The official World Cup 2010 thread...

[Jordan]

Luis Suarez should not play for the remainder of the World Cup

[kenyan_cheena]

That handball by Uruguay was a disgrace. There really should be a rule where if it's as blatant as that and it stops a goal from being scored not only is the guy red carded but the attacking team gets the goal, but it's considered an own goal by the player who handballed it.

It's ridiculous that the player deliberately handballed it to stop the goal, but then Ghana had to try to score AGAIN with the penalty kick. The Uruguay player is going to miss the next game, but so is Ghana!

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

That handball by Uruguay was a disgrace. There really should be a rule where if it's as blatant as that and it stops a goal from being scored not only is the guy red carded but the attacking team gets the goal, but it's considered an own goal by the player who handballed it.

It's ridiculous that the player deliberately handballed it to stop the goal, but then Ghana had to try to score AGAIN with the penalty kick. The Uruguay player is going to miss the next game, but so is Ghana!

I have to agree. If that ball goes in the match is over. Either that or give the offending player an very stiff penalty.

[Ragnar]

Speaking of a disgrace, anyone watch Argentina? It was 4-0 Germany up as I left the room and came to type this message, it is probably 6-0 by now.

Now after Paraguay gets spanked, we'll see if Spain can avoid making fools of themselves against Germany.

[redmarkYankees]

Football 4, Footballers 0

Absolutely superb display from Germany who may now be favourites to win it. Schweinsteiger obviously getting the plaudits (and a brilliant run to setup the third), but I thought Khadira (sp?) was superb too. Great pass and move football; Argentina have great players, but far too static and 'greedy' in possession; too much running down blind alleys when a simple pass was on.

Spain vs Germany (assuming Spain beat Paraguay tonight) should be a great match, but unless Torres/Xavi/Iniesta are sharper I'd fancy Germany to win it now.

Germany vs Holland local derby as the final?

[redmarkYankees]

I've always liked the way German sides play - usually wrongly described as 'dull', but it's basic, simple, effective pass and move; the way Liverpool of old played. After the game against England it was difficult to assess how good this Germany team was (as England were very poor). It's very good.

[MorseMoose]

If that hand-ball guy gets banned, soccer will never cross my television screen (not that it ever has...but this will seal that soccer is ridiculous).

You do everything you can to win. Even if it is sacrificing yourself by committing a penalty.

It's a trip on a break-a-way in hockey.
It's a foul in the waning minutes of a game in basketball.

What's he suppose to do? Let the ball go in and lose? lol.

[ukhotstove]

Originally Posted by MorseMoose

If that hand-ball guy gets banned, soccer will never cross my television screen (not that it ever has...but this will seal that soccer is ridiculous).

You do everything you can to win. Even if it is sacrificing yourself by committing a penalty.

It's a trip on a break-a-way in hockey.
It's a foul in the waning minutes of a game in basketball.

What's he suppose to do? Let the ball go in and lose? lol.

So win at all costs ? Steroids ok ? If a player is through on goal, punch him ok ? Might as well get rid of all the rules if its win at all costs, no wonder that stadiums have masses of empty seats as the entertainment value as gone downhill.

[bababui]

Originally Posted by ukhotstove

So win at all costs ? Steroids ok ? If a player is through on goal, punch him ok ? Might as well get rid of all the rules if its win at all costs, no wonder that stadiums have masses of empty seats as the entertainment value as gone downhill.

The professional fouling was more physical and worse back in the old days though.

[redmarkYankees]

Spain could be going out here.

Torres taken off again as the 'fall-guy' for looking off-the-pace upfront, but the midfield - Xavi, Iniesta, Alonso and Buzquets - has been absolutely awful.

Paraguay miss a (deserved) penalty as I type.

Penalty for Spain (slightly fortunate one at first glance) awarded as I type that!

[MorseMoose]

Originally Posted by ukhotstove

So win at all costs ? Steroids ok ? If a player is through on goal, punch him ok ? Might as well get rid of all the rules if its win at all costs, no wonder that stadiums have masses of empty seats as the entertainment value as gone downhill.

Yeah...let's put everyone on steroids.

But seriously, there are rules that say you can't touch it with your hands. Fine. He has to accept the consequences - kicked out of the one game. But to change the rules willy nilly is ridiculous.

