Posted on 06/28/2010 3:19:36 AM PDT by Perdogg
The Belgian ref in our game against Ghana was pretty good. We just sucked during the first half.
Germany, for example, has a much more difficult road by comparison. They must beat Argentina and the whoever emerges from the Spain/Portugal/Paraguay/Japan group.
Holland has gone under the radar up till now. FIFA ranks them #4 in the world after Brazil, Spain, and Portugal. Slovakia is ranked #34.
Watch out for Chile! They are QUICK.
“Soccer Made in Germany” was great. I knew just about every player on Germany’s WC teams in 82, 86 and 90 because of that show. Still gotta love play by play guy Toby “Oooo, look at that!” Charles.
No doubt they are a good team. I just think that except for Argentina, Brazil intimidates all of the other South American sides once they get to the big dance. I wish that at least one of the big four on the other side—Spain, Argentina, Germany, and Portugal—could have faced Brazil in the quarters or semis. It is clear sailing for Brazil now. Holland and Chile will just be speed bumps I fear.
So, Robben did his standard move, and it is 1-0 for Holland. I hope the defenders have learned it now. Normally this would be just the right time to kick the Dutch out of the tournament :-)
Well everyone talked about people rooting for Ghana because they were the last African team, I’m rooting for Slovakia because they are the last Slavic team.
I grew up watching that show too, and they also would show English First-Division games as well. And back then, if you wanted to watch the World Cup, the Spanish channel was the only choice.
You’re kidding, that call on Dempsey was an obvious penalty.
LOL, the first time I saw “Soccer Made in Germany”, my first thought was “What is John Cleese doing announcing soccer?”
It seems under Dunga, this Brazil team is much more defense-oriented than previous Brazil teams. I don’t see as much of the “Beautiful Game” from this crew.
Brazil will force the Dutch to come out of their possession game.
In real time, I thought so. On replay, it looked a lot cleaner to me. I really think the penalty was awarded for an accumulation of misconduct rather than the specific incident. Ghana had been pushing the edge for several minutes and had gotten away with a couple... that was one time too many, even if it wasn't as bad as the ones that were let go.
Agree with your point about the Brazil intimidation factor with the other S American teams. I’ve always thought it was because they try too hard to be the JV version of Brazil, rather then play with their own style. Argentina definitely does NOT just try and copy Brazil and have reaped the rewards.
Confucious say “Name go in book” (obscure monty python/soccer reference).
I watched my first World Cup in 1974 when I was stationed in West Berlin. The final was between West Germany and Holland. I still remember the local newspapers with photos and stories about Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff.
It should have been Poland in the final instead of West Germany. The game between the two should never have been played in those terrible conditions. Totally neutralized Poland's speed advantage over the Germans.
This one’s over, 2-0 Holland.
Let’s hope for a good quarterfinal. The Dutch are the last real obstacle to Brazil reaching the final.
Too little, too late for Slovensko..... 2-1 Holland is the final.
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