[WC] Knockout Stage!

1st round :

1-
Germany 2-0 Sweden
vs
Argentina 2-1 Mexico (OT)

2-
Italy 1-0 Australia
vs
Switzerland 0-0 Ukraine (0-3 pens)

3-
England 1-0 Ecuador
vs
Portugal 1-0 Holland

4-
Brazil 3-0 Ghana
vs
Spain 1-3 France

Quarter Finals :

1 Germany 1-1 Argentina (4-2 on penalties)
2 Italy 3-0 Ukraine

3 England 0-0 Portugal (1-3 on penalties)
4 Brazil 0-1 France

Semi Finals :

Germany 0-2 Italy (OT)
Portugal 0-1 France

3rd Place :

Germany - Portugal


Final :

Italy - France

1-
Germany - Sweden
vs
Argentina - Mexico

2-
Italy - Australia
vs
Switzerland - Ukraine

3-
England - Ecuador
vs
Portugal - Holland

4-
Brazil - Ghana
vs
Spain - France

Then in the semis :
1 vs 2
3 vs 4
If England and Germany meet in the final, this will likely be the last world cup ever played in Germany.

My Czech's are out. I will be watching all the games and hope there are some good games along the way.

:shakehead I know there could be upsets but how easy do the Italians have it until the semi's

Unbelivable that Portugal and Holland have to go through each other, England(most likely) then one of Brazil,France or Spain barring a Ghana miracle

Woo hoo! Italy has an easier path to the semis, and they are getting stronger each day.

Well the bookies have France and Portugal as the closest dogs with no surprise. Im surprised it's so high though. France at 3.00 and Portugal at 3.10 against Spain and Holland respectively on William Hill.

:shakehead I know there could be upsets but how easy do the Italians have it until the semi's

Unbelivable that Portugal and Holland have to go through each other, England(most likely) then one of Brazil,France or Spain barring a Ghana miracle

Nothing is easy in the knockout stages....

Nothing is easy in the knockout stages....

exactly, and Buffon's comments on playing Australia have shown that they wont take Australia lightly because of what happened when they played South Korea last time around. When you think you have it easy and play like you think you have it easy that's when you lose!

Spain - France game could be a gem. Same with Germany - Sweden.

Woo hoo! Italy has an easier path to the semis, and they are getting stronger each day.

Australia wont be easy... god we get no respect!

1-0 Germany

Looks like Podolski wants to make a point today. :)

2-0

Right now, Klose and Podolski look like the best forward combination since we had Klinsmann and Völler back in 1990.

Red card.
Looks like game over.

Red card.
Looks like game over.


lol look at the refs face in the slo-mo replay as he is getting the card out.


Now Sweden is making a sub

Red card.
Looks like game over.

That was harsh on Lucic.Any chance of a home decision ?

Germany are still panicky at the back relying on massed defence.Only Metzelder stands out as a defender.

Both calls on Lucic were a little questionable IMO.

Nice save by Lehmann on Zlatan.

:shakehead I know there could be upsets but how easy do the Italians have it until the semi's

Unbelivable that Portugal and Holland have to go through each other, England(most likely) then one of Brazil,France or Spain barring a Ghana miracle


I agree ATG.Funny how Germany have a nice safe passage whilst the likes of Portugual France Holland & Spain have to scrap it out just to reach the QFs.

I detect as in the post above the hand of FIFA.But then again Australia are quite capable of KOing Italy if they are not alert.

How does it matter who you've got in the K.O. rounds? If we finish off the Swedes we'll most likely get Argentina in the quarters. So what? To be the best you've got to beat the best.

I fear Korea all over again thats why ! :D

I thought the first yellow on Lucic was questionable, but I did think that the 2nd one was alright. It's a pity he got sent off though because the 2nd half would have been excellent with Sweden going on all-out attack. Hopefully it will still be good.

Klose has been exceptional at holding the ball up and then passing to Podolski. I wasn't impressed with Poldi early in the tournament, but he's really come on in the last couple days.

I disagree, that second yellow was ticky-tacky. Moreso considering the ref didn't do anything when a Swede bodychecked a German down a few moments after Lucic was sent off.

The ref really enjoyed sending off Lucic.

Sweden isn't giving up, but Germany seems in complete control of this game so far.

I disagree, that second yellow was ticky-tacky. Moreso considering the ref didn't do anything when a Swede bodychecked a German down a few moments after Lucic was sent off.

The ref really enjoyed sending off Lucic.

Sweden isn't giving up, but Germany seems in complete control of this game so far.

I didn't think it was tacky at all, he basically stopped Klose from going by on a rush, I've seen many, many yellow cards given out for the same thing.

Pathetic reffing once again. he was not going to give that second yellow (and he obviously shouldn't have) but went over to Lucic AFTER complaints by the German players. This is completely stupid. Refs should make thier own minds up, this is asking for players complaining about cards for the rest of the tournament :shakehead


Having said that, Germany looks irresistible going forward. The defense (Friedrich and Mertesacker) is still suspect for me. This game hasn't changed my opinion about that so far.

Germany clearly deserves the lead.

But that ref, once he gave Lucic his second yellow and the red one, I would gladly kick in the nuts. He should be warned for that kind of grin/smile that he had while taking out the red card. A ref should not act that way. Ugly.

That said, I think Sweden will score one goal and Germany one. So end result.. 3-1 Germany!

Well count me in those that feel the first yellow was bad, but that the second was fully deserved.

The penalty was bogus though, and I was happy to see Larsson miss it. If they're to score, let it be a real goal, not a bogus penalty call.

And the foul on Ballack (who was it that fouled him?) by behind two seconds after the ball was passed was horrible.
It deserved a card.

Wow, we really took them apart. Much easier win than I expected.

Isaakson was great to keep it from being a lot worse, but he is a member of the team and so you can't take that away from them.

The PK miss was key, obviously. Perhaps if that goes in the Swedes are heartened and can do something...but I doubt it. Germany had full control of this match from start to finish and I never once was worried about losing. Superior in all areas of the pitch.

On to...probably Argentina. Tough match for us there, as well as we're playing they are the better team for sure. :)

"You're OUT! Nyahahaha!!!"
http://www.spiegel.de/img/0,1020,652283,00.jpg

Nice to see refs that are enjoying their work. ;)

I agree ATG.Funny how Germany have a nice safe passage whilst the likes of Portugual France Holland & Spain have to scrap it out just to reach the QFs.

I detect as in the post above the hand of FIFA.But then again Australia are quite capable of KOing Italy if they are not alert.Yeah, I'm sure FIFA paired Germany with Argentina in the QFs just to help the Germans, obviously Spain Portugal or England are so much stronger, look at all their silverware :sarcasm:

As for Spain and France, they will have a strong opponent only because France couldn't win their group, nothing to do with FIFA. It could or should have been France vs Ukraine and Spain vs Suisse and then it looks easier than getting Sweden.

Germany totally deserved to win but the ref performance shows exactly why I hate them, I wish that Swede would have given him a right hook, he deserved it.

Funny thing is, Germany was a lot less dominating when they were one man up.

And without Isaksson, this one ends 5-0 or 6-0. IMO the best man on the pitch (Germans included).

Yeah, I'm sure FIFA paired Germany with Argentina in the QFs just to help the Germans, obviously Spain Portugal or England are so much stronger, look at all their silverware :sarcasm:

As for Spain and France, they will have a strong opponent only because France couldn't win their group, nothing to do with FIFA. It could or should have been France vs Ukraine and Spain vs Suisse and then it looks easier than getting Sweden.

