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Post by Finlip on Jun 16, 2006 0:54:30 GMT 6
Tunisia and Saudi Arabia will kick of their opening world cup matches in just over twenty minutes from now. After that match is over, all thirty-two teams will have played their opening matches at this year's FIFA World Cup in Germany. The best performance of the opening round was given by Spain in the last match. They beat Ukraine by four goals to nil. However, there was a controversial sending off of Ukraine's central defender at the beginning of the second half. Will it be a world cup win at last for Spain. There are quite a few teams who look like contenders for the cup. I watched ten of the fifteen matches completely. I fell asleep for a while in the opening match where I missed part of the second half due to sleep. I was also asleep for most of the first half and early in the second half in the second match on the opening day. The second day of the tournament was better for me as I didn't miss even a second of any of the three matches. On day three, I watched the first match but was asleep during parts of both the group D matches. However, I hardly missed watching a goal in those matches. I watched the first two matches on the next day. Italy were impressive in their opener, they say. But on the fourth day of the tournament, I slept during the majority of Italy's opening world cup match. I haven't missed another second since then. I watched all three matches yesterday from start to finish. The match earlier today was won by Spain and I watched it too. So, I have watched at least a part of each of the matches that have been played so far and watched at least thirty of the thirtyfive matches live.
Group A Second Round of matches. Germany have won their opening match and Poland have lost it. Germany are favourites to beat Poland but I can't bet against the Poles. If Germany win, they will qualify for the second stage if Costa Rica fail to beat Ecuador tomorrow. If Germany cannot win, they will still be able to qualify by beating Ecuador provided that the South Americans don't win tomorrow. But I think the group will be dead as Germany and Ecuador are both likely to win meaning that the last match of the group between Germany and Ecuador will decide who finishes top of the group. If that match ends in a draw, it could go down to goal difference or even goals scored.
All four teams in group A have played two matches each. Poland and Costa Rica were both beaten in both of their matches so far. Poland haven't scored any goal and conceeded three. However, even though Ecuador have scored two, they have conceeded seven. Poland and Costa Rica meet next. They both know they will finish either third or fourth. They can only get a consolation win now. Ecuador and Germany have both scored five goals in two matches at the world cup. But, while Germany conceeded to Paulo Wanchope, Ecuador kept this striker quiet and are yet to conceed a goal in two matches. So, Ecuador will top the group if they avoid defeat against Germany. They will qualify even if they lose. Ecuador look a safer bet than Germany. However, the hosts have far more experience as they have played more world cup matches than Ecuador have played in their history in each of the last six world cups. I will still put my money on the South Americans.
The second round of matches in Group B will get under way very soon. I hope Trinidad & Tobago can repeat the performance against Sweden and maybe add a goal to it. Paraguay will be hoping for a better display against Sweden. England will qualify if they win. Paraguay will be out if they lose. Sweden and Trinidad will still be in the competition regardless of their results today. But they will both want to win. Sweden are likelier to do so. I hope both Europeans lose but I fear that both may actually win.
Argentina were quite impressive in their 2-1 win over Serbia and Montenegro. If they are able to finish well, I think the Argentines will be winners again. The Serbians are also a very good side and will be motivated to do well after being under pressure after losing their opening match. Netherlands v Ivory Coast will be a treat to watch. Ivory Coast may just scrape through that match with a win.
(Written at different times on different days)
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Post by Finlip on Jun 17, 2006 0:43:56 GMT 6
Mexico and Angola will kick of in less than twenty-five minutes. I take this opportunity to come online and post something I wrote a few hours ago. I
wrote something after Argentina's marvellous victory. It was sad to see Ivory Coast bow out as well. But that result has confirmed that Argentina
will play in the second round. If Ivory Coast had won, four goal victories for Netherlands and Ivory Coast in the last round could have sent Argentina
out. That was also an end to the Serbs' world cup. They may have gone through if Ivory coast had won and then they and Argentina got four goal
victories in the last round of matches. I plan to stay up and watch Mexico vs Angola. Mexico could well be Argentina's opponents in the second
round. Maybe it will be Angola. Argentina played Angola recently, just before the world cup and beat them two-nil. The sad thing during the second
match was that we stopped receiving ESPN Star Sports on cable TV though I could see the channel a bit less clearly using my room antenna.
