The Official World Cup Thread

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Someone remind me, what are the tiebreakers after goal differential? Is it goals for or goals against?

 

Goals for, normally. I'm just trying to confirm that.

 

Tiebreaking criteria

 

If teams are even on points at the end of group play, the tied teams will be ranked as follows:

1. Goal difference in all group matches.

2. Greatest number of goals scored in all group matches.

 

(This was for qualifying, but its safe to assume it carries through)

 

head to head comes before those 2

 

Well yeah, specifically I was thinking of how Mexico could choke their way out of the round of 16. Basically Angola needs to win by two and have Mexico lose by one, or win by one and have Mexico lose by two to force the unknown tiebreaker. If it is Goals for, then Angola would need to make up 3 goals of difference.

Edited June 16, 2006 by Transmogrified Tiger

[Marco4]

head to head comes before those 2

 

I got this from the BBC website.

 

*Its about the finals, incidentally - not qualifying, as I'd said.

Edited June 16, 2006 by Marco4

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Another random thought from watching the IVC-NED game:

 

Drogba looks like an Uruk-Hai

[wolf stansson]

Another random thought from watching the IVC-NED game:

 

Drogba looks like an Uruk-Hai

haha! True story.

[soccer10k]

Saturday July 17 games (Pacific Time)

 

Portugal v Iran at 6 AM on ESPN 2

Czech Republic v Ghana at 9 AM on ABC

Italy v United States at 12 AM on ABC

 

USA

[USSoccer]

Okay, keys to tomorrow:

 

-Lineups. Johnson, Dempsey in. Beasley and Mastroeni out. Donovan in the middle.

 

-Intensity. Must play like you mean to be a top team. You have to want to beat the holy hell out of Italy. I didn't see a team that wanted to win on Monday.

 

-First 15 minutes. Do not let them score. If you get a goal, outstanding. But, DO NOT LET THEM SCORE.

 

-Midfield. Must control it. The mids need the game of their lives. Control tempo, attack with pace, counter attacks need to be 10000% faster than they were vs CZR. Having Donovan in the mid will help, since Reyna is incapable of doing anything quickly. I think they can catch the Italians in a quick counter, but they have to counter with speed. On the wings, Convey and Dempsey (my preferred wings at this point) need to play to their strengths and run aggressively at the Italian defense. Service needs to be sharper to McB and EJ.

 

-Gooch and Pope. Must play better. Must contain the wings, and keep Totti from ripping them apart. They have to be inpregnable, and make no mistakes with clearances.

 

-The Crowd. We're 1-0 in K-Town in 2006. With the US Air Force base there, I'm hoping there will be a big pro-US crowd. They need to be heard, because a 12th man will mean something in this game.

 

This might be the most important US game in a very, very long time. This will be a defining moment for most of these players, and I really, really hope they rise to the occasion. Arena needs to coach a great game tomorrow, and the players need to play with those cliche buzzwords like heart and intensity. It would also help if they finish off a couple goals.

 

Given all that, I'll predict US are 2-1 winners.

 

Here's hoping for a US win and a Ghanian upset vs CZR.

[sethuel1]

I am still pessimistic. italy is just too strong up the middle. Perrotta and De Rossi with Totti in front of them. A lineup that absolutely mowed down Serie A for Roma.

 

Zambrotta is back. If they play him on the left, he'll eat Cherundolo alive. if they play him on the right, he'll eat Lewis alive.

 

I hope I'm wrong.

 

P.S. I read a rumor that Lippi is considering starting Inzaghi in place of Toni. if he does that, he's a moron. Plus we've got a much better chance that way.

[USSoccer]

This is encouraging...

 

Uruguay's Jorge Larrionda was selected by FIFA to referee the game. He officiated the Americans' 2-1 loss to Turkey in the Confederations Cup, awarding a penalty kick to the Turks when Danny Califf and Frankie Hejduk pulled down a player in the penalty area. He also gave yellow cards to four Americans, including Donovan

.

[Marco4]

Portugal just scraping ahead with a lovely goal from Deco.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

hahaha

 

Musberger: [chuckles] Georgio, have you come to praise or condemn the United States

 

Georgio: [dead serious look] Well they're finished. I heard about the changes Arena's making and I don't think they have a chance.

 

 

EDIT: Now he's arguing with Wynalda. Incoherent, awkward discussion at it's absolute finest.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Am I the only one watching this? This is fantastically disastrous.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Ghana scores in the second minute!

[AubCubFan]

wow, who expected them to score that early. Right now I am ghana's biggest fan. Go Ghana.

[lowest]

Ghana scores in the second minute!

 

they're on our side! great control and a sweet strike too on the goal.

 

dont expect this to hold up for long though, honestly. czechs already pressing hard.

[da bears]

Anyone care to explain best care scenario for the U.S. group-wise?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Anyone care to explain best care scenario for the U.S. group-wise?

 

Ghana wins today, US wins today

 

then,

 

US beats Ghana, Italy beats or ties the Czechs

 

US wins the group, and Italy or the Czechs also advance

[da bears]

Anyone care to explain best care scenario for the U.S. group-wise?

 

Ghana wins today, US wins today

 

then,

 

US beats Ghana, Italy beats or ties the Czechs

 

US wins the group, and Italy or the Czechs also advance

 

I see. So if Ghana wins, does the U.S. pretty much have to beat Italy to have a chance to advance?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Anyone care to explain best care scenario for the U.S. group-wise?

 

Ghana wins today, US wins today

 

then,

 

US beats Ghana, Italy beats or ties the Czechs

 

US wins the group, and Italy or the Czechs also advance

 

I see. So if Ghana wins, does the U.S. pretty much have to beat Italy to have a chance to advance?

 

No, but tying would cut down the margin for error. They'd need to beat Ghana and someone(preferably Italy) would have to win the Italy-Czech game.

[AubCubFan]

Ghana is playing a very physical game. Also, they are really putting the heat on the czechs. Unfortunately, one slip up with those awesome czech strikers and the tides could turn very quickly.

[lowest]

still 1-0 at HT- i hope they can pull it off

[Transmogrified Tiger]

ahahaha, Georgio is gone.

[lowest]

ahahaha, Georgio is gone.

 

made me smile as well!

nedved scores but is offside. had me scared for a sec.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Is there no obstruction rule in international soccer?

[Marco4]

If this stays as it is, the Czechs could well be out; they've got Italy next, and won't have any strikers for that game.

 

Out for them that game:- Lokvenc, Koller, Baros.

[lowest]

christ! ghana missed the penalty off the post!

woah- red card to the czechs for dissent (edit: now its for the foul), then a yellow to ghana for taking the pen before the whistle...