The Swedes never really tested the German central defence today,barring a Mexico upset the Argentinian's will tear the Germans a new one as no way could that central defense handle the Argentinian fast paced offence.

The Swedes never really tested the German central defence today,barring a Mexico upset the Argentinian's will tear the Germans a new one as no way could that central defense handle the Argentinian fast paced defence.

Argentina - Germany. I smell a goalfest.

totally gutted, i love Sweden but they were totally outclassed.

However, the referee didn't help them, that red card was a joke and his laughing whilst he did it was galling.

Well count me in those that feel the first yellow was bad, but that the second was fully deserved.

The penalty was bogus though, and I was happy to see Larsson miss it. If they're to score, let it be a real goal, not a bogus penalty call.

do you really think the second yellow was deserved?

I do.
It was totally stupid and was only meant to stop the play.

Shocking decision by the ref, a Mexican gets hacked down clean through on goal and he gives a yellow.

That was the most blatant red of the WC and he gives a yellow! :shakehead

Heinze should have been sent off.

Way too many dives every time an argentinian feels he could lose the ball. Scaloni is writign the book on this.

That was certainly a red card, Heinze got off lucky. Argentina caught a break there.

Down to the wire.....

Well its even now, that last minute goal was good. The Mexicans are looking tired.

Awful reffing once again.
- Heinze with a yellow instead of red.
- Ref giving a yellow to the wrong person (and he still hasn't even realized his mistake)
- ref not giving cards to some huge fouls by Argentina
- goal disallowed for Argentina on a bogus offside call.

Incredible tactical and physical performance by Mexico.

Argentina looked uninspired and shaky. They can't seem to turn around Mexico's strong tactics.
Ayala is having a great game, making up for a shaky Heinze.

:eek: What a goal by Maxi Rodriguez, goal of the tourney in my view so far

What's with the OT?

still 2-1 Argentina so far

:eek: What a goal by Maxi Rodriguez, goal of the tourney in my view so far

I'd have to agree. The Joe Cole goal was alittle more impressive technically (seeing as it was from about 40 yards out) but it wasn't in OT in a knockout game.

Maxi's goal was harder, tougher and impossible to stop.

It's easily the best goal so far.

Well, not to crow too much, but we saw Mexico (a team that the US beats regularly) push Argentina very hard while S&M gets clobbered by Argentina. But SM is still better?

Congratulations to Argentina, but they were lucky, Heinze should have been red-carded IMO. I also think that Messi-Tevez might be better than Crespo-Saviola.

I'd have to agree. The Joe Cole goal was alittle more impressive technically (seeing as it was from about 40 yards out) but it was in OT in a knockout game.

That Joe Coel goal should have been stopped, no chance for Sanchez to stop Maxi's goal

Well, not to crow too much, but we saw Mexico (a team that the US beats regularly) push Argentina very hard while S&M gets clobbered by Argentina. But SM is still better?

Congratulations to Argentina, but they were lucky, Heinze should have been red-carded IMO. I also think that Messi-Tevez might be better than Crespo-Saviola.
So by your logic Flyhigh, Mexico, who managed to tie Angola, is at Angola's level.

However, we all know Ivory Coast is much better than Angola, and yet they had a tight game against Serbia... :sarcasm:

Honestly, Serbia is a better team both collectively and individually than the US, and I thought you'd know by now after this WC that the US media simply talked out of their ***.

Well tommorow's games will be interesting, I hope my heart can take it. If we lose to the Dutch I'll be bummed but im proud of these guys either way.If they give it their best and lose that's the game, there can be only one winner. Forca Portugal :handclap:

- Ref giving a yellow to the wrong person (and he still hasn't even realized his mistake)

I think he decided to book the player who kicked the ball away not the one who committed the foul. So it was not a mistake. :dunno:

What a goal by Maxi! A fantastic goal :handclap:

Mexico can count themselves extremely unlucky in this game.

Apart from Heinzes red card he also palmed Borgetti in the face in the second half. Not to mention Ayala slapping Marquez late on in extra time in the penalty box.

We only started to play incisively when Mexico started to tire & Messi & Tevez came on . Aimar looked quite okay but how Scaloni is in ahead of Zanetti ? :shakehead

Once again a crucial lining decision is wrong.Messis goal was onside all the way.

Torrado should have been sent off after fouling Messi in extra time but the referee unsurprisingly booked Castro in his stead.They look very similar. :sarcasm:

That said I think we have a small chance against the Mannschaft.

And of course thank you Maxi :bow:

I think he decided to book the player who kicked the ball away not the one who committed the foul. So it was not a mistake. :dunno:
yup.

And damn, what a goal.

I think he decided to book the player who kicked the ball away not the one who committed the foul. So it was not a mistake. :dunno:
That's not how it look from the angle I saw.
The player was just walking near the ref and he carded him. He looked very surprised and I didn't see him shoot the ball.

I'd love to hear if Lucic has any comment on the sending off/"laughing" incident. Personally, I'm pretty sure I saw Lucic saying something to the ref, and that was what made him laugh. Maybe he made some sort of joke?

That's not how it look from the angle I saw.
The player was just walking near the ref and he carded him. He looked very surprised and I didn't see him shoot the ball.
I saw the replay where he kicked the ball away and the ref immedately carded him.

He didn't kick it all that hard, which could be why he was surprised (or maybe it's the innocence act they always put on :D), but he certainly did play the ball away from all the Argentinian players rushing in to set up the free kick.

In the extra time another Mexican player got a yellow for the exact same thing as well...

Sweden could only beat Germany if Germany played their worst game of the tournament and Sweden their best, and neither happened. You can't really expect to eliminate the host nation in the o'16s anyway. Won't happen. Playing better than we did would make it theoretically possible. Germany gave just as much as they needed, and in the end it was pretty much mercy that kept them from scoring additional goals. Sweden still made it to the elimination games, but I personally feel this tournament was a step down from 02 and 04 - where Sweden actually played like the future was ahead, and to some extent above their talent. Now it's more or less on par with the talent and age has caught up with this generation.

Germany, well, they're still an elite nation (in case anyone forgot) but with the opposition Sweden put up (or rather didn't) today, it's hard to tell what their ceiling is.

Good to see Argentina pass on as well - at least when they get to score an epic goal like Rodriguez's. Kudos to Mexico for showing why they're a top 10 NT of the world ...

Unfortunately the French f*ked up and didn't win their group, meaning that we'll have Ukraine or Swiss guaranteed for the next round - no offense - but seeing how the upset factor has been pretty low during this WC, knowing that either France or Spain will be gone already feels pretty sour. Knowing the Spanish record all too well, I fully expect to see a lazy/old French team eliminate them :sarcasm:

Anyway - is it really worthwhile to play 3 round robin games and then 4 elimination games to hand Brazil another FIFA cup? :P

So by your logic Flyhigh, Mexico, who managed to tie Angola, is at Angola's level.

However, we all know Ivory Coast is much better than Angola, and yet they had a tight game against Serbia... :sarcasm:

Honestly, Serbia is a better team both collectively and individually than the US, and I thought you'd know by now after this WC that the US media simply talked out of their ***.

Of course the US media is absurd and stupid, find me a post where I've said anything different. I will let this thing die without a parting shot though.

That Joe Coel goal should have been stopped, no chance for Sanchez to stop Maxi's goal

I don't nessisarily believe that. Isakson's mistake on that play was being out of position, once the shot was off i don't really think he had much of a chance to stop it, considering how far out he was.

It's a mute point though, I agree that this was the goal of the turnament, especialy when you consider it's magnitude.

I saw the replay where he kicked the ball away and the ref immedately carded him.