Argentina v Serbia and Montenegro
Argentina had beaten Serbia and Montenegro 5-0 in the Olympics Football Tournament on their way to the gold medal. Argentina hadn't conceeded a
single goal in that tournament, but Argentina conceeded one in their opening match of the world cup after having kept a clean sheet on all their
opening matches since conceeding to Patrick Oman Byick (forgive the spelling) in 1990. After Argentina's good performance in the victory over Cote d'Ivoire, a few teams came and blazed. Czech Republic were stunning in their 3-0 win
over a great US side and Spain stunned Ukraine 4-0. Spain had finished second best to Serbia and Montenegro in the qualifiers. The Serbs had
conceeded only one goal to Raul then. That was the build up to this match. I hadn't in my wildest dreams expected Argentina to emerge winners by such a big margin. Actually Argentina have scored seven in the match. Hernan Crespo, who said he didn't hear the whistle was also booked for scoring after the whistle
was blown. I shouted for him to stop after the whistle but he went and on and was inevitably booked. According to the offside rule, you are offside
if there is only one opposing player between you and the goalpost when the ball is played to you. There were four people between Crespo and the
Serbian goal. Argentina were much more disciplined in this match. They didn't go for the rough tackles like they did in the last matches. Argentina
were simply superb in every department. They got behind the ball pretty well. No one except Crespo was booked. It was sad to see Kezmen get the
red card. I wish he had only seen yellow. Players have gotten away with worse fouls. Argentina had a very high number of passes. They didn't want
to embarass Serbia more after scoring six. The referee blew after playing only twenty additional seconds. The goal where eight of the Argentine
players gave each other twenty five passes before Esteben Cambiasso finally scored the goal. This goal will go down as one of the best. Unlike the last match, Messi was played today. He came in with less than twently minutes left to play. After he came in, Argentina scored three
goals. Messi set up Crespo for one before finding the net himself. Carlos Tevez scored another one. Earlier Maxi Rodriguez scored two first half goals
in addition to the team magic to see Argentina 3-0 up at the break. I hope Argentina start the next match where they left this match and keep moving forward from their. It may not be that easy against tougher
opposition. But I think the defeat to Germany last year in the Confederations cup has filled the Argentines with venom. In the venue where Argentina
was beaten 4-0 by the Dutch in the 1974 World Cup, the Albestiesce ( I couldn't spell that one either), won 6-0 playing total football themselves. I
don't think I can fall asleep tonight and like the match analyser in ESPN, I felt I died and went to heaven when Argentina put in such a brilliant
performance. I wasn't sure Argentina's opening match performance was the best by a team in the world cup but I have no doubt that this performance was. The
other teams will be much more circmspect to face the Argentines next. Netherlands will be Argentina's next opponents. If the Dutch win against
Ivory Coast later tonight, this match will only be a formality. But Argentina will be keen to repeat this scintillating performance. I can keep writing for ever, but the next match is starting soon. The world cup started last Friday and this Friday Argentina have started it again.
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Post by Finlip on Jun 17, 2006 15:52:01 GMT 6
Angola didn't win yesterday. So, Portugal will be through if they win today. Angola didn't win yesterday. So, Iran will be out if they lose today. Portugal take on Iran today. I wish the Asian underdogs all the best. At the beginning of the world cup, I thought this group would be over before the last round of matches started with both Portugal and Mexico bagging two wins apiece. As things stand, all four teams will have an opportunity to qualify when the final round of matches take place provided Portugal win today. Even if Portugal win, the last round of matches will determine whether it's Mexico or Angola who join them.
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Post by Finlip on Jun 17, 2006 15:53:08 GMT 6
Group E could be over today. If Czech Republic and Italy win again, this group will also be over like the other odd-numbered groups. However, Group G will go into the last round of matches.
The Czechs and Italians both start as favourites. I don't think anyone can bet against both of them losing tonight though. Czechs were brilliant on their opening match and would want to up the tempo following Argentina's display yesterday. The Italians were impressive in their opening match but they have all to play for against the USA who would have analysed what went wrong in the last match. The Americans are ranked above Italy in the world rankings. But the Italians are clear favourites. I hope at least one of the results goes against plan so that the last round of matches in this group remain interesting.
