Agree... The match was pretty good. It could have gone each way, but the problem with the Japanese was that they lost the ball to much on their own side too the Assuies which gave them a lot of these chances along with counter-attacks. The Japanese should have gotten a penalty kick when it was 1 - 1 thought, think that was the score but they didn't. But what was good was that the Assuies kept on pushing even thought they had scored the goals, the japanese defense fell apart and that led to more chances for the Assuies. Hope Australia can come far in this WC.

Italy vs Ghana thought...

The game opened like I didn't suspect, Italy pushed very hard forward and had a lot of chances. They came to a lot of shots and headings near the goal but was unlucky several times. They had great attacks, starting in the middle, before sending long run-balls to the side which the italians caught up with and got it in the field. Pirlo managed to score from about 18 meters when it was around 5 min left of first half, was a greatly placed shot in the buttom corner of the goal past several of the Ghana players who should have gotten faster up to Pirlo and tried to block the shot.

As many suspected, Italy went more passive and defensive in the second half. Ghana got more and more into the match and came closer to scoring goals, but still no great chances. Italy thought, managed to come with many deadly counter-attacks which nearly led to a goal but the Ghana keeper was very good in going out and meeting the attacker, he had a couple of good saves. Ghana was unlucky thought, they were supposed to get a penalty but the ref' decided not too apparently, he Ghana attacker was tripped by two people in the Italian defense right inside the 16'meter but no penalty kick.

Soon after the Italians pushed on and made a counter-attack. Kuffour in the Ghana defense catched the ball and was suppose to play it back to the goal keepere from around 20 - 30 meters, but it was a too slow ball! Iaquinta snapps the ball, simply runs past the Ghana goal keeper and gently places the ball in the net...

Was a deserved victory from Italy, they could have come out with a score of a easy 5 - 1 (adding that Ghana would have gotten the penalty kick and scored)

I was thinking, as Italy had done so many times before that they would open very badly in their first matches. BUT DAMN, I was surprised, when you see the replays - just look at how the Italian attackers and defenders position themselves, they did a awesom job and this is really how I like to see Italy play...

Today it's Brazil vs Croatia, Croatia - along with Norway is a team who have NEVER lost agains Brazil and I'm really looking forward to this match to see how well Brazil will actually do. As Stargel said, most of the opening matches for Brazil tend to be problemastic

Highlights from each match can be seen here, just so u know...
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/highlights.html

Brazilians, and this is a little known fact, hunt by smell and colour variations. So any team with a complicated colour pattern (such as the croatian chequered top) are pratically undetectable to their predator vision. Mexico also worked this out, which is why they wear those bizarre azteca tops. Unfortunately, Mexico are rubbish at football.

Oh, and there is the fact that Pele could see behind himself - he has a genetic eye abnormality that gives him a 200 degree field of vision, apparently.

On a slightly more personal note, I'm glad that the USA lost - or, rather, were anihiliated. I don't think any country who are only interested if their team is winning deserves to get through to the knockout stages, and as the US proved in 2002, they only get attention if they reach the Quarter Finals.

I love your sense of humour, Foster!

Interesting(?) sidenote: Brazil is the only country who have participated in every WC so far.

Just saw a statistic mentioning that more than 1,000,000,000 (one billion) people will be following the opening match by Brazil today. How many of you are in that statistic?

Congrats to South Korea, btw!

Ok.

France vs Switzerland was imho the weakest game yet. Henry had some good moments in the first half, but completely vanished in the second. Aside from his attempts at the swiss goal, there was really very little to see here. Both teams seem to have an ok (swiss) or good (french) defense, but the offense is seriously lacking. In the case of the french not because of a lack of talent, but probably communication and organization.

Frankly, I can't at all subscribe to what the commentator on german tv said about these two being without question the two teams that will make it into the next round. As they played today, both teams would've lost to the Koreans and maybe even to Togo.

Just watched the match France vs Switzerland, here's a little review I made...

France vs Switzerland


Match started good, France takes the lead and pushes hard against the swiss players. Just after four min. Henry has a good chance, totally unmarked few feet from the swiss goal, his heading misses thought but a huge chance.

Switzerland tries to attack, they have good combinations but at the finishing part - nothing works out.

France gets yet another chance right after they have a corner, but the shot goes just outside the goal.

When 20 min has gone by, France is the best team - they've rolled forth good attacks and their defense have worked great, keeping the swiss players away from opening shots.