He didn't kick it all that hard, which could be why he was surprised (or maybe it's the innocence act they always put on :D), but he certainly did play the ball away from all the Argentinian players rushing in to set up the free kick.

In the extra time another Mexican player got a yellow for the exact same thing as well...


Oh Come on, the Ref was handing out Yellow cards and fouls like it was an NBA game. I can understand the ref trying not to let the game get out of hand like the Italy/USA game did but there was so much diving gear left on the field I'm suprised the game could continue.

Impressive game by the Germans, probably the game of the tourny so far. :clap:

Germany has scored it's third early go ahead goal of the the tournament. The other teams now have to be 100% ready, when the game starts.

Klose has been a force out there on the pitch...it was his best game of the WC and he never scored a goal, but draw two assits for setting up Poldi. When Klose gets the ball in the 16'er (penalty area) you know something good is gonna happen. Again just like in the other games he also works backwards, helps out on defense and gets "his own" balls out of the midfield. Miro Klose is a complete player.

I knew that Podolski would score in the game, because once this guy gets a hot shoe, he'll be riding it for a while. He's the pure goal scorer and Sorin and Co, better be ready for him and Klose.

I know that Germany was dominating the Swedes, but I didn't like the way they played after the early 2-0. When the ref gave the Swedes the penalty my fears, became reality. All the shoots from the outside of the 16'er were okay. Why didn't they tried to play over the wings? I wished that the DFB team would have gone for the third goal.

Germany/Argentina will be a great game to watch, that's for sure.

Oh Come on, the Ref was handing out Yellow cards and fouls like it was an NBA game. I can understand the ref trying not to let the game get out of hand like the Italy/USA game did but there was so much diving gear left on the field I'm suprised the game could continue.

There was one yellow card (which might just as well have been red) in the first half, about three in the second, and another three in the overtime. It was pretty obvious that the mexican players were getting pretty frustrated after they got the second goal and started to show it. It's just purely logical that their behaviour got them yellow cards. Not that those cards really matter (and I think that's one reason why the ref took it to hand so often).

Call it poetic justice that the onside goal wasn't counted. Heinze's foul at the end of the first half could have gotten him a red card, and who knows how well Argentina would have played with one man less.

That's not how it look from the angle I saw.
The player was just walking near the ref and he carded him. He looked very surprised and I didn't see him shoot the ball.

For christs sake man, watch the game. The ref was 5 feet away from the incident. He saw the man kick the ball away and booked him, he was looking right at him when he did it. It seems you and the rest of the commentators in the world completely failed to see the obvious.

I do.
It was totally stupid and was only meant to stop the play.

Jesus man, you're out of touch. It was a foul certainly but it wasn't in a million years a second yellow card. He ran across him and barely stopped him in his path. He was in the middle of the pitch with plenty of players around him. it was NEVER a second yellow card, his first one however certainly was.

Heinze should have been sent off.

Way too many dives every time an argentinian feels he could lose the ball. Scaloni is writign the book on this.

That i'll agree with. Sure, Ayala was there but he'd never have made the ground up, a straight red that would have changed the game entirely, the ref bottled it.

Impressive game by the Germans, probably the game of the tourny so far. :clap:

Germany has scored it's third early go ahead goal of the the tournament. The other teams now have to be 100% ready, when the game starts.

Klose has been a force out there on the pitch...it was his best game of the WC and he never scored a goal, but draw two assits for setting up Poldi. When Klose gets the ball in the 16'er (penalty area) you know something good is gonna happen. Again just like in the other games he also works backwards, helps out on defense and gets "his own" balls out of the midfield. Miro Klose is a complete player.

I knew that Podolski would score in the game, because once this guy gets a hot shoe, he'll be riding it for a while. He's the pure goal scorer and Sorin and Co, better be ready for him and Klose.

I know that Germany was dominating the Swedes, but I didn't like the way they played after the early 2-0. When the ref gave the Swedes the penalty my fears, became reality. All the shoots from the outside of the 16'er were okay. Why didn't they tried to play over the wings? I wished that the DFB team would have gone for the third goal.

Germany vs Sweden wasn't the game of the tournament by far! The one that followed it maybe! The Germans played it well, they got the early goals then completely negated the Swedes. They didn't have to go forward and did everything right. Having said that, if the ref hadn't ludicrously sent off Lucic and had Larsson converted the penalty, we may be talking about a Sweden vs Argie quarter final...

Ifs, buts and maybes...

Jesus man, you're out of touch. It was a foul certainly but it wasn't in a million years a second yellow card. He ran across him and barely stopped him in his path. He was in the middle of the pitch with plenty of players around him. it was NEVER a second yellow card, his first one however certainly was.
Have you ever played football? I mean competitive football?
When you rush down the right like this and a player pulls your shirt or something, it doesn't have to be huge. It stops your rush. And that's exactly what happenned.

Have you ever played football? I mean competitive football?

Yes my friend, have done since i was a mere bairn and still to do this day. I'm beginning to wonder whether you have though.
When you rush down the right like this and a player pulls your shirt or something, it doesn't have to be huge. It stops your rush. And that's exactly what happenned.

Show me where i said it wasn't a foul. My point is that it wasn't in a million years a second yellow card.

Have you ever played football? I mean competitive football?
When you rush down the right like this and a player pulls your shirt or something, it doesn't have to be huge. It stops your rush. And that's exactly what happenned.

I agree with you as well, when you're running full tilt, even a bit of contact can completely mess up your balance although I usually try to stay up because refs here are usually better about diving and it has to be a blatant foul for them to call it.

Show me where i said it wasn't a foul. My point is that it wasn't in a million years a second yellow card.

It definitely was a yellow man. Whenever you stop a rush like that and don't even attempt to go for the ball, you have to expect a yellow card.

Yes my friend, have done since i was a mere bairn and still to do this day. I'm beginning to wonder whether you have though.


Show me where i said it wasn't a foul. My point is that it wasn't in a million years a second yellow card.
lol, we are a few here who probably played football at a higher level than you ever did. So don't wonder about us.

And it was a foul, and a foul that was deserving of a yellow because it stopped a dangerous action.
It wasn't really dangerous, it wasn't as the last defenseman, but it certainly was deserving of a card because it killed an action going forward with no playing intention. No other intention than just kill the action.

I agree with you as well, when you're running full tilt, even a bit of contact can completely mess up your balance although I usually try to stay up because refs here are usually better about diving and it has to be a blatant foul for them to call it.

Fair play to you, if we cut out diving from the bottom we can make a difference. I'll re-iterate though, i know it was a foul. It was not a bookable offence though.

lol, we are a few here who probably played football at a higher level than you ever did. So don't wonder about us.

I've actually played at a level the league below the English conference (Unibond Premiership) so keep it down sunshine. All i'm saying is that most who play football develop a knowledge of it somewhere...

And it was a foul, and a foul that was deserving of a yellow because it stopped a dangerous action.
It wasn't really dangerous, it wasn't as the last defenseman, but it certainly was deserving of a card because it killed an action going forward with no playing intention. No other intention than just kill the action.

We're going to have to agree to disagree. There were two defenders covering his run forward, he was on the half-way line and going nowhere. If he was 30 yards from goal i'd probably have agreed with you. If it happens in an area such as that, it's a foul and no more. On your basis, if you booked someone for every foul on a player going forward, you'd end the game playing 3v3.

Fair play to you, if we cut out diving from the bottom we can make a difference. I'll re-iterate though, i know it was a foul. It was not a bookable offence though.

A lot of Americans who choose to play are pretty good by common standards, they'll just never be at a professional level, but a lot of the intramural leagues are very competitive. I don't see how it wasn't bookable. He didn't go for the ball and he dragged Klose down to stop the move.

