Soccer (Football) World Cup

[Boost]

Just wanted to say that since I have always been a huge soccer fan and half decent player, I am closely following the World Cup. As it relates to the forum, both New Zealand and Australia have managed to qualify for the finals this year, a huge accomplishment.

I am rooting for both teams, because of EFILive. (I know it's a little corny)
Although the odds are strongly against them, they play respectable and entertaining football (soccer).

So far Australia lost really bad to Germany, due to missing their best player (Kewell) to a groin injury and also a mid game ejection / suspension. They also have the oldest team in the tournament (players' ages). But they always produce a very physical and competitive game.

New Zealand is currently holding Slovakia from scoring, also a feat. I wish them both the best, and congrats on making it!

I am also rooting big time for my home team USA (doing great). My birth country Hungary did not qualify as usual, despite having rich tournament history (runners up twice, a LONG time ago)

[joecar]

I've been watching some WC during my lunch breaks (we have a big flatscreen in our lunchroom).

Being Aussie with ethnic parents means I've played soccer for school sport and watched F1 since I can remember... :)

[Boost]

Cool! And what a great last minute equalizer for NZ!!! Although he did get a yellow card for removing his shirt, I wouldn't care, they salvaged an important point from what looked like a sure loss.

[MyM8V8]

Just wanted to say that since I have always been a huge soccer fan and half decent player, I am closely following the World Cup. As it relates to the forum, both New Zealand and Australia have managed to qualify for the finals this year, a huge accomplishment.

I am rooting for both teams, because of EFILive. (I know it's a little corny)
Although the odds are strongly against them, they play respectable and entertaining football (soccer).

So far Australia lost really bad to Germany, due to missing their best player (Kewell) to a groin injury and also a mid game ejection / suspension. They also have the oldest team in the tournament (players' ages). But they always produce a very physical and competitive game.

New Zealand is currently holding Slovakia from scoring, also a feat. I wish them both the best, and congrats on making it!

I am also rooting big time for my home team USA (doing great). My birth country Hungary did not qualify as usual, despite having rich tournament history (runners up twice, a LONG time ago)

COME ON ENGLAND!!!

They usually disappoint us though - :-( ................ Now we have two Butterfingers in goal. Bring back Banksy and Shilton! - never had a good goalie since.

[GMPX]

We have a soccer team?

[Boost]

:laugh:

not nice Ross

[Blacky]

We have a soccer team?

ROTFLMAO

Man, that reminds me of when I took my first trip to NZ about 20 years ago.
Some rabid NZ rugby supporter tried to taunt me about the Australians losing a Bledisloe Test (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bledisloe_Cup) match to New Zealand, the conversation went something like this...


Kiwi: Bad luck about the Bledisloe - eh?
Me: The what?
Kiwi: The Bledisloe!
Me: What's that?
Kiwi: You know - the All Blacks v's The Wallabies?
Me: Who's the Wallabies?
Kiwi: You are an Aussie - right?
Me: Yes
Kiwi: The Wallabies are the Australian rugby team.
Me (seriously): Oh - I didn't know we had a rugby team.
Kiwi: Walks off, shaking his head in disbelief.

Anyway I did sit up till the wee hours watching the All Whites play, I had given up on them scoring in the last 30 minutes, 'cause they were just dropping in long bombs from defense and hoping for the best. Couldn't believe they actually scored.

Regards
Paul

[Boost]

Blacky, at this point in time the Kiwis are doing better, they have earned their historical first goal and first point in this tournament which is actually bigger than the Olympics.

I know how you car people are, the only sport I pay attention to is drag racing, besides soccer which is my other passion.

"All Whites snatch last-gasp point

A last-gasp Winston Reid header snatched New Zealand an improbable draw against a dominant Slovakia side in their Group F opener in Rustenburg. Robert Vittek had put the Europeans in front, also with his head, in the 50th minute but the All Whites hit back for a result that leaves the section's four sides level on one point – and goal difference – after Italy and Paraguay also drew 1-1 yesterday.

New Zealand defied their underdogs' status in the opening five minutes. First Chris Killen broke free from his marker just inside the Slovakia half, charged forward and unleashed a shot that flew over. Then the same player headed wide from an inviting Leo Bertos cross. That seemed to awaken the Europeans. Vladimir Weiss, son of the Slovakia coach, darted down the right flank before producing a low cross that Mark Paston did well to hold, before Robert Vittek cut inside before blazing a shot high and wide.
The flair of Weiss was thrilling the crowd and on 22 minutes, the Slovakia No7 found space down the left and threaded the ball through to Marek Hamsik, who curled it wide from inside the area. Weiss then craftily laid on a chance for Stanislav Sestak, who fired into the side-netting. Minutes later the No9 missed another chance, this time from a close-range header following a corner. With ten minutes of the half remaining, Vittek cut inside from the right and fired a fierce 20-yard shot wide.

