World Cup

[alejo_90]

" Handel was the greatest composer who ever lived. I would bare my head and kneel at his grave."
-Beethoven
Er...I don't agree...I prefer Chopin and Beethoven himself...

Lol.

[hiline]

Wow, an incredible match !
Finally, Italy got in. Whew !

[Tash]

awww i'm sad but we still did bloody well i reckon, i'm impressed!

[hiline]

awww i'm sad but we still did bloody well i reckon, i'm impressed!

Yes, Australia had a memorable match in which they could threaten Italy. Italy were just a bit luckier ( after being unlucky, of course ) . 

[gilad]

IMO italy should not have got that penalty, i think the ref made a wrong decision, i dont think it was a penalty. anyway, well done to australia and well done to italy.
my dark horses go through to the quarters, that being the ukraine.
switzerland were also my dark horses:)
ghana are my other one. that game is going to be explosive.
i would love to say they'll beat brazil, but im afraid even i'd think i was running a fever if i did. but they can, anything is possible.

[pianolearner]

Yes, Australia had a memorable match in which they could threaten Italy. Italy were just a bit luckier ( after being unlucky, of course ) . 

I agree. I actually started to believe Australia had a chance of winning. They were playing world class football. I think this match makes a good case for using a third umpire.

[Waldszenen]

Great. Australia's out, Italy didn't deserve that penalty, I stayed up from 1am to 3am to be disappointed, and now I have to wait another four years to see Australia play for the cup again.


Lovely world. -_-

[Tash]

Great. Australia's out, Italy didn't deserve that penalty, I stayed up from 1am to 3am to be disappointed, and now I have to wait another four years to see Australia play for the cup again.


Lovely world. -_-

i woke up at 3am to the sound of silence, and was like d*mn we lost the soccer hahaha. but yeah we'll cane it next time!

[brewtality]

I was happy that we even made it into the world cup. The poll question on ninemsn was 'will Soccer become Australia's national sport?" I was thinking "Turn it up!" It was sad to lose like we did, but it didn't hurt like when we lost the Ashes (for me at least).

[lisztisforkids]

I was happy that we even made it into the world cup. The poll question on ninemsn was 'will Soccer become Australia's national sport?" I was thinking "Turn it up!" It was sad to lose like we did, but it didn't hurt like when we lost the Ashes (for me at least).

  That penalty was a bad move by the ref...

[hiline]

  That penalty was a bad move by the ref...

So was the red card.

[prometheus]

FIFA has instructed the referees to give instant red cards for reckless tackles like these; two legs, right at the person.

FIFA has also given istructions to be tough on diving.



With the knowledge of those two things it is easy to see what was a bad call and what was not.

[gilad]

tonights game  with france and spain was well refereed.
i cant believe france won.
and wow brazil killed ghana, killed! but it was an entertaining game.

[hiline]

FIFA has instructed the referees to give instant red cards for reckless tackles like these; two legs, right at the person.

FIFA has also given istructions to be tough on diving.



With the knowledge of those two things it is easy to see what was a bad call and what was not.

Sorry but I don't think Materazzi used his legs in that situation.

[prometheus]

Then what did he do? How could you call that? He charged forward with both legs and he hit both the opponent and his own team mate. He didn't use his legs? He did hit both of them. If it wasn't his legs than how did he manage to fly into both of them, legs first? How can you not use your legs on a football pitch?

The only moment you do not use your legs is when you are sleeping or something.

[Waldszenen]

I was happy that we even made it into the world cup. The poll question on ninemsn was 'will Soccer become Australia's national sport?" I was thinking "Turn it up!" It was sad to lose like we did, but it didn't hurt like when we lost the Ashes (for me at least).

Hehe, I voted "yes" on that poll, but it'll only happen in at least 20 years time, and then only if Australia hosts the Cup in 2018 as they're planning to.

[hiline]

Then what did he do? How could you call that?

The Australian player had already jumped, so the collision was not able to injure him.
OK, I don't know how to describe that, but Materazzi did not hit the Australian player by the ' dangerous ' part of his leg. A yellow card would have been reasonable.

[prometheus]

So because the Australian player was smart and able enough to jump Materazzi didn't commit the foul?
How can someone who launches himself into such a tackle know how it will turn out? Tackles like these may end up with a broken leg if an unlucky and small probability becomes reality. That is why they are punished the way they are.

