FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 - Thread

[Haljackey 17,398]

I cheered for Urugray in 2010, decided to cheer for them again in 2014. I was begining to regret my choice.. until now that is.

 

 

 

Also of interest: this.

 

For any confused World Cup 'fans' (aka Canadians)

 

 

 

Via http://www.reddit.com/r/worldcup/comments/28i1ve/for_any_confused_world_cup_fans_aka_canadians/

[BLANKBLANK 4,414]

Unlike most Ghanaians,am a big fan of Suarez so am happy for him.Too bad England lost again after all their efforts.

 

I like England's more aggressive style and it is far more interesting to watch, but they just lack that passing accuracy and killer instinct that teams like Germany, Brazil, Netherlands and Uruguay have. Suarez did really well and masterfully read the situation with each one of his goals.

 

Disappointing but only because England were outclassed, again. In previous world cups England were so lacklustre and boring, but in this one they are always trying and attacking more.

[Cyclone Boom 17,031]

Another game that could have gone either way. Rooney finally got a World Cup goal, and had a couple of other near misses (including hitting the woodwork). Though in the end, it seemed fitting that Suarez would score after insisting he'd comeback for this match. Both goals were class finishes. Although the winner came through England's defence being caught off-guard from a goal kick -- a rather schoolboy error.

 

So England need Italy to win both their games, and then beat Costa Rica next Tuesday. Looks like a bridge too far, but it's not officially over, yet...

Whatever happens, it'd be good if they could get at least something from that match.

[TekindusT 3,809]

I think I will never get used to see England, the country that invented football and where the powerful Premier League is played; to get always defeated in World Cups (except in 1966).

 

@Haljackey: Oh, God; I'm laughing so hard at that diagram!

[Richie99 159]

Hey Haljackey,you're giving me lots of fun.That diagram rocks.My favourite is the route leading to Uruguay...lol

[BLANKBLANK 4,414]

Haljackey; great diagram!

 

Anyway, I watched the goalless Greece vs Japan match. Greeks! Their defence is about as impenetrable as a unit of hoplites! Seriously the Greeks are the best at defending and will stop ANY attacking team in their tracks!

[Easy Bakes 253]

Japan gets a tie with Greece

 

So many chances in the last 1/2 for Japan.

[JP Schriefer 5,591]

England now has an almost impossible mission, but there's still hope!

Greece really has a powerful defense! Even with 10 players on the field they hold the japanese attack.

 

 

Colombia 2-1 Cotê d'Ivoire

(Estádio Nacional - Brasília)

 

CLICK HERE TO THE HIGHLIGHTS!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uruguay 2-1 England

(Arena Corinthians - São Paulo)

 

CLICK HERE TO THE HIGHLIGHTS!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Japan 0-0 Greece

(Estádio das Dunas - Natal)

 

CLICK HERE TO THE HIGHLIGHTS!

 

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow we have 3 good matches! Italy vs Costa Rica; Switzerland vs France; Honduras vs Ecuador. Italy, Costa Rica, Switzerland and France can qualify if they win tomorrow! Meanwhile Honduras and Ecuador are in a tricky situation.

[Dgmc2013 947]

Japan deserved to win the match today. Played better than Greece, but lost many chances.

Tomorrow Italy has good chances to win and qualify. As the winner of Switzerland and France

[ROFLyoshi 1,760]

I'm honestly not surprised that England lost. Also if Netherlands play like they played Australia then they don't have a hope for advancing past the second round.

My money is on Germany. Their players of late have been world class, especially looking at the domestic league.

Switzerland will make the second round and possibly further, but we will just have to see.

[BLANKBLANK 4,414]

I'm honestly not surprised that England lost. Also if Netherlands play like they played Australia then they don't have a hope for advancing past the second round.

My money is on Germany. Their players of late have been world class, especially looking at the domestic league.

 

My money is still on the Netherlands, a great contender doesn't so much dominate as more like overcome the odds. The Netherlands were reeling after that miracle goal from Tim Cahill, my jaw still drops to the floor when I see it again. One in a million that was.

 

I think the match was a case of the Netherlands operating at half their potency and Australia playing at their maximum best and making their own luck with what happened. That miracle goal -- so awesome -- and that questionable penalty decision. But the Dutch fought back and their key strikers Robben and Van Persie did their work.

[ROFLyoshi 1,760]

Questionable penalty? Clear handball. Unfortunate but it was a clear call.

And everyone is calling it a miracle? Glad it's not just Aussie media

[MandelSoft 2,775]

Actually, it was a so called "unexpected hands", which should actually not be punished:

 

 

The exact "hands"-rule is stated as follows:

When "hands" is given, the player made a conscious move that causes his hand of arm to come in contact with the ball. The referee should take the following points into account:

 

- the hand must move towards the ball, not vice versa.

- the distance between the player and the ball must be large enough so the ball doesn't come unexpected.

