WORLD CUP: Results Discussion

Isn't #7 Beckham's number..?  It's ok though, he's still hot!!

Well, EXACTLY!  That's what I was thinking!  He's just not been talked about recently as much as Owen and Rooney 
(but you're saying I'd still be a dork for wearing the shirt?  It's okay , I really want an honest opinion!)

Isn't #7 Beckham's number..?  It's ok though, he's still hot!!

Beck's a plank, Stevie G's gotta be made captain after the WC.

The States are definately in a tough group, Group C has been named the 'Group of Death' though:

Argentina
Holland
Ivory Coast
Serbia & Montenegro


I feel sorry for the IVC, they would've definately qualified had they been in another group.


For the USA to go through, Italy MUST beat the Czechs which will give the Czechs 3 points and Italy 7.  USA MUST beat Ghana which would give the USA 4 points and leave Ghana with only 3.  So we must win and Italy must win for us to go through on points.  My only fear is that Czechs score early and Itay equalizes and then plays for the draw.  This'll be the only time I pull for those bloddy Itai's

The States can still qualify though, think they need to beat Ghana by a large score and depending on what happens in the Czech Rep v Italy game, they may sneak through, odds are highly against it though.

Either way, all you can ask for is that they try their best.

erm, i dont think i said that middle bit, i'm gonna sue for libel. 

i don't know what happened there.  That middle part was suppose to me dropping my knowledge.  I guess I didn't scroll down far enough to get out of your quote.

Tough break tonight on Owen.  I know they said "twisted Knee" and a scan tomorrow.  but the way his body jolted when the trainer did a certain mobility test screams a MCL or an ACL tear.  I hope it's not that for him, that's an 8 to 10 month rehab stint right there.

England seemed to let it go there in the second half, it's a good thing they're playing Ecuador and not Germany.

As for the USA, if they're unfortunate enough to have a Czech - Italy draw they better hope it's 0-0, but they'd still need to win 4-0 and I think they'd go through on Goals Scored.

i don't know what happened there.  That middle part was suppose to me dropping my knowledge.  I guess I didn't scroll down far enough to get out of your quote.

Tough break tonight on Owen.  I know they said "twisted Knee" and a scan tomorrow.  but the way his body jolted when the trainer did a certain mobility test screams a MCL or an ACL tear.  I hope it's not that for him, that's an 8 to 10 month rehab stint right there.

That definate ligament damage there, hopefully he'll be back before crimbo. I don't what happened, he seemed to slip then buckle. Stevie's gotta be given the licence to roam now more than ever. Stevie G 2-0 LumpLard. 

C'mon England.

Ingerland
Ingerland
Ingerland
 

Well, Sweden managed a 2-2 draw against England after England dominated the first half. It seems like it often backfires when team get in a "comfortable" mode just like France the other day.

I was happy to see Sweden come back in the second half, and hadn't it been for that #$#@ crossbar or possible hand ball, we could have won it, but now a very tough game against Germany awaits Sweden. It should be a good one though, but I think the Germans will be to strong on their home court.

I'm v concerned about Owen.  He's a good addition to the England team - and they can barely afford to lose him now!  Joe Cole is absolutely precious & an amazing player, contributing massively to every game they've played so far.

Did anyone else get disgusted at Rooney's temper tantrum today?  He might be a good player, but he's such a diva!

I'm torn for rooting for the USA & Ghana.  I love underdogs & they BOTH are (especially Ghana being a poor African country), and they put up an amazing performance by beating Italy.  However, I hate to see the US squad, arguably the best in years, put out of the running so early.  We'll see!

England seemed to let it go there in the second half, it's a good thing they're playing Ecuador and not Germany.

As for the USA, if they're unfortunate enough to have a Czech - Italy draw they better hope it's 0-0, but they'd still need to win 4-0 and I think they'd go through on Goals Scored.

considering the only goal they've put up so far is an own goal, scoring 4 might be a stretch

I don't think Rooney's a diva, I think he's an 8 year old boy who just wants to play and not be told what else to do!  I thought it was more of an amusing pout than an off-putting tantrum.

Beautiful goals by Cole and Gerrard... not sure if he was grinning or grimacing (probably the latter, but I like to think the former), but I absolutely LOVED watching the slo-mo replay of Gerrard's head perfectly coming up to meet the ball to tip it in.

I'm learning so much as I watch each game; realizing just how FAST that ball is going, and just how BIG that pitch is... all the fancy footwork, strategy, tempers and spins... love it!

I'm learning so much as I watch each game; realizing just how FAST that ball is going, and just how BIG that pitch is... all the fancy footwork, strategy, tempers and spins... love it!

and this is why they call it the beautiful game - and why I love it. 

I'm v concerned about Owen.  He's a good addition to the England team - and they can barely afford to lose him now!  Joe Cole is absolutely precious & an amazing player, contributing massively to every game they've played so far.

Did anyone else get disgusted at Rooney's temper tantrum today?  He might be a good player, but he's such a diva!

I'm torn for rooting for the USA & Ghana.  I love underdogs & they BOTH are (especially Ghana being a poor African country), and they put up an amazing performance by beating Italy.  However, I hate to see the US squad, arguably the best in years, put out of the running so early.  We'll see!

Ghana may be a poor African country but they are by no means underdogs, they are an extremely competent side with many of their players playing in the top European leagues. They are strong and athletic, Claudio Reyna will have to do some serious work in midfield, this is where is see the game being won.

Ghana may be a poor African country but they are by no means underdogs, they are an extremely competent side with many of their players playing in the top European leagues. They are strong and athletic, Claudio Reyna will have to do some serious work in midfield, this is where is see the game being won.

Oh, I do know that.  They proved that in the game versus Italy.  I just think that the richest country in the world has a definite competive edge (in theory) against a country like Ghana - players can have tons of skill, but it still takes money for training, etc.  USA has a great squad, but I guess the fact that they ARE underdogs proves that money doesn't buy everything (or maybe tons of money gives you a DISadvantage?  Look at all the football powerhouses - almost none of them are highly industrialised, wealthy countries).

The money issue is plausible to a certain extent, but for players like Essien who have played in France and now in England, training with the best, using the best facilities, etc may have an competive edge over someone like Reyna who's at Man City while Essien's been playing Champions League football with Chelski.