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Post by Finlip on Jun 20, 2006 18:46:44 GMT 6
Group A: ECU v GER CRC v POL
Costa Rica play Poland. Costa Rica will need to win in order to finish third. If Poland win or draw they will be third. Both teams will play their last match. Germany and Ecuador will both get at least one more match against teams from group B. The team which wins the encounter between Germany and Ecuador will win the group. A draw will be enough for Ecuador.
Group B: SWE v ENG PAR V TRI
England have qualified, Paraguay have been elminated. Sweden have almost qualified, Trinidad have almost been elminated. A draw will be enough for Sweden. Victory will take them to the top of the group, a draw won't. A loss may be enough even if Trinidad win. Trinidad need to win, hope Sweden lose and then make their goal difference better than Sweden's. If Trinidad win by three goals, a one goal win for England will be enough. Even if Trinidad win 3-1, they will move ahead of Sweden provided the Swedes lose 2-1 or worse to England.
Group C: NED v ARG CIV v SCG
Group C, like group A, is already decided. But we still don't know whether Netherlands or Argentina will top it. Argentina's superior goal difference won't be enough to top the group if they lose but a draw will be enough. Serbia and Montenegro will finish bottom of the group unless they beat Cote d'Ivoire.
Group D: POR V MEX IRN V ANG
Portugal have qualified, Iran have been elminated. Mexico have almost qualified, Angola have almost been elminated. A draw will be enough for Mexico. Victory will take them to the top of the group, a draw won't. A loss may be enough even if Angola win. Angola need to win, hope Mexico lose and then make their goal difference better than Mexico's. If Angola win by three goals, a one goal win for Portugal will be enough.
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Post by jokaju on Jun 22, 2006 8:47:17 GMT 6
Which team/teams are you supporting?
I am for Germany and Argentina. Like a couple of other teams as well.
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Post by Finlip on Jun 24, 2006 18:17:05 GMT 6
Argentina and then everybody else.
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Post by Finlip on Jun 24, 2006 18:41:44 GMT 6
The group stage of this year's world cup are over. This means we have already had three-fourth of the 64 matches scheduled. All but one of the remaining 16 matches will be important. There won't be dead rubbers any more. If the matches end in a draw like they did on 11 occasions in the group stage, fifteen more minutes will be played to decide a winner. If there is still no winner, they will play fifteen more minutes. If the teams are still tied, the match will go down as a draw. But they will have a penalty shootout to decide which team goes through to the next round.
If you have one bad day, your world cup will be over.
Even though three fourth of the matches at the world cup are over, the world cup winner has not even played half of its matches. Teams have all played three matches each but they need to avoid defeat in four more matches to win the world cup.
Trinidad and Tobbago scored a point unlike three teams which failed to do so but they are the only team that failed to score a goal in this tournament. South Korea are the only team who have failed to qualify despite getting to four points.
Four teams ended the group stage with a hundred percent record. Twelve unbeaten teams all qualified to the second round. Ghana and Ukraine have achieved the rare feat of qualifying to the knock-out stage despite losing their opening match.
Eight goals is the maximum that a team has managed to score. Spain, Germany and Argentina were the teams. Switzerland remain the only team that haven't conceeded a goal in the tournament so far.
Serbia and Montenegro are the only team to have conceeded in double figures. Of the teams qualifying, Australia are the only ones who have conceeded five goals. Even though Ukraine conceeded four goals in their opening match, they haven't let in another since then. Scoring three goals has been enough to ensure qualification for Netherlands, France, and Sweden.
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Post by Finlip on Jun 26, 2006 23:49:47 GMT 6
Australia and Italy were tied at 0-0 with the normal time almost over. Then an Italian player who is already on a yellow card dives in the Australian area but gets a penalty insted. If the correct decision had been given, Italy would have been reduced to nine men for the thirty minutes of extra time. Australia still had two more possible substitutions. But as things stand, we may be denied the entry of a new team in the world cup semifinals. Totti's penalty was brilliant but it should have never been awarded.