Through-out the first half we can see that France sends too little players into the box when they have counter-attacks, would have worked much better with a couple of more players.

Then, out of the shadows comes a freekick for Switzerland from about 30 meters. The shot goes past everyone and in the pole, great oppertunity only a inches away from giving Switzerland a 1 - 0 lead.

At around 37 min. Henry opens a shot on goal, but a swiss defender blocks it with his arm, clearly a penelty shot but ref' thinks otherwise.

Zidane still got it and he sends away great passes for Henry, they work great together and it's nice to see that Zidane still has it. He's been the man who started all the attacks for France which nearly led to goals.
Henry had a couple of very good chances, but this time he shoots like a wuss and it just ain't good enough!

France clearly the best team the first 45 min.

---

Second half starts, France has dropped a lot and it looks like the fire is dying out. Switzerland starts coming more and more into the match.

The match get's really boring - it's not until around 60 min. that Switzerland has a great chance, but Barthez(sp?) the French goal keeper makes a very nice save with his knee.

The French team drops even more, very little chances - we can hear how bored the crowd is. Zidane still got what's needed thought to make some chances for France.

90 min. Saha for France shots the ball right outside the swiss goal - a great chance but only inches away, too bad!

92 min. last chance for Switzerland with a freekick not far from the corner. The ball glides in against the swiss players, but they screw up. Too swiss players go for the ball, it ends up with two swiss players inside the goal and the ball outside - huge chance but clumsy by the swiss players.

Henry has been nearly invisible through the second half.

Match Ends... France 0 - 0 Switzerland...

France still got a chance too win, but they need to do better - without Zidane today they would have certainly lost, at least I think so. They need to put forward more people in the counter-attacks and crosses and better shots on goal from Henry.

Fuzzy Knight, you should consider applying as a writer of VG's live online followings of important sports events (for non-Norwegians, VG is Norway's largest newspaper). Nice!

More statistics for you who don't read long essays: This was France's 4th WC match without scoring. They were humbled during the last WC four years ago when they had to leave without one single goal.

How many will bet me it will happen again?

Edit:

Btw, just noticed stargelman had changed his nick to stargelinho for the occasion. Wondering who his wannabe is?

Yes, the match between France, and Switzerland was a thrilling one...but sadly the swiss did not manage to win, as I had hoped....but I'm much more interested in the match between Brasil and Cech Republic...(my buttons on Brasil).

BRA 1 - 0 CRO half-time

Interesting match, hope there will be more goals in the second half... Hopefully the brazilians will have more endurance than the french did

Croatia is playing well now - Think Brazil could need a new goal soon if they want to win...

Well, what did you expect.

As I said a while ago, you shouldn't expect the Brazilians to show what they got in the first round. They don't usually do that - get their 3 points and move on with as small an investment as possible. The next two games won't be any different. You could see that many of the players did not take this game serious - Ronaldo being the prime example here. The fact that Pereira didn't sub more players enforced the picture that this was all intentional.

The Croatians tried a lot harder, but despite numerous nice scenes, they never were a real threat to the Brazilians, and I think that says a lot.

I´ll wait until thursday....Sweden vs Paraguay......a thriller!

Btw..how´s GERMANY doing?????

Stargelinho????

More statiscs for you:

Brazil have won 14 of 18 possible WC matches, their 9th victory so far.

Sim! O futebol fêz-me louco!Good! Ballack is fit.

Muchos liking it. Thought I'd add my own little review.

South Korea Vs Togo - zzzzzzz...a witchdoctor dance celebration by Togo?...z..zzzz...zzzzzz...Oh, now you're down to ten men, and the little Korean dude with stupid hair scored...oh, and again...different Korean dude with slightly better hair....zzzz....zzz....why wern't either scorer called Kim?....zzzzz.....

France Vs Swizerland - zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz... France seems to have installed an invisible wall in their six yard box, it's why the Swiss keep missing....zzzzzzz...zzzzz.....

Brazil Vs Croatia - zzzzzz..zzzz...heheh, they have a guy called Kaka, heheheh...oh, he scored. That's not that funny....zzzz....zzz... wow, Ronaldo is playing really Kaka today.... zzzz.zzzzz...zzzzz..zzz..zzz....and they won.

All in all, a pretty rubbish day compared to the rest of the tournament, then.

