181 replies to this topic

[AusTexSoxFan]

Their goal versus Brazil wasn't a fluke either. It was a quality goal versus a very good defense.

I'm not saying North Korea is awesome or anything and yes, that loss to Portugal was bad, but considering their situation, I don't think they embarassed themselves.

Hell, getting past Iran and Saudi Arabia in qualifying is worthy of priase.

I wish I could watch more of Jong Tae-Se.

Edited by AusTexSoxFan, 25 June 2010 - 12:22 PM.

[SeoulSoxFan]

Their goal versus Brazil wasn't a fluke either. It was a quality goal versus a very good defense.

I'm not saying North Korea is awesome or anything and yes, that loss to Portugal was bad, but considering their situation, I don't think they embarassed themselves.

Hell, getting past Iran and Saudi Arabia in qualifying is worthy of priase.

I wish I could watch more of Jong Tae-Se.

Taese can start for the South Korean squad right now along with Jisung Park and Chuyong Park, which would have given me more hope against Uruguay. Just another sad reminder of the division between the Koreas (although Jong is actually Japanese-born Korean - just has more royalties to the North).

The team to watch for is China in 2014. I have no doubt they'll qualify, and unless Asia-Oceanic gets another ticket, it'll be a brawl between Korea, Japan, NK, Australia, New Zealand, etc. and the resurgence of the Arab teams which have hit the hard times lately. They beat SK for the first time ever in their last friendly, and a 3-0 score to boot.

Jong is currently playing for the Japanese league (21 goals in 47 appearances), but I wouldn't be surprised if a European or South American league came calling, and also wouldn't be surprised if he spurned the offer. He's completely old school, and a tough SOB.

Edit: hey check out the 2 superb goals Jong scored against, ahem, another WC qualifier Greece this year. They are spectacular, especially the dip on the first goal:



And he scores against SK to tie 1-1 in the Asian cup by just being a bull:



2010 Kawasaki highlights (who decided to have everyone wear keeper unis?)

Edited by SeoulSoxFan, 25 June 2010 - 12:54 PM.

[Zososoxfan]

Obviously, you hate underdogs or Cinderella stories. By the same idiotic logic, Ireland, Japan, Korea should all not be in the tourney and let the FIFA rankings decide who competes in the top 32.

ifmanis5, I never noticed anything but positive things about your posts but this one should be put to bed.

Edit. One more thing - FIFA rankings also reflect the number of international matches a country plays, as each win/draw is multiplied by various factors like importance of game, region, opposing team's rankings, etc. NK rarely plays friendlies, and that severely hampers their position. China may be ahead of NK right now in terms of quality but they failed to qualify - NK deserves to be in the tournament and played with a lot of heart, even if they were too short on skills.

And I would venture NK would have no problem playing Irish to a draw in at least half of the matches as they can't score shit, and even stealing a win now and then.

That's an understatement. Bad-um-cha...

Gawd Friday afternoon's blow.

[BelgianSoxFan]

I know this is a game thread, but, assuming SydneySox was joking, this is the dumbest thing I've read in three weeks. Ireland was not able to score 2 goals in 210 minutes against a France side that has been a smoking crater for three years.

If anything, this world cup showed that Europe should have at least 2 spots (maybe 4) taken away from them and given to South America and Asia.

Are you kidding me? So after 2006, Europe should have gotten 8 more spots in the World Cup than it has now? Let's give Africa 1 spot also. South America is performing very well and Asia is a pleasant surprise, but let's not get carried away. Maybe 1 decent team was left out of South America. Iran and KSA are not good teams. As we have seen in this World Cup, a team can always surprise, but Russia, Sweden, Turkey, Croatia, Norway, Ukraine, Czech Rep, Romania, Ireland are all countries who did not qualify. What would the odds be of Iran to qualify if it had to win a group with 3 of these teams? Would anyone be surprised if they lost 3 games.

If France and Italy do not shit the bed, this would never even be an issue. Which team do you want the US to play in the second round next World Cup: Italy or any team outside of Europe except the big 2?

[Zososoxfan]

So, this Chile-Spain game could be seriously sick. I fully expect the Swiss to dismantle Honduras, which forces Spain to go for the win. Chile have the benefit of going through on a draw, but that doesn't affect the pressure on Spain. Furthermore, Chile has an aggressive attacking style and playing a defensive game just doesn't fit Bielsa's profile.

