World Cup 2002

Brink · Post by **Brink** » Sat Jun 01, 2002 10:13 am

Finally found the right thread to post this

Ahh yes, the World Cup is finally here in Asia

.I was planning to watch every single match of it (matches start no earlier than 1.30pm and these continue on to 10.00pm daily....perfect timing for watching football IMHO

), but my plans were shattered when I found out that I'll be having a fairly important exam at the end of this month

KidD01 · Post by **KidD01** » Sat Jun 01, 2002 11:06 am

Well the Diesels are hot today since their opponent the Saudis seems loosing their grip on the game. Well just have to see if the Diesels can maintain their pace

Those Dynamites are much fiercer every WC now. I really want to see Dynamites VS Diesels - kinda like another classic duel

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Sat Jun 01, 2002 2:03 pm

Poor Saudi Arabia, I saw the end of the 1st half, and they really aren't that bad normally. They are actually ranked around 35 in the world, and they made the 1/8-finals in 1994, but Sweden stopped further advancement for the Saudis.

@Wolven: I saw your picture in the photo thread, it wasn't so bad

just a bit out of focus.

posted by Xandax
Denmark won 2-1 over Uruguay in a to exiting match

Congratulations to Denmark, I only saw the latter part of the game, but Denmark seemed to be playing very well - no big stars but very good teamwork. I think the meeting between Denmark and Senegal will be decive, since I'm still convinced France will go on from group A.

I did see most of the Kameroon-Ireland game though, and in the 2nd half, Kameroon was disappointing. I wonder if they got too self-confident and sloppy.

Well, tomorrow it's time for the first games in group F.

Karembeu · Post by **Karembeu** » Sat Jun 01, 2002 2:04 pm

So...what's on the schedule for tomorrow...let's see...

Argentina vs Nigeria Should be a very interesting game. Argentina are the favourites to win the World Cup...surely they've got the players to do it but can they get them to work as a team...especially when things aren't really working out for them?!? Nigeria have surprised us all before...(against Spain last World Cup for example...) And one has to remember that during the '96 Olympic Games almost all the players in tomorrows game played against each other...that time Nigeria won... My prediction: 3-1

Paraguay vs South Africa Paraguay are underestimated. They have good players that can perform excellently when needed...(just remember the 2nd round game against France last World Cup). South Africa could be yet another African team to surprise ur positively. My prediction: 3-1

England vs Sweden Two teams that at their very best could beat any team in the world. Usually hard and tough games between theese two countries. England haven't won against Sweden for very many years. Interesting to see the form of the two teams. My prediction: 2-1

Spain vs Slovenia Since 1950 Spain have never won their first game. Always among the favourites, and almost always a huge dissappointment... Will they get things together during this World Cup and show the world that they can play good football when it is most needed?!? Slovenia impressed during the World Cup qualifiers. Played well against Spain during the Euro 2000. My prediction: 3-0

ThorinOakensfield · Post by **ThorinOakensfield** » Sat Jun 01, 2002 3:49 pm

@CE: Poor Sweden. Sweden's stuck in the ultimate group of death. England, Argentina and Nigeria. Should make some interesting games, though.

KidD01 · Post by **KidD01** » Sat Jun 01, 2002 5:35 pm

Originally posted by ThorinOakensfield
@CE: Poor Sweden. Sweden's stuck in the ultimate group of death. England, Argentina and Nigeria. Should make some interesting games, though.

Hmmm I'd love to see Nigeria and Argentina qualify from this group. No offense for Saint George fans but those final practice games don't show the true power of Saint George

Why Argentina ? Let's see Ayala, Batistuta and also Canniggia - this guy sure can dash !

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Sun Jun 02, 2002 1:11 am

Originally posted by ThorinOakensfield
@CE: Poor Sweden. Sweden's stuck in the ultimate group of death. England, Argentina and Nigeria. Should make some interesting games, though.

Yes, I look forward to some good games. I don't think Sweden will stand a chance to quilfy further from this group. I of course hope Nigeria will go on, but seeing how much problems they have had with their preparations - changing coaches 3 times an all - my prediction is that Argentina and England will go on.

@€#%! The stupid Swedish TV doesn't show the Nigeria - Argentina game! I know the game result:

EDITED since not spoiler anymore.

Argentina beat Nigeria 1-0. Sob! How were my favorite team doing? Did they play well? Was the result fair? Did Argentina look like they could have a chance against England?

Brink · Post by **Brink** » Sun Jun 02, 2002 1:45 am

Hiya CE

Well, the Nigerians did put up a good fight.They really upped the pace in the second half,not only that, they're keeper had an excellent day out there

.They were technically playing with 10 men right from the start(Kanu was limping from the 10th minute onwards) and they're strike force needs some improvement (20+shots,7 or so on target for the Argentinians vs. 2 shots on goal for the Nigerians ).Overall, I think they had a pretty good game(unlucky to concede the goal, as it came from a corner kick with Batistuta charging in towards goal)

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Sun Jun 02, 2002 1:56 am

Hi Brink

Great to see you *hug* and thanks for the review of the game

So Kanu was injured, that's bad news for Nigeria. I hope it's nothing serious, and that he can play full force in their next game against Sweden.

