FIFA World Cup

Cacophonix · « **Reply #220 on:** 2 Jul 2010, 05:25 pm »

I feel like someone kicked me hard in the gut!

I'm not even brazilian!!

Brazil just lost it after the equalizer ... Hope messi and co can go the way.

chadh · « **Reply #221 on:** 2 Jul 2010, 05:43 pm »

Quote from: Cacophonix on 2 Jul 2010, 05:25 pm

I feel like someone kicked me hard in the gut! I'm not even brazilian!!

Brazil just lost it after the equalizer ... Hope messi and co can go the way.

I know what you mean. Ultimately, I don't really care any more for Brazil than for The Netherlands. But it almost feels as though Brazil let us all down. I've been really impressed at how hard many of the teams have fought when they've been down in this tournament: think about Chile throwing everything at Brazil in the last game, or South Korea, or even Mexico when they were down to Argentina. But Brazil just lost their composure and threw in the towel. Whether it was the tough pay of the Dutch, or the loss of the player, they didn't even mount any any serious threats on goal in the last 15 minutes.

Chad

Cacophonix · « **Reply #222 on:** 2 Jul 2010, 09:24 pm »

what a cruel cruel cruel way to get knocked out of the world cup! The most exciting game i've seen in years! Feel very bad for ghana, but they had a lot of chances....

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #223 on:** 2 Jul 2010, 09:31 pm »

A newbie coach + wooden legs players = Fiasco... The brazillian Custon House will bash these lazy guys, I sorry they have all lots of money to bother. They are real losers...

chadh · « **Reply #224 on:** 2 Jul 2010, 09:35 pm »

Wow!

For anyone who missed Uruguay v Ghana, you missed the most dramatic ending to a game, EVER!

The score was tied 1 - 1 as they entered the final minute of extra time. Ghana had a corner. The ball was delivered into the goal mouth, a shot was taken, and a goal-line save made. But the ball simply rebounded out onto the head of another Ghanaian player, who forced the ball goalward again. It passed the keeper, but Louis Suarez (the star Uruguayan striker), standing on the goalline, stuck his hand up and saved the goal. Of course, there was much jumping and screaming, but the red card was handed out to the Uruguayan star, and a penalty kick awarded to Ghana.

In the last minute of extra time, then, Gyan took the penalty shot that would put Ghana into the semi-finals. But his shot hit the crossbar, and so the game had to go into a penalty shootout.

The Uruguayan keeper made two saves, while one Uruguayan fired the ball well over the goal. But eventually, Uruguay emerged the victor, 4-2 in the penalty shootout.

It seem that Suarez, by handling the ball on the goalline and preventing what otherwise would certainly have been a goal, secured Uruguay's advancement to the semifinals.

This was a real tragedy for the Ghanaian team. The game had been a closely fought one, with momentum swinging from team to team throughout. But the Ghanaian team had finished the stronger, and looked far more dangerous at the end of extra time. They did everything to score the goal at the end, only to be denied by a handball. And then, over the course of five penalty kicks (including the one at the close of extra time), they missed three and were eliminated.

Semifinal 1: Netherlands v Uruguay, who will play without Suarez due to his suspension.

Chad

toxteth ogrady · « **Reply #225 on:** 2 Jul 2010, 09:40 pm »

I've always been a fan of the Oranje. Watching the old clips of Johann Cruyff was what really got me interested in playing soccer. I've had a soft spot for them ever since. Pardon me if I don't shed a tear for Brazil, at least they have their 5 previous cups to give them comfort.

How about the Uruguay-Ghana game? Probably the most exciting end to a game I've watched this World Cup. Turns out that Suarez' handball was the smartest thing he could have done given the circumstances.

Danny Richie · « **Reply #226 on:** 2 Jul 2010, 09:46 pm »

Great game and really dramatic!

I really feel for the guy from Ghana that missed the PK at the end of overtime that would have pushed them through. The ejected player from Uruguay, that saved the goal with the hand ball, must be really happy with himself. His gamble paid off.

There really is no worse way to loose than PK's.

Back in my college days I went into the national championship on the number 1 ranked team. We lost a game in PK's that would have sent us through to the finals against a team that we felt like we could have easily beaten. So that national championship slipped away in those PK's. It stings for a long time. I can't image how strong and how long the sting from loosing a World Cup game (in the eyes of the whole world) that way will last.

toxteth ogrady · « **Reply #227 on:** 2 Jul 2010, 10:10 pm »

Quote from: Danny on 2 Jul 2010, 09:46 pm

It stings for a long time. I can't image how strong and how long the sting from loosing a World Cup game (in the eyes of the whole world) that way will last.

I'm sure it does. These guys are carrying the weight of their countries on their backs. Just the lone march up to the the penalty spot must be agonizing.

The Ghanaian player that missed the penalty in extra time was Asamoah Gyan. He was the one who scored that beautiful second goal against the U.S. I'd like to think it was karma that made him miss the penalty.. karma for putting me in such a foul mood following the defeat of the U.S.

Dave P · « **Reply #228 on:** 2 Jul 2010, 11:32 pm »

The World Cup has been full of drama and surprises, but you have to feel for Ghana, in the last minute of extra time a penalty is awarded after a disgraceful handling to save a certain goal for Ghana. You think finally a winner. Of course it didn’t happen after the penalty hit the crossbar Uruguay go through on penalties. There’s no justice is there, but that’s football for you.
The HIFI site

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #229 on:** 3 Jul 2010, 01:20 pm »

Uruguay will not escape the grip of the next round competition. They have a very unsteady game throughout the entire 90 minutes. Ghana was the better team, it was just unfortunate that strikers tend to recur to unorthodox shots when regular ones would do.

The charrua goalkeeper was also excellent at this divination of where the shots would be put.

mjosef · « **Reply #230 on:** 3 Jul 2010, 03:31 pm »

Go Deutschland!!!

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #231 on:** 3 Jul 2010, 03:52 pm »

The Germans had Argentinean bbq in the field. What a let down, I thought perhaps like 2-1 but 4 to nil, man.

Cacophonix · « **Reply #232 on:** 3 Jul 2010, 04:08 pm »

migod ... astounding to see how germany ran circles around argentinian defense, and dismantled them with ease! 4-0!! This defeat will haunt Argentina for a long long time.
Sad to see messi go back without scoring

Lets see how spain plays this afternoon .. but germany should be red hot favorites to lift the cup.

JoshK · « **Reply #233 on:** 3 Jul 2010, 04:21 pm »

Saxon showdown for the finals? Netherlands vs Germany? Very likely. Will see how well Spain is playing.

I really like watching the team work of a well oiled machine that is Germany.

Danny Richie · « **Reply #234 on:** 3 Jul 2010, 04:43 pm »

It was really a lot closer than the score showed. Near the end Argentina pushed everything forward and opened up their defense, thus the fast break goals in the end.

I was a little concerned before the game started that Germany's weakness would be their defense. Too often they have allowed chances that they shouldn't have. Today they stepped it up and were solid. That was the real difference maker.

toxteth ogrady · « **Reply #235 on:** 3 Jul 2010, 05:26 pm »

The Dutch will have Uruguay for lunch. That leaves us with the other side of the bracket. Paraguay doesn't have a chance so we're looking at either Germany or Spain to take on the Dutch. Given the talent Spain has I won't underestimate their ability to stop Germany in its tracks, but there is no question after the game today that the Germans are a force to reckon with.

What ever the outcome this is going to be a very exciting final game because we'll either be looking at a World Cup rematch that hasn't been seen since 1974, or if Spain defeats Germany, two teams fighting for a victory their countries have never tasted. I don't know about you guys, but overall the games of this World Cup have been the best I've ever watched.

mjosef · « **Reply #236 on:** 3 Jul 2010, 07:20 pm »

Quote

Paraguay doesn't have a chance

O'Reilly...Paraguay is taking it to the Spaniards. Could be another surprise in the making.
Styles makes "fights" as one knows in boxing.

Cacophonix · « **Reply #237 on:** 3 Jul 2010, 07:49 pm »

Wow .. what drama!
Two PKs saved!!! One by each side within a span on 2 minutes!!

JoshK · « **Reply #238 on:** 3 Jul 2010, 08:28 pm »

Gotta give it up to Paraguay for really giving Spain a run for their money. Their defense was fierce, if even not fierce enough.

Predictions for Germany vs Spain?

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #239 on:** 3 Jul 2010, 08:45 pm »

Today Fortuna was standing behind Spain. I am really proud of the Guaraní lions that made the Red Fury look like a whimper.

Predictions:

Netherlands will eat Uruguay for lunch.

Germany will have Spain on its lunch course.