Hey folks, World Football Cup started

I might be somewhat biased here, but I think the red was well deserved...
 
Actually they're playing a bit better than they have done so far, especially now with 10 men. So extra time - I would like to know if there are any Portuguese supporters at that match? 😀
 
I always forget the English have passion until I see them play football (or rugby). I must take my hat off to the Portuguese, they are a worthy rival.

England may look poor right now, but they are playing with one less player. And they're both at the edge of getting tired, I'm sure.
 
They're not that bad, really! England still have one sub to come on in the extra time. Any bets on who Ericsson will replace? I think he'll send on a new goalie, innit? 😉
 
could it be that the portuguese just wear their hair too short for the english to score?
 
OK - I am an American, so feel free to disregard my thoughts, or rip me a new one - I only get into soccer every 4 years - but during the cup I am totally absorbed. So here it is... what the Hell is up with all of the faked injuries? I mean even the commentators take it in stride, like it is an accepted facet of the game ie: "...he really sold that one..." or "...he was unable to sell that to the ref..." when we see the replays it is obvious the guy was not hurt - but they sure act like they are. Case in point, Mineche (sp?) in this game (POR vs ENG) was rolling on the ground holding his face like he had just been hit with a bat - when we see the replay there was NO contact with his face! I am not picking on Portugal, everyone appears to do it, though some more than others. My question I guess is - has it always been like this? Is it really just accepted as part of the game, as in "if you can make them believe you got hurt go for it"? Don't these people have any pride? Well, though it was not my goal, I'm sure I have pissed off most all of the die-hard fans here, but I really don't understand why this is tolerated.

PS
everything above is IMHO
 
Scott, you're right. Must be some sort of tactic.
Yesterdays Germany vs. Argentina lead to bleeding noses and bruised eybrows and jaws but not much theatre 🙂
 
And now I'm off to my brazilian friends, the bands singers birthday and Brazil vs. France. See you tomorrow.
 
I actually missed the end of the game due to a business call I had to deal with. Although I don't (yet) know how it was achieved, congratulations to Portugal on their win and good luck in the semi-final!
 
Socke said:
And now I'm off to my brazilian friends, the bands singers birthday and Brazil vs. France. See you tomorrow.
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Well Socke - Ghana is out, England is out...time to go back to my roots (my last name is brandenburg)...Go Germany!
 
I don't understand the fascination with the 4-5-1. I guess it worked to get England this far. I think Portugal and the US used it, too. I like seeing two forwards/strikers...but I'm American and don't understand the game. 😉

Ricardo was great, and of course it would come down to the smirking Ronaldo—what confidence he has! Good luck to Portugal. The next match will be a good one too.

🙂
 
The loss of Rooney hurt England a lot ... he was a dynamo in the second half of the game against Ecuador - just when some of his team mates were beginning to wilt. Like Socke, I think his red card was undeserved. I give the English credit for putting up a dogged defense despite being a man down. But I was happy to see Portugal win - too bad it came on those damned penalty shots.
 
RayPA said:
I saw the 'wink' and the 'shhh' motion!
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I saw it too, and there is a cultural difference here between countries over this kind of behavior. People in northern Europe get very upset and call it cheating. People in Latin countries in both Europe and South America shrug and think it's clever. You win any way you can and if you do something a little underhand then so much the better, you got away with it and you're smart.

There is a new book by Gianluca Vialli & Gabriele Marcotti called The Italian Job in which I believe this and many other differences are discussed. I have yet to get hold of a copy over here but I understand the book is excellent.
 
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