[football] FIFA's Southafrica 2010 World Cup

[Genesis]

First penalty shoot out of the tournament. Poor Komano. Japan played well, but somebody had to lose.

[One.In.A.Million]

I feel bad for anyone who misses at a penalty shootout, and costs their country progress into the next round. It must feel like you've let everyone down, but a game needs to be decided one way or another.

Japan played well though, and so did Paraguay.

[jarmo]

That game was pretty boring....




/jarmo

[pilferk]

I feel bad for anyone who misses at a penalty shootout, and costs their country progress into the next round. It must feel like you've let everyone down, but a game needs to be decided one way or another.

Japan played well though, and so did Paraguay.

In lots of sports, I'm all for "sudden death"...you play til someone scores.

Not so in football/soccer.....those guys looked dead on their feet at the end of play.  I couldn't imagine trying to kick after having played that long.  My legs would be rubber.

[Lady Ashba]

So long for Asian teams! Not bad for South America, 4 out of 8!

[kaasupoltin]

South America going pretty strong in this tournament, we'll see what happens in the next round. So far Spain-Portugal has been pretty interesting as both teams have had their chances and it's pretty hard to say who's closer to win. I hope it's Spain though..

[kaasupoltin]

One disgusting team had to win today and I'm glad it was Spain.. my bet is still going strong The red card was totally stupid, I mean.. c'mon.. Spanish don't need to fake that bad, they're good enough to win without it. Many say that the goal was an offside as it looked like one, but it wasn't. Tthe lack of replays didn't really help stopping the speculation though.

Last four teams standing will be Ghana, Germany, Holland and Spain. No room for the South American ones

[freedom78]

Last four teams standing will be Ghana, Germany, Holland and Spain. No room for the South American ones

That reeks of wishful thinking. 

[Jim]

Yeah, what was with the lack of replays, both of the goal ('offside') and the sending off...

... A FIFA directive on controversial decisions?

[Mandy.]

One disgusting team had to win today and I'm glad it was Spain.. my bet is still going strong The red card was totally stupid, I mean.. c'mon.. Spanish don't need to fake that bad, they're good enough to win without it. Many say that the goal was an offside as it looked like one, but it wasn't. Tthe lack of replays didn't really help stopping the speculation though.

Last four teams standing will be Ghana, Germany, Holland and Spain. No room for the South American ones

We'll see about that.


For me, the last four standing will be Uruguay, Germany, Brazil and Spain.

[Mysteron]

One disgusting team had to win today and I'm glad it was Spain.. my bet is still going strong The red card was totally stupid, I mean.. c'mon.. Spanish don't need to fake that bad, they're good enough to win without it. Many say that the goal was an offside as it looked like one, but it wasn't. Tthe lack of replays didn't really help stopping the speculation though.

Last four teams standing will be Ghana, Germany, Holland and Spain. No room for the South American ones

Spain and Portugal fall over and cheat too much. Portugal are worse, but it would be a travesty if Spain won.

Brazil have done well to date. I'd like to see the Netherlands go through, but I cannot see it happening.

I think Germany/Argentina will be a high scoring game. Both teams have mediocre defences.

Ghana should also be in the semi finals.

[svdv22]

Next friday the dutch will kick some brazilian ass

[Lady Ashba]

Last four teams standing will be Ghana, Germany, Holland and Spain. No room for the South American ones

Somehow I very much doubt that... we shall see

[One.In.A.Million]

I'm confident Brazil will go all the way, I don't see anyone who can challenge them on their all round play. I'm also happy that I have found Luis Fabiano during this World Cup, he is just amazing on the ball. He is also good with his hands too .

But joking aside, I feel Brazil will be very hard to beat in this tournament. 

[jarmo]

Yeah, what was with the lack of replays, both of the goal ('offside') and the sending off...

... A FIFA directive on controversial decisions?

Obviously...

I don't think they want to be reminded of how faulty their system really is.

Which apparently is just how it should be according to those who like to remember the games by the mistakes made by the referees instead of the actual game....



Another game that was decided by a very suspicious call.

Spain was the better team though.




/jarmo

[Jim]

[...] but it would be a travesty if Spain won.

I...

And the award for The Most Unique Opinion (in the world?) of the Week is awarded to...

[Jim]

Which apparently is just how it should be according to those who like to remember the games by the mistakes made by the referees instead of the actual game....

I just couldn't bear to get involved after that point was made. It scrambles my mind.

I still haven't actually seen a replay of the goal from a vantage in line with the last defender. Not even post-match!

It is a good thing for football in general that Spain went though (and also for my work sweepstake ).

[kaasupoltin]

I saw a still image of the moment the pass was given and it wasn't an offside.

Which apparently is just how it should be according to those who like to remember the games by the mistakes made by the referees instead of the actual game....

Who want's to remember the games by the mistakes? Those who don't wan't every single offside or faking to be checked from the screen? I think there was no mistakes made by the referees in this game. Only the red card seemed a bit stupid as there was no good replay of the possible hit.

Do you think that the goal should have been checked from the video? What if the lineman would have flagged it before the goal was made and Spanish players start protesting 'cause it would have been a great scoring chance for them.. would the refs have to check the offside from the screen then too? What would happen if they decide that it wasn't an offside?

If they are going to check the possible offsides that lead to a goal, they have to check flagged offsides too. That's the only fair way I see it, but it would change the game dramatically and slow it down. So I don't see any reason to start using videos in offside situations.

As for faking, it happens. Shit happens. It's not always fair, but if you look back like 10 years the difference is huge. It has been cut down pretty much and the refs should keep the cards coming for those who can't stand on their feet. I came across this article that had a nice point on this matter.. as every game is checked afterwards by the officials, they could give some penalty after the game for the real bad fakers. Like a fine or something.. that would cut the faking down even more as there's the fear of getting caught. We've seen some really stupid faking in this tournament and I can't believe they're getting away with it.

[CheapJon]

I saw a still image of the moment the pass was given and it wasn't an offside.

...

[jarmo]

Who want's to remember the games by the mistakes? Those who don't wan't every single offside or faking to be checked from the screen?

I think there was a discussion earlier about how some people love discussing the wrong calls and remember them years afterward. Which I thought was ridiculous.

Do you think that the goal should have been checked from the video? What if the lineman would have flagged it before the goal was made and Spanish players start protesting 'cause it would have been a great scoring chance for them.. would the refs have to check the offside from the screen then too? What would happen if they decide that it wasn't an offside?

There's no video to check from...

If FIFA decides to try out some kind of video system, they should go for it.


I'm more concerned about goals not being allowed when they should.

Offside calls are another matter all together.

As for faking, it happens. Shit happens. It's not always fair, but if you look back like 10 years the difference is huge. It has been cut down pretty much and the refs should keep the cards coming for those who can't stand on their feet. I came across this article that had a nice point on this matter.. as every game is checked afterwards by the officials, they could give some penalty after the game for the real bad fakers. Like a fine or something.. that would cut the faking down even more as there's the fear of getting caught. We've seen some really stupid faking in this tournament and I can't believe they're getting away with it.

If they can overturn penalties after the game, I don't see why they can't do something about the diving.

Maybe if players knew that they can get punished after the game, they might be more careful....






/jarmo