Maybe a red card would have been resonable but the FIFA has instructed the referees and has told everyone fouls like these will be punished with red cards. Of course it doesn't happen all the time. I have seen fouls like these this WC not being punished accordingly.

But if the ref hadn't handed out the red card he would have been critizised for it by the FIFA referee board. They thoroughly analyse the referees performance and within a day the referee gets a DVD with all his mistakes and instructions, etc.

So don't blame the referee but blame the FIFA.

[hiline]

How can someone who launches himself into such a tackle know how it will turn out? Tackles like these may end up with a broken leg if an unlucky and small probability becomes reality. That is why they are punished the way they are.

Come on ! That situation is not so dangerous. Even if the Australian guy had not jumped, he could not have got a serious injury. Red cards are for dangerous tackles that can severely injure players.

So don't blame the referee but blame the FIFA.

Well, what do you think is the reason why machine referees are not used ? Football is an art. Refereeing rules are just rules. It is the referee himself that controls the match.

[prometheus]

Not so dangerous? He charged at the australian head on with both his legs forward. With one leg he hit his team mate at the ankle but it glance off. If the angle of impact was different he could have hit the ankle of his teammate with more force.

And if the australian didn't jump who knows what could have happened. If he hit the australian on the shin head on while the australian was standing on it, with full weight, then he could have broken it. He could have hit him on the knee, of the thigh. I don't really remember where he had his leg exactly but surely without the australian jumping and with bad luck it could have been nasty.

The tackle was not on the ball. So that is why it was red. It was also head on. That's why it was red. It was also with two legs. That is why it was red. And it doesn't even matter if you hit your teammate or an opponent. So you could even argue that because he hit two players he gets at least two yellow cards.

Even if the Australian guy had not jumped, he could not have got a serious injury.

Why not? Have you ever looked at tackles that cause serious injuries? They often seem king of innocent but they are made with full force. Like this one was. He just jumped into the opponent, that was running towards him, and with both legs forward. That is just red according to the rules of the game which are very strict when it comes to tackles like these.

[Tash]

rumour has it the italian mafia was involved in the outcome of that game hahaha

[thalbergmad]

rumour has it the italian mafia was involved in the outcome of that game hahaha

I would be surprised if they did not have an interest in most of the Italians games.

"Hey Dino, you take the dive or we shoot up your mother"

Thal

[hiline]

Not so dangerous? He charged at the australian head on with both his legs forward. With one leg he hit his team mate at the ankle but it glance off. If the angle of impact was different he could have hit the ankle of his teammate with more force.

And if the australian didn't jump who knows what could have happened. If he hit the australian on the shin head on while the australian was standing on it, with full weight, then he could have broken it. He could have hit him on the knee, of the thigh. I don't really remember where he had his leg exactly but surely without the australian jumping and with bad luck it could have been nasty.

Do you remember the Australian was running so his weight was provided mostly to the back leg?

The tackle was not on the ball. So that is why it was red.

A yellow card should have done very well.

It was also head on. That's why it was red.

Just for some cases, even during the World Cup

It was also with two legs. That is why it was red.

Do you have a proof for that?

And it doesn't even matter if you hit your teammate or an opponent. So you could even argue that because he hit two players he gets at least two yellow cards.

Certainly I don't argue about that.

Why not? Have you ever looked at tackles that cause serious injuries? They often seem king of innocent but they are made with full force. Like this one was. He just jumped into the opponent, that was running towards him, and with both legs forward. That is just red according to the rules of the game which are very strict when it comes to tackles like these.

Most of them

Materazzi did not hit the Australian player with full force. He moved the legs forward but stopped before it hit the 2 players.

[prometheus]

Do you remember the Australian was running so his weight was provided mostly to the back leg?

So? You don't know what you are going to hit.

A yellow card should have done very well.

That may be your opinion but the FIFA instructions are clear. Personally I would favor being able to send of people on a personal basis like a forced subsitute so the match isn't influenced that much.

Just for some cases, even during the World Cup

Yes. But that doesn't mean this call was wrong but that the others were incorrect or not in agreement with the rules and the instructions. Like you said, sometimes the referee must have a feel for the match and not influence the outcome with a red card.

Do you have a proof for that?

Proof? I assume you did see the tackle. He hit his teammate with his right leg while he initiated the tackle with his left leg. That makes two legs.

Materazzi did not hit the Australian player with full force. He moved the legs forward but stopped before it hit the 2 players.

