FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

I was surprised there was no off-topic FIFA thread, especially with this years game celebrating the world cup.

So come here to discuss the anything World Cup or to cheer on your favorite team.

Go USA!!!!

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

North Korea!!!

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

What foul?

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

BRASIIIIIIILLLLL!!!

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

And he doesn't have to explain himself until Monday! Strange rule!

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

AND he doesn't have to say who or what the foul was on. What a system.::rtm::

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

He called the foul on Michael Bradley

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

What was it, though? If the account I'm reading of that play is correct, any foul on Bradley should have been called on the other team first, for holding.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

GO GERMANY!

The refs today (Germany and United States Games) weren't to great.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

In Brazil we say that the referee ruled a "goal danger", an obviously ironic (and hopefully self-explaining) expression. ;)

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

There is danger of a goal being made? That's always the case, even when the ball's near midfield.

(I think there is also another name for that sort of call--"excuse for the fans of instant replay to yell at X organization".)

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

Hence, the irony! ;)

About instant replay... I do not believe it will happen anytime soon, maybe ever. FIFA and International Board have a great point, which I'm not sure I agree with, that those discussions about referee rulings are an essential part of the sport. Every soccer fan has at least five very controversial rulings that he will most certainly pass on to his sons and daughters together with the love for the sport itself. And they will pass it on. And on. And big discussions will be held about it. Whether the US advances to the knock-outs or stays behind because of that goal, in twenty years people will still be talking about it. And that's one of the reasons soccer has become, by far, the most popular - and loved - sport in the world.
You may not agree with the morality of that, but pragmatically, boy are they right on.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

The original call seemed to be on Bradley for offsides, but when they put it into the records, I guess they realized there was no offsides... at all... or close. So they said foul. That's my assumption anyway.

You're quite correct in saying it should have been a penalty if there was a foul; the Slovenian players were far, far more aggressive, and one of their players actually tried to slide tackle Edu from behind as he scored.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

Dude, I can't believe they even scored on Brazil... BTW did you see their 1-1-8 formation? Pretty pathetic IMHO...



대한민국!

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

I agree. They may eventually decide on some form of goal-line technology - was the ball in the goal or not? But not on instant replay. For one thing, the dynamics of it are wrong. The whistle was already blown - how do you unblow it when the replay shows it should have been a goal? Maybe the keeper heard the whistle and didn't try to save it. And as a poster-child for the camera not seeing everything, I present Esse Baharmast who was vilified for a call back in 1998 I believe. Three days later a print journalist produced a photo showing the blatant shirt hold that he had called. Three days is too long to wait for a confirmation.

I wish this referee was more like James Joyce (who called the safe play that ruined the perfect game). He saw the replay after the game, and publically apologized for his mistake. If this referee would and could only come out and say, "I saw a foul by XXX doing YYY. I evidently missed seeing all the other foul action going on at the same time." But that conversation will only come between him and the match assessor, and probably later the referee committee when they decide on future assignments.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

I'd take a ref at each end watching only the box (which is already in use elsewhere) over instant replay; but some people won't go for anything less than instant replay.

A goal-line monitor could work, but it wouldn't solve either of the two problems that have shown up (the hand-ball in the qualifiers, and now this). I'd go for explanation required if a number of players request it--nobody really knows what the call even was, except the ref, so even what was called is better than no explanation at all.

If that whistle is later shown to be a mistake, then I'm not sure there will be many more assignments for the ref for a while if he doesn't acknowledge it at his media session. Would you want a ref who made that high-profile of a mistake and didn't admit it? (Note that Jim Joyce was later voted as the best ump in MLB by the players, for admitting the mistake immediately and on his own accord.)

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

Instant replay to rule a foul is not possible in soccer because the game does not stop. The clock will continue to run. Also refs aren't allowed to rule a foul off and video (Zidane's red card is controversial because of this). It's all part of the game.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

Was I the only one who wanted to beat the crap out of the ref from the Brazil v Ivory Coast match?

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

I wanted to beat the crap out of the players too though...the period where Kaka got his second yellow. Just play soccer don't try to beat the crap out of each other.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

It aint soccer if there aint floppin.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

I was talking about when the whole team went to attack Kaka. But if you are going to dive, do it better. Don't grab your face when you were hit in the chest.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

Anderson Varejao (Brazilian, by the way) should hold flopping seminars for the Brazilian soccer team.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

Sort of off topic but this was not the reason that he was voted best. He has for a while been considered the most consistent umpire in baseball (as any one who has played any sport knows, no official calls every rule correctly, but as long as he/she calls it incorrectly consistently then you can adjust to play). That being said there is no question that Joyce and Gallarraga both handled that situation perfectly and maturely. Something that is extremely rare in sports today.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

Quoted for truth
Hmm, sounds like the occasional FRC Regional event.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

Oh man two awesome pairings are coming up.

Chile vs. Spain
Portugal vs. Brazil

These matches should be amazing. Too bad Kaka is suspended...:mad:

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

With Brazil having already advanced, I think Portugal will probably get the win (also, given form..).

