The Soccer Thread

[wolf stansson]

The existing infrastructure worked against the US, England, Australia, Belgium/Netherlands and Spain/Portugal.

 

The opportunity for graft in new construction and services as in South Africa proved too tempting for FIFA.

[wolf stansson]

http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/large/202019158.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=0ZRYP5X5F6FSMBCCSE82&Expires=1291323578&Signature=BvEtv213XA2lvzxS0VZkQY4X9z0%3D

[shnsajax]

The existing infrastructure worked against the US, England, Australia, Belgium/Netherlands and Spain/Portugal.

 

The opportunity for graft in new construction and services as in South Africa proved too tempting for FIFA.

 

As in Qatar paying for the new construction services the voters requested for their region ;-).

[Guest]

How did anybody justify a vote for Korea?

 

Or Japan for that matter.

[wolf stansson]

heh

 

http://deadspin.com/5704434/pandemonium-jubilation-in-the-streets-of-doha-as-qatar-wins-2022-world-cup

Correction.

http://deadspin.com/5704577/

[Guest]

[expletive] you FiFA.

[USSoccer]

LD's twitter:

 

landondonovan I have an idea..we play Qatar in a friendly(they can even host it), and the winner gets to host the 2022 WC..wait, do they even have a team?

[Guest]

LD's twitter:

 

landondonovan I have an idea..we play Qatar in a friendly(they can even host it), and the winner gets to host the 2022 WC..wait, do they even have a team?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnoEOeMmt4E

 

That seemingly impossible miss is all I know about the Qatar soccer team.

[wvcbxl]

Qatar are 113th on the current FIFA rankings (out of a total of 203), nicely boxed in below the Central African Republic and above Thailand.

 

They have a friendly against Estonia scheduled for 12/22, which might give some indication of just how bad they are.

[Guest]

Qatar are 113th on the current FIFA rankings (out of a total of 203), nicely boxed in below the Central African Republic and above Thailand.

 

They have a friendly against Estonia scheduled for 12/22, which might give some indication of just how bad they are.

 

For comparison, South Africa was ranked around 40th back in 2004 when they were announced as 2010 hosts.

[wvcbxl]

In the case of SA, the automatic qualifying of the host nation was also questioned as "borderline", although in hindsight the Bafana Bafana played quite well (I certainly enjoyed watching them).

It's obvious to everyone who knows anything about soccer that automatic qualifying in the case of Qatar is absolutely ridiculous. They will probably avoid the toughest opponents (courtesy of FIFA's infamous "guided draw" grouping system), but I can only hope they get trashed anyway in all of their games. Their participation has "sporting disaster" written all over it. Even North Korea was ranked higher prior to this year's WC and we all know how that turned out (and they earned the right to play there trough proper qualifying)

[shnsajax]

In the case of SA, the automatic qualifying of the host nation was also questioned as "borderline", although in hindsight the Bafana Bafana played quite well (I certainly enjoyed watching them).

It's obvious to everyone who knows anything about soccer that automatic qualifying in the case of Qatar is absolutely ridiculous. They will probably avoid the toughest opponents (courtesy of FIFA's infamous "guided draw" grouping system), but I can only hope they get trashed anyway in all of their games. Their participation has "sporting disaster" written all over it. Even North Korea was ranked higher prior to this year's WC and we all know how that turned out (and they earned the right to play there trough proper qualifying)

 

They will unless they are able to buy a new roster as mentioned a couple of pages back. Its 12 years away, but they will be lucky to get 1 point out of the group.

[bukie]

Nate Silver, being as diplomatic as possible, on the questionable selection of Qatar for 2022: Qatar a questionable World Cup host

[wolf stansson]

One upside to the Qatar win is that all of the stadiums are within 40 miles of each other. People will be able to mix with all of the fans and go see any games. I'm actually kind of excited about the possibility of going.

[jersey cubs fan]

One upside to the Qatar win is that all of the stadiums are within 40 miles of each other. People will be able to mix with all of the fans and go see any games. I'm actually kind of excited about the possibility of going.

 

The stadiums are near each other but you won't be staying nearby.

[shnsajax]

So should FIFA go back to a rotation for the WC? I forgot that based on the old rotation system that was in place, 2018 would have been ours.

[bukie]

So should FIFA go back to a rotation for the WC? I forgot that based on the old rotation system that was in place, 2018 would have been ours.

I wouldn't be too sure that they wouldn't have given it to Cuba or something.

[shnsajax]

So should FIFA go back to a rotation for the WC? I forgot that based on the old rotation system that was in place, 2018 would have been ours.

I wouldn't be too sure that they wouldn't have given it to Cuba or something.

 

A bermuda triangle WC would have been fun.

[shnsajax]

So Zidane was guaranteed $3million for his support to Qatar, and since they won the bid he ended up receiving $15 million.

[Guest]

Nasri's finish on the second Arsenal goal was amazing today.

 

Also, Chelsea's taken just five points from its last six EPL games.

[Outshined_One]

Can't wait to see games delayed by sand storms come 2022.

[Soul]

Well, I know little about WC - but Qatar certainly doesn't do much to raise my level of interest.

[Mark Priors Calves]

New to me, but the NFL tv map guy at the 506, is putting together soccer tv schedules for US audiences every week:

 

http://the506.com/sports/

[shnsajax]

Nasri's finish on the second Arsenal goal was amazing today.

 

Also, Chelsea's taken just five points from its last six EPL games.

 

His 1st was very nice too. The 2nd was goal of the year material. He's quietly having a great season, not so quietly anymore I guess.

[wolf stansson]

Villa looking to cut wages means Friedel is out this Jan.

 

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Aston-Villa-Brad-Friedel-considering-MLS-move-after-agreeing-to-terminate-contract-talks-Allan-McGregor-and-Tomasz-Kuszczak-lined-up-as-potential-replacements-Exclusive-article643789.html

 

Guzan is as good as McGregor and Kuszczak. If he doesn't get the #1 after Friedel leaves, he should request a transfer.