I remember in 1998 that Dennis Bergcamp who should have been sent off in the second round against Yugoslavia got away with it and later punished Argentina in the quarterfinals. It may be deja vu this time as Luis Figo has got away with his headbutting. He may now punish the Englishmen in the quarterfinals and book a semifinal place that they don't deserve.
Argentina weren't that brilliant in the last two matches but they should win the world cup easily. In fact, I have backed the Argentines to win the next four world cups. If that happens I am going to win a bet of Rs. 10,000. Otherwise, I'll sacrifice the Rs. 50 that I've already paid.
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Post by Finlip on Jun 28, 2006 23:38:25 GMT 6
There are four mouthwatering world cup quarterfinals.
Germany v Argentina This is one match worthy of the final match itself. There has been a world cup final match between Germany and Argentina on two occassions with
the two teams sharing the honours. I do not know what the overall record of these teams is. I don't know the record of these teams in world cup
finals matches either. I have watched the matches of both teams in this world cup though. And here is what I have observed. Germany have played
very well throughout the world cup. They conceeded two goals to Paulo Wanchope in their opening matches but haven't let in another goal since
then. Germany have been improving after every match. They made a great start agains Sweden in the second round match and led 2-0 after 12
minutes. There were no more goals though many German shots during the rest of the match. Henrik Larson also missed a spotkick for the Swedes.
Argentina, meanwhile, have struggled in their last two matches after a fabulous performance against Serbia and Montenegro to make another first
round elimination almost impossible. Argentina have however scored the best two goals of the world cup so far. Germany and Argentina have both
scored 10 and let in 2 in four matches. However, Argentina drew one match on their way but Germany won all four. My heart will be rooting for
Argentina. I think they can shock the hosts and book a place in the last four of the world cup for the first time since 1990.
Italy v Ukraine Italy are the big team on paper. Italy haven't lost a match at these championships and conceeded only one goal in a 1-1 draw against Italy. But
that doesn't tell us the whole story. Only a controversial penalty decision, which I believe should have been a caution for diving, in the last seconds
of the second round game against Australia brought Italy to the quarter finals. If that player had been cautioned, he would have been expelled for
his second yellow card which would have made Italy play the thirty minutes of extra time with only nine men. Ukraine, were able to bring their world
cup campaign into balance after losing 4-0 to Spain in the opening round. They then won their next two matches to book a place in the second
round. Ukraine couldn't break the deadlock against Switzerland who proably dominated the match. However, the Ukranians qualified by winning the
penalty shootouts. In their first ever world cup, Ukraine have surprized many by reaching the semi-finals. However, I think this team can go at least
one step further unless an Italian resuregence occurs.
England v Portugal England have not been that impressive in their world cup so far. Portugal will have a few key players missing for this match. They are lucky to have
Figo playing. I still remember the 1998 world cup, where Dennis Bergcamp, the one who should have been sent off in the second round match, killed
Argentina by scoring the winning goal. I wonder if Luis Figo does the same this time. It will be yet another cracker of a second round match which
can go either way.
Brazil v France Brazil's world cup is slowly coming on track. However, France are on the up. It will be a repeat of the 1998 world cup finals. Like that match, the
Brazilians start as hot favourites to win the match. If you discounted France in 1998, don't make the same mistake twice. France are on the rise and
will want to make up for the disappointment of four years ago.
So, all eight groups have representatives in the quarter-finals which means neither the world cup final nor the third place match will be a rematch.
Let me make a few predictions now.
Germany v Argentina: I hope 0-8; I think 1-3 Italy v Ukraine: I hope 2-2 aet, Italy , for a change, wins on penalties; I think 1-1 aet, Italy wins on penalties England v Portugal: I hope 3-2; I think 2-1 Brazil v France: I hope 2-2 aet, France wins on penalties; I think 2-0
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Post by Ru on Jul 9, 2006 17:01:43 GMT 6
GO ITALY!!! I was supporting BRASIL Long time no see Anup. Ru
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Post by Finlip on Jul 9, 2006 19:11:42 GMT 6
Very Sad. Argentina lost. Nice to see you here today. I don't care who wins the world cup final.
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