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Grats to Sweden for taking point from England - was quite nice work in the second half

Guess the race is still open in the "Group of Death" as it is so colourful mentioned everywhere

I still think England and Argentina goes through

@Xandax-I'm pretty sure Argentina will get through, not too sure about the other 3 though

The refereeing for the Slovenia-Spain match is terrible

Grrr! The referee in the Spain-Slovenia game is incomprehensible

edited visible: Spain won 3-1, and they deserved to win since they were clearly the better team. However, the referee totally destroyed Slovenias chances with that IMO erranous penalty in the 86th min.

@CE-My thoughts exactly, just couldn't put it into words(without filling it up with something inappropriate to the boards ).Thank you for that

I recorded the Argentina and Nigeria game since it was at 2:30 AM. Saw it right now along with the Span-Slovenia game.

SPOILERS:
Argentina won 1-0. It was a good game. Argentina started off strong in the beginning of each half, but then Nigeria came back, however Argentina eventually got the goal. Nigeria did get close and had a few good shots.

Span vs. Slovenia. Didn't really watch this game. Spain won 3-1. There was one brutal tackle on a Slovenian player which I saw a replay off.

Originally posted by KidD01
No No Mon Ami, You've mistaken my quote. I meant that in joke terms. Imagine how the finalist are the hosts ?

That would be quite absurd. However I thought you were dreaming regarding the final I for one would like to see more of the Asian teams in the top, but it's probably going to take some time.

I've only watched England-Sweden and a little bit more than half of the Spain-Slovenia. I saw highlights from Paraguay-SA, pity I couldn't see more of what many people seems to think was the best game today.

Sweden seems quite content with the draw against England, whereas the English seem very disappointed.

@Brink & Thorin: I really hope the refereeing in the Spain-Slovenia game will be discussed further, such unfair judging can't be allowed in a World Cup.

Originally posted by C Elegans
That would be quite absurd. However I thought you were dreaming regarding the final I for one would like to see more of the Asian teams in the top, but it's probably going to take some time.

Well,I wasn't joking about the China vs. Japan final.I mean, I would be very, very pleasantly surprised if it did come down to those two countries (Although I could imagine the shock on everyone's faces if it really happens )

Regarding the refereeing, yes, it should be reviewed, as I'm not too sure as to how the foul on Morientes deserved a penalty kick more than the foul that was done to the Slovenian player

OK, I've been in summer home without connection to the Internet, so I'll spill out all the comments from the games of the past two days in one post...

Germany definately gave a storm warning. Even though their opponent was poor, 8-0 win against _any_ country shows that they are fighting for the championship. Again. Miroslav Klose has played in 13 national games, scored 11 goals and in 3 hat-tricks. I didn't know anything about him before yesterday, I doubt many did. But mark my words; _everybody_ knows him after 2-3 weeks...

Argentina got a victory with below-par game performance, but I guess that's why they are so great - a win from a decent team like Nigeria with not-so-great game. On a good day Argentina will be impossible to win (point out that I'm not a supporter of them, but my guess is that they'll win).

England was just as boring as I had feared -- they'll definetily need more creative players. Especially if Beckham isn't up to play 90 mins. England's style of play is more boring than the one of Germany! A draw against Swedes was really all they deserved (and BTW I'm really a big fan of English football and Premiere league, but today's English national team doesn't get my sympathy - too many players I dislike). Perhaps Lazio will get their old manager back soon? Sweden was a disappointment, I expected more from them. Was Ljungberg recovering from injury? He didn't seem to give 100% performance.

Spain broke their spell by winning their opening game of the world cup of the first time in 50 years. If they keep this up, they can surprise everybody by playing as they should (they have been really poor in World Cups lately).

About tomorrow -- Trapattoni has promised that Italy will play attacking football. We'll see about that, but if it's true, I'm glad. Italy has always been my on of my favourites, along with Holland and Germany.

Originally posted by Moleman
OK, I've been in summer home without connection to the Internet, so I'll spill out all the comments from the games of the past two days in one post...

Germany definately gave a storm warning. Even though their opponent was poor, 8-0 win against _any_ country shows that they are fighting for the championship. Again. Miroslav Klose has played in 13 national games, scored 11 goals and in 3 hat-tricks. I didn't know anything about him before yesterday, I doubt many did. But mark my words; _everybody_ knows him after 2-3 weeks...

Argentina got a victory with below-par game performance, but I guess that's why they are so great - a win from a decent team like Nigeria with not-so-great game. On a good day Argentina will be impossible to win (point out that I'm not a supporter of them, but my guess is that they'll win).

England was just as boring as I had feared -- they'll definetily need more creative players. Especially if Beckham isn't up to play 90 mins. England's style of play is more boring than the one of Germany! A draw against Swedes was really all they deserved (and BTW I'm really a big fan of English football and Premiere league, but today's English national team doesn't get my sympathy - too many players I dislike). Perhaps Lazio will get their old manager back soon? Sweden was a disappointment, I expected more from them. Was Ljungberg recovering from injury? He didn't seem to give 100% performance.

