World Cup

[Jeld-Wen Falcon]

Just watching the world cup show on SBS. International media is right behind Australia saying we were robbed, one French news show said if that was a penalty theres kangaroos in Italy.

[BLOAN]

Maybe they should hand out this for a trophy!

[pennybrain]

Its horrible to have lost out like that but I think we should all be proud of or socceroos. They did awesome and no one expected them to even get as far as they did. And as Totti showed after he scored the goal Italy are a bunch of acting babies (Totti sucked his thumb after scoring the goal). Hopefully FIFA will one day realise that the diving is killing football. I know a few AFL fans who watched the soccer last night and they said they will never watch it again and it was stupid blah blah blah. I tryed to argue but it was too hard as they had a point.

[MethodX]

That was a tribute to his baby son

[rodderz]

The part I've hated most in soccer, is the blatant faking of injuries. Granted, the last few weeks I've realised that it is a smart tactic at times to draw a yellow card on an opponent, and also to maybe get the refs on side. But, the ridiculous dive taken by the italian bloke right in front of goals with seconds left is not only bad sportsmanship, but frigging cheating. Sure most wouldl be happy if the aussies had of won the same way but I for one wouldn't agree with a win with that tactic...

Having said that the aussies did need to captilise more on the 1 less member on Italy, maybe a few more kicks lobbed into the box may of created panic and maybe more opportunities for goals. You could see the disappointment in Viduka after the match, he made the point that it wasnt just that they got further than expected, but they were there to win. The hardest part about today's cruel loss was had they won a penalty shootout, just how far they would of gone. I think they could of made semi's or higher

[pennybrain]

They would have won in extra time I reckon. There would have been no need for a penatly shoot out. Either that or the Italians would have scored in extra time. Guus was playing for extra time and that was his mistake. The tactical master made a horrible tactcal mistake.

[MO]

Originally Posted by pennybrain

They would have won in extra time I reckon. There would have been no need for a penatly shoot out. Either that or the Italians would have scored in extra time. Guus was playing for extra time and that was his mistake. The tactical master made a horrible tactcal mistake.

Not nessecarily(sp) so...perhaps the Italians learned to out stratagise Guus......either way the Socceroos did us and themselves proud.

[XR Martin]

Alot of people are focusing on the penalty and not on the penalty the WE should have got not 2mins before, there was a blatant handball in the goal area and the ref didnt call it.
Thats where we lost the game.

[herbs]

Originally Posted by pennybrain

Its horrible to have lost out like that but I think we should all be proud of or socceroos. They did awesome and no one expected them to even get as far as they did. And as Totti showed after he scored the goal Italy are a bunch of acting babies (Totti sucked his thumb after scoring the goal). Hopefully FIFA will one day realise that the diving is killing football. I know a few AFL fans who watched the soccer last night and they said they will never watch it again and it was stupid blah blah blah. I tryed to argue but it was too hard as they had a point.

I'm a huge fan of the game but I agree the diving NEEDS to be addressed, it has the potential of killing the game. FIFA needs to get out and do something, ban players, take points away from clubs etc. Their stupid method of fines is a load of BS, that's friggin pocket change to the players involved.

[XRated]

Originally Posted by Jeld-Wen Falcon

So what are you Australian or Italian? Or Australian until they lose then Italian, or vice versa, seems the go with most Italian Australians.

: It's funny you say that. I know of three people that fit into that boat - can't speak Italian, never been to Italy etc. Theoretically I may as well back England and not the Aussies.

Anyway that's off topic.

It was an exciting game regardless of the outcome. I'm not a big soccer fan (just backing my country) but I felt myself so drawn into this game and the one against Croatia.

It seemed as though the Italians could kick to their team-mates without even looking/planning, whereas the Aussies needed to take the time to look up and hope the ball landed and did something. But the Aussies did seem to dominate for the most-part; just a little soft on the attacking.

Originally Posted by Martyvan

My Boss (Who is Italian) Sent this to everyone @ work last week.........

Italian Training Video - Right Click Save As - 2.5mb

All I can say to this is.... he was right.....

(Hope its not a repost)

heheh funny as.... like it

[ToxikXR]

The Italian had plenty of time (a step or two) to avoid Lucas Neill, but he milked it for all it was worth. I was surprised he didnt take a dive outside of the box, but he kept going and fell over himself. Neill dove, lied still and did not attempt to tackle the player. Its very disappointing, but none the less, well done socceroos.

I sincerely hope Neill doesnt blame himself, although I know I would.

[ED Classic]

Brazil get away with absoloute Murder. That second goal was way offside. Like when they played Australia the ref wont pay anything against Brazil. Totally intimidated.

[Redrum]

Originally Posted by XRated

: It's funny you say that. I know of three people that fit into that boat - can't speak Italian, never been to Italy etc. Theoretically I may as well back England and not the Aussies.

Anyway that's off topic.

It was an exciting game regardless of the outcome. I'm not a big soccer fan (just backing my country) but I felt myself so drawn into this game and the one against Croatia.

It seemed as though the Italians could kick to their team-mates without even looking/planning, whereas the Aussies needed to take the time to look up and hope the ball landed and did something. But the Aussies did seem to dominate for the most-part; just a little soft on the attacking.

I worked the van yesterday and the thing I suddenly noticed out on the street was all these Italia tops. Didn't see them the day before. Most of these people were born here, don't speak Italian, have never been back. I don't understand this. Everyone in this country except for the Aboriginals background is from overseas. I believe the majority follow Australia, I sure as hell do!! These people that see their countries of origin as coming first in their list of priorities, why don't they reside there?