If the Spanish and Swiss win, that leaves the both of them and Chile with 6 points. I'm not fully clear on tiebreakers, but Chile currently has a GD of +2, Spain has +1, and the Swiss are even at 0. Big potential for a clusterfuck.

[SeoulSoxFan]

So, this Chile-Spain game could be seriously sick. I fully expect the Swiss to dismantle Honduras, which forces Spain to go for the win. Chile have the benefit of going through on a draw, but that doesn't affect the pressure on Spain. Furthermore, Chile has an aggressive attacking style and playing a defensive game just doesn't fit Bielsa's profile.

If the Spanish and Swiss win, that leaves the both of them and Chile with 6 points. I'm not fully clear on tiebreakers, but Chile currently has a GD of +2, Spain has +1, and the Swiss are even at 0. Big potential for a clusterfuck.

Agree. Spain is in serious trouble here. Then again, the chance to watch Pau Gasol weep like a little boy after the match would give me enough pleasure for a nice 2-1 win for the South Americans.

[Hendu's Gait]

the front 6 for Spain is redonkulous.

[Dummy Hoy]

Let me join the chorus expecting a real good game. I've loved watching Chile play, and having Spain, maybe the most talented team in the tourney, forced to press the issue...sweet.

Love those Spain kits.

[URI]

Torres got absolutely no lift on that header.

[Ahriman]

Chile has been my favorite team to watch so far. They just don't give a shit. It's all attack, attack, attack. La Roja!

[loshjott]

Link to the game?

[Hendu's Gait]

Love those Spain kits.

make your own Sangria kit?
Paella?



Kits? Can we speak American English please?

Soccer uniforms.

/end rant

[Zososoxfan]

Chile with a serious chance. they look great.

[Zososoxfan]

Estrada who? Eric???

edit: Marco, he plays for Chile - these colors confused me into thinking he was on Spain.

Edited by Zososoxfan, 25 June 2010 - 01:44 PM.

[nvalvo]

Link to the game?

atdhe.net

[nvalvo]

These might be the two most fun teams to watch at the tournament. I really hope they both go through.

The Swiss in contrast, are totally tedious.

Go Honduras!

[Bosoxen]

Estrada who? Eric???

edit: Marco, he plays for Chile - these colors confused me into thinking he was on Spain.

Yeah, I've looked up and gotten confused once or twice already.

[loshjott]

atdhe.net

Muchas gracias.

[Bosoxen]

Singing!!!

[nvalvo]

What the fuck was that from the awesomely-named Waldo Ponce?

[dwightinright]

What the fuck was that from the awesomely-named Waldo Ponce?

Could have been a red, no?

[shawnrbu]

So, this Chile-Spain game could be seriously sick. I fully expect the Swiss to dismantle Honduras, which forces Spain to go for the win. Chile have the benefit of going through on a draw, but that doesn't affect the pressure on Spain. Furthermore, Chile has an aggressive attacking style and playing a defensive game just doesn't fit Bielsa's profile.

If the Spanish and Swiss win, that leaves the both of them and Chile with 6 points. I'm not fully clear on tiebreakers, but Chile currently has a GD of +2, Spain has +1, and the Swiss are even at 0. Big potential for a clusterfuck.

Wins by Spain and Switzerland eliminate Chile.

Edit: Actually, Switzerland would have to win by 2 OR outscore Chile by 2 OR Spain beats Chile by 2. So, Chile does have a little bit of breathing room.

Edited by shawnrbu, 25 June 2010 - 01:54 PM.

[Zososoxfan]

Spain looks rattled. Chile is pressuring and I can see the Spanish players saying to themselves, "Don't they know we're SPAIN?? Respect our skill." 2 things are on the fields in spades, cheeky touches and enough flopping to make an Italian blush.

[nvalvo]

Could have been a red, no?

Exactly. Totally senseless. Just an attempt to intimidate Torres.

[Dummy Hoy]

make your own Sangria kit?
Paella?



Kits? Can we speak American English please?

Soccer uniforms.

/end rant

I hardly think using accepted terminology is cause for a rant. Do you hate that I call a hockey jersey a sweater? Because I do.

Edited by Dummy Hoy, 25 June 2010 - 01:53 PM.

