*** Official World Cup 2010 Thread***

I went back and took down some notes on the Switzerland upset over Spain because, after all, Spain is my team. SkerChicago, bennychico or default, let me know what you think.

 

Spain is using the Barcelona style of play to a 'T'. They are more focused on passing and not giving up possession. Their defense was exposed over and over again. Pique and Puyol had trouble getting back to defend constantly. I blame this on del Bosque for using them as attackers when their job is to defend.

 

Casillas looked shaky again. He dove feet first (instead of head first) to block a ball from Derdiyok, which he wiffed on, and in the process allowed Gelson Fernandes to blast it in. Maybe it's time del Bosque gave Reina a chance?

 

Once Switzerland scored, they employed the same tactic Inter Milan used on Barcelona in the second leg of the semifinal at Camp Nou. They brought everyone back to defend. This resulted in del Bosque substituting Fernando Torres for Sergio Busquets (who fell down several times, like he always does, but provided no impact on the game). But it was too late! Why didn't del Bosque start 2 strikers instead of just 1?

 

Torres is clearly not 100%. The doctors saying he had recovered completely from his knee surgery 2 months ago is bullsh#t. How many people do you know who have had surgery on the ligaments inside their knee and were able to go 100% by the end of two months (full out sprinting and pivoting)? Torres made bad first touches and overshot the goal badly several times.

 

Finally, there's del Bosque's strange lineup choice. He had Xavi, Alonso and Busquets all playing midfield. The only problem is none of them play defense! They all look to score. When Spain won the Euro in 2008, Xavi was paired with Senna. Senna's job was to feed the ball to Xavi and stay back on defense. Where was Cesc Fabregas? Why didn't del Bosque play him? He's considered one of the best midfielders in the world, and yet received no playing time! Simply amazing!

 
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Netherlands Take Down Japan 1-0 Thanks To Sneijder's Goal

http://videos.sapo.pt/RodzzEUAgYrOP3MiaoMA

Sneijder's strike off the goalkeeper in the 53rd minute saw the Netherlands move to 2-0 in group play. Japan had a chance to tie the game in the 90th minute but Okazaki, inside the penalty box, shot it just over the crossbar.

 
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Ghana Tie Australia 1-1 Thanks To Penalty Kick

http://videos.sapo.pt/SYLCfP0GQbzm0wpc3ifJ

Australia's Harry Kewell was given a red card in the 24th minute for blocking a shot with his arm in his penalty box, forcing Australia to play a man down the rest of the match. Ghana's Gyan converted the pk to even it up but could not go ahead despite the man advantage.

 
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Street Novelist said:
I went back and took down some notes on the Switzerland upset over Spain because, after all, Spain is my team. SkerChicago, bennychico or default, let me know what you think.

 

Spain is using the Barcelona style of play to a 'T'. They are more focused on passing and not giving up possession. Their defense was exposed over and over again. Pique and Puyol had trouble getting back to defend constantly. I blame this on del Bosque for using them as attackers when their job is to defend.

 

Casillas looked shaky again. He dove feet first (instead of head first) to block a ball from Derdiyok, which he wiffed on, and in the process allowed Gelson Fernandes to blast it in. Maybe it's time del Bosque gave Reina a chance?

 

Once Switzerland scored, they employed the same tactic Inter Milan used on Barcelona in the second leg of the semifinal at Camp Nou. They brought everyone back to defend. This resulted in del Bosque substituting Fernando Torres for Sergio Busquets (who fell down several times, like he always does, but provided no impact on the game). But it was too late! Why didn't del Bosque start 2 strikers instead of just 1?

 

Torres is clearly not 100%. The doctors saying he had recovered completely from his knee surgery 2 months ago is bullsh#t. How many people do you know who have had surgery on the ligaments inside their knee and were able to go 100% by the end of two months (full out sprinting and pivoting)? Torres made bad first touches and overshot the goal badly several times.

 

Finally, there's del Bosque's strange lineup choice. He had Xavi, Alonso and Busquets all playing midfield. The only problem is none of them play defense! They all look to score. When Spain won the Euro in 2008, Xavi was paired with Senna. Senna's job was to feed the ball to Xavi and stay back on defense. Where was Cesc Fabregas? Why didn't del Bosque play him? He's considered one of the best midfielders in the world, and yet received no playing time! Simply amazing!
Click to expand...
I think your points are all valid, I agree it is strange not having Cesc playing

I don't have a way to go back and watch it again but I remember feeling that Iniesta wasn't getting much accomplished for as much work as he seemed to be doing

It is too bad that Torres isn't at full strength but even at 80% or whatever he is at, he creates opportunities for everyone else, had they not been behind already he might have made a difference

 
default_28 said:
Street Novelist said:
I went back and took down some notes on the Switzerland upset over Spain because, after all, Spain is my team. SkerChicago, bennychico or default, let me know what you think.