I don't see why we have to accuse each other of not playing football, I think we can all agree that none of us are near the level of most of the players at the WC right now.

Sure, Ayala was there but he'd never have made the ground up
What? The player (I forget who) knocked the ball straight to Ayala. If Heinze hadn't made contact, Ayala would have easily hoofed the ball up field and prevented anything further from developing.

What? The player (I forget who) knocked the ball straight to Ayala. If Heinze hadn't made contact, Ayala would have easily hoofed the ball up field and prevented anything further from developing.

http://www.talkforest.com/userpix/2_off2_1.jpg

Nowhere near Ayala.

A lot of Americans who choose to play are pretty good by common standards, they'll just never be at a professional level, but a lot of the intramural leagues are very competitive. I don't see how it wasn't bookable. He didn't go for the ball and he dragged Klose down to stop the move.

I don't see why we have to accuse each other of not playing football, I think we can all agree that none of us are near the level of most of the players at the WC right now.

Woah, i wasn't suggesting anything pal. All i'm saying is that i've noticed diving creeping into our game, even at the bottom.

I'll stand by my point of view, and the point of view of every TV pundit i've listened to following the event.

http://www.talkforest.com/userpix/2_off2_1.jpg

Nowhere near Ayala.
Ahh, the wonders of still photography. Now what you have there is a few frames before the incident. The Mexican player, anticipating the challenge, knocks the ball forward and away from Heinze just ahead of the tackle. This touch puts the ball almost right at the feet of Ayala (who is moving diagonally across the field towards the penalty spot), who would easily have stopped anything further from happening.

Germany vs Sweden wasn't the game of the tournament by far! The one that followed it maybe! The Germans played it well, they got the early goals then completely negated the Swedes. They didn't have to go forward and did everything right. Having said that, if the ref hadn't ludicrously sent off Lucic and had Larsson converted the penalty, we may be talking about a Sweden vs Argie quarter final...

Ifs, buts and maybes...

I meant best German game so far. Argentina vs. Mexico wasn't any better, but it was much tighter and hence more interesting for the independent spectator. Lucic couldn't handle Klose at all and was reliefed by the ref. Mellberg did a better job of containing the WC's top gunner.

The psyche of the Swedes was cracked after those two goals early in the game. Sweden hardly played constructive soccer and only when the Germans were loosening the chain they got some opportunities.

Argentina will a completely different ball game.

I think we can all agree that none of us are near the level of most of the players at the WC right now.
Yeah, I knew you had never seen me play... :D ;)

Ahh, the wonders of still photography. Now what you have there is a few frames before the incident. The Mexican player, anticipating the challenge, knocks the ball forward and away from Heinze just ahead of the tackle. This touch puts the ball almost right at the feet of Ayala (who is moving diagonally across the field towards the penalty spot), who would easily have stopped anything further from happening.
Honestly, Ayala would have had a hard time reaching the striker and the ball.
I'll try to find a link, but Heinze was the last defenseman, in that nobody could reach the striker.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt3A1R2yfK4&search=heinze%20mexico
Look at around 3:15.
You can see that the only reason Ayala came close to the ball was because the mexican striker was hold down. He would have been to the ball faster than Ayala if not for the foul.

Ahh, the wonders of still photography. Now what you have there is a few frames before the incident. The Mexican player, anticipating the challenge, knocks the ball forward and away from Heinze just ahead of the tackle. This touch puts the ball almost right at the feet of Ayala (who is moving diagonally across the field towards the penalty spot), who would easily have stopped anything further from happening.
:biglaugh: :biglaugh: Ayala must have rocket boots on then. :propeller

Ayala is standing at that point while the Mexican is already running.

:biglaugh: :biglaugh: Ayala must have rocket boots on then. :propeller

Ayala is standing at that point while the Mexican is already running.
Oh, look, laughing emoticons, he must be right.

Perhaps "straight to Ayala" was an exaggeration, but examining the replay I still think it's clear that Ayala's presence is enough to negate the "last-man" factor.

What a blunder by Terry!
And you'd think Robinson would come out of his net to try to punch the ball or at least lower the angle.
But no, he watches Tenorio control the ball, prepare his shot and shoot. :shakehead

What a blunder by Terry!
And you'd think Robinson would come out of his net to try to punch the ball or at least lower the angle.
But no, he watches Tenorio control the ball, prepare his shot and shoot. :shakehead

Agreed, Ashley Cole just barely saved the day

What a blunder by Terry!
And you'd think Robinson would come out of his net to try to punch the ball or at least lower the angle.
But no, he watches Tenorio control the ball, prepare his shot and shoot. :shakehead

Who proceeds to miss it, thanks to Ashley Cole.

Terry is having a poor game, jump kicks a guy in the shoulder and gets a yellow. Wait, a jump kick to the shoulder is a yellow? Shouldn't it be more severe?

Can someone please explain to me why Owen Hargraves is playing right back (I don't think he ever played as a right back defender ever) and Jamie Carragher is on the bench? :shakehead

Who proceeds to miss it, thanks to Ashley Cole.

Terry is having a poor game, jump kicks a guy in the shoulder and gets a yellow. Wait, a jump kick to the shoulder is a yellow? Shouldn't it be more severe?

He played the ball the whole way and only caught the player on the follow-through.

Great goal by Beckham!!!

Terrible goalkeeping from the Ecuador keeper. He way way too left on his line, that ball from Beckham couldn't have come any slower.

Can someone please explain to me why Owen Hargraves is playing right back (I don't think he ever played as a right back defender ever) and Jamie Carragher is on the bench? :shakehead
Because Carragher has been awful and Hargreaves hasn't been a complete liability.

Very mediocre performance from England, poor tactics, Beckham did well considering he was puking up on the pitch. Still, were through to the quarters which is where I think we will get knocked out.

I had to laugh at the Ecuador player injuring himself on a horrible dive. :biglaugh: :clap: :propeller

Yeah, I knew you had never seen me play...


Hmm, a 2nd Cygan perhaps? :D

Can someone please explain to me why Owen Hargraves is playing right back (I don't think he ever played as a right back defender ever) and Jamie Carragher is on the bench? :shakehead

He's played it for Bayern before and he's better there than Carragher, Carragher is a great CB, but he's just not a fullback, he's terrible going forward.

Very, very disappointing from England today. Ecuador were one of the weakest teams in the draw and England struggled to create chances all afternoon. Gerrard was average and Lampard was terrible. Honestly, Lampard should have 5 goals in this tournament with all the chances he's getting. Some of his attempted through-balls to Rooney were also just terrible and wasted some decent build-up play.

Rooney didn't see nearly enough of the ball, but Sven can't do that much about the 4-5-1 cause Crouch shouldn't play in the knockout stages, Walcott has no experience, and he was too stupid to bring Defoe or Bent. I also think that Cole needs to see more of the ball and Lennon needs to get on the field more in some way. The problem is that most of England's goals have come through Beckham, so it's hard to figure out away to get both Lennon and Beckham on at the same time.

I wouldn't blame the GK too much for the goal, remember that he couldn't see the ball until it was beyond the wall.

England really need to pick it up though because a performance like this will not beat Portugal or Holland.

Well, terrible display by England, but their nice schedule should give them confidence. I mean 3 wins and 1 tie while playing poor football should make them belive destiny is there somewhere.

Terry was terry-ble. Robinson was a circus act. Rooney needs competition.
Ashley Cole was the key on defense.

Hmm, a 2nd Cygan perhaps? :D
I taught him all his tricks : own goals, pass to the rushing striker, etc... :D

England need to play 442 with Crouch starting to have any hope of beating Holland/Portugal.

