World Cup 2002

Brink · Post by **Brink** » Thu Jun 06, 2002 3:56 am

@CE-True...it also gives the sport a major boost in its unpredictability

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Thu Jun 06, 2002 4:24 am

Originally posted by Mr Sleep

The sending off really ruined that game, i think it was a joke of a sending off. Referees so often ruin a game, they certainly did that one

I disagree. The guy already had a yellow. The senegal player never went for the ball and the ref had a perfect view only 6 feet away. If you look at the force the danish player could easily have broken his leg. The senegal player goes in with stubs first and hits right underneath the knee sending the leg flying back.

Nasty.

Tamerlane · Post by **Tamerlane** » Thu Jun 06, 2002 4:29 am

Well the big match so far this round comes up. Well not exactly as exciting as an England Argentinia game. But never the less important is the Uruguay and France match.

Time to see if the French have passed their prime...

Mr Sleep · Post by **Mr Sleep** » Thu Jun 06, 2002 4:33 am

Originally posted by Tom
I disagree. The guy already had a yellow. The senegal player never went for the ball and the ref had a perfect view only 6 feet away. If you look at the force the danish player could easily have broken his leg. The senegal player goes in with stubs first and hits right underneath the knee sending the leg flying back.

It was straight Red, although yes perhaps he should have been sent off on a second yellow. I do think there were worse challenges in that match than that one.

He actually got the ball though, he foot landed on the ball, which technically means it was a fair challenge. Didn't you think it ruined the game though?

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Thu Jun 06, 2002 5:18 am

Originally posted by Mr Sleep

It was straight Red, although yes perhaps he should have been sent off on a second yellow. I do think there were worse challenges in that match than that one.

He actually got the ball though, he foot landed on the ball, which technically means it was a fair challenge. Didn't you think it ruined the game though?

Maybe he should have shown the yellow first but i think it actually was borderline red.

I have just watched it again in slowmo and he hits the danish player straight in under the knee and his leg then brusches the ball. I think it was a nasty foul.

Did it ruin the game? I dont think so. it made it less likely that senegal would score again - hopefully the players will take notice and we will see less of that kind of play during the world cup.

Mr Sleep · Post by **Mr Sleep** » Thu Jun 06, 2002 5:27 am

Originally posted by Tom
I have just watched it again in slowmo and he hits the danish player straight in under the knee and his leg then brusches the ball. I think it was a nasty foul.

I only saw it once this morning right before i went out the door at 9:17, so perhaps you are right

Did it ruin the game? I dont think so. it made it less likely that senegal would score again - hopefully the players will take notice and we will see less of that kind of play during the world cup.

Well i wanted Senegal to win...so it ruined that game for me

I still recall Denmark playing the most boring game i have ever witnessed (last euro championship) so i don't exactly have much respect for them

I don't think the African sides are used to refs being so strict, anyone who witnessed the African nations cup would know that they are not exactly timid in their tackling. There have been a lot of rough games so far, Brazil (known for their ball skills) have been bruising every side they play...watch them next time as they kick people and shoulder barge and every other dirty piece of play.

Karembeu · Post by **Karembeu** » Thu Jun 06, 2002 8:29 am

Originally posted by Mr Sleep

Well i wanted Senegal to win...so it ruined that game for me I still recall Denmark playing the most boring game i have ever witnessed (last euro championship) so i don't exactly have much respect for them

Hehe...you're probably mixing them up with Sweden...

Sweden-Turkey in the Euro 2000 was one of the least entertaining games I have ever seen...

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Thu Jun 06, 2002 8:42 am

Originally posted by Tom
Did it ruin the game? I dont think so. it made it less likely that senegal would score again - hopefully the players will take notice and we will see less of that kind of play during the world cup.

Like Sleep, I was partial towards Senegal, so I also thought it ruined the game. I do think it was fair though. Maybe it's because I cheered for Senegal, but I did really think the Danes were terrible movie stars, there was a lot of rolling around in agony from their side, and a fair share of jumps. On replay, you see very clearly when a person doesn't fall but jump up a little bit to exaggregate a falling movement.

