74 replies to this topic

[soxfan121]

Ending of the opening matches, beginning of the second round-robin. Also a pretty huge day in South African history today. The ceremonies before tonight's game figure to be the emotional peak of the tournament for the host country.

[soxfan121]

FIFA threw out these Dutch fans, all female, for wearing short, tight orange dresses (and illegally advertising a beer not named Budweiser).

Edited by soxfan121, 16 June 2010 - 06:40 AM.

[Phil Plantier]

This is a great match, just as I thought it would be. Lots of attacking.

[soxfan121]

The Chilean front line is running, hard, on everything. The Hondurans are clever on the counter-attack.

Up and down, up and down. This is great.

[Phil Plantier]

Referee from the Seychelles is a little worrying, however. Booked 3 players and fell for a Chilean dive.

[Hendu's Gait]

Yay Chile, Boo FIFA

[Phil Plantier]

The goal we all deserved.

Edit: Hmmm... might be an own goal. Maybe not as pretty as I thought.

Edited by Phil Plantier, 16 June 2010 - 07:08 AM.

[soxfan121]

I think that was an own goal. I think it went off Mendoza after the Chilean touched it on the cross.

[Hendu's Gait]

The goal we all deserved.

Edit: Hmmm... might be an own goal. Maybe not as pretty as I thought.

Own goals is one aspect of what makes soccer and World Cup great. Another is tight short dresses on nubile female soccer fans.

[Ahriman]

The Chilean touched it last. Looked like it went off his shoulder.

[soxfan121]

Every other team game, however spellbinding or brutal, graceful or epic, rule-bound or free-for-all, lacks that transcendental ingredient of symphonic, globally comprehensible, non-pedantic vigor that soccer possesses. This factor, I wager, entitles soccer to be ranked among the 10 greatest inventions in human history, alongside (in no particular order) fire, money, electricity, the wheel, wine, the flush toilet, bikinis, democracy, and the Internet.

source

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

So far, Chile has proven to be one of the most entertaining teams to watch in this entire World Cup. Their clash with Spain should be great.

[Billy R Ford]

I know jersey numbers aren't as important as they used to be, but it's still unusual to see Spain start both their number 9 and number 10 on the bench.

Also, Pique may be a defender, but he should have scored there.

[mikeford]

Can't believe they seriously don't start Cesc

[EastCoasterOutWest]

I have the sneaking suspicion that the Swiss finish this game with 10 men.

[URI]

Can't believe they seriously don't start Cesc

I can. Just assume it's January and he's hurt.

I mean, they are playing Iniesta, Xavi, Xabi Alanso, and Sergio Busquets. It's not like he's being benched for Emile Heskey or Mark Loretta. Asking why he's not starting is like a Liverpool fan bitching that they can't believe those dumbys in Spain don't start Pepe Reina.

He's redundant to Xavi and Iniesta, and has a different skill set to Xabi and Busquets.

[Dernells Casket n Flagon]

Can't believe they seriously don't start Cesc

Even as an Arsenal fan, I wasn't expecting them to start him. It seems that he generally hasn't been starting international games for Spain for the last two years anyway. Combine that with the fact that he's coming off injury and problem isn't in full match shape yet, and it seems like the obvious expectation. It's not like Spain is lacking in central midfielders. I expect that they'll try to work him in as a sub for a few games during group competition.

[cshea]

Well then.

[mikeford]

LOL

Wow.

[Ahriman]

Oh shit. Guess that's what they deserve for wasting so many chances.

[EastCoasterOutWest]

So does this increase or decrease the time spent rolling on the pitch by the Spanish?

[ifmanis5]

That goal is on the keeper. Got to get what with your hands/body. No idea why he went feet first. Spain will score, though.

[Billy R Ford]

For all the talk of Switzerland's World Cup shut-out streak, they conceded 8 goals in 10 games during qualification.

[ifmanis5]

Short haircut for Torres. I barely recognize him.

[Rossox]

Jesus, what a blast that was. Keeper's best friend. Upset of the Cup if this score holds.

[Ahriman]

Wow. How unlucky.

