The One & Only 2010 World Cup Topic

It was already written that this Italy team was going to struggle - I remember talking about it on here, worse defence than before, no creativity, no top strikers, lack of speed etc. etc. Pepe, Iaquinta, Camoranesi, Gilardino, Montilivo, Zambrotta - if they are the best players available then I'm Lippi's cigar. I know it is a transitional period and it does take time to build a new team but Lippi has never looked like achieving that.

Credit to the All Whites, Nelsen was playing like his life depended on it, overcoming his limitations with sheer heart and desire. It was a real case of players performing for their shirt, the sum of the parts equalling more than they would alone. Italy, England and France (daniel - some fitness coach was found to have leaked the Anelka comments, Evra took offence and said they would not train, Domenidiot actually read the statement about it and the fitness guy was sacked!!) would do well to take something from that.

Lets hope Brazil v Cote D'Ivoire lives up to expectations, but I'm not counting on it... Sven Sven Sven...

S70 - they are going to need a whole fleet of planes to carry the underachieving teams home! Maybe Captain Manfre can take a break from cruising in his Bentley to fly the Makiwagon out there to pick some up, at a hefty charge of course...

Lippi is now paying the price for leaving some quality creative talents at home in preference to turgid donkeys like Iaquinta. Such a shame that the fans have suffer the dross he has served up. Disgraceful. Roll on Prandelli.

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaats uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuupppppppppppppppppppppp with the refs?

Hilarious when the ref seemed to be asking Fabiano whether he handled the ball or not, as if he would actually tell him.

anyone think that Fabiano handled the ball for the second goal?

I was sitting a little bit far from the tv that is why I'm asking:)

I just read that french team boycotted the training and Evra and one of the trainers were in a fight! What a circus

Fabiano clearly handled the ball with his hand twice before He scored

I'm so unbelievably proud of what NZ did against Italy today. Great day to be a Kiwi. Simply brilliant!

Well done Mr Herbert and team! Paston with some sweet saves as well!

Unfortunately that faggot De Pussy had to be a cunt and dive around merda style to win a non-existent penalty. Also can't believe the ref bought it and booked Smith at the same time. That shirt pulling happens day in day out.

For people who think NZ's goal was offside (*ahem* Caput ) it wasn't from what I gather. For a second I thought Smeltz's goal was offside but the commentator said its not because "he's not interfering with play despite the flick on" - so I guess Cannavaro assisted him? He also said the ref could have given a penalty due to Cannavaro's handball.

CaptainLazio wrote:

Fabiano clearly handled the ball with his hand twice before He scored

Yeah definitely. Still can't believe the ref or linesman didn't see it, and it happened twice. And then he asked Fabiano if he handled the ball. As if he'd tell you.

Feel sad for Ivory Coast and Sven. I was hoping to see them progress to the knockout stages. It's still possible though. They need to win against North Korea next week and hope Brazil beat Portugal or maybe just draw them depending on tomorrow's game.

Roman_Eagle wrote:

anyone think that Fabiano handled the ball for the second goal?

That was a long shoulder ...

martinese wrote:

Roman_Eagle wrote:

anyone think that Fabiano handled the ball for the second goal?

That was a long shoulder ...

Them Serbians got some looooong shoulders then

Sile wrote:

martinese wrote:

Roman_Eagle wrote:

anyone think that Fabiano handled the ball for the second goal?

That was a long shoulder ...

Them Serbians got some looooong shoulders then

yeah man.. can't believe the refs awarded two PK against Serbia :)

@ Bobbi: Sorry mate but it's a 100% offside :) Smeltz is behind Cannavaro when the other kiwi heads the ball :)

I don't think that matters because the ball hits Cannavaro and then Smeltz plays with it so it isn't an offside

Bobbi wrote:

For people who think NZ's goal was offside (*ahem* Caput ) it wasn't from what I gather. For a second I thought Smeltz's goal was offside but the commentator said its not because "he's not interfering with play despite the flick on" - so I guess Cannavaro assisted him? He also said the ref could have given a penalty due to Cannavaro's handball.

It's not about 'interfering with play' its about "gaining an unfair advantage by being in that position". Winston Reid got the flick on and it touched Canna and fell to Smeltz from what I remember.

I thought we had bad commentators here!

Not to detract from NZ's effort though. Score should've been 0-0.

I'll be happy if the Kiwis can somehow sneak through even at Italy's expense. I'm pretty disgusted with everything.

martinese wrote:

I don't think that matters because the ball hits Cannavaro and then Smeltz plays with it so it isn't an offside

when the ball was headed Smeltz was already offside. he was offside before Cannavaro touched it.

Let me be clear - Massive respect to the kiwi's. a brilliant performance. just pointing out the fact :)

Behrami sent off... F*CK YOU!

Bobbi wrote:

I'm so unbelievably proud of what NZ did against Italy today. Great day to be a Kiwi. Simply brilliant!

Well done Mr Herbert and team! Paston with some sweet saves as well!

Unfortunately that faggot De Pussy had to be a cunt and dive around merda style to win a non-existent penalty. Also can't believe the ref bought it and booked Smith at the same time. That shirt pulling happens day in day out.

For people who think NZ's goal was offside (*ahem* Caput ) it wasn't from what I gather. For a second I thought Smeltz's goal was offside but the commentator said its not because "he's not interfering with play despite the flick on" - so I guess Cannavaro assisted him? He also said the ref could have given a penalty due to Cannavaro's handball.

Agree with the positive things you said there...