New Zealand, who had been spectators for a period, then went close. Following a neat passing move, Smeltz played a give-and-go with Rory Fallon before shooting into the side-netting from a difficult angle. It proved a brief respite, as the Slovaks dominated possession for the remainder of the half, albeit without creating any meaningful opportunities. They did just that five minutes after the restart, though, and this time they took full advantage. Sestak crossed from the right, and Vittek powered his header into the bottom corner. It was just reward for Slovakia's relentless assault on the Kiwis' goal.

Rather than sit back, the team in blue went in search of a second goal. After 58 minutes Sestak held the ball up well and touched it into the path of Hamsik, who failed to keep his shot down from the edge of the area. Slovakia almost doubled their lead soon after. Zdenko Strba and Sestak exchanged passes, before the latter set up Vittek. However, Paston rushed from his line to make a smart block from the 28-year-old forward.

It took an alert Tony Lochhead to deny Vittek a clear sight on goal with 15 minutes remaining, before Smeltz headed wide from a rare New Zealand attack with just minutes remaining. It appeared then that their last chance had gone, but deep into injury time Smeltz crossed for Reid to steal in and nod home a dramatic equaliser."

[GMPX]

:laugh:

not nice Ross
In Australia, Soccer, football, whatever you want to call it is not as popular as Rugby, AFL or Cricket (depending on what state you are in). Though it's popular enough that there has been a few Aussies go to Europe to play quite successfully so I shouldn't ridicule it too much.
Sports that involve different countries competing against each other are usually fun to watch, or I should say, watching English football fans in foreign countries is fun to watch :sly:

[Boost]

Right now I am watching Australia's second group game against Ghana. There is still over an hour left. They are both eliminated with a loss. Australia needs a win to have any realistic chance of making the second round of eliminations. They are playing well and on the attack right now... THEY JUST SCORED THEY JUST SCORED THEY JUST SCORED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A beauty !

Australia is ranked #20 in the world and Ghana is a #32. I can't believe they scored exactly as I was typeing ! Thank God!! It won't be easy for them

They are not ghana win! Go Roos!!

[Boost]

OH OH big problem now I spoke soon, in seconds it could be a disaster... :(

[Boost]

Yup, disaster. I'll shut up now...

[mr.prick]

Yay!
A sport that almost always ends in a tie. :bad: :hihi: :cucumber:
I can't believe this hasn't caught on here in the US. :sly:

[Boost]

But it has! More people now like soccer in the US than speak English.

[GAMEOVER]

but it has! More people now like soccer in the us than speak english.

WTF!!!:wtf1:

[Boost]

:nixweiss:joke not funny ? I tried, oh well I'll keep my day job and won't become a comedian. :hihi:

There is still a tiny chance for Australia, and NZ plays tomorrow. Mexico is doing great which is cool because I played for a Mexican team in Homestead and some of my tuning friends and customers are rooting for them.

At least I have a few back-up teams, in case the USA don't do as great as I hope and think they will

[GAMEOVER]

Yeah, it was funny...:D

[joecar]

But it has! More people now like soccer in the US than speak English.lol, even more so in So.Cal. :)

[stigmundfreud]

I'm still reeling at that sodding draw with the USA in our opener and then to draw with bloody Algeria! Still, I'm quids in. In the sweepstake I drew a 0-0 result = $$$ for me, then I picked Cameroon to be the first team to be kicked out = $$$ but due to inflation it will only buy 4 beers = bad times.

[stigmundfreud]

Whilst I appreciate this is not the place to discuss games that end in ties... baseball, wtf?!

[Blacky]

NZ draws with Italy - who'd have thought?

[MyM8V8]

:laugh:

not nice Ross

After todays game against the world champions Italy, the Kiwi's made a determined effort and rightfully, the point earned might as well have been a win.

Ross you might have to start eating something.

When you talk about England fans, have a good look at your own , if you get a chance to watch your National team play (a good and worthy game). I have never seen one of our ladies without her top at a match. LOL.

Blacky, why the disbelief, where do the Kiwis and Aussies play most of their soccer?.

[Blacky]

Blacky, why the disbelief, where do the Kiwis and Aussies play most of their soccer?.
World number 5 against world number 72 (or something like that), I was expecting 3 or 4 to zero defeat. I'm pretty sure most of the players have a gig in Europe somewhere.