[EastCoasterOutWest]

Best half of the Cup so far?

[Rossox]

Holy crap, the Swiss just miss going up 2-0! Spain got lucky there.

[Jamoked]

God this is fantastic. I hope no one uses this score-line as evidence that this World Cup is boring. THIS match is anything but boring.

[Jed Zeppelin]

What an awesome half. Spain with the organization, great passing trying to find the perfect shot on one end and near-perfect Swiss counterattacks on the other end.

[EastCoasterOutWest]

Navas deserves a start in the next game.

[Mugsys Jock]

Well, Spain ain't gonna win this one -- tie's got to be the best case wish now

[Billy R Ford]

Torres has done very little since he came on

[Jamoked]

This is strikingly similar to USA-Spain last summer. Clog up the middle, allow space on the wings and use your big center backs to snuff out the crosses.

[JKelley34]

Five minutes stoppage? Wow. Who sent that order down?

[dwightinright]

Five minutes stoppage? Wow. Who sent that order down?

David Stern.

[Chainsaw318]

Is it a me thing to be rooting against Spain and Portugal more than other teams? They seem unlikable squads, despite talent.

[Jed Zeppelin]

Keeper has been phenomenal. That was a great cross.

[Jed Zeppelin]

I wish I could hear the crowd.....

[SoxFanInCali]

Well, that opens this group up.

[EastCoasterOutWest]

Holy fucking wow.

[BigSoxFan]

It's going to be a week of monumental losses for Pau Gasol.

[bosox4283]

Why did Spain continue to try to attack from the right side with Navas? It didn't work at all. Not only that, Navas only had a few good runs and most of his balls were way off target, either not high enough or too far. It was just a pathetic offensive plan.

Torres looked incredibly rusty, missing a few clear opportunities.

Can we start the "Play Valdes" chant after Casilla's mistake led to the goal?

Me caigo en la puta madre...

[mikeford]

Fuck Pau Gasol.

[carygug]

This could set up Brazil-Spain in the Round of 16 if Chile can hold Spain off.

[bosox4283]

This could set up Brazil-Spain in the Round of 16 if Chile can hold Spain off.

I wouldn't get too far ahead of yourself.

A Spain tie or loss would certainly prevent them from advancing.

Honduras could lend a huge hand to Spain by winning a game.

[URI]

Well, that opens this group up.

See, Spain isn't a contender.

[Spacemans Bong]

Why did Spain continue to try to attack from the right side with Navas? It didn't work at all. Not only that, Navas only had a few good runs and most of his balls were way off target, either not high enough or too far. It was just a pathetic offensive plan.

Torres looked incredibly rusty, missing a few clear opportunities.

Can we start the "Play Valdes" chant after Casilla's mistake led to the goal?

Me caigo en la puta madre...

wow, au contraire for me, I thought Navas's crosses were actually opening up the Swiss back four rather than Spain trying to tiki-taka it down the middle for the 33454th time and not having it work.

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

He's redundant to Xavi and Iniesta, and has a different skill set to Xabi and Busquets.

Even as an Arsenal fan, I wasn't expecting them to start him. It seems that he generally hasn't been starting international games for Spain for the last two years anyway....It's not like Spain is lacking in central midfielders.

Its not surprising that Fabregas didn't play given his previous injury, but I think he does bring qualities to the team that Xavi and Iniesta do not. Spain played their best in Euro 2008 with Fabregas playing in an advanced position behind a single striker. It looked to me like Spain tried to recreate this formation today in the starting lineup but with Iniesta in that role, but he's not that kind of player (and neither is Xavi). They could have used a healthy and in form Fabregas quite a bit in this game.

Edited by Morgan's Magic Snowplow, 16 June 2010 - 11:29 AM.

[slamminsammya]

Quick question for anyone familiar with soccer or Spain in particular: Why do Spain choose to play Sergio Busquets? It seems like he adds absolutely nothing, and having that extra midfielder just made things incredibly hard for Villa in the first half when he was up there by himself. Why wouldn't they always just play with both Torres and Villa and eliminate the redundancy in midfield?