FIFA World Cup 2006 [R]

Another late one tonight!

Nimh jump on the bandwagon with us, we need all the support we can get!

I dont know if I can keep up the late nights.

Why you europeans insist on playing football in the middle of the night is beyond me.

nice post nimh. I must admit liking Figo and Ronaldo so I started[/i]siding with Portugal, but not for long...they were a disgrace and deserved a good kicking. Figo was the worst. There might be further action taken against him once the video evidence is analysed.



That made us laugh too. They looked like two naughty boys sent to see the head teacher "What are you here for?" "Nuffink" "S'not fair".

Towards the end I reallywanted Holland to equalise...if nothing else to see if it came to penalty shoot outs if there would even be enough players left on the pitch to take them

Never mind nimh your boys did well. Its only a game you know, not to be taken seriously...

the game originated among mining folk of NE England. They should have been digging coal. When the toffs codeified the game in the 1860s, the miners insisted playing it at night, to simulate underground conditions...

I couldn't reach A2K yesterday for some reason, othgerwise I'd have commented earlier. I must say, Nimh makes some good points, and ones that I up to a certain level agree with. The Netherlands showed they wanted to win, and weren't afraid to play physical powerhousing.
Of course, with a referee like THAT on the field, I'd never do that. I think we would have done better if we showed more soccer, and less manhandling. The Portugese managed just fine collecting cards without any help from our side, thank you very much!

I for one think the Netherlands were the better team, but the Portugese had the luck Argentina lacked. Truly, our defense failed, and Maniche made a very nice goal... But think about some of the chances Argentina had. It would have been better for us by far if Argentina had had that goal, in exchange for Portugal. Certainly, Argentina deserved it more.

It was clear from the getgo the Dutch didn't have a team that could win the World Championships, but I figured we could make it to the quarterfinals at least, and, perhaps, even further. Now, that hope is gone.
I for one hope Portugal wil lose the next game, not so much out of wrath, but more because they don't deserve to go far with their 'soccer tactics'

But all in all there is still much soccer coming that will be good to look at I think. I am really curious to find out how Germany - Argentina will go.
And if I get bored, there is always Wimbledon

Naj

Today's picks: Australia over Italy and Switzerland over Ukraine.

At last (it's taken me aaaages to log on to A2K today)

I think I'll go with my head and not my heart and say that Italy will win 2 or 3-0. Australia will find it hard to crack Italy's defence....and I've just read that Kewell is on the substitute's bench!

Switzerland will just about win their match, methinks.

Italy 2-1, Switzerland-Ukraine, can't decide yet.

.....Blimey! This was 103 pages ago!!


50% correct so far........re. the quarter finals. Nearly got England Holland.

http://www.able2know.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=2086078&highlight=#2086078

Italy, by 1-0, and Switzerland, by 2-1 after extension.

(Hah! I might as well have drawn lots from a barrel...)

0-0 half time aussies vs azzuri

Australia looking good but Italy have had virtually all the shots on goal.

I'm counting on a penalty shoot out and the curse of Baggio!!!!

I was sure the Aussies would pull one out, but that 90+ minute penalty did them in. The Italians are on to the quarter-finals.

The usual Italy, one good game, one mediocre one.
Their next good game will be the quarter finals, their exit, the semis.

Australia played a great game, and has earned the respect of the world football community (a respect nations known as powerhouses often lose). It lacked the individual who made the difference, but was the better team on the field. But the game is for the one who scores, and Italy knows this way too well.

The penalty was rigorous, as we say. It could have perfectly not been marked, as well. The shirt counts, who knows if the referee would have marked it, han an Australian attacker fallen.

That was heart-breaking for the Aussies - last kick of the game. Not sure if that was a penalty - the Italian appeared to be "looking for it". Magnificent strike by Totti, it must be said.

Italy defended superbly and Australia just didn't have that touch of class to break them down.

Have to fancy Italy for the semis now.

Damned italians, so mediocre... I really wanted the Aussies to win, they seem like good people.

The referees in the WC are progressively getting worse. How can they give this guys a whistle! When will the FIFA allow video reviews to change critical calls on game? Something needs to be done...

I am officially as sick as a parrot!

I soooo wanted the Aussies to trounce the Italians....never mind.

The good thing about Australia is that they will bounce back. They will learn from this, and be a real force to be reckoned with next time.

I would imagine that Guus won't have to buy a drink in Oz for the next year or so.

Hard luck Oz!

Actually, the Australians lost the match by themselves: they could have done better.

Though, it really was very bad luck.

I'm p!ssed off. But they went further than anyone gave them a chance to. But the penalty was a crock of sh!t.

I think, the penalty was one.

But holding a 0:0 against (even only 10) Italians over such a long time: well done, Australia!