82 replies to this topic

[Sausage in Section 17]

I hope the Germans beat them by four goals, and then gas their asses.

Considering Argentina allowed a lot of Nazi war criminals to live there in exile after the war, that would be some cold shit.

[Bosoxen]

I have one word for that first half: disgraceful. I'm not going to point out the huge refereeing gaffe because that could have been avoided if Perez CONTROLS THAT FUCKING BALL. Once again, Mexico falls victim to its weaknesses: they can't finish scoring opportunities and commit stupendously idiotic mistakes on defense. They absolutely deserve to be losing this, refs or not.

[soxfan121]

It's really difficult to determine how things "would have been," both in this match and the England-Germany match, had the right calls been made. But they right calls should be fucking made. At least use the hockey-style goal line technology. It's instant and doesn't disturb the flow of the game in any miniscule amount.

Mexico is a total mess. They would have been better off if they actually did leave the pitch.

I do not blame the referee on Lampard's bouncer - how the heck can he be expected to see that angle from 15 yards deep and to the opposite side?

I think the head ref in this game was honestly hoping that "God" was gonna talk in his ear and rescue him from what he probably THOUGHT might have been offside but was the line judge's call to make and he (for some reason) blew the call.

I think Coubaily didn't want to call a penalty shot that late in the game but when he blew the whistle he had to make SOME call and the USA happened to score. An inexperienced ref put into a HUGE spot gets nervous with the whistle and then fucks up the call. And then tells FIFA exactly that, which is why FIFA goes silent. FIFA put Coubaily in the game, gave him no support and when he screwed up, the best they could do is keep silent, make him the 4th ref in another match and not use him after the group stage concludes. FIFA screwed Coubaily as much as he screwed the USA.

FIFA's anti-technology has cost them SO much credibility today. We're back to the old American criticism of a 'fixed flop fest', which is terrible.

[Kremlin Watcher]

Someone please convince me that this tournament is not fixed in favor of the past winners. One interpretation of these events is that FIFA wants one of the traditional powers to win and has put pressure on tournament officials to make enough calls to ensure that happens. I can't even bring myself to watch it anymore. Just a disgrace to the sport.

[shawnrbu]

Tevez!

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

Sick strike

[Jed Zeppelin]

I just fainted.

[Freddy Linn]

Holy crap was that pounded.

[Maalox]

OK that was fucking incredible.

[johnmd20]

Sick strike

Yeah, what a rocket. This is lousy, both games today were blowouts somewhat caused by dubious referee decisions. Terrible day for FIFA.

[DukeSox]

i wish i could shoot a soccer ball half that fast. wow.

[Sille Skrub]

Wow Tevez.

[SumnerH]

That strike was adequate.

[RedOctober3829]

Rocket shot.

[gaelgirl]

What is hockey-style goal line technology that is instant?

Edit: Are you referring to a goal judge or instant replay?

Goal judge, I guess. Whoever turns on the light. I don't really watch hockey that much, but I assume there is something or someone that makes it happen. If that can't work in soccer/football, then there has to be something that can work. Tennis has Hawk-Eye/Shot Spot technology. There has to be something that can, at the very least, be used solely to determine that a ball has gone over the goal line.

Mexico doesn't look like it could have won this game regardless, but obviously the first goal and maybe the second goal can be blamed on shitty officiating and its resulting disorganization/anger.

[Ahriman]

Harkes is so very, very bad.

[SumnerH]

I don't have the stats, but it sure feels like set pieces and corners in particular have been surprisingly ineffective all tournament.

[Ahriman]

I don't have the stats, but it sure feels like set pieces and corners in particular have been surprisingly ineffective all tournament.

[Apisith]

What a hit by Tevez. Probably the goal of the tourney for me, even though Honda's and Villa's were both quality strikes as well.

[gaelgirl]

I do not blame the referee on Lampard's bouncer - how the heck can he be expected to see that angle from 15 yards deep and to the opposite side?

I think the head ref in this game was honestly hoping that "God" was gonna talk in his ear and rescue him from what he probably THOUGHT might have been offside but was the line judge's call to make and he (for some reason) blew the call.

