World Cup 2010

[Langdale Wolf]

Another poor game tonight.

This could turn into the second worst world cup of all time.

[ampersand]

yeah i was impressed by both teams. really liked the look of the korean number 9! can see him getting a move to europe should be play like that in the next two games and bag a goal.

[eFestivals]

I disagree - I enjoyed tonights. It DOES need to improve though - there have been WAY too many damp squibs.

the early games are always a bit cagey tho - teams see not losing their first game as more important than winning it.

Plus, Brazil never get out of third gear unless the team they're playing force them to. They've always been a team that doesn't tend to win their matches by the margin they could do, but they rend to win all the same.

The best games in the groups are often the last ones, when teams have already qualified or are already certain to go home - they don't have nerves at that point, and tend to play better for it.

[Tugger2k]

Plus, Brazil never get out of third gear unless the team they're playing force them to. They've always been a team that doesn't tend to win their matches by the margin they could do, but they rend to win all the same.

[pink_triangle]

Am looking forward to seeing alexis Sanchez for chile today. Have heard a lot of good reports but dont think I have ever seen him play.

[philipsteak]

The press are going nuts here. New Zealands first ever world cup point. Its like they've won the thing. Its good fun to watch. As long as they dont make fools of themselves then anything extra (such as a world cup point) is a bonus. Helps that the aussies got stuffed too.

[Tugger2k]

by 5 pm today we'll have seen everyone

while i dont think you can read too much into the 1st games (everybody is intent on not losing) no-one has yet really shone, obviously the germans have been the most impressive (but i dont rate the aussies much and when the ref sent cahill off, it made it very easy for the germans) but as yet, the tournament is still wide open, and if 1 or 2 teams can get it together then there hasnt been a whole heap of quality on show so far to get past.

again, if spain show their quality today im prepared to withdraw all of the above.

[Langdale Wolf]

the early games are always a bit cagey tho - teams see not losing their first game as more important than winning it.

Plus, Brazil never get out of third gear unless the team they're playing force them to. They've always been a team that doesn't tend to win their matches by the margin they could do, but they rend to win all the same.

The best games in the groups are often the last ones, when teams have already qualified or are already certain to go home - they don't have nerves at that point, and tend to play better for it.

Edited June 16, 2010 by Langdale Wolf

[eFestivals]

while i agree with that, do you not think that its a pretty dangerous plan to take when there are 2 very tough games coming up for the Brazilians, and of course on last nights showing i dont expect North Korea to crumble, but if Ivory Coast & Portugal put 3 or 4 past them, its going to make qualification from that group tricky (not that it was going to be easy in the 1st place)

I guess it could be dangerous - it is, after all, the toughest group.

But all the same, Brazil normally go about things in that way, and it's not like it's stopped them being the most successful team ever, eh? So I suspect they'll do what they always do, and step it up a gear if they need to in those next two games.

(I've not actually seen any of the games in the last two days ).

[gratedenini]

I remember N Korea being 3-0 up at Ayrsome park against Italy in 1966 and losing.

Not much chance of that scenario nowadays... World football has been compressed into a much tighter band and it plain to see that no team is ever gonna run away with a tournament.

So far, i haven`t seen any team produce a spell of even 10mins of quality play.

The next round of games will obviously give us some more indication but i think the winners will be one of the most organised of sides ie difficult to beat...nick a goal.

I think Brazil,if put under pressure at the back,are easily beatable.

Most interesting 2 game will be to see how Germany do..if they do the same...well you got to say, with such a young squad that they would become favs (14/1 before a ball kicked!).

How pleased our lass is--as is The Boy J after NZs point!

Which leaves me..... C`MON INGER-LAND, INGER-LAND

[Langdale Wolf]

I guess it could be dangerous - it is, after all, the toughest group.

But all the same, Brazil normally go about things in that way, and it's not like it's stopped them being the most successful team ever, eh? So I suspect they'll do what they always do, and step it up a gear if they need to in those next two games.

(I've not actually seen any of the games in the last two days ).

[Tugger2k]

I guess it could be dangerous - it is, after all, the toughest group.

But all the same, Brazil normally go about things in that way, and it's not like it's stopped them being the most successful team ever, eh? So I suspect they'll do what they always do, and step it up a gear if they need to in those next two games.

(I've not actually seen any of the games in the last two days ).

[pink_triangle]

Brazil raise their standard depending on the opposition. As said previously there is little point wasting more energy than you need at this stage. People say the brazilian defence is weak, however when brazil start reaching their potential the question is will the opposition get enough of the ball to exploit this.

[ste4_20]

I think Brazil,if put under pressure at the back,are easily beatable.

Most interesting 2 game will be to see how Germany do..if they do the same...well you got to say, with such a young squad that they would become favs (14/1 before a ball kicked!).

How pleased our lass is--as is The Boy J after NZs point!

Which leaves me..... C`MON INGER-LAND, INGER-LAND

[Cardboard Box City]

I remember N Korea being 3-0 up at Ayrsome park against Italy in 1966 and losing.

[Ed209]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jun/16/world-cup-2010-paper-view-barry-glendenning

Do you think the story from the Pyongyang Democrat is real or a joke? I'm familiar with the Kim Jong-Il golf story, so I wouldn't put it passed them, but its hard to tell whether the Guardian is taking the piss or not.

[Kowalski]

Is it just me or is the ITV Live website a heap of shite?

I just want to watch a game, I don't want all the chat stuff coming up.

I can't get the fullscreen to stay on, so am forced to watch inane ramblings on the right hand side of the match, and the match keeps crashing (possible network issue but its never happened on the BBC coverage).

Edited June 16, 2010 by Kowalski

[eFestivals]

Chins up, England fans.....

Yesterday, Rob Green was peppered with hundreds of shots in training, and didn't let in a single shot.

Today, both him and Heskey will be training with the rest of the England team.

(shamelessly nicked from Sky Text Sport Letters)

[Tugger2k]

Is it just me or is the ITV Live website a heap of shite?

I just want to watch a game, I don't want all the chat stuff coming up.

I can't get the fullscreen to stay on, so am forced to watch inane ramblings on the right hand side of the match, and the match keeps crashing (possible network issue but its never happened on the BBC coverage).

[Tugger2k]

good game this one now

chile look red hot

i'll get me coat!!

[Tugger2k]

best game of the competition so far

both sides playing like its a knock out stage game rather than a group game.

chile really look like they could give a few 'fancied' teams a real go!!

[Kowalski]

http://www.tvcatchup.com/watch.html?c=3

[Langdale Wolf]

http://www.tvcatchup.com/watch.html?c=3

[Ed209]

miss of the tournament so far? that was awful

[Steve P]

A comment on the BBC webiste coverage

Fabregas has scored the same amount of goals this season as Iniesta, Xavi, Alonso and Silva put together (19 goals). Unless Fabregas is seriously unfit then he should be in this team