For that to happen, Lampard has to be dropped and Gerrard and Carrick play in the centre.

If England want to knock long balls up to their striker or strikers (like they did today), then they should have Crouch on the field. It seems like they try to play a possession game with Crouch and a long ball game without him, which IMHO, is completely backwards.

It's hard to imagine how bad Lampard and Beckham were once again. Don't let that one mistake by the goalie fool you, Becks didn't play one good ball the entire match.

The only player actually doing something in the midfield was Gerrard. Cole had a bad day but he deserves a lot of slack because of his earlier performances. Carrick was very good (better then Hargreaves for sure).

Rooney did OK I though considering he was playing on an Island. Defense shambles, Cole was the only one playing well.

Robinson awful again


What irritated me most was the slow play by England, they played without purpose at all I thought. Good thing they came up against a relatively poor Ecuador side. Crouch needs to be brought back and Sven should tell them to play faster. Gerrard on the right, Becks on the bench. Or Lamps on the bench...

It's hard to imagine how bad Lampard and Beckham were once again. Don't let that one mistake by the goalie fool you, Becks didn't play one good ball the entire match.

The only player actually doing something in the midfield was Gerrard. Cole had a bad day but he deserves a lot of slack because of his earlier performances. Carrick was very good (better then Hargreaves for sure).

Rooney did OK I though considering he was playing on an Island. Defense shambles, Cole was the only one playing well.

Robinson awful again


What irritated me most was the slow play by England, they played without purpose at all I thought. Good thing they came up against a relatively poor Ecuador side. Crouch needs to be brought back and Sven should tell them to play faster. Gerrard on the right, Becks on the bench. Or Lamps on the bench...

Considering Becks was playing ill, and still scored the only goal of the game, it wasn't a total disaster. Lampard on the other hand should've scored 5 times in the tournament already, but he's useless right now. Sub him and move Gerrard higher.

I taught him all his tricks : own goals, pass to the rushing striker, etc... :D

With Domenech's team selection, I'm a bit surprised you're not starting for France. Did you get injured? :dunno:

It's hard to imagine how bad Lampard and Beckham were once again. Don't let that one mistake by the goalie fool you, Becks didn't play one good ball the entire match.

The only player actually doing something in the midfield was Gerrard. Cole had a bad day but he deserves a lot of slack because of his earlier performances. Carrick was very good (better then Hargreaves for sure).

Rooney did OK I though considering he was playing on an Island. Defense shambles, Cole was the only one playing well.

Robinson awful again


What irritated me most was the slow play by England, they played without purpose at all I thought. Good thing they came up against a relatively poor Ecuador side. Crouch needs to be brought back and Sven should tell them to play faster. Gerrard on the right, Becks on the bench. Or Lamps on the bench...

I agree with you about Becks, but I think he's been strongly involved in 4-5 of England's goals in the tournament, so it's almost impossible to drop him just because even though he's terrible most of the time, he's the only one that can set up goals.

Play Gerrard or Lennon on the right and let Stevie give the free kicks and England would be exactly where they are right now, only they would probably have played faster paced footbal and scored more goals.


Oh and how about those Lampard > Gerrard people right now? Lamps is not only not scoring (which is down to luck for a large part - he'll score soon enough) but he's showing that he is not nearly as good in general play.

Ruud is on the bench today, don't know if that's a good or bad thing for my Portuguese bros

With Domenech's team selection, I'm a bit surprised you're not starting for France. Did you get injured? :dunno:
Nah, I'm under 30. :D

Weird game.
Holland sucks big time, they fight each other on the field, and Portugal had the two best opportunities (including one goal), and yet it should have been a penalty on Robben and now Costinha is red carded.
I'm just hoping that Van Persie and Sneijder punch each other next free kick.

Highly disappointing game.

Interesting game with Holland-Portugal. That definitely looked like a penalty when Robben got cleated in the shoulder, but the ref didn't give it.

Costinha off at the end of the half, his first yellow was definitely deserved and the 2nd one probably was since his hand was a couple feet away from his body.

EDIT: My commentary was in spanish, apparently the referee said that Robben was offside.

That was a ****ing ambush on Ronaldo by the Dutch pig Bouhlarouz. I don`t even understand how its possible to not give him a red card after an assault like that. Shame on Holland. Sorry Frolov, but your team suck and deserve ****!

Weird game.
Holland sucks big time, they fight each other on the field, and Portugal had the two best opportunities (including one goal), and yet it should have been a penalty on Robben and now Costinha is red carded.
I'm just hoping that Van Persie and Sneijder punch each other next free kick.

Highly disappointing game.

Considering Sneijder's pathetic effort, RvP should have taken it.

I think the play was blown off before it got to the Robben foul, either for something Kuyt did or for off side. If it wasn't blown of it was an awful decision obviously, that was as blatant a penalty as you'll ever see.

Boularouz' challenge on Ronaldo was pretty bad. Could have been a straight red IMHO, it was deliberate with a stretched leg

Van Bommel's diving is irritating me.


The Portugese goal showed the weakness of the Dutch defense. Either way this game isn't over.

Robben's diving tactics are shameful, what a moronic play by Costinha who I didn't even want on the team :shakehead . Now we have to hold them

I think the play was blown off before it got to the Robben foul, either for something Kuyt did or for off side. If it wasn't blown of it was an awful decision obviously, that was as blatant a penalty as you'll ever see.

Boularouz' challenge on Ronaldo was pretty bad. Could have been a straight red IMHO, it was deliberate with a stretched leg

Van Bommel's diving is irritating me.


The Portugese goal showed the weakness of the Dutch defense. Either way this game isn't over.

I agree with the Bouhlarouz challenge was bad, but it wasn't red IMO because I believe that the ball was there. I wouldn't mind seeing him substituted though, I'm scared that he'll pick up another yellow.


That was a ****ing ambush on Ronaldo by the Dutch pig Bouhlarouz. I don`t even understand how its possible to not give him a red card after an assault like that. Shame on Holland. Sorry Frolov, but your team suck and deserve ****!


Not the best word-choice there, I'm half Dutch and there are some on here who are completely Dutch.

That was a ****ing ambush on Ronaldo by the Dutch pig Bouhlarouz. I don`t even understand how its possible to not give him a red card after an assault like that. Shame on Holland. Sorry Frolov, but your team suck and deserve ****!

Well it was dirty as I said but I have more respect for players who sometimes play over the edge then divers or whiners like Robben, Cocu, Sneijder and Van Bommel. It was incredible how they went to the ref to claim that second yellow for Costinha just minutes before he was eventually sent of. What kind of behaviour is that on a pitch.

As for diving I counted one bad one for Robben (should have been yellow), one AFWUL one by Van Bommel (which led to Maniche's yellow card) and a few less obvious ones.

Kuyt is working hard though. I'm all for him at Liverpool :)

Yep, L'Equipe says it was offside too. Commentators here missed it though, just like me.

Robben and Van Bommel dive all over the pitch.

And yes Boulharouz shoudl have been red carded, but it often what happens in the first minutes : they give yellows even for the worst challenges.

Robben's diving tactics are shameful, what a moronic play by Costinha who I didn't even want on the team :shakehead . Now we have to hold them

No offense, but it's very ironic for a fan of Portugal to be talking about diving.

I think the play was blown off before it got to the Robben foul, either for something Kuyt did or for off side. If it wasn't blown of it was an awful decision obviously, that was as blatant a penalty as you'll ever see.

Boularouz' challenge on Ronaldo was pretty bad. Could have been a straight red IMHO, it was deliberate with a stretched leg

Van Bommel's diving is irritating me.


