FIFA World Cup 2006 [R]

It's not fair, we had to run about in that heat for ages. No wonder Sven's lads were tired, poor things.

I'm looking forward to Argentina Ivory Coast tonight. Lets hope the Argentinians get kicked all over the park.

Did you go for your bike ride?

I reckon that Ivory Coast are going to be the real surprise team of this World Cup.
They could end up doing as well as Macaroon did, all those years ago.

Or was it Camaroon?

Well, whoever it was, they make bloody fine cakes.

I have some soothing balm that I could apply manually, if you like.

I'm kind and thoughtful like that, y'know.

Argentina gets one in at 24 minutes, the right bastards. This is going to be a good game too.

I thought the second goal was offsides....what did I miss?

Nope - Saviola was onside when the ball was played through.

Ivory Coast are going to have to take their chances when they present themselves, if they want to progress. Argentina had two chances in the first half and took them both.

Tough task for the IC to qualify for the knock-out stages now. They're an excellent footballing side, though.

I agree...they're only one good player away from serious contention

Crespo is a smooth operator. See how he hung back to get that chance for the first goal? Good strikers are born, not made.

Either of these teams, on today's showing, would give England a right pasting. I was impressed by the speed of the IC players.

Only saw the last 15 mins of Ivory Coast-Argentine, so I cant say much... but boy, do those IC players know their way round a ball. Lotsa nifty wizardry, tipping the ball under and around their feet, putting the Argentinian opponent on the wrong foot momentarily -- but yeah, only always momentarily.

Too much technics not enough strategy? It struck me how often an IC player would just head on forward with the ball, running by himself dribbling the ball passing an Argentinian or two - but leaving me thinking, oh - they could play so much more effectively! Pass it, already! Pass it to one, then one to the other, and you'll be over on the other side faster and with less hassle.

I liked IC for it, of course - plus, they played in orange - but Argentinia was clearly better, at least those last 15 mins..

Argentina 2 - 1 Ivory Coast FT for what it's worth. I really enjoyed that game, even though I'd heard a bit about them, I was still hugely impressed by the Ivory boys. I shouted aloud when they scored that consolation goal, they really deserved it. The difference between a good side and a great one though, it has to be said. The group of death indeed. Serbia & Montenegro are a good outfit as well, it'll be interesting to see how Holland respond tomorrow. Could be a few crunch games at the end of the group stages, what with the likes of Argentina, Holland, Italy and the Czechs all battling it out.

I have to say though, I hope this topic doesn't overly focus on England, whether it's team A would get battered by them because they're sooo brilliant or because team B would beat them because they're sooo rubbish etc etc. The thing is, one off games just don't tell you enough, a great start doesn't always set you on the way to the cup final and an average one doesn't rule you out either, as maybe, Brazil and Turkey will testify to from the world cup in 2002...

Yeh that's right and that's why I wrote "on today's showing."

Let's take one game at a time....

Absolutely, I didn't actually see your post before I did mine. It was more of a general statement, there seems to be a real fervour around the England team when these competitions come about which I can't say really helps anyone when it's over the top, both positive and negative. The BBC pundits had to joke after the game during their discussions to re-assure those just tuning in, that we'd actually won. Who knew!

Wasn't a very positive outcome for England...the coaching was tres tres conservative as if they're waiting for Rooney to return. This tactic could backfire down the road...and what's with all the forwards being substituted by mid fielders?...C'mon lads...let's show a little gumption...

True, I always get the impression that Holland does mediocrely in the first round, triggering much grumbling and despondency at home, only to pick up after that and score some really good results.

Thats why I'm worried this time, with such a tough first-round group.. strategically, I guess the Argentine win was good, because I'm supposing Argentine will go on anyhow, so our task is to keep Serbia and Ivory Coast out..

England tends to have at least one genuinely good game to get everyone screaming from the rafters about how, "football's coming home, it's coming home, it's..." before subsequently being knocked out by one of the "big boys" a couple of games later.

Holland, like Argentina seem to have shelved a few of the older players for this tournament in favour of some new blood, so like I say, I'm very interested to see how they go. I'll be watching tomorrow, no doubt about it. Although I've always had a soft spot for Italy, in more ways than for just football, the Dutch are, arguably, the most technically gifted footballers in Europe with an ability to produce true footballing youngsters that only Brazil and Argentina can rival/exceed. So if England go out, I wouldn't mind seeing a Holland - Brazil final I have to say.

Ronaldihnio said something in the build up to the WC about how, no matter who they played, the opposition would defend. Would Holland go out to defend against Brazil, interesting...

I was really pulling for Ivory Coast, but I'm glad they at least got the consolation goal. They played much better in the second half, but Argentina, being the pricks they are, just did what they had to do to keep the win. I confess to deep bias against them even though they are damned good and deserved to win. Like nimh, I saw a lot of missed passing opportunities. There were many times when they had the momentum where a couple of short passes could have made something happen but they just held the ball too long. Also, they should have taken one or two shots from the top of the box to pull the defenders out a little, but the Argentine defense had their number.

Yes! Finally, 15 hours separates Mexico from its first match!

I'm afraid, I'm so afraid...

No, no no thats not how it works! You're brimming with confidence, thats what you are. :wink: