Suprises so far???

Gertie · Post by **Gertie** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 9:11 am

OK I picked the worst weekend to try and fit a new bathroom suite and shower meaning I missed most of the opening games. Having heard the results, read the paper and listened to some summaries on SSN/BBC etc I understand that there have been some great performances.

Notably: Ecuador (who I pulled at the work sweep - but I couldn't point to it on a map)
Trinidad & Tobago 0-0 with 10 men against Sweden... and Angola.

What with England's pretty lacklustre show against Paraguay, are the smaller nations turning up here with nothing to fear and consequently playing well? Do the teams, such as England or Sweden show too much confidence assuming that turning up is enough?

I haven't seen enough of these games to comment but wanted to know if pundits are getting carried away with the 'romance' of the World Cup or are these smaller teams really on the way to upsetting the establishment????

50sQuiff · Post by **50sQuiff** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 9:39 am

Fitting a bathroom suite during the opening weekend of the World Cup is one of the worst ideas I've ever heard, if you don't mind me saying

Of all the boring weekends available throughout the year, you pick the one weekend that demands 8 football matches and 8 barbecues. That said, I think I'm suffering barbecue fatigue and need to eat some fruit and veg.

Anyway.. the pundits are quite right to get carried away with the romance of the World Cup, because it is alive and well this year. Supposed underdogs have proved to be very organised and talented teams. Ivory Coast in particular have stood out as outstanding until they get near the penalty area when things break down. They seem to want to walk the ball in, but prior to that they are very slick moving the ball from back to front. Far better at keeping and using the ball than England for example.

Ecuador were quite good, as were Costa Rica. Paraguay were no mugs. Angola were a slightly looser outfit than the other African nations but seemed to suffer most from a lack of confidence. Having been thrashed big time by Portugal twice before, they seemed to be content to lose 1-0. Still, that was a very respectable result and performance.

As for the Soca Warriors, the Trinidad game was truly magical. Dwight Yorke in the holding role making more tackles in one game than in the last 15 years. Shaka in the form of his life, players like Edward, Sancho and Burchill, and other lower league players were all over the park and playing like world beaters. It was an incredible performance - Sweden weren't actually bad at all. T&T even have the obligatory old, urbane, cigar-chomping Dutch coach to round the World Cup story off. It's always great to see teams play with such pride and passion.

chris · Post by **chris** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:07 am

I've been impressed with Angola and T&T mainly. Angola only qualfifed on head-to-head results against Nigeria, and some World Cup guides I've seen were suggesting they were lucky to be there. But they've played well, and show they deserve their place, though they didn't push enough for an equaliser last night. I thought they would get thrashed based on the early stages last night, but came back well.

communistworkethic · Post by **communistworkethic** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:21 am

Gertie wrote:Notably: Ecuador (who I pulled at the work sweep - but I couldn't point to it on a map)

it's on the equator

Dr Hotdog · Post by **Dr Hotdog** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:21 am

no suprises that England have given us the shittest game so far.

FaninOz · Post by **FaninOz** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 1:02 pm

I thought that the Ivory Coast looked good, if they weren't all Africans I would suggest that Sam looks them over but that would only cause more ANC problems in a couple of years time.

TANGODANCER · Post by **TANGODANCER** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 1:03 pm

Iran lost to Mexico, but their football was a real surprise. Don't write them off yet.

Harry Genshaw · Post by **Harry Genshaw** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 1:19 pm

Best thing for me so far has been seeing the so called whipping boys having a real go and playing some really good stuff at times. Iran & Angola both showed some good stuff without any cutting edge.

After watching our rather lame attempt on Saturday, it was a pleasure to watch Germany, Portugal and Holland play some good open attacking footy.

50sQuiff · Post by **50sQuiff** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 2:46 pm

Japan are also showing the ability to play skillful, slick passing football. They do it with a bit of a swagger and style too. Nakata and Nakamura are at the centre of everything.

Accordingly to Tyldsley, who I presume has spoken to Sam, Nakata will not be staying next year. His vision and passing are outstanding and he's a true midfield playmaker. Nevermind, I'm sure Hamann will provide all the creativity we need next year

americantrotter · Post by **americantrotter** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 3:56 pm

Australia getting 3 in 5 minutes to down Nakata's Japan.

furiamex · Post by **furiamex** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 4:31 pm

americantrotter wrote:Australia getting 3 in 5 minutes to down Nakata's Japan.

I was thinking the same thing. Too bad for Nakata, I thought the japanese would win it. The Aussies have now defeated a favored Uruguay team to make it to the WC, and took one away from the japanese in the last minutes.

jonnybwfc · Post by **jonnybwfc** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 5:48 pm

I must say, I was very disappointed with Mexico. Am I right in thinking that they're seeded ??

Iran were pretty solid at the back until near the end of the match, but for 70-odd minutes Mexico had nothing.

Thought Ivory Coast were good, and actually I thought Sweden were great - despite the fact they couldn't put the ball in the net.

picaro · Post by **picaro** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 6:14 pm

jonnybwfc wrote:I must say, I was very disappointed with Mexico. Am I right in thinking that they're seeded ??

Iran were pretty solid at the back until near the end of the match, but for 70-odd minutes Mexico had nothing.

Thought Ivory Coast were good, and actually I thought Sweden were great - despite the fact they couldn't put the ball in the net.

Mexico's Lavolpe admittedly responded that the team was a bit tight due to nervousness. Iran was playing a very physical game and was being allowed to. Once the subs came in the dynamic of the team changed to a more speed-based strategy and Zinha and Bravo excelled.

white blood · Post by **white blood** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 6:25 pm

i need a new bathroom - where did you get yours from?

FaninOz · Post by **FaninOz** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 4:08 am

white blood wrote:i need a new bathroom - where did you get yours from?

So do I, will your guys do work in Australia?

communistworkethic · Post by **communistworkethic** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 7:38 am

www.screwfix.com

jetsetwilly · Post by **jetsetwilly** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 10:49 am

[quote="jonnybwfc"]

Iran were pretty solid at the back until near the end of the match, but for 70-odd minutes Mexico had nothing.

quote]

Wasn't that when Borg went off?

Mexico and USA are seeded but only due to the fact they win so many competitive games against bum Carribean and Central American teams

boltonboris · Post by **boltonboris** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 11:01 am

SAMHATER wrote:
jonnybwfc wrote:
Iran were pretty solid at the back until near the end of the match, but for 70-odd minutes Mexico had nothing.

quote]

Wasn't that when Borg went off?

Mexico and USA are seeded but only due to the fact they win so many competitive games against bum Carribean and Central American teams

Now be fair SH El Salvador would give anyone a game

hisroyalgingerness · Post by **hisroyalgingerness** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:21 pm

a surprise for me has been how far the chelsea boys have stuck on so far in the tournament. carvalho at least managed a clean sheet, robben was the outstanding player for holland (though robin van persie has had a catty dig saying he stole all the play), essien was everywhere for Ghana and Joe Cole was arguably our best player on Saturday. Cech, Terry and Lamps did ok too. shame about SWP eh?

Gertie · Post by **Gertie** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 5:19 pm

white blood wrote:i need a new bathroom - where did you get yours from?

Focus at the Reebok was in the sale... Don't try and fit it yourself NIGHTMARE

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