The only World Cup 2006 thread you need

[Jim]

What a game!

The US a man down (well, technically two......) and they were the team with the most intent going forward? Against ITALY?

This will take some getting over. I feel all faint.

What a game!

[anythinggoes]

I feel all faint.

What a game!

thatll be the blue jeans you wore today

[Jim]

Aye. They were pretty tight.

[Layne Staley's Sunglasses]

Worst....referee.....ever!

I hope we never see him again.  Great game by both teams, DESPITE the U.S. getting the shaft.  (Italy's red card was well-deserved, but most of the yellows they got were complete BS).

[Jim]

I don't know, there is a good argument for the US red card, too... It was pretty reckless.

Showing a yellow so soon after the break was absurd though! That's one thing that can be said for referees over here in England; so long as they can, they will let the game run on. It is very unlikely to be booked directly after the start or after half time; the referee will have a quiet word. The referee's at this tournament are way too card happy......

[2NaFish]

Jim, have you never watched Italy or an Italian team play? Even if they were three men up they would still sit back and wait to beat a team on the counter attack. Its what they've always done. Its the italian way.

The referee was a total shite-bag. Although i cant really remember one game this tournament where i've been happy with the ref.

[Layne Staley's Sunglasses]

Brian McBride was elbowed intentionally.  It happened right after the "lucky goal."  He got bloodied by the Italian player.  That's a red card well deserved.  The first red card the U.S. got, it was off of a simple tackle.  There was nothing dirty there.  And Eddie Pope's second yellow, erm, well, after 2 minutes?!  Players win games, coaches lose them, and referees ruin them. 

[gnr-4-ever]

I just can't understand the italian team, they have a player in hand for the whole second half and they don't go forward, i just don't understand it, i had the feeling they just wanted to secure a point from the game, they should have pushed to get a second goal but no they go on defence 

btw my friend lost 400 ? couse' of italy 

[mikesc]

Worst referee ever?
I?d rather say best referee ever. All of his decisions were perfectly right. I hope he does the finale.
All teams (and players) knew that the referees had new guidelines, set by FIFA for this World Cup, and he perfectly followed them. It was an outstanding perfomance of him.
The teams were great, too. USA greatly improved since the match agains Czech Republic and Italy did a very good match, too, except the last half hour.

[Axls Locomotive]

The first red card the U.S. got, it was off of a simple tackle.  There was nothing dirty there. 

it was a 2 footed tackle showing his studs...its a sending off offence

[2NaFish]

Worst referee ever?
I?d rather say best referee ever. All of his decisions were perfectly right. I hope he does the finale.
All teams (and players) knew that the referees had new guidelines, set by FIFA for this World Cup, and he perfectly followed them. It was an outstanding perfomance of him.
The teams were great, too. USA greatly improved since the match agains Czech Republic and Italy did a very good match, too, except the last half hour.

"If that is the law sir, then the law is an ass"

[gnr-4-ever]

As much as i saw on this world cup in every game the referee made 1 or 2 mistakes that could changed the game totaly, it just sucks

[Jim]

Jim, have you never watched Italy or an Italian team play? Even if they were three men up they would still sit back and wait to beat a team on the counter attack. Its what they've always done. Its the italian way.

Well, Serie A certainly stinks of it, but the national team tend to assert a degree dominance over lesser opponents. Even if you are sitting back, there is no way that the USA should have had that much possesion given that they were a man down.

[Layne Staley's Sunglasses]

You are most certainly correct Jim.  And at the end of the game, Keller just kept launching the ball over to the Italian goalie! 

[SWINGTRADER]

I'm an american   of Italian  father.  Thursday is going to be perfect for me,   Italy  needs to win  for the U.S  to have a chance  and the U.S needs to beat Ghana.     I will be the biggest  Italian American fan  on thursday.  GO  USA   GO ITALIA!!!!

[Layne Staley's Sunglasses]

I'll drink to that buddy! 

[gnr-4-ever]

I'm an american? ?of Italian? father.? Thursday is going to be perfect for me,? ?Italy? needs to win? for the U.S? to have a chance? and the U.S needs to beat Ghana.? ? ?I will be the biggest? Italian American fan? on thursday.? GO? USA? ?GO ITALIA!!!!

But what if they both lose?? 

[sandman]

the czechs and italy are frauds. ghana can easily win this group now - what a shocker that would be.

[2NaFish]

based on two games they are frauds? nah. the african teams simply dont have the quality nor experience right now. i'm not gonna say ghana will fail to qualify but italy are a real world class team.

[sandman]

based on two games they are frauds? nah. the african teams simply dont have the quality nor experience right now. i'm not gonna say ghana will fail to qualify but italy are a real world class team.

how many games do you need??? this is the world cup. it's deliver or go home. the Choke Republic got completely outclassed by a team from Africa. i am not impressed by them at all. italy will play for a tie and will probably get it.

Ghana controls their own destiny - win and they're in.