World Cup

[cavalier]

Yeah, same old story with England, the midfield dropped too deep and we just started pumping the long balls.

Thought the sending off of that T&T chap was a bit harsh. I was also impressed by how well they played. Maybe there really aren't any easy World Cup games any more.

[I, Brian]

Anyone see the Argentina vs Ivory Coast match? Saw the last half hour and the Africans were impressive - Argentina were demonstrably one of the most skilled teams competing, but the Ivory Coast refused to be beaten and showed some excellent energetic and skillful football themselves - enough to pull a goal back for themselves towards the end. Will be interesting to see how Ivory Coast play in the rest of the group.

[cavalier]

Yeah, I saw the game, they were a good side, big and physical, but also had a good touch and were composed on the ball. I saw on TV here that they're one of the favorites for the tournament, that could say more about Taiwanese TV than it does about their chances though.

It will be interesting to watch them play Holland, I wouldn't want to predict a winner.

[Vajradhara]

Team USA has their match in about 30 mins. i'm looking forward to a good contest.

i must say, i was surprised at how pooly Portugal played. they won but that seemed more like chance than skill. should be an interesting tourney for them.

metta,

~v

[cavalier]

I didn't catch the USA game but am sorry for the result, you're going to have a tough time in that group.

Did you see the Mexico, Iran yesterday? great game. Don't know how to explain, it was the first game where I felt like I was watching the World Cup.

[Vajradhara]

USA played like they were a junior league team. really poor. you're right, realistically, Italy and Ghana need to draw and USA needs to win vs. Italy to have a chance to make it through the Group.

it is going to be tough.

i did watch the Mexico/Iran game. it had a good pace and some real skill was on display in that match. it got away from Iran late, but they weren't really expected to defeat Mexico.

we're getting them live and then on repeat later in the day and evening, so i'm usually missing the first match but catching it on repeat.

metta,

~v

[wil]

Great way to follow World Cup if you are not near a TV document.write(' ');


http://setanta.optasportsdata.com/index.html?41028


Live Text Play by Play & Commentary, Shot Diagrams, Cards, % This and That all LIVE and up to date.

Very nice...

[cavalier]

Thanks for the tip, in truth I'm rarely far from a TV but for some reason they don't include stats in their coverage here in Taiwan.

[cavalier]

One round of group games gone, obviously teams can and will improve, but who's your favorite so far?

I loved Italy in the first half but it seemed they sat back on their lead and didn't try to kill it off.

So I have to say Spain, maybe this will finally be their year.

[Vajradhara]

well... it's probably cliche but i think that Brazil is still the side to beat. in the matchs i've seen thus far.. i think that Germany has really displayed the quality necessary to make it to the final.

metta,

~v

[wil]

never been that much of a sports fanatic....used to enjoy betting, when I quit betting I quit watching.

I have logged about 4 hours of Australian Rules Football in the past month or so...that's a lot for me...interesting game...

For those of you that are into it, I've got another link from one of your cohort fanatics....

http://www.sunuker.com/LiveRTS.html

[I, Brian]

I think Argentina have looked the strongest team so far - but it's often been the case that teams will play below par for the first few games, while they work out which arrangement of players works best in the tournament.

[cavalier]

Originally Posted by Vajradhara

i think that Germany has really displayed the quality necessary to make it to the final.

maybe you were on to something, they looked good yesterday and are building up some momentum. Home soil, and just the fact that they're German, who knows, maybe they can go all the way.


I thought England looked great in the first half, but in the second seemed to run out of steam a bit. Also my heart was in my mouth every time the Swedes put in a cross.

[Vajradhara]

the England/Sweden match was quite excellent.. from a certain point of veiw. it cannot be much of a good feeling for England fans. the Swedes seem to have Englands number in football and haven't lost to England since 1968.

the Angola/Iran and Mexico/Portugal matches just concluded.. pretty good result for Angola even though they are out of the tourny now...

should be even more interesting in the elimination rounds.

metta,

~v

[Vajradhara]

England is in a world of hurt now with Owen out for the rest of the tourney! i hope that he can recover from his injury for he is a really special player.

i understand that there is some controversy regarding the fact that the English side only brought four strikers and one of them has no national experience, is that correct?

going to be a tough round for them.

i'm a bit distraught, though. it seems that when a physical form ages it becomes more difficult to bear offspring. as such, my Dharma partner and i have an appointment tomorrow have a test for Downs Syndrome which means that i'll miss the USA/Ghana match!!!

perhaps my priorities are a bit skewed

metta,

~v