[OT] 2002 World Cup, part 2

[shadoe]

The difference in the Germany vs US game was the German goalie. Boy did he put up some nice saves in that first half, I didn't get to watch the second half (had to leave for work), but with anyone else in goal it would have been a different ending. From what I saw the German team just squeeked through to the Quater finals.

Personally I would like to see a Brazil vs Germany or a Brazil vs Korea finals, but I am not sure if that is going to happen.

 

[ninthcouncil]

As Gary Lineker once said, football is a game you play for 90 minutes, and then Germany win

You can imagine how pleased we will (not) be in England if this very mediocre German team wins, having roasted them in the qualifiers....

 

[Melkor Lord Of ALL!]

NinthCouncil, Germany doesn`t win so often because it is lucky, its style, while not very spectacular, is really effective.

 

[ninthcouncil]

NinthCouncil, Germany doesn`t win so often because it is lucky, its style, while not very spectacular, is really effective.

I didn't say they were lucky - if that was the problem, then it would stop eventually.... Their organised style is very effective - it's they style my club team, Arsenal, used to be accused of playing

My main gripe is that, even compared to other, historical German teams who triumphed by use of these techniques, this team is poor, and doesn't deserve to win. I hope someone else will stop them - preferably Brazil, Senegal or South Korea. Turkey are too niggling (and I'd have nightmares about the political effects of Germany being denied a World Cup by Turkey) and Spain are too fragile. At some point, they're going to go bang - they nearly did against Ireland.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

I have to eat crow and admit Brazil outplayed England.

The English goal and the 2nd Brazilian goal were 'lucky' misplays. The 1st Brazilian goal was also a little bit lucky on sloppy Brit play with 1 minute left in the half but the play in front of the box to set it up was classic Brazil.

Any team that is one man up and look so uninspired once they have pushed the ball up to ~35 yards from the goal deserves to lose. Brazil's rather unsteady defense deserves a lot fo credit for pulling that off.

The only time England looked consistently dangerous is on Beckman's beautiful curving corner kicks. You can't count on that to win you games.

I still think Brazil is beatable, although I favor them now to go to the final and win. That atrocious misplay for the English goal and that left back that was beaten about a dozen times puts a question mark on the Brazilian defense.

 

[Quickbeam]

A few random thoughts on the US team:

** They didn't lose a game during the World Cup while wearing their home white jerseys, and didn't win a game while playing in the blue tops.

** At some point, they're gonna need to learn to come from behind and score...not just come close, if they want to take the next step in their progression as a soccer nation.

** This team will be one to watch in 2006 given its youth and speed. I'd love to see the USA get revenge against Germany in front of a partisan home crown four years from now !

** I believe every single goal scored against the United States this tournament (except perhaps Agoos' own goal) came off set plays. That leads me to believe we play solid open field defense, but can't match up well man for man in a compressed space just yet. Maybe they'll get this problem figured out within four years time .

** This is my 500th post -- YIPPEE!!

 

[Allister]

The german goalie in the opening half was incredible but damn, the US team played its heart out and were really unlucky not to equalize. That hand ball should at least been counted as a penalty but even then, the US should have scored given the pressure they put on the Germans.

I have to agree with those that said that the current German team doesn't seem to have the style of former German teams (remember the German team that was marshalled from midfield with Lothar Mattheus?)

I think Spain might actually win the world cup given what I've seen.

Anyone disappointed in the amount of whine coming from the Italian public?

 

[Rashak Mani]

I wouldnt blame the Italians thou... worse than losing a game is losing a game because some 40 yr old overweight Referee couldnt see properly what happened in field and made some crazy ruling.

FIFA has chosen referee for their complete inexperience and lack of ability... never seen so many badly managed games.

 

[drothgery]

FIFA has chosen referee for their complete inexperience and lack of ability... never seen so many badly managed games.

Not a basketball fan, eh?

 

[Rashak Mani]

Basket ball has many bad referees ? Not a fan in fact...