World Cup Group Stage, Day 5, 13 June

[keveh]

I thought it would be a good idea to keep the days games in to one thread.

So let's have a look at todays games:

South Korea v Togo (2pm)

This could either be the worst game up to now, or a goal fest. There is one positive from it, not many South Korean's will have made it over so you don't have to put up with scream-o-vision.

France v Switzerland (5pm)

I don't think that anybody will expect anything but a France win today. There underdogs in the games up to now have not done too badly, so we might get to see Switzerland trouble France for a few minutes.

Brazil v Croatia (8pm)

The game of the day. I've predicted that Brazil will win 2-1, but I have a feeling that Croatia are going to push them until the final whistle. The Croatians aren't going to be easy to break down, and if Brazil had one weakness it's their defence.


The best thing about today, all games are on the BBC which means internet broadcasting

[communistworkethic]

Dey 5 in the World Cup Hoos....

Sooth Korea are drawn with Gurlden Ticket winnas Turgur. The durg munchas are well fancied like, with nerbody newin quite what tay expect frum the taynee afircun nayshun.

[chris]

France v Switzerland (5pm)

I don't think that anybody will expect anything but a France win today. There underdogs in the games up to now have not done too badly, so we might get to see Switzerland trouble France for a few minutes.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Swiss got something from this game. They have Frei up front, and are a reasonable side.

[boltonboris]

France v Switzerland (5pm)

I don't think that anybody will expect anything but a France win today. There underdogs in the games up to now have not done too badly, so we might get to see Switzerland trouble France for a few minutes.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Swiss got something from this game. They have Frei up front, and are a reasonable side.

Is that Sebastien Frei who's about 90?

[blurred]

France failed to beat the Swiss in either of their last two meetings from what I recall, and looked a bit shabby in the warm-ups by all accounts. Still, 1.75 was too good a price for me to refuse, so I've whacked some dosh on that, so come on you Frogs!

Togo are, by all accounts, one of the worst teams ever to appear in the World Cup Finals. Let's hope for a goal-fest.

[Montreal Wanderer]

France v Switzerland (5pm)

I don't think that anybody will expect anything but a France win today. There underdogs in the games up to now have not done too badly, so we might get to see Switzerland trouble France for a few minutes.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Swiss got something from this game. They have Frei up front, and are a reasonable side.

Hope you are right, Chris - I had it down for a draw in my pool (I'm assuming the French will underachieve in this tournament - unfortunately I didn't make the same assumption about Poland and Japan)

[keveh]

What a belter of a goal from Togo.

[communistworkethic]

Togo are, by all accounts, one of the worst teams ever to appear in the World Cup Finals. Let's hope for a goal-fest.

which by all accounts could make South Korea the worst.

[Batman]

World Cup starts properly when Brazil play their first game.

[Montreal Wanderer]

France v Switzerland (5pm)

I don't think that anybody will expect anything but a France win today. There underdogs in the games up to now have not done too badly, so we might get to see Switzerland trouble France for a few minutes.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Swiss got something from this game. They have Frei up front, and are a reasonable side.

Hope you are right, Chris - I had it down for a draw in my pool (I'm assuming the French will underachieve in this tournament - unfortunately I didn't make the same assumption about Poland and Japan)

Not only got the result, but got the score right to go with South Korea result (had that score wrong going for 2-0) - things are looking up after yesterday where I got two wrong results and one score right (Italy 2-0).

[Dr Hotdog]

hahahaha. France are shit. take little away from Switzerland but Keveh said it up top that no-body expected anything less than 3 points in the French onion basket (copyright stuart butt).

[chris]

France v Switzerland (5pm)

I don't think that anybody will expect anything but a France win today. There underdogs in the games up to now have not done too badly, so we might get to see Switzerland trouble France for a few minutes.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Swiss got something from this game. They have Frei up front, and are a reasonable side.

Hope you are right, Chris - I had it down for a draw in my pool (I'm assuming the French will underachieve in this tournament - unfortunately I didn't make the same assumption about Poland and Japan)

Not only got the result, but got the score right to go with South Korea result (had that score wrong going for 2-0) - things are looking up after yesterday where I got two wrong results and one score right (Italy 2-0).

