World Cup Soccer?

[Amateur]

I believe I read somewhere that this is the first time neither finalist from the previous cup (France v. Italy in 2006) made it past the group stage. I can't remember where I read it. Anyone else know if this is true?

Also the first time the host country did not make it past the group stage, right?

And I think it is also the first time since the first world cup that the USA actually won a group!

Crazy world cup!! Can't wait to see what happens next.

Maybe USA all the way? Probably not.

I heard the announcers say all of those things at some point. I want the US Team to feel they gave their best effort, regardless of the outcome. I'll be proud of them. If they defend and get beat, so be it. They know now that everyone is behind them and that should pump them up!

So looking forward to watching all of the games. I'm finding that the more I watch, the more I can see patterns of play. I still have trouble fignuring ou when someone makes a mistake, and when there is a foul.

But I do recognize faking when I see it! Spain was taking dives again today. I hope someone can make them regret that style of play. The refs seem to go for it every time.

[Nandakishore]

I wanted to cry this morning...

We should have gone through. I think we went into our first game already thinking we were defeated and when Cahill got the red card the boys gave up. It's a shame because the last two games were excellent... We beat a team that beat Germany. We always had a chance.

Maybe next time.

Now I have to pick a new team to support... I think it will be between Netherlands and England.

Renee, every Australian can be very proud of their team. I could have never imagined that a team that lost 4-0 to Germany can come back with such skill and fighting spirit.

You better wait till Sunday evening before you decide to support England because Germany is their nightmare, especially if it comes to penalty shooting.

[Nandakishore]

Renee, now you will have to support Netherlands.

[Renee]

Renee, now you will have to support Netherlands.

LOL

Actually I've been saying since before the world cup started that I think Germany will win... I just want to have a backup team in case I'm wrong :P

Netherlands it is!

Although I still think Germany is going to win.. I actually hope they win over the south american teams..

The Aussies did much better in the last world cup.. I'm so glad Italy is out now. I really don't like that team (no offense to the Italians in the house)...

[Nandakishore]

The Aussies did much better in the last world cup.. I'm so glad Italy is out now. I really don't like that team (no offense to the Italians in the house)...

Germany beat Aussies 4-0. Germany beat England 4-1 (However with that preposterous referee decision disowning England 2-2). If you compare the two results and also take into consideration that they were also treated roughly by referees, then you must admit they played very well. They have one serioius handicap: most of their players are playing all over the world. So it is difficult for them to practice together. Majority of the German players, on the other hans, play in Germany, almost every week against each other and several times a year as a national team. No wonder that they have a much superior teamwork. So, my hats off to the Aussies. I would have loved to see them move on at least to the next round.

[Nandakishore]

LOL

Actually I've been saying since before the world cup started that I think Germany will win... I just want to have a backup team in case I'm wrong :P

Netherlands it is!

Although I still think Germany is going to win.. I actually hope they win over the south american teams..

Renee, the WC final may be between Germany and Netherlands, your favourites.

By the way, the 4-0 thrashing of Argentina by Germany proves also that the Aussies were not that bad at all. You can also say they were as good as Argentina.

[TheGooner]

You can also say they were as good as Argentina.

... except of course Argentina scored 10 goals, won four games and reached the quarter-finals ...

I've seen a few England fans trying that line too ...

[Nandakishore]

What a pity we wont be seeing Maradonna running naked in the stadium as promised by him if Argentina won the Cup. Or shall I say, Thank God?

[villa10]

Germany (the wise old man) never forgives.
Maradona killed himself with an offensive scheme against a team too dangerous to give them space.

[Nandakishore]

It was very obvious that the Germans had a precise and intensively practiced plan of action which they carried out as a team. On the other hand, the Argentines seem to have nothing more than their hope that Messi would create a wonder. No single person can ever fulfil such expectations.

I think the match Germany vs. Spain will be quite different, because
a) by now Spain will definitely know that it will be lethal to underestimate this German team
b) the teamwork of Spain is far superior to that of England or Spain.

The only match the Germans lost was against Serbia, a team without stars but with good teamwork, just like the Germans.

[Renee]

... except of course Argentina scored 10 goals, won four games and reached the quarter-finals ...

I've seen a few England fans trying that line too ...

Come on... let us have some glory.. even if it is half winded..

The New Zealand team did very well too... I was very impressed...

[TheGooner]

Hey - Australia had their glory. The Aussies reached the finals, and won a group game - beating Serbia 2-1 - so that's a pretty good effort.

Australia was seeded outside the top 20, and so was not expected to progress beyond the group stages (at least not by people outside Australia).

In my view Australia played up to their level - and have nohing to be ashamed off.

I think that Australia fans may have had inflated expectations based on the Socceroos efforts in 2006 - but having a player sent off in each of the opening two games makes it tough to qualify out of a 4 team / 3 game group.

[Cobus]

The Ghana/Uruguay game was sooo excited - I almost lost a finger (don't ask!)

It will probably be Netherlands and Germany in the finals (unless there's another big upset).
My heart says Netherlands, but my head says Germany.

I will be at the Cape Town stadium again tomorrow night for the Netherlands/Uruguay match. Unfortunately couldn't get tickets,
but just to be with the crowd and walk the "fanwalk" is amazing!

[Nandakishore]

I am not so sure that Germany will beat Spain. The Spanish are as strong as the Germans in the midfield where the supremacy of one or the other team will be decided. However, the Germans have a more cohesive teamwork and better speed.

[AmCan]

After being disappointed by Spain for years, i've come to hate them, so i'm definitely hoping Germany wins. I also have been disappointed by the Dutch for years, but don't hate them, yet. So a Dutch/Deutsche final game would be fun to watch.

i'm already having withdrawals without daily games to watch. Though i've had enough vuvuzela for fifty lifetimes! I pity the poor folks in the stadiums and especially the players.

[Nandakishore]

After being disappointed by Spain for years, i've come to hate them, so i'm definitely hoping Germany wins.

Why did Spain disappoint you? After all, they are the reigning European Champion since 2008 and currently one of the three European teams who qualified for the WC semifinal?

[cgames]

the island will be rocking here on Tuesday, Go Holland!

[Renee]

I've placed my bets on a Netherlands Germany Final with Germany to win.

Netherlands are the only team that has won every single game so far.. that's pretty impressive..

I also heard a rumour that there is a security squad escorting the Argentinians back to Argentina.. pretty funny.. even if it isn't true..

I wonder how Maradonna will be drowning his sorrows...

[Nandakishore]

I wonder how Maradonna will be drowning his sorrows...

I read in a newspaper - or maybe it was the BBC News - that he will drown his sorrows in half of the entire stock of red wine of his country.
I must say that I feel very sorry for him. Passionate people like him always become a joke for the world when they miss their goals.

[CasinoTom]

I wonder how Maradonna will be drowning his sorrows...

I have to say - compared to some of the robot managers there have been on show, I've loved watching Maradona on the side line jumping up and down, living every moment vicariously through his players, kicking every ball and screaming about every decision going against them.

That's probably the last time we'll see him at a tournament, which is a shame, as he is highly entertaining - and his press conferences are incredible. If you've not seen a the one he gave after they qualified, it was amazing