World Cup - any interest?

[platinum]

Go da all whites!

3 Points for NZ, Nothing much changes, always 1 behind Australia

[Craig(NZ)]

3 Points for NZ, Nothing much changes, always 1 behind Australia

Yeah but we only gave away 3 points to other teams, you guys gave away 4

Points only matter vs the amount of total points floating around within the pool.

We only let in 2 goals in 3 games out of the 6986 shots on goal, how many did you guys let in??

Anyway we go home 3rd having beaten Italy on the table, not many woulda put money on that

[ChrisV]

Italy are by far my most despised football team as well so I'm incredibly pleased to see their name under yours.

I was really cheering for a NZ victory (unlike in rugby) but it wasn't to be. Still a great effort you put up though. Not sure this is true but I heard one of your players had to ask for time off his job as a bank teller so he could go be part of the World Cup squad? Hilarious if true.

[Bick]

Not sure this is true but I heard one of your players had to ask for time off his job as a bank teller so he could go be part of the World Cup squad? Hilarious if true.

Yes - Andy Barron - he works for Westpac in Wellington. Had to ask for leave to attend WC - came on as a sub against Italy...

Some stats: Italy has 4.9 million footballers – more than the population of New Zealand – including 3541 professionals. The All Whites have just 25 professionals to draw on!

[odyssey]

Quagliarella and "that punch" for those that missed it. Hilarious!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbeFth_niLI

[DaveB]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ioyt2zzm530

some beauties there....

[DaveB]

And a fine effort from De Rossi in the Paraguay game....same bloke that did a dive in the NZ game

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2LjGaT5 ... r_embedded

And the secret Italian training video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHYVT59z ... re=related

[platinum]

Sigh* Australain Men are not young kids or sore losers*Sigh

[Michael McNally]

Whbat a tournament!

I think we need to get used to disappointment at the World Cup, with the upside that we qualify more often than pre-2006. When I saw our group, I thought we would neeed a fair bit more good luck than we had last tournament if we were to get anywhere. It turned out that luck was against us, and we still came close to qualifying (for about 5 minutes there at 2-0 up I had hope). A good effort from players and manager.

We should:
1. Modify our expectations as a footballing nation at major tournaments - they are lotteries.
2. Focus totally on youth development as this is where the good teams come from
3. Get the World Cup in 2022 (when my sone Henry turns 21!!!)
4. Lobby FIFA to bring in technology on red cards. See my previous post (rant).

I didn't get the paper today as I was pessimistic that the coverage would be negative.

Let's hope we qualify for Brasil 2014.

Cheers

Michael

[dave vino]

Brazil were pretty good last night. Gave Portugal a lesson on power soccer. They just totally dominated possession and the flow of the game, I think with Kaka, who creates a lot of their chances, back in the next game they will be hard to beat.

Some good games coming up England vs Germany, and Spain vs Portugal two huge traditional rival games.

[griff]

Well that was a surprise! Netherlands should make the final now. Germany is the traditional foe. While I think Argentina will pip them to the final I was wrong about Brazil...

cheers

Carl

[ChrisV]

Brazil were the much better side for the majority of the match. A couple of terrible defensive errors and a complete mental breakdown after that means Brazil thoroughly deserved the loss, the question is did Netherlands deserve the win? I think you'd be hard-pressed to come up with any decent chance Netherlands had to score, other that the times they actually scored (and minus the craziness at the end with a 10-man Brazil going all out to score). While they'll probably make the final they'll certainly be substantial underdogs to whichever of Spain, Argentina and Germany manage to compete in the final against them.

[Red Smurf]

Wow what a result for the Dutch.
On pool results it should be a Netherlands v Argentina final so thats my prediction but it would be good to see them play Germany!
One of my workers is Dutch and I dont think Ill be seeing him much this comming week if they make the Final. Win - wont see him for 2 weeks
'Ga naar de oranje'

Smurf

[rens]

Well, You'd never guess I like the world game... (look right)
Being a dutch born Australian, I have 2 teams in the mix. Australia to go down to England in the round of 16 and the dutch to win the whole bloody thing...
Green Gold and Oranje!

I did predict the dutch to win the thing.
2 games to go!

[Michael McNally]

Wonder why you tipped the oranje Rens? Bias?

I agree that Brasil lost the match rather than the Dutch winning it, and I am sick or Arjen Robben throwing himself on the floor all the time. That said, the Dutch are capable of much better and the hallmark of a winning side is one that wins even when playing poorly.

Cheers

Michael

[rens]

Wonder why you tipped the oranje Rens? Bias?

I agree that Brasil lost the match rather than the Dutch winning it, and I am sick or Arjen Robben throwing himself on the floor all the time. That said, the Dutch are capable of much better and the hallmark of a winning side is one that wins even when playing poorly.