Stopped? How can you stop in the middle of a tackle. He jumped forward. The moment he does that he was no way to hold back. And yes, he didn't hit the australian with the studs of his shoe but that is irrelevant. He might have. The intention is what is judged. The tackle was reckless and potentional able to injury. The ref doesn't need a doctor the examine bruises, broken bones, damaged muscles and tendons to come to a judgement.

Clearly this example is very clear. Why do you have problems with it? I don't see much room to challenge the referee's descision.
Evenmore so since this was not the biggest mistake in this particular match.

[einherjar]

Viva Portugal!!!

What about Portugal-Holand? And what are your predictions for Portugal-England?

[lisztisforkids]

Viva Portugal!!!

What about Portugal-Holand? And what are your predictions for Portugal-England?

 England plays like a bunch of Ballerinas that are afraid of getting their TuTus dirty.

 I am looking forward to the ARGENTINA VS. GERMANY. Holy Sh**! Im getting goosbumbs just thinking about it.

[nicco]

I liked the name of the keeper from ukraine - shovkovsky

it was like a mix between shostakovic and tchaikovsky

[steveie986]

Well that's that. No mental strength.

[gilad]

tonight brazil will thump france. i expect.

[thalbergmad]

Well, no surprise that England are out again. As soon as we come across a decent side and or a penalty shoot out, it is curtains.

Once again our overpaid, under achieving poofs have failed.

Rooney should hang his head in shame. On the greatest stage in the World, he had a temper tantrum and got sent off.

Gonna be an interesting season for Ronaldo in the Premiership.

I am behind Italy now.

Thal

[lisztisforkids]

I an sick of all this diving. It makes me disgusted at many of the players..

[gilad]

sorry england are out, but yes, they dont deserve to advance.
can't believe france beat brazil, but it's great, i hate one team dominating.
the portugese are the biggest divers and sulkers in world soccer.

[thalbergmad]

Yipeeeeee, Beckham has resigned. Shame he did not do it a year ago.

I find it beyond belief that England has paid the most inept manager in history the sum of £35,000,000 over the last 5 years.

Come on ITALY.

Thal

[gilad]

yes erikson is a bafoon, it is about time that pimp packed his bags. he was a massive failure imo, imagine what england could have done with a real coach. maybe jose morinho.
I think beckham resigned his captaincy because he knew that steve mcclaren was going to take it away anyway. just a thought.

[prometheus]

England will never win the world cup as long as English club teams play with 11 non-english players.

England will never get a good coach as long as the gossip press try to destroy their coach.

[thalbergmad]

England will never win the world cup as long as English club teams play with 11 non-english players.

true, but English club teams will never win anything unless they play with 11 non-english players.

What to do??

Thal

[prometheus]

Of course that is not true. It will take some time to develop talent. Actually they must already have all the talent necessary. They just need to give their talented young players a chance to play and develop themselves on the highest level.

I heard the FIA is already looking to put back the restrictions on foreign players.

[thalbergmad]

I am so happy.

What a great match.

The Germans are out.

Worthy of the Final.

Thal

[prometheus]

Haha, the moment I open this topic I hear fireworks... I live in Holland. I wonder if this is related, can't be. Surely people aren't that insane. 

[gilad]

whos it gonna be people portugal or france?
tough call.

[prometheus]

France. Italy will be WC. But you never know.

[berrt]

I am so happy.

What a great match.

The Germans are out.

Worthy of the Final.

Thal

Congrats, thal, your favorite team won... :-)

B.

[Waldszenen]

If France plays Italy, I'm putting $100 on a French victory.


Oh God don't let Italy win 

[thalbergmad]

Big Phil and the divers are out.

I am happy

Italy will win the final I hope.

Thal

[gilad]

yeah, the diver are out you're right, portuguese soccer has a huge diving problem.
i hope france win, i dont mind if italy win though. they probably deserve it, they both deserve it.

[einherjar]

France has won  : 

[prometheus]

Portugal kept diving and diving. I almost start to think that if they didn't dive at every oppertunity they would have been able to score a goal.

It was silly to look at. Zidane did know how to get a free kick. Of course he did have it easier because they were in the lead.

[lisztisforkids]

Portugal kept diving and diving. I almost start to think that if they didn't dive at every oppertunity they would have been able to score a goal.

 Lol.. So true..

[gilad]

benfica were the same against liverpool.

[lisztisforkids]

AND ITALY WINS! HAHAHAHAHA! STUPID ZIDANE. HAHAHAHA!