It was a heads up play and kept his team in the World Cup...well worth having to be out of the game.

[rudel.dietrich]

Everything that should have happened after that play happened. The Uruguay player intentionally handballed and was carded of and a penalty situation was given.
Why does everyone feel so sorry for Ghana when they could not even convert the PK and then went on to lose in the PK shootout? If you come to a major tournament then you have to have good PK players because later in the tournament ties after full time are bound to happen.
Ghana was a mid level team playing on borrowed time and could not even convert after being given a penalty.

[redmarkYankees]

Wow.

Penalty scored, but referee tells to retake after Spanish players encroach. Keeper saves the retake, Fabregas get to the rebound first and is probably fouled by the keeper - but the referee isn't going to give another there.

Still 0-0.

[redmarkYankees]

Perhaps I was previously unjustly dismissive of Bab's rating of Paraguay, but on displays so far Germany should win - quite comfortably - against either of these. Been disappointed with Spain all tournament.

[redmarkYankees]

Spain win, 1-0. Spain started the tournament as my 'second' team, but they've been poor IMO. Every game has been the same: poor for an hour, can't pass (!), Torres quiet, David Villa from the left (and solo) the only threat. After an hour they bring on another midfielder for Torres, move Villa inside, quicken the tempo and get a goal from somewhere. Still unconvincing, and I don't think it's simply down to Torres' lack of fitness/form.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by MorseMoose

If that hand-ball guy gets banned, soccer will never cross my television screen (not that it ever has...but this will seal that soccer is ridiculous).

You do everything you can to win. Even if it is sacrificing yourself by committing a penalty.

It's a trip on a break-a-way in hockey.
It's a foul in the waning minutes of a game in basketball.

What's he suppose to do? Let the ball go in and lose? lol.

This isn't hockey. A trip doesn't get you a one game ban. If you want to compare it to basketball.......guess what happens when you stop a ball on it's way down into the hoop? I am stunned that you chose to compare a foul in basketball to goal tending in soccer. He didn't foul a player.

You can't have soccer players using their hands to defend the goal. It would ruin the game. Plus isn't a red card debatable? Is it always just a one game ban? Or does it sometimes depend on the foul?

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by rudel.dietrich

Everything that should have happened after that play happened. The Uruguay player intentionally handballed and was carded of and a penalty situation was given.
Why does everyone feel so sorry for Ghana when they could not even convert the PK and then went on to lose in the PK shootout? If you come to a major tournament then you have to have good PK players because later in the tournament ties after full time are bound to happen.
Ghana was a mid level team playing on borrowed time and could not even convert after being given a penalty.

Yes Ghana may have been a mid level team. But what is Uruguay? They were being owned by that mid level team towards the end there.

People feel sorry for Ghana because if the man does not intentionally play goalie, they win that match.

I agree that by rule everything that should have been done was done. But I do think that this red card should be treated as the worst possible foul short of killing another player on the field.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by redmarkYankees

Perhaps I was previously unjustly dismissive of Bab's rating of Paraguay, but on displays so far Germany should win - quite comfortably - against either of these. Been disappointed with Spain all tournament.

Germany should beat Serbia quite comfortably too.

Spain is good enough to beat Germany but I do agree with you. I think Germany will win this thing.

The two best teams IMO are Brazil and Germany. Brazil is gone.

[redmarkYankees]

Originally Posted by Ragnar

This isn't hockey. A trip doesn't get you a one game ban. If you want to compare it to basketball.......guess what happens when you stop a ball on it's way down into the hoop? I am stunned that you chose to compare a foul in basketball to goal tending in soccer. He didn't foul a player.

You can't have soccer players using their hands to defend the goal. It would ruin the game. Plus isn't a red card debatable? Is it always just a one game ban? Or does it sometimes depend on the foul?

Most red cards (for two bookable offences, or a 'technical' offence like a handball) is a one game ban. A red card for violent conduct can be a 3 game ban.

[ukhotstove]

Originally Posted by bababui

The professional fouling was more physical and worse back in the old days though.

It was a mans game back then, no diving as though you were taking part in the Olympic diving trials and no rolling around for ten minutes because somebody looked at you. And 100% certain I never saw somebody get kicked in the shin and went down holding their face.