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Klaus said:
Final score 1-0 for Brazil.

This team has a long way to go if it truly wishes to be champions...
I don't think they're going to get it this year anyway. Didn't they lose and draw against Argentina in the qualifiers? I think Brazil's weaker than everyone else thinks.
 

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

Had Reyna's shot off the post went in I think we would have and an exciting match (probably ending 3-1 but more attractive).


So far the early matches (those starting at 3 pm in germany--and in 30 C weather) are producing some bizzare results and play. In the England-Paraguay match, the England looked especially tired in the 2nd half. In the Aus-Japan game players were very tired towards the end and played a bit ugly. Spain simply romped Ukraine 4-0.
 

RE Brazil

Brazil started slow in 2002 too with several tight victories (Belgium came precariously close to knocking them off in the 1/16 round IIRC). They're a team that certainly can raise their game. I'd say they're still the favorite (even though I htink they'll get beat eventually, if that makes any sense) in the way that Pete Sampras was always a favorite to win even against players who were hotter at the time--he was just higher class. Still, evey once in a while someone like Philipoussis got the right game going at the right time and maybe a little luck and pulled it off.

I think a key issue for Brazil now is their coach--he has to have the balls to make the right decisions now--first and foremost to probably bench Ronaldo. Scolori wasn't afraid of those choices but I don't know about the current manager.
 

Parreira is, in political lingo, 'frying' Ronaldo. He is giving Ronaldo the next two games to show that he actually WANTS to play better (backstage talk says he's not showing much effort right now). That serves two purposes: lets Ronaldo get match time (to improve his physical and emotional conditions) and lets Ronaldo bench himself. If he proceeds playing like this, the coach will have the fans support to bench him and put Robinho in his stead, moving Ronaldinho Gaúcho further ahead and closer to Adriano.

Parreira is a very cautious and conscious coach. He coached Brazil in 1994. His technical assitant, Zagallo, played for Brazil in 1958 and 1962, and coached Brazil in 1970 and 1998.
 

Jdvn1 said:
I don't think they're going to get it this year anyway. Didn't they lose and draw against Argentina in the qualifiers? I think Brazil's weaker than everyone else thinks.
Sorry, that's one loss, one win, with Argentina winning the more recent of the two games 3-1.
 

Rant warning!

I love football/soccer/whatever you call that game where you can't touch the ball with your hands. I learned to play while my Dad was stationed in Germany, and played consistently for over ten years. My first exposure to the World Cup was while we lived in Germany, the 78 cup (grats Argentina). Ever since, I've been hoping, waiting, and in weaker moments, even praying for US involvement. Well, until 2002, we were something of a joke. But, hey, I thought, that's ok, because we're new to this, and things will improve. And boy, was 2002 a nice improvement. Finally, it seemed like we had a decent talent pool, and were on the verge of being serious contenders. Leading up to this year, we have more players with international experience than ever, and I was excited when we qualified.

Then I watched the game v. the Chech Rep. What was that? Y'know, I can take losing if the guys play hard, but that was pathetic. The whole team played flatfooted, didn't hustle, and shied away from any challenges. I think we had one quality shot on goal. One. They played like they were scared.

My god, grow a pair. This is the World Cup.

/rant.

:/
J
 

threshel said:
Finally, it seemed like we had a decent talent pool, and were on the verge of being serious contenders.
Yet, our top players pale in comparion to Argentina's, Brazil's, France's, etc.
threshel said:
Leading up to this year, we have more players with international experience than ever, and I was excited when we qualified.

Then I watched the game v. the Chech Rep. What was that? Y'know, I can take losing if the guys play hard, but that was pathetic. The whole team played flatfooted, didn't hustle, and shied away from any challenges. I think we had one quality shot on goal. One. They played like they were scared.
No, they didn't play well. I'm looking forward to 2014, when Freddy Adu will be 24, and hopefully leading the US to a World Cup and being hailed as a modern-day Pele.
 

In order to have a better team, the US really need to look into doing some talent exchange, hiring players from Brazil, England, Argentina, Germany and France to play in their local teams. They need to send their players in tours/workshops in those countries. They need to make people *like* soccer, by broadcasting games of Milan, Barcelona, Internazionale, Olympique de Lyon.

Japan had *no* soccer scene fifteen years ago. Then Kashima Antlers hired Zico, one of the best players in Brazil's history, and in four years soccer was a craze there. Now they're in their third World Cup in a row, and while not outrgaeously good, they're better than the lower-rung teams, like Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and the first timers.
 

Ukraine lost to Spain! I can't believe it! The whole world was backing them. Except Spain, obviously. Well, I was, anyway. I always back Ukraine in these things - I've no idea why, sort of an adopt-a-country mentality, I suppose. 4-0 is the biggest defeat so far this World Cup, and they lost because they were too damn slow. The ball would float away, they'd run to get it, but Spain would beat them to it. They had something going for them defensively; of Spain's four goals, two came off free kicks and one off a penalty, so if Ukraine had been less aggressive, faster and held onto the ball more, that would have been worth seeing.

I'm also hoping an Arab team like the Saudis, Tunisia or Iran makes it through into the quarters or better. Just because it'll get up so many noses.
 

STARP_Social_Officer said:
Ukraine lost to Spain! I can't believe it!
Maybe the eternal underachievers (Spain) are finally getting their game on. :)

I'm also hoping an Arab team like the Saudis, Tunisia or Iran makes it through into the quarters or better. Just because it'll get up so many noses.
Tunisia against the Saudis was an entertaining match too. At least in the second half. Lots of back and forth movement between the goals, great interceptions, and a lot of situations at both ends.
 

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