[Hendu's Gait]

What the fuck was that from the awesomely-named Waldo Ponce?

He was looking for the fountain of youth, but all he found was a hat with red and white stripes. And a yellow card.

[Dummy Hoy]

wow...those lucky fucks.

[nvalvo]

Wins by Spain and Switzerland eliminate Chile.

Is this necessarily true? Wouldn't all three have six points?

If both wins are 1-0, I believe Chile edge Switzerland on the basis of the head-to-head numbers.

[Bosoxen]

Holy shit what a colossal fuck up by the Chilean keeper!

[Hendu's Gait]

That was a nice goal

[Ahriman]

Unbelievable.

[Zososoxfan]

what. a. fucktard.

[ifmanis5]

Keeper did the right thing, but he needed to blast it out of bounds. Great strike by Villa.

[nvalvo]

Holy shit what a colossal fuck up by the Chilean keeper!

He needed to clear that, yes.

Edit: I imagine a keeper for Chile has a lot of counter-attack experience. He knows that he has to make the tackle thirty yards out.

Edited by nvalvo, 25 June 2010 - 01:56 PM.

[Harry Hooper]

Holy shit what a colossal fuck up by the Chilean keeper!

He's got to kick that one 20 rows into the stands.

[cjdmadcow]

Brilliant first-time finish from distance by Villa.

[Bosoxen]

He needed to clear that, yes.

Yeah, that's what I meant. I didn't mean to imply that he shouldn't have been out there to clear that. But he's GOT to clear that if he's way out there.

[shawnrbu]

Is this necessarily true? Wouldn't all three have six points?

If both wins are 1-0, I believe Chile edge Switzerland on the basis of the head-to-head numbers.

You're right. Chile would have the edge based on the H2H result.

Edited by shawnrbu, 25 June 2010 - 01:57 PM.

[dwightinright]

He's got to kick that one 20 rows into the stands.

Can someone describe what he did?

[Zososoxfan]

Keeper did the right thing, but he needed to blast it out of bounds. Great strike by Villa.

Questionable. Not saying I disagree, though.

[Bosoxen]

Can someone describe what he did?

Keeper went out and met Torres about 35 m from the goal. But instead of clearing it out of bounds, he slid in to steal it and it rolled right to Villa, who calmly and easily eased it into the empty net.

[URI]

make your own Sangria kit?
Paella?



Kits? Can we speak American English please?

Soccer uniforms.

/end rant

Your constant level of retard doesn't allow you to rant on these boards. So don't do it again, okay honey chops?

Shut the fuck up, or answer why you think that Celtic and Sporting won't draw as much as an NCAA game at Fenway.

[nvalvo]

Can someone describe what he did?

He came thirty yards off his line to tackle Torres (?) on a breakaway, which he did, but the ball bounced to Villa, who hit the open goal from forty yards.

[dwightinright]

Chile has 2 starters out for the next game if they advance--Ponce and Medel.

[URI]

Brilliant first-time finish from distance by Villa.

Credit another David Villa goal to Cesc.

[cjdmadcow]

It's all very well to applaud Chile's attacking play but they are very undisciplined in this game and will be lucky to keep 11 on the pitch at this rate. It seems they've gone out there too wound-up to begin with.

edit for grammar

Edited by cjdmadcow, 25 June 2010 - 02:02 PM.

[ifmanis5]

Can someone describe what he did?

Keeper came a long way out of goal to break up a 1-v-1 but he kicked the ball right on to Villa's foot who then made a perfect 60-yd shot into the empty net.

[URI]

It's all very well to applaud Chile's attacking play but they are very undisciplined in this game and will be lucky to keep 11 on the pitch at this rate. It seems they've gone out there too hyped-up to begin with.

Chile are playing like they all did coke before the match.

The Swiss are playing like they all did Quaaludes.

[nvalvo]

Credit another David Villa goal to Cesc.

I missed Cesc's contribution. Please explain, unless I missed another Cesc joke, too.

[Zososoxfan]

It's all very well to applaud Chile's attacking play but they are very undisciplined in this game and will be lucky to keep 11 on the pitch at this rate. It seems they've gone out there too hyped-up to begin with.

It's an admirable and entertaining way for a less-skilled to be competitive. I don't think anyone was inferring anything other than that. Think 7 Seconds or less Suns.