- Paston made some cracker saves and MoM in my opinion..
- If your a Kiwi...An Aussie...Whoever..Its a great result for a team that isn't full of stars but just workman like players

Disagree with

- De Rossi did take a dive...But mate, the rule is a handful of shirt..which it clearly was...is a penalty...there is no debate...He took a dive to make sure that the ref saw it...No one likes diving...But no doubt that there was a handful of shirt and its just dumb defending...They cracked down on that since Japan/Korea...Surprises me that defenders STILL do it..

- Take your Kiwi hat off there mate...Smeltz is clearly in an offside position...The ball was flicked on by Reid...Hit Cannavaro...But Smeltz had gained an already unfair advantage behind the last man even before this was flicked on by Reid...Again no debate..

Well done to the Kiwi's fully deserved a point...But to the Italians, they do it to you every time...They struggle through....And do everything the hard way...They will beat Slovakia and qualify...One thing is for sure, Italy can thank an "easy group" for still being in the competition...

I have to agree with Rocky, is was a clear offside and the penalty is valid. Even if it happens everyday its still a penalty

i just hope that juve want get in second part of WC,same for france and england.
lichty wasnt good today(maybe nobody will be interesting for him).
i hope that urugvay will draw with mexico 2-2 or 3-3 becouse than)if finished 0-0) we will have hard job to keep nando

Re: NZ v Italy..... I don't agree with the decision either. I still think it was offside but no Italian player complained so I assumed it wasn't, and I was watching the match on an English channel and the English commentator (NOT a Kiwi commentator) said what I regurgitated before so that's how I got to my 'conclusion'.

As for De Rossimerda he's still a fag and he's the only Italian player in the current side I don't like, along with Cannavaro. There have been so many similar situations in the past season all over Europe which have gone unpunished and no penalty given, and that's what annoys me the most. If referees are meant to clamp down on this then do it on a consistent basis and not only in the WC. I agree he had his shirt pulled but to swan dive is over the top IMO.

As for today's matches good to see Spain get back and show some form. Sad thing however is that the Swiss or even Chile will likely miss out on qualifying for the Round of 16 and I have always like those sides. And now especially the Swiss because of Lichtsteiner but stupid Behrami ruined it for them with an unneeded red card. However Spain are more than capable of beating Chile, as are Switzerland of ousting Honduras, so anything is still possible.

Feel sorry for North Korea. Very impressive against Brazil and a good first half against the Portuguese, but they got owned in the second. Portugal turned on the style with ease and looked very good. IMO they have a good chance of beating Brazil if they play like they did in the second half, and especially with Kaka out. But again North Korea's striker, Jong Tae-Se really impressed me. Never gave up, could have scored in the first half, fast, physically and mentally strong, good movement on and off the ball. Wouldn't mind having him at Lazio.

Bobbi wrote:

Re: NZ v Italy..... I don't agree with the decision either. I still think it was offside but no Italian player complained so I assumed it wasn't, and I was watching the match on an English channel and the English commentator (NOT a Kiwi commentator) said what I regurgitated before so that's how I got to my 'conclusion'.

As for De Rossimerda he's still a fag and he's the only Italian player in the current side I don't like, along with Cannavaro. There have been so many similar situations in the past season all over Europe which have gone unpunished and no penalty given, and that's what annoys me the most. If referees are meant to clamp down on this then do it on a consistent basis and not only in the WC. I agree he had his shirt pulled but to swan dive is over the top IMO.

As for today's matches good to see Spain get back and show some form. Sad thing however is that the Swiss or even Chile will likely miss out on qualifying for the Round of 16 and I have always like those sides. And now especially the Swiss because of Lichtsteiner but stupid Behrami ruined it for them with an unneeded red card. However Spain are more than capable of beating Chile, as are Switzerland of ousting Honduras, so anything is still possible.

Feel sorry for North Korea. Very impressive against Brazil and a good first half against the Portuguese, but they got owned in the second. Portugal turned on the style with ease and looked very good. IMO they have a good chance of beating Brazil if they play like they did in the second half, and especially with Kaka out. But again North Korea's striker, Jong Tae-Se really impressed me. Never gave up, could have scored in the first half, fast,
physically and mentally strong, good movement on and off the ball. Wouldn't mind having him at Lazio.

The referee was not European so it does not matter what happenned in Europe. De Rossi had his shirt pulled while he tried to jump and therefore it was a foul in the penalty area so it is a penalty. End of story.

Halleluyah.

France break their duck with Malouda. Still 2-1 down to South Africa.

What a dismal World Cup for the French. They are a prime example how to mess up your World Cup even with quality players.

What a waste.

Embarresing. Uruguay will top the group with Mexico finishing runners up.

I am so happy for Muslera.

Matrim wrote:

I am so happy for Muslera.

Idem. 0 goals conceded.

They can go far IMO. Very disciplined side but with the quality in attack to punish teams.

Argentina will win this WC. I really hope Fernando goes also far (final) with Uruguay :)

Great to see Nando and Uruguay win their group and with 0 goals conceded!

Nice to see the French bounced. They didn't even deserve to be in the WC. Its sad to see South Africa miss out on goal difference though, but at least a quality side like Mexico will advance.

Did anyone see Nigeria's open goal miss? Couldn't believe it. Down 2-1 the ball was crossed back, the keeper completely missed it and the Nigerian striker tapped it out from probably no more than 3 metres out!

Its Argentina vs Mexico and Uruguay vs South Korea right?