Uhh you speak portugueese?! wow!

Ahh my sweet Ballach.....then I do not worry.....I can go to sleep all calm....

Croatia vs Brazil - Commentary

Oh, wow... I didn't think it would be posible, but Croatia has put up a real fight 'gainst Brazil. Way to go, neighbours, way to go - you have shown us how one should play against the likes of Kaka and Ronaldihno, how one should defend against such sniper-masters like Adriano... sure, Croatia has lost, but with one goal only and they never stopped attacking the whole game. In fact, Brazil had shown inferior play tonight, being way too laid back and relaxed - a mistake some other, deadlier team would gladly take advantage of. The boys in yellow shirts might've taken three precious points, but their game will have to become tougher and more serious - otherwise, things might get hot in a hurry for them.


p.s.: Off topic - I will be away for at least 7-8 days, so good luck to Serbia and also you good people here - please, keep the thread alive. Cheers !

Why did the Ausies have to win against Japan?

No offens to any Ausies viewing this but it's a South Arican thing.
Any game that Australia plays in, we root for theyre oppenants all the way and hope they win by a land slide.

Well they are playing Brazil in theyre next game, here's hopeing.

Speaking of Brazil, they could have played a lot better tonight
I wass in totale disbelieve in how close some off those goale's came against them.

Btw: Stragel, I didn't know you where portugueese, or spoke it in a matter of fact.
The site isn't going to change to Chorrolado or sumthing like that, Is it?

I must say I disagree, because the Mexico I've seen this year is focused, strong, fast and skillful. Some may say that they only won because they were facing Iran, but if you put any team in Iran's place that game they still would have won.

Also, don't bash America. Every American I've talked to lately has been following the team and is pretty mich as devoted as any other fan. Also in a few years the fans will get more involved and the team will get better because they aren't exactly the most Soccer rooted people. Making fun of America for not paying enough attention to soccer is like me insulting Australia because there aren't enough curling fans.

In my opinion, Brazil could have done much better. The was weak and seemed tired and they seemed to go into defensive mode in the second period. They'll definately pick up, but a win's only a win if you don't depend on the opposing team's mistakes.

Edit: Stargel, the only Portugese I know is GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Oh, and some random words . Living in a town where the Toronto Maple Leafs flags are equal to the Portugal flags is awesome. Can anyone say "fireworks fired on the streets from a
car because Portugal won a game?"

Vuurwerke word gevuur van n kar in die strate omdat Portugal n wedstreid gewen het.

Not Portugese, but will it do?

YAY! Brazil beat Crotia! I'm not a fan of Brazil but better than Crotia

In case you're talking to me (Stragel???), who knows! Anything is possible!


They can't have won just because they played Iraq.
They didn't play Iraq at all.
They played Iran

Hahaha.. lol I can't believe I just fell of my chair after seeing Stragel lol... funny word...

No school today, which means another great day of football!

I was really hoping in the last minutes there that Croatia would score. They created far more goal-chances than Brazil and in my personal opinion played much more "beautiful" than Brazil.. "Joga Bonito" my A** .

Yeah, I like brazil when they play good, but when they linger and only use 80% of their potential it sucks. They've won too many WC to be able to play around like that, we want a show not a rutine game.

Brazil should be satisfied with the WC-golds they have .


Woho! Tomorrow! Sweden vs Paraguay! Let's hope they do better than agains Trinidad-Tobago .

Nah - it's different. If the Australians suddenly became overnight Curling fans because their team was good at it, then you'd have a point, but they don't. Their level of disinterest remains. Mainly because I'm not aware of Australia having a particularly good curling side. The US are only interested in winners. If the US fail to win a game in this world cup, then by the time the next one comes along most Americans will be back to a level of comfortable ignorance, as they were in 2002. Either that, or NC and SC have a complete disinterest in football, even during the world cup. I was half glad England got knocked out of the tournament, because trying to watch the game, even ignoring the horrible time, was niegh-impossible on US TV.

There were those that counted the Ukrainian team among the secret favorites. It was repeated over and over again that the Ukraine has the best team in their history this year, and that with people like their top striker Chevchenko, they would get far.

Today did not prove those people right. Today saw a crushing defeat of the Ukrainian team by the excellent Spanish team who deconstructed their opponents without mercy or efford.

