Soccer World Cup 2010

[blackbeltninja]

Brazil vs Dunga

1. Yay, my interwebs is working. At least for now...
2. Should we blame Dunga? It's not like he didn't bring strikers. Luis Fabiano and Robinho both did the job, both looked sharp. He brought Kaka along as well and had a fairly solid defence in place. No squad has room to bring 10 strikers along, so there was always going to be someone left out. Look at Argentina - a guy like Milito only got 1 game after banging in G_d knows how many goals this season. And on the flipside, I don't think there has ever been a team that didn't lose a game at some point, Galacticos and Selecao included. The Netherlands simply out-tacticed them (not a word, I know; so sue me) on the day and got a bit of luck with the own goal.

I remember many years ago, at a Wrestlemania of all things, one of the commentators paraphrased a great Superbowl saying - any half-good team can beat any good team on any given Sunday. Was this not simply the case here with Brazil? Netherlands are currently ranked #4 as opposed to Brazil's #1; but it's not like they're #104.

-d-

 

[Hot White Trash]

Its not exactly the same but when the US ws using college players in the Olympic basketball games people said, "we have good enough shooters and big men." So they felt they could win without the best players who they knew were in the pros. Well, that got exposed. You can't always win with "good enough."

Frankly, Dunga left some of the best players off the roster because he thought his team was "good enough." I might even go a step further and say Dunga was arrogant and wanted to win without some of the more well-known players. When we think of world cup heros we think of the players and maybe Dunga wanted his name to be remembered.

So yes, on any given Sunday any team can get beat. But if you knew one team was not playing its best players then any given Sunday might become every other Sunday.

 

[JakeLucas]

¡A por ellos!

Podemos, ¡sí!

 

[blackbeltninja]

So yes, on any given Sunday any team can get beat. But if you knew one team was not playing its best players then any given Sunday might become every other Sunday.

Points taken, but if I'm honest I'm not sold on the idea.

Unlike the English, the Italians and the French, the Brazilians looked more than competent. I thought they looked well-drilled and inventive. None of the matches (except the dull Portugal-Brazil one) was even really close as a contest. Okay, they only beat the Koreans by 1 goal, but they were on cruise control throughout. They tore the Ivory Coast a new one; likewise the hapless Chileans who gave the Spanish a good run for their money.

I really do think the Dutch beat them through a combination of good fortune (the 1st/own goal would probably have been caught by the 'keeper had the defender not popped up at the same time) and tactics. Had they been trounced by the Dutch, or had the other games been nail-bitingly close throughout it would be another story. I think it is way too easy to put it down to not playing your big-name guys and using that as the reason for failing.

A case in point - is the general feeling out there that Maradona made a bad squad choice to get thumped by the Germans, or are we crediting the Germans for out-playing and out-thinking Argentina on the day?

-d-

 

[Hot White Trash]

Of course it is a case that is not possible to prove, but I think you help my case by reminding us of the Portugal game. To me it showed weakness to not score, to settle for a tie. That is not the mentality of a championship caliber team. Dunga was playing not to lose. Since Wimbledon was being played alongside the World Cup I will use a tennis analogy. Serena Williams was considered the best player, but oftentimes the best players have off games. Federer certainly had an off tournament. But Serena avoided the pitfalls by going to her strong point - her serve. And when she got to the final she gave her opponent to space, no room. She was constantly putting pressure. That is what Brazil used to do. They came at you. And that is when they are at their best. Even in this world cup Brazil looked best when they were aggressive. And the players looked happiest then.

 

[Corny]

oh yeah .. we have an octopus, a hamster and some vodoo dancer chick predicting the games. none of them have always been right

let's just hope for a great match. this video gets you in the mood

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbqPxiX0jrg[/ame]

 

[fed1983]

A case in point - is the general feeling out there that Maradona made a bad squad choice to get thumped by the Germans, or are we crediting the Germans for out-playing and out-thinking Argentina on the day?

-d-

I can answer this one, being myself too close to the Argentines, and too exposed to them.

Many Argentineans say Maradona is god, so they forgive him everything. There were about 4,000 people receiving the team at the airport, and it was a good reception, cheering the team and the coach.

The more rational and analytical Argentine knows that Maradona was never qualified for the job, he was blessed by having so many outstanding players together, which helped them advance to the next round, but the first solid team they encountered, they were humiliated by 4 goals. The match against germany revealed that Arg had no tactics, no plans at all, they just depended on Messi or Tevez getting inspiration and giving the ball to Higuain to score. But as a team... nothing.

Funny thing is that they're still discussing if Maradona should continue or not

 

[Ekim23]

I feel bad..... LMAO

 

[AnalblasT]

La Furia 1 vs 0 Der Panzer 74:28

 

[Ekim23]

YAY for spain !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I finally broke the ruleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

 

[AnalblasT]

HUP ESPANA ESPANA HUP

HUP ESPANA ESPANA HUP

HUP ESPANA ESPANA HUP

La Furia 1 vs 0 Der Panzer

 

[treanir]

Damn, that octopus was RIGHT.

 

[AnalblasT]

Damn, that octopus was RIGHT.

Ohhhh pity Oranje cant beat Der Panzer in FINAL that really pity HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

 

[Hot White Trash]

Germany will have lots of regrets. They were on the defensive most of the match and they lacked the physicality they had in other matches. Not one card. No tought tackles. It was like they were playing Wimbledon.

Torres was PISSED when that ball wasn't passed.

Finally, I am very happy for South Africa. I have enjoyed this world cup and either Spain or Holland will forever remember winning their first World Cup on African soil. Pretty special.

 

[fed1983]

YAY for spain !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I finally broke the ruleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Damn it, you could've broken it yesterday!

I'm also sorry we can't pick on you anymore... boring

 

[Gamby6]

Octopus Paul predicts Spain win over Germany

That damn thing is right again. I want to make that thing into sushi!

 

[Ekim23]

Damn it, you could've broken it yesterday!

I'm also sorry we can't pick on you anymore... boring

ehehehe sorry

Now let's go win this WC spain !!!



Also Im kinda sad it's already the end... I liked this thread

 

[Corny]

FU ekim ..!

anyway .. that goal was .. meh, but the reds played better .. one has to say that. I was hoping for penalty shots, we were at least good in blocking their center pathway .. but it wasn't enough.

as I said earlier .. today's wnner probably will be the new champion. but secretly i will be rooting for the dutch team now.

 

[JakeLucas]

YAY for spain !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I finally broke the ruleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Oh, yes! Thank you, Ekiiiiiiiim!

ehehehe sorry

Now let's go win this WC spain !!!



Also Im kinda sad it's already the end... I liked this thread

I know how you feel, Ekim. After Netherlands won and went through to the Final, that word jumped out at me... «Final»

Yeah, it's sad, but...

I've made some new friends here in this thread. I won't try to name them all, 'cuz I know I would leave someone out.

And...

I joined JUB 4 years ago, so I could talk with other bi/gay guys about the 2006 World Cup. I made some very good friendships back then, including my "bestest buddy" in Bulgaria. I'm going to visit him and meet him in person this summer.

So, I hope the new friendships we've made here will last. Maybe they will last until we can all meet in Brazil in another 4 years.

 

[Hot White Trash]

Boy, now that is a gooooal! To be in Brazil for the world cup.

I hope the US has a team that can compete by then. Maybe we need to naturalize some Brazilians.