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

Italy needs to step up their game. They've become a disappointment this time around. It makes me :(.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

After watching US' last match, I don't get how anyone can possibly not like soccer.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

USA wins group C advancing to the knockout tournament. Donovan is the man.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

Because it took 90+ minutes to get to the exciting few moments?

I can watch that on SportsCenter.

Even golf and baseball have a much greater frequency of exciting plays.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

I actually thought it was one of the best matches in the World Cup - the goal in the end was just a bonus. BUT, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. We have a local sports commentator that says every basketball match should start 80-80 with 8 minutes left on the fourth quarter. :p

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

The thing that is most frustrating to me is the amount of impact that a bad call by the referee can make to this game. In basketball, baseball, hockey, and football, there are many scoring opportunities. Due to this, a bad call by the ref is not as important as it is in soccer. Since the soccer scores are so low, one bad call can immensely impact a game.

For instance, in USA's last two games, there were two goals disallowed for phantom off-sides penalties (or some other foul). These were two mistakes by refs. One bad call during the match against Slovenia cost the US the match. The bad call today almost did the same. In order for this game to be more enjoyable for me, the refs' impact must be lower.

Andy B.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

What offside?

(Seriously, it was so close I can see how the AR made the call. Even with lines drawn on the screen in super slo mo and freeze frame, it can't be proven either way.)

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

Phantom off-sides ;)

The reason, I think, that most Americans don't like soccer is because they don't appreciate how little it takes for everything to break loose and become exciting. From watching a few WC games with my co-workers I noticed that few of them notice the subtleties of play that get me all excited and on the edge of my seat. Heck, half the fun is watching the build-up on each offensive attack and how quickly it can become a counter attack.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

I don't know, I've always been a huge soccer fan, and not just because of offensive plays or really great attack strategies. Defensive strategies are just as impressive sometimes.

.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

Soccer is the only sport I will actually sit down and watch. I can't stand watching any other sport. I don't know I just find soccer fun to watch. I don't even watch the super bowl.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

The beauty of soccer is its subtlety. A goal isn't subtle, Portugal over N Korea 7-0 is not subtle, but just like golf, just like baseball, only when you really know the game can you see these things - and yes, they can get you on the edge of your seat.

Is it true that more people know the rules of soccer than any other sport? That it is played in every country of the world? I have no sources, but I can imagine these to be true.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

LUUUUUUUUUIS FABIAAAAAAAAAAANO

and

KAKAAAAAAAA


These guys played together on my favorite team here in Brazil (São Paulo Futebol Clube)!!!!

I hope so much that USA goes ahead at competition. The last finals of Confederations Cup between Brazil and USA was epic!!!!!

We're waiting for Argentina on the final match!!!!

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5fYJ...layer_embedded

Great video.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

How nice was Honda and Okazaki's goal!!!!! :yikes:

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

France and Italy not making it on is a pretty sad story. :(

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

France was not on top of its game the entire tournament, same with Italy. And frankly, Italy has been riding on luck for a few years now.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

The whole story behind France is sad. Manager and Coach are both fired...

Italy did ride on luck but I thought they would make it through the first round.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

And there are those that say France shouldn't even have been in the World Cup, so it's not like that's a surprise...

Though I agree on France being a sad story. If the only time you act like a team is to protest one of your teammates being sent home for mouthing off to the coach, you are sad. Period.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

If anyone remembers in 2006 France's teams had one of the highest average ages (IIRC), so their experience carried them to the finals, but this time around they had a bunch of fresh blood and little collective experience.

Italy has a history of doing poorly/just scraping by in the round-robin play and then kicking butt in the knock-out play. If they had played all three games the way they played in the last 20 minutes of their game against Slovakia they probably would have won their group. You could see their desperation as they realized that they wouldn't make it into the second stage and they got into overdrive.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

I'm not following the World Cup, but I heard about the game where a team played with some "coopertition" in order to force an overtime, since they needed 2 goals to advance and an OT goal apparently counted double. I thought that was really, really awesome and interesting.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

^^ Don't know which match you're talking about. There is no overtime (unless you mean stoppage/injury time) in the group stage matches. There is however, the Golden Goal (pretty irrelevant for the World Cup, though). In the event of a draw and for any organizations that use the Golden Goal format, the first team that scores a goal wins the match. However, FIFA decides all draws at the end of regulation with penalty kicks, not the Golden Goal.

In addition, "coopertition" in this manner is generally very discouraged and actually against the rules. It's not fair to help another team out like this because you ruin another team's chances of advancing.

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

And now I have no idea where I read that. Maybe it was a dream...

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread
 

This one? http://www.snopes.com/sports/soccer/barbados.asp

Or are you thinking of the Germany/Austria game, maybe in 1974, that caused FIFA to go to playing the last group games at the same time now? Back then, they knew the result of the other game int the group. A 1-0 result would send both Germany and Austria to the knockout stage. Once a goal was scored, the teams only went throught the motions for the rest of the game.