I'm not sure how much this victory is saying about the Spanish team, as their opponents barely registered on the green and were at no time a danger to the Spanish team, not even when Iker Casillas foolishly stood almost on the middle line in one of the last minutes and was surprised by an Ukrainian striker that suddendly ran with the ball behind him. Not even then. So while this was definitely a good start for the Spanish team, I wouldn't overestimate its meaning.

Have to agree with you All Mighty World Dominator Admin-inho... I was surprised how well everything worked for Spain, but we'll see how they will do further thought.

EDITED - After a rather intimidating PM from Stargel which made me wet the keyboard and computer chair...

Tunesia - Saudi Arabia: Oh boy. This game was pure torture over much of it's length. Only at the very end did something happen. Both teams deserve no more and no less than the one point they're getting, and I think that overall, this is the group with the weakest teams - Spain excluded. I really wonder who will make it into the next round and how high they will lose there.


Muahahaha!

Stragel, Stargel, Same Admin, Diffrent Day.
Any case in the beggining I always thought you where Strangelman with a rather bad spelling handycap.

The Tunesia - Saudi Arabia game was rather boring wouldn't you say?
Tunesia did play a good game but on the most part zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Hope the next game is better.

Was playing Spearhead and one of my friends said on TS that she was watching the Saudi Arabia vs Tunesia match - I was like, why? Was apparently the best on german TV at the time, which I really can't understand when seeing what High Lord Stargel and DoomsDay said, looked over the highlights as well...

Spain was a good match thought...

Germany vs Poland... Poland only got ten men now as I can see, half time. And the score is still 0 - 0. Well well, Poland did bad their first match but let's see what they can put up against Germany in the second half...

What JOY!!!! GERMANY WON!!!! Oh I´m dancing on the table!

Boy, what a game. The first half started a little bit slower and it was apparent pretty soon the Polish team got their act back together: much more concentrated and engaged than in their first game.

However, especially in the second half, the German team created an amount of pressure that just had to end in a goal sooner or later. There were many extremely good chances for the German team, none of which resulted in a goal. I think especially Miro Klose really had a lot of bad luck today - it wasn't from lack of trying. And then that great goal by Ollie Neuville, skillfully prepared by David Odonkor.

Officially and also in my book the best man on the field today was Phillip Lahm who performed incredible stunts and worked some serious magic today. I also didn't see any of the problems the defensive had in the last game. Everyone played well, although for some players, there's still a lot of untapped potential (Ballack and Podolski for instance).

That red card...well that was just stupid. I really can't understand why the guy risked that. So unnecessary.

Oh well, a really great game that was exciting right until the end

I'm just wondering how much the referee was paid.

Ho hum. England tomorrow. Hopefully we can thump T&T, though the fearsome power of Port Vale star Paul Burchill... stranger things have happened.

Message from a stranger:

Well done to the Germans. Feels very strange saying that given the rivalry between the two national sides. I have to admit though, I was glad they won. The Polish goalie was taking the mick with his time wasting. Really irritates me that. Ballack looked good, some great passes out right to Schneider, though your left winger had a shocker. Could have been one on one with an empty net and he'd have tripped over the ball the game he had.

As for the Spain vs Ukraine match... uurgh. The ref ( and especially the linesman in the first half) had a nightmare. Never a sending off, never a penalty. Spain looked good though. Strange how the big sides have had mixed openings. England, Brazil and France all looked really sluggish, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Czech Republic and (hate to say it ) Germany have all looked really sharp.

Trinidad and Tobago tomorrow. Dawn and I will be firmly encamped in the pub cheering England on, with maybe just a couple (ahem) of drinks to wet our throats. Wish us luck

p.s. before the comp I put a bet on Italy to win and Luca Toni to win the Golden Boot. So, there's my tips

Er, umm, it was on Pay Per View. Yes thats right. Pay Per View. Erm, I never said Iraq, just check my post. *Is immorally righteous*

Ugh, I agree, the Saudi Arabia game was a bore. I would much rather see a 90 minute slideshow of Janitorial work that a game like that.

Also, go Germany (for the time being until they face one of my favourite teams)!

Well today, England is on....ad that is a game that I'll definately watch, so I just hope that England manages to win this match....all hands up to the british

*crowd aplaudes in aproval *

It's so typical of Germany to win at the end of the match - it's a real trademark for Germany.