This is part of the issue with why soccer has not taken off in this country, the clubs are all ethnic based........... Imagine the AFL or Rubgy League with teams like the Lithuanian Magpies, or the Spanish Panthers............

I have had the displeasure of working at a soccer game in our local league, Melbourne Knights Vs whoever the team is that is based at Albert Park. Before the game even started the racist chants etc started, was bascially the Croatians chanting anti greek stuff and the other team chanting anti Croatian stuff and the police spending the whole match trying to keep this crap apart. Same thing happened at Lygon Street and many other matches that have made it to the news due the riots associated etc. What is it with this game that promotes so must racism and violence?

My 3 cents worth

[Jeld-Wen Falcon]

Redrum, your right about the racism, but that was part of the reason the A-League was formed and no ethnic clubs were allowed to form and that has made the game more crowd friendly.

[pennybrain]

There are lots of Canberra based soccer clubs that revolve around ethnic backgrounds. It is silly as they have a croatian club, a serbian club, italian club etc etc. And then there are the clubs that are just university teams or different parts of canberra. I have seen parents taunting other parents about their ethnic backgrounds whilst their kids are on the field having a good time playing soccer. It isn't as bad now days as what it used to be a few years ago though. Hopefully it is just going to get better.

I read that some of the socceroos players are going to be coming back to play in the A league before they retire. That would be good and hopefully get some money and support into the A league!

[Redrum]

Originally Posted by pennybrain

I read that some of the socceroos players are going to be coming back to play in the A league before they retire. That would be good and hopefully get some money and support into the A league!

Would be good for sport to see some of the faces in the World Cup play in Australia, especially if it got some air time on the commercial tv news.

In relation to the acting and poor referee decisions etc, is this also common in the A league?

[pennybrain]

I have only seen a few A league matches and I think it is pretty fair. Although I remember seeing one clear dive and a penalty kick given.
I am hoping that the socceroos have given soccer a big boost in australia and it starts getting more support as I am a big fan and I never get the chance to watch any of it.
The world cup website states that lots of the socceroos will be getting poached for the european leagues as they played so well, but Viduka, Aloisi and someone else stated that they wanted to return to australia to play and this could also draw some european players as they will be attracted to the australian life style. This is providing more money gets put into the australian leagues.

[pennybrain]

Who do you think will win the world cup now??
I reckon it will be a Germany V France final.
But if Italy go through and win that means australia lost out in the last seconds of the match to the team that won the world cup. Would make us look good but probably dissapointed at the same time as I know a lot of australians feel that we could have beat Italy and then definately beat Ukraine and who knows what would have happened after that.

[AdzT3-146]

I'm hoping Germany goes on and wins it. I've liked the way they've played this tournament, and out of the 4 left, Germany are the one's i least dislike :P

[Racecraft]

I'd like to see Portugal win myself.. I would like Zidane to win a cup being his pending retirement but Henri and his arrogance grates on me :(

[Falcon Freak]

Originally Posted by AdzELXR

I'm hoping Germany goes on and wins it. I've liked the way they've played this tournament, and out of the 4 left, Germany are the one's i least dislike :P

Deutschland uber alles!

Originally Posted by Racecraft

I'd like to see Portugal win myself.. I would like Zidane to win a cup being his pending retirement but Henri and his arrogance grates on me :(

I'm with you. Portugal all the way.

FF

[MethodX]

Forza Italia, even though i dont think they will win.

Id say France to win it all.
They were awesome against Brazil.

[RSgerry]

Originally Posted by Redrum

Would be good for sport to see some of the faces in the World Cup play in Australia, especially if it got some air time on the commercial tv news.

In relation to the acting and poor referee decisions etc, is this also common in the A league?

I think the acting isnt as bad as it has been (true!!) but some of it is disgraceful. I dont think that it happens in the A League as much. Sadly, it has crept into the game and now shows up (and is being taught to) youngsters.

The referees in this tournament are probably the worst I have seen. Someone accused them of being 'starstruck', which sums it up nicely.

It would be great to see some of the faces from the WC come to the A League. It would give the game an enormous boost in this country. Maybe FFA ought to look at bringing some stars from other teams to Australia to play out the last days of their craeer. The game here would benefit hugely from one or two big names showing up in Australian football.

[MethodX]

2 members of the Angola team were negotiating with A leaugue clubs last I heard

Akwa the striker and the Goal keeper.

[Falcon Freak]

Originally Posted by MethodX

2 members of the Angola team were negotiating with A leaugue clubs last I heard

Akwa the striker and the Goal keeper.

NSL - producer and exporter of much Australian soccer talent.
A-league - importer of overseas 'wanna bes' or 'have beens'

That is why I am against the A-league and will never watch any of their games.

FF

[Jeld-Wen Falcon]

The A-League will eventually export talent, but by bringing bigger names to the A-League will give it more profile which will in turn get more talent to the series, which in turn will hopefully make it a credible league.

[pennybrain]

I heard Lucas Neill saying he is going to play 4 or 5 more seasons overseas and then come back to Australia and play out the rest of his career in the A league.
Hopefully they (they being the star players of today (Kewell, Viduka etc) and the people behind FFA) will create a good A league and we won't have to ship off all our good players to european countries. Hopefully we will have a league that is good enough for them here.

[pennybrain]

Well What a game Germany V Italy.
Both teams played well but I thought Italy deserved to win and they did. 2-0.
Glad I got up to watch that one. Pretty fair game too. Not much diving and silly umpire decisions!

[the_scotsman]

Originally Posted by pennybrain

Not much diving and silly umpire decisions!

Didn't you watch the first half? So many SOFT decisions...the dives were absolutely rediculous yet again...The Germany Yellow Card was bulls***!