Regards
Paul

[GMPX]

I have never seen one of our ladies without her top at a match. LOL.
I'm still not seeing the problem :grin:

[Boost]

wow NZ wow, all I can say is congrats! You denied and almost beat the defending and 4 time world champions and favorites.

"Italy humbled by All Whites

New Zealand caused South Africa 2010's biggest upset thus far by holding world champions Italy to a 1-1 draw at Nelspruit's Mbombela Stadium. In the end, only a Vincenzo Iaquinta penalty prevented Marcello Lippi's Azzurri dropping all three points as the All Whites, who took an early lead through Shane Smeltz, produced a courageous and intelligent performance to earn their second FIFA World Cup™ point.

Faced with a side ranked 74 places above them, New Zealand might have been expected to park the proverbial bus in front of Mark Paston's goal. In fact, the opposite was true. Evidently deciding that attack represented the best form of defence, coach Ricki Herbert fielded three strikers in an adventurous line-up, and was rewarded for his boldness with the opening goal inside seven minutes. New Zealand benefited from some distinctly un-Italian defending with the Azzurri rearguard left in chaos by an inswinging Simon Elliot free-kick. The most notable culprit was Fabio Cannavaro, who inadvertently cushioned the ball into the path of a grateful Smeltz. From four yards out, all the New Zealand No9 had to do was poke the ball under the diving Federico Marchetti.

In a tournament full of upsets, it looked at this stage that a truly momentous shock was on the cards, but an Italian response was not long in arriving. They should have been level after 16 minutes, in fact, after Cannavaro knocked down Simone Pepe's corner for the well-positioned Giorgio Chiellini, but the Juventus centre-half provided a typical defender’s finish, smashing the ball out for a throw-in on the far side.

Italy were taking a stranglehold on possession, however, and after Gianluca Zambrotta just missed out on finding the top corner from 25 yards, Riccardo Montolivo went closer still, bending a superb effort around the statuesque Paston only to see the ball rebound to safety off the inside of the post. The Azzurri players must have wondered at this stage if this simply was not going to be their day, but their luck was to change after 28 minutes when Tommy Smith was penalised for pulling down Daniele De Rossi in the box. Iaquinta stepped up to take the resultant penalty and level the scores with a perfect spot-kick low to the left of the wrong-footed Paston.

Italy might have hauled themselves level, but Lippi remained unhappy enough to make a double substitution at half-time that saw Antonio Di Natale and Mauro Camoranesi enter the fray. The former, a prolific scorer in Serie A this season, nearly made an instant impact, firing in an imaginative right-foot volley that Paston could only parry clear. However, Lippi will have been hugely concerned at the relative ease with which New Zealand continued to hold his side at bay, and substitute Chris Wood came within a whisker of winning it for the Kiwis in the closing stages with a left-foot shot that slipped inches wide. Herbert's side were certainly well worthy of a share of the spoils, and go into their final match against Paraguay with everything still to play for in Group F."

This was supposed to be the most one sided match of the entire tournament.... ONE FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS

[MyM8V8]

World number 5 against world number 72 (or something like that), I was expecting 3 or 4 to zero defeat. I'm pretty sure most of the players have a gig in Europe somewhere.

Regards
Paul

Yes, they do,and that's why they can play.

Awesome rwsult for the Kiwi's, they obvioulsy have a good Manager too, who will no doubt be winging his way over here after the World Cup.

Wish the England squad had displayed the same grit and determination :-(

[Boost]

Good luck to England tomorrow, hopefully they will join the USA in the second round. I also wish the best to Australia, may they overcome the suspension of good players, having suffered through their first two games a man down, huge disadvantage. Some big games tomorrow.

[Blacky]

Good luck to England tomorrow Who do England play and are England expected to win?
P.S. Friday morning 2:00am I'll probably be sitting up watching the NZ team playing Paraguay (along with 4 million other people)- maybe I'll even dare to hope that they might pull something out of the bag.
Paul

[stigmundfreud]

Slovakia, a bogey team. I predicted the 0-0 drawer against Algeria, a team we should trounce. This world cup has seen nearly all the big teams perform poorly! If we dont go through it will be a shock but its quite possible we will be coming home soon!!

[stigmundfreud]

Yes, they do,and that's why they can play.

Awesome rwsult for the Kiwi's, they obvioulsy have a good Manager too, who will no doubt be winging his way over here after the World Cup.