I agree - too many are too quick to write off the Germans IMO.

Hmm, I thought both Nigeria and Argentina looked weak in areas. Nigeria in all areas, and Argentina looked too wary and occasionally panicky in defence.

In the first 30 or so minutes you cannot say that England looked boring. In the last 15 of the first half they looked like they were slacking and at worst second rate team. In the first twenty minutes of the game they could have taken on anyone with their pace and ideas, but in the second half - with all due respect to Sweden - England lost their midfield to Sweden. Very dangerous. England picked up the pace eventually, but they just did not have the finishing touch. Re Sweden, IMO (after the event) unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty. That said, to me their only player that stood out was Alback, Larsson hardly got a look in, and Ljungberg - rightly and expectedly so - was taken care of. I can say this now - the final whistle has blown. To be honest? I predicted a 1-1, and was sighing with relief when that final whistle went

@Ysh: As you predicted, I've been waiting for you How was your weekend? Did you enjoy the game?

What do the English think about Englands performance? It seems to me like the English are quite disappointed, whereas the Swedish are fairly happy with the result (they shouldn't be - this team needs to rise several levels to beat Nigeria, not to mention Argentina). Personally, I think that if England and/or Sweden should even have a chance to further advancement in this tournament, they need to play a full game like they now played each half of the game.

England tied Sweden. Now I think the England really has no chance against Argentina. Before I was expecting a close one, but Argetina has proved that it is amazing this year.

I want to see where Brazil and Italy stand. Either of those two could also win the WC.

@CE - LOL!! nice to see you I had a lovely weekend away in the west country, I did the Stonehenge tour (amazing!) and we found a pub on a Sunday morning willing to show the game without an admittance fee In all due respect, I do not know what our locals at home might or might not have charged, being it was 'out of hours', but I felt that these yokels saw us coming. As it happened, we were advised by the hotelier to go to a certain pub (who he could not confirm were charging) only to be flagged down!! We had our St Georges flags flying from our car and a pub in the middle of Somerset had yokels waving their arms and saying 'here!!!' as we flew past them We turned around of course

I haven't had chance to discuss the result with all my footballing friends, but I will hazard they hold the same opinion as I. We have no right to be disappointed, we did not see Sweden as a walkover, but going by the first 30 minutes there was this hope we could take on anyone. As you say, both of our national teams need a full ninety minutes of the periods we dominated in. We both had areas of performance, in the second half Sweden closed down our midfield and ripped us apart on central attacks - we were cringing before it happened. We can see the weaknesses, but we can also see the strengths. Probably not this world cup, , but David Seaman apart the England Squad has an average age of 24. They are babies. The last world cup, Michael Owen was an unknown...everyone knows him now and he is - what? 22? he is marked, as is Beckham. This world cup, I say watch out for Darius Vassell, and Ashley Cole. If they watch those two now, and Beckham is still tired....nice for Campbell to get his first for England, but it is pace and attack we need. Mark the midfield, close down Vassel and Cole and England will struggle

Originally posted by ThorinOakensfield
England tied Sweden. Now I think the England really has no chance against Argentina. Before I was expecting a close one, but Argetina has proved that it is amazing this year.

I want to see where Brazil and Italy stand. Either of those two could also win the WC.

How?? Argentina looked poor when pressured by Nigeria, who IMO were not at their best. Let us see

I agree

Nigeria did give them trouble, but I feel that Argentina isn't going to have trouble beating England. I could be wrong. And also Argentina sat some of its players later on, when they took the lead, to rest them for England.

Hopefully it will be a good game.

*sigh*

Another great midfielder out for the WC.

This time the charismatic Emerson, who dislocated his shoulder during training. A big loss for both Brazil and the World Cup in general

EDIT- On the focus of Brazil. This seems to be an interesting article on Ronaldo.

Talk about bad luck, Emerson was playing as a goalkeeper! when he dislocated his shoulder during yesterday's training. See more here

Brazil-Turkey:

A match that was pretty fiery towards the end and which also saw two Turkish players got sent off, a goal disallowed and another controversial penalty.Brazil deserved winning 2-1 based on their performance in the second half

Man, I always respected Rivaldo. Until I saw his theatrical skills right on injury time. The guy had a corner, in injury time. Feigning to be hurt won't win the team any advantages unless he *gasp* wanted the Turk to recieve a card...

Originally posted by Yshania
In the first 30 or so minutes you cannot say that England looked boring. In the last 15 of the first half they looked like they were slacking and at worst second rate team.

To be honest - I missed 10-15 minutes from the beginning of the game, so perhaps i was too quick to draw conclusions. But the part I saw England was pretty boring. Reminded me of the style Liverpool played this season. Instead I'd like to see England play more like ManU, or even Arsenal...

Originally posted by C Elegans
Grrr! The referee in the Spain-Slovenia game is incomprehensible

So was the ref in the Brazil-Turkey game....
Not only was the penalty very controversial....but he had no real "feeling" for the game.... Okay so the red card was rightfully awarded to the Turkish player at the very end...but shouldn't Rivaldo at least have recieved a yellow card for his "stunt"....?!?