Do you have a favorite team Brink?

Brink · Post by **Brink** » Sun Jun 02, 2002 3:25 am

@CE-No problem

.I don't really have a favourite team at the moment

.Although it would be interesting if the final was between China and Japan

KidD01 · Post by **KidD01** » Sun Jun 02, 2002 5:18 am

Originally posted by Brink
Although it would be interesting if the final was between China and Japan

Or South Korean VS Japan ?

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Sun Jun 02, 2002 5:21 am

Spoiler from the Sweden-England game:
edit: made white

England took control of the game immediately, and Sweden looked almost panicked. Campbell scored 1-0 for England on a header on a very good corner from Beckham (surprise, surprise). Sweden had considerable problems with the English forwards through all of the 1st half. In the 2nd half, Sweden started playing more aggressive, whereas England IMO backed home too much. Alexandersson scored the equaliser for Sweden. At times, both teams deteriorated into boring stand-still midfield play, but the final result was IMO fair. Neither of the teams were that impressive - it's looking good for Nigeria.

@Brink & Kid: Unfortunately Asian football isn't there yet, hopefully in the future

My tip for the final is Argentina-France.

Brink · Post by **Brink** » Sun Jun 02, 2002 5:58 am

Originally posted by C Elegans
My tip for the final is Argentina-France.

That is, if France could make it past their group stage

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Sun Jun 02, 2002 5:58 am

More results, edited to be visible now:

Paraguay - South Africa: 2-2, Paraguy lead 2-0 but SA managed to reduce and then equalised on a penalty

Spain - Slovenia after 1st half: 1-0, Spain is so far looking surprisingly pale, or perhaps that not a surprise since Spain has many times been in the situation where they have a incredibly good team of marvellous players, but they can't hold their team effort together efficiently. Slovenia has so far have held up surprisingly well. Spain just scored 1-0 (Raol 44th min), but I can't say it was deservedly.

Brink · Post by **Brink** » Sun Jun 02, 2002 6:04 am

@CE-A reply

Aww, and here I was thinking that Slovenia could pull off a surprise victory against the 'favourites'....although I wouldn't really call it a major surprise if they do win, since the Spanish are the perennial underachievers after all

Demis · Post by **Demis** » Sun Jun 02, 2002 6:08 am

Good day everyone, i'm taking a break after watching football for about 6+ hours

What happened today

Hightlight to see

Firstly the first game between Argentina and Nigeria, Argentina had a hard time with the passioned Nigerians but managed to score a nice goal with Batistuta (who else) which was enough to win the game. Nigeria played well.

Paragyuay vs South Africa, probably the best game so far, both teams played very good football but Paraguay was more effecient and managed to score 2 goals. South Africa did not give up the game, and with constant pressure they managed to score a goal soon after Paraguay's second goal. They kept fighting the game until the end when they were finally rewarded with a pentalty at the 90th minute which the turn into a second goal and drawed the game. Great game!

England vs Sweden, dissapointing game i was expecting more, each team played better for one half and scored from one goal.

And finally Spain vs Slovenia - Spain is ahead 1-0 at the end of the first half.

Tamerlane · Post by **Tamerlane** » Sun Jun 02, 2002 6:12 am

I'd never thought that I'd get sick of the beautiful game, but damn it. There needs to a break between each matches.

Its now 8:30 PM over here, and I've been watching the football since 1

However I'm glad I saw the South Africa and Paraguay match. Exciting to the very end

Demis · Post by **Demis** » Sun Jun 02, 2002 6:18 am

@Tamerlane, at least the hours there were more appoachable

, i woke from 8:30 in the morning today, but i have to admit that i too got a little bored wathing football.

. Indeed Paraguay - S.Africa was a great game! I higly recomment the game for those that didn't had the chance to see it.

Tamerlane · Post by **Tamerlane** » Sun Jun 02, 2002 6:24 am

I started watching the first 20 minutes of the Spain and Slovenia game, when I realised that my favourite Spanish player Xavi wasn't playing...

But there is only so much Big Brother that I can handle before resorting to watching the game again.

KidD01 · Post by **KidD01** » Sun Jun 02, 2002 6:51 am

Originally posted by C Elegans
@Brink & Kid: Unfortunately Asian football isn't there yet, hopefully in the future My tip for the final is Argentina-France.

No No Mon Ami, You've mistaken my quote. I meant that in joke terms. Imagine how the finalist are the hosts ?