Nice to see you Tom, I thought of you recently when I was at a multidisciplinary conference about behavioural genetics, where not only we life scientists were represented, but also philosophers, sociologists and antropologists. Part of the conference was devouted to ethics and moral issues, a very important area of today's medical research

Demis · Post by **Demis** » Thu Jun 06, 2002 8:48 am

Who could have thought the Group A would be so interesting

. After today's games there is a chance for all four teams to end up with the same points!

Today's results:

Denmark - Senegal 1 - 1, i can't say more because i did not see the game.

France - Uruguay 0 - 0, france once again was not ready to face up the challenge, however both teams were on thin ice in this game and if one of them scored it might be the end for the other team. Henry was awarded with a straight red card from the 26th minute after a "violent" foul (IMO the ref was very strick, a yellow card was enough) and things went ever worst for France. France played good but also did Uruguay and as i had said before if one of the teams could score (both had pretty good chances) would propably win the game as well.

Next in this group France - Demark & Senegal - Uruguay, if France and Uruguay win the next match all four teams will have 4 points! Don't ask me who will pass to the other stage though.

HighLordDave · Post by **HighLordDave** » Thu Jun 06, 2002 8:56 am

This is a little off-topic from the current Denmark-Senegal discussion, but it's still World Cup related, so I'd like to ask something about the US-Portugal match.

One of the US goals was scored after Landon Donovan took a shot which bounced off the head of Portugal's Jorge Costa and went into his own goal. Do you guys remember when Columbia's Andres Escobar accidentally kicked the ball into his own goal in 1994 and was subsequently gunned down in the streets of Medellin?

Given that (unlike Columbia) most countries are run by actual governments and not by consorita of druglords and gangs, how many players worldwide would be fearing for their lives if they were in a position similar to Escobar or Costa? In the US, soccer . . . er, football . . . is only slightly more important than fencing and Greco-Roman wrestling, but football is the world's sport.

I was under the impression the Escobar was assassinated by an enraged gambler or bookie who lost big bucks on Columbia, so is Portugal a more orderly place to live? It also helps Costa that his "goal" was in the first round, not when his country was facing elimination and that goal may have sent his team home.

Ned Flanders · Post by **Ned Flanders** » Thu Jun 06, 2002 9:42 am

Whenever this is an "own goal" in a football match, I immediately think of the Escobar incident. Lots of own goals happen, I certainly don't think most of them result in the players death.

The fact of elimination via own goal is certainly a factor probably but still I don't think Costa is in any danger.

Don't forget Jeff Agoos for the US scored an "own goal" in the same game. I believe his safety is secure also, however, it amazes me still that Agoos continues to make the national teams.

To wrap, I don't the circumstances behind Escobar's shooting but I guess any engraged gambler who lost a boatload of cash can totally lose it. That still isn't going to deter these athletes from playing the game they love.

McBane · Post by **McBane** » Thu Jun 06, 2002 10:30 am

Originally posted by Ned Flanders

Don't forget Jeff Agoos for the US scored an "own goal" in the same game. I believe his safety is secure also, however, it amazes me still that Agoos continues to make the national teams.

I doubt there is anyone who could explain his presence on this team.... Oh, wait, I remember. He is really fast..no, he defends well, no......

Ned Flanders · Post by **Ned Flanders** » Thu Jun 06, 2002 10:50 am

by McBane
I doubt there is anyone who could explain his presence on this team.... Oh, wait, I remember. He is really fast..no, he defends well, no......

he is a true student of the game, no....he plays an intelligent style of football, no...he makes great runs, no.....

Perhaps his presence on the team is only to serve as a confidence booster to others. Each player can bask in the safety of knowing: 1. they are not the worst player on the team and 2. glad I won't be the scapegoat.