Unfortunately, in the predictions thread I went for a France victory.

[Batman]

Ribery looks like a sack of shit too

[boltonboris]

As did most of the footballing world, I almost forgot how sh*t they have become

[H. Pedersen]

After all the hype and abject butt-kissing directed at the Brazilians, I have to say they were shocking today. Were it not for Kaka's one piece of magic, or for Croatia putting a number of good hard shots right at Dida, that could have been very different. Part of the problem was clearly that for more than an hour, Brazil was essentially playing with 10 men. Ronaldo was absolutely awful, one of the worst players I have seen in the tournament. Fat, lazy, bored, and only one touch that I can remember, a shot from distance. Surely a man within 3 goals of becoming the top scorer in World Cup history should be more motivated. It wasn't until Robinho came on that the game started to pick up again. I imagine he will be on the bench next time and, if it were up to me, he would be for the rest of the tournament (actually I wouldn't have even taken him). But he was far from the only disappointment though. Ronaldinho was fun to watch but didn't link up nearly as well as he does with his Barcelona compatriots. Adriano worked hard but was largely irrelevant. Kaka didn't contribute much except the goal, and I can't remember much of Ze Roberto at all.

It will be interesting to trace Brazil thoughout the remainder of the matches. I think one of their biggest strengths was their aura of invincibility, but that has been shattered. This is the team that supposedly plays the "beautiful game," but instead, like England, Portugal, and others they just sat on their 1-0 lead. If this trend continues, it's going to be a miserable Cup.

[communistworkethic]

I think we spotted our next resuce job last night, overweight disillusioned striker in need of some tlc?

Don't underestimate how good croatia are. They were 3rd in1998 and have some decent players (though not that lump Prso), and more over they are well organised and disciplined. They're tough to break down and have the players to open up teams.
Brazil will look better but they'll be playing against weaker opposition.

[TANGODANCER]

Bit surprised at that Commie. I thought Prsso was a constant threat up front and worked his socks off. Croatia di play very well and maybe Brazil will know they just don't have to turn up to win anymore. Also think the standard of entertainment has
been great to press. The best is yet to come with a few surprises IMO.

[communistworkethic]

Bit surprised at that Commie. I thought Prsso was a constant threat up front and worked his socks off. Croatia di play very well and maybe Brazil will know they just don't have to turn up to win anymore. Also think the standard of entertainment has
been great to press. The best is yet to come with a few surprises IMO.

Constant threat to any chance of Croatia scoring in my book, one shot, lots of poor passes when put in good positions and lots of being tackled easily.

[50sQuiff]

Bit surprised at that Commie. I thought Prsso was a constant threat up front and worked his socks off. Croatia di play very well and maybe Brazil will know they just don't have to turn up to win anymore. Also think the standard of entertainment has
been great to press. The best is yet to come with a few surprises IMO.

I agree Tango. Commie, you see wayward touches from a player and seem to forget everything they've done previously, if you ever saw them in the first place.

H.Ped, you're spot on about Ronaldo. He was absolutely risible. I expect that, but what about Adriano? He seemed to be doing a fantastic Ronaldo impression for most of the game. That said, Brazil did not even break sweat. I think it is safe to say they could turn it on when necessary, although the continued selection of that front two will seriously hinder their chances.

[boltonboris]

Bit surprised at that Commie. I thought Prsso was a constant threat up front and worked his socks off. Croatia di play very well and maybe Brazil will know they just don't have to turn up to win anymore. Also think the standard of entertainment has
been great to press. The best is yet to come with a few surprises IMO.

I agree Tango. Commie, you see wayward touches from a player and seem to forget everything they've done previously, if you ever saw them in the first place.

H.Ped, you're spot on about Ronaldo. He was absolutely risible. I expect that, but what about Adriano? He seemed to be doing a fantastic Ronaldo impression for most of the game. That said, Brazil did not even break sweat. I think it is safe to say they could turn it on when necessary, although the continued selection of that front two will seriously hinder their chances.

I've always thought of adriano as being average, If he was european he wouldnt get the hype that he does. Hes fair quick and strong but he just lacks ideas and his finishing is usually pretty poor.