I think Coubaily didn't want to call a penalty shot that late in the game but when he blew the whistle he had to make SOME call and the USA happened to score. An inexperienced ref put into a HUGE spot gets nervous with the whistle and then fucks up the call. And then tells FIFA exactly that, which is why FIFA goes silent. FIFA put Coubaily in the game, gave him no support and when he screwed up, the best they could do is keep silent, make him the 4th ref in another match and not use him after the group stage concludes. FIFA screwed Coubaily as much as he screwed the USA.

FIFA's anti-technology has cost them SO much credibility today. We're back to the old American criticism of a 'fixed flop fest', which is terrible.

I don't necessarily blame the ref on the Lampard shot, either. It was a weird situation that is difficult to judge from the on-field position. Which is why FIFA is to blame for this one -- there has to be someone or something in place that can make that call. The ref can still have the ability to accept or reject the call. This goal linesman's job would just determine if the whole ball has passed the goal line, it can be called off due to fouls or offsides or whatever other legit reasons.

Nice save off the line. Wow.

[Apisith]

Nice strike. That was quality as well.

[Maalox]

2-1

[Jed Zeppelin]

If there was an American with touch half as good as that they'd still be in the tournament.

[Bosoxen]

I don't care that we're getting worked...CHICHARITO! Finally, a Mexican scores a quality goal.

[Apisith]

Man, when Messi gets going

Edited by Apisith, 27 June 2010 - 03:03 PM.

[Shelterdog]

If there was an American with touch half as good as that they'd still be in the tournament.

To use an American football analogy, the USMNT is a bunch of Ben Watsons; fit, smart, hardworking athletes who are just a little short of elite on the technical skill side.

[SumnerH]

Heinze is throwing himself around fearlessly on defense.

[Maalox]

Heinze is throwing himself around fearlessly on defense.

Heinze is a diving little pussy.

[Maalox]

I think the Germans are going to eat this sissies alive.

[ForceAtHome]

Goal judge, I guess. Whoever turns on the light. I don't really watch hockey that much, but I assume there is something or someone that makes it happen. If that can't work in soccer/football, then there has to be something that can work. Tennis has Hawk-Eye/Shot Spot technology. There has to be something that can, at the very least, be used solely to determine that a ball has gone over the goal line.

For what it's worth, the red lights behind the goals in hockey are controlled by goal judges sitting directly behind each goal. However, that person actually has no say on whether or not it's a goal. They just turn the light when they believe the puck has crossed the line. For a goal to count, a referee must signal it himself. Putting on the red light doesn't even necessitate instant replay or anything if the ref disagrees. Basically, I'm not sure the goal judge really serves much of a purpose with instant replay available as it always takes precedence. IMHO, soccer doesn't need a goal judge, they need instant replay.

[ifmanis5]

Tevez strike measured at 111 kmh. Quite a fastball.

[Zososoxfan]

Really odd game, by all accounts. First goal was clearly offside, no question about it. Really surprised that Tevez headed it because I would imagine he knew he was offsides, but I'm not going to argue the result. 2nd goal really sealed it for Mexico - you can argue that Mexico was traumatized or whatever after the missed call, but they firmly buried themselves with that play. 3rd goal was just an absolute strike from Tevez, just incredible.

Surprised that Otamendi got the start over Jonas, my rationale for the move would be twofold - 1) Otamendi is a slightly better defender (not my opinion), and much more of a stay-at-home fullback; and 2) Jonas has showed a penchant for hard fouls and this guarantees he wont miss any remaining games for accumulations of yellows (it resets after the QF, so no one misses the final).

Mexico has a good young team, but I feel like they just can't lineup all the talent in one squad. Rafa probably wont make it to the next WC, so this team is going to need to find leadership somewhere else.

On to the QF and Bavaria.

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

Surprised that Otamendi got the start over Jonas, my rationale for the move would be twofold - 1) Otamendi is a slightly better defender (not my opinion), and much more of a stay-at-home fullback; and 2) Jonas has showed a penchant for hard fouls and this guarantees he wont miss any remaining games for accumulations of yellows (it resets after the QF, so no one misses the final).

You know the team much better than I do. But my sense is that Maradona wants to either match Jonas and Veron or match Otamendi and Maxi. Basically, if he plays Veron, he wants Jonas to give a bit more of an attacking option with width and is OK with the fact that Jonas isn't a real full back. But if he plays Maxi on the flank, then he wants a more stay-at-home option like Otamendi.