Cheers

Michael

Perhaps a little bias and some good old dutch arrogance for good measure .
Brasil went to pieces after the first dutch goal and then frustration set in and that was that.
I agree Arjen is spending more time rolling on the ground than playing football. So much so he could play for Italy.
Tonight's game should be a cracker too.
The discipline of the Germans up against the flare of the Argies.
Argentina should win but I can see extra time and pens to sort it out.

[orpheus]

WOuldn't be too sure about the result in the Germany Argentina game.

I think it is a 50/50 bet. If pushed, I would say Germany. If they have a weakness, it is out when attacked down the flanks. They have shown how dangerous they can be in attack in this tournament.

My prediction before the quarter finals (and you'll just have to believe me!) was a German/Brazil or German/Netherlands final. I didn't think there was anything to separate Brazil and NEtherlands either.

[Craig(NZ)]

I hope for Spain to win the final thus making New Zealand the only undefeated team of the tounament, making us the real winners

clutching at straws here but hey its all i have

[n4sir]

I've been really enjoying Santo, Sam & Ed's show (probably as much as the football) - it's a pity their final one's coming up next Thursday.

My favourite bit had to be the Socceroo's "Glory Days of Oceana" DVD which they showed the night after we got thrashed by Germany:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wYfsVYMl3Y

Cheers,
Ian

[Michael R]

It amazing how much better tournaments become in the knock out stages, its all to play for and go for broke underdogs tend to force conservative teams into playing proper football. Group stages are so often dominated by tense teams using negative strategies.

So far the Germans counter attacking has been a joy to watch, the speed at which they run at stretched defences is awesome. I cannot wait to see the battle between them and Spain, who will surely be a lot better prepared than the clueless Argies (although what do you expect with ole Diego at the helm). Uruguay have justified many peoples ‘dark horse’ pick, and I’m delighted for them but feel terribly for Ghana. It’s one of the toughest misses I’ve had to watch in quite some time.

Holland, well I leave it to our Dutch forumites to better outline they’re chances, they look solid but honestly I’ll be surprised if they win it, even now as heavy favourites to qualify for the final. The Dutch keeper looks awesome however and that is a massive plus, (just ask English/Brazil fans). However recently any gifted Dutch team would have had a civil war by now, and gone out on penalties, so the fact they seem happy (van persie aside) and haven’t faced penalties yet makes me think I should back them.

Yet again the greatest show on earth has been slighted by appalling un-sportsmanlike conduct. I look forward to the day when FIFA introduces retrospective (referee) decisions. Its one thing to get it wrong during the heat of play, but failure to correct the error afterwards is irresponsible. Anyone who watched Brazil play Ivory Coast will no doubt have been sickened by what transpired. Unfortunately while players who ‘game’ the system go unpunished, what else can we expect. Luckily though the best teams (IMO) have qualified regardless. David Villa is surely player of the tournament, with Schweinsteiger and Mueller close behind. New Zealand has been the good story, Vuvuzelas being the bad, France being the ugly.

Cant believe it’ll be another 4 years until Brazil. Fingers crossed Australia gets to host soon. Despite its failings, its the true global contest.

[orpheus]

It amazing how much better tournaments become in the knock out stages, its all to play for and go for broke underdogs tend to force conservative teams into playing proper football. Group stages are so often dominated by tense teams using negative strategies.

So far the Germans counter attacking has been a joy to watch, the speed at which they run at stretched defences is awesome. I cannot wait to see the battle between them and Spain, who will surely be a lot better prepared than the clueless Argies (although what do you expect with ole Diego at the helm). Uruguay have justified many peoples ‘dark horse’ pick, and I’m delighted for them but feel terribly for Ghana. It’s one of the toughest misses I’ve had to watch in quite some time.

Holland, well I leave it to our Dutch forumites to better outline they’re chances, they look solid but honestly I’ll be surprised if they win it, even now as heavy favourites to qualify for the final. The Dutch keeper looks awesome however and that is a massive plus, (just ask English/Brazil fans). However recently any gifted Dutch team would have had a civil war by now, and gone out on penalties, so the fact they seem happy (van persie aside) and haven’t faced penalties yet makes me think I should back them.

Yet again the greatest show on earth has been slighted by appalling un-sportsmanlike conduct. I look forward to the day when FIFA introduces retrospective (referee) decisions. Its one thing to get it wrong during the heat of play, but failure to correct the error afterwards is irresponsible. Anyone who watched Brazil play Ivory Coast will no doubt have been sickened by what transpired. Unfortunately while players who ‘game’ the system go unpunished, what else can we expect. Luckily though the best teams (IMO) have qualified regardless. David Villa is surely player of the tournament, with Schweinsteiger and Mueller close behind. New Zealand has been the good story, Vuvuzelas being the bad, France being the ugly.