Wish the England squad had displayed the same grit and determination :-(

think the problem with us is lack of team cohesion and it is always more difficult to play attacking football when you are against a plucky underside. Often the lesser team pulls out the good results by shocking the better, not to disrespect the kiwi's etc. Its like Italy winning Samoa in Rugby

[Boost]

Tomorrow, England (#8) plays Slovenia (#25) and USA (#14) face Algeria (#30) in the remaining two games of their group.

All four teams are still alive, with England needing to win but Slovenia only a draw to move on. Algeria must win to have even a slim chance, while the USA would still have a weak mathematical chance with a draw.

#78 New Zealand meanwhile must beat #31 Paraguay on the 24th, or if they manage a tie their only hope is that #34 Slovakia beats #5 Italy.

#20 Australia not only must beat #15 Serbia (on the 23rd), but also need #32 Ghana to defeat #6 Germany...

It will be exciting for sure and best of luck to USA, England, Australia, New Zealand they are all still TECHNICALLY in.

[Blacky]

England .... Goal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Blacky]

USA ... Goal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MyM8V8]

Thanks Buddy. It worked. We played a solid game today and sneaked it. Better to come now that's over. USA there too, with a late goal.

Stig Slovakia might be a bogey team, but Slovenia weren't. France are definitely a bogey team. Those Frenchies seem to strike for any reason at all, although this time, a National footbal team going on strike didn't cause operation stack on our southern motorways.

I will be rooting for the Kiwis next, as most of them play over here anyway. Still can't get over that result against the World Champs. Go Woodsy!

[Boost]

Congrats! Australia did great too scoring twice to beat a strong Serbian team who just defeated Germany. Unfortunately they were still eliminated due to the result of the other game, I think just a single goal would have made the difference for them. In the end, I am very glad my USA is through to the eliminations in heroic fashion, along with a better looking England. By topping the group, we are also rewarded by having to face Ghana next, instead of Germany who will duke it out with England. Who knows, it was amazing and I am ecstatic. And New Zealand still has a chance but they need a lot of help. Good luck to all!!

[bballer182]

I can't believe that the US pulled a WIN in spite of the shitty ref'ing. These are the ref's in the world cup??? I wouldn't trust these people to ref a childrens' soccer game. THEY ARE HORRIBLE... It will be interesting to see what happens to the rules about instant replay and how the refs are chosen once this years world cup is over.

[MyM8V8]

ITALY OUT!!!!

(Spooked by small flightless birds.)




Coming up again. England vs Germany.

(11 Spitfires needed and a Manager by the name of Churchill)

[stigmundfreud]

I can't believe that the US pulled a WIN in spite of the shitty ref'ing. These are the ref's in the world cup??? I wouldn't trust these people to ref a childrens' soccer game. THEY ARE HORRIBLE... It will be interesting to see what happens to the rules about instant replay and how the refs are chosen once this years world cup is over.

one of the refs was banned for corruption in his own league yet is at the world cup. England has particularly suffered in the past from very naughty referee decisions but it is part of the fun of the game

He who bribes fifa the most, wins ;)

[stigmundfreud]

ITALY OUT!!!!

(Spooked by small flightless birds.)




Coming up again. England vs Germany.

(11 Spitfires needed and a Manager by the name of Churchill)

Italy out, wonder if they will do the same to the world cup as they did with eurovision ;)

[stigmundfreud]

Chris Evans made a cracking comment on radio 2 today (BBC)

England vs Germany, france are out and the Americans (playing later in the week) will turn up late ;)

Well done USA, England and fantastic work Kiwi's and Australia

[MyM8V8]

England??? Same old, same old. True blues let down again by some questionable management and a lack of grit and determination from a squad of overpaid primadonna's. Reason's to be cheerful??? Yes.

I'm sticking to my cars in future, bugger the football!

[Boost]

Well, it's over congrats Spain (1st), Holland (2nd), Germany (3rd) and Uruguay (4th). It's been fun and entertaining, truly a big deal. Thanks guys for participating in my little soccer thread LOL. Now back to cars darnit !!!! Tuning tuning tuning

[Boost]

Back from the dead! :) Congrats to New Zealand on their away win in qualifications for the next one! They are already in the best four in the region and well on their way to become a finalist. But the 1st place in Oceania would have to knock out the 4th place from North & Central America to get in, a full year from now.

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/oceania/matches/index.html

On another note, Australia is having to qualify from the Asia region, they have made the final 10 and are fighting hard in their group.

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/asia/standings/index.html

[Boost]

New Zealand just beat Solomon Islands 6-1, launching them to 1st place in the group!

[Boost]

Australia lost to Jordan 2-1, a huge upset :(