- the position of the hand is not necessarily a reason for breaking the rulkes

 

In this case, the ball clearly comes unexpected and there's no mention of a conscious move. This means that the issued "hands"-ball is invalid.

The Netherlands also faced a questionable penalty from Spain. It seems that during this World Cup series, a lot of (questionable) penalties are given, more than usual...

Best,

Maarten

[BLANKBLANK 4,414]

Agree with MandelSoft here. The Dutch number 7 player was really unlucky and you can see his intent is to get his left foot forward to deflect the ball. This was no hand of God.

[TekindusT 3,809]

The Netherlands also faced a questionable penalty from Spain. It seems that during this World Cup series, a lot of (questionable) penalties are given, more than usual...

 

Time to apply that cool falcon's eye technology to fouls on the penalty area, in my opinion.

[Terring 6,476]

Greeks! Their defence is about as impenetrable as a unit of hoplites! Seriously the Greeks are the best at defending and will stop ANY attacking team in their tracks!

For a good reason

 

[Cyclone Boom 17,031]

 

The Netherlands also faced a questionable penalty from Spain. It seems that during this World Cup series, a lot of (questionable) penalties are given, more than usual...

 

Time to apply that cool falcon's eye technology to fouls on the penalty area, in my opinion.

 

Yes, these incidents happen so quickly and the referee is forced to make a split-second decision. The thing is, many other ball sports rely on simple video replay footage, which improves the accuracy of decision making.

 

Any incident in the penalty area (goal influencing) should be referred for video replay, much like is done in rugby. It's quite puzzling why football can't follow this trend, especially at major tournaments. How would it make the game boring if it improves fair play? I think it'd only be a positive for the sport, and would help to prevent diving for penalties. Wouldn't it also add to the tension?

 

As a positive, at least goal line technology has finally been introduced at this level, and seems to be working.

[ROFLyoshi 1,760]

Well bloody hell Costa Rica. You are the true underdog of this tournament.

Costa Rica beat Italy 1-0.

[JP Schriefer 5,591]

Costa Rica continues to surprise everybody!

Game over to England btw.

[Dgmc2013 947]

Costa Rica the better team of the best group the World Cup. lol
Anyway, they played very well and deserved the win.

[Richie99 159]

Great match.Costa Rica's form makes me a bit scared of the USA back in our Group G.If they beat Portugal...we are in trouble..lol

Switzerland vs.France up next.

I supported France in 2006 but this current squad just doesn't appeal to me.My heart is with Switzerland.

[JP Schriefer 5,591]

I think U.S. can beat Portugal, Ghana has a hard work to do against Germany, at least a draw.

France hasn't the great team from 2006, I think they won't go far this World Cup, Switzerland can win the match.

[Haljackey 17,398]

Dammit

Costa Rica beat Italy.

Now Urugray MUST win their next game against Italy to stay alive. A tie and they will not qualify.

 

---

 

Also the colours on Italy's flag are red, green and white, yet they wear blue uniforms
 

WHATS UP WITH THAT

[Cyclone Boom 17,031]

Also the colours on Italy's flag are red, green and white, yet they wear blue uniforms

 

WHATS UP WITH THAT

 

Supposedly due to the Savoia royal family. I think this article explains it quite well.

The Italian flag as we know it was created much later, so probably why they stick with the blue (in a way like a tribute to their history).

 

Anyway, that result means England are well and truly out. No big surprise really, it was a big ask to get through after losing their first two. Well, better now than going with a chance in the final game, and blowing it in the last seconds again...

[JP Schriefer 5,591]

Australia's flag is red and blue, and uniform yellow and green. It's curious too.

[BLANKBLANK 4,414]

Oh my God! Oh my sainted blessed souls! France 5, Switzerland 2! Best match of the world cup so far!

 

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! It was god darn orgasmic at times- even if France petered off in the last 15 minutes. But that final goal which was denied because the referee had blown the whistle...

 

Best. Match. EVAH!

[JP Schriefer 5,591]

Agreed with Ln X! Great great great match! The best of the World Cup!

It would be 6-2 with a beautiful goal from Benzema, but the referee was stupid to end the match with the ball near to the goal. Anyway, 5-2 is good too.

[Dgmc2013 947]

The best match of World Cup!!³ France dominated the game, but Switzerland woke up in the final of second half and made two goals. And Benzema's goal could not have been canceled :X

[Richie99 159]

I missed the match and am surprised at the scoreline.5-2 was just too much.

And am surprised to hear a goal didn't count because of the final whistle.I thought that happens only in the PES Soccer games.

So far this group seems to be the only group whose rankings are consistent with the pedigree of the teams.

[MandelSoft 2,775]

Australia's flag is red and blue, and uniform yellow and green. It's curious too.

What about the Netherlands? The flag is red-white-blue, but what do they wear? Orange!

(It's because it's the national colour, but it's not that obvious if you don't know that).