Today I'll be looking forward to the Sweden match and the England match

England need to seriously buck their ideas up. They're flimsy in the centre of the park and today the strikers - Owen and Crouch - were terrible. There is just not enough bite to the team. Only when Rooney and Lennon came on did we have any passion, and even then... well, 2-0 was a tad flattering.

Sad when our best player is John Terry.

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALL
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!

Sweden scored, hell yeah! Woohoooo...

Heia Sverige! (transl. go Sweden!)

Ohoh.....both Germany and Sweden won their games......ah well

What I do fear is if Germany and Sweden will meet eventually...

Which one would be my favourite????????????????? I honestly don´t know...

No comments on Argentina - Serbia & Montenegro?
You guys are just being courteous to me and milanius

Well, what can I say? We completly sucked. I have no idea why: In qualifications we played pretty good, even Spain didn't manage do defeat us. Myself, I was laughing when I was watching the game. Not the same could be said about my brother: He was screaming: Take of those shorts! Stop embarassing our country you bunch of [censored] [censored]! ! ! You're unworthy to be called human beings! (I will save your sanity from the words he was saying later. They sound much better in Serbian anyway )

He is right to some extent. Indeed, they played like a bunch of clowns. It's not a shame to lose against Argentina. But to be owned with 6:0 it's completly unacceptable.

As for other news, Portugal was strugling with Iran. Deco scored a nice goal. And Christiano Ronaldo scored the second one from the penalty spot. That lad is a good player, but he really sucks when he gets pissed of. Just like Totti

Well I must say that today has been a very entertaining WC day so far. The match between Tsjekkia and Ghana was extremely entertaining, and the current match between Italy and USA is equally entertaining and packed with action. I'm very impressed with USA. They've been leading the match up until now (33 mins played), and it was only fair that Rossi put the ball in Italy's own goal...

Right now, I would REALLY, REALLY like to hear Americans comment the todays game

My opinion: What a darn shame. USA played better than Italy IMO. Even with two red cards

I think the refree did right in the game though. Although, Beasley's goal should stand if you ask me. Did McBride touch the ball?

Czechia vs Ghana:

Wow. That I didn't expect. I feel for the czech, especially for the injured Koller. Great game by Ghana though! I hope they pull through.

Italy - USA:
That was just embarrassing if you ask me. The less said the better. The referee did everything right and was the best man on the field.

Haha, I concur!

Both sides didn't play well, but Americans were doing their best and fighting to the last minute. A plus for determination. But two red cards.... wow, I didn't see that for a long time now

I don't really follow soccer, but can someone tell me if the US won today?

I'm assuming they lost, just because we've always been terrible at soccer, but you never know.

It was a draw/tie, and the result was 1-1. This is a very good achievement by USA against one of the real veterans. This means that both teams got 1 WC point, and everything is still quite open, so the US could very well go further to the final rounds.

I thought the US played very well, but then again I'm no expert so I'll leave any professional analysis to others. Italy didn't play very well though, even though they beat the incredibly good Ghana 4-0 (I think) only days ago.

Sidenote: Two US players got expelled from the match, and one Italian. That is only the 4th time that has happened in the history of the WC (3 players expelled).

I remember I spent a holiday in Italy at the time when they won the WC (long time ago, 1980 or something). The entire country was in celebration for days, not doing anything productive, only running/driving around screaming with waving flags. They sat on the roofs and hoods of cars, banging stuff into them, totally destroying them. It was quite cool...

Hahaha..it was only 2-0, and I don't think the Italians could pull that off again. Ghana has rearranged their previously weak side by replacing players, and they finally found a way to the other side's goal. They played fantastically strong against the Czech yesterday. I am convinced they will beat the US team and enter the round of eight.

That was in the 1982 WC in Spain

Nobody in that group has been impressive. Really the only team that I can see winning at the moment is the superlative Argentinians. They are just a class above everyone else in the world cup.

It was Serbia and Montenegro, but it could have been anyone, from Togo to Brazil. Argentina were just phenomenal. It was exhibition stuff; simply great football.

Of course I hope they lose, if only so that fat drug-addled cheating foul vile purulent little [censored] Maradona crys like a baby. But so far they've been outstanding.


Stargelman: please watch your language.

Draw
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing!
Say it again
Draw
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing!


This is not going to help either team. I think both played below their abilities and I have to wonder what is going on with them. It wasn't that hot, and they both had good chances -the Croatians more so than the Japanese- but neither made anything of them.