The Portugese goal showed the weakness of the Dutch defense. Either way this game isn't over.

That should have been a red

Wow, Cocu missing an easy goal there. No luck.

The ref is ridiculous.
Van Bommel dives big time and Petit gets a free yellow... :shakehead

And Van Persie continues to whine when a teammate misses a shot.

I wouldn't want that guy on my team for free! :eek:

What a disgrace of a dive from Van Bommel after the head butt

OMG Van Bommel!

Circus act Schaars style!

How could Figo do this when he knows VB is going to cry his mother?
The ref should either give a red to Figo or give a yellow to VB. Why did he give a yellow to Figo?

What a disgrace of a dive from Van Bommel after the head butt

What a disgrace by Figo headbutting a player. What the hell is he thinking, Portugal is already a man down:madfire:

wow, this game is intense... almost fighting with each other?

Some colossally dum play by both teams. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Figo gets an elbow and Boulharouz is out.

Awful game technically, tactically and now in the heads too. Stupid players really, on both sides.

What a disgrace by Figo headbutting a player. What the hell is he thinking, Portugal is already a man down:madfire:

Calm down, Creativity a la Figo got that thug Boularouz tossed from the pitch :D

Does Figo play every game like this? What a disgrace. He barely got touched, it wasn't on purpose and he acts like he got shot, but he takes exception to when he headbutts someone. That is a Grade A ***clown in my book

What a disgrace by Figo headbutting a player. What the hell is he thinking, Portugal is already a man down:madfire:

A love tap :biglaugh: , have u ever seen a real head butt

Yes Figo is always like this.
He dives, he whines and he's as smart as an umbrella.

But he's still a great player in all the other aspects.

Does Figo play every game like this? What a disgrace. He barely got touched, it wasn't on purpose and he acts like he got shot, but he takes exception to when he headbutts someone. That is a Grade A ***clown in my book

He's been taking acting classes with Van Bommel who is emmy worthy

A love tap :biglaugh: , have u ever seen a real head butt

You don't do it because you put your fate in the oppositions hands. Figo paid with a yellow and Boulharouz paid with a red for love taps embellished by the opposition. It wasn't dum for it's brutality, it was dum for doing it in the first place and allowing the opposition player to do his crybaby act.

Yes Figo is always like this.
He dives, he whines and he's as smart as an umbrella.

But he's still a great player in all the other aspects.

Taking advantage in that elbow sequence was brilliant in my book :D

where is Ruud?

Why is Paulo Ferreira not in for Valente? He keeps getting burned by Van Persie

Yes but nearly getting sent off for nothing for that kiss to VB was stupid.
VB is a circus act by himself. It doesn't take an expert to guess he would dive.

Class by Holland, it was our ball

And the stupidity reaches new heights!
These guys are really not too bright!

Not that the ref does anything smart either.

Worst game, I have ever seen

Schneider should have got a red.

this is crazy

Wow... now there's a booking a minute. :amazed:

lol @ the ref :biglaugh:

England will face a 7 men team in the quarters.:D

In all honesty, with the despicable play by both teams today, neither deserves to advance.

omg, what is this?!

Deco with the red!
Cocu should get a yellow out of this as well!

HAHAHAH!!!!

this is parody.

WHAT the F is going on?

this referee is aweseome! :sarcasm:

This game is pretty out of control.

What the hell. That second yellow to Deco is a joke.

Dutch ****s.

And off goes Deco.... :biglaugh:

They are killing the sport of soccer, I mean 14 yellows?? Are you kidding me??

this referee is aweseome! :sarcasm:

This game is pretty out of control.

You could say, he never had it under control.
There's nothing he can do once the players run wild.

Worst officiating ever

Ruud would have scored...

Well, after his first game reffing France, I thought Ivanov wouldn't have reffed another game.

But yes FIFA continues to ruin the game and this WC.

More ****age from Kuyt. This is disgusting. Send them home, Portugal.

The stoppage time is going to be an eternity...

This just might be the first match ever with 10 minutes additional time...

Holland needs to finish.

This game is intense. So much hostility.

van der Sar = ****. Lehmann tactics. God, I want to see these jokes sent packing NOW.

The stoppage time is going to be an eternity...

Just 6 mins. I'm shocked.

Boooo Figo!

Just 6 mins. I'm shocked.
A joke, but then this game has been a joke.

The Dutch team needs to grow a collective pair. Just a disgrace.

This just might be the first match ever with 10 minutes additional time...
PSG 4-2 Real Madrid : 12 minutes of extra time with no reason whatsoever (except giving Real an opportunity to score a goal to qualify).

Add me to the dutch hate list, but Portugal isn't far off my list

Another red!

Wow, more brilliant play:sarcasm:

9 on 9 rules

Van Basten is gonna face some hard questions, such as why the hell isn't RVN on the field.

Another red card? I'm not exactly a football purist by any stretch of the imagination but this has been a disgrace and a disservice to the game.

Finally another red card. I already thought someone replaced the ref off-camera.

Add me to the dutch hate list, but Portugal isn't far off my list

I'm a Portuguese fan, and even I am having trouble not hating them right now.

Add me to the dutch hate list, but Portugal isn't far off my list

I was on that list since Frank Reijkard decided to add some self made hair gel to Völler in 1990.

lol at Van Persie! :lol:

Van Basten is gonna face some hard questions, such as why the hell isn't RVN on the field.

Another red card? I'm not exactly a football purist by any stretch of the imagination but this has been a disgrace and a disservice to the game.

Well the players didn't calm down after a parade of yellows even, so whatcha gonna do?

After watching these two play, I have to say....Go England!

Finally, that horrible game is over!

Both teams should be ashamed!

England will face Portugal without Costinha and Deco.
I'm telling you, destiny is in England's territory right now.

Finally, that horrible game is over!

Both teams should be ashamed!

England will face Portugal without Costinha and Deco.
I'm telling you, destiny is in England's territory right now.

Deco will be missed. Costinha is addition by subtraction.

Too bad Van Persie and Sneijder didn't hit themselves.

Finally, that horrible game is over!

Both teams should be ashamed!

England will face Portugal without Costinha and Deco.
I'm telling you, destiny is in England's territory right now.

Agreed, England going to make it to the final 4 despite being quite mediocre all tournament long.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy...not in the game.... :shakehead :shakehead :shakehead :shakehead

Aren't there many fans of Holland because of their "nice play"?

:biglaugh:

See ya :D :handclap:

Aren't there many fans of Holland because of their "nice play"?

:biglaugh:
The dutch, such a peaceful and tolerant nation! .. of ****s!

Austin Powers dad was right. The Dutch suck.

Hey Ott got the score and the scorer right, maybe some consolation

What a brilliant game, 2 players suspended plus the possiblilty of Figo too.

The ref was obviously crap, we knew that when he booked 3 players in the 1st 5 mins.

This game was totally the fault of FIFA and not allowing the game to be played as it should. I would have broken someones leg if I was playing in that game.

What a weird game.

The ref was obviously crap, we knew that when he booked 3 players in the 1st 5 mins.
The worst is that we knew that from the group stage, and he was still allowed to ref a knockout game.

What a disgusting display from both teams. I'm a Dutch fan for sure, but I was embarrassed by the diving and whining that was incessant in their game.

However, the referee takes the cake for being unbelievably awful. I would honestly bet that there should have been 10-15 minutes of stoppage time because of all the fake injuries that Portugal were pulling and all the times they decided that they needed to talk to him as well.

I will never root harder for England than I will on Saturday though.