 

Spain is using the Barcelona style of play to a 'T'. They are more focused on passing and not giving up possession. Their defense was exposed over and over again. Pique and Puyol had trouble getting back to defend constantly. I blame this on del Bosque for using them as attackers when their job is to defend.

 

Casillas looked shaky again. He dove feet first (instead of head first) to block a ball from Derdiyok, which he wiffed on, and in the process allowed Gelson Fernandes to blast it in. Maybe it's time del Bosque gave Reina a chance?

 

Once Switzerland scored, they employed the same tactic Inter Milan used on Barcelona in the second leg of the semifinal at Camp Nou. They brought everyone back to defend. This resulted in del Bosque substituting Fernando Torres for Sergio Busquets (who fell down several times, like he always does, but provided no impact on the game). But it was too late! Why didn't del Bosque start 2 strikers instead of just 1?

 

Torres is clearly not 100%. The doctors saying he had recovered completely from his knee surgery 2 months ago is bullsh#t. How many people do you know who have had surgery on the ligaments inside their knee and were able to go 100% by the end of two months (full out sprinting and pivoting)? Torres made bad first touches and overshot the goal badly several times.

 

Finally, there's del Bosque's strange lineup choice. He had Xavi, Alonso and Busquets all playing midfield. The only problem is none of them play defense! They all look to score. When Spain won the Euro in 2008, Xavi was paired with Senna. Senna's job was to feed the ball to Xavi and stay back on defense. Where was Cesc Fabregas? Why didn't del Bosque play him? He's considered one of the best midfielders in the world, and yet received no playing time! Simply amazing!
Click to expand...
I think your points are all valid, I agree it is strange not having Cesc playing

I don't have a way to go back and watch it again but I remember feeling that Iniesta wasn't getting much accomplished for as much work as he seemed to be doing

It is too bad that Torres isn't at full strength but even at 80% or whatever he is at, he creates opportunities for everyone else, had they not been behind already he might have made a difference
Click to expand...
I agree with yours and default's points as well. The Torres injury is clearly killing Spain. The first thought I had after reading your post was Kody Spano. He was hustled back and in his first couple weeks injured his knee again. You can tell Torres is playing to not hurt himself again.

I was also blown away with Cesc not being on the pitch. The chemistry this team had during the 2008 Euro was amazing and it is missing this time around.

I'm sure Spain will still make it out of group play. The Honduras game tomorrow will do wonders for their confidence.

Street, I wish I had more to say regarding your post, but unfortunately, I was unable to watch much of the game.

 
Brazil Make Fools Of Ivory Coast 3-1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPhYftxY1Sc

An absolute childish and disgusting display by the Ivorians in the second half once they realized they could not win. Elano was fouled (but the referee did not blow the whistle!) in the 65th minute when Tiote came at him studs up above the ankle, resulting in Elano being carried off the pitch. Elano had just scored 3 minutes earlier. In the 75th minute, Keita was booked for coming studs up on Bastos and hitting him in the leg. In the 86th minute, Tiote fouled Fabiano, earning a yellow and causing Dunga to go into a frenzy. Clearly the Ivorians were going to take their hacks knowing they were not going to win and have little to no chance of advancing out of their group.

In the 88th minute, Kaka was given a second yellow for fouling Keita. Kaka had elbowed him in the chest, but Keita went down holding his face! An absolute dive if I've ever seen one! Supporters of the Ivory Coast should be ashamed of their country! An absolute ridiculous decision by the referee! The Ivorians run after Kaka, who is trying to retreat, forcing the Brazilians to get between the angry mob and Kaka. Just disgusting behavior by the African side!

 
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More On Brazil Win Over Ivory Coast

Luis Fabiano was in great form, scoring a brace. The first was an absolute rocket over the head of the Ivorian keeper; the second, a beautifully played ball requiring 3 touches (although one of them may have involved his arm). Kaka assisted Elano with a beautiful pass through the penalty box which Elano knocked in with ease.

Drogba headed one home off a beautiful cross from Yaya Toure in the 79th minute to give the Ivorians a bit of hope, but it wasn't meant to be.

 
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Italy Stumbles Again In 1-1 Draw With New Zealand

http://videos.sapo.pt/PBdnJ8aZe2QtgBZ7gQ27

This has to go down as arguably New Zealand's greatest game ever...holding the defending World Cup champions to a draw. If it weren't for the terrible call by the referee to give Italy a pk (De Rossi went down inside the penalty box when he felt his jersey being pulled by Tommy Smith), Italy would have lost. no doubt about it...

Italy now has just 2 points. It is highly unlikely they advance (considering the fact they haven't even won 1 match!). They will have to win their final game against Slovakia. Buffon is likely out for the remainder of the tournament with a herniated disk.

Cannavaro was poor again as it was his error that led to New Zealand's only goal. A free kick from Elliot in the 7th minute sailed into Italy's penalty box, deflecting off Cannavaro's hip and onto the feet of Shane Smeltz who easily tapped it in.

 
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