[OT] 2002 World Cup, part 2

[ascendance]

Congratulations to all you Americans out there for the convincing victory over Mexico. I personally think the US threw the game with Poland so they wouldn't be stuck playing Italy in the Round of 16. They played a tight, defensive game and capitalized on the Mexican errors. Mexico had 60%+ possession, too. Basically, they used the English strategy, with the addition of really pissing off the Mexicans. Not sure if the US team members actually said anything to the Mexicans, but you could see them getting madder and madder in the second half. 6 yellows and a red kinda show that.

However, I don't think US will be able to play the same kind of psychological game against Germany. And if they both play tight, defensive games, look for the match to be resolved in sudden death overtime, or even a penalty shootout. Still, edge goes to Germany.

 

[kamosa]

I think we will be punished by the Germans if we don't try to control the ball and keep the posession game somewhere around 55%-45%. If the US plays another game like the Mexico game, against Germany, we'll all find out how good the German's are at finishing.

Two problems the Germans will exploit that the Mexican could not.


1) the US isn't actually that strong in the air on the back line. European teams that are used to scoring through long balls and headers rake us over the coals. See Poland.

2) We are better at one on one defending then at team defense. We match up well with the South American teams because they like to beat you one on one. We are good at that. What we don't do well is guard off of the ball. Both Korea and Poland were able to get lots of men free in the box to accept crosses, freekicks and corners.

Unfortunatly I think the strengths of Germany and the German style of soccer exploit these two weaknesses. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[tleilaxu]

the mexicans were poor sports and shamed their country. fernandez took several dives throughout the game until he finally got a yellow card. Mexicans were kung-fu kicking and head butting throughout the match. The Americans were very sportsmanlike. The Mexican team is full of excuses like the accidental hand ball that didn't get called. Boo-hoo, the fact is that they passed bad and got outplayed.

Amerika uber Deutschland!

 

[ninthcouncil]

Unfortunatly I think the strengths of Germany and the German style of soccer exploit these two weaknesses. I hope I'm wrong.

So do I; though this German team is pretty mediocre, the Saudi Arabian massacre showed that if given the opportunity, they'll bang crosses onto Klose's head all day.... On the other hand, I imagine that the USA will actually bother tackling the Germans, which is something the Saudis seemed unaware they were allowed to do!

 

[Crispy Critter]

This has been the most exciting World Cup that I can remember, lots more goal scoring and offensive play.

The US and Mexico have been bitter rivals over the past decade. Mexico used to dominate them in our region, but the tide has slowly turned. The Mexicans back four have never been known for their speed. The U.S exploited them by allowing the Mexicans to push forward into the U.S half and then taking possession and counter-attacking. The U.S. speed up front and on the flanks has carried them so far in Asia.

The Germans are another animal all together. Their mid-field works tirelessly and their back-line, as always, is strong on the ball and in the air. Klose, their leading scorer, is brilliant in the air. The only chance the U.S has is to plug up the middle and make life miserable for the German mid-field. Klose needs help in order to score goals. With the German distributors bottled-up, Klose will have a hard time being dangerous.

The U.S. needs to continue what got them to this point. They've got to use their speed on the outside to create dangerous counter-attacking situations.

Just one American's opinion.

 

[shadoe]

Korea just beat Italy on a Golden Goal 2-1

 

[Ruvion]

Go Korea GO !!!

Our golden boy has put in the golden goal!
Go Korea All the Way!!!

 

[kamosa]

What a goal by Korea. Goal in the 88th minute to tie it and again with only 3 minutes left in golden goal. Good job Korea.

Ok all those with the USA, Korea, Senegal, and Turkey in the quarters go ahead and stand up and take a bow.


Were waiting....

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

WOW!

This is the weirdest, most exciting cup in my lifetime.

Rock on, Korea!

 

[Rashak Mani]

Yep nice Commemoration from the Korean Team !

Thou the match looked more like a fighting pit... never seen so many fouls !

Brazil will remain the only Country with 4 World Cups !! bye bye Azzuri !! Only Germany left of the Great World Cup Winners to send home...

Congratulations to JAPAN for a very good performance in this World Cup !!