General Chat / Fifa World Cup 2006 Discussion & Predictions

I'll be the first to admit Dida isn't the best keeper around, I just think people think of him as a weakness if anything when IMO he's one of the best 3 or 4 goalies in the World Cup. Also, around here I haven't heard anything about Brazil, seems like they're overlooked on the sports channels etc., as I have been hearing much more about Czech Republic, Netherlands, and Italy, as well as some other teams. On a different note, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say Robinho has a breakout tourney and gets the most points of any player in the World Cup. (If he actually does start, which isn't likely) He is very underrated and has AMAZING touch skills as well as field vision IMO, and he just needs to mature to become a top international player.

Edited by eman, 03 June 2006 - 07:18 PM.

It isn't an World Cup, but Holland under 21 have just won the European title!

Hup Holland!

and 1-1 against australia. lovely, erm, first 10 minutes.

3 injured players, making it 3 injured players for left midfield, i damned well hope someone can play there lol. Oh, and our left back is gone too, it's only a matter of time before Robben is injured again so our whole left side is basically gone, yay! Anyways, how much better does Holland sometimes have to be to win? The only major change in the aussies was that they went from playing tough to tougher in a friendly, and went from having 10 people and a goalie together on their own half to 9 because one got sent off. Van Persie was probably the most impressive player, that free kick would have almost gone through the hands of Schwarzer. Though, the keeper being Schwarzer, it probably would have landed on his toe, or something, even though that wasn't even possible. It seems that the post had more than enough trouble with that stop though.

About keepers, Schwarzer is definitely a great one. But don't keepers always seem to excel when they just have a shitload of work to do? What is more amazing is whilst van der Sar is basically just standing there for jan doodle, he makes a more than equally amazing save as Schwarzer in the entire game. Just one moment, a close header, a reaction and what a stretch, very impressive.

I still say with 65% ball possesion, almost all the shots in the match, a very unlucky, ugly goal against us, we are well on our way to playing well at the world cup. I just hope the injuries won't last. the way we played the first 10 minutes was marvelous, the 1-0 seemed so deserved. Just like the penalty the 30th minute, how can you give a corner for it when the guy taps the ball out with his hands? Did you see or didn't you see it? and the lineref was right there to spot it, terrible.

Luckily our youngsters made up for it when it counts gehehe. I was very amazed by that one player from the ukraine, i'm wondering how he can't be playing in the international squad yet. Just goes to show you the width of the Dutch selection when youngsters such as Aisatti, Huntelaar, Castelen and a couple of others aren't in the main team yet. Aisatti for instance has been dominating a lot of the play for PSV lately. Someone like Beasley is probably in the lineup for the US and is just a substitute there, and Culina, similarly, a keyplayer for Australia. Of course, it's all pretty logical but it's nice to point it out anyways tehehe.

I'll end the rant, though.

guess who going to berlin for watch the final? im stoaked...

Edited by Sparker9014, 04 June 2006 - 10:52 PM.

Only 28 hours!

I agree with you WME about the wide Dutch selection..
I still can't believe Huntelaar isn't even selected as substitude after what he has done this entire season! I mean he's Dutch topscorer in 2 clubs (!), scored 2 important goals at the EuroCup -21, and so has proven to be a real threat to any opponent..

I also feel Seedorf and Davids should've been selected.. If only for their status worldwide.. I mean Seedorf is a god in Italy and Davids has proven (imo) he can motivate an entire team in the field by his aggressive play, even in previous World Cups with the Dutch team.
Not to speak of the youngsters WME spoke of; Aisatti, Emanuelson, de Zeeuw, Hofs etc..

I think the injuries are no real threat; It looks like Cocu and vd Vaart will be fine on Sunday, and Sneijder is the only one who probably won't play.. v. Bronckhorst and Jaliens seems to be fine too..

Other countries seem to have more serious problems though; Rooney probably won't play the group matches (with Gerrard maybe not their first match), Ballack won't play the first group match for Germany, Italy has Gattuso and Zambrotta injured (with probably Nesta too), France has Cissé with a broken leg, and the Czech's have Baros not playing their first match.. Serbia even had a player that sent hisself home

So yeah, I can't wait to see the whole thing getting started!

SF

Edited by Six Frags, 08 June 2006 - 06:51 AM.

Is it me or are France really shit now? I saw them play against China, they were terrible. Very lucky to win.

...Plus Cisse has broke his leg, again...

-X-

Yeah, I'm anticipating France's performance, seeing the VERY unexpected elimination last WC in the group stage.. Then they had like the same squad as when they won the WC back in '98..
I have them going till the semi finals in my pool, so I hope they'll do well (untill they have to play against the Netherlands of course)..

But they still have a very powerful squad with Zidane, Henry, Vieira, Trezeguet etc.. Part of me says they could win the tournament.. That is, unlike against China, if they really want to..

SF

Edited by Six Frags, 08 June 2006 - 09:32 AM.

Yes they have good players, but they don't work together at all. Zidane is waaay past it, Trezeguet is pure shit, Viera never plays well for France, etc.. Thierry Henry and Ribery are basically their main threat. They have a very old team now, most of their squad was with them in 1998, which is strange. I don't see them getting past group stages after their past three performances.

-X-

On the other side....This tournament is for many players in the France sqaud the last WC. For Zidane it's even his last football adventure. Perhaps they want to do everything(in football way) to make it an good farewell.

Anyone state side seen that commercial for NIKE or something like that.

The one that is like "America, the world no longer looks forward to playing you?"

yes. i like all of the soccer comercials i've seen on the tv this year. i dunno how true that one is, but it's a pretty nice rallying one. one of my friends is really stoked that it's starting. he's like counting it down. 12 more hours or something.

On the other side....This tournament is for many players in the France sqaud the last WC. For Zidane it's even his last football adventure. Perhaps they want to do everything(in football way) to make it an good farewell.

Yeah, I think so too.. Besides, they have more of a balance between the experienced and less experienced players in comparison to their squad back in 2002.. I really think Malouda and Govou could be a real threat when they're lined up.. Govou even more as he wasn't selected at first but replaced Cissé, and probably wants to prove himself..

Anyway, tonight Germany-Costa Rica and Poland-Ecuador.. I predicted both matches 1-0 (0-0).. Both Germany as Poland are very defensive and I think Germany will fail under pressure, and without Ballack I even could see them lose or draw..

SF

1hour till opening game...
the hysteria here in germany is incredible... reaching its peak.

i'll go watch the ceremony again now

What's the theme song this year?

I think it's Embrace with The World At Your Feet or something like that.


Germany just scored a fantasic goal 5 minutes into the first game...

3 - 1 Now. Who expected Costa Rica to score?!
Germany is controlling the game completely though.

The theme song is a bit rubbish if you ask me.

3-2 now. Costa Rica are not out of it yet. much like their first goal too
The german defence is much to flat.

4-2 final result, good game, infact a very good game for an opening one!

Germany looked good going forward, Costa Rica didn't look up to much apart from Wanchope who actually did something lol. Some quality strikes with that new ball, the swerve on that fourth goal was amazing! Germany's defence looked really shaky, almost like they had never played together before.

-X-

We won?

we won... well this will be the only win this world cup (poland will beat us) *lol*