Cant believe it’ll be another 4 years until Brazil. Fingers crossed Australia gets to host soon. Despite its failings, its the true global contest.

I agree completely that German's speed on the counter-attack is marvellous to watch. The Germans deserve to win the Cup, based on what I've seen. They have demolished Australia, ARgentina, England.

Reinforces the fact that the game that cost us the second round was the draw against Ghana.

Don't underestimate the Netherlands though, they are a very tight unit, and they are a chance. I would certainly pick them to make the final.

Germany's only concern must be the absence of Mueller in the semi-final. I hope they make it to the final, not because I have any particular allegiance to Germany, but because they are the most enjoyable team to watch, as far as I'm concerned.

BTW, silly article by Michael Cockerill attacking Australia's choices of foreign coaches rather than Australian. I say by all means encourage Australian coaches, give them assistant's roles, put them on mentoring programmes, whatever will improve their skills, but from what I've seen, we will get better results chosing whoever is the best coach, rather than whoever is the best Australian coach.

His argument; "No country has ever won with a foreign coach coaching their national side."

Does he think we will win with an Australian coaching our side? That fact is more a reflection of the fact that countries that win the World Cup have incredible depth of talent to draw on in their own country both as players and coaches, and don't need to look outside their own country.

[rens]

It amazing how much better tournaments become in the knock out stages, its all to play for and go for broke underdogs tend to force conservative teams into playing proper football. Group stages are so often dominated by tense teams using negative strategies.

So far the Germans counter attacking has been a joy to watch, the speed at which they run at stretched defences is awesome. I cannot wait to see the battle between them and Spain, who will surely be a lot better prepared than the clueless Argies (although what do you expect with ole Diego at the helm). Uruguay have justified many peoples ‘dark horse’ pick, and I’m delighted for them but feel terribly for Ghana. It’s one of the toughest misses I’ve had to watch in quite some time.

Holland, well I leave it to our Dutch forumites to better outline they’re chances, they look solid but honestly I’ll be surprised if they win it, even now as heavy favourites to qualify for the final. The Dutch keeper looks awesome however and that is a massive plus, (just ask English/Brazil fans). However recently any gifted Dutch team would have had a civil war by now, and gone out on penalties, so the fact they seem happy (van persie aside) and haven’t faced penalties yet makes me think I should back them.

Yet again the greatest show on earth has been slighted by appalling un-sportsmanlike conduct. I look forward to the day when FIFA introduces retrospective (referee) decisions. Its one thing to get it wrong during the heat of play, but failure to correct the error afterwards is irresponsible. Anyone who watched Brazil play Ivory Coast will no doubt have been sickened by what transpired. Unfortunately while players who ‘game’ the system go unpunished, what else can we expect. Luckily though the best teams (IMO) have qualified regardless. David Villa is surely player of the tournament, with Schweinsteiger and Mueller close behind. New Zealand has been the good story, Vuvuzelas being the bad, France being the ugly.

Cant believe it’ll be another 4 years until Brazil. Fingers crossed Australia gets to host soon. Despite its failings, its the true global contest.

I agree completely that German's speed on the counter-attack is marvellous to watch. The Germans deserve to win the Cup, based on what I've seen. They have demolished Australia, ARgentina, England.

Reinforces the fact that the game that cost us the second round was the draw against Ghana.

Don't underestimate the Netherlands though, they are a very tight unit, and they are a chance. I would certainly pick them to make the final.

Germany's only concern must be the absence of Mueller in the semi-final. I hope they make it to the final, not because I have any particular allegiance to Germany, but because they are the most enjoyable team to watch, as far as I'm concerned.

BTW, silly article by Michael Cockerill attacking Australia's choices of foreign coaches rather than Australian. I say by all means encourage Australian coaches, give them assistant's roles, put them on mentoring programmes, whatever will improve their skills, but from what I've seen, we will get better results chosing whoever is the best coach, rather than whoever is the best Australian coach.

His argument; "No country has ever won with a foreign coach coaching their national side."

Does he think we will win with an Australian coaching our side? That fact is more a reflection of the fact that countries that win the World Cup have incredible depth of talent to draw on in their own country both as players and coaches, and don't need to look outside their own country.

I agree with what has been said
Germany are by far the most exciting team to watch and deserve to be in the final. They should win against Spain IMHO.
So a Dutch German Final.
If the Germans do not get overawed by the occasion they should win the final against Holland, however if there is some hesitation there on their part the Dutch will prevail.
Although dutch born, I wish it was Australia going in to meet Germany in the Final... Perhaps one day (soon).