Lost One · Post by **Lost One** » Thu Jun 06, 2002 11:13 am

@HighLordDave: I hardly think Jorge Costa is a target for an assassination attempt just because of that own goal. In fact, if there were to be a target, everyone in the team would deserve to get shot for their lack of quality play in that match. Besides, his own goal wasn't nearly as spectacular as Agoos, and in fact, I don't even see how it resulted in an own goal since the angle was so tight; + Vitor Baia could have saved it.
@Brink: You are right in questioning what world football is coming to. Even though it's nice to see the underdogs beating or drawing against top teams - it's very strange...
France 0 - Uruguai 0 : what the hell, will France pass the group stage?
Denmark 1 - Senegal 1 : I was expecting Senegal to win really, but the game wasn't that good and fights nearly broke out.
Cameroon 1 - Saudi Arabia 0 : I was stupefied with this game!!! The score could've easily been in Saudi's favour since they had loads of chances (perhaps more than Cameroon?) and Cameroon's defence was all over the place - they were lucky to get a win.
So, every day, the World Cup is amazing me more and more. Thus, I have created my:
CONSPIRACY THEORY
This is just a theory, which may work for some games, may not for others; but I think that some games are downright fixed! This theory should not cause insult to any countries...but it's more than amazing that the underdogs are doing so well when they shouldn't. Top teams like England, Cameroon, France, Portugal are not even certain to pass the group stage and have been playing at a level below norm. Brazil and Germany are also not playing well. Perhaps it's the referees, or the players, but it's in FIFA's best interests to spread football around the globe to countries that have not been so good at it in the past. After all, football is business...and where there's business there's shady stuff going on...so who knows if perhaps some results have been 'encouraged' to happen in one way rather than another. This is my CONSPIRACY THEORY.
Counter Theory
If you do not believe in the above, you may believe that tradition no longer plays a role in getting big teams through. Perhaps nowadays, football has become so professional all over the world, and many 'weaker' teams have strong players coming from big clubs (eg.from Europe) so that the level of football remains very similar from country to country. Whatever the reason, this World Cup is definitely going to make its mark in the history of World Cups, and I wouldn't be surprised to see 2 'underdogs' going at each other in the final...

Tamerlane · Post by **Tamerlane** » Thu Jun 06, 2002 6:28 pm

Well I guess the France and Uruguay game would of been one of the most exciting draws I've ever watched. Mind you France should of won. Trezeguet was on side when he scored and Silva should of been sent off for that horrible tackle.

Lost One · Post by **Lost One** » Thu Jun 06, 2002 9:57 pm

Tamerlane, I agree. I reckon France are missing Zizu quite a bit...and their striking force seem to be lacking a bit for some reason just like France 98. 13 yellow cards and 2 reds in that match...wow - it was an exciting draw.
Today, there's England - Argentina to look for - will Beckham get sent off again just like he did against them in the last Cup?
PS: I was just wondering, what time do people in the United States have to wake up to see any of the matches? Here it's 7:30 or 8:30 for the first match.

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Fri Jun 07, 2002 6:16 am

I'm at work so I can't watch the game, but
GO ENGLAND, GO!

Mr Sleep · Post by **Mr Sleep** » Fri Jun 07, 2002 6:23 am

Originally posted by C Elegans
I'm at work so I can't watch the game, but
GO ENGLAND, GO!

I am at work and can't watch the game but GO ARGENTINA GO!

You have to appreciate i am Welsh, i always support the other side

BTW CE, doesnt' look like your sig is coming to fruition

Score Update: England 1 Argentina 0

Looks like England might actually be able to do it, although Argentina are putting on a lot of pressure.

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Fri Jun 07, 2002 7:04 am

1-0, 1-0, 1-0 !!!

Go England!!!

Mr Sleep · Post by **Mr Sleep** » Fri Jun 07, 2002 7:10 am

Originally posted by Yshania
Go England!!!

Damn!

No controversy, no England moaning about silly little incidents involving Simone, what are the press going to complain about now!

The 5 Live guy said something quite amusing "Surely the England fans wont rub this victory in the Argentinian faces"....yeah right