvn1]

Them's the breaks, eh? Japan totally handed over the match on the second half. Them samurais don't seem to have legs for the distance.

I agree, but I also think the US did the same thing. Their offenses were just gone. The US, especially, has to take more shots from outside the box.

Both those games disappointed me. I expected Japan and Czech Republic to win, but I at least expected a better fight from the Americans.

The best teams so far have been Argentina, Czech Republic and Italy. All other matches were atrocious to watch.

Agreed. I hope to see those three times in the final four, with either Germany or US as the fourth.

I must be one of the few guys on the planet that thinks Brazil's not going to be in the final match.

 

[MonsterMash]

Well a lot of results so far have gone as expected though I was seriously wrong about Ecuador, and I think Trindad & Tobago will regard a draw against Sweden as a very good result.

In the games coming up today we have
South Korea : Togo - my prediction 2:1
France : Switzerland - prediction 2:0
Brazil : Croatia - prediction 2:1

and tomorrow the start of the second set of group games with Germany v Poland

 

[jonesy]

I'm going to go wacky and predict:
South Korea 1 - Togo 1
France 1 - Switzerland 2
Brazil 2 - Croatia 3

Don't let the 1-0 half-time score fool you.

And the judge himself apologized for allowing it because the goalie got knocked down by the japanese players.

 

[Jdvn1]

Wow, surprise from the France game.

Though, you guys don't give Brazilian defense enough credit.

 

[Klaus]

Wow.

Just wow.

What a half-assed game Brazil played. Ronaldo was practically dragging his fat butt throughout the field (and even then, not too far), barely playing and taking up the spot where Adriano would usually occupy (which kept Adriano from playing well). When the breathless Ronaldo was replaced by Robinho (a much younger, lighter and sprier player), Adriano moved up to take Ronaldo's place, and the team gained much more speed. Even then, the day was saved purely by the grace of Kaká's magical kick and Dida's wonderful defenses. Final score 1-0 for Brazil.

This team has a long way to go if it truly wishes to be champions...

 

[Asmo]

Wow.

Just wow.

What a half-assed game Brazil played. Ronaldo was practically dragging his fat butt throughout the field (and even then, not too far), barely playing and taking up the spot where Adriano would usually occupy (which kept Adriano from playing well). When the breathless Ronaldo was replaced by Robinho (a much younger, lighter and sprier player), Adriano moved up to take Ronaldo's place, and the team gained much more speed. Even then, the day was saved purely by the grace of Kaká's magical kick and Dida's wonderful defenses. Final score 1-0 for Brazil.

This team has a long way to go if it truly wishes to be champions...

...and still it was the best game in the World Cup, imho. (says a lot about the World Cup so far, I guess)

Asmo

 

[jonesy]

I rather liked the Czech - USA game actually. The only thing missing was goals from both teams and it would have been quite exciting.

Wow, surprise from the France game.

Oh I don't know about that. They don't have that different a team from last time, and they're doing pretty much like they did then.

 

[MonsterMash]

Well I got one right then (South Korea -Togo).

Time for todays predictions:
Spain 1 : 1 Ukraine
Tunisia 2 : 1 Saudi Arabia
Germany 3 : 1 Poland

 

[Jdvn1]

Oh I don't know about that. They don't have that different a team from last time, and they're doing pretty much like they did then.

My dad and I were joking that the Swiss was just trying to stay neutral, so they were going for a tie.