Figo's dive on Bouhlarouz's 2nd yellow was just sickening. I was also surprised that the Dutch didn't get a penalty in that game, several guys went down in the box and I don't think all of them were dives.

This game was totally the fault of FIFA and not allowing the game to be played as it should. I would have broken someones leg if I was playing in that game.
Yeah! Because you're a real man! Woo! Blame FIFA! Wooo!

For those who watched, which was worse, this debacle or the Italy/US game?

I missed the first 30 minutes or so, but to me, that was NOT the Refs fault. The players ruined that match, not the ref. The bad piece of sportsmanship by the dutch on the injury to ricardo really ruined the match. Deco 100% deserved that second yellow for BOTH picking up the ball and diving afterwards. All 4 second yellows were deserved, the only one even arguable to me was the 1st Dutch player sent off.

Deco's first yellow was a joke as can someone please explain why the Dutch didn't give us possesion considering the match was stopped because Ricardo Carvalho was injured and we had possesion? That is what started this whole melee

This was infinitely worse. There was bad blood on both sides during the entire second half, whereas in the Italy/USA game, the tension levelled off when both teams realized that playing stupid could cost them more men.

Yeah! Because you're a real man! Woo! Blame FIFA! Wooo!
Ill type it slowly so you can understand, FIFA clamp down on everything. Then players take advantage of this and dive and cheat all over the place which leads to games like these.

The ref was directly responsible for winding up both teams.

I missed the first 30 minutes or so, but to me, that was NOT the Refs fault. The players ruined that match, not the ref. The bad piece of sportsmanship by the dutch on the injury to ricardo really ruined the match. Deco 100% deserved that second yellow for BOTH picking up the ball and diving afterwards. All 4 second yellows were deserved, the only one even arguable to me was the 1st Dutch player sent off.

Why did Cocu put his hands on Deco in the first place? Deco picked up the all because the play was dead. No reason for Cocu to do that

I missed the first 30 minutes or so, but to me, that was NOT the Refs fault. The players ruined that match, not the ref. The bad piece of sportsmanship by the dutch on the injury to ricardo really ruined the match. Deco 100% deserved that second yellow for BOTH picking up the ball and diving afterwards. All 4 second yellows were deserved, the only one even arguable to me was the 1st Dutch player sent off.

Nah, had things been done in order, Boularouz would've been gone already as result of a transparent premeditated "hit" on C Ronaldo - to use hockey terminology!

Why did Cocu put his hands on Deco in the first place? Deco picked up the all because the play was dead. No reason for Cocu to do that

Because Cocu was trying to take the ball and Deco picked it up and started walking away.

Deco's first yellow was a joke as can someone please explain why the Dutch didn't give us possesion considering the match was stopped because Ricardo Carvalho was injured and we had possesion? That is what started this whole melee
They don't have too, I would instruct my team not to do it. The balls been kicked out of play for an injury dozens of times in this WC yet there's not been a single serious injury.

Its just a time wasting tactic. If you dont give the ball back, they will stop time wasting.

Why did Cocu put his hands on Deco in the first place? Deco picked up the all because the play was dead. No reason for Cocu to do that

To get the ball back as quickly as possible. Deco picked up the ball to prevent the Dutch from taking a quick free kick. EVERY time that happens you get the team behind trying to get the ball as quickly as possible, and, as has consistantly happened during the WC, the player gets a yellow card.

Why did Cocu put his hands on Deco in the first place? Deco picked up the all because the play was dead. No reason for Cocu to do that
No reason to pick up the ball. FIFA said this is an automatic yellow before the WC.

Ill type it slowly so you can understand, FIFA clamp down on everything. Then players take advantage of this and dive and cheat all over the place which leads to games like these.

The ref was directly responsible for winding up both teams.
Yeah, it's always the ref or FIFA with you.

Maybe the ref should have broken someone's leg.. Would that make you happy?

I'll post my thoughts next but lets first get this off my chest:

Auf Wiedersehen!!!!!!!!!!

:handclap: :handclap: :handclap: :handclap: :handclap:

To get the ball back as quickly as possible. Deco picked up the ball to prevent the Dutch from taking a quick free kick. EVERY time that happens you get the team behind trying to get the ball as quickly as possible, and, as has consistantly happened during the WC, the player gets a yellow card.

Thanks for the clarification. That said, Cocu also deserved a yellow.

Ill type it slowly so you can understand, FIFA clamp down on everything. Then players take advantage of this and dive and cheat all over the place which leads to games like these.

The ref was directly responsible for winding up both teams.

I would have to agree. The ref, by giving the 2 very early yellows, basically sent out the wrong message, that anything and everything would be called. Therefore promoting this ugly diving and play from both sides.

This was a very ugly game, and Ronaldo better play, because Portugal will be without Deco, Costinha and possibly Luis Figo when they face England...

It all started with Khalid B.´s tackle against C.Ronaldo and then both teams dived and jumped into the heat wherever they could (i´m not talking about who jumped/dived more, cause it doesn´t matter)...a red card for Khalid B. would´ve done wonders.
Aside from that - the dutch had enough chances to score aside from the yellow+red-festival

It really is a shame for Portugal, because they have been splendid thus far and would probably have beaten England. I still remember Euro2000 when the Portuguese self destructed, and this was a similar type of game. I hope at least that Ronaldo will be fit for Saturday.

Deco's first yellow was a joke as can someone please explain why the Dutch didn't give us possesion considering the match was stopped because Ricardo Carvalho was injured and we had possesion? That is what started this whole melee

Deco's first yellow was for the challenge right after the Dutch didn't give possesion back, right? That could EASILY have been a straight Red, that was one of the worst challenges of the world cup. Ido agree it was poor play by the Dutch in not giving possesion back to Portugal however.

NOTE: I could have the player wrong.

All the cards were deserved in this gme but Portugual just deserved to win. They play with more fluidity than this current Dutch side.There is no one in the Dutch team a no10 type who controls the game for them.

England may well be licking their lips at the absence of Costinha & Deco but Portugual have more than enough to KO them out by playing their lovely brand of posession touch football. :)

Hope CR makes the game. Miguel is there with Sagnol for RB at this tournament so far on indiviual performances.

Deco had no reason to touch the ball, the better question is, why did he do that?

I'd they the Portuguese were actually very lucky, they should have gotten three more red cards (Figo, Deco earlier, Valente), if the ref hadn't decided to give yellow for every scene that happened.

I don't know what Ivanov was doing in this game anyway. He was awful in the season and not one bit better in this tournament. How anyone could choose this two refs (Ivanov and the belgian) for important games like that, is beyond me.

Yeah, it's always the ref or FIFA with you.

Maybe the ref should have broken someone's leg.. Would that make you happy?
You must be new to football and I can tell youve never played competitively in your life..

Thanks for the clarification. That said, Cocu also deserved a yellow.

For what? Being next to a guy who took a swan dive? Give me a break.

I also beleive that this mess started with Ronaldo's injury. The tackle that put him out was terrible, flying studs to the thigh, and it cut him. I was very surprised that a red wasn't shown there.

You must be new to football and I can tell youve never played competitively in your life..
Ding ding ding ding, Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit's cliché time!

Deco's first yellow was for the challenge right after the Dutch didn't give possesion back, right? That could EASILY have been a straight Red, that was one of the worst challenges of the world cup. Ido agree it was poor play by the Dutch in not giving possesion back to Portugal however.

NOTE: I could have the player wrong.

You're right and I agree with your comment.

Neither team deserves to win the WC after that performance, beyond pathetic, England aren't angels, but they certainly deserve to win. I also don't mind France too much cause of Henry and they don't have any tremendous divers that I can remember.

