The Official World Cup Thread

[lowest]

that was never a penalty. terrible decision by the ref

[soccer10k]

that was never a penalty. terrible decision by the ref

 

Agreed. Should have been a no call. And even if you call a penalty kick, there is no way that's a red card - a yellow at best.

[lowest]

that was never a penalty. terrible decision by the ref

 

Agreed. Should have been a no call. And even if you call a penalty kick, there is no way that's a red card - a yellow at best.

 

was a good ball by david villa to release him though.

[lowest]

holy hell, that 4th goal was fantastic! that is one of the best goals so far in this tournament for me.

[soccer10k]

holy hell, that 4th goal was fantastic! that is one of the best goals so far in this tournament for me.

 

I had to go take a final so I missed it live but I just saw a replay during halftime of the Tunisia-Saudi Arabia game and that was an excellent goal.

[soccer10k]

Al Jaber just came in as a sub for Saudi Arabia and scored a goal on one of his first touches.

 

A bit of a change in the first game for Saudi Arabia. In 2002 they lose 8-0 to Germany. In 2006 they are 4 minutes + ET away from a 2-1 victory.

[soccer10k]

Tunisia scores the tying goal in the second minute of extra time.

 

That's gotta hurt Saudi Arabia. A couple minutes away from their first WC victory since 1994.

[soccer10k]

Thank you to the Ukraine for taking over last place from the USA.

[USSoccer]

Thank you to the Ukraine for taking over last place from the USA.

 

That's not going to last long. We're going to beat Italy.

 

BTW, you had posted earlier that the US could win out and still finish 3rd in the group with 6 points. For this to happen, the Czechs would have to beat Ghana and lose to Italy. Italy would then end up with a GD of no worse (from their perspective) than +2. Obviously the margin of loss vs the US and the margin of victory vs CZR would impact that number.

 

Basically if we won out and ended up 3rd, it would mean that our margin of victory vs ITA and GHA would likely be 1 goal per game, leaving us with a GD of -1. For us to win out and finish 3rd, ITA would have to beat CZR by no fewer than 5 goals (depending on the final score of the CZR/GHA game; if CZR wins by 2, then the ITA margin of victory must be greater than 5 for the US to advance). The final wild card is if the US beats Ghana by enough to pass ITA up in GD. For that to happen, assuming the US beats ITA by 1, whatever ITA beats the CZR by, we have to add 2 to tie on GD, and then I THINK we go through on head to head.

 

Am I making sense here?

 

So, essentially Saturday's games will entirely determine our WC fate. I'd say the best possible weekend outcome would be for the CZR to lose or tie Ghana, and we beat ITA, preferably by more than 1.

 

EDIT:

 

If we finish with 6 points and finish 3rd on GD, I'd consider it a successful cup, still. To wni 2 of your 3 games is no small feat.

Edited June 14, 2006 by USSoccer

[soccer10k]

We have to beat Italy on Saturday and it would really help our cause if Ghana beat the Czech Republic. In that case, all 4 teams would have 3 points which would give each team a "win and advance" scenario for next Thursday.

 

Also, if we do end up with 6 points and lose out on goal differential, I agree with you that it will have been a successful cup. Any time you beat Italy and win 2 of 3 games, you have to be happy.

[BigSlick]

We have to beat Italy on Saturday and it would really help our cause if Ghana beat the Czech Republic. In that case, all 4 teams would have 3 points which would give each team a "win and advance" scenario for next Thursday.

 

Also, if we do end up with 6 points and lose out on goal differential, I agree with you that it will have been a successful cup. Any time you beat Italy and win 2 of 3 games, you have to be happy.

 

But this isn't going to happen...

 

right?

[Jon]

Oh man. Pretty nice finish to the half in this one.

[Big Fergie J]

Wow...Germany and Poland are going at it......great game.

[Marco4]

I can't believe Podolski put that wide. He didn't have it saved, which would have been poor from there. He put it wide. It was an astounding bad miss.

[lowest]

poland-germany 0-0 at the half. germany getting the better of the play, but poland have had their moments as well. germany would be on top at least 2-0 but for some dubious finishing- still a pretty good game.

[USSoccer]

We have to beat Italy on Saturday and it would really help our cause if Ghana beat the Czech Republic. In that case, all 4 teams would have 3 points which would give each team a "win and advance" scenario for next Thursday.

 

Also, if we do end up with 6 points and lose out on goal differential, I agree with you that it will have been a successful cup. Any time you beat Italy and win 2 of 3 games, you have to be happy.

 

But this isn't going to happen...

 

right?

 

Which part, the "beating Italy" or the "winning out and still not advancing" part?

[Jon]

Ooh, I don't know about that yellow. They haven't shown a good replay yet.

[soccer10k]

Germany-Poland has been quite entertaining so far.

[Jon]

Wow. What a game.

[lowest]

motm: whoever is in goal for poland. he has been massive!

[soccer10k]

Two great saves from the Poland GK in about 30 seconds.

[Outshined_One]

HOLY *^%$*^e%^*$*!!!

[Jon]

Hahahah. Oh my goodness!

[lowest]

f we,m.rcgkbj jklgaweb;weakj!

 

man. that was unreal.

[da bears]

HOLY CRAP! This game is just insane. How the hell did Germany miss those?!?