It really is a shame for Portugal, because they have been splendid thus far and would probably have beaten England. I still remember Euro2000 when the Portuguese self destructed, and this was a similar type of game. I hope at least that Ronaldo will be fit for Saturday.

Portugal played very well against Mexico without many of their top players, a game that Mexico needed alot more than Portugal. Unlike past tournaments, they do have the depth. They will have to play a simpler game, but IMO England can be had.

For what? Being next to a guy who took a swan dive? Give me a break.

He grabbed Deco's jersey and tossed him aside. The hockey equivalent would be a roughing call.

He grabbed Deco's jersey and tossed him aside. The hockey equivalent would be a roughing call.

IF that was during play, I would agree. But in that situation? No way.

What a disgrace. These are supposed to be professionals playing. The diving and whining is the worst I've seen a competitive match. Figo should be given a 3 game suspension for that head-butt.

IF that was during play, I would agree. But in that situation? No way.

Rough play is rough play regardless of the situation. Alot of yellows happened today in similar situations (crap after other crap).

Its an easy excuse to blame the referee.That said Boularouz should have had a straight red by the letter of the law.

As for this perennial diving .Today I saw de la Cruz & Tenorio do their lawnmower impressions again.Steven Gerrard dived into the box when the challenge was outside it & tried to claim a penalty.

van Bommel looked like he was at the Olympic pool for 1 dive & there wer eexaggerated falls rolls & twists from several others.

Unless FIFA institutes retrospective punishment nothing will change .

Ding ding ding ding, Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit's cliché time!
Thanks for confirming I was right.

it went to hell once Robben didn't get a penalty kick for being booted in the chest, which was almost as nasty as the tackle on C.Ronaldo.

What a disgrace. These are supposed to be professionals playing. The diving and whining is the worst I've seen a competitive match. Figo should be given a 3 game suspension for that head-butt.

Are you serious? Suspension for stepping into a guy when Boularouz is allowed to play on after stamping the #1 opponent star of no other reason that get him out of play?

Well, thank God that game is over.

Now, Portugal needs some off the field luck.

Ronaldo to be healthy, Figo to not be suspended and Scolari to settle the troops down.

I think England can be had, I look at this game as a defining moment in Portugal's quest to the WC. They just went through hell and survived, can it get any worse than that game? Portugal have nothing to lose and still have a lot of talent even without Deco and Ronaldo and even possibly Figo.

it went to hell once Robben didn't get a penalty kick for being booted in the chest, which was almost as nasty as the tackle on C.Ronaldo.

An offside was called first, so no penalty would have been given...

i bet they look a the video and figo will be out

couldn't be better for england

on to saturday!!!

Are you serious? Suspension for stepping into a guy when Boularouz is allowed to play on after stamping the #1 opponent star of no other reason that get him out of play?

"Stepping into a guy"? Holy moly please take off your Portugal blinders. He clearly made a headbutting motion on Van Bommel. And who the hell cares if Boularouz did that earlier? It's not eye for an eye!

An offside was called first, so no penalty would have been given...
But he can still be red or yellow carded for it.

nevermind then, I didn't see that

OK to the game then.

First of all:

The Dutch (Van Haenegem) are whining about the ref right now. I cannot believe they dare to blame Figo for diving after what Van Bommel did seconds earlier. Van Bommel just made a joke out of himself in front of one billion people. That was NOT a headbutt (he made contact didn't 'push through') by Figo, it was silly though.
Figo was actually touched when Boularouz let his arms fly, so it was understandable he went down. It was probably not a yellow though, but by then the ref was flashing them left and right without actually seeing it.

Also disgraceful (besides the diving by the dutch) was what Heitinga did, not giving the ball back after the ref had blown the play off when Ricardo carvalho (which wasn't a simulated injury) had gone down. It was actually that disgraceful play by Heitinga which led to Deco's first yellow.

I thought Deco's second yellow was the worst of the match. He actually did give the ball back and how Cocu escaped a cautioning. When Gio went the ref had totally lost the plot...



As for the footballing aspect: there wasn't much to see. Holland played much better in the second half but they should know better then to try and beat the Portugese at their own game (ie diving and cheating). I was very happy when Karma came to bite them in the *** when Figo got Boularouz sent off.

The Portugese are still an evil team though with cheaters and divers troughout. I'll be back to hating them against England but right now I have to say thank you Portugal for ridding us of these Dutchies. :handclap:

Rough play is rough play regardless of the situation. Alot of yellows happened today in similar situations.

Grabbing the jersey is rough play? Petit gave a dutch player a purple nurple during one of the scrums, THATS rough play, not holding a player back who is running away with the ball. NO WAY should that have been a yellow to Cocu. That EXACT same scenario has occured 50 times this WC, and NOT once has their been a yellow (nor have I seen a swan dive like that either). Deco MAY have gotten away with taking the ball had he not tried to draw the foul immidiately afterwards. The referee got that 10)0% right.

That play was offside. That said, there is no reason a yellow card couldn't have been given.

Both teams should be severely reprimanded by FIFA. That was a sick display by both Holland and Portugal.

Going back to the Maniche goal, the TSN guys are raising the point of why he wasn't given a yellow card for leaving the pitch to celebrate. That would have been his 2nd yellow and an automatic red.

I hope FIFA takes a look at Figo's headbutt. Yes, van Bommel did embellish the effect, but Figo went overboard on Boulahrouz's elbow as well. (Yes, Cannibal did deserve the yellow and automatic red.)

I'm not going to get into Jan over Ruud or what Holland needs to do to improve their squad just yet. Obviously I'm pissed as hell. A 2nd round exit is a failure for Holland. I'll give my opinions on the squad when I cool down.
Not going to defend the officials on this one? :sarcasm:

But he can still be red or yellow carded for it.

True, but with surprisingly many calls missed, the ref didn't see it...I guess.

Deco's first yellow was for the challenge right after the Dutch didn't give possesion back, right? That could EASILY have been a straight Red, that was one of the worst challenges of the world cup. Ido agree it was poor play by the Dutch in not giving possesion back to Portugal however.

NOTE: I could have the player wrong.

So it shouldn't have happened in the first place

Thanks for confirming I was right.
Clearly, not beating my chest and proclaiming my desire to break legs makes me an inexperienced fan. Charming analysis.

An offside was called first, so no penalty would have been given...

That arguably makes it worse then, a studs up kick in Robben's chest after the play?

That Maniche point is also interesting, I forgot that he had been on a yellow.

As for Portugal "going through hell", it's a hell that they helped to create, I have no sympathy for them whatsoever.

Having said one shouldnt blame the referee.I did mention in the group threads Ivanov screwed up in the Swiss-France game ie non award of a clear penalty to France & booking the likes of Magnin for no reason.

"Stepping into a guy"? Holy moly please take off your Portugal blinders. He clearly made a headbutting motion on Van Bommel. And who the hell cares if Boularouz did that earlier? It's not eye for an eye!

Disagree. That was not a headbutt as that requires a headbutting motion.

no doubt it was stupid and no doubt it deserved yellow. However it wasn't a red IMO, if only for the DISGRACEFUL acting by Bommel.

not: the Dutch commentator also said it wasn't a headbut and didn't deserve a red card. And the analysts aren't complaining about that call either. I do think it was the correct decision

Anyone who complains about diving AND wants Cocu to get a card on Deco's second yellow have to get with the program. If you want Cocu to get a yellow there, then you support diving. Period.

As for the "going thru hell" thing, same would be said about Holland if they won, this was the type of game no matter who won and how, that really binds a team together and really makes them stronger. Sad but true....